chelsea After an unsuccessful move in the winter market, goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen is waiting to join Besiktas.

The Denmark international joined the Blues from Villarreal in 2024 and has been Robert Sanchez’s backup since then.

He played 36 matches for Chelsea, keeping 11 clean sheets and conceding 39 goals, only 11 of which were in the Premier League.

This season, the stopper played 963 minutes in 12 matches, kept one clean sheet and conceded 17 goals.

In February, Sports Witness Covered claims from Türkiye That the Blues refused to sanction a move in the last window.

den wants to leave chelsea

The 24-year-old is unhappy with his limited role and has decided to leave the Premier League side in the summer.

is according to sabaAnd his headline says: ‘Filip Jorgensen is waiting for Besiktas.’

In the report, the newspaper states that the player had ‘already said yes’ to the Black Eagles in January. However, the move did not go ahead as former Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior blocked his exit.

The Dane has informed the west London club of his intention to leave. He still remains interested in joining the Istanbul club and is ‘waiting for an offer’ from them.

Besiktas plan to sit down for talks with both Dane’s representatives and Chelsea.

As such Also report that the Super Lig side have added Jorgensen to their agenda for the upcoming window. Apart from them, Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is also on their list.

Ersin Destanoglu, Davis Vasquez, Emre Bilgin and Emir Yasar were the four stoppers in Besiktas this season.

The latter two did not appear while Destanoglou was number 1. Vásquez, who arrived on loan with an option to buy from AS Roma in February, played one match.

Destanoglou’s contract expires in June and Takvim State Besiktas are aiming to make a foreigner their new No. 1 next season.

Chelsea player contract, price and agent information

Filip Jorgensen’s contract expires in 2031 and his value, according to transfer marketNow worth €15m.

Spanish agency Goal Management, owned by agent Albert Botines, is looking after his interests and future.

tourism gunlugu has revealed that a special chartered flight will bring Hull City Turkish fans for Saturday’s clash with Middlesbrough.

Following Southampton’s elimination from the Championship play-off final, Boro took their place. Saints lost their appeal last night after being accused of spying on other clubs throughout the season.

Hull City Major Questions Final

However, Hull City owners Ekun Ilikali has been interrogated Should the Tigers now be automatically promoted to the Premier League?

“Under normal circumstances, two teams would have reached the final and one would have been disqualified. Our lawyers are of the opinion that we should go straight to the Premier League, but they are investigating it right now. We can’t say anything for sure. It’s a bit of a messy situation.” Ilikali said.

The Hull City chief added: “We were preparing for Southampton for 10 days. All the planning, analysis and work was focused on them. Now, with a few days left for the final, the opponent has changed. Tomorrow the players are on holiday, Thursday is the last serious training session. We will prepare for the new opponent with a training session.”

Despite his comments the final will take place this weekend, and Corendon Airlines will bring fans from Istanbul and Antalya. The Turkish Airlines Company has sponsored the championship side for the last five years.

Tigers fans will arrive tomorrow

According to Tourism Günlag the flight will take off from Antalya tomorrow morning and then land at Istanbul Airport to pick up the remaining fans.

The flight is expected to arrive at Gatwick at Friday lunchtime before fans return to Türkiye on Saturday night.

The hope is that flying Hull City fans from Türkiye can provide stronger support for the club and create bonds.

Hull City reached the final after an impressive win over Millwall in the semi-finals and will look to gain promotion to the Premier League after a five-year absence.

everton AS Roma are interested in a potential deal for striker Artem Dovbyk this summer, as his future at Roma remains in doubt.

Roma Giallorosa report That the ‘track to Everton’ will be alive for the Ukrainian striker this summer.

Everton introduced ‘special solution’

According to their information, Everton could offer the Italian side a ‘special solution’ given the shared ownership under the Friedkin Group.

Everton will consider loaning the striker until the end of next season. This will allow the 28-year-old to get back to his ‘best physical condition’ and basically rebuild himself after a tough campaign.

It would also give Everton the third striker that David Moyes wants this summer, without spending too much of their budget on a signing. And the relationship between the two clubs, which have yet to transfer any players, could facilitate transfers for all.

However there may be competition. Roma Giallorosa also reported that Napoli are among the clubs most interested in Dovbek. They had already asked about him during the January transfer window.

His profile is one that sporting director Giovanni Manna considers ‘very pleasant’. He continues to monitor the situation around him ahead of the next season.

€20m offer from Napoli

The belief is that they could return with an offer of around €20m in the coming weeks. Keeping in mind financial fairness and the need to make capital gains by June 30, Roma will consider^th.

Such a cash offer would be even more favorable than Everton’s loan offer, at least in terms of the books. But it would also mean directly strengthening the squad that Roma are chasing in Serie A. There is only a three-point gap between fifth-placed Napoli and second-placed Juventus.

This is something that Roma will have to consider in the coming weeks. Do they prefer a straight sale to Napoli or, use their relationship with Everton in the hope that Artem Dovbyk will re-establish himself in the Premier League?

Real Union president Igor Emery and sporting director Mikel Bengoa recently visited Aston VillaWith transfers on the agenda.

Report on today’s trip from El Diario Vasco In an interview with Bengoa about the trip and the club’s plans moving forward.

aston villa link

Real Union is owned by Unai Emery and his family, who purchased the Spanish club in 2021. The Basque club, a founding member of La Liga, is deeply linked to the Emery family, with the Aston Villa manager’s father and grandfather also playing for them.

The Premier League club and their owners V Sports announced an associate partnership with them in 2023.

The pair have worked together since then and continue to do so. El Diario Vasco reports that Bengoa and Igor Emery were in Birmingham last week. He first watched the second leg of the Europa League semi-finals.

But the trip had other motivations. They also took a look behind the scenes at Villa Park and discussed a possible transfer between the two clubs.

“We took the opportunity to see some of the work being done to prepare for the final stage of the season. But above all, to compare the possibilities for next season and prepare ourselves in the best way to be as competitive as possible.” Bengoa explained.

Aston Villa’s youngsters are shining

The Spanish side were recently promoted from the Spanish fourth tier. According to Bengoa, this presents an interesting aspect for Aston Villa next season.

He has loaned several youngsters to Real Union in recent years. And Bengoa is eager to continue moving forward.

“For them, the Primera RFEF is a very interesting league for the development of their players,” He added.

“There is no doubt that we will find common ground to help each other more easily than in Segunda RFEF.

“The club is extremely pleased with how the people who have come here have developed. There is a strong possibility of O’Reilly being sold this summer. Finney is developing in League One. Munro started in League Two. But in January, they sold him to a Championship team.

“James Wright has been the third-choice goalkeeper for the first team throughout the season. He is pleased with his good performances on a daily basis. He assesses that his time at Irun has given him experience which will make him stronger when he returns to English football.”

crystal Palace Last summer Inter Milan’s Yann Bisek came calling and I was keen. Any deal this year is likely to be more complex.

Despite proving himself under Simone Inzaghi in the previous campaign, the German made a slow start to the current season.

The lack of action under Cristian Chivu led Crystal Palace to move to sign the defender. sports witness It was widely covered, as the Nerazzurri rejected two offers.

Furthermore, they had moved on to Benjamin Pavard and were unwilling to sell another right-sided defender at the end of the transfer window.

Things have now changed for the Germany international gazzetta dello sport Provide information about his condition.

Crystal Palace transfer very difficult now

The Italian newspaper has made it clear that a move to Crystal Palace was very close for Yann Bisek last summer. Oliver Glasner’s side put forward €30m but a final agreement was never reached between the two clubs.

Now, Chivu sees the defender as a vital part of his backline. This is particularly due to the 25-year-old’s versatility in the backline and the Romanian Bisek’s courage and recovery when defending.

This is why Inter no longer sees Bisek as a sellable unit. This was true to some extent last season but the player has convinced his club of a long-term future.

Even if Crystal Palace make a move for him this summer, they will struggle to land a defender.

Our take: Bisek may have overtaken Crystal Palace

Despite not always being consistent, Bisek is one of Inter’s most important players. Last season, he performed brilliantly in the Champions League, particularly impressing against Barcelona.

