Before the 2004 NFL Draft, there was no question who would be the No. 1 overall pick. Eli Manning was the unanimous choice. This meant that the then-San Diego Chargers were going to land a franchise quarterback. It’s just, it didn’t happen that way.

Eventually, it became known that Manning did not want to play for a Chargers franchise that had missed the playoffs for eight consecutive years. Still, the spin at the time was that it was Eli’s father, former NFL QB Archie Manning, who made the power play to ensure that his son arrived at a more favorable destination.

However, now after 22 years Ellie has revealed business with boys Podcast that it wasn’t her father’s idea. It was actually Eli who had no interest in playing for the Chargers.

Manning said, “My parents weren’t really supportive. My father didn’t like the idea.” “Now, he came to my defense and supported me after everything went down, but he didn’t like it. And later, he bore the brunt of a lot of criticism because he came to my defense and people were saying, ‘Oh, you played in New Orleans all those years where you didn’t win, so you’re trying to dictate where your son is going to go.’ And he just bit his tongue and said, ‘Hey, this is what Eli wants to do and I support him’ and he did some media to try to save me from doing all the media and taking the hit.”

Manning said he did not feel like the Chargers were “most committed to winning at that time.”

The Chargers acquired an incredible asset by trading Manning to the New York Giants. In exchange for Manning, the Chargers received Philip Rivers, Shawn Merriman and Nate Kaeding. Meanwhile, Manning led the Giants to two Super Bowl wins, and the rest is history.

RELATED: 2026 NFL QB rankings: From the NFL’s worst starting QBs to the best

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

有人打电话给维多利亚，因为她的秘密已经正式公开。 安吉尔·里斯 (Angel Reese) 不仅是球场上的直率投手，而且还是一名出色的球员。她也带来了同样的明星力量。 安吉尔·里斯（Angel Reese）正在重新定义拥有这个房间的意义——即使那个房间位于大海中央，并且摄像机在滚动。

时尚和运动总是有交叉的，但现在呢？这是不同的。界限更加模糊，赌注更大，包袱也更重。运动员不再只是作为代言人在品牌上打上自己的名字——他们就是品牌。

Angel Reese 提升时尚实力

这位前芝加哥天空队前锋以及十足的文化力量在本季刚刚踏入一条新道路：维多利亚的秘密竞选明星。是的……她没有蹑手蹑脚地进去，而是把门踢开了。安吉尔·里斯 (Angel Reese) 身穿深棕色无肩带西装，前面有大胆的镂空，她在瀑布下摆出的照片几乎让互联网冻结了。这种氛围既充满了运动员的活力，又充满了老式的魅力，这几乎是她此时的标志。里斯在她的 Instagram 上分享了拍摄照片的轮播图。

这套衣服不仅仅是为了看起来可爱。它的建立是为了发表声明。无肩带剪裁和正面细节与皮肤的搭配恰到好处，让人感觉有点冒险，但仍然是有意为之。加上超大耳环和叠戴手镯，你就会突然变得更有优势 和 优雅。再加上被水浸透的场景，整个事情就像电影里的时刻一样——原始、喜怒无常、毫无歉意地大声。

没有什么感觉是随机的。每一帧都尖叫着控制力、自信，以及“是的，我确切地知道我在做什么。”一眨眼，你就会错过它。但是，嘿，没有人把目光移开。

说实话，这不是她第一次像这样突然出现。早在 2023 年，里斯在带领路易斯安那州立大学 Lady Tigers 队夺得全国冠军后就出现在《体育画报》泳装特刊中。快进到 2025 年，她再次创造历史，与 Suni Lee 等明星一起走上维多利亚的秘密时装秀。

年仅 22 岁的里斯已经是美国体育界最知名的面孔之一，而且她并不是谨慎行事。从路易斯安那州立大学到华盛顿州立大学，她的崛起不仅仅是水桶。这是关于展现她完整的、未经过滤的自我。那种真实性？你无法伪造这一点，品牌也知道这一点。

这正是此举有意义的原因。维多利亚的秘密 (Victoria’s Secret) 不再是以前的那个品牌了——里斯 (Reese) 进军 露肩的季节 这场活动给人的感觉不仅仅是另一次合作。感觉就像一个转变。

谁更热？太阳还是天使里斯？你告诉我们。

Someone call Victoria, because her secret is officially out. Angel Reese isn’t just a straight-up baller on the court; She is also bringing the same star power. Angel Reese is redefining what it means to own that room — even when that room is in the middle of the ocean, and the cameras are rolling.

Fashion and sports have always crossed each other’s path, but now? This is different. The lines are blurry, the stakes are big, and the bag is very heavy. Athletes are no longer just throwing around their names as brand endorsers – they are the brand.

Angel Reese levels up with major fashion power move

The former Chicago Sky forward—and utter cultural force—has stepped into a new lane this season: Victoria’s Secret campaign star. And yes… she didn’t creep in, she kicked the door open. Dressed in a dark gray strapless suit with a bold front cutout, Angel Reese posed under running water for shots that basically broke the Internet. The vibe was equal amounts of athlete energy and old-school glamour, which is pretty much her signature at the moment. Reese shared a carousel of photos from the photoshoot on her Instagram.

