標籤: sends

asks for Sunderland There is strong talk in the Dutch press that striker Brian Brobby will be the starting striker for the Netherlands this summer.

Today it is the turn of Wilfried Zinni and René van der Gijp to go through the Voetbl primer. He is very impressed with Brobby’s new, ‘ripped’ physique at the Stadium of Life.

Impressive at Sunderland

Brian Brobby joined Sunderland on the final day of the summer transfer window and has since impressed.

Despite playing only 61% of the available minutes, the 24-year-old has scored seven goals and provided one assist in 30 matches in the Premier League this season.

His performances have seen him get back on track after a difficult end to his second spell at Ajax and put him firmly back in the Netherlands’ sights. The calls for Ronald Koeman to be made the starting striker at the World Cup are growing by the week.

The striker appears to be a man reborn, having worked with a special coach this year Improve his game as well as his body.

It’s paid off, and now people like Genie want to be given a chance. He heaped praise on the Sunderland striker during the “Krantjes” segment on the Vandal Inside Show this week.

“I was scrolling through Instagram when I came across a picture of Brobbie,” says Wilfried Genie, before showing the image to Van der Gijp. “Just look at this: she’s never been this ripped before.”

Physics affects

Gijp agrees. “He is incredibly lean and fit. Would he be a viable option as the Netherlands’ starting striker? Absolutely.”

“During his time at Ajax we have never seen him like this. He is also scoring consistently in the Premier League. Would you really like to do that at the World Cup?” Ginny then asked her fellow panelists.

“Okay: Brobbey and Malen… I think Koeman will eventually take Memphis with him. But then, for five weeks in a row, the conversation will revolve around: Is he fit? Can he play? How long can he play? Can he start, or will he have to come off the bench?

“What a mess, man. Especially when you see those images of Brobby. I wouldn’t hesitate for a second in choosing between a 100 percent fit Brobby and a physically struggling Memphis.”

Deontay Wilder is set to face Dereck Chisora ​​in a heavyweight boxing bout at the O2 Arena on April 4, 2026. This fight marks both fighters’ 50th professional appearance. Wilder enters with a record of 44-4-1 and 43 knockouts, while Chisora ​​has a record of 36-13 with 23 knockouts.

Chisora ​​has confirmed that this will be his final fight, increasing the significance of the event. The fight will be shown live on DAZN PPV, with the main card scheduled for the evening. Both fighters are known for their aggressive styles, and this boxing bout brings together two seasoned veterans at different stages of their careers.

Deontay Wilder is confident before the fight

Wilder said in an interview that he felt ready to go into the fight. “My confidence is sky high at the moment. How I’ve been preparing, and how I’ve overcome some things in the past mentally and physically. I’ve been really okay.”

He also told about his role in the division. “It’s important for me to go out and do what I need to do. It’s important because the heavyweight division needs me. I’ve brought it back once before, and I’ll bring it back again.”

Wilder is a former WBC Heavyweight Champion and has recorded 43 knockouts in his career. His record reflects his influence in boxing and his ability to end fights quickly.

Deontay Wilder expects a tough challenge from Dereck Chisora

Wilder said he is preparing for a motivated opponent. “I’m expecting a live Derek. I’m expecting someone we’ve never seen before. It’s his going out party.”

He said that he welcomes this kind of fight. “And I need that. I need that type of Dereck Chisora ​​that says I’m here, that I’m back, and go ahead and clean up the division like I want. We know he’ll bring everything he’s got.”

Wilder also talked about the demands of the game. “Because from warrior to warrior, warrior to warrior, I understand what we have to go through mentally, physically and emotionally to be able to do this day in and day out.”

Fight Night set for London event

Hopefully this fight will attract the attention of boxing fans. Chisora ​​has built his career on pressure and durability, while Wilder is known for his knockout power. The contradiction in styles often leads to action in the ring.

The ring walk is expected to take place late in the evening, with the main card starting first. Wilder has stated that he does not expect the fight to go far based on his approach and power.

Chisora ​​is entering the fight after a long career in the heavyweight division. According to his own statements, this fight marks his final appearance. In the meantime, Wilder wants to continue competing at a high level in boxing.

The bout brings together two experienced fighters in a high-profile setting. This result would mark the end of Chisora’s career and Wilder’s next step in the division.

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

Millwall’s Casper De Nore says he would be ready to face both Middlesbrough and Norwich City.