This season, he has also performed quite well as a ball-carrier, dazzling the opposition with his pace on the ball.

He is a proven-Champions League player who has already won silverware at the highest level. Crystal Palace don’t really offer this and if Bisek leaves Inter, he would want to move up or to the side.

As we continue to discuss the upcoming NHL playoff series between the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning, we have already established which team will have the advantage at 5v5.

Statistically speaking, the Bolts are the better team at even strength and by a fairly wide margin. And yet, once we filter out the results of the four games between the Habs and the Lightning, the Canadiens ultimately have the better shot share.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some special team stats that will power organizations in the playoffs.

Canadiens Vs. electric powerplay

There are two ways to look at this. The first involves judging the powerplay efficiency of the respective teams and declaring the winner. Thus, with a 23.1% efficiency, the Canadiens are the better team with the man advantage than the Lightning (20.7%).

However, once we dig a little, it becomes clear that the Habs are using their excellent shooting skills to maintain their powerplay, which would be considered ‘at risk’ once a thorough audit is completed.

While the Canadiens have the 10th-best power play in the league, and with the advantage of having the 10th-most goalscorers per 60 minutes of ice time, they are among the worst clubs in the entire league when it comes to regular shots as well as high-danger scoring opportunities.

The Lightning are worse than the Habs in both goals and efficiency, though the discrepancy between their shots and goals isn’t as glaring as we’re seeing in Montreal.

This presents the Canadiens with a reality that must be addressed in the playoffs: they probably score more goals on the power play than they want to. On the other side of the coin, it also suggests that they can improve their game with the man advantage by taking more shots.

Of course, this has been pointed out all year and very little has been done to improve the deteriorating state of the power play.

Canadiens Vs. thunderbolt penalty killing

The Canadiens are the better team on the power play, but the same cannot be said on the penalty kill. The Lightning kill more penalties, allow fewer routine and high-danger scoring opportunities, not to mention actual goals.

All things considered, one team is elite, while the other is struggling to emerge from the bottom of the league.

To make matters more interesting, Andrei Vasilevskiy had the third-highest save percentage on the penalty kill in the entire regular season (.900), while Jacob Dobbs (.859) was 26th. As for Jacob Fowler, he was only on the ice for 90 penalty kill minutes, finishing the season with an .873 save percentage in that position.

Simply put, while we can debate how much of an advantage the Canadiens actually have on the power play, we probably shouldn’t waste too much time debating which club will have a significant edge on the penalty kill.

All Montreal Canadiens statistics via Natural Stat Trick.

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

armory Sao Paulo youngster Lucca Marques is being monitored, with Sport Witness sources having previously revealed the Gunners’ strong interest in the 18-year-old.

Our initial report Now its importance is increasing as the player’s profile continues to rise in Brazil. But how does he play, and why is he attracting the attention of Arsenal, a club already equipped with a diverse range of forwards?

Arsenal transfer profile and playing style

Lucca Marques, born in 2007, is one of the standout products of São Paulo’s Cotia academy.

Arsenal transfer target joined at under-11 level and quickly built a reputation for his goal threat. His most productive youth campaign came at under-17 level, when he scored 12 goals in 34 matches.

Since then they have grown rapidly. He played a key role in São Paulo’s Copinha-winning campaign, playing eight matches and starting six. Soon after, he was promoted to the senior team by Luis Zubeldia, the manager at the time.

Standing at 1.72 meters tall, Lucca is a right-footed attacker who prefers to operate on the wings. From either side, he cuts inside while maintaining control on his stronger foot.

He is primarily used on the left, but he is also comfortable switching to the right wing or operating more centrally as an attacking midfielder. That versatility adds another layer to his profile and Arsenal transfer interest.

During his time at senior level, he has often been deployed on the left flank, which is not a problem for him at all. His Historic equalizer against Libertad The score was scored from that position.

Close control and unpredictability

Luca Marx is in first place for his ball control. He keeps the ball extremely close to his feet, allowing him to work into tight spaces and make quick escapes from pressure. In youth football, he has consistently been viewed as a difficult player for this reason.

That control directly impacts its unpredictability. While many reverse wingers rely only on cutting inside, Lucca mixes up his decisions well. He can cut infield to shoot or combine, but he also attacks the outside lane and drives to the byline.

Because of this, defenders have difficulty reading him. They cannot fully commit to blocking the inside channel or the outside run. That hesitation becomes one of his main weapons.

Movement, deception and decision making

Another notable element of Lucca Marques’s game is how much he moves across the pitch. He does not remain confined to any one zone. Instead, he constantly changes positions to find space and receive the ball in better situations.

He often tries to isolate defenders in one-on-one situations. Once there, his ability to conceal his next action becomes critical. He can accelerate quickly, stop quickly, or change direction with minimal backlift.

This deceptive style is unusual for a right-footed player. Generally, attackers attacking from the right side attack with the left foot. Arsenal’s goal contradicted that expectation. When he drives inside with his stronger foot, he often catches defenders off balance.

Also, he shows patience beyond his years. In moments close to goal, he makes cool decisions, whether that means finishing or picking out a pass.

Even though he was playing as a left inverted winger, his equalizer against Libertad is a good example – receiving wide out, cutting inside, dribbling with close control and delivering precise strikes under pressure.

Furthermore, he is not physically imposing, especially against a tough team like Arsenal. But he compensates for this with speed and agility. His speed over short distances helps him create quick separation.

For Mikel Arteta, that flexibility may be particularly relevant. The club already has a wide range of options, each with a different profile. What Lucca offers is a blend of technical control, speed and unpredictability that is not easy to find.

🇧🇷 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

Arsenal leading the race as interest is confirmed

That profile explains why Arsenal have moved up quickly. This also explains why competition is now increasing.

german outlet image The situation has now been confirmed and an important detail has been added: Arsenal are currently the frontrunners in the race for Lucca Marx.

Borussia Dortmund are also in the picture and have made a detailed investigation into the player. However, the German outlet indicates that the Premier League side are ahead at this stage.

With Lucca under contract until 2028, Sao Paulo are in a strong position. His current valuation sits around €3m (£2.6m), but any deal is expected to be much higher than this figure.

For Arsenal, the decision may now revolve around timing. Move quickly, and they’ll secure a high-end talent. Wait, competition is likely to increase rapidly.

Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez has been eulogized in his native Hungary, where he has been described as a “headless fly”.

criticism comes Former Maribor star Mitja Villar via Ekipa. He was a left-back himself and was not very impressed with Liverpool’s full-backs.

Villar is known for never exaggerating his opinion of players and the 22-year-old Liverpool man found himself in the line of fire during Villar’s appearance on Pod Preko.

“Kerkez is nothing special”

While discussing Slovenia’s match against Hungary in Budapest, Villar mentioned the Hungary star by name and did not hold back.

Despite Milos Kerkez being a regular at Liverpool this season following a €46.9 million move from Bournemouth last summer, Villar sees nothing noteworthy.

“Kerkez is nothing special to me,” He said.

“It’s true that he plays in my position. Incredible mobility, but he is a fly without a head. In our championship, Kerkez will not go unnoticed, we will clean him out immediately.”

Even Liverpool’s status doesn’t affect him

Villar is also not convinced that Milos Kerkez plays for Liverpool.

Kerkes has made 39 appearances in all competitions for the Reds this season, replacing Andy Robertson as first-choice left-back at Anfield.

However, this does not change the beliefs of his compatriots. Instead, he thinks the price paid by the Reds is a determining factor.

“Let’s not talk about club football anymore,” He added.

“I think he plays for Liverpool because they bought him for so much money, Robertson’s contract is expiring. For better or worse, he will remain with Kerkes.”

A controversial opinion?

However, whether Willer’s opinion would cause an outcry at Anfield is debatable. Liverpool fans are certainly divided over summer transfers.

His first season at Liverpool was hardly the best. Kerkez certainly hasn’t shined as much as he did at Bournemouth, that’s for sure.

But there is an acknowledgment that it is a long-term project with a very high ceiling. And after a poor start, his performance has also improved in recent months. Even in Hungary he has been defended.

They are, perhaps, taking a more measured approach than Willer. If these comments are anything to go by, Hungarian is completely unconvincing.