That suit wasn’t just about looking good. It was made to make a statement. The strapless cut and front detailing played with enough skin to feel risky but still intentional. Add oversized earrings and stacked bracelets, and suddenly you’ve got an edge. And Elegance. Throw in the water-drenched setup, and the whole thing hits like a cinematic moment – ​​raw, moody, and unapologetically loud.

Nothing seemed random about it. Every frame was oozing control, confidence and screaming “yes, I know exactly what I’m doing!” Blink, and you’ll miss it. But hey, no one is looking the other way.

And let’s be real – this isn’t the first time she’s coming out like this. In 2023, Reese performed in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue right after leading the LSU Lady Tigers to a national title. Fast forward to 2025, and she’s making history again by walking in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show alongside stars like Suni Lee.

At just 22 years old, Reese is already one of the most recognizable faces in American sports — and she didn’t get there by playing it safe. From LSU to the W, his rise has been more than buckets; It’s about showing up as her full, unfiltered self. That kind of authenticity? You can’t fake it, and brands know it.

That’s why this move makes sense. Victoria’s Secret isn’t the same brand it used to be — and Reese is stepping in strapless season The campaign feels bigger than any other collaboration. It feels like a change.

Who is hotter? Sun or Angel Reese? You tell us.

Everton have had some injury reports from the international break. Defender Vitaly Mykolenko has suffered an adductor injury while on duty with Ukraine.

Champion reports on 26-year-old man todayIncluding Ukraine manager Serhiy Rebrov’s comments regarding the Everton full-back.

suspicious absence

Vitaly Mykolenko made an unexpected miss for Ukraine in the match against Albania on Tuesday evening.

The Everton defender was expected to start the game, having been an almost constant presence in the team since his debut in 2018.

Instead, he was dropped from the team and Bohdan Mykhailichenko started the games. After this Rebrov explained about the change.

“Unfortunately, he felt (something). He says he went to the doctors yesterday, but I didn’t know anything about it. And when we were making decisions with the main team, he said he was ready,” Ukraine manager explained.

“Unfortunately, he suffered this injury, but as far as I can see now, he says it is not that serious, and he has had 5 days off now. I am sure he will return to Everton in normal condition.”

Everton’s injury concerns

Everton will certainly be concerned about the situation given Vitaly Mykolenko’s role under David Moyes.

He is the first choice left-back under Scott, playing 84% of the time in the starting XI and enjoying the same percentage of minutes to date.

Losing him at this stage of the season, with European football at stake, would be a major problem for the Toffees.

They have Adam Aznoo as his backup, but he has barely featured this season. There is also the option of using Jarrad Branthwaite at left-back, which Moyes has also done this season.

The important thing will be to determine the extent of the injury. Mykolenko’s willingness to play suggests this is only a mild issue. This may give him time to recover as Everton will not play until April 11^th.

🇪🇸 ‘Blue Wall’ | Spanish newspaper celebrates Everton, Toffees fans and new stadium

➡️ ‘Finally the sun also came out’
📈 ‘A period of renewal in every sense’
⏩ Some Spanish love for Hill Dickinson…👇https://t.co/QS7NZOJsuU #efc #koyab

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 27 March 2026

Odell Beckham Jr.’s improbable return to the New York Giants in 2026 got even closer to reality this week.

In John Harbaugh’s first offseason as head coach, the NY Giants have been very active in making changes to the roster to match the new culture they are trying to create. While veterans like Wan’Dale Robinson, Bobby Okereke and Graham Gano left in free agency, the team added impact players Isaiah Likely, Tremaine Edmunds and Darnell Mooney.

For the most part, it looks like the team has added veterans, and the most meaningful additions in the coming months will come via the NFL Draft. However, speculation is increasing about bringing back three-time Pro Bowler Odell Beckham Jr., and that’s mostly because quarterback Jackson Dart and receiver Malik Nabors have publicly pushed for the move.

The possibility added fuel on Monday, when Harbaugh acknowledged being open to the idea. “The obvious answer would be to look at every option,” he said at NFL league meetings. “And if Odell is an option, we’ll definitely consider him.”

NY Giants meet with Odell Beckham Jr. about comeback

Well, it looks like they’re doing more than just looking at her. On Tuesday, SNY’s Connor Hughes reported that the player who was selected 12th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft by the NY Giants showed up to NFL meetings in Phoenix, AZ, asked to speak with Harbaugh and team executives, and got it shortly after the coach made his comments on Monday.

Hughes said the team would need to see him work out individually after missing last season before they could talk about a contract. Still, the possibility of a reunion is as close as ever.

The 33-year-old became a star in the league during his first season. Winning the NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year award and Pro Bowl honors. He would then reach the Pro Bowl in each of the next two seasons. The pass catcher missed most of the 2017 season after tearing his ACL, but a bounce-back year in 2018 earned him a new five-year deal, worth $90 million.

Unfortunately, there were cracks in the relationship between Beckham Jr. and the NY Giants before, and it all came to a head in 2019 when they traded him to the Cleveland Browns. The receiver has since struggled to recapture his elite form, and while he came close during the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl run in 2021, he tore his ACL for a second time.

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

Celtic’s Benjamin Nygren once again finds himself at the center of transfer discussionsEven if the player tries to keep that noise at arm’s length during turbulent weather at Celtic Park.