Alex Neal’s side travel to the Riverside Stadium to play Middlesbrough on Friday and then host Norwich City at The Den next Monday.

The Belgian last made an appearance for Millwall in a 2–0 Championship win over Preston North End in February. He even set up the opener for Ryan Leonard in the 29th minute.

De Nore has since been sidelined with a groin injury. However, he has now regained full fitness and will be available for selection for tomorrow’s clash against Middlesbrough.

Thursday edition of Importance of Limburg Have published a joint interview with the Millwall player and Sint-Truidense VV’s Robert-Jan Vanwessemel.

The 29-year-old took advantage of the international break to visit his home country. This gave the Belgian newspaper the opportunity to speak face-to-face with him and VanWessemel.

During the discussion, the defensive midfielder talked about his recent injury and his current situation. He has already missed 17 Champions matches this season due to injuries.

Middlesbrough and Norwich City matchup is important

“I was out for a few weeks with a groin injury. Picked it up stupidly while shooting on goal during practice for a match in early March,” He said.

“But I’m fit for Middlesbrough and Philip Clement’s important double against Norwich City. If we take six points from six, we will be absolutely in the race for promotion.

“It’s only the first season I’ve had some problems with injuries. Still, I’ve played 23 matches.”

Last May, talked about midfielder His dream of playing in the Premier League.

Millwall are fourth in the table, two points behind second-placed Middlesbrough, and 15 points ahead of 10th-placed Norwich City.

“As mentioned, promotion could be on the cards. Under coach Alex Neil, Millwall are playing at a high level. I have a year left on my contract and I’m turning 30. If I ever want to taste Premier League matches, that moment has slowly arrived,” Caspar De Nore explained.

He is enjoying life in the English capital but would not rule out returning to Belgium.

“I don’t deny it. But I still enjoy life in London. I like the peace and quiet here in Hasselt. In London, everyone lives at 300 km per hour. But a world city is so special. You can also often find me in the theatre. I would never have dared to think of that ten years ago.” He added.

Millwall contracts, prices and statistics

Casper De Nore’s contract expires in June, Millwall have the option for a further year, and transfer market He is worth €2.5 million.

He played 1,743 minutes in 23 matches in all competitions for the English club this season.

Fabio Wardley has made his position clear as he targets a fight with Oleksandr Usyk before the Ukrainian retires. The undefeated British heavyweight says he will be “furious” if Usyk doesn’t face him next fight. Wardley is set to defend his WBO title against Daniel Dubois on May 9 in Manchester.

Usyk, 39, has talked about a short list of fights before retirement, but his plans have changed in recent weeks. Wardley spoke about the situation and said he wanted clarity. He believes he has got his chance after recent results and wants a direct path to title contention.

Fabio Wardley questions Oleksandr Usyk’s changing plans

Wardley said Usyk’s next step is unclear. The former undisputed champion previously outlined a plan that included a fight with Rico Verhoeven on May 23 in Egypt. He also mentioned facing the winner of Wardley’s fight with Dubois and a third fight with Tyson Fury.

Usyk has since talked about Agit Kabayel as another option. Kabayel is the WBC mandatory challenger and has recent wins over Arslanbek Makhmudov, Frank Sanchez and Zilei Zhang.

“Nobody knows who he’s going to fight,” Fabio said in an interview with IFL TV. “One minute he’s in Egypt fighting the Pharaoh or something, the next he wants to fight me, then he wants to fight Kabayel. He doesn’t know what he wants to do.”

Wardley says he passed every test

Wardley said he did a lot to win the fight with Usyk. He defeated Joseph Parker in his last fight and is now preparing to face Dubois. He said that he wants the same result after this next match also.

“I’m just going to keep moving forward, I’m going to keep winning and beating people, and if he wants to try, he can try.”

When asked if he would feel relieved to avoid Usyk, he dismissed the idea.

“Absolutely not, I’ll be furious. I’ve been through the Joseph Parker fight, and I want Usyk. I’m going to go through the Daniels fight, and I want Usyk. How many tests does he want me to do?”

Focus shifts to Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois bout

Wardley now turns his full attention to Dubois. Both fighters are undefeated and hold strong positions in the heavyweight division.

Wardley said he feels as if Usyk is being tested before taking a shot at him.

