標籤: season

The Detroit Tigers are entering the 2026 MLB season with high expectations. After losing to the Seattle Mariners in the 2025 AL Division Series, Detroit made several upgrades throughout the offseason. Most notably, the Tigers signed pitchers Framber Valdez, Justin Verlander, and Kenley Jansen.

Will the Tigers finally win the AL Central? Can Tarik Skubal become the first AL pitcher to win three consecutive Cy Young Awards? Will Detroit win its first World Series since 1984?

Below, we consider 10 bold predictions for the Tigers during the 2026 MLB season!

Kenley Johnson reaches 500 career saves

Jensen will reach 500 career MLB saves during the 2026 season. Jensen, who is expected to share the closing role with Will West and others, needs 24 saves to reach the 500 milestone. The 38-year-old closer ranks fourth all-time in MLB saves and will immortalize himself by recording his 500th save in 2026.

Colt Keith hits more than 20 home runs for the first time

Colt Keith has not produced as expected in MLB; However, that will change this season. In 2026, Keith will hit more than 20 home runs while batting in at least 75 runs. The Tigers’ third baseman hit 13 home runs in 2024 and 2025, but the extra pop in power has yet to appear. Keith is poised to have a breakout season and the Tigers hope to continue his 20-plus home run campaign.

Gleyber Torres stays healthy, produces All-Star season

Gleyber Torres was an All-Star second baseman in 2025; However, an injury reduced his production. However, Torres would bounce back by staying healthy during the 2026 MLB campaign and making the All-Star team again. The 29-year-old second baseman is ready to help lead the Tigers back to the MLB postseason.

Riley Green limited strikeouts, hit more than 40 home runs

Riley Green struck out 201 times during the 2025 MLB season, but that will not continue this season. Green will limit his strikeouts with better plate discipline while hitting over 40 home runs. The Tigers outfielder would breakout and become one of the favorites to win AL MVP. Green is ready for his breakout moment, and it could come in 2026.

Framber Valdez bounces back with sub-3.00 ERA

Valdez was Detroit’s biggest addition in free agency, and it will pay off with a speculative season. Valdez would have a sub-3.00 ERA and finish in the top 5 for AL Cy Young Award voting. After a disappointing 2025 MLB campaign, the former Houston Astros ace is set to come to Detroit. Even though Valdez is behind Skubal in the rotation, he will post No. 1 starting pitcher numbers.

Justin Verlander pitches well with sub-4.00 ERA

Verlander’s return to Detroit will be a successful one. Verlander will avoid the injured list while posting a sub-4.00 ERA during the 2026 season. The three-time AL Cy Young Award winner will have his moments, but he won’t derail. Verlander is back where he belongs with the Tigers, and he will start in the postseason.

Kevin McGonigle wins AL Rookie of the Year

Kevin McGonigle made the Opening Day roster and should produce as expected. McGonigal would be a middle-of-the-order hitter in the Tigers’ lineup and would win the AL Rookie of the Year award. The 21-year-old shortstop will have a slow start but will heat up in the summer months. McGonigal is ready for the big leagues and will prove why Detroit promoted him.

Tarik Skubal wins third consecutive AL Cy Young Award

Skubal will be joining a very prestigious list in 2026. The Tigers ace would go on to win the 2026 AL Cy Young Award in spectacular fashion, becoming the first AL pitcher to win the award in three consecutive seasons. Skubal would join Greg Maddux and Randy Johnson as the only MLB pitchers to win three consecutive Cy Young Awards.

Detroit Tigers win AL Central for first time since 2014

For the first time since 2014, the Tigers would win the AL Central. Detroit enters the 2026 MLB season as a favorite to win the division, and it will look to live up to those expectations. In fact, the Tigers would be the top-2 seed in the American League, earning a bye into the Wild Card Round for the first time in the new format.

Detroit Tigers lose to Los Angeles Dodgers in 2026 World Series

Detroit will make the 2026 World Series; However, it won’t end with a trophy. Despite a strong performance from the rotation, the Tigers would lose to the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games. Outside of McGonigle and Green, the Tigers’ offense will not live up to expectations, leading to major changes during the 2026 MLB offseason.

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

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

The Memphis Grizzlies will be without their top player for the remainder of the campaign as it was announced on Tuesday that Ja Morant will undergo a procedure for his elbow injury.

Morant was limited to only 20 games this season due to his elbow injury and other ailments. The Grizzlies said that while the athletic guard was making good progressThey have decided to err on the side of caution.

“After a recent consultation to advise on prolonged discomfort, it was recommended that Morant receive PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections to further optimize ligament healing. Morant will begin to wear the elbow following the injection and will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season, but is expected to make a full recovery before the 2026-27 season,” the team statement said.

@memgrizz The following medical updates were announced today for Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke and Zach Eddy: pic.twitter.com/gV8rLPlwbs

– Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) 25 March 2026

The Grizzlies are likely to miss the playoffs with a 24-47 record, and they probably don’t see any benefit in playing the 26-year-old Morant at this point. They are 1-11 in their last 12 assignments.

Many thought Memphis would part ways with Morant at the trade deadline. However, despite numerous controversies, no deal was made, keeping him with the Grizzlies.

He averaged 19.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 8.1 assists this season.

Over the past three campaigns, Morant has played in just 79 games combined.

Even without him, the Grizzlies are currently stacked in the backcourt, with Ty Jerome, Jaylen Wells, Walter Clayton Jr., Cam Spencer, Javon Small and Jahmai Mashek splitting minutes.

Memphis was defeated by the Atlanta Hawks 146-107 on Monday and will return to action on Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs.

With the NBA 2K26 Season 6 release date coming soon, new patch notes are likely to arrive before the Season 6 update. Overall, this brand new season brings new content in various modes like MyCAREER and MyTEAM. Additionally, it brings new content for other modes like The W. Without any further delay, let’s take a look at the NBA 2K26 Season 6 release date and patch notes.

NBA 2K26 Season 6 Release Date

Don’t miss the exclusive NBA 2K26 content pack available to GTA+ members!

Join GTA+ now to gain access to playing NBA 2K26 + bonus content! 👇https://t.co/o4RGTrRnNu pic.twitter.com/GwdGZ6RNhG

– NBA 2K (@NBA2K) 20 March 2026

NBA 2K26 Season 6 release date is Friday, April 3, 2026 8am PT/11am ET.

Like a normal NBA 2K season, players can expect to see new content in MyCAREER and MyTEAM. Additionally, there will be a brand new Season Pass, filled with 80 free rewards that you can earn over time. Check back with us when Season 6 launches to see all the rewards.

NBA 2K26 Season 6 Patch Notes

At the time of writing, the developers have not yet revealed any updates or patch notes for Season 6. Earlier this month, the developers released a new patch to combat cheaters. But I think we can expect to see things that revolve around gameplay and different modes.

What to expect in season 6?

As previously mentioned, Season 6 will come with a new Season Pass that includes rewards for MyTEAM and MyCAREER. Luckily, you don’t have to play both modes to earn XP. If you like MyCAREER, all you have to do to earn MyTEAM rewards is play MyCAREER. Additionally, we can expect another Pro Pass, which will bring even more rewards when purchased.

Additionally, the new season will likely include new content for W Mode, including seasonal and weekly challenges. We may also see more community builds, as well as an update to MyTEAM Mobile.

Courtside report for Season 6 should be coming soon. We can expect to hear more details about the season’s cover athlete as well. Stay tuned for the latest report, which should come before the season ends.

Overall, that covers everything you need to know about the NBA 2K26 Season 6 release date and patch notes. We are looking forward to a brand new season full of rewards for players. If you’re looking for more NBA 2K content, try redeeming the latest locker code. Also, watch last week’s episode of NBA 2KTV to earn some VC.

Finally, for more gaming and NBA news, visit ClutchPoints. Also, subscribe to our own gaming newsletter for more weekly updates.

Fenerbahçe have set their sights on Everton striker Beto and are planning to use his contract situation to secure a deal for him this summer.

turkish outlet sok report The Everton striker is on Fenerbahçe’s transfer list, and his performance against Chelsea has brought him back into the spotlight.

Chelsea’s performance rekindles interest

According to his information, the striker has scored two goals and assisted against Chelsea ‘Hunger increased again’ Yellowish blue.

Fenerbahçe parted ways with several strikers during the January transfer window and have since been searching for a new centre-forward. After trying to get him in January, Beto is a name on their list.

January transfer drama

In fact, he was a part of it A classic January transfer drama of that time. It saw his agent traveling to Istanbul, negotiating, and then dropping everything within a few days.

This was all eventually stopped by Everton, who were unwilling to let Beto leave on loan without ensuring a replacement. Thus, Fenerbahçe retreated.

Contract status offers hope

But his interest has not completely ended. And the Turkish side will be watching closely as Beto shines against Chelsea this weekend. His two goals and one assist have reportedly ‘rekindled’ their interest in a deal.

And that interest is being encouraged by his contract situation. Beto’s current deal runs until June 2027, meaning he will enter the final year this summer.

According to SOK, Everton has already moved to resolve this. They have offered Beto a contract, but it has been rejected.

Everton face a summer dilemma

That rejection has encouraged Fenerbahçe to return in the summer. They know that if Everton do not sell in the summer, they risk losing Beto for free after next season. With a market value of €20 million, this is a risk the Toffees would hardly want to take.

Whether Fenerbahçe would pay that much has not been mentioned. But they need a new striker and Beto is on their list. The plan, clearly, is to take advantage of the contract situation to their advantage.

Moyes needs a decision

Meanwhile, Everton have a decision to make. Beto doesn’t need to be a regular goalscorer, but the performance against Chelsea nailed the situation. The 28-year-old has, time and again, hinted at being the solution under David Moyes.

Thierry Barrie is also back on the bench and after the defeat to Arsenal with some fans wanting him to be sold, Everton may not be keen to sell. But he may be forced to leave if Beto won’t sign a new deal, which appears to be the case at the moment.

Josh Hart came to Mikal Bridges’ defense as Mikal Bridges struggled with shooting issues during the New York Knicks’ 2025-26 campaign.

Bridges is going through the eighth season of his NBA career, his second with the Knicks. This campaign has been different for the star wing as he is taking fewer shots per game. Since the All-Star break, entering Sunday’s win over the Washington Wizards, he was averaging just 10.4 points on 40.6 percent shooting and 31.3 percent from downtown.

Hart spoke to the New York Post about Bridges’ effectiveness on the court this season. He supports his star teammate, believing in his ability to persevere and continue to make big plays in big games.

“He’s doing what he’s asked. And I’ve said this before – when you’re a guy who’s been [with the Brooklyn Nets] When you’re the No. 1 guy and he’s calling those plays for you,” Hart said.

“Last year, there weren’t many plays called for him. This year, there’s probably even less plays called for him. So obviously there’s a mental hurdle that he has to overcome and that’s something where some of us can help him. I think he gets some unfair criticism because he’s doing what he’s asked. And if we sit there and say, shoot 15 shots a game, he’ll be efficient and he can do that. But that’s not the case. Asked him.”

Josh Hart, what’s next for the Knicks

Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges know it will take a lot to lead the Knicks to success, especially when they are competing for a title.

New York has a 47–25 record on the season and is in third place in the Eastern Conference standings. They are above the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors, while trailing the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons.

With six consecutive wins, the Knicks will continue to prepare for their next match at home. They will host the New Orleans Pelicans as tip-off takes place on March 24 at 7:30 pm ET.

The Brooklyn Nets rookie is getting extended minutes during the final stretch of the season after the team was eliminated from postseason contention. Ben Saraf has seen the biggest increase in workload during recent games.

Saraf has struggled for most of the season. However, he has started to show his skills which led the Nets to select him with the No. 26 pick in the June draft. The 6-foot-6 point guard continued his encouraging performance during Sunday’s 126-122 loss to the Sacramento Kings, scoring a season-high 22 points on 10-of-20 shooting with five assists and two turnovers.

“I think I played pretty well. I got to the rim and made two [feet] “I felt like I was able to finish at the rim, just like the coaches wanted,” Saraf said. I mean, they didn’t have any crazy shot-blockers, so I was able to go all the way. [to the basket]”

Saraf was the only Nets player to score 20 points during the defeat. The 19-year-old has scored in double figures in five of his last six games.

Ben Saraf continues his encouraging performance with a career best performance

Saraf has averaged 12.3 points on 47.5 percent shooting with 4.5 assists and 3.0 turnovers per game during that span. Jordi Fernandez praised the rookie’s finishing and ability to limit turnovers as Brooklyn’s leading ball-handler in Sacramento.

Fernandez said of Saraf’s performance, “It was great.” Possibly one of his best games finishing at the rim. You can see it right there, I love how aggressive he was. Five assists to two turnovers. Our 30 assists resulted in only seven turnovers [as a team] Very impressive. So this is definitely a step forward for us.”

While Saraf was effective as a driver and facilitator on Sunday, he missed all five of his three-point attempts. The Israeli floor general is shooting 36 percent on just 3.6 three-point attempts per 20 minutes this season.

Sunday’s loss moved Brooklyn into a tie with Sacramento for third place in the draft lottery standings. The Nets now have two fewer wins than the Kings with 11 games remaining. They have one more win than the Washington Wizards in second and two more than the Indiana Pacers in first.

Brooklyn has matchups with Sacramento, Washington and Indiana on its remaining schedule.

The Washington Wizards have the NBA’s second-worst record at 16-53 entering Saturday’s home date with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and they are on pace to make the top six in this summer’s draft. They have no incentive to bring players back from injury before their last game on April 12, especially four-time All-Star guard Trae Young.

The Wizards announced an update on the injury to the 27-year-old, who missed Monday’s 125-117 loss to the Golden State Warriors due to quad contusion.

“Young re-injured his right quadriceps during the third quarter of the game against Golden State on March 16. Related imaging due to back pain confirmed lower back irritation,” the organization said. “Both injuries are being treated conservatively and will not require surgery at this time. Further updates will be provided as appropriate.”

Washington officially acquired Young from the Atlanta Hawks on January 9, but he did not play until the team’s 122–112 home loss to the Utah Jazz on March 5 due to quad and knee injuries. The former All-NBA honoree has played just five games since the trade after leading the league with 11.6 assists per game in 76 contests last year and 15 games overall this season.

The Wizards placed a minutes restriction on Young, as he averaged only 20.8 minutes in those five games. The 6-foot-2, 164-pounder is averaging 34.1 minutes in his career.

However, Young still put on a show, Producing highlights such as fake behind-the-back passes, deep threes, and his patented “ice tray” celebration.

Trae Young (19 PTS) was a handful on defense in the first half pic.twitter.com/bWmMJsXiYV

– NBA Philippines (@NBA_Philippines) 17 March 2026

The Oklahoma native averaged 15.2 points on 59.5% shooting (42.9% 3-point) with 6.3 assists, three rebounds and 2.6 turnovers in those 20.8 minutes. He scored 21 points (7-10 FG, 3-5 3-point) with five assists, two rebounds, one block and one steal in 21 minutes against the Warriors on Monday.

