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The New England Patriots are expected to acquire All-Pro wide receiver AJ Brown next month in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. This appears to open the door to dealing fellow wideout Kayshon Bout.

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated shared his belief that Bout could be acquired by any interested team for a “fifth- or sixth-round draft pick” by now and if he is interested.

• Kayshawn Bout Statistics (2025): 33 receptions, 551 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns and 16.7 yards per reception

Boutte, a sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is coming off back-to-back seasons with over 500 receiving yards. He proved to be a reliable deep threat for quarterback Drake Mays last season, averaging the fifth-highest average target distance (17.0 yards) along with a career-high 16.7 yards per reception.

The 24-year-old’s youth and contract certainly make him an attractive trade target. While he would just be a one-year rental, Boutte’s $3.72 million cap hit in 2026 ranks 66th among receivers. This puts him on the same level as players like Tyquan Thornton, Andrei Iosivas and Xavier Hutchinson.

However, there is no viable path to a featured role in the Patriots offense following the acquisition of Brown. Romeo Doubs was signed as the No. 2 receiver and the club is still ahead of Mack Hollins, Demario Douglas and Kyle Williams.

Boutte’s name had previously surfaced in NFL trade rumors, with some believing he could be sent to Philadelphia as part of a trade package for the Browns. However, the Eagles seem set at wide receiver with Devonta Smith, Makai Lemon, Dontevian Wicks, Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore.

If Boute’s one-year rental is worth a Day 3 pick, he could be an interesting option for teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants and Washington Commanders.

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

College basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale has been a recognizable and lovingly emulated voice of the game for more than 40 years. When someone has been in your living room for decades, you feel like you know them a little bit.

So when someone like that goes through tough times, it impacts the fans too. Such is the case with Vitale, who delivered serious news on Monday by announcing that he has been diagnosed with cancer for the fifth time.

Fifth time. (voice) Cancer, as they say.

The 86-year-old icon revealed that a recent biopsy confirmed melanoma in his lung and liver cavity.

Dick Vitale Just Delivered Grim News — And He’s Already Fighting Back

Vitale shared the update via a statement released to ESPN and social media after several days of medical testing, which included scans, MRI, bloodwork and a biopsy. He noted that the results were not what he had hoped for when his oncologist called, but now he knows exactly what he is facing and will begin immunotherapy treatment immediately.

“I beat melanoma,” Vitale said. “I’ve beat lymphoma. I’ve beat vocal-rod cancer. I’ve beat lymph-node cancer. I’m 4 for 4, and I’m pretty confident I’m going to make it 5 for 5.”

Yes, Dickie Wee! Millions of your fans are also attracted towards you.

“I obviously didn’t get the report I was expecting today when my oncologist called,” he said. “At least now I know what I have to face.”

I obviously didn’t get the report I was expecting today when my oncologist called. It’s been 10 days of multiple exams – PET scan – CAT scan – 2 MRI’s – biopsy – multiple bloodwork – now at least I know what I’m facing. Melanoma lung and liver cavity cancer would mean that I…

– Dick Vitale (@DickieV) 13 April 2026

The longtime voice of college basketball, who began his career as a high school coach before rising to prominence at ESPN in 1979, said he feels “fantastic” and remains motivated at age 86. He expressed gratitude for his life and emphasized his commitment to continue his work to raise funds for children battling cancer.

“At 86, I’ve lived a hell of a life and I’m more motivated than ever to raise money for kids battling cancer,” Vitale said.

The man is still thinking about how he can help others. This is certainly a testament to his character.

Dick Vitale’s journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, filled with scares that would have defied the spirit of lesser people. From melanoma to lymphoma to vocal cord cancer, Dickie V has faced it all.

And he has done so with utmost grace.

Rusty Weis is a lifelong fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Dallas Cowboys and Xavier Musketeers. He has been writing professionally… More about Rusty Weiss

If there’s any guarantee that someone is going to get from Bones Highland, it’s that he or she will always carry themselves with great confidence and swag. Hyland, of course, has been humbled in recent years, having to settle for a minimum deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves in last year’s free agency after a brief cameo with the team. But he’s finding his groove again, and at exactly the right time, given that Anthony Edwards is recovering from a right knee injury.

