標籤: shows

Tonight, thousands of horse racing fans will gather at Laurel Park Race Track to see which competitor will win the second leg of the 2026 Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes. This year’s field features only three competitors from this year’s Kentucky Derby, and none of them are race winner Golden Tempo.

So, who will win the 2026 “Run for the Black-Eyed Susan”? Our goal is to help your betting decisions with our rankings of the 14 competitors in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes and some good win, place and show options.

14.Robusta (30-1)

Doug O’Neill-trained colt Robusta is one of only three horses competing in the Kentucky Derby, which will also take to the track at Laurel Park on Saturday. However, he is one of the biggest long shots in this year’s race due to his recent form.

Before running in the Derby, Robusta finished seventh at Santa Anita ahead of the competition he faced in Kentucky. He then finished 14th among 19 horses at Churchill Downs. It would be surprising for Robusta to reach the top three.

13. Bull by the Horns (30-1)

The colt Bull By The Horns, owned by Peachtree Stable and Mark Corrado, has had an up-and-down career in his first five races. While he placed first at Florida in his second race in November, he came seventh in the Fourth of Youth in February and finished well behind many Derby horses.

Although he won the 2026 Rushway in March, he has struggled on fast dirt tracks, as he will this weekend.

12. Crupper (30-1)

After a sixth-place finish to start his career, the Robert Zoellner-trained colt Crupper is on the rise. He has won two of his last three races, including a win at Bathhouse Raw last month. However, the three-year-old is entering the Preakness Stakes as a major underdog due to the weak competition he has met so far.

11. Gold Crown (30-1)

Three-year-old Corona de Oro has been a solid but unspectacular horse in his first five races. In March, the Dallas Stewart-trained colt earned his first career win. However, last month, he finished behind fellow Preakness competitor The Hell We Did at the 2026 Lexington.

Since The Hell We Did is a sleeper pick on Saturday, De Oro is a possible choice for a show bet in the race.

10. Talkin’ (20-1)

After winning on his debut in August last year, the Danny Gargan-trained colt Talkin has fallen short since then. Which also includes finishing ninth at the 2025 Remsen in December. He got a chance to face Derby and Stakes level competition in his last two starts and peaked with a third-place finish in the Blue Grass last month. That’s why Talkin’ is a big underdog on Saturday.

9. Great White (15-1)

The John Ennis-trained colt Great White has been all over the map in his first four races. The three-year-old won his debut match in December and the John Battaglia Memorial in February. However, White finished fifth in his other two races, including the Blue Grass in April.

This unpredictability is the main reason why he remained a weak player on Saturday. Furthermore, despite being an impressive specimen, losing his composure minutes before entering the post at Kentucky adds to that unpredictable reputation. White has the size and talent, but seems too risky.

8. Napoleon Solo (8-1)

After starting his career with consecutive wins including the October 2025 Champagne, Gold Square horse Napoleon Solo has not looked good since. In February, he faced tough competition at the Fountain of Youth and finished fifth. Then last month, he went head-to-head again in the Preakness and Derby-level contests and again came in fifth.

Solo gave bookmakers no reason to think he could be an option for a spot or a show, let alone a long-shot option to win.

7.Oceli (6-1)

Ouseley, a horse trained by D. Whitworth Beckman, received a chance at the 2026 Kentucky Derby after several horses, including Right to Party, were eliminated from the race. Although Ouseley had six championships on his resume, he had no wins to his name.

Nevertheless, to the surprise of many the colt finished third at Kentucky. After that, Occelli’s showing can’t be doubted and should be considered a rock-solid show choice again this weekend.

6. Pretty Boy Mia (15-1)

Jeremiah Englehart-trained horse Pretty Boy Mia is an intriguing underdog for Saturday’s Preakness Stakes. Although he finished fourth at Aqueduct in February, he has been strong in his other three races this year. Which also includes consecutive wins in their last two.

The big question is whether his success is based on his athletic talent or the competition he has faced so far in his career.

5. Incredibolt (5-1)

The colt Incredibolt, trained by Riley Mott, has had a checkered career. That’s why he was last in the betting odds for the Kentucky Derby after finishing sixth in the G3 Face off in January. However, he turned heads by winning the Virginia Derby in March, leading some to wonder if he might perform better than expected in the Derby.

He did not do so and finished sixth. However, oddsmakers still rate the colt highly, and he is viewed as one of the favorites in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes.

4. Chip Honcho (5-1)

At the end of 2025, the Steve Asmussen-trained colt Chip Honcho was looking like a potential contender for this year’s Triple Crown. However, in 2026, he surprisingly struggled in three of his races. While there he finished second in the 2026 Risen Star in February, came fourth in the Lecomte in January, and came fifth in the high-level competition in the Louisiana Derby in March.