🇳🇱Giovanni van Bronckhorst | Feyenoord’s comeback will not be ruled out

💬 “Who knows what will happen in the future”
➡️ I am happy with the situation at Liverpool
➡️ Obviously a fan of the Dutch club https://t.co/CLUT5qTfXL #lfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 27 March 2026

Marcus Thuram has had one of the disappointing parts of Inter Milan’s Serie A season. Newcastle United are being increasingly tipped as a contender to sign the Frenchman.

The striker has scored 12 times in all competitions, finding the net seven times in Serie A. But his general performances have declined, with him being criticized for missing big chances throughout the campaign.

due to this corriere dello sport It was reported earlier this week that his release clause of €85 million might no longer even be relevant. Sport Witness covered interest from Newcastle United, with Aston Villa also in the running.

Now, there is growing talk in Italy that Thuram will be on his way out of Inter. Big question marks are also emerging regarding his general attitude and motivation.

The Magpies are very keen on Thuram

The Interista Learn more about the France International situation that is spiraling out of control.

His partnership with Lautaro Martínez flourished for two seasons. Inter fans had also developed a great admiration for Marcus Thuram, but that has now evaporated this season.

The striker is believed to have ‘lost all motivation’ for the Nerazzurri, having found his attitude poor in big games. He is often seen flailing around in the final third, not putting in enough effort.

His last league goal came on 8 February against Sassuolo, causing Inter to question his future at the club.

The outlet believes €65 million would be enough for the suitors, with Newcastle United ‘particularly interested’ in a summer transfer. There is a belief that the striker’s hefty release clause will not apply, especially if he fails to step up his performances.

That clause is actually only valid until the end of July. This is causing Inter to consider the situation as they look to earn as much as possible from the sale.

Our opinion: Deal could be cheaper than €65m

Inter signed Marcus Thuram on a free transfer, meaning whatever they earn will go as capital gains. Since they failed in the Champions League this season, it is very possible that they consider a major exit.

From a financial point of view, Thuram’s departure would make perfect sense. He could provide Inter with the biggest capital gain, and Newcastle United could potentially sign him for less than €65m.

A lot will depend on how he ends the season but the Italian media are now seriously questioning the player. This has never happened before and it looks like this is the beginning of the end for Thuram at San Siro.

Arsenal may be heading towards the Premier League title, but decisions are already being made in the background – and the Fabio Vieira situation is getting closer to a resolution.

The Portuguese midfielder has spent the season on loan at Hamburger SV, away from the limelight in North London. However, his campaign in Germany has steadily gained momentum. What started with conditioning issues has turned into one of the most productive periods of his senior career.

Vieira has been used in attacking midfield roles and in wide areas, providing creativity and final-third quality. He now has five goals and four assists in the Bundesliga, and is also one of Hamburg’s most consistent chance givers.

That output has changed the perception around him over the course of the season. Earlier doubts have given way to a feeling that he can make a real impact at this level.

three months ago, We covered Germany’s claims Hamburg were already concerned that the Arsenal player wanted to move.

Since then, his role has evolved. The story highlighted his improvement not only in his output, but also in his presence within the team.

The Portuguese midfielder has been finding form in Hamburg and has become ‘more communicative’ within the dressing room in recent months.

This all naturally turns into one big question – what’s next?

Talks now expected as Hamburg pushes for deal

according to Hamburger AbendblattFabio Vieira is now considered a “special case” internally as Hamburg plans its squad for next season.

While many loan players may return to their parent clubs, their situation is different. Both the player and Hamburg are keen to continue working together, which puts Arsenal in a stronger position.

The main issue remains financial. Vieira’s loan includes a €20m (£17.3m) purchase option, which Hamburg considers unrealistic. As a result, talks are now being held with Arsenal in an attempt to negotiate a lower fee.

This is not a new development, but the next step in an ongoing process.

earlier this month, We covered BILD claims Regarding Hamburg’s intentions to ask Arsenal for a waiver on a permanent deal. They have the option to buy the midfielder for €20m, which is too much for them.

While Hamburg are confident about the player, they need a low fee to make a move. That situation continues to persist, and negotiations now appear inevitable.

One earlier report HSV were said to be planning talks with Arsenal over the midfielder. All indications are that Vieira will not be at the Emirates next season.

There is also a deadline in mind. BILD reported that Hamburg are expected to hold talks with Arsenal in April or May over his future after this season.

Arsenal maintain control as decision nears

to the arsenal, The situation is relatively clear. Vieira has struggled to gain a consistent role under Mikel Arteta, and this is now his second loan stint at the club. Also, his performance in Germany has restored some of his value.

The Gunners set a €20m (£17.3m) clause with that scenario in mind. Arsenal insisted on its inclusion. And because the deal was struck late, HSV did not have time for lengthy negotiations.

Now, that figure serves as a starting point for discussion. Vieira himself has not reached any conclusions.

“Everyone knows I still have a contract with Arsenal. So let’s wait until the end of the season. Then we’ll talk about it and see what we can do”, he said last week.

Hamburg wants to keep him. Arsenal want the right deal. And with potential interest from elsewhere always a risk, the coming weeks look crucial.

This situation has been going on for months. Now we are finally moving towards concrete talks.

🇩🇪 Exclusive: Castello Lukeba ‼️

➡️The formula confirms this @Kaus_Pandey17 There is interest from Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United
➕ Defender tempted to move to Premier League
➡️ Summer decision will depend on the proposed projecthttps://t.co/2VZ2ljcDv7 #afc #lfc #afc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 25 March 2026

The attack was great, the defense was strong and the goal scoring was fantastic. It was the perfect storm.

The Carolina Hurricanes were on their game on Sunday afternoon and handed the Pittsburgh Penguins a shocking 5-1 loss. Carolina played the entire game and took advantage of Pittsburgh’s deficiencies in what appeared to be an off-game for the home team.

Heading into the 3:00 p.m. game, the Penguins topped the league standings in penalty kills with a penalty kill success rate of 84.2, but the Hurricanes’ power play (ranked 12th leaguewide) managed to crack not just once, but three times in less than 40 minutes.

Carolina’s first three goals were extremely similar in where they came from and how they reached the net. First, Sebastian Aho drew a tripping penalty on Ryan Graves by Nikolaj Ehlers just 47 seconds into the game.

A long-range wrist shot between the faceoff circle and the blue line, through a screen provided by Jordan Staal.

Next, in the second round, the man also came on advantage. Once again, through another screen at the same distance, Ehlers sent a slapshot that echoed into the back of the net.

Then, near the halfway point of the game, Jalen Chatfield slapped a layup through another screen from the same distance to put the Hurricanes up by three.

Later, the pattern ended as Ehlers sent an incredible pass through the legs of Parker Wotherspoon into the slot and onto the tape of Seth Jarvis for another power play goal. It was Jarvis’ first match back after a five-game drought.

In the third period, the Penguins finally got a goal on the board thanks to Egor Chinakhov, but the Hurricanes’ defense – and defense through offensive pressure – helped hold Frederik Andersen to a single goal allowed in the entire contest.

After a few missed attempts, including a blocked blast by Anderson towards the empty net, Mark Jankowski scored on an empty net goal to make the score 5–1.

Hurricanes successful in key areas in final game with Penguins of regular season

Throughout the game, the Hurricanes’ biggest advantage was their effective use of screens on Stuart Skinner. When it comes to those screens, it’s hard to expect a goaltender to stop what can’t be seen. They cannot use force (even though sometimes it seems they might).

Their defense was something else, as they held the Penguins without a shot for nearly 12 minutes early in the game.

Special teams were one of the biggest things for Carolina, going two-for-two on the penalty kill and three-for-five on the power play. It also didn’t hurt that the calls actually went their way for once.

And last, but certainly not least, Anderson played exceptionally well – he has improved significantly since returning from the Olympics. Despite the Penguins’ late offensive start, they still managed to put 19 shots on net. Furthermore, 15 of those were high-danger scoring chances – five more than the Hurricanes produced.

It was a great game for the Hurricanes, who took the sole lead of the Eastern Conference.

(Hey! This game was with another team covered by the national Hockey Now Network – hide behind enemy lines once again and watch Vince Comunale’s recap from the Penguins’ perspective!)