On Sunday night, in a heated contest against the Boston Celtics, Hyland provided the spark the Timberwolves needed for a 102-92 victory. He played 29 minutes off the bench and made 14 shot attempts en route to scoring a team-high 23 points on the night, in the greenest of green lights. It’s not that it was bad shot-chucking; He was plus-26 that night, as Minnesota played with a lot of energy whenever he was on the court.

After the game, Highland found Maria Taylor hosted the NBC NBA Showtime crew with all-time NBA greats Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady and they laughed at the Timberwolves guard’s reaction to being handed the reins.

“He definitely gave me the green light,” Hyland said, responding to Carter’s laughter.

“So what was your reaction? ‘Say less,'” Carter said with a big laugh, to which Hyland agreed.

“Don’t worry about it, yo. You told me to be aggressive, I need you to listen right here,” Hyland said.

“What was your reaction… say less?” ???

Bones Hyland talks with the NBA Showtime crew about the Wolves coach giving him the green light. pic.twitter.com/I2ydZQnG9K

– NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) 23 March 2026

The Timberwolves certainly needed a spark with Edwards out, Donte DiVincenzo struggling and Julius Randle getting bricked on Sunday (3-14 from the field). And Highland has answered the call. He seems to be maturing and playing more within the system, and he’s thriving. Talent has never been an issue for Hyland anyway, and he’s making that very clear.

JJ Redick heaped praise on Luka Doncic after he stunned the Nets in the Los Angeles Lakers’ win over the Miami Heat on Thursday night.

Doncic is going through the eighth season of his NBA career, his second with the Lakers. He has made significant progress in his adaptation to Los Angeles, which has become a key factor in the team’s chances of success.

In 38 minutes of action, Doncic lit up the court from nowhere against Miami’s defense. He finished with a stat line of 60 points, seven rebounds, five steals and three assists. He made 18 of 30 shots from the field, including 9 of 17 from beyond the arc and 15 of 19 from the free-throw line.

Redick reflected on Doncic’s hot stretch of scoring after the game. After Thursday night, the Lakers superstar has scored 51 points, 30 points, 36 points and 40 points in the team’s winning streak. This resulted in the head coach praising Doncic’s remarkable efforts.

Reddick said, “His teammates are enjoying it just as much as him right now… It’s a special race.”

Luka Doncic, how the Lakers played against the Heat

JJ Redick and the Lakers are happy to see Luka Doncic getting hot at a crucial time. Los Angeles is coming off a big win, moving it up in the conference standings and the playoff picture.

Four players scored in double figures for Los Angeles in the win, including Doncic. LeBron James delivered a triple-double performance of 19 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists on 8 of 12 shooting from the field. Austin Reeves was next with 18 points and five rebounds, while Marcus Smart added 13 points and four assists.

Los Angeles improved to a 45–25 record on the season and finished third in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets, while trailing the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Coming off the back of eight consecutive wins, the Lakers will be looking forward to their next contest. They are on the road when they face the Orlando Magic on March 21st at 7pm ET.

The San Antonio Spurs are back in the playoffs after a six-season drought.

Of course, a big part of their comeback, literally and figuratively, is Victor Wembanyama. He drained the game-winning jumper against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday to beat the Spurs 101-100 at Frost Bank Center and secure their spot in the postseason.

With the shot clock expiring, Wembanyama took a few jab steps before pulling Oso Ighodaro up and burying the shot with 1.1 seconds remaining.

The Suns had a chance to steal the win, but Devin Booker’s half-court heave was too low.

As Spurs reporter Carolina Teague shared, the 22-year-old Wembanyama made no big deal of his clutch bucket when asked about it after the game.

“We ran the play, and De’Aaron had a good reaction, and said it was pretty straightforward,” the two-time All-Star shared.

Rasheer Fleming missed two free throws before Wembanyama’s game-winning shot.

The 7-foot-4 star finished with a game-high 34 points on 10-of-20 shooting, 12 rebounds and three steals.

De’Aaron Fox provided support with 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

The Spurs, who improved to 52-18, including 27-7 at home, played without Stephen Castle, who exited in the last minute with a hip injury.

Vembanyama has fully accepted his responsibility as the man in charge of Spurs. It felt like he still had a little reluctance to take over during his first two years, but now, he has become more aggressive in becoming a cornerstone of the team.

Vembanyama has even admitted that he is one of them, which should bode well for the Silver and Black as they look to return to the playoffs.