The 24-year-old has been one of the few consistently positive figures for Celtic this campaign. Despite instability and mixed results on the touchline, Nygren’s form has been excellent.

He has scored 19 goals and provided seven assists in 48 appearances in all competitions, and is currently second in the Scottish Premiership scoring charts with 15 goals.

That level of performances has already put him on the radar of English clubs. Previous reports, including claims involving Manchester United, have linked him with a move to the Premier League. earlier this monthHe also spoke openly about his “dream” of playing in the biggest leagues.

Season references and Celtic chaos

Benjamin Nygren has made no secret of the gap between his individual form and the club’s struggles. Talking to Swedish outlet sportbladetHe admitted that the campaign had been “mixed”, pointing directly to a damaging defeat against Dundee United which left Celtic Hearts behind at the top of the table.

“It’s been a bit mixed. Unfortunately we lost a very important match,” He said.

While results have fluctuated, Nygren’s individual performances have remained strong. He pointed this out himself, saying that he approaches international duty with “a lot of confidence” after a productive run in front of goal.

Celtic’s season has also been affected by instability off the pitch. Brendan Rodgers’ departure at the start of the campaign set off a chain reaction. Martin O’Neill stepped in, then gave way to Wilfred Nancy, whose brief spell ended after eight matches. O’Neill was forced to turn back again.

Nygren described the situation clearly: “A lot has happened. We’ve had a lot of managerial changes and there are a lot of demands at a big club like Celtic. We haven’t really lived up to those demands.”

That context matters when assessing his output. Putting up consistent numbers in that environment has only increased his profile.

Premier League links and careful reaction

Benjamin Nygren didn’t shy away from drawing attention to the transfer. However, he also made it clear that he will not let this distract him.

“It sure is fun. It proves you did something good,” He said.

At the same time, he also stressed the desire to remain connected to the land. He is focused on improving every day and helping Celtic finish the season strongly.

“It’s not something I focus on right now. The season is going on. The focus is on the club, and now on the national team. Then it’s about trying to finish the season as well as possible, win the league and the cup.”

There is a clear balance in the Celtic star’s words. Nygren accepts the interest and allows himself a certain degree of enthusiasm. Still, he is careful not to indulge in too much speculation.

What’s next for Celtic?

The Benjamin Nygren situation puts Celtic in a familiar dilemma. The club have a player in peak form under contract until 2030, and his market value is now around €10m (£8.6m). This figure has increased rapidly in recent months.

If his current scoring rate continues, further interest from the England side seems inevitable. His versatility in attacking midfield and forward roles only strengthens that appeal.

Plus, there is no immediate pressure on Celtic to sell. His lengthy contract gives him control, and the club will want stability after a chaotic season.

For now, Nigren is proceeding cautiously. He is enjoying the recognition he has received from his performance. Yet he is also making sure that doesn’t become the story of his season.

If Premier League interest becomes concrete this balance may not be maintained for long.

🇸🇪Benjamin Nygren | “I understand anger”

➡️Celtic star speaks about protests
💬 “Like in a big club there are a lot of demands #celticfc“
💬 “There’s so much to experience”https://t.co/jF2BaKcYai #Bhoyas

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 24 March 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

Buzzing energy at Hornets practice 🐝

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

– NBA (@NBA) 21 March 2026

LaMelo Ball’s production fuels Hornets’ playoff boost

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

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

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

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

BOSTON – The city of Boston was the key to basketball for Celtics star Jaylen Brown. Since arriving in Beantown in 2016, he has consistently exceeded expectations, becoming a five-time All-Star, earning the NBA Finals MVP trophy, and most recently, moving into 10th on the Celtics’ all-time scoring list during a 120-99 win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. But just because Brown was introduced to Boston through basketball doesn’t mean he wants to be known for that alone.

The former UC Berkeley standout has used his platform to make a difference in New England’s largest city, hosting numerous community events giving his views on social issues, technology, the future and more. Brown’s life away from basketball has always been integral to him, so it makes sense that he might again emphasize non-basketball activities whenever he retires from the NBA.

“Part of me wants to say that when I’m done, you’ll never see me again,” Brown said with a slight smile in the locker room. “but who knows?”

Jaylen Brown was asked what the future will be like when he and Jayson Tatum are welcomed into the TDs a few years from now, like Robert Parish:

“To be honest, I can’t even think that far ahead. Part of me wants to say that when I’m done, you’ll never see me again.” pic.twitter.com/wfE6gRdHOP

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 19 March 2026

What does retirement mean for Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum?

As Celtics legend Robert Parish strolled through TD Garden on Wednesday cheering on fans — promoting his new book and looking at two franchises he played for decades ago — Brown was reminded of his limited basketball career.

When Brown was asked if he would return to Boston from time to time, like Parrish, he responded, “Honestly, I can’t even think that far ahead.” “Obviously, Parish is a legend, so it’s good to see him out there. He looked good. Looks to be in pretty good shape. So it’s great to have him around.”

Fellow Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who tied a season-high with 24 points against the Warriors, was also looking to the future. And while he didn’t reveal anything definite in terms of post-playing plans, the six-time All-Star did mention how great it is to see the beloved Celtics come home to a standing ovation.

“It means everything,” he said. “It’s a really nice moment to see other people receive their flowers.”