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

Kevin Durant was practical with his thoughts about surpassing Michael Jordan on the NBA’s all-time scoring list in the Houston Rockets’ win over the Miami Heat on Saturday night.

Durant is going through the 19th season of his legendary NBA career, his first with the Rockets. Throughout his time in the league, he has scored 32,267 points in the regular season prior to Houston’s duel with Miami.

This statistic placed him in the top 10 of the all-time scoring list, placing him in sixth place. He trailed Jordan by 32,292 points for fifth place, needing 25 points to tie him and 26 points to overtake him.

Durant accomplished the incredible feat in 37 minutes of action. He finished with a stat line of 27 points, three rebounds and three assists. He made 9 of 17 shots from the field, including 5 of 9 from beyond the arc and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line. durant reflect on her milestones After the game, he expressed his thoughts on the legend he admired growing up.

“I have a lot more work to do, but it’s great to be in the same league with great players. A lot of these guys inspire me to work on my game as much as I can…I’m inspired by all the players I’ve either passed or are getting close to. MJ is in a world of his own. He’s a planet/galaxy of his own. Someone I look up to and respect as well. Who basically shaped the game for me,” Durant said. Said.

“MJ is in a world of his own.”

Kevin Durant speaks on passing Michael Jordan on all-time scoring list 🙌

(via @nba)
pic.twitter.com/83n7BaizfY https://t.co/fmdRIQIylz

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 22 March 2026

Kevin Durant, how the Rockets played against the Heat

Kevin Durant is proud to be in the top five of the all-time scoring list as one of the best in NBA history. Beating Michael Jordan in the Rockets’ win over the Heat was the best.

Five players, including Durant, scored in double figures for Houston in the win. Amen Thompson came up with a solid performance of 24 points, 18 rebounds, four assists and one block. He made 10 of 17 shots overall, including 1 of 1 from downtown and 3 of 3 from the charity stripe. Reed Shepard was next with 23 points and 14 assists, Alpern Sengun had 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Jabari Smith Jr. provided 13 points and four rebounds.

Houston improved to a 43–27 record on the season and finished fourth in the Eastern Conference standings. They are above the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves, while trailing the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs.

The Rockets look forward to their next matchup while on the road. They will take on the Chicago Bulls as tip-off takes place on March 23 at 8 PM ET.

The Carolina Hurricanes won…somehow…and Alexander Nikishin almost completed Gordie Howe’s hat trick.

Facing the Pittsburgh Penguins for the first of three meetings in March, the Hurricanes were nearly overpowered by a lack of discipline and some honestly questionable calls in the game, which certainly created some playoff-style energy.

Logan Stankoven opened the match with a goal eight minutes into the match, but Nikolaj Ehlers was injured shortly after in a tangle with Erik Karlsson in the corner boards. Thankfully, he returned at the beginning of the second frame and played the rest of the game.

Less than 20 seconds after Ehlers’ injury, Anthony Mantha tied the game with less than a minute remaining in the first period.

As the second period began, so did the onslaught of penalties.

The Hurricanes spent eight minutes in the box, six of which were in favor of the Penguins. The third penalty – drawn when William Carrier closed his hands on the puck – resulted in a power play goal by Bryan Rust, giving Pittsburgh the lead.

However, the fourth penalty was taken by Alexander Nikishin, who also drew a penalty on Noel Acciari after he pulled the Penguins winger into a duel while his teams dunked it in the melee. However, this resulted in equally harsh punishments as they more or less stuck to each other.

Eric Robinson tried to stuff the puck and it led to a nice scrum
Alexander Nikishin tried to go at it with Noel Acciari, but it didn’t lead to a full fight, just a little skirmish
Divisional rivalry, playoff style hockey is already heating up and I’m here for it… pic.twitter.com/RsqZwFjOFN

– Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) 11 March 2026

Things got wild in the third period

In the third period, the Hurricanes finally got control of their game and kept a clean frame, with Mark Jankowski tying the game and Seth Jarvis giving them the go-ahead goal.

This time, the Penguins kept the penalty box bench hot, and even gave the Hurricanes a pair of two-man advantages.

Nikishin was able to convert a very well executed back-and-forth play to tie the special teams goals and give the Hurricanes a two-goal lead. If the feud with Accieri had been more than any foul, Nikishin would have got a Gordie Howe hat-trick. This wouldn’t be the first time he’s gotten close to someone this season, and I’d be surprised if it’s the last.

However, with more than two minutes left in the game, the arena DJ saw fit to play the Hurricanes’ celebration song, ‘Sweet Caroline’, which is usually played in the final seconds of a sure-win game.

And can you guess what happened? Acciari and Rust tied the game while Stuart Skinner hit the bench.

And then came overtime

Overtime began, which saw Jakob Slavin enter the penalty box after barely a slash on the stick of Anthony Mantha. However, that apparently wasn’t an issue as Mantha then beat goaltender Frederik Andersen.

Despite some back-and-forth attempts, no goal could be scored after which a shootout took place.

Seth Jarvis, Andrei Svechnikov and Jackson Blake went for the Hurricanes, while Ben Kindel, Egor Chinakhov and Anthony Mantha did so for the Penguins. Svechnikov and Blake were both able to find the twine, but Kindel was the only penguin to have such luck.

The Hurricanes won the game 5–4, but would see them again the following Wednesday.

Frederik Andersen had a little help distracting him straight from the Mushroom Kingdom in the shootout 🤣 pic.twitter.com/Bs6860KPVy

– Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) 11 March 2026

Special teams performed well

Going into the game, the Hurricanes were at a notable disadvantage, as they ranked 11th on the power play (22.5%) and 14th on the penalty kill (79.4%), while the Penguins ranked sixth on the power play (25.3%) and second on the penalty kill (84.4%). Additionally, they were without their usual power play quarterback Shayne Gostisbeer, who missed his second consecutive game due to a lower body injury.

Still, he had four notable runs shorthanded, and killed four of five penalties while scoring on one of five power plays.

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tied Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA record for most consecutive 20+ point performances (126), earning praise from Denver Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic. Following Gilgeous-Alexander’s game-winning 3-pointer in the 129-126 Thunder victory, Jokic gave his flowers to the reigning MVP for making history.

Jokic tried his best to put Gilgeous-Alexander 126 consecutive 20+ point games According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, he put it into perspective during media availability after the game.

“I don’t know if people realize how hard it is to do that. To score 20 points in 10 (straight) games, not 120, no matter what, it’s special. He’s a special player,” Jokic said. “It’s a pleasure and a privilege to play against him.”

Nikola Jokic ties Wilt with 126 consecutive 20-point games at SGA

“I don’t know if people realize how hard it is to do that. To score 20 points in 10 (straight) games, not 120, whatever, it’s special. He’s a special player.” pic.twitter.com/YMSWvXGbhj

– Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) 10 March 2026

Gilgeous-Alexander tied Hall of Fame center Wilt Chamberlain’s record for most 20+ point performances in the third quarter of Monday’s three-point win against the Nuggets. Then, he used back-to-back threes to put out his fellow MVP candidate and the Nuggets with just 3.3 seconds left on the game clock.

SGA finished with 35 points on 14-for-21 shooting, including 7-for-3 from deep, 15 assists, nine rebounds, one steal and one block. Jokic’s triple-double (32 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists) led the Nuggets. Tim Hardaway Jr.’s 28 points, including eight threes, led Denver’s second unit, and Aaron Gordon finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reacts to breaking Wilt Chamberlain’s record

Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander says he didn’t spend much time thinking about Wilt Chamberlain’s record until he tied it against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. Gilgeous-Alexander set an absurd record by scoring 20+ points in 126 consecutive games, a feat that took an NBA player over 63 years to match.

For Gilgeous-Alexander, it’s a lot to digest, he said, during his postgame media availability, reminding reporters that the Thunder victory is still ahead About his approach to defending his first NBA title.

Gilgeous-Alexander said, “It’s still a lot to wrap around in my mind. To be honest, I try not to think about it, especially during the season. There’s a lot going on. A lot of things have to go right to get what you ultimately want.” “That’s my 100 percent focus, especially in a basketball context. It’s special to interact with a guy like that (Wilt Chamberlain).