The Memphis Grizzlies delivered one of their most remarkable performances of the season on Wednesday night, defeating the Denver Nuggets by a score of 125-118 at FedExForum. The win broke an eight-match losing streak and offered a glimpse of the team’s long-term potential.

The Grizzlies entered the matchup as the Western Conference’s 11th seed and clear underdogs at 23–44, while the Nuggets came in as the sixth seed at 42–27, and held a three-game lead over the seventh-place Phoenix Suns. However, Memphis turned the result around with its energy, timely shot-making and better execution in the final minutes. The result stood as one of the team’s most important wins of the season.

Cedric Coward played an important role in the performance. The rookie contributed to the stat sheet while continuing to develop within Memphis’ young core. His versatility helped the Grizzlies compete defensively while maintaining offensive differentials, allowing his impact to extend beyond traditional numbers.

Grind City Media shared the clip to X, formerly of Twitter, crediting Michael Wallace with capturing Coward’s postgame reaction, as the guard reflected on the importance of the win after a tough stretch.

“It’s really good to get back in the win column, especially against a playoff team.”

“It’s really good to get back in the win column, especially against a playoff team.”

Cowardly on what lessons a young and developing team can learn from a win over a proven team like the Nuggets.

🎥: @mymikecheck pic.twitter.com/NKDPuQGdFE

– Grind City Media (@grindcitymedia) 19 March 2026

The post emphasized that the moment represented more than one outcome. Instead, it reflects the continued progress of a developing roster that is still learning to consistently compete at the NBA level.

Coward expanded on that theme when discussing the team’s development after the win.

“It also proves that we are growing and moving upward, understanding what we need to do on both ends of the floor, especially with so many young guys still adjusting to the league.”

Those comments reinforce the direction of the Memphis Youth Center. Even during difficult seasons, the Grizzlies continue to build identity through experiences such as these.

Ultimately, the result may not dramatically affect the situation. However, it does provide a meaningful benchmark for a young roster seeking consistency and confidence moving forward.

The Chicago Bulls may have lost 142-130 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, but it was still a memorable evening for Yuki Kawamura.

Kawamura played 10 minutes off the bench, adding three points, one rebound and two assists. But what happened after the game was special for Japan’s undersized guard.

He reunited with his national team teammate Rui Hachimura and they shared a memorable moment – ​​literally.

Casey Johnson of Chicago Sports Network on

Kawamura, 24, immediately became a fan favorite in Chicago when he joined the team in Summer League last year. However, he was released during training camp after suffering a foot injury.

Many were saddened by his departure, some even imploring the Bulls to reverse the decision. In January, the team brought back Kawamura on a two-way deal.

He’s not just a novelty, as Kawamura’s vision and athleticism are up there with some of the NBA’s top level generals. He is a prototypical point guard, as he likes to set up his teammates.

Kawamura and Hachimura last represented Japan together at the 2024 Paris Olympics. They did not win in three matches. Hachimura led the team with 22.0 points, while Kawamura was not far behind with 20.3 points. Kawamura also averaged 7.7 assists.

Hachimura had 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting in their win over the Bulls.

Max Crosby thought his next chapter was closed. Plan? Leave the Las Vegas Raiders and get ready for the Baltimore Ravens, joining a new locker room and chasing wins in a new system. On Friday night, March 6, 2026, Baltimore reportedly moved to bring the star defensive end on board.

But by Tuesday night, March 10, the deal was completely resolved. After conducting a thorough medical evaluation, the Ravens decided to back out of the move due to concerns regarding Crosby’s knee. Just like that, the deal that seemed complete fell apart before it could even get off the ground.

Then came the pivot. On Wednesday morning, news came that Baltimore was signing pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson to a four-year contract, changing its offseason plans and leaving Crosby without the landing spot many had hoped for.

However, Crosby is not publicly angry. The Raiders star has taken to social media, posting celebratory, upbeat content rather than expressing his disappointment. But in the NFL, nothing is ever just a post.

So this begs the question: Is Crosby simply keeping the spirits high, or is there a subtle message hidden in those celebrations?

Crosby’s cryptic post fuels the offseason rumor mill

Max Crosby is celebrating a big personal milestone — even if his blockbuster move to Baltimore falls apart. On Wednesday, the star defensive end marked six years of sobriety, sharing the moment on social media while the NFL world was still buzzing about the collapsed deal that would have sent him from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Baltimore Ravens.