Jayson Tatum on talking to Robert Parish pregame:

“It’s always an honor to look back at the legends of the game and the players who paved the way for us as NBA players.” pic.twitter.com/5V0erRfoZ6

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 19 March 2026

When Tatum and Brown call it quits, there’s no doubt both stars’ jerseys will be retired and they’ll be placed among the stars in the rafters at TD Garden. However, it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen anytime soon, as Boston’s dynamic duo is focused on chasing another title with the Celtics at 46-23 before the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Additionally, neither Celtics star is even 30 years old and both of them have signed long contracts for at least three more seasons.

No matter what happens for Tatum and Brown over the next several years, they’ve earned the right to handle retirement how they want, whether that looks like headlining home games in Boston or stepping out of the public eye forever.

When Brown was asked if he would ‘go black’ after retiring, he replied, “I mean, it depends on what God has planned.” “But if you ask me now, I think it’s much more likely, let’s say.”

On Thursday, the Charlotte Hornets will pay tribute to Dell Curry by retiring his jersey. The game against the Orlando Magic will be a celebration of his excellence on the field.

Additionally, Curry will get a chance to share the moment with his family, including his son Stephen Curry. Ahead of the celebration, the family openly shared the various nicknames they called him, but according to Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer, one stood out the most.

Fowler said that Steph and his brother Seth call Dale “Pops”. Additionally, his daughter, Sydelle Curry-Lee, calls him “Dad”. Then, Curry’s 10 grandchildren call him “Gee Daddy.”

However, for the first time, Steph shared with Fowler the nickname they use to call Dale in private.

“We call him ‘The Originator,'” Steph said of Dale. “Because all of this — all of us and our basketball family tree? It originated with him. A friend of ours gave him that nickname on a golf trip about a decade ago. And so now we run with it.”

Overall, Curry played 16 seasons in the NBA. Ten of those years were with the Hornets. Additionally, Curry became the franchise’s all-time scoring leader with 9,839 points. Additionally, he leads the league in total regular season games played with 701. In 1994, he was named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year.

Ultimately, Curry finished his career with 12,670 points, 2,617 rebounds and 1,909 assists. Additionally, Curry finished his career with 1,245 3-pointers, 929 of which came with the Hornets.

Also during his tenure in Charlotte, Curry led them to four playoff appearances in 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1998.

Washington, DC – Washington Wizards/Monumental basketball president Michael Winger said on Jan. 22 that the organization will evaluate which young players will stick around long-term in the coming months, and second-year guard Bub Carrington showed why he should stick around on Tuesday. The 20-year-old scored a season-high 30 points (12-16 FG, 6-8 3-point) with four rebounds, two assists and no turnovers over 37 minutes in Washington’s 130-117 home loss against the Detroit Pistons.

Veteran forward Justin Champagnie told ClutchPoints after the game how Carrington has grown as a player since last season.

I asked Justin Champagnie last night how Bub Carrington has grown as a player since he was first discovered (thread):

“I think Bub is trying to learn his spots more. Starting to figure out when to shoot, when not to. When to be aggressive, when not to be aggressive. When… pic.twitter.com/KYEdtYxlmD

-Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) 18 March 2026

“I think Bub is trying to learn his spots more. Starting to figure out when to shoot, when not to shoot,” the 24-year-old said. “When to be aggressive, when not to be aggressive. When to turn the ball over, make the plays that have to be made. He’s diligent in his film work. I watch him do film before every game. I think he’s growing in those aspects. Gotta remember Bub is still young, like, 21 years old…I’m very proud of the growth he’s made this year.”

Carrington won’t turn 21 until July, but the rest of Champaign’s commentary track. The former Pittsburgh Panther is shooting 56.7% from the field (51.7% 3-point) with a 2.56 assist-to-turnover ratio in 25.9 minutes per game in March, which is a night-and-day difference from the rest of his season. For example, he shot only 36.4% (28.3% 3-pointers) with a 2.2 assist-to-turnover ratio in February and 38.7% (34.6% 3-pointers) with a 1.76 ratio in January.

Carrington’s season-long numbers aren’t that different from his depth other than a 39.4% clip, which leads 2024 draftees with at least that many average attempts (4.9). The Baltimore native’s average three-point attempts also rank fifth in the class.

On the other hand, according to NBA Advanced stats, Carrington’s 14.1 turnover ratio is the third highest (minimum 20 minutes per game) and his -14.2 net rating ranks last. Luckily, Champagne gave him advice on how to deal with adversity.

“Stay the same… A lot of guys go through sophomore slumps… When shots aren’t falling and things aren’t going your way, what else can you do to make an impact and be the player we need?” When asked what advice he would give Carrington, he said. “I think he’s done a great job so far this year, I’m looking forward to seeing him continue.”

Spreading the ball around while limiting turnovers is one way Carrington can help the team when he’s not scoring. For example, the 6-foot-4, 190-pounder had eight possessions against just one turnover in Saturday’s 111-100 loss to the Boston Celtics. He only scored two points (1-2 FG) in 22 minutes, but still provided value.

It was a different story on Tuesday. Carrington looked as confident as ever, hitting a fadeaway midrange as well as a catch-and-shoot three Competitive layouts like The one below.

It’s hard bub 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/LWs05M0EGh

– Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) 17 March 2026

Carrington could stand to hit more contested layups, as he ranks 162nd among NBA guards with 0.5 paint touches per game as of Wednesday. If he gets to the rim more, he will draw more attention from the defense and open up space for his teammates, similar to fellow Wizard Trae Young.