“It’s crazy to think that where I was 10 years ago, I would be here today. You work hard. You trust the process. You look up, and great things can happen to you, and I’m proof of that.”

SGA on equaling Wilt Chamberlain’s record for most consecutive 20+ point games (126): “Honestly, I try not to think about it, especially during the season. There’s a lot going on…

But to interact with a guy like that (Wilt Chamberlain) is special. It’s crazy to think… pic.twitter.com/Mdfj7jVSDp

-Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) 10 March 2026

The Thunder improved to 51–15 and took a 3.0 game lead over the Spurs in the Western Conference standings.

MIAMI – The Miami Heat have an important week ahead as they aim to avoid the play-in tournament, with Sunday’s big 121-110 win over the Detroit Pistons one of many impressive stories. In the team’s win over the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons, Heat captain Bam Adebayo earned a team-high scoring milestone held only by Dwyane Wade.

After Adebayo recorded 24 points on Sunday evening, it marked the big man reaching over 10,000 career points with Miami, only the second time a player from the franchise has accomplished such a feat, other than Wade. While Wade is firmly No. 1 in that category with 21,556 points, Adebayo’s 10,001 puts him in second place, already overtaken by Alonzo Mourning with 9,459 points.

Adebayo talked about the milestone after the win over Detroit, putting into perspective not only how he has improved and how long he has been with Miami, but also how he was drafted, which is known for its defense.

“Man, it means a lot to have us play defense somewhere, and everyone is thinking I was just a big threat, but it just shows the evolution of my game,” Adebayo said. “Obviously, this organization believes in me. I’ve been here so long that I can get to the 10k with the same team, and obviously getting into the history books with someone like D-Wade. So it’s a big accomplishment. I’m happy I even got to the W, and it’s a fun win for us.”

Bam Adebayo on scoring 10,000 career points:

“It means a lot. Coming from a guy who was drafted to play defense…to be in the history books behind a guy like D-Wade, that’s a huge accomplishment…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/0CphU4kDHS

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 9 March 2026

For his 24 points, Adebayo shot 7 of 17 from the field and four of 10 from three-point range.

Heat’s Erik Spoelstra on Bam Adebayo’s milestone and its significance

As Adebayo is actually chasing Udonis Haslem’s Heat rebound record, which he is on pace to do, the main goal at this point is to lead the team to victory, with the team now on a five-game winning streak after the statement was released on Sunday. In addition to the 24 points, he would also record nine rebounds and six assists, while recording a +13 on the floor.

Along with Tyler Herro’s 25 points on Sunday, the Miami duo led the way to a collective win over the East-leading Pistons, but it can’t be said enough how important Adebayo is to the team, given his numbers on and off the floor. According to Screwball, Adebayo has a net rating of +12.1, which shows how well the team performs when he is on the court, which was mentioned by Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra.

“He has such competitive will and you can see it,” Spoelstra said of Adebayo. “The staff told me today he’s second in the league in on/off, which is all that matters. Is that all? No, like, you can find a stat for everything, but it shows his impact on winning. When he’s on the court, our defense is excellent, and our play is great. Now, when he’s off the court, it’s improving, you know, our guys are really trying to be there for our team in those minutes. Have been.”

Erik Spoelstra on Bam Adebayo reaching 10,000 career points.

Talked about his continued “competitive will” and how much he means to this team, talking about statistics on and off the court: #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/3tUZodkaa5

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 9 March 2026

“But I think it’s also a credit to his competitive will and work ethic. He wasn’t necessarily known as a scorer; he’s worked for this special team and has shown a willingness to invest himself in it, his scoring is really important, and playmaking,” Spoelstra continued.

Adebayo looks to continue leading Miami as the team tries to extend its five-game winning streak against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday.

The Intuit Dome felt a bit like home for Darius Garland on Saturday night. The Los Angeles Clippers’ mid-season acquisition put on a show in a 123-120 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, but the highlight for Garland happened after the final buzzer.

For the first time since his trade to Los Angeles, Garland’s family was in the building to watch him suit up in the Clippers’ jerseys. Following the handshake line, the star guard bypassed the locker room to head straight to the sideline. Garland shared an emotional moment with his parents and siblings, posing for photos on the court and soaking in the atmosphere of a successful home debut in front of his inner circle.

The Garland family’s first time seeing DG as a Clipper was a success ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/7qG8hefg1h

– LA Clippers (@LAClippers) 8 March 2026

On the court, Garland looked like he’d been playing in Tyronn Lue’s system for years. He finished the night with 21 points and six assists, stifling the Memphis defense with his trademark floaters and accurate passing. Garland shot an impressive 8 of 20 from the field and knocked down three triples, keeping the Clippers’ offense going even as the Grizzlies tried to take a lead late in the game.

Isaiah Jackson was the beneficiary of several Garland lobs, finishing with 12 points and 12 rebounds. The Grizzlies struggled to find a rhythm without Ja Morant, although Ty Jerome led Memphis with 23 points in the losing effort. Taylor Hendricks added 18 points, but the Grizzlies had no answer to the Clippers’ balanced attack, with six players scoring in double figures.

With the win, the Clippers continued to climb the Western Conference standings. More importantly, Garland has found his comfort zone in Southern California.

LOS ANGELES – Luka Doncic picked up his 15th technical foul of the season amid more interaction with the referees during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 120-113 loss against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday. Another technical foul and Doncic would automatically receive a one-game suspension. But amid their interactions on the court, Lakers head coach JJ Redick believes Doncic’s competitive fire is second to none.

Before the Lakers’ game against the Indiana Pacers on Friday, JJ Redick explained how he will go to battle with Doncic every night.

“He’s a special type of player, a special type of person and a special type of competitor,” Redick said during his pregame press conference. “I’d prefer someone who’s going out every night and trying to kill, rather than someone who you literally have to revive with a defibrillator every other day. I’d take Luca all day.”

Doncic’s latest interaction with the referee resulted in a technical foul that was somewhat puzzling. Jamal Murray hit a 3-point shot in transition, and one of the officials immediately called a technical foul on Doncic, despite him not even looking the referee’s way as he walked back onto the court.

Doncic was incredibly heartbroken by what happened, and was not given a full explanation until after the game via the pool report. Crew chief Ed Malloy explained that the technical foul on Doncic actually occurred before the game, but officials called for the defense not to stop the transition play for the technical foul. The argument was that Doncic had used profanity toward officials earlier in the play.

The Lakers have 19 games remaining in the regular season after Friday’s matchup against the Pacers. Teams will definitely have to be aware of Doncic’s technical fouls and reactions during the final stretch of the year. Once the playoffs arrive, the technical foul count is reset, but suspensions begin early with seven.

Doncic is in the running for the MVP award this season, his first full year with the Lakers. Coming into Friday’s game, he had appeared in 50 games averaging just over 35 minutes per game. He is averaging a league-leading 32.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.6 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 47.3 percent from the field, 35.8 percent from the 3-point line and 77 percent from the free-throw line.

Doncic is also leading the NBA in 3-point shot attempts (3.7), 3-point shot attempts (10.2) and free-throw attempts (10.3).

Newcastle United will face Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 tie on Tuesday.

Barcelona finished fifth in the preliminary group stage and did not go through the qualifying round. Meanwhile, Eddie Howe’s side finished 12th, although they had a lucky play-off draw and a comfortable win against Qarabag.

Hansi Flick is top of La Liga, but faced disappointment on Tuesday evening. Despite a 3–0 win against Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey, Barcelona were eliminated after a 4–0 defeat in the first leg.

This will be the focus of attention ahead of the first leg against Newcastle United. The Catalans know they cannot come away from St James’ Park on a bad note and hope that can be sorted out later.

Why does Barcelona have special plans for Newcastle United?

Barcelona will face Athletic Club on Saturday. Usually he would return home and then fly to England on Monday.

Instead, Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco have come up with a new plan. The idea is to ensure that Barcelona’s players are fully rested before the Newcastle United match.

so. They will fly to England on Sunday, giving them two nights’ rest before the Magpies match. This means that they will fly to Bilbao on Saturday morning instead of staying the night before.

Athletic Club match planning has taken second place in the Champions League.