Young has a $49 million player option this summer. Assuming the former Oklahoma Sooner opts to extend and/or sign with Washington, he will likely be its point guard next season with star big man Anthony Davis and a young core including big man Alex Saar, sharpshooting guard Trey Johnson, wing Keyshawn George, wing Will Riley, guard Bilal Coulibaly and guard Bub Carrington. Additionally, whoever the team drafts this summer could be a superstar prospect like BYU’s AJ DiBuntsa, Kansas’ Darrin Peterson, or Duke’s Cameron Boozer, depending on which selection they get in May’s NBA Draft Lottery.

Trae Young showed how he can change the Wizards

If Young doesn’t return this season, the silver lining is that he showed why Washington chose him. The seriousness of the 2018 NCAA champion and assists leader on offense generated more open looks for its young core, making it easier for players like Johnson, Riley and Coulibaly to score. For example, Coulibaly is averaging 16.8 points on 45% shooting (41% 3-point) with Young, and he is averaging 11 points on 41.5% shooting (31% 3-point) in 47 games this season.

This story is being updated

Celtic’s Benjamin Nygren says he is having the best season of his career with Martin O’Neill’s team and has left the door open to leaving Celtic Park.

After spending more than three years at FC Nordsjælland, the Sweden international moved to Celtic in June 2025.

In his final season in Denmark, he scored 16 goals and four assists in 32 matches. This convinced Celtic to take a bet on him when Brendan Rodgers was in charge.

He scored five goals and four assists in 16 matches for Celtic under Rodgers, who left the club in October. That time, Nygren said He was ‘saddened’ by Rodgers’ decision to leave.

O’Neill used him in the middle of the pitch and as an attacking midfielder, and he scored 11 goals and two assists under his orders.

He has 19 goals and seven assists in 48 games for Celtic and the numbers in the league are shown below.

• Expected target: 10.78
• Expected assists: 5.82
• Big chances created: 7
• Key passes per game: 1.1
• Shots on goal per game: 1.1
• Successful dribble: 0.7
• Interceptions per game: 0.5
• Tackles per game: 0.9
• possession won [final third]: 0.8

Celtic player dreams of moving to the top league

sportbladet Interviewed Benjamin Nygren to discuss his season so far with the Bhoys and other topics.

“It’s been a really good season for me personally. The best of my career and I feel I’ve been given exactly the role I wanted at Celtic. I can be creative from my position in midfield, create a lot going forward and personally it’s been a good season,” He said.

“It is a bit difficult from a team point of view, but we are hopeful and confident that we will win the league this year.”

The 24-year-old’s versatility and overall performances for Celtic have sparked transfer links.

The newspaper mentions Manchester United as the rumored club, and these links please the player. In fact, he leaves the door open for a move away from Celtic in the future.

“It’s really just fun and a sign that you’ve done something good. I’m always humble, I’m always working hard to get better every day and I really enjoy Celtic.” Nigren explained.

“But like every other footballer, I have a dream to progress as far as possible in football and play in the biggest league.”

Sweden contracts, prices and agent information

Although he has expressed a desire to move on a big break, Celtic’s stance on his potential sale is not yet known.

Benjamin Nygren’s contract is until 2030, and his value, accordingly transfer marketWhen he joined Celtic he cost €6m. This increased to €6.5m in December and to €10m in March.

Agency HCM Sports Management represents the Celtic player, who is managed by agents Hasan Cetinkaya and Ali Dursun. He has a long list of clients, and includes Arsenal’s Victor Gyöckeres and Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong.

The Indiana Pacers will be without Ivica Zubac for the remainder of the 2025-26 season after the veteran center suffered a rib fracture.

According to Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star, Zubac suffered a concussion during Wednesday’s game and will not return this season.

“Recently acquired Pacers center Ivica Zubac suffered a fractured rib in Wednesday’s game and will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season,” Dopirak reports.

“Zubac left the game with a head injury after being hit by an elbow from Portland center Donovan Clingan, but he also had an ice pack with him while speaking to media members after the game.”

Zubac played through the injury in Indiana’s 127–119 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers and finished with 18 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one block. He shot 7 of 18 from the field and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line in 23 minutes.

Pacers’ frontcourt is vacant due to Ivica Zubac’s injury amid consecutive losses

The 29-year-old was in the early stages of his Pacers tenure after being acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers at the trade deadline. In five games with Indiana, Zubac averaged 11.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 47.2 percent from the field in 23.6 minutes per contest under a minutes restriction.

Prior to the trade, Zubac was enjoying a productive season with Los Angeles, averaging 14.4 points, 11 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 43 games, including 42 starts, while shooting 61.3 percent from the field.

His absence leaves a significant void in Indiana’s frontcourt as the team is going through a difficult season. The Pacers enter the game at 15-55 and are in the midst of a franchise-record 15-game losing streak.

Indiana will try to regroup as it begins a two-game road trip against the San Antonio Spurs (52-18) on Saturday night at 8 pm ET.

With Zubac sidelined for the remainder of the season, the Pacers will likely turn to their remaining frontcourt options as they evaluate roster pieces heading into the offseason.

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario will be out for several weeks during the international break with an injury.

According to Gianluca Di MarzioVicario has been diagnosed with a hernia which will now require surgery in the coming days. This has ruled him out of Italy’s March international break And potentially ending his season early.

Vicario reportedly felt the problem after Tottenham’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid. Further investigation confirmed the need for operation.

The procedure is scheduled for Monday, after which the Italian faces several weeks of rest as he aims to return to full fitness ahead of a potential World Cup.

sportmediaset Report a problem inguinal hernia.

Tottenham’s crisis deepens

For Igor Tudor, the timing couldn’t be worse. Tottenham are already battling an injury-laden list to avoid slipping into the Championship.

They now face the prospect of finishing the Premier League without their number one goalkeeper.

The timeline of Guglielmo Vicario’s recovery remains uncertain, but he will be ruled out for a long period of time which will see him miss important matches. That includes a relegation six-pointer against Nottingham Forest this weekend.

battle of accusations

The Tudors will likely turn to Antonin Kinski, despite the goalkeeper’s horror Champions League debut against Atletico Madrid last week. Brandon Austin is currently the third choice option at Spurs.

Tottenham will also face Wolves on 25th^th April and leeds on 9th^th Two other clashes in May saw teams threatened with relegation. The question now is whether Vicario can return in time for them.

His absence has forced a reshuffle for Italy too. Gennaro Gattuso has already brought in Alex Meret as a replacement for the Tottenham player.

Losing him isn’t as big a blow as it would be for Spurs, but it is a big moment that could shape both Tottenham’s survival battle during the international break and Italy’s preparations for the World Cup play-offs.

🇫🇷 Robin Riser | ‘Not hiding my intentions’
➡️Tottenham Hotspur made a solid approach
➡️Newcastle United are also interested https://t.co/dIMjmfnX2J #thfc #nufc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 20 March 2026

The Washington Wizards have acquired two stars this season, but only one has played for them. Four-time All-Star guard Trae Young (quad) has played five games, while five-time All-NBA big man Anthony Davis (hand) has been out since the Wizards met the Dallas Mavericks in February.

Washington released an update on Davis via social media on Friday.

“Davis, who is out with ligament damage in his left hand, was re-evaluated on Thursday by Dr. Steven Shinn of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles,” the organization said. “It was determined that Davis’ recovery is progressing positively, but the volar plate tissue in his left hand has not completely healed. Davis will continue conservative treatment and will continue to pursue his basketball activity as tolerated, he will be reevaluated at the end of the month, and an update will be provided at that time.”

According to ESPN, Davis has not played since January 8, when he injured his hand guarding Utah Jazz big man Lauri Markkanen in the Mavericks’ 116–114 loss. This occurred the day after the Wizards agreed to acquire Young from the Atlanta Hawks and they agreed to terms with Dallas for Davis on February 4.

Washington sent the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2026 first-round pick, the Golden State Warriors’ top-20-protected 2030 first-rounder, and three second-rounders along with forward Khris Middleton, guard AJ Johnson, guard Malachi Branham and big man Marvin Bagley III. The Mavericks also traded guards Jaden Hardee, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum along with Davis. Via Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Wizards waived Exum and Russell will not report to the team.

This story is being updated.

The Detroit Pistons took on the Washington Wizards on Thursday night and were forced to do so without the services of Cade Cunningham after the two-time NBA All-Star was diagnosed with a collapsed lung. Although the Pistons liked having their star guard available, they didn’t need him to beat the Wizards.

Detroit defeated Washington on Thursday night by a score of 117-95. Jalen Duren led the way for the Pistons with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Durant was one of six Pistons who scored in double figures in the 22-point win.

Halfway through the game, longtime Detroit Pistons play-by-play commentator George Blaha objected to some Wizards players laughing during a timeout.

“It’s a big joke on the Wizards bench,” Blaha said As the camera panned to Wizards guard Bub Carrington and forward Anthony Gill. “I know I would be laughed at if I lost that many games.”

george blaha doesn’t give a fuck anymore 😭 pic.twitter.com/gZQxD9or1j

— nick (@nick__xo) March 20, 2026

Carrington finished Thursday night’s contest with just 10 points on 4-11 shooting, while Anthony Gill was held scoreless in 24 minutes of play. Still, it was a little strange to hear George Blaha – who majored in Botany in Detroit, Michigan and has been the voice of Pistons basketball since 1976 – approach some Wizards players who were resting during a timeout.

With the win, the Pistons improved to an Eastern Conference best 50–19 record. They currently have just four games left on the Boston Celtics for the second seed, but will play at least the next two weeks without Cade Cunningham.

Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards fell to 16–53 on the season, the second-worst record in the NBA behind only the 15–55 Indiana Pacers.

The Detroit Pistons have already shown they can win without Cade Cunningham, and that context now shapes this stage of the regular season after their latest injury update. The Pistons lead the Eastern Conference standings at 49-19, but are just 5-5 in their last 10 games. Earlier this year, Detroit went 5-2 without its star guard, averaging 111.7 points per game in that span. That pattern holds even more importance now as the team prepares to deal with another absence of its franchise leader.

Before this setback, Cunningham was having one of the best seasons of his career. He averaged 24.5 points and 9.9 assists while controlling the pace and providing consistent offense. Its effect is also visible in advanced numbers. The Pistons outscored opponents by 10.9 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor. Without him, the figure drops to +2.7. The system still works, but it’s obviously changed.

The first 5-2 run revealed something important. Detroit can adapt. The ball moves fast. Scoring becomes more balanced. The speed remains stable. It’s not the same structure, but still effective enough to win games.

Pistons will face a big test after Cade Cunningham’s injury.

Now, the challenge is much more serious. Reports have confirmed that Cade Cunningham has suffered a damaged lung, an injury that will keep him sidelined for an extended period of time with no clear timeline for his return.

Time makes it even more difficult. The regular season is coming to a close. Detroit still leads the East, but recent inconsistency adds pressure. Every possession matters more. The margin for error decreases under the intensity of the playoffs.

Still, the Pistons have already built up confidence without their star. Role players have already moved on. The offense has proven it can maintain production. That belief matters now.

However, the roof is tied to Cunningham. His control, vision and late-game presence cannot be replaced. Detroit can remain competitive. True controversy is another level.

So now the question sharpens: If the Pistons have already proven they can win without Cade Cunningham this season, can they keep it up when it matters most?

Bill Simmons has watched every superstar in the league this year, but one name stands out above the rest in his mind. While Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is gunning for the MVP trophy, Simmons is planting his flag for Victor Wembanyama as the true best player on the planet right now. On a recent episode of his podcast, the veteran analyst expressed his amazement at the sheer defensive intensity the San Antonio Spurs center provides every night.

“I can’t believe how good Wemby is. How hard he plays, and what an impact he makes on both ends of the floor, especially on defense.” Simmons said, “We were just counting all the shots he changes, changes, or changes the guy’s mind, and it was about 30. He never gives up, he keeps playing hard the whole time. And he has an impact on the game. I thought it was the most impressive thing I’ve seen.”

That defensive motor is a primary reason why the San Antonio Spurs currently sit at 51-18, reaching the 50-win mark for the first time since the 2016-17 season. They currently trail only the Thunder in the high-stakes Western Conference race as the playoffs approach.

The seven-foot-four phenom’s efficiency was on full display during Tuesday night’s emphatic 132-104 win over the Sacramento Kings. Wembanyama didn’t need to break a sweat, finishing with 18 points, eight rebounds and three assists in just 22 minutes of action. He hit 7 of 14 shots from the floor and knocked down two triples before being quickly benched.

Simmons acknowledged Gilgeous-Alexander is hovering in the rarefied air of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. However, he still stressed that the impact Vembanyama has had on both ends of the floor represents the most impressive thing he has seen all season. The big man’s ability to control the game without the need for high-volume scoring is what really sets him apart. As the postseason approaches, the debate over best player vs. most valuable player will only intensify.

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.

New York – The New York Knicks conducted a coaching search last season to improve their approach to individual games, the season as a whole, and the playoffs. Despite the results delivered by former head coach Tom Thibodeau, Mike Brown received the reins because the organization felt he could both identify and implement needed improvements.

The Knicks defeated the Golden State Warriors 110-107 on Sunday night, and sent their fans home victorious from Madison Square Garden. But, regardless of the results, Brown was clearly frustrated with the team’s process throughout the game. While not named “Defensive Player of the Game”, he told reporters that the focus and physicality of his group was unacceptable for starting four of their last five games.

“One thing I tell them is that on an experienced team that has won and has a very high level of experience, I should not be calling two timeouts in the first six minutes of a ball game,” Brown shared in disappointment after the only-score win. “And I’m not talking about the X’s and O’s. So, this group knows it. They understand it. Now we have to do it.”

Last season, despite discouraging lineup data, the Knicks took their starting five of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart to the Eastern Conference Finals. Once the Indiana Pacers took a 2–0 lead, New York insisted on starting Mitchell Robinson instead of Hart.

Brown began his first season with Robinson, but reinstated Hart in late December. The coach told reporters on Sunday that he was not considering a change at the moment, but that “it’s not too late to do anything” at this point in the season.

“If I felt the need, I would do it. I’m not thinking of it right now,” Brown said. “I’m not focused on each individual because, like you said, we started different guys at different times. … We can play better. I know about myself and every guy in that locker room, every person in that locker room, expects more. And somehow, some way, we’ve got to figure it out.”

Does it make sense to trade Mikal Bridges if the Knicks are winning?

Leaving Mikal Bridges on the bench in crunch time has become a trend for the Browns. The starting wing spent the final seven minutes of the game against the Warriors on the sidelines. Veteran sharpshooter Landry Shamet once again took the fifth spot in the lineup. This is at least the seventh game this season the Browns have finished without Bridges, testing the Knicks’ locker room ethos that sacrifice is necessary to win.