It’s not realistic to reach Young’s level too soon, but it is realistic to build on Tuesday’s outing and show potential in that regard over the rest of the season.

Bub Carrington needs to prove valuable as a role player

It’s no secret that Washington’s youth center will be in a different situation next year and beyond. The acquisition of youth and star big man Anthony Davis this offseason signals an intent to get into the Eastern Conference playoff picture for the 2026-27 campaign, which is a far cry from the way things have been recently.

The organization has declined every year since winger and general manager Will Dawkins took over in 2023, which helped him land second-year big man Alex Saar and rookie guard Trey Johnson with the top six selections in the draft. If the season ends on Wednesday, it will gain another top-six selection in the draft with superstar prospects AJ DiBuntsa (BYU), Cameron Boozer (Duke), and Darin Peterson (Kansas).

This strategy puts player development above winning, allowing the young core to play through mistakes without the pressure of immediate results. But next year it will be difficult to get minutes for those players who will not help the team win.

There are no guarantees what the roster will look like next year, but Carrington can stake his claim as a long-term role player if he puts together a mix of performances like the Pistons and Celtics games the rest of this season. Whether the team needs him as a scorer or facilitator on some nights, if he consistently shows he can execute any job, it will be hard to sit him down.

Head coach Brian Keefe reported Tuesday that Carrington is learning “what he needs to do” each game.

“I think Bub had a good year. He really took over our second unit for a lot of the year, while our second unit was very positive for a long time,” he said. “He’s learned to control the game offensively. I like his physicality defensively, he’s gotten more interceptions as the season has gone on. And the shooting is right there as well.”

“Keep growing, and we will put our people in positions to learn and grow,” he added. “Tonight was great, he played a little off the ball. Sometimes he has the ball more, tonight he was a little behind. He was aggressive looking for his shot, and that’s what we needed him to do tonight. He’s learning what the game needs him to do. Some nights are different. Tonight, he was aggressive with his shot, and that was helpful for us.”

Washington has another home date with Detroit on Thursday before hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.

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.

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

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

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

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

“I work on all my shots.”

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

– NBA (@NBA) 18 March 2026

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

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

The Charlotte Hornets have been one of the most surprising teams in the NBA in recent months, suddenly turning themselves into a capable basketball team that is consistently winning. While the Hornets are still in tenth place in the East, due to some better basketball from the teams ahead of them, it is still an encouraging sign for the organization.

Hornets fans have become accustomed to the high-energy announcing style of play-by-play commentator Eric Collins, whose playcalling is more akin to a WWE event than a typical NBA game, and most recently, the viral sensation stopped by FanDuel’s “Run It Back” show and broke down where he gets his energy.

“I’m not a caffeine person… it all comes out naturally. … I’ll go see a scary movie and I’ll jump because that’s where my body is… I’m a jumpy person right from the start,” Collins, formerly of Run It Back on X, said on Twitter.

Collins’ high-octane announcing style may be an acquired taste, but in an NBA media landscape that increasingly wants to criticize the product it’s supposed to be promoting, his enthusiasm has certainly been a breath of fresh air for some. He has also started calling some national games for Prime this year in addition to his local Hornets duties.

The Hornets are hoping to reach the playoffs this year for the first time in a decade, and LaMelo Ball’s resurgence, coupled with Kon Nueppel’s Rookie of the Year-caliber season, has been a big reason. Head coach Charles Lee also deserves credit for turning a team that was once a laughing stock into a competitive team.

The Hornets next play on Tuesday at home against the Miami Heat.

MIAMI – Following the Miami Heat’s win over the Detroit Pistons, the team is now on a five-game winning streak led by captain Bam Adebayo. With Adebayo as the Heat star consistently reaching milestones like scoring 10,000 career points, he has also been used carefully by head coach Erik Spoelstra.

Adebayo is arguably in the midst of his best performances of the season so far, as over the last nine games where Miami has played coming out of the All-Star break, he has averaged 21.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

The numbers when Adebayo is on and off the court are staggering, as the team has outscored others by 19.8 points per 100 possessions when he’s on the floor. Additionally, Adebayo has a net rating of +12.1 per screwball, which shows how important he is to the team, as during this recent period, the big man has taken a breather while working with both the starting and second units between his first and second stints of each half.

As for Spoelstra, he speaks on ‘maximizing’ his minutes, especially since Adebayo is in his “prime” phase.

“I think he’s accepting it. I think he’s really enjoying it right now,” Spoelstra said after the win over the Pistons. “He’s been on the court in both units, and we’re in the time of the year right now. He’s in his prime. I’ll play with him for a few minutes right now when we’re going for it. And I think he’s liking it, because he has a role with the starters, and then when he comes in with the second unit, it’s a little different. And even on offense and defense, I think it’s really keeping him engaged as a leader for us, he’s perfect. Is important in both lineups, being able to toggle between them.”