“3/11/20. 6 years sober,” Crosby posted on X, adding two emojis—a bald eagle and a diamond.
“God doesn’t make mistakes.”

At first glance, it seems like a straightforward celebration of his journey. But the wording—and those emojis—fans can read between the lines.

The phrase “God doesn’t make mistakes” paired with the bald eagle certainly caught attention. Around the league, “Fly Eagles Fly” has become one of those hype tracks players blast before big games, so it’s possible Crosby was simply leaning into that energy with the eagle emoji.

But this is where things get interesting. The Philadelphia Eagles were reportedly among the teams pushing to land Trey Hendrickson this offseason. Baltimore ultimately won that sweepstakes with a four-year deal that closed the door for Philly to bring the veteran pass rusher to town.

That leaves the Eagles still looking for a game-destroying defensive end – the kind of edge rusher who can swing games in a single series. And given that Philadelphia is still nursing the sting of last season’s Super Bowl heartbreak, it wouldn’t be surprising if the front office is aggressively exploring every option to upgrade the pass rush.

So Crosby’s post might just be about gratitude and growth. Or… this could be the most subtle offseason smoke signal in the NFL rumor mill.

When the Miami Heat stepped into the Kasia Center for Tuesday night’s showdown against the Washington Wizards, little did they know that Bam Adebayo would make it a night no one would ever forget. While the game against the Wizards seems like an automatic win these days, if forgettable, Adebayo made sure it will be stored forever in everyone’s memory bank as he exploded for a historic 83 points in the Heat’s 150-129 victory.

Adebayo shot 20-43 from the field (7-22 from deep) and 36-43 from the free-throw line, as the Wizards couldn’t stop him from scoring points even when double- or triple-teamed. The rest of the Heat team wanted Adebayo to chase this record and he did just that.

While Adebayo knows it is his name that will be in the record books, he gave credit to all To help make history, both on the Heat squad as well as on a higher note.

“Man, I wish I could have experienced it twice. I credit God, my family, my teammates. This crowd. They kept feeding me the ball,” Adebayo told Kelly Sacco of FanDuel Sports Network.

Bam Adebayo on losing 83 points in a game:

“Man, I wish I could relive it twice, I give God credit.” pic.twitter.com/JNg9Vy6f6w

– SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) 11 March 2026

The entire Heat roster helped Bam Adebayo make history

It was especially clear in the fourth quarter that the Heat team had only one thing on its mind: getting Adebayo the basketball. They were force-feeding him rocks, even if he was double- or triple-teamed. They were deliberately annoying the wizards. They were setting screens to block the ball for him, and they were also letting him handle the ball out of the backcourt.

Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra should also be credited for making Adebayo’s historic scoring night possible. Some coaches would remove him from the game and the game would be out of reach for the opponents, but Adebayo remained in the game and the fans got what they paid good money to see.

When Bam Adebayo poured in a career-high 41 points in the first half of the Miami Heat’s Finals win over the Washington Wizards, fans had a pretty good idea they were going to see something special after halftime of an otherwise unimportant Tuesday night performance.

As each Bam bucket went in, the game became more exciting, with the all-time Heat records of franchise legends like Dwyane Wade and LeBron James weakening until only one, Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game, remained.

While Adebayo wasn’t able to reach that seemingly impossible 100-point mark, he finished second behind Kobe Bryant with 83, leading one of the “Black Mamba’s” all-time rivals, Dirk Nowitzki, to celebrate the occasion with a special social media post.

83?????

-Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) 11 March 2026

A prolific scorer in his own right, going over 50 several times, including a career-high 53 against the Houston Rockets, Nowitzki was clearly excited to see another big man turn in such an impressive effort from across the court, with Adebayo finishing the contest by shooting 20-24 from the field, 7-22 from beyond the arc and 36-43 from the free throw line in 42 minutes of action.

Will Adebayo ever score this many points in an NBA game again? Given that there have only been two other 80-point scorers in the last 70 years, this seems unlikely. But then again, who expected a random Tuesday night to center around a player scoring 83? Adebayo now finds himself in NBA history, and considering the players he’s among, that’s a pretty good place to be.

It was a historic night for the Miami Heat and especially Bam Adebayo. He scored 83 points against the Washington Wizards. moving forward late Kobe Bryant For scoring the second most points in an NBA game.