However, being trained by a two-time Preakness winner is a major reason why Honcho is a secret choice to win in the Preakness. Also making him a strong position pick.

3. The Hell We Did (15-1)

Todd Fincher-trained colt The Hell We Did is an interesting option to consider for riskier punters. Although he has had intermittent difficulties leading the way in races, he has looked very good in his first four races, with two second-place finishes and two first-place finishes. He is a legitimate choice to secure a surprise win on Saturday, and should be considered for all Place and Show bets.

2. Iron Honor (9-2)

Elite trainer Chad Brown has a horse in Saturday’s race, and he is the current favorite Iron Honor. Honor looked very good in his first two races as he took consecutive first-place finishes to start his career. However, at the Wood Memorial in April, he surprisingly finished seventh. But many people believe that they are given tough competition in the beginning itself and are thrown out of the game.

Honor is the safest bet to win, place or perform in the 2026 Preakness Stakes.

1. Taj Mahal (5-1)

Brittany Russell-trained colt Taj Mahal enters the 2026 Preakness Stakes as the top selection for good reason. While the three-year-old only has three races on his resume, he has still performed excellently. 2026 Federico Tesio won all three, including.

Palace is a strong spot or show bet on a Saturday night, especially under the guidance of one of the game’s top coaches. However, we’re going a little further and picking him to win the stakes.

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

A new report suggests that Joel Embiid’s worst nightmare will come true as New York Knicks fans are set to come to Xfinity Mobile Arena for Games 3 and 4 of their series against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Yes, the Knicks haven’t won an NBA championship since the early 70s. And since that time, they have faced many difficult seasons. However, despite the poor treatment their fan base has endured over the past 40 years, there are no better, more loyal fans than Knicks fans – and they travel.

New York is one of the few teams where fans of the franchise can be found in almost every city, and in some places, they take over the field. Cities like Washington, DC, Miami, Atlanta and Philadelphia can be like second homes for Knicks players. That’s why Joel Embiid implored Sixers fans not to allow the NYC Fanatics to take over their home arena as they did during the playoffs two years ago.

Data shows huge number of tickets sold from New York for Games 3 and 4 of Knicks vs. 76ers

Well, it seems his appeal for domestic support didn’t work. According to third-party ticket seller TickPick, 59% of tickets purchased on their site for Game 3 have come from New York and New Jersey, while 22% have come from Pennsylvania. The data for Game 4 is even worse, with 66% coming from New York and New Jersey.

It should be noted that there is a large number of 76ers fans in New Jersey as Philadelphia is on the border of NJ and PA. Plus, it’s not strange to think that there are Philly fans in Gotham. However, it can also be said that the Knicks have a good number of fans in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Spectators won’t really know whether Knicks fans will take over Xfinity Mobile Arena for Games 3 and 4 until Friday and Sunday. However, based on these numbers, past history, and the 76ers being down 2-0 in the series, it doesn’t bode well for Embiid and his teammates this week.

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

The Illinois House of Representatives is considering legislation that would give the Chicago Bears a huge tax break to keep the team from moving to Indiana.

The idea of ​​bears leaving the kingdom seems absurd. However, these are very different times for the NFL. With the value of teams and leagues at an all-time high, owners are looking to squeeze as much money as possible from venues, broadcasters and fans to maximize their money-making opportunities. The Kansas City Chiefs leaving Missouri in a few years to build a new stadium in Kansas shows that the franchise is prioritizing revenue over loyalty.

While the Bears should look higher than that due to their rich history in Chi-Town as one of the NFL’s original teams, they are already set to leave Chicago for a potential stadium in Arlington Heights, IL. However, the idea of ​​leaving the state entirely has become very real in recent months as Indiana has made a serious effort to lure the iconic brand next door.

The idea has apparently struck fear in the hearts of Illinois natives and their state representatives, even though a stadium in Indiana would be quite close to the border of both states. Well, to avoid this possibility and anger its citizens, an interesting idea has come up in the capital.

Illinois may impose property tax moratorium on Chicago Bears stadium in Arlington Heights

According to the Chicago Sun Times, “State Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, plans to brief Illinois House Democrats on the new amendment Tuesday. The pilot measure, shorthand for payment in lieu of taxes, would allow the Bears to renegotiate their property taxes with Arlington Heights.”

The measure would have prohibited property tax assessments on land the Bears purchased in Arlington Heights for a potential stadium. Being able to build a state-of-the-art NFL stadium without having to worry about current property tax rates could save the Bears a tremendous amount of money. However, there is one issue.