Erik Spoelstra explains how Bam Adebayo is taking his interesting rotation scheme, where he gets quick rests and plays with both units:

“I think he’s accepting it…he’s in his prime, I’ll just play with him for a few minutes while we go at it…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/b0kTH3fl90

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 9 March 2026

The Heat’s Bam Adebayo on his unusual rotational pattern

While the Heat face an important week looking to extend their win streak and solidify their spot in the Eastern Conference standings, Adebayo will look to continue his stellar play on both sides of the ball if the team wants to avoid the play-in tournament. Not wanting to play in the tournament and finish eighth in the East, as was the case in his previous three seasons, Adebayo is willing to do whatever is necessary to win, as he especially feels better when Kel’El Ware comes in when he needs relief.

“I just go out there and work hard, man,” Adebayo said. “There’s really no order to it, and you’ll realize it after a while. We’ll talk about it. He was like, ‘I’ll change it up a little bit.’ At this point, I got into the rhythm, and hopefully he doesn’t change it again. And the thing about it is, we’re starting to trust the young fellow [Kel’el Ware] More. “He’s starting to come along.”

“And like I said, there won’t be 20 and 15 every night, but his presence was felt today. He was plus 11, and that’s what I look for for him, like making the right plays, being out there a lot, running in transition, blocking shots, and that gives me time to rest, and then we get a little bit of a synergy of double major lineups.”

In addition to Ware coming in for Adebayo, Spoelstra has started to utilize the duo on the floor together, which has led to positive minutes, as Miami looks to continue that when the team faces the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night.

Minnesota Timberwolves veteran guard Mike Conley shared information about how he helps teammate Anthony Edwards stay focused during games, showing that conversations about football sometimes become part of the process.

As the Minnesota Timberwolves (40-23) prepare to face the Orlando Magic (33-28) on Saturday at 2:00 PM ET on Prime Video, reporter Christina Pink caught up with Conley before the game to discuss the dynamic between the veteran guard and the team’s young star.

Conley explained that he takes on a mentorship role, looking for opportunities to guide Edwards through different situations on the court.

“I’m just trying to get the most out of him. Any chance I can get to teach him something or make him pay attention to a certain thing on the court, whether it’s trying to figure out the double-team or trying to improve his shot, or trying to find opportunities for myself for my teammates.”

Conley said Edwards may sometimes need a more unconventional approach to keep him mentally engaged. The Timberwolves guard noted that Edwards’ playful personality sometimes leads him to talk about topics unrelated to basketball during games.

“Just trying to keep him engaged in the game in a different way because he can start talking about football and start talking about other things in the middle of the game because that’s just how he is. He’s a kid, he just loves to have fun so you know, just keep him locked in and ready to go.”

“[Ant] He can start talking about football, he can start talking about other things in the middle of the game.”😅

19-year-old veterinarian Mike Conley explains @christina_pink How he helps keep Anthony Edwards locked in 🔒 pic.twitter.com/X7YVAuD2OU

– NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) 7 March 2026

Conley’s reference to football also connects to Edwards’s well-known interest in the sport. The Timberwolves guard has previously stated on several occasions that he would like to try playing professional football if he wins an NBA championship before turning 30. Edwards has joked that he could potentially play wide receiver or even serve as a backup quarterback if he wants to pursue an NFL opportunity.

Mike Conley explains how he keeps Anthony Edwards focused despite football talk

Conley, a longtime NBA veteran known for his leadership and steady presence at point guard, has played a key role in guiding Minnesota’s young core. His experience has proven valuable as Edwards has developed into one of the league’s premier guards.

Now in his sixth NBA season, Edwards is having the most efficient campaign of his career. The 24-year-old guard is averaging 29.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game, while shooting a career-best 49.5% from the field and 40.6% from three-point range.

In 53 games this season, Edwards has logged 35.6 minutes per contest and has emerged as the focal point of Minnesota’s offense while continuing to develop as a two-way presence.

His production has helped guide the Timberwolves to a 40–23 record, placing them among the top teams in the Western Conference standings. Minnesota enters Saturday’s matchup riding a five-game winning streak while building momentum toward the postseason.

The Timberwolves have also reached the Western Conference Finals in each of the past two seasons, a run that coincided with Edwards’ rapid rise as a franchise centerpiece.

With Conley providing experienced leadership and Edwards continuing his lead, Minnesota will look to maintain its strong form as it prepares for another deep playoff push.

The Chicago Bulls fell to the defending champion OKC Thunder 116-108 on Tuesday. Josh Giddy, playing against his former teammate, got injured.

Giddy twisted his ankle in the third quarter and had to leave the game. However, he came back and finished with a double-double with 14 points and 10 assists. He was one rebound shy of a triple-double.

Additionally, Giddy managed to pass Derrick Rose for 5th on the double-double list for the Chicago Guards with 51.

After Giddy was out for a while, Matas Buzelis stepped on a player’s foot and rolled his ankle. Ultimately, he was taken back to the locker room and did not play the rest of the game. Later, head coach Billy Donovan confirmed that both Giddy and Bouzelis had sprained ankles.

Also, both will be evaluated on Wednesday.

However, according to Casey Johnson of Chicago Sports Network, Giddy offered a glimmer of hope that he will return.

“It doesn’t look too bad,” said Giddy.

As a result of the loss, the Bulls are 25–37 and have lost 15 of their last 17 games. The Bulls begin a five-game road trip against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday. After this they will play four matches in California.

They will play against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. Then, Chicago plays the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. After that, they will play the LA Lakers on Thursday and the LA Clippers on Friday.