Catalan newspaper sports world Explain that this is to give ‘priority to the health’ of the players.

what happens then

There is a possibility of a recovery session in Newcastle on Sunday, although it is unclear where exactly they will take place. Given that Barcelona will be in the city for two nights, they will obviously need somewhere suitable to train.

Barcelona almost managed to pull off an unexpected comeback against Atletico Madrid last night. Two goals from Marc Benal and a Raphinha penalty set up a tense end to the cup game.

After the Blaugrana were unable to make it 4–4, they won 3–0 on the night and Diego Simeone’s side reached the final.

Luka Doncic had a birthday he’ll never forget, and he ended it by sharing a laugh with the greatest shooter of all time. After the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors 129-101 on Saturday night, Doncic and Stephen Curry met with each other for a warm hug and some banter, even after a blowout.

The Slovenian superstar turned 27 on Friday, but the real party took place at the Chase Center. Doncic dominated right from the start and put up a massive line of 26 points, six rebounds and eight assists. He carved out the Warriors’ defense with surgical precision, shooting 9 of 17 from the field and connecting on four triples. It was the kind of performance that reminded everyone why the Lakers pushed all of their chips into the middle to get him.

Steph Curry and Luka Doncic share some laughs after Lakers’ win over Warriors 🔥

pic.twitter.com/4OCdHHq84s

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 1 March 2026

While the Lakers took care of business, Gui Santos did his best to keep Golden State in the hunt. The Brazilian finished 6 of 12 from the field with 14 points and two assists. The Warriors had no answer to the Lakers’ size and transition game, as Los Angeles outscored them in fast-break points.

This win is a big momentum boost for a Lakers team that has faced a lot of criticism recently. LeBron James anchored the interior with 22 points and nine assists, while Austin Reaves scored 18 points to provide the needed scoring balance.

For the Lakers, seeing their franchise cornerstone share a light-hearted moment with a legend like Curry signals a changing of the guard in the Western Conference. If Doncic continues to play at this MVP level, Los Angeles could be the “contender” everyone expected.

After 13 months of Achilles rehabilitation, Dejounte Murray finally made his season debut for the New Orleans Pelicans. However, at a moment when everything could have been about his own comeback, the veteran made sure that the spotlight shifted to the rookie players. Ultimately, Jeremiah Fears and Derrick Queen played big roles in the win over the visiting Golden State Warriors.

Murray played brilliantly (13 points, three assists, two rebounds in 25 minutes), but it was the energy put forth by the first-year players during the decisive third quarter that prompted the All-Stars to sing some postgame praise.

“Yeah, we needed it though. We had some battles in practice. Just got to have games like this where we came out warm, feeling really good to start the game, but then we had to go through some adversity. Thanks for that third quarter. Our young group came through and they won that quarter. They played really well and put us in position to win tonight. At the end of the day, we just have to stick together and do it together.”

The win showed that the Pelicans, who have been battling injuries to James Borrego, have a promising future, even as New Orleans heads into the final stretch of a challenging season. With the playoffs out of reach, minutes have opened up for the rookie class. Thankfully, Jeremiah Fears and Derrick Queen are making the most of the opportunities, both posting All-Rookie worthy numbers across the board.

For a demanding Dejounte Murray-led Pelicans team, the opportunity to mentor a young core is a chance for every veteran to help build something sustainable. As a point guard, this should be a priority. How much have Fears and Queen implemented the 29-year-old’s advice over the past few weeks?

“A lot. Because, like I said, I want to make everybody’s job easier, and it will have an impact on them. But there are guys who already feel that way. You know, you’ve got a guy like Herb Jones who doesn’t ask the coach to draw up a play for him. He’s always aggressive. He sees that no one watches the defense, he’s proactive. Everybody knows him for that,” Murray explained. “But, you know, I think the more we hang out together, have fun and learn to translate each other, it could be really special.”

The Pelicans (15-42) are lottery favorites, but the development of their rookie duo has emerged as a real bright spot. Queen averaged 12.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists; Fears is averaging 13.3 points and 3.1 assists. Murray suggested that his statistics told only part of the story. What impressed him more is how he handled the inevitable ups and downs of an NBA rookie season, especially when the roles changed dramatically.

Murray shared, “We like each other. There’s no egos. There’s no one to yell at.” “You had young guys starting, then they went to the bench. They took it, you know, like they were supposed to take it, and I give them a lot of credit for that. So, it speaks to maturity and what they’re there for. And we’re all here to win and longevity, you know, is important to everybody.”

For a franchise that often looks for stability, Murray looks to be laying the foundation in real time. Joe Dumars ‘executes to perfection’ his plan to earn Dejounte’s trust. It may be difficult to achieve victory this season, but belief in what lies ahead has never been stronger.

Bournemouth’s Managing Director of Professional Football Tiago Pinto has revealed how Andoni Ierola has reacted to the huge sale at the club.

Rivista Andesi has today held an interview with the Bournemouth director. He has discussed all elements of life at Bournemouth, including working with Irola.

The Spanish coach has been nothing short of a revelation since arriving at the club, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most respected tactical managers.

His time at the club so far has seen him guide the club to its highest ever Premier League points tally in 2023/24, which they surpassed in 2024/25 with 56 points.

Special attention has also been paid to player development, with many stars improving rapidly under his guidance. However, this has led to major departures in the last few transfer windows.

Bournemouth develops stars

Last summer their entire defense as Ilya Zbarny, Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez left for PSG, Real Madrid and Liverpool. Dango Ouattara also joined Brentford in a £36 million deal.

The story continued in the January transfer window as star man Antoine Semenyo joined Manchester City in a club-record £62.5m deal. Marcos Senesi is also likely to depart this summer.

Big departures like this are clearly a problem for Bournemouth. Indeed, one can see the impact such an exit had on Crystal Palace and their crumbling relationship with Oliver Glassner.

Pinto praised Irola

However, Irola has yet to complain publicly about the situation on the south coast. And Pinto insists it’s the same behind the scenes.

“I have worked with many coaches and have learned something from all of them,” he said.

“Today I can say that Andoni is different, he is special. He is a modern coach, someone who understands all the dynamics of football.

“A coach has tremendous communication power: he is the club’s main spokesperson; he is the person the fans listen to and respect. But behind that, there are many things that are not seen.

“Take the example of Bournemouth. We sold players not because we were happy to sell them, but because there are rules to follow. Any other coach other than Andoni could say, “They sold all my players.” He doesn’t.

“Not just because he’s a great coach and a good person. But because he has all the information and he understands the context.”

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis now faces a formal arbitration challenge after admitting he rejected significantly higher bids for Andre Luiz before completing an internal transfer worth €6.5m (£5.6m). report comes from renaissance In portugal.

The Brazilian winger moved to Olympiacos from Rio Ave in January. Both clubs are located within Marinakis’ multi-club structure. However, the situation has worsened after Estrela da Amadora confirmed it will take the matter to Portuguese court. The controversy centers on price.

Marinakis told Olympiacos players that he had received offers of around €20m (£17.1m) for Andre Luiz from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Benfica. Despite this, they decided to transfer the player from Rio Ave to Olympiacos for €6.5m (£5.6m).

“I had offers of around €20m for Andre Luiz from Wolves and Benfica. But I wanted Olympiacos to be stronger.” He said, As we covered earlier.

10% segment takes legal steps

Estrela da Amadora have 10% of the future transfer fee for Andre Luiz. Therefore, the difference between €20m and €6.5m has major financial consequences.

In a statement, Estrella raised “Serious and legitimate concerns” About the transaction. The club said that if higher offers had indeed existed, selling at a lower amount would have directly reduced the revenue to which they were entitled.

The statement also questioned whether the economic interests of Rio Avenue and its contractual partners are fully protected.

Estrella further argued that multi-club ownership “Under no circumstances can transparency, economic fairness, the protection of third parties involved in the contract or the credibility of national competitions be compromised.”

The club has now confirmed it will seek arbitration. It will also request full access to documents related to the operation. Furthermore, the right to report public facts to the relevant authorities is reserved if further investigation proves necessary.