As WGN 9 in Chicago reports, “Chicago lawmakers are hesitant in saying they want something in return for voting to have the Bears leave the city.” State Representative La Shawn Ford recently mentioned the need for some type of support on how the city uses Soldier Field if the Bears move to Arlington Heights.

The MPs are scheduled to meet over the next three days before taking a recess till May 4. It still must pass through the Illinois House of Representatives, but it’s a bold new step in the state’s efforts to avoid losing the Chicago Bears to Indiana.

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

Eintracht Frankfurt defender Nathaniel Brown does not want to discuss the topic of a transfer this summer. armory, Manchester City And others are curious.

In fact, when asked about the interest from Arsenal and Manchester City, he was straight to the point. He is well aware that the Premier League’s top two players are keeping a close eye on him.

Speaking to Sportbild todayThe 22-year-old was clear about reports linking him to both clubs. But he will not be involved in any transfer speculation in the near future.

“Yes, you pick up on things like that, but it doesn’t affect me. I’m focused on the goals that are under my control. I’m not interested in anything else at the moment.” He said.

€65m transfer fee

Reports have linked Arsenal and Manchester City with a possible move for Nathaniel Brown since November last year.

Sport Witness has covered this extensively, Including original report. There has also been encouragement for this step. A report last month said Arsenal and Manchester City Even at a €60m valuation, that would be a great deal.

This has now increased to €65m, despite Transfermarkt currently valuing the left-back at €35m. The €65 million price tag would make Brown the most expensive left-back ever, alongside Chelsea’s Mark Cucurella.

This was said to him, but he insisted that his focus was only on his game and not breaking transfer records.

“It’s a really staggering amount. But to be clear, I’m not giving numbers like that, or the possibility of a transfer this summer, a second thought,” He added.

“I’m completely focused on Eintracht and our goal of qualifying for Europe. And after that, I would really love to be part of the World Cup squad. Then, I’ll see what happens in the summer. It’s hard to make plans in football, that’s why I don’t focus on it.”

Summer transfer possibility

Although Nathaniel Brown may not want to talk about it, the reality is that a summer transfer is a possibility.

Eintracht Frankfurt have been inconsistent, but not overdone. He has become one of the Bundesliga’s standout young full-backs with his combination of athleticism, composure and maturity despite his age.

There’s a reason why teams like Arsenal, Manchester City and Real Madrid are showing interest in him. Brown’s name is clearly floating around the top of recruiting lists. And he is conscious of it, even if he refuses to add fuel to the fire.

🇧🇷 Exclusive: Arsenal tracking Lucca Marques

⭐️ 18-year-old’s rapid growth draws attention
⚽️ Youngest player to score in Copa Libertadores in Sao Paulo history
🇩🇪 Borussia Dortmund also interested
➡️The Gunners can make a formal offer in the summerhttps://t.co/u7LuPMgUyJ #afc #bvb

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 3 April 2026

Josh Hockitt’s bizarre attempt to draw attention to himself during the UFC 327 media event is more proof of why the company’s product is falling apart.

Fight fans are used to this industry being a little weird. While two people going into a cage or ring attracts a lot of people, you still need to promote a fight to get people to spend their hard-earned money on tickets or streaming subscriptions to see it.

In their quest to make big bucks, fight fans have come up with a lot of things to help draw attention to the upcoming fight. And over the past 10 years, some UFC fighters have gone to strange and ugly places to promote their fights. However, on Wednesday, Josh Hockitt went to a silly spot in an attempt to draw interest for his return at UFC 327 this weekend.

Instead of the usual media day tradition of taking questions from the mixed martial arts media, the 28-year-old decided to deliver a pro wrestling-style promo while wearing his trademark American flag bandana and sunglasses. Although there have been UFC fighters in the past who have delivered some excellent wrestling promos (see: Chael Sonnen), Hokit has provided something truly bizarre.

While playing the character “The Incredible Hoke”, he was breathing heavily, rhyming, and at one point began talking like a child. However, this was not the end of it. The UFC heavyweight then changed character, began using a Mexican-American accent and wore a knit cap over his eyes.

🚨🤯Jiri Prochazka and Josh Hockitt were involved in a heated altercation backstage during UFC 327 media day.

Jiri told him: “Dude, stay where you are.”

While Hokit responded: “I’ll cut you down homie. And sew your head on Alex Pereira’s body.”

(via: @gifdsports ) pic.twitter.com/MAvKF1zFiq

– Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) 8 April 2026

Additionally, in an effort to become the star of the UFC 327 media day, he tried to set up a one-on-one confrontation with Jiri Prochazka, one of the main event participants of the evening. Video of the strange scene can be found above.