“I feel like I’m putting Usyk through tests. He’s making me do certain things before he allows me to fight him. So if I do them, and then he walks away, I’ll be furious. I won’t have words.”

Usyk is expected to retire after completing his final fight. He became the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years when he defeated Fury in a 2024 rematch. Wardley’s next result will play a key role in what happens next in the division.

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

Rangers’ Youssef Chermity has issued a warning to his Portugal U21 team-mates ahead of their clash with Scotland U21 on Tuesday. Having played under Danny Rohl at Ibrox, he knows the opposition somewhat well.

Striker joins Rangers from Everton for around £8million [€9.2m] In September, when Russell Martin was at Ibrox.

A month later, he parted ways with the manager and appointed Rohl as his successor.

The 21-year-old has been a regular under Rohl at Ibrox and has scored nine goals and provided two assists in 34 appearances for Rangers.

His league statistics are as follows:

• Expected target: 7.44
• Expected Support: 1.22
• Big chances made: 2
• Big chances missed: 13
• Goal conversion: 13%
• Shots on goal per game: 1.0

His performances for Rangers helped him return to the Portugal U21 team in October for the first time since March 2024. The attacker has kept his place in Luis Freire’s team ever since. this was also caught Fenerbahçe’s attention in the winter market, but no move ever took shape.

Chermiti has scored two goals and one assist from four European qualifiers, and that includes a goal in their 4-0 win over Azerbaijan last Friday.

Portugal U21 host Scotland U21 at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota in Estoril on Tuesday.

Rangers man’s message for Scotland U21 clash

Monday edition of record Youssef Charmiti’s comments regarding tomorrow’s match are relayed.

The former Toffees man and his teammates have been training at the Cidade do Futebol, the national team’s sports complex in Algiers.

He talks about the importance of maintaining mental focus to achieve victory over Scotland.

“I and the whole group expect a good game from our side. We have shown our quality throughout the qualifying round, and we will do everything to get the three points.” He said.

“I haven’t had the opportunity to watch the Scottish team, but they certainly have some teammates that I play against in the league. We expect an opponent that will come with everything and we are ready.”

The Rangers man dismisses suggestions of overconfidence.

“We have to stay humble, and we can’t think that the game will be easy or that the opponent is coming here to make it easy. The coaching staff has always told us to give our best,” Charmiti explained.

Full squad for March international break

• 4-1 win over Azerbaijan U21
• v Scotland U21, 31 March at Estoril

Louis Freire’s entire team:

Goalkeepers: Andre Gomes (FC Alverca), Gonçalo Ribeiro (FC Porto) and Joao Carvalho (SC Braga).

Defenders: Daniel Banzaqui (SL Benfica), Diogo Monteiro (FC Arauca), Gabriel Bras (FC Porto), Joao Muniz (Sporting CP), Leonardo Barroso (Chicago Fire FC), Rodrigo Rego (SL Benfica), Tiago Gabriel (US Lecce Spa) and Tiago Parente (FC Felgueras);

Midfielders: Diego Rodrigues (SC Braga), Diogo Sousa (Vitoria SC), Gonçalo Moreira (SL Benfica), Gustavo Sá (FC Famalicão), João Simões (Sporting CP) and Mathias de Amorim (FC Famalicão);

Forwards: Carlos Forbes (Club Brugge KV), Mateus Mané (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC), Noah Saviolo (Vitoria SC), Rodrigo Ribeiro (FC Augsburg), Roger Fernandes (Al Ittihad) and Youssef Chermiti (Rangers FC).

The Chicago Bulls have fallen short in the postseason picture, and they are set to miss the play-in tournament for the first time in the last four seasons. It’s clear that Chicago is paying more attention to its youth, and in return, Matas Bouzelis is getting the opportunity of a lifetime. On Monday night, Bouzelis played a key role in the Bulls’ 132–124 upset win over the Rockets, scoring 23 points on an efficient 8-16 shooting night.

Considering how much the Bulls have struggled since the trade deadline, they need every ray of hope that there is indeed some light at the end of the tunnel as far as their rebuild is concerned. And games like this one from Buzzellis that’s all it givesEspecially when he made some clutch plays in their most recent win.

Bouzelis told CHSN’s Casey Johnson, “I’m trying to be aggressive all the time. I don’t care who’s in front of me. I’ll take the challenge.”