It was not Brown or any other Knicks player who decided to trade five picks in the first round for Bridges. Or to offer him the four-year, $150 million extension he signed last offseason. But even if Bridges is performing better than average for his career, it’s still difficult to evaluate those decisions objectively.

New York’s front office transformed a laughing stock into a contender in four seasons, without ever losing. They essentially just traded two first-round picks in three transactions that brought them Brunson, Towns, and Anunoby.

It makes sense that the team took an unprecedented gamble and traded five picks for Bridges. The rest of their roster was also assembled in an unconventional manner. This is the same braintrust that was ridiculed for making Brunson the first player without an All-Star appearance to receive $100 million from a team that did not draft him.

Bridges needs to improve his aggression on both ends of the floor. But this is to help the Knicks win games, not the previous trades.

Kawhi Leonard has been the best version of himself this season, scoring career-highs while being his usual, efficient self all over the court. But the LA Clippers star may miss out on NBA awards this season.

Named an NBA All-Star for the seventh time in his NBA career, Leonard has averaged 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game in 53 games this season. He missed only 14 games this season, 10 of which came in November due to a sprained right ankle.

Leonard has unfortunately been ruled out of Monday night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, which will be his 15th game this season. This means Leonard can only miss two more games before becoming ineligible for season-ending NBA awards.

As things stand, Kawhi Leonard is set to make an All-NBA team as well as an All-Defensive team, but missing two more games would put him on the list of stars who are already ineligible to join those teams.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, LeBron James and Stephen Curry are all among the players who are not eligible to win awards at season’s end, and several others are not far behind them.

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic cannot miss any more games or he will be ineligible to win. Both Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic can miss only five more games before they are no longer eligible. San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama has played in 52 of the Spurs’ 67 games so far, leaving them with only two games of qualification left.

Last week, Kawhi Leonard reported what would allow him to have a career-year in his 14th season.

“The guy up there and I are just able to play the game,” the Clippers star explained to 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.”

The Clippers only have 15 games remaining this season, including two back-to-back sets. Leonard has played nine back-to-back sets already this season, displaying a level of confidence in his health that the Clippers medical staff may not have seen in years past.

Monday night’s game between the LA Clippers and San Antonio Spurs is scheduled to begin at 7 PM PST on NBC.

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.

To say the least, Russell Wilson’s NFL journey has been very exciting. From being a $40 million franchise QB in Seattle to sitting on the bench in Denver and then barely seeing the field in Pittsburgh, the second half of his career has been anything but smooth.

Coming into this offseason, Wilson probably wasn’t at the top of many teams’ wish lists. Still, he’s the kind of veteran quarterback who can come off the bench and keep the offense humming if the team suddenly needs a steady hand under center.

And while Wilson may be one of the better options left in the thin QB market, one thing is clear – he won’t be a good fit for Kansas City. At the moment, its next landing spot is still up in the air.

So with the quarterback carousel still spinning, here are five dream landing spots for former Super Bowl champions.

green Bay Packers

As the 2026 NFL offseason begins, the Green Bay Packers have been pretty quiet in terms of transactions. Other than bringing in former Javon Hargrave — who previously played for the Minnesota Vikings — Green Bay hasn’t made any spectacular moves yet. That said, GM Brian Gutekunst still has some boxes to check off before the season starts. One of the biggest? Locking up a reliable QB2 behind franchise quarterback Jordan Love, especially now that Malik Willis is no longer in the picture.

This is where Wilson can come into play.

Honestly, fit means a lot to both parties. Green Bay won’t have to commit to anything long-term — just a one-year veteran deal to stabilize the quarterback room. And Wilson will land with a playoff-caliber organization that values ​​veteran leadership. Wilson’s 2025 campaign with the New York Giants wasn’t exactly a headline-grabbing one, but he still showed highlights. In six games, he threw for 831 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions, completed 58% of his passes, and added 106 rushing yards.

Sure, Wilson may not be the most attractive QB2 option. But if the Packers are looking for a battle-tested veteran who can step up and keep the offense going when needed, he checks that box. At the end of the day, Wilson has a long track record in this league and knows how to win football games. And when it comes to supporting Love, Gutekunst and the Packers could certainly fare worse.

dallas cowboys

Dak Prescott is still firmly locked in as the QB1 for the Dallas Cowboys, but the depth chart behind him is very thin. Right now, Dallas is working with Prescott and Joe Milton III, and most contenders prefer to have a veteran vet waiting in case the starter goes down.

This is where Wilson could enter the conversation.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has made it clear that the team wants to push its chips to the middle of the table and chase a Super Bowl, rather than wait for long-term development. Wilson fits that win-now mentality. If Prescott misses time, Wilson is the kind of veteran who can step in, add offense and keep the playoff train on track. After all, he’s a Super Bowl-winning QB who has plenty of big-game reps.

And like the situation in Green Bay, Wilson probably isn’t making a big deal at this stage of his career. A one-year ‘proven’ deal with a contender would make a lot of sense.

Hunt? Dallas’ cap situation. The Cowboys are already up against the salary cap, which means the front office will have to pull off some serious cap gymnastics to get Wilson to sign the job — even on a short-term deal.

Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray is still the clear QB1 for the Arizona Cardinals, but the depth chart behind him has been a bit shaky the past few seasons. Bringing in Wilson would immediately give Arizona a high-end, experienced QB2 who can step up and provide offense should Murray ever miss time. Wilson has over a decade of starting experience and plenty of playoff leverage, which is an insurance policy that most teams would prefer to have sitting on the sidelines.

From a planning standpoint, the Fit isn’t too crazy. Under head coach Jonathan Gannon and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, Arizona’s offense relies on mobility, play-action and off-schedule playmaking – all areas where Wilson has traditionally thrived. The Cardinals also have a young roster that is still finding its identity, and that’s where Wilson’s presence could really be beneficial. A veteran QB like him can mentor young offensive players, stabilize the quarterback room, and bring playoff experience to a developing team.

Wilson has also built a reputation for helping younger teammates step up — just ask DK Metcalf, who blossomed during Wilson’s years in Seattle. Veteran quarterbacks often become locker-room tone setters for teams undergoing a rebuild or makeover. And unlike many QB-needy franchises, Arizona actually entered the 2026 offseason with solid cap flexibility after shedding several veteran contracts during their rebuild. That means the Cardinals could realistically make a veteran deal without restructuring half the roster, especially if Wilson is open to a modest one-year contract.

At this point in his career, Wilson may simply be looking for a stable situation where he’ll get a real chance to see the field if needed — and Arizona could quietly offer exactly that.

RELATED: 5 Deebo Samuel landing spots in NFL free agency, including 49ers reunion

Seattle Seahawks

It would be a storybook ending if Wilson ended up back with the Seattle Seahawks — the same place where he spent a decade cooking up and helping lead the franchise to its only Super Bowl title.

A reunion would bring back a quarterback who already knows the expectations of the fanbase, the culture inside the building and the pressure that comes with playing in Seattle. There will be no learning curve – just a familiar face in a familiar locker room. Beyond the inevitable cap-space gymnastics, there’s also an interesting story if this actually happened. Wilson can eventually guide Sam Darnold like he once helped guide DK Metcalf early in his career.

turn? Back in Seattle, Wilson was the franchise QB, and Metcalf was the young rising star. If he returned now, the roles would be reversed – Wilson would likely be the veteran QB2, supporting Darnold while providing the kind of experience that only a Super Bowl-winning quarterback can provide.

Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams’ offense still revolves around Matthew Stafford, who will turn 38 during the 2026 season. With Stafford’s age and injury history, it wouldn’t be shocking if the Rams wanted to add some premium insurance at QB2. This is where Wilson can make a lot of sense.

If Stafford were to miss time, Wilson would immediately become one of the most experienced backup quarterbacks in the league – a veteran who can step in and keep the offense going without everything breaking down.

And make no mistake, the Rams are back in the playoff race. For contenders, having a reliable QB2 could be the difference between staying in the postseason race or seeing the season end after an injury.

Additionally, Wilson will be entering an offense loaded with talent. Throwing to playmakers like Puka Nakua and Cooper Kupp, while sharing the locker room with defensive cornerstone Aaron Donald, is not a bad situation for any quarterback.

Financially, Ram can also make it work. A short-term, one-year veteran deal for Wilson would be manageable under their cap and give Los Angeles top-tier insurance behind Stafford without the long-term money.

RELATED: NFL fans react to Joey Bosa 49ers rumors

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Concern over fitness of Leeds United player

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Situation worrying for Daniel Farke’s side

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

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

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

The San Antonio Spurs have a stranglehold on the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference with 15 games remaining on the regular season schedule. While the team is focused on making the playoffs, it looks like Victor Wembanyama has some lofty MVP and Defensive Player of the Year goals.

During the postgame press conference following the Spurs’ 115-102 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, the 22-year-old center claimed he is making sure to keep his body fit and healthy for the final stretch of the season. He also claimed that he wants to win not only the MVP but also the DPOY this year.

“Right now, I’m taking great care of my body because I want to win MVP and DPOY as well,” Vembanyama said. “So, I’m just trying to press the gas from now until the end of the season. Really take care of my treatment, take care of my sleep, take care of my routine and perform for my team.”

Wembley:

“Right now I’m taking a lot of care of my body because I want to win MVP and DPOY as well. So I’m just trying to keep my spirits up from now until the end of the season.” pic.twitter.com/0otDre8gp1

– Oh no, he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) 14 March 2026

Victor Vembanyama may very well achieve his goal of winning both MVP and DPOY this year. He’s at least making a strong case for his stellar play, averaging 24.2 points, 11.1 rebounds (career-high), 2.9 assists, 1.0 steals and 3.0 blocks (league-leader) per game. He is shooting 50.6% from the floor and 36.0% from beyond the three-point line, both career highs.

An MVP and DPOY would be a nice addition to Vembanyama’s trophy case. The third-year veteran already has the Rookie of the Year award for his efforts in the 2023-24 campaign. He was also named to the All-NBA Defensive Team that year. Vembanyama will have the chance to prove he is worthy of the two awards on Monday, March 16. The Spurs are scheduled to take on the Los Angeles Clippers in LA at 7 PM EST.

Sunderland appear to be the front-runners to sign Feyenoord’s Anis Hadj Moussa in the summer.

In April 2024, the Eredivisie side agreed a deal for the winger to come to the club in the summer. He has 22 goals and 11 assists in 76 games. This includes 11 goals and six assists this season.

Sunderland and several other clubs have already taken note of the winger’s rise at the Dutch club. This is mainly because he has significantly improved his overall game this season.

Let us explain by sharing the data [this season first] About his performance in this and last season.

It highlights areas where the 24-year-old has made a clear step forward in his development so far. The statistics mentioned are per game in the Eredivisie between the two seasons.

• expected goal [XG] Per season: 3.46 – 3.14
• Expected assists per season: 8.37 – 7.29
• Shots on target: 1 – 0-7
• Big chances missed: 1 – 3
• Big chances created: 11 – 8
• Cross: 1.7 – 0.9
• Successful dribbles: 2.6 – 1.6

These are all signs of progress with the attack, which has attracted interest from Sunderland and others.

Black Cat leads in signing

On Wednesday, Sports Witness Covered Claims Algeria could make an offer for the Feyenoord player in comparison to Sunderland. The source did not provide any information about the Dutch club’s demands or the fee the Black Cats would like to offer.

man of the Match Pay attention to that and cover the latest on the Black Cats when reporting on Marseille.

The operation remains complicated due to ‘particularly fierce and attractive competition’ from England. Chelsea, Liverpool and AFC Bournemouth have been mentioned in recent claims.

However, reports state that Regis Le Bris’s side appear to be in the lead, and are in talks with his entourage. Feyenoord, for their part, are requesting €30-35m. This is another factor that makes a deal challenging for the Ligue 1 side.

Africa Foot Relay claims have been made elsewhere about interest from Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle United in Hadj Moussa, but it is clear that Sunderland now have the top spot.

The outlet also interviewed his compatriot and Olympic Beja manager, Nabil Neghiz. He has backed Haj Moussa to achieve more success by further improving his game.

“His pace in the first few steps allows him to get past defenders and pose a threat in the final third of the pitch,” He said.

“What makes this player particularly interesting is not only what he is showing now, but also the potential he still has to improve. If he continues to progress at this pace, he could become one of the most impressive attacking wingers in European football.”

Increase in progress and evaluation of Haj Moussa

The attacker arrived in Europe when RC Lens signed him for their academy in 2018. He did not make it to Ligue 1, leaving him on a free transfer to Olympique Charleroi in 2022.

Haj Moussa scored eight goals in 33 matches for Olympique Charleroi and was released again. He joined Petro Isden in July 2023 transfer market It was then valued at €100,000.

The Algerian scored two goals and two assists in 18 appearances for the second division Belgian club and sees his value rise to €250k in December 2023.

Vitesse Arnhem signed the winger on loan in February 2024 and a month later, his valuation increased to €750k. At the end of the loan period, this increased to €2m, and he had two goals and two assists in 15 matches for the Dutch club.

Haj Moussa arrived at Feyenoord at the start of the 2024/25 season. His value increased by €12m [December 2024] up to €14m [May 2025] Now up to €20m. This could increase further if he impresses for his country in the World Cup.

Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman enters the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season in a contract year, needing to prove himself once again if he wants to keep his ride in the No. 48 car long-term. Unfortunately for Bowman, medical problems (vertigo) have become the latest example of his terrible luck. Since this season is likely to be over and he will be the team’s only driver to miss The Chase, a replacement next season seems necessary.

Let’s take a look at our list of potential replacements for Bowman in the No. 48 car at Hendrick for the 2027 NASCAR season.

kyle busch

Hendrick Motorsports may look to Corey Day as a long-term option for the No. 48 seat, but the 20-year-old needs to learn how to race without a glitch in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series before becoming a full-time driver at the highest level. What could work is a succession plan, with Kyle Busch replacing Bowman for the next two years. The future Hall of Famer has had disastrous results with Richard Childress Racing, as evidenced by his lack of wins in the Cup Series approaching three points. Busch has partnered with Hendrick before, driving the No. 7 in the Truck Series. A two-year deal could give him a chance to add some wins before retiring. By then, Day could be ready.

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

carruth diagram

It’s still early in the season, but King Carruth is making the most of his opportunities at OARS. He has finished in the top 10 in three of his first 10 races, averaging 37 points per race on ovals this season. Hendrick may be gambling here, especially since Carruth will turn just 24 in June, but he will have driven more than 50 races in the O’Reilly Series along with 75 races in the Truck Series. Carruth’s chances of moving into the No. 48 car should certainly depend on how he performs the rest of this season, but he’s probably one of the top homegrown options for Hendrick so far.