Hockit’s strange behavior has been condemned by UFC fans and analysts alike. But it still highlights one of the company’s many content issues that have been worsening lately.

Only UFC is to blame for Josh Hockitt

Hokit, attempting to make a name for himself, is no stranger to promotion. The UFC has long been questioned for its ability to create stars. So in many cases over the last few decades, fighters have taken the lead in becoming household names.

This was a highly effective start to the 2010s for Chael Sonnen. In the late 2010s, former two-division champion and company icon Conor McGregor took it even further and became an international superstar due to his courageous and flamboyant personality. After him, Colby Covington rubbed many people the wrong way by creating a champion for MAGA leaning fans. Then, in recent years, former middleweight champion Sean Strickland has built a brand apart from xenophobic and sexist views.

However, they could back it up in the ring and had varying levels of charisma. This is not the case for most fighters, and many of them feel that they need to go to absurd lengths to gain notoriety and try to squeeze all the opportunities and money out of the sport.

The fight promotion style that the UFC has long nurtured is now going to strange places, but that’s not the company’s only problem.

Is the UFC losing its cool factor?

Over the years, as the company has tried to hold events almost every weekend, the quality of the product has declined.

Fans are complaining more and more about weak cards and weak main events. Making matters worse, while the Paramount+ era is better financially for fans, the UFC is much less willing to spend big bucks to make big fights if they can’t use pay-per-view points to make deals.

PPVs are no longer an option, the UFC prefers to be cheap and it has become much more difficult to compete with elite stars like McGregor, Ronda Rousey, Jon Jones, Ilya Topuria or Islam Makhachev. So top talent competes less now. This has created a disappointing situation for the fans of the company.

The talent pool is shrinking, it’s going to stupid places for self-promotion, and the quality of UFC events has diminished. The UFC has a historic card on the White House lawn in June that’s just good rather than great. Although the company has grown considerably in recent years, it is still not as good as it was four or five years ago.

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

Brighton and Hove Albion star Maxim De Cuyper has hinted at growing frustration at his lack of minutes at the club this season.

25 year old man talking to SporzaAdmitting that injuries and inconsistency have derailed the momentum he has built at Club Brugge.

Great start ruined due to injury

The left-back has made a great start following his summer move, performing strongly in the opening weeks. But due to a muscle injury he had to miss the match against Tottenham on 20^th September cut that down.

Since then, his only 90-minute appearances have come against Aston Villa in December and Manchester City in early January. Since that time he has not played more than 71 minutes in the Premier League.

His minutes have dropped sharply over the past two months, and now he’s explained why.

“I had some minor problems with my knee and Achilles tendon,” he explained. “Because of that, I never really played consistently. Other players got their chances and performed well.”

Times could get worse as the World Cup approaches. Maxime de Cuyper admits that he expected the scenario to be very different.

“Ideally, I would have started the season more calmly and prepared for the World Cup. But it is the way it is.”

belgium chance

Then again, this international break has potentially come at the perfect time. Maxime De Cuyper has returned to the Belgium squad for friendlies with the United States and Mexico.

Nothing is guaranteed for the Brighton defender, but he is hoping for the best.

“We’re here with some players. I hope I get some minutes at least once, it’s important for me.” He added.

“There will be a bonus the second time. The coach will do what is necessary to give everyone a chance.”

For De Cuyper, the message is clear. He needs a few minutes to help him regain fitness, rhythm and even confidence to ensure the World Cup does not slip away from him this summer.

🇧🇷Ryan Roberto | Brighton tracking €50m Brazilian talent ⏩ Situation and player clarificationhttps://t.co/PltucMzgem #bhfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 22 March 2026

The Toronto Raptors have fallen in the Eastern Conference standings, as they have failed to keep up with the top four teams in the conference. A loss like the 120-98 defeat to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night won’t do much to further their cause. In fact, it’s a big concern for the Raptors that they failed to perform against a team that was dominant for the second night in a row, never mind that the game was held at the Mortgage Matchup Center.

The entire team wasn’t very good on Sunday, the main culprit being Brandon Ingram. Ingram scored only six points on 3-10 shooting from the field, while Immanuel Quickley (11 points on 4-9 shooting) and RJ Barrett (13 points on 5-8 shooting) weren’t very good either. But for backup point guard Jamal Sheed, another bad game is a continuation of what is already becoming a worrisome trend.

Sheed has struggled throughout the calendar month of March; The Raptors guard is averaging just 3.3 points on 27.3 percent shooting from the field. Anyway, Scotty Barnes has the support of his peers completely.