It must have been very inspiring for Bouzelis to do well for himself, given that he himself admitted that Rockets star Kevin Durant, who had 40 points on the night, was “eating” him.

“He was kicking my butt, man. It was tough. Obviously, he’s an amazing player. I’m really happy we came out with the win. He was cooking me,” Bouzelis admitted.

“I’m trying to be aggressive all the time. I don’t care who’s in front of me.”

with Matas Buzzelis @KCJHope After a 23-point performance in the win over Houston. pic.twitter.com/7TnwhU39k4

– Bulls on CHSN (@CHSN_Bulls) 24 March 2026

The Bulls still have a long way to go in their rebuild, but to say they don’t have some promising pieces would be disingenuous. Bouzelis has the size to be a prototypically dominant two-way wing, and Josh Giddy is a stat-sheet stuffer extraordinaire.

Bouzelis is also only 21 years old, so the sky is the limit for a second year ahead. Watching Durant up close and personal has certainly taught the young Bulls player some tricks that he can incorporate into his game moving forward.

Jose Bordalas has played down any talks over his future amid reports of interest from Crystal Palace. He has insisted that he is “completely focused” on Getafe.

Several outlets have linked the Getafe boss with a move to Crystal Palace ahead of the summer.

Oliver Glassner is expected to leave Selhurst Park at the end of the season.

The Eagles are already looking for a replacement. But Bordalas’ latest comments send a strong message about where his focus lies right now.

“I don’t look to the future; I look to the present. My focus is entirely on the match at the Metropolitano and the team.” He told AS.

“I’m not worried about my future. Atletico is a team that always improves when it changes its team because the players on the bench are at the same level or even better.”

Why is Crystal Palace being linked to Bordalas?

Bordalas has been named as a potential Crystal Palace candidate in several reports.

A report on 16 December^th from various sourcesreported that Bordalas was the leading candidate for Crystal Palace. He is currently set to become a free agent himself as his current deal expires at that time.

From here the rumor started spreading. Bordalas are reportedly held in high regard in the Crystal Palace hierarchy.

Journalists then directly questioned Bordalas on the rumors the next day. However, he refused to say anything on the matter at that time. It is a stance he clearly maintains.

Getafe president Angel Torres publicly rejected the idea at his Christmas party, prompting Bordalás to respond.

Would Bordalas’s style work at Crystal Palace?

While Bordalas has publicly distanced himself from speculation, Palace’s interest reflects the club’s quest for a tactically disciplined, high-intensity coach – qualities the Getafe boss is known for.

The biggest question is not whether Crystal Palace appreciate Bordalas, but whether supporters will accept the dramatic stylistic change his appointment will bring.

While both like defensive tenacity, Glasner is a modern, progressive coach while critics have labeled Bordalas an ‘anti-football’ expert.

It would mean a big change for Crystal Palace this summer if they look in Bordalas’s direction following Glasner’s departure.

If there’s one man who understands exactly what Antonin Kinski is going through at Tottenham this week, it’s Philippe de Wilde.

The former Belgium international goalkeeper has experienced a similar public, high-risk collapse.

And he believes there is only one way forward for the Spurs youngster after a disappointing Champions League debut against Atletico Madrid. he is Gave his advice to Het Nieuwsblad.

After a night to forget in Madrid, Kinski finds himself in the spotlight and under intense scrutiny.

After being given a stunning start by Igor Tudor ahead of Guglielmo Vicario, the young goalkeeper endured a nightmare opening 17 minutes, conceding three goals, two of which came from individual mistakes.

Tudor responded by substituting Kinski before the first quarter of the match was over – a cruel decision which underlined the scale of the collapse.

Kinski went straight down the tunnel, although teammates and staff supported him as he left the field.

Support Flood from Goalkeeping Elite

Following this, the football world has largely rallied around the Tottenham goalkeeper.

High-profile names such as David de Gea and Thibaut Courtois have reportedly reached out with messages of encouragement.

Now, de Wilde has added her voice, and her perspective takes on special significance. He knows well how unforgiving elite football can be for goalkeepers.

At Euro 2000, he was Belgium’s first-choice keeper at the age of 35, finally coming into the limelight after years as a backup. What happened next was devastating.

He made a high-profile mistake in the opening 2–1 win over Sweden, misjudging a back pass and allowing Johan Mjallaby to score.