Multi-club model in the spotlight

Marinakis controls Nottingham Forest, Rio Ave and Olympiacos. In this case, they rejected a Premier League-level bid and instead strengthened the Greek side internally.

The move could make sense for Olympiacos. However, it now places its ownership structure in Portugal under legal scrutiny.

For One, the issue does not involve direct transactions. Nevertheless, the controversy continues to affect their owner and raises wider questions about governance within the multi-club network.

It is unclear whether the arbitration process will have financial consequences. It is confirmed that the €20m Premier League rejected bid has now triggered a formal legal battle.

When the NBA scheduled midseason games in Europe this year, some veterans complained about the extra miles and the toll it took on their bodies during a grueling campaign. Given their sacrifice to become the first team to land in Berlin, Tuomas Isalo’s unheralded Memphis Grizzlies could be forgiven for being one of the loudest voices. As it was, the schedule was brutal, and mounting losses led to the departure of Jaren Jackson Jr. Yet, for the confident Cedric Coward, the experience was far more important than the extra miles on his legs.

“It was cool. It was definitely a special experience. To be able to play the first game in Berlin, it was extremely special, especially as a newbie,” Coward told ClutchPoints. “It’s great for growing the game, giving us new experiences. People may have never been abroad before. That was my first time in Germany, so it was special. Getting a chance to connect with foreign fans.”

A transatlantic trip during the NBA season is no small ask, and the physical toll of additional travel is real. However, the 82-game grind can be somewhat monotonous, grinding in its own way. Given the shuttle schedule from airport to hotel to grounds and back, players could be forgiven for not actually remembering which city they are in. It’s not like MLB, where teams get a few days to explore a city. So Kayar is immersed in the culture, food, language and energy of living in a different part of the world.

On the business end, practices, media sessions and fan events created touchpoints with an audience that consumes the NBA at odd hours and remotely. For a young player who is still establishing his professional identity, that exposure matters.

Big picture, Seattle and Las Vegas are already on deck as the next expansion markets, with European cities also included as part of the league’s long-term vision. For a rookie still absorbing the professional lifestyle, the Berlin trip felt like a preview of what the league is becoming. Coward is no stranger to the international flavor that already defines the modern NBA.

“I’m used to it because we have so many international players,” Coward joked. “I played with teammates in college who were from Germany and Serbia, but at the same time, going out there and experiencing their culture, living in their world is definitely something special. You get to try new foods, you get to hear a new language all the time, see the way people move around, and get those street experiences that you can’t get here in the states.”

However, a player’s world can only get so big if he wants to reach All-Star status. That’s why this rookie also made it clear that his personal preparation will not be affected by this summer’s World Cup. While many Grizzlies took in some EPL games during the Euro trip, Coward plans to stick to his offseason workout regimen ahead of Summer League action. The globe may be hustling for a target in the background. Coward hopes to be playing on that kind of stage in just a few years, when NBA basketball expands beyond North America.

“I don’t really watch football that way,” Coward admitted. “I’m not a huge soccer fan, but at the same time, it’s exciting to see how big soccer is around the world. Hopefully, basketball can grow the same way around the world and be like soccer.”

This is a clear statement and instructive. The World Cup is perhaps the greatest example of a sporting event that transcends competition and becomes close to a cultural phenomenon. For the NBA and FIBA, it represents a benchmark for the kind of worldwide relevance basketball is actively pursuing. Trips like the one in Berlin are a step in that direction.

Getting quality minutes after years of watching from the sidelines has plagued Coward for the remainder of this season. Ja Morant is out for a few more weeks, but he has assured that the Grizzlies will not play in the postseason. Coward will soon have a new lottery-level partner to work with. Until then, finding some All-Rookie Team silver linings amid a losing season is the first step in getting the franchise back to the NBA Playoffs.

LOS ANGELES – Bernie Bickerstaff coached in nearly 1,000 NBA games over 14 seasons and also served as an assistant coach. The only time he coached in the NBA All-Star Game was as an assistant coach back in 1979.

So, when Bickerstaff’s son, J.B., finally became an NBA All-Star Game head coach in his fourth head coaching position, the Detroit Pistons head coach truly had appreciation to be the first in his family to achieve that honor.

“I rub it in his face all the time,” a joking J.B. Bickerstaff said with a laugh recently to Andscape. “No, I don’t, but you realize that as long as he was in the NBA, nothing for us is guaranteed and nothing is promised. So, it’s one of those things where it’s like, you cherish the opportunity to get where you are. As an assistant coach or in the NBA period, it was nine years before I participated with anybody in the playoffs. The first eight years of my career, we were done in March or April.

“You understand that no matter whatever happened the season before doesn’t mean that next season is promised to you, the opportunities are there or whatever it may be. So, you just don’t take those things for granted. And it’s special for me to be able to walk in my dad’s shoes and continue to even push that forward.”

Bickerstaff earned the 2026 NBA All-Star Game head coach honor after the Pistons locked in in the Eastern Conference’s best record through Feb. 1. This marks his first All-Star selection and the first for a Pistons coach since 2006. Bickerstaff will be coaching the USA Star team in a new three-team format at the 2026 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday in Inglewood, California.

Simply put, Bickerstaff described the opportunity as “awesome.”

“It is. I’m not going to lie,” Bickerstaff said. “Again, just taking a moment to look back to where you come from to get to where you are now and the people that it impacts. All your assistant coaches, their families, all that stuff matters the most and the experiences that you’ll get going through it all.

“I hope what people can learn from my story is resilience. Interviews that I’ve done for jobs, been fired, never laying down and giving in, showing up every single day with the right attitude. The way you treat people, the way you care about people, it matters. And it’s put me in a place where I’m at now and I’m extremely lucky.”

Bickerstaff has turned the Pistons from a rebuilding franchise to a championship contender this season since being hired as head coach on June 30, 2024. The Denver native has previously held interim head coaching positions with the Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies and Cleveland Cavaliers before being named head coach. The Pistons entered the NBA All-Star Break with an Eastern Conference-best 40 wins.

The following is a Q&A in which Bickerstaff talks about the challenges of his coaching career, Pistons All-Stars Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duran, the influence of his father, the importance of Black History Month and his pride as an African American, teaching his biracial children about the beauty and challenges that come with being Black, the ups and downs of his coaching career, coaching in predominately Black Detroit, advice he would give aspiring Black coaches and more in two separate interviews with Andscape.

What’s your appreciation for being an NBA All-Star head coach from where you came from?

You don’t think about it a lot when you’re in it. So, things happen like this and then it gives you an opportunity to reflect on what’s happened. Just thinking about being an interim head coach in Houston, making it to the playoffs with that team, the expectation of, well, now there’s an opportunity where you have shown that you could do the job to get another job and then that doesn’t happen. So, then I go to Memphis with Fiz [David Fizdale], interim [head coach] again, coach for a year, and then let go at the end of the year. Again, not getting another opportunity, go to Cleveland as an assistant, get that job and then build a program the way that we did, a program that we were proud of.

I was coach [John] Beilein’s assistant [in Cleveland], and he resigned 50 games in. And then I was elevated to coach at that point. There was no interim, it was just coach. And then we built something there. Thought we did a great job. They made the decision to let me go. I ended up [in Detroit]. It’s worked out in a way that I don’t think was imaginable. We talk about it as coaches in our group [chat]. Things happen to you when you go through difficult times and if you handle them the right way, when you come out on the other side, you’ll be in a better position. And that’s where I feel like we are now. Being here with this team, with [Pistons general manager] Trajan [Langdon], with [Pistons owner] Tom [Gores], this is where we were supposed to be.

Do you think that it’s probably not well-known that Detroit was the first full-time head coach job you got without being an interim first?

I think you’re always hunting that idea of like, okay, people view me as a head coach now. I think that’s when it’s either you’re in one place for a long enough time and you accomplish enough or someone else makes the decision to bring you in and hire you and then it makes the job different. When you find a level of success or you get a job in that way, it makes you feel viewed as a head coach in the league, if that makes sense.

When you got let go from Cleveland, where were you at mentally at that time? Was it pretty tough? Months later, you landed the Pistons job.