Giddy is averaging 17.7 points, 8.4 assists and 8.2 rebounds per game. Overall, he has played 41 games this year. Recently, Giddy was out due to a left hamstring injury.

Arsenal’s Victor Gyöckeres has revealed that his experience of winning back-to-back league titles with Sporting is helping him handle the Premier League title race – and he insisted he is going into it “without any fear”.

The Sweden international, who joined Arsenal from Sporting CP last summer, Spoke to DAZN in Portugal About how his time in Lisbon prepared him for this moment in England.

Over the past two seasons, Gyökeres scored 97 goals and provided 27 assists in 102 matches. He was at the center of Sporting’s historic league double. Now 27, he believes the experience in North London is proving decisive.

“In the last two years, I went through a very similar situation in different aspects, where we fought for the title,” He said.

“Yes, it was difficult at different stages of the season and the rivals were close to us in the table,” He continued. “But fortunately, I managed to finish first in both seasons at Sporting, which was obviously fantastic.”

Experience shaping Arsenal’s title push

Arsenal remain firmly in the Premier League title race, and Gyöckeres has already contributed 15 goals in 37 appearances in the competition. This includes two goals in the recent derby win over Tottenham.

Despite facing scrutiny from parts of the British media at the start of the season, the striker appears to have settled rapidly. Importantly, he believes the psychological aspect of past title fights is now a major asset.

“Now being in this position with Arsenal (having gained experience) is helping me to have the confidence and enthusiasm to continue in this position at this time, without too much fear,” He added.

That line emerges. Confidence under pressure is not guaranteed for a player adjusting to the Premier League after dominating in Portugal. However, Gyökeres suggests he has already been through the emotional ups and downs of a tough title race.

Why does this matter to Arsenal?

Arsenal invested heavily to bring him in. With its price tag, expectations were immediate. while their numbers are so far solid rather than spectacularThe broader picture is more encouraging.

Firstly, he has performed well in big moments. Secondly, he brings the experience of seeing the narrow edge at the top of the table. That mentality could be important in the run-in.

Mikel Arteta’s team is competing in one of the most demanding leagues in Europe. Yet Gyökeres’ observations indicate that, internally, there is peace rather than anxiety.

If Arsenal are to turn contention into silverware, they will need players who treat pressure as a routine. By his own admission, Gyöckeres now does exactly that – without any fear.

With Jason Dominguez’s future with the New York Yankees unclear, a team insider revealed a teammate who could play a key role in uncovering the former No. 1 prospect in 2026.

A few years ago, NY Yankees fans kept hearing about Dominguez and his potential to become an All-Star in the big leagues. In 2021, he was the No. 1-ranked player in their system and was nicknamed “The Martian” because his immense talent as a five-tool player was out of this world.

That’s why there was so much excitement when he reached the big leagues in 2023. Unfortunately, he hasn’t even come close to living up to those expectations. Despite having shown great form in his game over the past three seasons, injuries, inconsistent play and poor defense in the outfield have left the Dominican at a career crossroads at just 23 years of age.

A year ago, Dominguez was locked into the starting role for Opening Day. However, this year, there’s a good chance he starts the season in Triple-A, as there is no clear path for him to move into the outfield or at designated hitter in 2026. This has led to much speculation that he could eventually be traded by the team that signed him when he was just 16 years old.

Can Ahmed Rosario help free Jason Dominguez in 2026?

However, this week, New York Post MLB insider Joel Sherman expressed some hope that the NY Yankees could get an impressive season from Dominguez. In a new “3 Things I Think” video post, Sherman revealed one unique asset that could benefit youth in a big way. And that’s former New York Mets star prospect turned journeyman Ahmed Rosario.

The Yankees insider explained that Rosario has become a respected veteran throughout the game, and what he brings to the locker room is why the NY Yankees made sure to re-sign him this offseason.

“This is a hard-working guy who has figured out how to maximize a career that didn’t exactly go the way he wanted. And Rosario is still just 30, because he came in at a very young age, like Domíguez,” Sherman said.

The NYP reporter reported that Dominguez is following Rosario around like a “puppy dog”, having a locker next to the nine-year veteran, and that this could teach him great lessons on finding ways to be an impact player for his team, even if he is not the star.

Sherman believes that if the NY Yankees coaches can improve his defense, it is possible for Dominguez to become a 20-homer and 20-stolen base player in 2026 and beyond.

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

Wendell Carter Jr. made a decisive play Tuesday night, scoring the game-winning basket to give the Orlando Magic a 110-109 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. After the win, Carter pointed to one word – “aggressive” – as the key to Orlando reaching another level offensively.

Carter finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds and two assists in 36 minutes. He made 9 of 13 shots from the field and added two free throws, controlling the paint throughout the contest before getting a late putback that sealed the victory.

After the game, Carter credited his teammates for encouraging him to maintain a tenacious mindset.

“Honestly, I give my teammates a lot of credit. You know, the guys we started with, Des, P, AB, Jay Suggs, we got there, Tristan, they all encourage me. They tell me when I’m aggressive, it takes our team to a new level on the offensive end.”

He detailed how this approach affects the group beyond the box score.

“Because I do a lot of things that don’t show up in this box score night in and night out. But they say offensively when I’m aggressive it opens up another chapter for this team. So I definitely give them a lot of credit. But at the same time, processing the game, slowing it down a little bit mentally, but still playing at a fast, fast pace.”