This was a moment that instantly went viral with no Who’s celebrating in the NBA?. They also include LeBron James and Dirk Nowitzki. Also, Adebayo’s fiancée, Aja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, was right there in the court Celebrating achievement.

After the game, Adebayo took time to celebrate With Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, according to SM Highlights. As Adebayo came off the floor, Spoelstra was waiting for him with open arms and he gave him a big hug.

Bam Adebayo gave his head coach Erik Spoelstra a big gift after the 83-run loss, it’s love.

❤️ ❤️ pic.twitter.com/PR48GY7ZrK

– SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) 11 March 2026

Adebayo before breaking Kobe’s record Surpasses LeBron James’ mark of 61 pointsMost points scored by a Heat player in a game. In the end, the Heat defeated the weak Washington Wizards 150–129.

Overall, Adebayo was 20 of 43 from the field, 7 of 22 at the 3-point line, and 36 of 43 at the foul line.

Furthermore, Adebayo is averaging 18.9 points per game. On January 22, 2006, Kobe Bryant scored 81 points in a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Toronto Raptors. He was 28 of 46 from the field, 7 of 13 at the 3-point line and 18 of 20 at the foul line.

The most points in an NBA game were scored by Wilt Chamberlain in March 1962. That day, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Chamberlain and his Philadelphia Warriors were playing the New York Knicks.

Overall, Chamberlain was 36 of 63 from the field and 28 of 32 from the free throw line. The Warriors won 169–147.

It was a moment that still remains the standard for NBA individual excellence.

Adebayo has been with the Heat for nine seasons, beginning with the 2017–18 NBA season.

Jayson Tatum is back. One of the game’s brightest stars and reigning NBA champion is ready to return to the court after suffering a severely torn Achilles tendon during last season’s playoffs. Tatum is back after 11 months as the Boston Celtics are the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and look to make another serious run at the NBA Finals.

Even with all the hype surrounding Tatum’s return, there is still a lot of work to be done. The Celtics hosted the Dallas Mavericks after a bad loss to the Charlotte Hornets. Tatum wouldn’t have returned if he didn’t feel 100% ready to make a serious impact. It may take some time to get back to what they were before the injury. But after we all watched him struggle in the early stages of rehab, you know Tatum is happy to get back to doing what he loves.

Tatum took the field Friday night and responded with an “I’m excited” message as he walked down the hallway toward the locker room.

“How does it feel to be back JT?”

“I’m excited.”

Celtics star Jayson Tatum arrives before his first game after tearing his Achilles in the Eastern Conference Semifinals 😊🍀

(via @ESPN)pic.twitter.com/9UDZr7LYnz

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 6 March 2026

ClutchPoints’ Celtics reporter Daniel Donabedian wrote that Tatum’s return would make life easier for the Celtics. Sam Howser told them Tatum would fit right back in.

“He’s been around [practice]So I think he’ll be able to fit right in,” he said. “We’ll be able to fit around him.”

While the headlines from the Houston Rockets’ 123-118 win over the Washington Wizards on Monday focused on Trae Young’s bizarre “zero-second” ejection, the real story for basketball purists happened after the final buzzer. Kevin Durant, despite a grueling 37 minutes, stayed on the field at Capital One Arena to mentor one of the league’s newest faces.

Durant was seen pulling Wizards rookie Keyshawn George aside for a lengthy conversation after the game. The 14-time All-Star appeared to be giving the 22-year-old pointers about his positioning and shot selection, demonstrating once again that he is truly a student of the game who never misses an opportunity to coach the next generation.

KD loves basketball. Even after playing 37 minutes, he is still giving the other team’s youngsters pointers that they can use for the rest of their careers. pic.twitter.com/HvUUvyak7m

– Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) 3 March 2026

On the court, Durant was his usual efficient self. “Slim Reaper” finished the night with 30 points and 7 rebounds. He led a Rockets attack that benefited a Wizards team that was clearly upset by the early-game scuffle between Jameer Watkins and Tari Eason. While Alpern Sengun dominated on the interior with 32 points and 13 rebounds, Durant provided a steady veteran hand that kept Houston in control in the second half.

For George, the mid-court readout was probably the highlight of a tough night for the Wizards. The rookie finished with 16 points and two assists in 22 minutes of action, struggling against Houston’s length at times. Getting a private masterclass from one of the greatest scorers in NBA history is a rare perk of the job, and it’s a testament to Durant’s enduring love for the game.