Ross Chastain

What could Ross Chastain accomplish with better equipment and a team with more resources? He has achieved virtually everything he can at Trackhouse Racing, leading the team to become a perennial playoff contender with at least one win in each of the last four seasons. Chastain also boasts 40 combined top-10 finishes over the past three years leading up to 2026. However, it also seems pretty clear that Connor Zylisch will soon be the new face of the team. Next season may be the right time for Chastain to depart, giving her a chance to really show what she’s capable of in the No. 48 car.

tyler reddick

Does Hendrick Motorsports want to create an uncomfortable bidding war for racing the 23XI? This is the real question here. Given that Tyler Reddick made history as the first NASCAR Cup Series driver to win the first three races of the season, we don’t envision any scenario where ultra-aggressive competitor and billionaire Michael Jordan allows anyone but Reddick to overtake him. That said, if Hendricks wants to swing for the fences, Redick is the best driver on an expiring contract right now, and there isn’t anyone else around him.

RELATED: NASCAR insider sheds light on Tyler Reddick’s future with 23X Racing

Chris Buescher

As mentioned earlier, Hendrick Motorsports isn’t swimming in interior options right now. This could at least give Bowman a chance to keep the No. 48 car for another season, with the team seeing this season as a waste and not feeling confident with any unproven drivers in the system. However, Chris Buescher could be in a contract year. He will enter his age-34 season in 2027, so perhaps a three-year deal could work for both parties. Buescher has been a fairly consistent top-10 points driver in recent seasons for RFK Racing, fully maximizing what he’s been given in the No. 17 car. It’s a good situation for him, but the No. 48 team with Hendrick’s resources will provide him with even more consistency and a chance for more wins. If anyone could pull Buescher away from RFK, it would be HMS.

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

The term “Hall of Famer” gets thrown around a lot, but when it comes to Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker, the claims take on more substance as time goes on.

The five-time All-Star has received recognition from many head coaches, but Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle is new to the list.

Before Thursday’s game, Carlisle elaborated more on that three-word point.

“He’s got Hall of Fame in the books,” Carlisle explained on Twitter (formerly Twitter), via AZCentral’s Duane Rankin. “As far as I can see, he has become a great leader.”

Throughout Phoenix’s season, Booker has been the unsung leader, offensive engine and everything else you want to describe. His stats may not be where they were, but that doesn’t necessarily matter.

However, over the last five games he is averaging 26.6 points, 5.8 assists and 4.4 rebounds. The Suns have been on a hot streak since Booker’s return and have gone 4-1.

Devin Booker’s comment on Rick Carlisle highlights Suns’ success

Comparing the 2024-25 season to today, this is a completely different team. Although Booker made the All-Star Game, he noted that it was due to his team’s success.

He has also repeatedly mentioned finishing his career in Phoenix. But it is not just a feeling of pleasing the masses. At the same time, he wants to leave a lasting impact and has already done so.

For example, Booker broke the Suns franchise scoring record at the age of 28 during his ten seasons in the Valley of the Sun.

Somehow, his focus is more on winning than on accolades. As of this writing, the team has achieved 38 wins on the season, surpassing last season’s win total.

As the Suns continue to travel on the road, more coaches may get to see more of Booker’s leadership showcased.

Brooklyn Nets center De’Ron Sharp will miss the remainder of the season with a thumb injury that will require surgery, the team announced Thursday.

“Deron Sharp has been diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb. Sharp will require surgery to repair the ligament and will miss the remainder of the season. Further updates will be provided following the procedure,” the Nets said in a statement.

Sharp missed the Nets’ big loss against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday due to his injury. The 24-year-old big man continued to solidify himself as one of the league’s best backup centers this season after a breakout 2024-25 campaign.

Deron Sharp shut down for the season with thumb injury

Sharp posted career-highs across the board, averaging 8.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals on 60.1 percent shooting in 18.7 minutes per game. He was one of three players, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic, to average 16 points, 12 rebounds and four assists per 36 minutes on 55 percent or better shooting.

Sharp’s absence should boost Brooklyn’s tank amid a tight race in the draft lottery standings. According to CleaningTheGlass, his performance on the court versus off has led the Nets to outscore opponents by seven more points per 100 possessions, the team’s highest net rating swing and sixth among 35 centers who played more than 1,100 minutes.

Consecutive wins over the Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies dropped the Nets from second to fourth in the lottery standings. Brooklyn has one more win than the second- and third-place Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards, respectively, and two more than the first-place Pacers.

Sharp has a $6 million team option for next season.

Justin Verlander is back with the Detroit Tigers for the 2026 MLB season. In February, the Tigers signed Verlander to a one-year contract, strengthening the rotation with five starting pitchers. However, will this be the three-time AL Cy Young pitcher’s last season before his inevitable MLB retirement?

As Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports, Verlander talked about his retirement plans after the spring training game. While Verlander knows an injury or terrible season could make this his last season, he still wants to chase 300 wins and pitch at age 45.

“I don’t know how much longer I’m going to play,” Verlander said. “I know there’s not a lot of time left, especially in the grand scheme of things. If I play two years, three years, whatever, out of the 21 [years]It’s like nothing. I’m just trying to enjoy it a little more…I don’t want to sit here and say that’s it. This could have happened. This is a one year contract. If something goes catastrophically wrong, or I can’t recover, that’s it – I’m done. “All I know is that there isn’t that much time left, so enjoy it while you can.”

Verlander is currently 43 years old, which means he may have another two to three seasons to offer. It’s not guaranteed that Verlander will spend those two to three seasons in Detroit, as he only signed a one-year contract. However, the 43-year-old pitcher would have a very good bet to return if he has a good campaign, with Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty and Casey Mize all set to become free agents.

The Tigers understand what Verlander’s return means to the team and the city, and it would only be fitting if Verlander retires in Detroit. Hopefully, Verlander won’t retire as a Tiger for a few more seasons.

READ MORE: Detroit Tigers consider possibility of extending Tarik Skubal after signing Justin Verlander

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

If Patrick Mahomes has yet to fully recover from the ACL tear that befell the team, he’s an intriguing option to be the starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs in their early season.

Last season was a disaster for the Chiefs. For the first time since Andy Reid became head coach a decade earlier, the team finished a season with a record below .500. However, the end of the campaign also added salt to the wound.

During a December game against the Los Angeles Chargers, the face of the Chiefs franchise – Patrick Mahomes – tore his ACL and LCL. While Mahomes is a great athlete and has had ample time to prepare in Week 1, the organization should not rush to get their most important player back on the field until he is 1,000% ready.

That’s why the Chiefs will probably look to bring in an experienced QB who can start some games early next season. However, it doesn’t make sense for them to get involved in the market for players like Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo or Aaron Rodgers. They need a true backup who can win some games.

The Kansas City Chiefs should target Cooper Rush

Well, a stronger alternative has just become available. On Thursday morning, the Baltimore Ravens announced that they have released eight-year veteran Cooper Rush. The 32-year-old is a traditional backup QB, having a solid 9-7 record as a starter during stints with the Dallas Cowboys and Ravens.

When he works with good talent, Rush has shown he can make an impact under center and has some big wins as well as 300-plus yard games on his resume. If he were to start for the Chiefs early in the season, he could manage the offense and help the team get some wins. But when Mahomes returns, Kansas City will have one of the better backup signal-callers in the game.

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

The Portland Trail Blazers host the Charlotte Hornets at Moda Center on Wednesday, coming off a win against the Indiana Pacers. Meanwhile, the Hornets have lost two games due to the bounce and will be looking for a change of pace.

Portland’s Deni Avdija made a long-awaited return from injury in the win over Indiana, having been suffering from a lower back strain for nearly two months. Avdija has missed six consecutive games since his last appearance against the Phoenix Suns on February 23 and has been sidelined several times this season.

However, in a big boost for the Trail Blazers, Avdija is not part of the official injury report for the matchup against Charlotte. Instead, Shaddon Sharp is confirmed to be the only absence other than Damian Lillard due to injury. For Charlotte, the absence of Cobie White, Tidjane Salaun and Liam McNeeley is certain.

*Watch NBA Games Live with fuboTV (Free Trial)*

Deni Avdija Injury Status vs. Hornets

Deni Avdija’s latest performance suggests the Blazers may finally see their All-Star forward return to full strength at the most important point of the season. After missing six games due to a lower back strain, Avdija returned to action against the Indiana Pacers and made an immediate impact, finishing with 18 points, eight assists, five rebounds and three blocks in 25 minutes during Portland’s 131–111 victory.

The 6 feet 9 inches forward looked close to his best and can be expected to find a place in the starting lineup once again. This season, Avdija has averaged 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 7.0 assists, while also leading the NBA in playing 1,414 minutes. At one point, he was one of the top five players in the league in both total points and assists and he will be looking to find his rhythm soon.

The injury dates back to January 11, when Avdija suffered a back injury following a loss to the New York Knicks. Since then, he has missed 16 of the last 24 games. A comeback attempt against Phoenix on February 22 lasted only 59 seconds before he aggravated the problem again.

Blazers injury report

Damian Lillard – Out (left Achilles tendon injury management)

Shaddon Sharp – Out (left fibula strain injury)

Jason Kent – ​​Questionable (G League Two-Way)

Caleb Love – Questionable (G League Two-Way)

Chris Youngblood – Questionable (G League Two-Way)

hornet injury report

PJ Hall – Out (G League Two-Way)

Liam McNeely – Out (sprained left ankle)

Antonio Reeves – Out (G League Two-Way)

Tidjane Salaun – Out (left calf stretch)

Coby White – Out (left calf injury management)

Michael Porter Jr. broke his podcast hiatus last week. When asked about the No. 1 rule change he’d like to see the NBA make, the Brooklyn Nets forward pointed to the league’s tanking pandemic.

Porter said on The Emily Austin Show, “They have to do something about this tanking situation. I don’t like that teams are intentionally trying to tank just to get a good draft pick.” “I think ruining the entire NBA season is no way to go. It’s not very ethical for the game. People pay a lot of money to see the best players in the world compete, and you want to see teams compete to their full potential every night, and when teams keep doing the same things they’re doing these days, it can be tough… I understand rebuilding teams, but I think there’s an ethical way to do it and a non-ethical way to do it. So hopefully that “They can change it, I just feel like the best players are on the field every night.”

After several intense playoff runs with the Denver Nuggets, Porter is experiencing his first rebuild this season.

Michael Porter Jr. urges NBA to fix tanking amid historic draft lottery race

Tanking has been the most talked about problem around the NBA over the past few months. The Nets are one of the third players in the league to have the top pick in the 2026 draft.

The decline in quality of play during the final months of the season has been a topic of discussion for years. However, the issue became acute as the trade deadline began this year.

The outcry from fans, media, and others led Adam Silver and the league office to predict significant rule changes the following season.

“We’re going to make substantial changes for next year,” Silver told Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic, speaking on a panel at the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference. “I think that’s where I’m at – at one extreme, you could completely separate the draft from teams’ records. Just make the argument that we could take all 30 teams regardless of the outcome, which would completely discourage tanking. You could win the finals, you know, and get the first pick. But then there’s also gradation.”

The LA Clippers have maintained throughout the season that they are a better team than their record suggests, even when they started the season at a modest 6–21. But after months of work and impressive play on both ends of the court, the Clippers did something no other team has ever done.

The Clippers lost 21 of their first 27 games to start the 2025-26 regular season, which is far from what they expected given the offseason additions they made. But between Bradley Beal’s season-ending injury, Kawhi Leonard’s ankle injury and Chris Paul’s failure, the Clippers were having a lot of work to do to start the season.

All of which made what the Clippers were able to accomplish on Monday night all the more incredible.

LA won 126–118 at home against the New York Knicks, led by Kawhi Leonard’s 29 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in 35 minutes of play. The win improved the Clippers’ record to 32–32 on the season, bringing their record to .500.

No team in NBA history that started with six or fewer wins in the first 27 games has ever come back to finish the season with a .500 record or reach a .500 record at any time thereafter.

The Clippers are the second team in NBA history to reach .500 after playing 15 or more games under .500 in the same season, joining the 2016–17 Miami Heat. That Heat team started the season 19 games under .500 at 11–30 and finished the season at 41–41.

The only difference is that no team has ever finished over .500 in a single season, which the Clippers can now do on Wednesday night when the Minnesota Timberwolves visit the Intuit Dome for the second time in three weeks.

“It means a lot,” head coach Tyronn Lue said after the Clippers’ win over the New York Knicks on Monday night. “Our guys in the locker room stuck with it, kept fighting, kept competing. We thought we should have been better and could have been better. Injuries hurt us, but this team, since I’ve been here six years, our guys always keep fighting when our backs are against the wall.

“I give credit to our coaching staff they did a great job sticking with it, staying positive, continuing to help these guys get better. Starting 6-21 and getting to .500 right now is huge for us.”

The Clippers and Wolves kick off Wednesday night’s game at 7:30 PM PST.

Igor Demin’s rookie campaign has come to an end. The Brooklyn Nets announced that the No. 8 pick will miss the remainder of the season due to aggravation of plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Damien missed most of the offseason due to a torn plantar fascia.

The BYU product has missed Brooklyn’s last four games due to worsening left foot pain. While his season will be cut short, the Nets said Demin is expected to return to basketball activity at the beginning of the offseason and become a full participant in the summer development program. According to head coach Jordi Fernandez, he will not require surgery to resolve the problem.

“[Egor’s] Always been a child who wanted to play, to be outside, to grow; And nothing beats playing the actual game to get better at this level. But obviously, when you have discomfort, and it doesn’t allow you to play at that level, we have to find solutions,” Fernandez said. “At the end of the day, the good thing is that it’s a non-surgical procedure, which is good. And see what is the time table. But obviously getting him to work over the summer and getting better throughout the process and having a summer is important. So, the fact that he won’t be able to play these 20-something games is not for the best, because he wants to and we value real reps. But, at the same time, his health is the number 1 priority. And we are very optimistic and positive about it.

Jordi Fernandez on Egor Demin missing the rest of the season due to his plantar fascia injury:

“He’s a kid who wants to play, wants to be outside, wants to develop. There’s nothing better than playing a real game to get better. Obviously, when you have discomfort and… pic.twitter.com/X2fR8lPzNE

– Eric Slater (@erikslater_) 9 March 2026

Demin missed several months during the offseason while rehabilitating his plantar fascia injury. After a promising start to the season, the 19-year-old’s production dipped after the All-Star break.

Egor Demin’s promising rookie season cut short due to plantar fascia injury

He averaged 6.6 points on 32.6 percent shooting from the field and 27.6 percent from three in his last six appearances. After not playing in one for over two months, Demin appeared in two back-to-backs during that period.

Fernandez said of Brooklyn’s decision to shut down Demin, “He was dealing with some discomfort, and it got worse and worse. And then we decided to look at it and make sure we could sort it out a little bit. We asked for different opinions and that’s what was recommended to us.”

Jordi Fernandez on the Nets’ decision to shut down Igor Demin:

“He was struggling with discomfort, and it got worse and worse. We decided to take a look and make sure we could sort it out a bit. We asked for different opinions and this is what was recommended to us.” pic.twitter.com/5uxxTOYi5o

– Eric Slater (@erikslater_) 9 March 2026

The Nets’ selection of Demin with their first lottery pick in 15 years drew criticism. However, the Brooklyn guard was one of the NBA’s most productive rookies this season.