“[I would tell him to] Just stay aggressive. Our team, we believe in him. He comes down the slope and creates a lot for us. We know he’ll be able to do that every night. He’s going to come in to play defense. I think that’s what we’re focused on,” Barnes said in his postgame presser, via Omar Osman of Raptors Updates.

“He’ll find it. Gotta trust him.”

Scotty Barnes on Jamal Sheed’s recent offensive struggles, and what he would tell Jamal:

“Just stay aggressive. Our team, we believe in that.”

“He’ll find it. Gotta trust him.” pic.twitter.com/Ak5c2ujb1a

– Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) 23 March 2026

Sheed has been a huge part of what the Raptors are doing this season, and it would be foolish to suddenly lose confidence in him during a difficult stretch. But with Toronto dangerously close to falling into the play-in tournament picture, Shead and the rest of the team will have to figure it out quickly.

Leeds United tried to sign Porto full-back Zhaidu Sanusi in January, but the defender ultimately turned down the chance to move to the Premier League.

Sanusi has been at Porto since 2020, arriving from Santa Clara in a move worth around €4m (£3.4m). He has since made over 120 appearances for the club in all competitions.

The left-back’s contract still runs until 2027 and remains an experienced option in Porto’s defensive rotation.

As we covered at the timeThere was speculation that the club was close to signing the experienced full-back during the winter market. Sanusi, now 28, offers strong physical attributes and extensive European experience, including appearances in the Champions League and Europa League.

Its confirmation has now come out from Portugal newspaper. game This followed comments from Porto manager Francesco Farioli, who pointed out that the Nigerian had a concrete opportunity to leave during the winter period.

There was also interest from Wolverhampton Wanderers, but Leeds United were among the clubs actively looking for a deal.

The Porto manager’s explanation came while discussing why the defender was not used in recent league matches against Sporting and Benfica. Farioli said the decisions were related to team management and tactical choices rather than any issue with the player.

January move discussed

Speaking about the situation, the Porto coach confirmed that Sanusi had a real chance to leave during the winter window, with Premier League clubs making contact.

“He had a good opportunity to move to the Premier League in January,” Farioli explained.

The manager revealed that he had spoken directly to the defender as his playing time was limited at the start of the season. Despite that situation, Sanusi made it clear that he would prefer to stay and compete for a role.

“I talked to him about what he wanted because he didn’t have a lot of minutes in the first half of the season,” The coach said. “His response was clear. He said he was happy to remain in the team and play a role.”

Patience paid off in Porto

Sanusi’s decision to remain has been gradually rewarded with greater involvement. He featured in league matches against Nacional, Rio Ave and Arauca earlier this year, helping to rebuild momentum after a quiet start to the campaign.

In all competitions this season, he has made double-digit appearances for Porto. Although he is not always a guaranteed starter, he remains a reliable option in Farioli’s team.

The manager has repeatedly praised the defender’s professionalism and attitude, highlighting his commitment even when not starting matches regularly.

“He is making very good progress and is one of the exemplary players,” Farioli said. “Zaidu has incredible commitment to the team and the club. He is loved by the fans. You can hear a different noise when he touches the ball at Dragão.”

What this could mean for Leeds United

For Leeds United, the revelation confirms that the club were solely monitoring Premier League-ready options rather than long-term prospects.

Sanusi’s profile is perfect for that type of move. A physically strong, high-energy full-back with experience in European competitions and a relatively modest market value. According to Transfermarkt, he is currently valued at around €3m (£2.6m). Realistically, it will cost a lot.

Although the January move did not come to fruition, the situation highlights the type of defensive reinforcements Leeds United are searching for. If similar needs arise again in the summer, Sanusi’s name may not be completely out of the discussion.

The Phoenix Suns have been a surprise team this season, strongly poised to clinch a top-six seed in the Western Conference standings and clinch a playoff berth. If the Suns move up to the No. 6 seed, and the rest of the standings hold, they will face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the opening round playoff series. And count Suns guard Dillon Brooks as one guy who’s enjoying that potential matchup.

During a recent episode of ‘Million Dollar’s Worth of Games,’ Dillon Brooks confidently expressed his thoughts on the Suns’ chances in a potential playoff series against the Timberwolves.

“You never know, ant [Anthony Edwards] This year it could be a great year and win a chip. . .But they come to us, there’s going to be problems,” Brooks said. “We’ve got their number this year.”

Brooks further said that during one of the Suns’ games against the Timberwolves this year, he did a good job guarding Julius Randle because no one else on the team had the strength to match up against the All-Star forward.

The Suns have faced off against the Timberwolves twice so far this season, with the final regular season matchup on March 17. The Suns are 2-0 in those first two meetings, with both games being close.