The Wizards will need George to apply that knowledge quickly. Washington continues to slide toward the bottom of the Eastern Conference, with the Rockets improving to 38–22. They’ll look to bounce back on Thursday against the Utah Jazz, hopefully with Trae Young actually on the floor this time.

Coby White made an emotional return to the United Center, this time as a member of the Charlotte Hornets. His new team scored a big win over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, 131-99.

White was traded to Charlotte before the deadline in a deal that brought Collin Sexton and some second-round picks to Chicago. Due to a calf injury, White was eased into his first game with the Hornets. He scored 10 points on 4-for-9 shooting.

After Charlotte’s impressive win against Chicago, White did not hesitate to meet with his old teammates.

Coby White reunites with some of his former Bulls teammates (who remain). The Hornets handed the Bulls their 10th straight loss, and Chicago is still winless after the deadline. His 99 points tonight tied for his third-fewest points of the season. pic.twitter.com/jijnN7ZybX

– Joel Lorenzi (@JoelXLorenzi) 25 February 2026

Additionally, the former Bulls guard received a warm welcome on the court. During a first quarter timeout, the team played a tribute video for Coby White on the big screen. The montage traces his journey from being drafted out of North Carolina in 2019 to becoming one of the most beloved players among Chicago fans.

Reflecting on the warm reception he received from the crowd, White expressed how much the moment meant to him.

“You really don’t know how much of an impact you have on people. And what an impact people have on me. I get a lot of applause and whatever, but so many people are here tonight, wearing my jersey, calling my name. For me, it’s just trying to be in the moment. And just trying to stay grounded. It’s very humbling to find out how many people you impact through this beautiful game that we play,” the 26-year-old told CHSN. Said through.

The Bulls tried to snap a nine-game losing streak on Tuesday, but the Hornets pushed it to 10. Chicago fell to 24-35 and remains winless this month, while Charlotte improved to 28-31 with seven wins in its last 10 contests.

Before the game, White talked about the direction of Chicago’s season and his understanding of the team’s decision to trade him.

“The way the season was going, we weren’t getting enough wins in a row,” White told the media. “Like I said from the beginning, I support whatever they think is best for the team. This organization believed in me. They gave me the chance and the opportunity to live out my dreams. So, I just want to see the organization succeed.”

Only time will tell how the Bulls’ decision to trade White will turn out. The move gives Chicago an opportunity to reshape the roster, but it remains to be seen if it will lead to better results in the long run.

Meanwhile, the Hornets will aim to keep their momentum going with Coby White back in the lineup after returning from injury. Charlotte will take on the Indiana Pacers in their next game on Thursday.

After considering the idea of ​​retirement, Al Horford decided to change things last summer and leave the Boston Celtics during free agency in favor of moving to the Western Conference to join the Golden State Warriors. The 39-year-old veteran spent a total of seven seasons in Boston, split over two separate stints, and he won a championship with the franchise in 2024.

Horford’s decision to join Golden State, his fifth different organization, was a surprise to many, especially those in Boston.

He had been a veteran leader of the Celtics for years, and Horford played a key role in the team’s success during and before the championship. Although leaving Boston was obviously a difficult decision for Horford and his family, he felt as if it was time to move on and finish his career elsewhere.

As for why Horford made this decision, the Warriors big man shed some light on the topic for the first time since deciding to join Golden State over the summer. However, the exact reason why Horford left is still unclear.

“The decision, it’s something that’s much deeper than basketball stuff. And it’s something I’ll share with people at some point, but for me, it felt like it was time for me to go somewhere else,” Horford told reporters in the Warriors locker room, via Bobby Manning of CLNS. “As far as the end of my career, I don’t know. I’m always keeping it open and it would definitely be a privilege to do that (return to Boston).”

“I’m just focused on trying to finish this year out.”

The Celtics insisted on cutting salary in the offseason, which is why they traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks and Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers in the summer. This philosophy continued at the trade deadline, as the Celtics went from being a second-apron team in the summer to below the luxury tax at the deadline.

Whether money played a role in Horford leaving Boston is unknown, but from his tone and the reasoning for his departure it seems as if something was going on behind the scenes that upset the veteran. Although he would not close the door to a possible return to finish his career with the Celtics, Horford made it clear that his decision was influenced by something “deeper than basketball.”