The stopper held his own in the next game but then suffered a setback in the final group game against Turkey, which Belgium lost 2–0. This marked the end of his tournament and international career.

Reflecting on that period, de Wilde was extremely honest: “Losing sometimes is just part of being a goalie.”

He acknowledged that Kinski’s situation could be even more dramatic given his age and stage of development. “In Euro 2000, the burden of all Israel’s sins was laid upon me,” He said.

Despite the trauma of such moments, de Wilde insists there is only one true solution: an immediate replay.

“Admitting your mistakes helps. Also having support from a goalkeeper like De Gea. But the best therapy is to get back in goal this weekend.”

“I had a good campaign with Anderlecht after Euro 2000. That’s really the only solution: to play again immediately.”

De Wilde points to his reaction after Euro 2000. He enjoyed a strong campaign with Anderlecht, proof that confidence can only be rebuilt through action.

Will Tottenham survive or fold?

This is the main question facing Tottenham now.

Tudor’s decision to snare Kinski so early suggests strongly that the manager does not believe it is time to gamble again. With Spurs locked in a relegation battle, the margin for error is minimal.

Although Vicario has had his own uncomfortable moments this season, he is still widely viewed as the safe option – especially after what unfolded in Madrid.

Reports from Kinski’s homeland have already suggested the goalkeeper may need to consider an exit, To save his development, by any possible means.

A defining moment for player and club

For Kinski, this could prove to be a career crossroads.

For Tottenham, it is a reminder of how unforgiving top-level football is. This is especially the case in a situation where mistakes are rarely rectified.

As De Wilde knows better than anyone, there is no hiding place in the life of a goalkeeper. Sometimes, the only solution really is to get right back on the horse.

Former NBA player Chandler Parsons sent a friendly warning to the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson and head coach Mike Brown after accusing Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of a foul play in Wednesday’s 103-100 loss. After a tight contest, Brown gave the Thunder’s Gilgeous-Alexander backhanded praise for his ability to get to the line.

Parsons told Brown the reason complaint about caretaker It’s not a good look for the Knicks, he said, according to FanDuel TV’s Run It Back.

“When you make the play on defense, and you’re the more physical team, and you throw the first punch, and make contact, that’s usually how you get the whistle,” Parsons said. “SGA is phenomenal at getting those calls. The confusing thing to me is that Mike Brown wants these calls for Jalen Brunson, and he usually gets them. Now be careful because your starting point guard does the same thing. If not, it’s even better than SGA.

“So, be careful with low whistles because that’s a big part of Jalen Brunson’s offensive game as well.”

“Tread lightly…your point guard (Jalen Brunson) does the same thing, even if he’s not even better than SGA!” 🗣️

Chandler Parsons has a message for Knicks HC Mike Brown about making the wrong call@michelledbiddle | @Chandler Parsons | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/HFSYP0ED36

– Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) 5 March 2026

Gilgeous-Alexander was an excellent 7 of 7 from the free-throw line. He finished with 26 points on 9-for-16 shooting and eight assists. Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson had a tough shooting night, making 5 of 18 attempts, including 1 of 5 from deep and 4 of 6 from the charity stripe. Karl-Anthony Towns’ double-double (17 points, 17 rebounds) led the Knicks in Wednesday’s loss.

Mike Brown accuses SGA of wrongdoing after Knicks loss

Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson took a shot at officiating during his postgame media availability. When a reporter asked about the alleged black eye on his face, Brunson said it was probably related to the no-call. Brunson, pointing to the referees in the Thunder’s win over the Knicks, was an ongoing theme.

It seemed as if head coach Mike Brown set the tone for the Knicks with his postgame comments

“SGA, that’s a tough cover,” Brown admitted before addressing the criticism. “He does a very good job of convincing the refs, probably better than anyone in the league, that he’s getting hit.”

The Knicks will look to bounce back in their matchup against the Nuggets on Friday.

MIAMI – Miami Heat captain Bam Adebayo is chasing Udonis Haslem’s record for most rebounds in team history, reaching a milestone in that goal on Tuesday. The Heat’s star in Adebayo displayed his defensive ability in Tuesday night’s 124-98 win over the Brooklyn Nets as he sent Haslem a message about getting closer to his record.

While Haslem still holds the record for most rebounds with 5,791, his defensive rebound mark of 4,176 has been broken by Adebayo, who now totals 4,180 after grabbing eight of them on Tuesday. Adebayo and Haslem have a close relationship off the court, but there is also a friendly rivalry due to the star’s speed, which is likely to see the 28-year-old break the overall record soon with 235 boards adrift.