It’s uncertain why Brooks would single out the Timberwolves of all teams. To face these two teams in the playoffs, the Timberwolves would have to capture the No. 3 seed in the West, and the Suns would have to move up to the No. 6 seed. If the current situation holds, the Suns will be in the play-ins.

Brooks is currently out with a hand injury, but has been one of the Suns’ most influential players this season.

As the Miami Heat got a 128-120 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night, it was a collective effort that saw many contributions, but it can’t be denied that Tyler Herro led the way. With the Hornets backing the Heat star into Herro after the tournament, the guard is finally showing his All-Star form of last year in the most important time of the season.

This season has been full of injuries for Herro, as he missed 45 games due to a myriad of injuries, he demonstrated on Friday night why he was an All-Star last season. Herro, who recently returned from a 15-game absence due to a rib injury, had been getting more comfortable over the past eight games, but the three-point shot came back on Friday as he was eight of 10 from that range.

Overall, Herro scored a season-high 33 points on 11 of 20 shooting from the field with nine assists and nine rebounds in 37 minutes, earning a “sensational” take from head coach Erik Spoelstra.

“You can see he’s finding more rhythm each game. And tonight finally the three ball started going his way. And then he can see how it opens up a lot for his game… He was sensational tonight,” Spoelstra said of Axe, formerly of Heat Central, on Twitter.

“I mean, it would have been great to see him have a triple-double, because he had that kind of impact, turning the ball over when he needed to, scoring when he needed to,” Spoelstra continued. “He was manipulating the defense when he needed to.”

Coach Spo on Tyler Herro:

“You can see he’s finding rhythm each game… He was sensational tonight. Being in a spot where he can create something for us offensively, but on the other side, it would have been great to see him have a triple-double, because he had that kind of… https://t.co/BEbCUyLNRr pic.twitter.com/EcJqjDWnwU

– Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) 7 March 2026

Tyler Herro on the Heat’s “collective win” over the Hornets

After the Heat’s dominant win over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, the team needed a win against the Hornets on Friday, especially since entering the contest, Miami was eighth in the East and Charlotte was ninth, separated by two games. The team is looking to take advantage of big games and Friday was a great step in the right direction, especially to stop the Hornets’ surging momentum.

Herro said in his TV interview after the game, “We woke up this morning, we came in late last night. And, I mean, our mentality was to come here and try to steal a shot on the road.” “We know how much it means to us in the standings. And it was a collective win from top to bottom. ‘Just for the competitors,’ Spo said this morning. We came and competed; That was a win right there.”

Tyler Herro on winning:

“Our mentality was to come out on the road and steal. We know how much it meant to us in the standings… ‘Only for competitors’ https://t.co/2uzfSy0G4l pic.twitter.com/zGSFwoYpbN

– Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) 7 March 2026

At any rate, the Heat (35-29) look to continue their current four-game winning streak in Sunday’s tough matchup against the Detroit Pistons, who have the NBA’s best record at 45-16.

The transition from starter to reserve can be a tough adjustment for anyone, especially for a rookie point guard on a 19-43 rebuilding team. Unfortunately for Jeremiah Fears, James Borrego is working in a crowded backcourt while making a case to keep the full-time job. Thankfully, Dejounte Murray and Jordan Poole have helped the former Oklahoma player find value in a new perspective as the New Orleans Pelicans move into the final stretch of an otherwise lost season.

With Murray and Trey Murphy III healthy and available, Fears couldn’t complain about being the odd man out. However, after making 44 starts in 62 games, it meant learning a new rhythm and routine. What’s important to having a strong All-Rookie season?

“Being able to make adjustments on the fly, getting out there, getting a feel for the game early. Seeing my first shot, letting my teammates continue to lift me up,” Fears confessed. “Credit to them, credit to the coaches for trusting me and making the right plays. I had too many turnovers (against the Los Angeles Clippers), but I’ll definitely watch film and try to learn from it.”

Learning some lessons that provide a ray of hope moving forward is all that is left for the Pelicans. DeAndre Jordan has served as the bench coach for three young veterans who have come in and out of the lineup. Yves Messi, Karlo Matkovic and rookie Derrick Queen have taken it in stride with an eye on development and the next impressive game.

Instead of getting angry, Fears took the advice of two guards who started their careers on the bench. Those bonds have helped the rookie deal with everything that comes with being a professional.

“Talking to Dejounte, talking to Jordan Poole. Just asking questions, continuing to learn and they’re giving me some really good advice in the game of basketball, on and off the court,” Fears shared. “So, to be able to take the advice they give me and continue to translate them to the court.”

The most important advice is to stay true to yourself during difficult times. Authenticity and heart are everything at this level. Fear has to direct the flow in some ways, go with it in others, until it finds what works.