In his first game against the Celtics after signing with the Warriors, Horford recorded five points, eight rebounds and four assists in 28 minutes off the bench. The Celtics defeated the Warriors 121-110 on Thursday night.

The Charlotte Hornets missed a chance to get a big win over the Houston Rockets, losing 105-101 at the Spectrum Center on Thursday night, but LaMelo Ball is grateful he was even able to play. Following the loss, the star point guard spoke on the car accident he was involved in on Wednesday.

According to Rod Boone of the Charlotte Observer, Ball told the media, “Unfortunate, {but} everybody’s good, so good blessings.” “God is great.”

The 24-year-old, who was driving a custom-built Hummer through an intersection, collided with another vehicle in downtown Charlotte. Footage from the scene shows Ball drifting out of his lane and into another car. However, it is still not completely clear what exactly caused the accident. One wheel of the Hummer rolled off after the collision, but it is difficult to say when it started coming loose.

LaMelo’s postgame press conference: Reaction to the accident, his game tonight and more. pic.twitter.com/1CfT3J9jPh

– Rod Boon (@rodboon) 20 February 2026

Thankfully, as the former Rookie of the Year said, no one was seriously hurt. The other person involved in the accident exited his vehicle immediately after the accident. After police arrived at the scene, Ball drove away in a Lamborghini that had come to pick him up. A reporter asked him why he walked away from the wreck, but the 2022 All-Star did not answer the question. “No, you’ll have to check it out,” he replied.

LaMelo Ball was apparently unable to drive the Hummer, so it makes sense that he would call for a ride. One would assume that he had provided the necessary information to the police and the other driver before leaving the scene. However, because of his history on the road, people will be extra curious about the accident.

Video compilations can be found in which he is shown driving recklessly. In 2024, a woman filed a lawsuit against the Hornets playmaker for running over her son’s foot. The child and other people huddled around Ball’s vehicle before it was driven away from the field. He denied responsibility, claiming that the boy harmed himself.

The No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft clearly wants to put this latest incident behind him immediately. A day after the accident, he posted 11 points on 5-of-14 shooting with seven assists and seven rebounds.

Now that the All-Star Game is over, Cade Cunningham will turn his attention to helping the Detroit Pistons maintain their dominance in the Eastern Conference.

Cunningham helped Team Stars win the All-Star Game on Sunday at the Intuit Dome by defeating Team Stripes 47–21 in the mini-tournament finals. He averaged 14 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals in three games.

The 24-year-old guard played in his second consecutive All-Star Game, which underlined the fact that he has become one of the best players in the NBA. His confidence is at its peak and it has affected the Pistons.

When a reporter asked Cunningham where he got his aura, he explained a grassroots response.

“I get my aura from Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, and God blessed me with parents who raised me in a way that I wouldn’t trade for the world,” Cunningham, who grew up in Arlington, Texas, said in a video posted by Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press.

Cade asked where he gets his aura from: “I get my aura from Jesus Christ and my Lord and Savior, and God blessed me with parents who raised me in a way that I wouldn’t trade for the world.” pic.twitter.com/XRaZLsl7vL

– Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) 16 February 2026

He does not shy away from talking about his faith in public. He mainly sees this in how he views life, how he handles pressure, and how he tries to make a positive impact.

When Cunningham suffered a season-ending calf injury in 2022-2023, only his second year in the NBA, he relied heavily on his faith. He was limited to only 12 games. Since his return, he has only gotten better, stronger, and wiser.

The Pistons are on top of the Eastern Conference at 40-13, including 8-2 in their last 10 games.

He returns to action on Thursday against the New York Knicks.

The New York Knicks were well represented at this year’s All-Star Game, with Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns competing for Team Stripes and Team World, respectively.

In the end, none of them won the trophy, as Team Stars won the mini tournament. It was the young guns, including Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, who shone brightest at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

Edwards was named All-Star Game MVP, while Wembanyama almost single-handedly led the team to the World Cup. Edwards acknowledged Vembanyama for setting the tone In the mid-season showdown, and Brunson agreed.

“I think Wembey is a leader. The way he carries himself is great for this game. I think he’s done a great job, and you can see the impact he’s had on and off the court during this game. That’s why he’s doing what he does,” Brunson said.