Demin averaged 10.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists on .399/.385/.831 shooting splits in 52 appearances. He ranks second in three-point percentage among the 15 newcomers with more than 150 attempts, trailing only Con Knuppel (44.0 percent).

His +3.6 net rating swing (a player’s on vs. off score minus team points allowed per 100 possessions) ranks third among the 15 players under the age of 21 who have played more than 900 minutes this season, according to CleaningTheGlass. Only Con Knuppel (+5.3) and Trey Johnson (+3.9) have posted higher marks.

Demin will now have a full offseason to heal his foot and fine-tune his skill set ahead of Brooklyn’s crucial 2026-27 campaign.

“He’s gotten better at everything we ask him to do. The superpowers he has, he’s shown he can do it at this level, which is really cool. The shooting, not only how real it is, but how fast it goes,” said Fernandez when asked about his assessment of Demin’s rookie season. “His shots in clutch time, all those things, passing on the perimeter. And now defensively and offensively, the physicality that comes with the job and his body getting used to it. He’s taking steps. He’s able to get into the paint more often. Also defensively, he’s more physical and working on that technique. It’s going to come with his player development plan. The sooner we can get him in the summer and continue to work on these things so you can take steps forward.” can, [the better]. But he’s gotten better at everything we’ve asked him to do.”

It hasn’t been the cleanest season for Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green.

The decline has begun for the 36 year old future Hall of Famer as the Warriors have seen seasons up and down from .500, with injuries to Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler derailing their championship aspirations.

You can see it in his diminished impact on offense – the Warriors are 5.7 points worse per 100 possessions when Green is on the floor, which is their worst offensive point differential since his rookie season. You can see it in his defensive slips. While the Warriors still allow fewer points when Green is on the floor, 1.2 fewer points per 100 possessions, it is the second most he has allowed when he is on the floor in his career.

The player who made his money by being an on/off, plus/minus, advanced statistics god hasn’t been the same this season. He looks very dangerous this season. The Warriors know it, Steve Kerr knows it and Green knows it to some extent. Green witnessed his basketball mortality during the last trade deadline, during the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, which ultimately never materialized.

And the challenge this season has been how to navigate a former DPOY and all-time great in the final stages of his career.

Kerr has tried to play Green at the four next to stretch centers Al Horford, Quinton Post and now Kristaps Porzingis so he doesn’t get burned physically at the five. He’s done the opposite and gone back to his old style, rocking him at the fifth spot in small ball with a group of shooters.

But of all the solutions the Warriors have tried recently, the one that has reinvigorated them has come down to the defensive end – taking on the primary task of guarding opposing stars on the perimeter.

protecting the best of the best

Over the past three games, the Warriors have changed their defensive philosophy in how they use Green defensively. Instead of using him on the backend of the defense, where he can quarterback the defense, they have committed him to guarding the opposing team’s star perimeter player.

That means guarding Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, perhaps the strangest arsenal of offensive talent you can give a guard. But the results came positive. The Warriors, along with Curry and a handful of players, fought valiantly in all three games. And Green looked as lively and energetic as he has all season.

“I think our coaching staff realizes that I have a lot of energy when I’m given this type of workload,” Green said. “It’s amazing to have those responsibilities at this point in my career. And it energizes me a lot because, number one, my team needs me… And yet—I’m a very egotistical person. I can’t just go out there and kill.”

The color green shines brightest when the best players step onto the court. The same passion we are seeing now is what we saw in the Victor Wembanyama matchup earlier this season.

“I think it excites him when we give him this job, ‘You guard the best player,'” Kerr said. “He loves it. He’s up for the challenge. He’s still one of the great defensive players in the game. The last few games, between Shai and Kevin and Kawhi, he’s guarded three of the toughest guys on the planet. And done a phenomenal job.”

And that passion has extended to crime. Eight assists in Rockets’ win, four 3-pointers in narrow loss to OKC. Nothing outstanding, but a far cry from the liability it sometimes looked like at that level.

How Draymond Green on the perimeter transforms the Warriors’ defense

Those stars are still in their bag, that’s how it works in the NBA. But this strategy shocked the Clippers, Rockets and Thunder on offense while keeping the Dubs’ defensive shield intact. By pressing the head of the serpent of these crimes, the warriors avoid excessive helping and selling in order to stop them. Why waste two players and compromise on help when you can use green to do the same and avoid a 4-0n-3 loss on the backend?

“Part of the reason we go [me on the top opposing scorer] Green explained, “So we don’t have to help so much. And I have to take that responsibility and make sure we don’t have to help.”

But the other carryover effect of such a strategy is the possibility of larger lineups. Kerr closed the OKC game with a Giant Green, Horford, Porzingis, Gui Santos and Brandin Podziemski lineup. A lineup in which Green was essentially playing small forward, something he has not done since the Mark Jackson days.

This isn’t a lineup Kerr hopes to use often, but the process behind that lineup may see more use. With their size in Horford and Porzingis, the Warriors can afford to put Green in star perimeter matchups. This way, they can maintain their goal of not helping excessively frequently.

“I love it,” Green said about potentially coming in with a bigger lineup. “I think when you have more size, you’re able to cover more. You’re able to cover mistakes. And then when you have more length you’re able to close the gaps as well. So I like that.”

But the question will be whether Green and the Dubs can maintain the juice they have found in him. Will there be enough motivation when it’s a game against the star-less Utah Jazz or Sacramento Kings? Consistency has been a struggle for Green this season. They know they can call it quits when the lights are brightest, this three-game stretch has proven that. But can he find the motivation to do so when they are not so bright?

Regardless, the Draymond Green they’re gunning for right now is exactly what the Warriors need. Kerr and Green have found the right buttons to push. And the other thing this three-game stretch proved is that Green still has a lot to offer the Warriors in the final stretch.

“Give Draymond the toughest job and put a big man behind him,” Kerr said. “It’s a good formula.”

The Brooklyn Nets will have a good chance of getting a valuable selection in the 2026 NBA Draft, but before adding to their roster this summer, it would clearly be beneficial to take a closer look at the young talent already on the roster. Unfortunately, the evaluation period has ended for one player this season. Rookie point guard Egor Demin will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, he developed plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

What is the worst contract in MLB? Major League Baseball teams aren’t as careless with their spending these days, so we aren’t seeing many contracts that prove disastrous just a few years into the deal. However, there is still no shortage of bad contracts in the league.

Let’s take a look at our list of the worst MLB contracts right now, going position by position, before Opening Day.

Catcher: Kibert Ruiz, Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals acquired catcher Kibert Ruiz as part of a package of prospects including Josiah Gray in a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers for Trey Turner and Max Scherzer. He looked promising after hitting .743 OPS and had a .257 batting average and .685 OPS in his first full season with the club. In March 2023, Washington signed Ruiz to an eight-year contract worth $50 million. After showing more promise in 2023 (.717 OPS), Ruiz has been one of the least productive catchers in baseball over the past two seasons. As of 2024-25, he ranks 33rd among qualified catchers in fWAR (-1.0), 30th in OPS (.618), and 48th in catcher framing runs (-12) over that two-season span. While Ruiz’s average annual value ($6.25 million) ranks 15th among catchers, the Nationals still owe him $36.875 million over the next five seasons.

RELATED: Best MLB Catchers 2026

First base: Christian Walker, Houston Astros

We praised the Houston Astros for their signing of Christian Walker a year ago. He most recently came off of three seasons with 281 RBI, 95 home runs and a .813 OPS, along with .242 runs batted in and 11.3 bWAR. It all fell apart in his age-34 season. Walker posted career lows in batting average (.238) and OBP (.297) throughout the season, as his OPS dropped to .717 and his strikeout rate (27.3 percent) was second among first basemen along with the fourth-lowest walk rate (6.3 percent). For good measure, they also had the second-worst defensive runs saved (-7). He is still owed $40 million for the next two seasons. We, along with the Astros, were wrong.

RELATED: Best MLB First Basemen 2026

Second base: Marcus Semien, New York Mets

How stretched has second base become in MLB? Marcus Semien is both a top-10 player at the position and also has the worst contract among his peers. Acquired by the New York Mets this winter, Semien is coming off a campaign where he won his second Gold Glove Award and ranked in the 92nd percentile for range (7 outs on average). The positives end there. In his age-34 season, Semien ranked in the 8th percentile of Baseball Savant for bat speed (68.4 mph) and the 17th percentile for hard-hit rate (35 percent). These numbers explain his .686 OPS and .234 batting average over the last two seasons. Still owed a total of $72 million over the next three seasons, this contract could look even worse if Father Time begins to take away his fielding ability.

RELATED: Best MLB Second Basemen 2026

Third base: Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves

In August 2022, the Atlanta Braves signed All-Star third baseman Austin Riley to a 10-year contract extension worth $212 million. It seemed like a pretty fair deal at the time, as he had just played in his first All-Star Game and was coming off a campaign with 33 home runs, 107 RBIs and a .898 OPS. He rewarded the organization for the long-term investment by having a .281 batting average, .861 OPS, 37 home runs and 6.0 bWAR in 2023. Things have gotten worse since then. Riley’s batting average (.281 to .256) and OPS (.861 to .783) both declined, and his strikeout rate increased. It got even worse last season, as evidenced by his lowest OPS (.737) in an entire season since becoming the starter. Riley ranks 12th among third basemen in fWAR (4.1) and 12th in OPS (.760) over the past two seasons. While this still makes him an above-average third baseman statistically, he has the fifth-highest AAV ($21.2 million) and the Braves have guaranteed him $154 million over the next seven seasons.

RELATED: Best MLB Third Basemen 2026

Shortstop: Xander Bogaerts, San Diego Padres

It didn’t take long for Xander Bogaerts’ contract to go sour. The San Diego Padres signed him to an 11-year, $280 million contract through December 2022. Over his last five seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Bogaerts posted a .300 batting average with an .880 OPS and he averaged 4.6 bWAR per season. Over the past two years, San Diego’s shortstop has a .263 batting average with a .705 OPS and 3.2 bWAR. Heading into his age-33 season, Bogaerts is still owed more than $204 million over the next eight seasons. The Padres are stuck on his contract until 2033, when Bogaerts will be 40, because no one is taking it.

RELATED: Best MLB Shortstops 2026

Outfield: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels

No one will feel bad for the Los Angeles Angels for having one of the worst MLB contracts in 2026. This isn’t just because it’s something they’re used to. This organization failed to build a playoff team around one of the best baseball players of our era; Mike Trout has not made the playoffs since 2014 and this was his only postseason appearance in his major-league career. Sadly, years of injuries took a serious toll on the future Hall of Famer. Trout has played in just 241 games over the last three seasons, and has a .827 OPS with a .242 batting average over that span. He’s still a very good hitter, as we saw last season with a .797 OPS and 26 home runs in 456 at-bats. Unfortunately, Trout can only really function as a designated hitter now and is years away from the caliber of player we saw from 2012-19 (1.009 OPS). Heading into the 2026 season, Trout is owed just over $185 million ($37.116 million AAV) over the next five years.

RELATED: Best MLB Center Fielders 2026; Best left fielder in MLB 2026;Best MLB Right Fielders 2026

Designated Hitter: Kris Bryant, Colorado Rockies

After a three-year period with a .446 winning percentage, the Colorado Rockies decided to sign Kris Bryant to a seven-year contract worth $182 million. This was a head-scratcher at the time as he was entering his 30s and coming off a two-year span with just a .796 OPS. It turned out to be worse than even the biggest skeptics had thought. Due to injuries, Bryant played only 170 games in his four seasons with the Rockies. The former NL MVP has managed to compile a .244 batting average with a .695 OPS, 17 home runs and 61 RBI during that span. Bryant’s body is breaking down and he may have to retire at some point, but it’s hard to walk away from that when he’s still owed $81 million for the next three seasons.

RELATED: Best Designated Hitter 2026

Starting Pitcher: Jose Berrios, Toronto Blue Jays

There were a few candidates at this spot — among them Eduardo Rodriguez and Yu Darvish — but the criteria of long-term money are the difference-makers when comparing the worst contracts in Major League Baseball. Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jose Berrios, a two-time All-Star selection with the Minnesota Twins, is no longer at anywhere near the level he used to be. He has posted a 4.14 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP in 720 innings over the last four seasons. Most recently, he is coming off a two-year period where he had the sixth-worst WHIP (1.22) among starters who pitched over 350 innings. Given his performance last season – a 4.17 ERA and 1.3 WHIP – it’s hard to imagine any scenario where he would decline his player option next winter. That means Toronto will have to pay him $67 million over the next three seasons, while getting back-end starter production in return.

RELATED: Best MLB Pitchers 2026

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

MIAMI – The Miami Heat look to improve as the team heads into the regular season home stretch, with the upcoming week set to be crucial in solidifying their spot as they attempt to advance into the playoffs. Although the Heat are struggling with injuries to key players like Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins, the team will have to work hard to take care of business.

After Miami defeated the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons on Sunday, the upcoming week will be crucial to picking up wins in their continued goal of avoiding the play-in tournament. It cannot be denied that the Heat aim to avoid the tournament, as many within the team have made it public, as they are sick and tired of making the playoffs the last three seasons.

The team will be in Miami until the contest against the Charlotte Hornets on March 17, meaning the team will be at home for seven of its last eight games, having already defeated the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets twice. After the Pistons on Sunday, the Heat will face the Washington Wizards, Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic.

Given the Eastern Conference standings, it is very tight, leaving very little room for error, as there is only four games separating the fifth to 10th seeds. Aside from handling business against lower-ranked teams in the conference like the Wizards and Bucks, although each have stars like Trae Young and Giannis Antetokounmpo, respectively, these are contests that Miami is expected to win.

The most important game will be against the Magic on Saturday, as they are right next to each other in the standings as before the Pistons contest, Orlando was in sixth place, to Miami’s seventh, a difference of just a fraction of a percentage point. Depending on how long Powell and Wiggins are out, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and others will need to lift weights.

How has the Heat performed so far at home

Due to the Heat’s pressure to make the playoffs, the road to the postseason is not easy, as looking at the middle of the Eastern Conference teams, Miami has the toughest schedule left in terms of winning percentage, according to Esfandiyar Baraheni. Including Sunday against Detroit, the remaining 10 games will take place at Kasia Center, where the Heat have a 21-11 record on their home floor.

In addition to the overall goal of playing well at home, there is an added pressure of making every game count due to the standings, which head coach Erik Spoelstra said he wants his team to “enjoy in these matchups.”

“We’ve known all season how important it is to establish that home feeling and that feeling that you don’t want it to be a place where people don’t want to come, and I think we did a pretty good job of that,” Spoelstra told ClutchPoints before the win over Detroit. “But more importantly, it’s just the opportunities to be competitive, the context of these games is a little more, and that’s what you love this time of year. … That’s our motivation, trying to get to another level as a basketball team, but also as competitive. I want our guys to enjoy these matchups this time of year.”