“Just keep playing my game. I think that’s huge. They’re telling me to keep playing my game, do what I do to be the point guard on the floor,” Fears explained. “You have to be able to talk, lead your teammates, put them in the right positions and most importantly continue to play my game. And I think listening to them and listening to the advice they’re giving me, I’m doing that every game. I think it’s working for me.”

The Pelicans have won three of their last five, but with the Western Conference playoff picture out of reach, the focus remains on development. Regardless of the final record, Fierce finally looks ready to run the show. Until then, winning a sixth Man of the Month award should be a goal. Borrego understands this well. Showing his ability to come off the bench while leaning on vets or yelling at them will be a major storyline in the final weeks of the season.

Anthony Edwards has certainly been having a great time lately. After winning the All-Star Tournament and MVP awards, Ant was once again the star for the Timberwolves as they recorded a dominant 122–11 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

And well, in totally typical fashion, according to a post by the NBA on X, Edwards was seen showing off his MVP trophy to his teammates with a big smile on his face. Edwards can be seen patiently showing the trophy to each of his teammates before putting it back.

Ant made sure all of his teammates got a good view of the Kobe Bryant trophy 🏆 https://t.co/6EB7MyQIvj pic.twitter.com/Eem2nH4g9C

– NBA (@NBA) 21 February 2026

Playing his first game after the All-Star break, Ant made 16 of 30 shooting (53.3%), hit 5 of 13 from three, and added six rebounds in 38 minutes. Despite being the main focus of the hapless Mavericks defense, Edwards committed only three turnovers on the night.

The Mavericks struggled to keep up throughout and fell behind every time they threatened to take over the game. When Dallas erased a significant deficit and tied the game at 103 with 6:55 remaining, Edwards answered with a step-back three that reestablished Minnesota control.

Edwards scored 14 fourth-quarter points as the Timberwolves finally got comfortable and finished the game ahead by 11 points. The Timberwolves shot 16-of-42 from three (38.1%), leading to a 24-point advantage from beyond the arc.

Rudy Gobert delivered 22 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks, while Naz Reed provided ample support, adding 21 points and four three-pointers. For the Mavericks, Khris Middleton led the way with 18 points and Marvin Bagley produced a 15-point, 13-rebound double-double.

However, in the absence of several stars including Cooper Flagg, Max Christie and Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks struggled with their shooting all night and their team field-goal accuracy was 42.3%. This proved to be his downfall as ANT bounced back with his eighth 40-point game of the season, helping hand the Mavs their tenth consecutive loss.

Minnesota will now face the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday while the Mavericks will next face the Indiana Pacers.

A new report suggests Juan Soto was a big win for the New York Mets in 2025 on and off the field.

Many people in baseball and the sports world in general scoffed at the news that the NY Mets had agreed to a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million deal with veteran outfielder Juan Soto. Sure, he was a 26-year-old four-time All-Star who won a championship with the Washington Nationals, but earning $62 million in the first season of the deal seemed ridiculous.

When he posted a .253 average and eight homers over the first three months of the season, it seemed as if the NY Mets had another overpriced free agent bust on their hands. However, in June, Soto began playing like the MVP candidate fans had seen during his lone season with the New York Yankees.

By the end of the 2025 campaign, he had a slash line of .263/.396/.525/.921 with 43 homers, 105 runs batted in, 120 runs scored and a career-best 38 stolen bases. Those numbers and his third-place finish in the National League MVP voting seem to suggest that for at least one season, he was worth the money, even if the team collapsed in the final weeks of the season.

However, that data is what the outfielder brings to the field for the NY Mets in 2025. However, what he delivered in terms of fan interest last season proves why the club decided to give him a record-breaking deal ahead of last season.

NY Mets set new record for ticket sales in 2025

According to a new disclosure first reported by Sportico, the team generated $311.4 million in revenue last season. This was a large increase compared to the $260.8 million earned in 2024 and $237.8 million earned in 2023. Ticket revenue also increased by more than $20 million – from $136.7 million to $157.6 million – after a sellout to more than 850,000 fans at Citi Field last year.

The outlet also reports that luxury suite and club premium revenues doubled in 2025 ($39.1 million), and concessions increased 55% ($38.3 million).

The big difference fans found between the 2024 team and the 2025 team was the inclusion of Soto. So it makes sense that he was the biggest factor in their turnover surge last season.

However, while they generated revenue of $311 million, they suffered losses three times that amount sometime in 2025. The loss was mostly caused by payroll costs of $347 million and the accompanying $92 million tax bill.