Jalen Brunson agrees with Anthony Edwards and says Victor Wembanyama has set the tone for the intensity of the All-Star Game.

“I mean, yes. I think Wembey is a leader. The way he carries himself is fantastic for this game. I think he’s done a great job, and you can see the impact he’s had… https://t.co/yOCqsqKPoM pic.twitter.com/DYzrcmrFm1

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 16 February 2026

The 22-year-old Vembanayama, who played in his second consecutive All-Star Game, scored 33 points on 10-of-13 shooting, eight rebounds and two blocks in two games, although they lost both.

For his part, the 29-year-old Brunson had 13 points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals in three games.

Even before the highly anticipated competition, Vembanyama made it clear that he did not see it as a comfortable exhibition, and stressed the need to work hard to compete.

Team World still had a chance to advance to the finals, but Vembanyama missed a three-pointer, sending the game into overtime against Team Stripes.

Meanwhile, Brunson and the Knicks return to action on Thursday against the Detroit Pistons.

Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown gave an encouraging update on Jayson Tatum’s injury at All-Star Media Day. For many, the Celtics’ trade for Nikola Vucevic signaled Tatum’s return, or at least, signaled the organization’s desire to do so, while the All-Star forward has not made a final decision on whether or not he should return this season.

As for the Browns, Tatum is looking better as he reaches the final stages of recovery from the ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered last year in the Celtics’ second-round playoff series against the New York Knicks. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Brown addressed Tatum’s rehabilitation during his media availability on Saturday.

“In terms of what I’ve seen, he looks great,” Brown said, adding that Tatum’s potential return for this season is close.

While Tatum’s recent practice with the Celtics’ G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics, was an encouraging update, Jayson says it is not a guarantee he is returning this season, which is a decision that will likely be made in the coming weeks.

Celtics return Nikola Vucevic trade sign for Jayson Tatum

The Celtics added to their frontcourt at the deadline by trading Anfernee Simmons with the Bulls for Nikola Vucevic. Despite the guard leading the NBA in points off the bench, the Celtics added a big move to complement their All-Star tandem in Jaylen Brown and, hopefully, Jayson Tatum, amid his impending return.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Celtics trading for Vucevic increases the front office’s confidence that Tatum will return before the end of the regular season.

Stein reported, “The Celtics’ decision to acquire Nikola Vucevic from Chicago before the trade deadline, in exchange for Anfernee Simmons’ expiring contract, was a clear indicator that Boston believes Tatum will indeed return for the postseason.”

The Celtics entered the All-Star break with the second-best record – 35–19 – in the Eastern Conference.

Osasuna sporting director Braulio Vazquez has insisted he did not even listen to Sunderland’s attempts to sign Victor Munoz in January.

Diario de Navarra covered Vazquez’s comments today. He was speaking at a press conference recently, in which he was asked about Sunderland and Munoz.

The Black Cats moved for the 22-year-old at the end of the January transfer window. Sport Witness has covered it sinceExplaining how they fielded multiple bids for the winger. They reportedly made an initial €20m bid before raising it to €25m.

Osasuna were not interested, even with Eliezer Mayenda included as part of the deal. He turned down Sunderland, while Munoz was reportedly unwilling to leave the Spanish team in the middle of the season.

Sunderland need €40m

Part of Osasuna’s reasoning was that they would have to pay Real Madrid 50%. Therefore, the Spanish side would like to see Munoz depart for at least €40m. This is the value of the release clause in his current deal.

Now Vazquez has doubled down on his stance. He explained why he had no interest in what Sunderland or anyone else could offer.

He said, “We didn’t even listen to them; we stuck to the stream.”

“It is also true, and I want to emphasize this, that he is very grateful to the club. We brought him from Primera RFEF (Real Madrid first division), where he had only played 40 minutes in La Liga, and we paid €5m.

“I told him he’s going to experience personal and professional growth because it’s the right environment, and he’s very grateful. To this day, we’re not considering him leaving, and neither is he.”

Tottenham are also interested

The question is how long Osasuna can keep their star man. Sunderland are not the only ones to have shown an interest.

Sport Witness covered a report in late January It added that Tottenham were also in the mix for him. It shows that his performances are definitely being recognised, especially in the Premier League.

With English clubs easily able to pay it if they wanted, it’s clear that’s what Vazquez is hoping will happen at some point.