“I’m on the way. He knows it, that gap is getting closer and closer,” Adebayo told ClutchPoints after scoring a game-high 23 points with nine rebounds. “Being a part of this organization, the guys ahead of me, there are records to be broken, but they want you to earn them. And obviously, I’m earning it every game, and at some point, it’s going to happen.”

However, in search of the full record, asked Bam Adebayo about breaking Udonis Haslem’s defensive rebound record:

“I’m on my way man, he knows it, that gap is getting closer and closer…” #HeatNation

Full response: pic.twitter.com/dXdee71zZg

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 4 March 2026

Bam continues to make franchise history 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Kd2g1FfMPv

– Miami Heat (@MiamiHEAT) 4 March 2026

In addition to breaking records, the Heat’s Bam Adebayo is also playing elite defense

Adebayo is also demonstrating that he is one of the league’s best defensive players, as he led the NBA in defensive rating (99.7) in February. After the rare occurrence of not making the NBA’s All-Defensive team last season, he believes people may be “tired of seeing consistency.”

“But as I’ve grown up in this league, the standards have changed,” Adebayo said after recording a career-high six steals and a team-high +22 on Tuesday. “You’ve got guys that aren’t making the playoffs, they’re at the bottom of the league record… I don’t know if it’s just voter fatigue, but I’m always going to be first-team on defense. That’ll never change, no matter what the voters say. My guys know that.”

Bam Adebayo made it a point to remind people that he’s one of the NBA’s best defenders, despite not being on the All-Defensive team last season.

“I think people get tired of seeing consistency… I’m always going to be first-team on defense… My teammates know that…”

Full response: #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/zUpEVCcjo8

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 4 March 2026

This type of outing from Adebayo is especially needed at this point in the season, as the team is trying to climb out of the eighth seed and play-in tournament play like they have been in the past three seasons. After the win over the Nets, Adebayo would insist that “we can’t afford any more mistakes.”

“We have a lot going on in the first half of the season, and you have to hold each other to a higher standard and accountability,” Adebayo said. “And it gets uncomfortable sometimes, because you feel like you don’t want to go too far, but in that sense, man, we’ve passed that stage, and we’re trying to do something special, and it’s going to affect all of us, and we have to hold each other accountable in some serious situations.”

Bam Adebayo asked about taking care of business tonight:

“We can’t afford any more mistakes, we’ve done a lot in the first half of the season… We’re trying to do something special and that will impress us all…” #HeatNation

Full response: pic.twitter.com/9spUJ021BC

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 4 March 2026

Heat’s Erik Spoelstra on Bam Adebayo chasing Udonis Haslem’s record

Teams facing the Heat could be accused of tanking, they took care of business on Tuesday night against the now 15-46 Nets, led by Adebayo’s anchoring performance. As longtime teammate Tyler Herro talked about one of Adebayo’s better defensive seasons, another who has watched the big man up close is head coach Erik Spoelstra.

Tyler Herro speaks after the win over the Nets where he scored 22 on 8/15 from the field, 1-4 from deep.

Talked about getting more comfortable, predicted his three-point shot will get better as he plays, and more below. #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/NK0YUd3h37

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 4 March 2026

Beyond basketball, Spoelstra will talk about the “quality human being” that Adebayo is, earning a chance to break the record of Haslem, a former player who has been a flag bearer for the franchise.

“I know he’s chasing him, so I’m sure he’ll do some crazy things to him. He wants to get the full rebound record, but it’s a testament to his consistency, and we love to see that,” Spoelstra said. “You know, records are meant to be broken, especially when good guys are breaking records. And Bam is a quality guy. And you know UD will love it when Bam finally surpasses him.”

“But he sets the tone in that first quarter,” Spoelstra continued. “I think he had four steals; he had a couple blocks in the first half, which really helped our defense. And that’s two really good defensive games in a row. Our defense has been good all year, but we need to step up to a really high level to finish out this regular season.”

Erik Spoelstra speaks on Bam Adebayo laying out and passing to Udonis Haslem for the most defensive rebound in Heat history.