Asked Erik Spoelstra about the urgency of caring as these home games get closer to the standings.

“We know from all seasons how important it is to establish a homely feeling and feeling, as you don’t want this to be a place people want to come to…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/Eu78RuXXPr

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 8 March 2026

If there’s one thing Miami needs for the rest of the schedule, it’s momentum and energy, the same things the home crowd can provide.

“I mean, being able to get in front of our home crowd and build that energy, keep this win streak going. And you know, when we get home, I think we can start getting 140,” Adebayo said after the team’s win over the Hornets on Friday.

“It’s nice, sunny, go to the beach, you know, you just have to stay home. I think that’s the most important thing. We love our fans, so getting home is going to be important for us. We want to make the most of it,” Jamie Jacquez Jr. said.

At any rate, Miami has a five-game winning streak after the Pistons game, taking the team record to 36–29.

BOSTON – Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum showed us the highest levels of recovery from an Achilles rupture, posting clips of him running again, dunking again and smiling again. He was also transparent about the physical and mental impact of this lengthy rehabilitation process, whether it was discussing his internal doubts about whether or not he should return or showing the world how terrible his ankle looked after surgery.

What Jayson Tatum’s foot looked like at the beginning vs. the end of episode 3 of “The Quiet Work”: pic.twitter.com/le4zub0Eiw

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 2 March 2026

That authenticity and vulnerability continued after Tatum’s victorious homecoming at the TD Garden on Friday night against the Dallas Mavericks.

“I was feeling really anxious,” Tatum revealed after his first game in nearly 300 days. “It has taken a long time to get to this point. Many nights and days I dreamed about this moment and the anticipation of the crowd. It has been 42 and a half weeks since I played in an NBA game.”

While the six-time All-Star could have played it cool, he gave real answers to the media and didn’t deny his nervousness.

“[I’m] Just trying to get caught up in the pace and everything,” he said. “I felt like I was a step behind or moving too fast.”

To start the game, Tatum failed to make his first six attempts from the field. A few shots fell short and one miss came when the 28-year-old missed an open dunk that would have sent the home crowd into frenzy:

The TD Garden crowd nearly exploded after this dunk attempt by Jayson Tatum: pic.twitter.com/rir8iKFmwE

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 7 March 2026

Clearly, Tatum still needs some time to get his feet under him (literally and figuratively). In addition to shooting, the Celtics forward moved the ball well and posted a game-high five assists in the first half. Generating those points for your teammates helped them get involved and, in turn, things started getting better.

“As soon as I relaxed a little bit, the game started to slow down,” he said.

This isn’t even an exaggeration, as Tatum made five consecutive shots after missing his first six. He even improved on his botched dunk by slamming home a missed triple from point guard Peyton Pritchard:

GO GET IT JT 🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Tf8rLI6zcE

– Boston Celtics (@celtics) 7 March 2026

In a 120–100 win for the Celtics, Tatum finished with 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists – just three assists short of a triple-double in his first NBA action since learning to walk again. And while he didn’t have a spotless offensive night, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla didn’t care.

“When he was 100% healthy, he had missed six shots in a row before, so I don’t think it really mattered,” he said. “What I liked is just his attitude and he continued to rebound. I thought he competed on the defensive end… I think he had three assists, two rebounds before he even took his first shot.”

What Jayson Tatum’s teammates and opponents thought about his comeback

Although Tatum is still not his usual self, the Celtics were happy to see him there, cheering him on from the bench and hugging him when he left the game.

“I appreciate him being able to put himself on the line a little bit to come back and be a part of something big,” Celtics star Jaylen Brown said in the locker room. “I think that’s his mentality. I appreciate it. I know the organization appreciates it because he didn’t have to do it and nobody pressured him, but he wanted to be there.”

If it was for tonight, what would be the start for Jayson Tatum: pic.twitter.com/GqPRgXupfz

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 7 March 2026

Would Tatum like being 100% away from the field in his debut? Absolutely. But he understood why this was not realistic and stressed how fortunate he felt to be eligible for the green team again.

“When you take a long time off, you’re anxious, you want it really bad,” he said. “And, obviously, I wanted to hit every shot I took. But I was just really grateful. I had a real feeling of gratitude to get back on the floor and play basketball again, and it brought me back to everything I’ve gone through over the last 10 months, and the fact that I was even able to get there today was a really big win for me.”

The next phase of Tatum’s recovery process, which isn’t really over, takes place on the road. The Celtics have three games in a row against some of the best teams in the league: the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs and defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

To call this a litmus test would be taking it lightly. However, Tatum had already played 27 minutes against the Mavericks and despite his Achilles, he was not a kid at all.

This should be a good sign for the Celtics, and a bad sign for the rest of the NBA.

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd praised him in his postgame press conference, “The pace he came back, the way he looked, coming off a serious injury, he looked good.” “As soon as he shakes off some of the rust, he makes the Celtics a contender and they had a tough year when he was rehabbing, so to get him back, they’re going to be a team that’s going to be tough to knock out.”

The Sacramento Kings’ season has tested everyone in the locker room, and veteran guard Malik Monk is now speaking openly about the frustrations surrounding the team. After another tough loss, Monk offered a brutally honest reflection on where things stand. Sacramento continues to search for answers under head coach Doug Christie, but the reality of this season has become impossible to ignore. With the Kings sitting at 14-50, the worst record in the league, emotions are running high inside the locker room.

The latest loss came against the New Orleans Pelicans, another painful chapter in a year full of failures. That loss gave Sacramento eight losses in its last ten games. Earlier this season, the Kings suffered a 16-game losing streak that began on January 18. The slump finally ended with a win over the Memphis Grizzlies on February 23, but the momentum never came.

After the game, KCRA reporter Sean Cunningham asked Monk if the brutal stretch prepared the Kings for whatever lies ahead. Months of frustration were reflected in his answer.

After the Sacramento Kings suffered an NBA-worst 50th season loss, Malik Monk told me it’s been the “craziest” season of his career and he still feels like his voice still has an impact on his team.

“Nothing can be worse than this.” pic.twitter.com/UZhNNYf7KD

– Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) 6 March 2026

The monk said, “Yes, nothing can be worse than this.” “Nothing can be worse than this. It can’t happen. So yeah, it prepares you for anything.”

Malik Monk talks honestly about Kings’ season

Monk also reflected on the locker room dynamics as the Kings head into the final weeks of the season. Despite the defeat, he believes the young players are still learning valuable lessons.

“I think the young guys are learning a lot,” Monk said. “The vets are trying to teach them. Yes, they want to learn.”

When the Kings legend was asked about his goals for the remaining games, he kept his answer simple and extremely honest.

“Get well and move forward,” he said. Then he said, “Just deal with this shit, man.”

It was not polished. It was not filtered. But it was real.

Under Doug Christie, the Kings are going through a painful rebuilding year. For Monk and the rest of the roster, the focus now turns to growth, survival and the hope that better days will eventually return.

Because after a season like this, where else can the Kings go but up?

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and the league office are in the process of developing new anti-tanking rules for the 2026-27 season. In addition to contacting all 30 general managers in the league about the issue after the All-Star break in February, Silver talked about the idea of ​​tanking throughout the league and what he plans to do about it on Friday.

“We’re going to make substantial changes for next year,” Silver said at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference in Boston on Friday morning, per Mike Vorkunov and Jared Weiss of The Athletic. “On the one hand, you could completely separate the draft from teams’ records… That would be a huge shock to the system. We can’t completely predict where we’re going to go, but I’m an incrementalist.”

In conversations with the Board of Governors, Competition Committee and league general managers, Silver and the NBA have begun discussing several concepts to end tanking.

Some of the changes discussed in talks include modifying the way pick protection works, freezing lottery odds on a specific date in the season, eliminating the possibility of teams receiving the top four picks in consecutive years, allocating lottery odds based on a two-year window, leveling the odds for all teams, etc.

This new concept, proposed and discussed by Silver in Boston on Friday, would certainly be a “substantial change,” as first-round draft picks would no longer be determined by where all 30 teams finish in the final standings. Essentially, this will make tanking irrelevant as trying to lose games to get a better draft pick will no longer be relevant.

At this time, it’s unclear what exactly the league’s anti-tanking rules will change. Silver was simply giving a glimpse of what some of the topics being discussed are and what scrimmages may be on the horizon ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Adam Silver, the NBA is already punishing tanking

While the league continues to evaluate the tanking scenario and changes that need to be made, Silver acknowledged there is a difference between organizations that are rebuilding and those that have already lost a season.

The NBA does not want to punish teams for playing their young players late in the season, but rather wants to prevent teams from signing out too many players with the intention of losing.

The Indiana Pacers and Utah Jazz both received heavy fines for the same reason.

While the Pacers were fined $100,000 for violating the player participation policy by excluding players deemed healthy by an independent physician, the Jazz were fined $500,000 for “conduct detrimental to the league.”

Utah removed star talents such as Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. from their games against the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat on February 7 and February 9, respectively, before the fourth quarter, and neither player returned for the final 12 minutes of the game.

Upon review, the NBA stated that both players were able to continue playing, but the Jazz decided not to reinstate them, leading the league to believe that the Jazz were intentionally trying to lose. Ultimately, the Jazz lost to the Magic 120–117 after blowing a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter, but Utah actually defeated the Heat 115–111 without Markkanen and Jackson playing in the fourth.

On Friday, Silver acknowledged that he’s more concerned about the moral changes in tanking this year due to what he called the “perfect storm” of a promising draft this June, which will be followed by less-talented draftees over the next few years, according to Weiss.

“There’s been a stigma around certain behaviors, and I think that’s a broader societal issue. I think in other aspects of society, the guardrails have come down a little bit.”

During his annual All-Star Weekend press conference, Silver said that tanking during the 2025–26 NBA season is “worse” than ever in recent memory and that the league will consider “every possible measure” to fix the problems that exist within the current draft and lottery system.

As a result, Silver and the NBA will spend much of the next few months implementing the new changes before the 2026-27 season officially begins in July.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Luka Vuckovic could be heading to La Liga as Barcelona are keeping an eye on him for the summer.

is according to sky germanyWho report that Barcelona have the Tottenham player on their target list for next season.

Manager of the La Liga winners Hansi Flick is looking for a centre-back after this season. Sky says ‘one thing is clear’… that Barca will bring a new defender to Camp Nou.

The Catalan club have a number of names on their list, including Vuckovic, who signed for Tottenham from Hajduk Split last summer.

Thomas Frank, who was in charge of the north London club at the time, left the 19-year-old out of his main plans this season. Therefore, Spurs let him join Hamburg SV on a season-long loan deal.

Barcelona approached for Tottenham man

The Croatia international has played 2,100 minutes in 23 matches in all competitions for the Bundesliga team. His performances for Hamburg did not go unnoticed.

Earlier this season, Sport Witness Covered claims from Germany As a substitute for the Barcelona defender after this season.

Sky have now looked at him and report that the Spanish giants have had ‘first talks’ with the player’s agent who is owned by Tottenham.

Hamburg dream of keeping the Spurs defender

Vuckovic has repeatedly expressed his desire to extend his stay with the German club beyond this season. His brother, Mario, is also in Hamburg and serving a doping ban until November.

Luca’s dream is to play with his brother and he can achieve it with Hamburg next season. Marilyn Polzin, his manager, recently talked about his wish To retain the youth. hamburg Sports Director Klaus Costa The possibility of retaining them has also been discussed.

Sky again released his comments and talked about Hamburg’s dream of having Vuckovic join the club next season.

However, the report adds that the German club’s ‘options are limited’. The main reason for this is the increasing interest from clubs whose financial situation is better than that of Hamburg. This will make it difficult for them to fulfill their dream.

Our opinion on Vuckovic’s future

Tottenham parted ways with Frank and appointed Igor Tudor at the end of the season.

They will have to appoint a new permanent manager, which will have a huge impact on Vuckovic’s future next season.

If the Croatian player decides to leave Spurs, he will not be short of options, either on loan or on a permanent transfer.

As things stand, the player will return to the Premier League team following his loan spell in Hamburg.

The LA Clippers have been trending in the right direction over the past few months and were finding their rhythm after acquiring Darius Garland, Benedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson at the trade deadline. But the franchise was dealt a blow on Thursday when they received news of his latest injury.

With 8:32 minutes remaining in the second quarter of the Clippers’ home win against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, center Yannick Konan Niederhauser went up for a blocked shot and landed very strangely On his right leg. The Clippers’ promising young backup center immediately began screaming in pain and clutching his right ankle.

Conan Niederhauser had to be helped off the floor by head athletic trainer Jason Powell after he was unable to put any weight on his injured right leg. The team immediately ruled Konan Niederhauser out for the remainder of the game with an undisclosed right foot injury.

Yannick Konan Niederhauser comes off awkwardly from the chased block, as his foot got caught during it (with replays). He was taken to the locker room, but did not return.

Poor man 🙁 pic.twitter.com/vnzzEPKlJZ

– MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) 5 March 2026

After the game, the team announced that Penn State’s 22-year-old big man would not travel on the team’s upcoming two-game road trip, but would instead remain in Los Angeles for further evaluation of his injured right foot.

on thursday night Clippers announced Yannick Konan Niederhauser was diagnosed with a Lisfranc injury in his right foot. He will undergo surgery and be out for the rest of the 2025-26 season

Yannick Konan Niederhauser was diagnosed with a Lisfranc injury in his right foot.

The Clippers center will require surgery and be out for the remainder of the season.

-Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) 6 March 2026

In 41 appearances this season, Yannick Konan Niederhauser averaged 4.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 10.3 minutes per game off the bench. Over his last 12 games, Konan Niederhauser was averaging 6.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in 15.7 minutes per game.

Brook Lopez has been the Clippers’ starting center since the trade of Ivica Zubac at the NBA trade deadline, and will likely play a bigger role with more playing time. Since December 20, 2025, López has started 19 of his 34 games played, averaging 8.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 blocks per game.

DeMar DeRozan is the definition of a true professional in the NBA. Although things have not been going well for the Sacramento Kings this season, DeRozan’s demeanor is unchanged, and he continues to play late in the 2025-26 season as if it was the first game of the year.

At this point, many veterans like him would have wasted the season and called it quits, especially as players like him, 36 and older, want to preserve any time they have left on the hardwood. Although DeRozan clearly believes this is a lost season in Sacramento, he is not one to leave in the middle of the year.

He has always held himself to a high standard, and the six-time All-Star recently admitted that he cherishes every minute he spends on the court because you never know when it will be your last moment to put on your uniform or put on your shoes.

“Yeah, I mean everybody’s got to find their happiness, whatever way it is. For me, you know, you can’t take these moments for granted,” DeRozan told reporters on Wednesday, via Sactown Sports 1140.

“So for me, just the ability to go out there and play, to be able to get the opportunity, you know, for me, that’s what keeps me going, keeps my happiness out there because you never know.”