Wendell Carter Jr. on his big offensive night, including the game-winner over the Lakers:

“I give my teammates a lot of credit. They tell me when I’m aggressive, it takes us to another level.” pic.twitter.com/UCmb2drIVB

– Julian Ojeda (@jowepafm) 25 February 2026

The Magic relied on that interior presence against Los Angeles, especially in the fourth quarter. Orlando improved to 31–26 with the win and finished their four-game Western Conference road trip with consecutive wins over both Los Angeles teams.

Wendell Carter Jr.’s aggression leads Magic past Lakers

Carter’s production this season reflects a steady role within Orlando’s rotation. In his sixth year with the franchise, the 26-year-old center has averaged 11.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in 54 appearances. He is shooting 48.7% from the field, 32.2% from 3-point range and a career-high 80.1% from the free-throw line, while logging 29.6 minutes per contest.

While Carter’s game-winning effort highlighted his night, the overarching theme of aggression has come up repeatedly in Orlando’s recent surge. Teammates have emphasized that when Carter strikes decisively, whether it’s finishing at the rim, stepping into mid-range looks, or crashing the glass, it creates additional spacing and rhythm for the offense.

The Magic also got another standout performance from Paolo Banchero, who recorded 36 points, 10 rebounds and six assists against the Lakers. Orlando’s ability to generate balanced contributions on both the perimeter and interior has provided momentum entering the final stretch of the regular season.

With the road trip complete, Orlando returns home to begin a four-game homestand starting Thursday against the Houston Rockets (35-21) at 7:30 p.m. ET on Prime Video. As the Magic attempt to solidify their position in the Eastern Conference, Carter’s emphasis on controlled aggression may remain a central factor in maintaining their upward trajectory.

What has made the Boston Celtics such a strong team to face this season, despite the major roster overhaul last offseason with the absence of Jayson Tatum and the departures of Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, has been the team’s consistent next-man-up mentality.

Earlier in the season, it was Josh Minot who stood out as a multi-positional defensive pest for the Celtics. There was a time when Jordan Walsh was turning everyone’s heads. Hugo Gonzalez is a spark-plug who experienced one of the most memorable clutch moments of the season for Boston.

But now, a different unknown player is moving to the Celtics in the form of Baylor Sheuerman. Sheuerman is emerging as a key guy for Boston, especially with the way he helps the team control the glass. On Tuesday night, in a blowout 97–81 win over the Phoenix Suns on the road, Scheuerman recorded another double-double, an 11-point, 11-rebound effort.

The Celtics have been dominant on the glass over the past month and Sheyerman has been a big reason for that. In fact, he now has three career point-rebound double-doubles, and all three have come within the last three weeks, as reported by Celtics Stats on X (formerly Twitter).

It certainly seems like the Celtics are producing quality contributors on the factory line, which is how they’ve gotten so many contributions from unexpected sources.

celtics are rolling

The Celtics have won nine of their last 10 games, and they now have the third-best record in the NBA despite Tatum’s absence. The great play of Jaylen Brown as well as the consistency of Derrick White and Peyton Pritchard have played a huge role in this, but head coach Joe Mazzulla has managed to squeeze a lot out of a core that wasn’t very inspiring early in the season.

To make matters better for the Celtics, Tatum is close to returning, which should lift the team even further.

The historic rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics took center stage at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, ending with a disappointing 111-89 loss for the home team. While the game remained competitive for three quarters, Boston fell behind in the final frame, with Jaylen Brown delivering a 32-point masterclass. The Lakers’ frustrations were further compounded when the team was whistled for three technical fouls, penalizing Austin Reaves, Marcus Smart and coach JJ Redick for arguing officiating decisions. Even Luka Doncic, who finished with a modest 25 points, mocked the situation after the game, noting that if he had not been the one receiving the technical, the officiating would have actually been questionable.

The tension centered on a few specific non-calls that left the Lakers coaching staff looking for answers. According to a post from Oh No He Didn’t on X, JJ Redick addressed three technical fouls by highlighting the missed goaltending call on a LeBron James layup.

Redick said Celtics center Neemias Queta used a “stealth” strategy that stunned him. Redick said, “They missed an obvious LeBron layup, which was scored off the backboard, and Cueta stuck his whole hand, I can’t jump that high, so he stuck his whole hand through the rim.”

The coach said he would seek clarification on the legality of the move, joking that “Honestly, it’s a great way to defend floaters.” A separate video surfaced that shows Redick attempting to mimic the reach by holding the rim himself to emphasize the point.

Wow, I didn’t know JJ could jump like that, hahahapic.twitter.com/ccdLWEt7wh

– Oh no, he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) 23 February 2026

Despite the officiating play, LeBron James gave high praise to Jaylen Brown’s ability to keep the Celtics afloat during Jayson Tatum’s absence. James acknowledged that Brown is playing with a chip on his shoulder after the Boston roster was revamped in the offseason.

While James pointed to past friction, particularly Brown’s viral Summer League comments about Bronny James, he said their relationship remains civil and respectful.

For the 34-22 Lakers, the focus now turns to controlling their emotions and finding more offensive consistency as they look to move on from this bitter loss in the rivalry.