“I know he’s stalking her, so I’m sure he’s saying some weird things…but that’s a testament to his consistency…”

Full Comment; #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/gtkvjlz8Xr

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 4 March 2026

At any rate, Adebayo and Miami will be looking to keep that going as they face Brooklyn once again on Thursday, with the team’s record at 33-29, which puts them in eighth place in the East, although they are a half-game behind the sixth-seeded Philadelphia 76ers.

ATLANTA – Over the past few years, Onyeka Okongwu hasn’t been afraid to let the three-ball fly, and teams have empowered him to keep shooting it. Results like tonight happen when you keep shooting it, and Okongwu’s seven three-pointers led the Hawks to a 135-101 win against the Portland Trail Blazers.

When the Hawks played the Trail Blazers earlier this season, Okongwu shot 15 three-pointers, but could only make five of them. This time, he took 12.

After a few players fell down in the first quarter, he looked at the Trail Blazers’ bench and pointed out how many threes they had at the moment.

“I know a coach there,” Okongwu said. “I was looking at him like, ‘You let me shoot all night?’ Then, after my fourth, I asked them to change the coverage.

Fun fact: They didn’t change the coverage.

Okongwu basically stayed on the perimeter all night, compensating for Donovan Clingan’s paint presence and forcing him to step up to the three-point line to defend himself.

“When I make a one, two, or three, they have to do something about it,” Okongwu said. “When it rains, it pours.”

“He tells everybody in the locker room he’s the best shooter in the locker room,” Dyson Daniels said. “So if they leave him open like that, he’s got to go out and prove it. When he’s hot and knocks them down like he did, you find him, even when he’s not knocking them down. We’re confident.” [Okongwu] To take those shots; We want him to take those shots. “It helps our team.”

That rain turned into a big storm for the Trail Blazers, as the Hawks continued to drain three-pointers, use their lightning speed to score points in transition, and throw down several emphatic dunks throughout the game. But it all started with how Okongwu created the environment to begin with.

“Before the game, they were joking saying shoot 20 threes tonight. Everyone was telling me to shoot them if they wanted to play with me like that. And tonight, they had to pay for it,” Okongwu said.

“You become more confident when your teammates trust you,” Quin Snyder said. “Guys were looking for him. We talked about not trying to attack the rim if the rim is safe. Those were the shots we saw him take and make. The last few games, he didn’t shoot as good as he wanted to, but he came in and did the extra work, and it showed tonight.”

If there’s one person who has helped build confidence in Okongwu to shoot the ball, it’s Snyder. Since he became the head coach, Okongwu has shot more three-pointers every season. After a while, Snyder designed plays for Okongwu to get open looks on the perimeter.

Now, Okongwu’s three-pointers come in the flow of the offense, and teams have to come out and try to guard him.

It seemed like the Trail Blazers didn’t want to make any adjustments to their game plan, so Okongwu continued to make shots. He finished the game with 25 points, 10 rebounds and six assists as the Hawks finished their homestand with their fourth consecutive win.

The Brooklyn Nets sent rookie forward Drake Powell to the G League in the first round on Friday amid a prolonged shooting decline. Powell, the No. 19 pick in the 2025 draft, was a bright spot for Brooklyn for a long time early this season.

The North Carolina product has continued to make a defensive impact at the NBA level using his seven-foot wingspan and elite athleticism. He has also been shown to encourage increasingly aggressive aggressive flashes. Powell averaged 6.4 points on 46.0 percent shooting from the field and 32.4 percent from three in 16.9 minutes per game in his first 30 appearances.

However, lately he has been struggling to find his rhythm offensively.

Nets send Drake Powell to G League, call up Ben Saraf amid extended slump

Powell is averaging 5.2 points on 35.4 percent shooting from the field and 20.9 percent from three in 19.1 minutes per game over his last 17 appearances. The Nets have used the G League to get extended reps from their NBA-record five rookie first-round picks throughout this season.

After struggling during the preseason and his first regular season NBA performance, the Nets sent Nolan Traoré to Long Island for a long time. After impressive performances in the G League, the French floor general re-joined Brooklyn and has since become the team’s full-time starting point guard.

With Powell in Long Island, rookie Ben Saraf could see extended minutes in the Nets’ rotation. Brooklyn called up Saraf on Friday after spending an extended period in the G League. Although he has struggled during his NBA appearances, the Israeli point guard has averaged 15.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists on .423/.373/.759 shooting splits in 15 outings with Long Island.