DeRozan will turn 37 in August, making him one of the league’s oldest active players, joining LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. As he enters the final few seasons of his career, DeRozan clearly wants to win and compete at the highest level, but playing for the Kings has allowed him to embrace this stage of his career.

Retirement is around the corner for DeRozan, which is why, whether it’s for the Kings or another team moving forward, he’ll be continuing to bring the same work ethic and positive attitude to being able to play the game he loves.

“I’m closer to the end more than anything. For me, I want to enjoy every single moment of playing basketball.”

Playing in all 63 of the Kings’ games so far on the season, DeRozan has averaged 18.2 points, 3.9 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 49.0 percent from the floor. He recently passed Paul Pierce to move to No. 23 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, and he will temporarily surpass Stephen Curry at No. 22 in his next game as Steph is currently out with an injury.

By the end of the season, DeRozan, who has 26,439 career points, could move into the top 20 of the all-time scoring list, surpassing George Gervin (26,595). Every player in the top 40 of this historical list is either a Hall of Famer or will be a Hall of Famer, which is why DeRozan’s chances of being immortalized in Springfield when the time comes look good.

So, how many years does DeRozan have left? Only he knows the answer to that, but that won’t stop him from going on the court every day and playing to the best of his ability, finding joy in both wins and losses, until his career is over.

Tuomas Isalo, who is one game back from a knee injury, explains why Cedric Coward’s education is entering its most demanding semester yet. Beale Street’s busted Memphis Grizzlies have been through more than 60 games in a relatively disappointing year, yet the ordeal for their NBA All-Rookie candidate is far from over. However, forget about hitting any proverbial walls for a first-timer; There are a dozen All-Stars who need cover to finish the season.

Over the next six weeks the Measuring Sticks earned their single-name reputation. Giannis, KD, Kawhi, Cade and Jokic are all that stands between the Grizzlies (23-37) and the recovery phase of the offseason. James Harden, Jalen Brunson and CJ McCollum will be chasing the win until the end. That trio can make a fool of absolutely anyone, but the coward is expected to answer the call.

“(Coward) is going to be tasked with some very tough matches,” Isalo admitted. “(Against the Minnesota Timberwolves), he had assets guarding them from (Anthony Edwards) to (Julius Randle). He can definitely get better at the point of attack. Every young man in his rotation can be better.”

The 22-year-old played 21 minutes off the bench in his return after a seven-match absence. He scored 15 points on 4-of-8 shooting with two rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. By pitting Coward against the league’s elite, the Grizzlies hope to accelerate his development and build the consistency needed to compete at the highest level.

Edwards was nearly unstoppable for Minnesota, adding five steals in his 41-point outburst. Randle’s double-double and Jaden McDaniel’s efficient 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting rounded out the Timberwolves’ balanced effort. For Coward, the night served as both a challenge and a preview. The remainder of the gauntlet figures to shape the final chapter of a promising All-Rookie caliber season.

Isalo made it clear that he is counting on that experience to make an impression. The Grizzlies also hope the young core will play up to the standard, building a culture and product that everyone can be proud of. That’s the only way to be on the other side of the NBA playoff line.

“It’s just letting the guys in the locker room know that I hope we don’t take the opportunities to play against teams of this level for granted,” Isalo shared. “This is the level that every one of our players and our team is trying to get to, and you only get there by experiencing it, understanding that this is a tough, experienced team that we have stepped up to, but we have to be consistent for 48 minutes.”

Through 48 games, Coward is averaging 13.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting 46.8% from the field and 34.0% from 3-point range. The Washington State alumnus’s numbers per 40 minutes have increased to 20.7 points and 9.4 rebounds, with a true shooting percentage of 58.1%, which shows that this production can increase efficiently.

There’s no better time for the Grizzlies to find out than the next six weeks. Given Cedric Coward’s competitive nature, bringing him back into action was never an option. However, that fire is there when they throw it at the superstars and see what happens. If he can continue to be a two-way defensive force capable of consistently dropping 20 and 10, Memphis will have at least one silver lining worth its weight in gold in the summer.

Golden State Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. said it would be surprising if star guard Stephen Curry was forced to miss the remainder of the season due to a knee injury.

The Warriors’ season continued with a 114–101 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night, giving Golden State a 31–30 loss and its second consecutive loss. Curry has not played since January 30 with what the team calls “runner’s knee”, creating uncertainty over the timeline of his return.

In a report published Wednesday by Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard, Dunleavy addressed the possibility of Curry being sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Dunleavy said, “It would be very surprising to me; very, very surprising.” “But I’m not ruling anything out. I’m not a doctor and things can happen a certain way. I don’t want the headline to be, ‘Steph could be done for the year’ because I’m not ruling it out. But just because he’s not playing right now, I just have to accept that yes, definitely, there’s a chance. But we don’t expect it.”

Stephen Curry continues rehab as Warriors monitor timeline of knee injury

Curry last appeared on January 30 in the Warriors’ 131–124 loss to the Detroit Pistons. The 37-year-old finished that game with 23 points, two assists, one rebound and one block in 25 minutes. He shot 7 of 16 from the field, 4 of 10 from 3-point range, and 5 of 5 from the free-throw line.

Despite missing time, Curry remains one of the league’s most productive scorers this season. Through 39 games, he has averaged 27.2 points, 4.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 46.8% from the field, 39.1% from beyond the arc, and 93.1% from the free-throw line. He has logged 31.3 minutes per contest.

The Warriors provided a medical update on Sunday that indicated Curry was continuing to progress.

“The re-evaluation concluded that Curry is making continued progress. He will be re-evaluated in 10 days,” the team said.

Additional reporting suggests the Warriors remain cautious about their franchise cornerstone as the regular season enters its final stretch.

ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel reported Tuesday:

“While the expectation was that Curry would return to the court after the All-Star break, the reality of his situation is that he was still dealing with right knee issues, which led to him taking more rest and the Warriors doing more imaging on his knee, which came back clean. Although he’s been doing little behind the scenes, Steph still has to go through full, comprehensive workouts on the court.”

Curry aims to return before playoffs amid Warriors’ cautious approach

Seagal continued:

It will be important for Steph to be available for the play-in tournament, as this will ensure he is 100 percent healthy for whoever they face in the first round playoff series.

That’s why there’s no rush to get him back, and that’s why sources say he’ll be back as soon as possible, but he’s unlikely to return until after this date, the beginning of the Warriors’ six-game road trip against the New York Knicks on Sunday, March 15.

To be completely honest, it might be in the Warriors and Curry’s best interest to put things off indefinitely until after this road trip, as seven of the Dubs’ final 10 games of the season will be in San Francisco. The Warriors have time on their hands as they aren’t moving anywhere in the play-in standings, which is why Steph’s return doesn’t really make sense right now.

As of right now, there have been no conversations about the Warriors ruling Curry out for the remainder of the season, and sources said, he specifically wants to return before the playoffs to try to build some momentum for this team.

For now, Golden State will attempt to stop its decline in the Western Conference standings without its star guard. The Warriors are currently in eighth place in the conference as they begin a three-game road trip starting Thursday against the Houston Rockets at 4:30 p.m. PT on Prime Video.

Vince Carter understands the challenges that come with being the face of Canadian basketball. The Toronto Raptors will never leave hockey behind and are often out of the spotlight within the NBA landscape, so it takes a certain type of player to lead the franchise. The 2024 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee believes Scotty Barnes is occupying that role brilliantly this season.

Although Brandon Ingram is the team’s top scorer, the No. 4 is still widely considered the cornerstone of the Raptors. Carter praised his ability to remain impressive while also adjusting to fellow game-changers.

“I want to give Scottie his flowers,” he told reporters in Toronto before Tuesday night’s showdown with the New York Knicks, according to TSN’s Josh Levenberg. “This was his team for a long time. He was willing to make sacrifices for the good of BI coming in and his own survival. And look what he did. He still became an All-Star. He also brought another All-Star with him… So, it’s just a sacrifice for the good of the team. Yes, the numbers went down, but the accolades are coming your way now.”

T-Mac thinks the Raptors can win a playoff series and shows some love for VC Barnes. “I want to give Scotty his flowers.” pic.twitter.com/n8Yw0kiue

-Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) 4 March 2026

Barnes has yet to ascend to true superstardom, with his 29.1 shooting percentage from 3-point range serving as a hindrance in such a situation, but he’s still an undeniable difference-maker on one of the breakout teams this season. The 24-year-old forward is averaging 19.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 steals while shooting a career-high 50.1 percent from the field. He’s also a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, having proven himself to be a two-way force in the Great White North.

Scottie Barnes now has to figure out how he can lead the Raptors (35-25) into the next stage of their development. The team is currently two games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers for fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. Toronto will have a steep hill to climb if it draws the Cavs, Knicks or Boston Celtics in the early rounds of the playoffs (the latter is unlikely to face the first-place Detroit Pistons), but this group could still be dangerous.

The former No. 4 overall draft pick is filling the Raptors with needed intensity. If he can continue to step up and lead, Toronto will have a tough competition in the 2026 postseason. Vince Carter will be watching closely.

The Memphis Grizzlies organization is looking forward to the 2026-27 campaign, and so is Zack Eddy. According to ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel, the second-year center is officially out for the remainder of this season after undergoing ankle surgery on Tuesday. Hopefully he makes a full recovery, but the team clearly wanted to take a long-term look at him before heading into the offseason.

After an impressive rookie year in which he averaged 9.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 21.5 minutes per contest, Eddy only played in 11 games and did not take the court at all in 2026. However, the Purdue legend excelled when active. He recorded five double-doubles, scored 32 points on 16 of 20 shooting in a win against the Sacramento Kings on November 30, and posted 66 boards during a four-game road trip. So, fans have good reason to be excited about his development.

Still, there’s always some degree of concern when a 7-plus-foot player misses extended time early in his NBA career. Eddy played 138 games for the Boilermakers during his history-making collegiate tenure, but it only takes one major injury to start a cruel sequence of bad luck. Hopefully, this surgery will prevent further damage and bring the two-time Wooden Award winner back to life.

The silver lining to the Zach Eddy news is that the Grizzlies should increase their chances of getting a valuable pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. If everything goes in their favor, they may get an opportunity to bolster an exciting young core with top-five talent.

Ideally, both the 23-year-old big man and a new Memphis squad will be better positioned for continued success after an offseason of recovery and reflection.

The Los Angeles Lakers are dealing with complications after a three-game losing streak a week ago left some fans nervous about the state of the team. However, since then the Lakers have won three straight games, including a 110-101 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night.

It was a masterclass on the defensive end that paved the way for the Lakers to victory. They outscored the Pelicans 34–23 in the final frame, and had a stretch where they were getting their hands on the Pelicans’ ballhandler on every drive. This showed that a team can have an advantage on the defensive end when they have active hands and when they are locked in as a unit.

In fact, the win impressed Lakers head coach JJ Redick to such an extent that he compared to That’s the kind of wins they were getting earlier in the season as they started the 2025-26 campaign with a 15-4 record.

Redick said in his postgame presser, via Benjamin Royer of the Orange County Register, “To be honest, this isn’t a win we’ve had since probably November, where we’re down. We had a lot of early wins when we started 15-4, we had a lot of double-digit deficits in the second half and we stuck with it and kept playing. It was a good win for us to be able to do that again.”

JJ Redick on the Lakers’ 110-101 win over the Pelicans, comparing it to the team’s 15-4 win earlier in the season:

“Frankly, this is not a win that we have probably had since November.” pic.twitter.com/PaH8UG6NHO

– Benjamin Royer (@thebenroyer) 4 March 2026

Lakers match Pelicans’ physicality

Redick also credited Marcus Smart and Jackson Hayes for stepping up and helping the Lakers assert themselves defensively in the second half, leading to a comfortable win in the end.

Redick said, “The big emphasis for us in the pregame and on film was just our physicality. You have to match Zion’s physicality. Match Saddiq Bey’s physicality. I thought Smart was unbelievable tonight. When we got back into the game defensively in the second half, he and Jackson helped us win the game. They changed the game.”

For a rookie point guard, the pace of the NBA game is often the biggest shock to the system. For the rebuilding New Orleans Pelicans and phenomenal first-round pick Jeremiah Fears, the revelation has been learning when to hit the breaks. As the regular season ends, the 19-year-old says the most important knowledge he has gained in his first 60 games has been mastering the art of deception through speed.

That’s why Fears has spent the past several weeks exploiting his elite athleticism rather than highlighting it at every turn. At least that was the first thing to be said when asked why things were going well lately.

“Through my speed, playing with speed. I think two months ago, I was just trying to use my speed. Now it’s learning when to use my speed, when to attack and get downhill, attacking angles, attack spots, and knowing where you’re trying to get on the floor. I’m manipulating the defense,” Fears began. “I think I’ve been doing a pretty good job of it since the All-Star break. So, just continuing to learn, continuing to slow the game down and make the game a lot easier for myself.”

At the beginning of the season, Fiers often tried to dominate defenders with pure acceleration. While that approach sometimes produced highlight plays in transition, it also led to tough shots and hasty decisions in the half-court.

Veteran NBA defenses adjusted quickly, forcing rookie guards into competitive situations by sitting in driving lanes. The experience forced Fear to think about how he used his physical equipment. Instead of attacking at maximum speed on every possession, he has started to vary the pace and wait for defenders to shift before increasing the pace. The adjustments have helped them create a better look for everyone.

“That’s huge. Being able to pick and choose when you should use your speed is definitely huge because it will definitely trick the defense,” Fears said. “I’m fast, so most of the time they’ll be thinking, “Okay, he’s going to try to get down there.” So, they’ll be intimidated by my speed.”

Fear is forcing defenders into uncomfortable positions before they can properly set themselves up, creating more advantageous angles and open driving lanes than could be generated from raw speed alone. As the Pelicans play the final weeks of a challenging season, the speedster is focused on refining that balance. While his playmaking has evolved, the former Oklahoma player remains conscious of areas that need improvement.

“I’m just continuing to play with that speed and choose when I need to use my speed. Maybe on breaks or in plays where the defense turns heads, use my speed,” Fears explained. “The last few games, I’ve been turning over a little too much, so I definitely need to cut down on the turnovers. Watch a little extra film and make sure I continue to take care of the ball. Try not to have too many turnovers. At the end of the day, those turnovers can lead to some easy baskets that you can take and potentially open up games.”

The Pelicans can deal with rookie turnovers, as long as Fiers does not play a timid role, everything should fall into place moving forward. He is averaging 15.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists while shooting 36.1% from three-point range over the last eight games. This is one way to break the rookie wall while shuffling between the starting lineup and a bench role. But statistics don’t tell the whole story. What really matters is that his All-Rookie contributions to this point have displayed many franchise cornerstone characteristics.

With the Miami Heat’s win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday, the team will be looking to pick up some wins in the home stretch of the season, although Nikola Jovic looks to be absent for the foreseeable future. As Heat young forward Jovic has been working to turn his season around, a back injury has been another setback in a disappointing year.