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

Last week, the San Antonio Spurs waived Jeremy Sochan less than four years after selecting him with the No. 9 overall pick in the NBA Draft. He was considered a key member of the franchise’s future, but as time passed and his younger teammates moved on, the former Baylor standout became stagnant and eventually fell out of the rotation. Now, he’s welcoming the opportunity the New York Knicks (35-20) are giving him in the second half of the 2025-26 campaign.

Before making his debut with his new team in Thursday’s highly anticipated battle against the first-place Detroit Pistons (40-13), the 22-year-old forward sported a knickerbockers-inspired, blue-and-orange hairstyle via ClutchPoints. Sochan has been fighting for some minutes and is therefore at least somewhat frustrated, but the sentiment shows how excited he is to play for this organization.

Jeremy Sochan rocks blue and orange hair ahead of his Knicks debut pic.twitter.com/Xi4rIkSmb8

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 20 February 2026

The Polish-American who was born in Oklahoma and raised in England is more in tune with New York culture than most people might imagine. He brings energy and defensive intensity, two qualities that fueled the Knicks during the 1990s and 2000s. Sochan could provide vital frontcourt depth and allow head coach Mike Brown to keep his core players fresh.

Furthermore, he still has time to develop into an impactful NBA contributor, and team president Leon Rose believes that process could potentially coincide with New York’s 2026 playoff run. The 2022 Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year could see his free agency value increase significantly if he helps the Knicks advance to the NBA Finals for the first time this century.

Jeremy Sochan averaged 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 28.7 percent from 3-point land in 212 games with the Spurs. The future is uncertain, but he’s incredibly grateful to have a fresh start in The Big Apple. The top of his head clearly illustrates that point.

The Orlando Magic are represented during All-Star Weekend, as rookie Jace Richardson participated in the dunk contest. Richardson looked good early in the first round, but it was his second dunk attempt that had many wanting to check his safety.

Richardson tried to catch the ball off the backboard, but too many things happened at once and it landed straight on his back. He stayed on the floor for a few seconds and then decided to dunk safely. He was not able to advance to the next round, and this led many to wonder what dunk he was trying to do.

Luckily for those folks, there was footage of Richardson practicing and landing the dunk. She posted it on her Instagram to show the world exactly what was going to happen.

Jess Richardson posted on Instagram what his failed dunk attempt looked like

(h/t @therealBeede) pic.twitter.com/U7wDY5oKhE

– FullCourtPass (@FullCourtPass) 15 February 2026

For her height, this would have been good, and there’s a good chance the judges would have given her a good score as well. Still, we’re stuck in Dunk’s “what if” moment, and it’s not certain whether he’ll be able to redeem himself for the Dunk Contest next year.

In the end, the Miami Heat’s Keyshawn Johnson won the dunk contest, and without a doubt, he had fun during the experience.

As for Richardson, he may have felt bad about how things turned out, but he’s not the first person to mess up during a dunk contest. All he can do is take it on the chin and keep pushing.

Although Damian Lillard is not playing this season due to an Achilles tear, the Portland Trail Blazers point guard was still able to compete in this year’s Three-Point Contest during NBA All-Star Weekend. By performing brilliantly on Saturday, he proved that he still has this ability.

According to ESPN, the 35-year-old guard managed to win the three-point contest outright. He recorded a score of 29 in the championship round, defeating Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker and Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel.

“Damian Lillard wins 2026 3-pt contest less than a year after overcoming his affliction.”

Lillard was on fire during the three-point contest. The 13-year veteran (he would be 14 if he played this season) recorded 27 points in the first round, 30 in the second round and 29 points in the championship round. By the end of the tournament he was no match for Booker or Knueppel.

Damian Lillard’s 2nd round score: 30 🎯

He has a score to beat in the final round @state Farm NBA 3-Point Contest!

Tap to watch: https://t.co/BpnjnxQ8vC pic.twitter.com/aMkcI3Liec

– NBA (@NBA) 14 February 2026

This is Damian Lillard’s third three-point contest win in his career. He has been one of the league’s best shooters, earning him the nickname “Logo Lillard” due to his ability to consistently hit three-pointers from near midcourt range. Winning the three-point contest also indicates that the nine-time All-Star may finally be in great form in his return from injury.

Lillard suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in the Milwaukee Bucks’ 129–103 Game 4 loss to the Indiana Pacers in the 2024–25 playoffs. Milwaukee waived Damian Lillard after the season, leading him to sign a three-year, $42 million contract to return to the Trail Blazers. His deal also includes a no-trade clause.

Damian Lillard is not expected to play this season, even if Portland reaches the playoffs. With the Trail Blazers gradually improving the roster, the club could be ultra-competitive upon Lillard’s return next season.