The Washington Wizards are counting on Trae Young to help lead them through their painfully long rebuild, but even before they acquired him in a trade last January, the four-time All-Star point guard breathed new life into the Atlanta Hawks. Although the union ultimately worked its way out and both sides agreed it was time to part ways, Young was responsible for many exciting moments at State Farm Arena. He formally received the flowers on Tuesday night.

Before facing the Wizards, the Hawks played a nice tribute video to the 2021-22 All-NBA Third-Team selection, which included some of his greatest shots, nutmegging Kevin Durant in the 2024 NBA All-Star Game and, of course, his famous bow at Madison Square Garden after eliminating the New York Knicks in the playoffs. The fans filled the building with applause and gratitude. Young reciprocated the love, but she still needed some time to get over her feelings after returning home.

He moved to the X following Washington’s 119–98 loss. “Still gathering my thoughts,” posted the No. 5 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. “My love for Atlanta is eternal.”

Young is still sidelined with an MCL sprain and quadriceps injury, so he got a chance to enjoy the crowd’s applause throughout the evening. The 2024-25 assists champion is dedicated to helping the Wizards compete in the East moving forward, but he will always be tied to ATL.

Trae Young led the team to an incredible trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2022, a feat the Hawks have achieved only once since moving to Atlanta in 1968. He is also the all-time franchise leader in 3-pointers (1,295) and assists (4,837). City is optimistic for this new era of Hoops, but it is clearly grateful for the heavy workload that the No. 3 took on during his eight years with the team.

And he clearly feels the same way. After this moment of closure, both sides will now turn the page on what they hope will be a promising chapter in their respective NBA journeys.

The second half of the season is upon us, and the Atlanta Hawks got off to a good start with a 117-107 win against the Philadelphia 76ers. From now until the end of the season, every game will become more important for the Hawks as they try to climb the Eastern Conference standings.

The Hawks, currently seeded ninth, have a chance to make some headway given the teams ranked above them, but they could fall short in no time with the Charlotte Hornets behind them.

Following their win against the 76ers, Johnson shared what the Hawks will need to do to move up in the standings as the season continues.

Johnson said, “If we continue to play a full 48 minutes, we’ll put ourselves in a position to win every night. I know the guys in that locker room, the coaching staff and everybody, we believe in each other.” “So if we continue to believe in each other, I think we’ll have a good effort.”

The Hawks apparently had a team meeting the night before the game, and Johnson said a message was clear throughout the group.

“We’re ready for the second half of the season. We have the same mentality and I think we understand what needs to be done and what needs to be done,” Johnson said.

It’s been an interesting season for the Hawks, as they’ve had several iterations of this team throughout the year. Six new players have been added to the team via trades, and it’s clear this is not the same group the Hawks started with this season. With that, they have to build chemistry with new people, while also trying to figure out where they fit in.

In the end, the Hawks still have a solid group that can win games, and they are still in position to get a better seed before the end of the season. After playing the most road games in the league in the first half of the season, the Hawks get a break in the second half, and they have one of the easier schedules in terms of opponent winning percentage.

As Johnson said, if they can continue to play the full 48 minutes, they may give themselves the best chance to keep winning games.

The basketball world was shocked by the news that Billy Donovan Sr., father of Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan, has died. St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino was one of the first to get the message across, as he is a close friend of the family.

Pitino, formerly of X, wrote on Twitter, “He was no better than Billy Donovan Sr. A special man in every sense of the word. RIP my friend! You’re in heaven already.”

Pitino coached Donovan Jr. when he was a player at Providence and he later joined Pitino’s coaching staff at Kentucky.

Donovan’s father was an important part of his life and supported his basketball dreams at all times. He also used to take her to New York Knicks games when she was a kid.

“These last 15, 16 years for me have been — oh my God! — phenomenal,” Donovan Sr. said in a 2011 story written by GatorZone. “I used to play basketball growing up. When Billy was little, we’d watch games on television and I’d take him to see the Knicks. And now, to be able to be with the team and go to all the games and knowing that Billy wants me to be a part of it, I’m so lucky I can’t even tell you.”

Donovan Sr. played college basketball at Boston College and scored over 1,000 career points.

There’s no doubt that Donovan Sr. played a big role in his son’s life, and he’s still living it up as the Bulls’ coach.

More people will probably send prayers and condolences to the family in the coming days.