Jovic has missed the last four games of the season with what is being called “low back injury management,” after already being listed for Tuesday’s home game against the Brooklyn Nets as he will miss more time. The 22-year-old will let you know how he feels.

According to The Miami Herald, Jovic said, “My back doesn’t feel good.” “The scans show I’ve got some swelling, and one of my veins doesn’t look right right now.”

The 2022 first-round pick will miss some early season time due to a back injury, but he downplayed that as a direct correlation.

“I was worried, but I don’t think it’s the same thing,” Jovic said. “The way my back is structured, I just have to manage it in the way I prepare for things and the way I prepare for games, practices and everything. I have to make sure it’s always ready for any type of intensity that I put it under.”

Heat’s Nikola Jovic now dealing with year-ending back injury

While Jovic received a $62.4 million contract extension with the Heat that ran for four years, the team saw enough year-to-year improvement in the player to warrant the deal.

However, this season has been a reality check, as he has averaged 7.5 points while shooting 37 percent from the field and 27.2 percent from deep in 17.6 minutes per game, the lowest of his career since his rookie season.

“I felt like it was that moment where I hadn’t played very much, and even though I hadn’t played it was still getting worse,” Jovic said. “I just had to stop because when it bothers you outside of basketball and starts bothering you doing regular things in life, I feel like the decision has come to, I can’t do it anymore.”

It remains to be seen how much time Jovic misses with the Heat at 32-29, leaving them in eighth place in the East ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Nets.

The start of the 2025-26 season was anything but steady for Atlanta Hawks guard Rayjay Dennis. After starting the year with the Indiana Pacers, he was waived in late November when the team signed Ethan Thompson. Soon after, he was picked up by the LA Clippers. He spent about a month with the Clippers before being waived. Shortly after his release, he signed a two-way contract with the Hawks.

Raze Dennis has been playing for the Hawks on his two-way contract for almost two months, his longest period of stability this season. Although the season got off to a quiet start, Dennis had an unwavering belief in himself that kept him focused on achieving his NBA dream.

“I’m living a dream, so it’s always a blessing,” Dennis tells ClutchPoints in an exclusive interview. “I’ve been able to be on two-way contracts, so I’m very blessed and just trying to take it day by day and get better. Honestly, I’m just grateful. Grateful for the opportunity at Indiana, grateful for the quick stint with the Clippers and grateful that Atlanta is believing in me.”

Dennis’ debut in the NBA came before last season when he signed with the Clippers. He used strong performances in the summer league to earn an invitation to training camp, but was released just days after camp began. He joined the Washington Wizards on a two-way contract, but was waived before the start of the regular season.

His first official stint on an NBA regular season roster did not come to fruition until January 2025 when the Pacers signed him to a two-way contract. Dennis was putting up numbers for the Clippers’ San Diego affiliate in the G League, and the Pacers added him for backcourt depth.

Dennis played a total of 11 matches for the Pacers last season. Although his time with the team was ultimately cut short, he was able to pick up important habits in terms of finding success in the NBA amid the Pacers’ run to the NBA Finals.

“I think it’s the little things,” Dennis said. “It’s the little things, I think it’s confidence and I think the camaraderie of our team was really good. Obviously we had the talent, the horses to do it, but I think those three things were extremely important to success.”

Raze Dennis is developing games with Hawks

Since signing a two-way contract with the Hawks, Dennis has appeared in only one game with the team. It was a blowout loss to the Boston Celtics in which he logged a little over four minutes and finished with four assists. He may have gone scoreless, but the playmaking aspect of his game is what will ultimately get him NBA minutes.

Amid the Pacers’ injury problems at the start of the season, Dennis was appointed to immediate duty. He responded with games of six, five, five and five assists in his first four games of the year, respectively. In each of these games he played more than 25 minutes. Fine-tuning those playmaking reps starts to slow the game down.

Dennis said, “I think the biggest thing for me is that the game is getting a little slower every day. Day by day it’s getting slower, it’s getting a little easier to read.” “It’s about reads, making the right reads, being fast, making shots and staying out of foul trouble.”

In addition to learning how to be a ball-handling guard in the NBA, Dennis will have to get used to the constant shuffling that is part of the nature of a two-way contract. He is limited in terms of the number of NBA games he can play in. Since signing with the Hawks, he has spent a good portion of the season with their affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks.

Dennis has appeared in 21 games with College Park so far, averaging a little over 37 minutes per game. He is averaging 24.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 10.4 assists and 2.5 steals, while shooting 45.4 percent from the field, 38.4 percent from the 3-point line and 76 percent from the free-throw line.

Whether it’s with the Hawks or College Park, the key to staying prepared and focused is to understand that this is an opportunity to take advantage of regardless of the situation.

“The G League is where you get two-way reps as you move up,” Dennis said. “There are some guys who have been playing a lot as a two-way this year. Normally, you don’t play a ton, you don’t really know your routine and rhythm. G is where you get all your reps. You get to work on whatever you’re working on. I’m thankful for G.”

The Hawks have about 20 games remaining in the regular season. If they reach the postseason, Dennis would not be able to play because his two-way contract would make him ineligible for the playoffs.

Dennis has yet to appear in meaningful minutes for the Hawks save for the only game against the Celtics in January, but he is confident that if his number is called, he will be able to make an impact.

“I think I can be a true point guard,” Dennis said. “I think I can spark an energy, I think just somebody that can contribute to wins and do everything. Just be a point guard. I think I can be a high level point guard and I’m excited to show that one day.

Having additional frontcourt depth, especially in exchange for an upcoming playoff run, is never a bad thing. The San Antonio Spurs bolstered the frontcourt depth on their roster on Friday with the signing of veteran big man Mason Plumlee to a remaining season contract, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Mason Plumlee originally signed a 10-day contract with the Spurs, and his new contract came just as the 10-day contract was about to expire. The Spurs’ roster now stands at 15 standard contracts and three two-way contracts.

Plumlee entered the free agent market after being waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He began the 2025–26 season with the Charlotte Hornets, but was included as part of the multi-team trade that sent Ousmane Dieng to the Chicago Bulls.

The Thunder then needed a roster spot to complete a trade agreed upon with the Philadelphia 76ers involving Jared McCain, and Plumlee was the casualty.

Plumlee, the 22nd overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft, is in his 13th season in the league. Before signing with the Spurs, he had appeared in 14 games with the Hornets, including two starts, playing a little over eight minutes per game. He averaged 1.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists while splitting 75 percent shooting from the field and 66.7 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

Plumlee began his NBA career with the Brooklyn Nets, and has also had stints with the Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers, and Phoenix Suns. As far as the Spurs’ current depth chart, Plumlee would appear behind Luke Kornet, Kelly Olynyk and Bismack Biyombo in terms of centers. He is yet to feature in a game for Spurs.

When the 2026 offseason arrives, the future of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will be up in the air. The 23-year-old veteran has not yet decided how long he wants to continue playing until his current contract with the Lakers expires. Of course, if James wants to continue his career he can always re-sign with the Lakers. But count former Laker Byron Scott as someone who doesn’t believe it should be that way.

During a recent appearance on Los Angeles radio station Power 106, Scott talked about why he thinks LeBron James should not be included in the Lakers’ future after this season.

Scott said, “Coming from one of the greatest players to ever play the game, I thought it was ridiculous that it’s harder to play now than it was then.” “I’m a fan, but I don’t mince words. I think this should be his last year here. You don’t have to go home, but you have to get out of here.”

Looking at Scott’s comments, it seems like his argument is based more on emotions rather than James’ talent and fit with the current Lakers team. It doesn’t look like the debate between players and fans over the strength of the era will end any time soon.

What is not debatable is how the Lakers’ acquisition of James helped bring the franchise out of irrelevance following Kobe Bryant’s retirement. After signing with the Lakers as a free agent in the 2018 offseason, James led the organization to its first championship in a decade and helped keep the Lakers a relevant playoff contender in the following years.

This season, James has appeared in 40 games, a little more than 33 minutes per game. He averaged 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.1 steals on 49.8 percent shooting from the field, 29.9 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 74.8 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

There is little debate that Victor Wembanyama has become one of the NBA’s top players in his third season. The 23-year-old’s stellar performances have earned the San Antonio Spurs the status of legitimate contenders. Is that enough to make him the league’s youngest-ever MVP?

Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson thinks so.

“He is a great facilitator to help his team win [as anybody]” Johnson said before Thursday’s matchup with the Brooklyn Nets. “The individual stuff that is recognized as the best or most valuable is offense, defense, boards and everything that comes in between. He is at the forefront for [each of] They. And there are other guys in the league who do that, too. I haven’t delved into it, but I definitely think it’s in the conversation. It would be difficult for anyone to make a logical argument as to why he is not in that conversation.”

Wembanyama’s two-way contributions have led the Spurs to the NBA’s third-best record (42–16).

Victor Wembanyama enters MVP conversation as he leads Spurs ascension

The French phenom is averaging 24.0 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists on .503/.353/.812 shooting splits. Offensively, he is one of six players averaging more than 24 points on 50 percent or better shooting, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant and Austin Reaves.

Meanwhile, Vembanyama continues to wield historic influence defensively. He leads the NBA with 3.9 steals (steals + blocks) per game, and 0.8 ahead of the next highest player (Scotty Barnes: 3.0). According to CleaningTheGlass, the Spurs allow 10.6 fewer points per 100 possessions on the court versus off, which is the NBA’s second-largest defensive rating swing, behind only Rudy Gobert (-12.7).

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Wembanyama currently has the fifth-best MVP odds at +3300, behind Gilgeous-Alexander (-190), Jokic (+300), Cade Cunningham (+1400) and Luka Doncic (+2000). The Spurs star can only miss three more games to maintain his eligibility.

Newcastle United moved one step closer to the Champions League knockout rounds this week, and Joelinton made sure his return did not go unnoticed.

The Brazilian midfielder scored in Tuesday’s 3-2 win over Qarabag in the play-off, a result that sealed Newcastle’s place in the last 16. This was a timely contribution. Joelinton missed six matches due to an adductor injury and recently returned to action.

Talking to Brazilian outlets globo esporteHe explained how important the goal felt after being sidelined for weeks.

“This is a very important goal for me, a goal that gives me even more confidence in my return after injury,” He said. “I was out for a while and that’s bad for any player, so it was a complicated moment. I had to work on my mentality and focus on getting back to the best level.”

How confidence is returning at a crucial juncture

Joelinton’s statistics this season underline his importance to Eddie Howe’s team. He has made 32 appearances in all competitions and scored six goals – two in the Premier League, two in the League Cup and two in the Champions League.

However, a recent injury disrupted his form at a crucial point in the campaign. Newcastle United are fighting on multiple fronts, and his physical presence in midfield is central to their balance.

Therefore the timing of his return matters. Newcastle are now waiting to know whether they will face Chelsea or Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League. The draw will take place on Friday.

world cup inspiration in the background

There is also a personal motive driving him in the final months of the season.

Joelinton’s last Brazil call-up came in October 2025, when Carlo Ancelotti selected him for friendlies against South Korea and Japan. Since then, he has not featured for the national team.

He admitted that he was aware that the chances were diminishing ahead of the World Cup.

“I know we are in the final stages of call-ups for the World Cup and I have a dream to be there, to wear the Brazil shirt and represent my country. So I know everything I do at the club can reflect that. To maintain a high level of performance, I focus on giving my best every day in training and in matches.” He concluded.

That new focus is good news for Newcastle United. Fully fit and motivated, Joelinton raises the level of the team, and of course he wants to deliver. If he can maintain this form throughout the tournament, it will not only boost his European ambitions but also strengthen his case for a return to the Brazil team.

Raul Jimenez has enjoyed good form with Fulham over the past two months.

The Mexico international has scored six goals and provided one assist in his last 11 Premier League matches for Fulham.

This included winners against both Nottingham Forest and West Ham United and Fulham’s 3-1 win over Sunderland at the weekend.

According to these results, Marco Silva’s side are 10th in the table, 12 points ahead of 18th-placed West Ham and three points behind seventh-placed Brentford.

Jimenez has been one of Fulham’s key men and his recent performances have caused a stir in Mexico. This is mainly due to the World Cup taking place this summer, with some matches being held in the country.

During the 2022 World Cup, El Tri exited after the group stage, and Jiménez made three substitute appearances.

Why does Mexico want Fulham’s early release?

The striker has also performed brilliantly for the national team in recent years and has scored 11 goals in his last 17 matches. There will be expectations from him for good performance in the FIFA tournament.

half time And Opinion Both report that the national team want Fulham to release him before the end of the season.

The Premier League team will face Newcastle United in its final match on May 24. The outlet says FIFA rules state players called up for the World Cup must take at least a week off.

If Jimenez makes his way into Silva’s squad against Newcastle United, he will miss the friendly against Australia on 30 May. In other words, the frontman will only be eligible to take part in the final friendly match against Serbia.

Therefore, Medio Tiempo and La Opinion State Mexico manager Javier Aguirre will travel to England for talks with Fulham. The trip to London will be a bid to convince Silva’s side to release Jimenez before the end of this season.

Opinion Status: ‘The Mexican national team coach plans for Jimenez to participate in at least Mexico’s last three friendly matches against Ghana, Australia and Serbia on May 22 and 30, as well as June 4.’

There is no mention of the 34-year-old’s stance in both the reports.

His contract expires in June and it is unclear whether he will remain with the English club. Two months ago, Jimenez expressed his desire To return to his former team, Club America.

The Portland Trail Blazers have played their last six games without the services of guard Shayden Sharp, and it looks like he’ll be missing more games — possibly even the rest of the 2025-26 NBA season — due to a lower-body injury.

The Blazers provided an update on the former 22-year-old Sharp via a social media post on Twitter on Tuesday.

“Trail Blazers guard Shadden Sharp continues to be treated for a left calf strain. Follow-up imaging revealed a stress reaction of the left fibula. Sharp will be reevaluated in approximately four to six weeks to allow adequate healing before beginning a progressive return to full basketball activity,” the update said.

Considering the timeline, there’s a real possibility that Sharp won’t suit up for another game for Portland this season. The Trail Blazers will have played 15 games in four weeks by the latest injury update on Sharp and seven more games in the sixth week of the timeline. Simply put, the outlook on Sharp is not great this season, as the Trail Blazers look to continue to contend for a spot in the NBA playoffs.

Sharpe last played against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Moda Center in Portland on February 6, where he suffered an injury. He left that contest in the second quarter and did not return.

The injury is a major blow for the Trail Blazers, as Sharp is one of the team’s most important players. He is second on the team in scoring so far this season, averaging 21.4 points per game, along with 4.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per contest, while shooting 45.6 percent from the floor and 34.0 percent from behind the arc.

The update on Sharp, who was selected seventh in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft by the Trail Blazers, further adds to Portland’s headache on the injury front, as it is also without NBA All-Star Danny Avdija at the moment due to a back injury.

That means the Trail Blazers will be without their top two scorers when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.