It wasn’t easy, I’ll say that. And for me, it’s never easy because there’s other people involved in it. If it was just me, you can handle things differently. But when you got a wife and kids and assistant coaches who have wives and kids, all of that eventually comes on you. I think that’s what it’s been in all the situations where I’ve been let go, that’s the most difficult part about it. I feel confident that I would be okay one way or another, but all your assistant coaches are let go also. Especially when you don’t have a job and an opportunity to just bring them with you and make sure they’re taken care of, it isn’t an easy move in your family. Your kids have to go through so much, especially depending on their age. All that stuff made it difficult.

I was at peace with the job that we had done there. So, it wasn’t like a thing where I felt like we failed. We did the job we were asked to do. It wasn’t a matter of like, ‘Okay, we failed.’ It was a matter of they made a decision, you did the job you were supposed to do. What do you learn from it? How do you get better from it? I think there was about a month in between there where I was just kind of like, ‘What am I doing every day?’ But it helped me get to a place of like extreme comfort with myself and clarity to know when the next opportunity came what it would look like.

The Pistons were a struggling franchise when you took the job in 2024. Did anybody try to disparage you from taking this job?

No, because obviously I talked to my dad a ton. And he was on the road scouting and watching a ton of these games and he was like, ‘That team suits you and it’s where your strengths lie.’ What I believe my strengths are is allowing young players to grow and help them reach their potential and impacting an environment where you breed competition, you breed confidence and you breed trust and there was opportunity here for that. Some people you would hear saying, ‘Don’t take that job because you wait a year, you’re going to get a better one with a better team.’ But you just watched this group and studied this group and there was something that just drew me to them and it felt like it was going to be a match.

Did you expect the Pistons to go from rebuilding to best record in the East this fast?

When you were with the group every day, you knew there was a ton of potential there. I couldn’t tell you that I would say that a year and a half later we’d be coaching the All-Star Game and be in first place, but I knew we were going to grow, I knew we were going to continue to get better and we had the pieces. The biggest thing for me also I trust Trajan totally because Trajan is the type of person that understands team and how to construct a roster. I think the small, subtle moves that he made last [season] and then even this [season], that helped elevate this team and I trusted his vision and plan.

Isaiah Stewart was suspended seven games for leaving the bench area, aggressively entering an on-court altercation, and fighting during a recent game against the Charlotte Hornets. Jalen Duren was also suspended two games for initiating the altercation and fighting. Is there any message needed to be given to Isaiah and Jalen about the importance of keeping their emotions with is at stake for the Pistons this season?

We need to move on from that.

How do the Pistons move forward from those suspensions?

Our guys have done it all year long. They stay moment to moment and take advantage of the opportunity that is in front of them. Whether it has been injury or adversity when guys have been called upon they have stepped up. Think of guys like Daniss [Jenkins] and Paul Reed. Whenever they have been called upon, they have lived up to the moment and the team has supported them and helped them be successful. That’s how we move forward. We hold the fort down until our guys get back. We will miss those guys while they are out but the strength of our team has been our depth and we will contribute to use that as a weapon.

What it means to have two of your players, Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, in the NBA All-Star Game?

It’s awesome, man. Again, I think about them a ton and what they went through the year before we got here. What they went through that year was not easy. And for them to still have the resolve to want to stick together and improve together, they deserve all the awards that they can possibly receive. They could have very easily been frustrated and be like, ‘Man, I’m not doing this. This is our third or fourth coach in three years.’ Or whatever the heck it was. ‘Let’s go somewhere else together.’ But they didn’t.

They stuck together. They work out together in the summers. They spend time together. They lift each other up. And I think that’s the most important part and the fun part about it, watching guys go through that and then finding a way on the back end of it to work their way to where they are now.

The only time your father coached in the NBA All-Star game was as an Eastern Conference coach assistant in 1979 under then-Washington Bullets head coach Dick Motta. Has your father told you any stories about that appearance?

He was with the Bullets at the time and it was in Pontiac, Michigan. It was February 1979 and my mom was pregnant with me and she was there. So, I was there.

With the Pistons having the East’s best record, do you talk about trying to win the franchise’s first title since 2004?

We’re all about the process. We talk about today every single day. That helps control the emotional ups and downs. If you’re looking at big picture views of 10 games and all that, there’s so many different things that can vary. But if you can stay in the moment and focused on that, it helps your team continue to get better because you’re just attacking the problem that’s in front of you.

Your players were excited that you earned a spot as an NBA All-Star head coach. What did that mean to you?

It’s just the nature of this group. Text messages, phone calls, hugs. They are so happy for everyone. They want to see everybody succeed. We have guys that play different roles. They come in, like Dannis Jenkins, for example, comes in and nobody’s mad that he’s taking somebody else’s minutes. They’re cheering them on.

We had a game in the fourth quarter where Chaz [Lanier] came in against the [Chicago] Bulls and we end up winning that game because he’s making huge shots for us down the stretch. And nobody’s pulling away from that in his moment. They’re all pushing and cheering for him. So, it’s one of those things where that’s the nature of the group. They just want everyone to get what they’ve got coming to them.

How do you handle the chip on the shoulder of this tough-minded group and keep it moving in a positive direction?

I don’t. This is who we are. And we’ve grown this year from last year at being able to control our emotions in it. So, coming into the year, we always have these themes. So, this year’s theme is, ‘Control the chaos.’ So, we want to push people to that level, but then we want to be in control of our emotions while they’re scrambling. And our defense is based on that. Our offense is built on that. Our identity is built on that. We’re trying to push people’s limits in all ways we can.

Who in your family’s most excited about you coaching the NBA All-Star Game?

My mom. She still watches every game. She lives it, she breathes it. I get text messages from her about it. My dad and I talk every single day. But I know my mom, and this is like with me being the youngest and being the youngest boy, she’s invested in it in a different way.

What does Black History Month mean to you?

It’s a celebration of accomplishments of people who have knocked down barriers, people who have been resilient, people who have opened doors and created opportunities for all of us to be in the positions that we’re in now. It’s a celebration of the story of people overcoming such difficult circumstances and being able to continue to fight and find the good in a lot of places that were very dark at times. And it’s just an important part of all of our history, but the fact that it’s highlighted in the way that it’s highlighted in February allows others to share in it as well.

How did your parents teach you about Black history as a child?

It was every day. It was told to us through stories of our parents and of our grandparents and their shared experiences. For me, I’m still of an age where some people may think it was so long ago. But my father in particular was in school in segregated schools and living in Kentucky where race relations weren’t always the best. So, [it was] being able to have conversations with him about the journeys that he went through, the experiences that he went through, the changes that he was able to see over time.

Similarly with my mom, my mom was in San Diego but was from Louisiana and they would drive back from San Diego to Louisiana and have to go through those Southern states. And the stories she would tell us of her travels and what her father would have to do to make sure that they were safe and the places that they could stay in the hotels or rooms that they could rent for the night. That’s where it became such a part of our life and how much it meant to them from what they’ve been able to see to where they’ve been able to go and then what they were able to provide for their kids because of it. It just became a part of our life that we cherished and valued.

Any story that stands out that your mother and father told you?

My grandfather [my mother’s father] would literally have to leave them parked on the side of the road and walk up somewhere to see if they were allowed to stay in a certain place or a hotel. My dad, he’s told the story before about he was playing at one of the white schools and he dove into the stands and one of the white kids tried to pull his pants down. And their coach of the other team told his coach not to worry about it because those kids were told that Black people had tails and they were trying to see what my dad’s tail looked like.

You and your wife, Nikki, have three biracial children. How do you talk about race with your children?

They’re at an age now where just literally [recently] we sat down and had a conversation about it. They are very fortunate in their experiences and the opportunities that they have. But I want them to be mindful of the difficult things and the beautiful things that our history has shown us and the pride that they should take in being a part of that story and making sure that that story isn’t lost with them. That they continue to be a part of the story and share the stories with their friends, with their families moving forward, because there is so much value in it and it’s something to be proud of.

What is the beauty and also the challenge of being in an interracial marriage with biracial kids in terms of learning your history?

That’s the thing. To me, in a time where I feel like it’s much needed, there’s opportunities to learn from our differences, accept our differences. But at the end of the day, you find love where you find love. And that’s what I think is an important story to tell. We come from different places just in our country in general right now. And right now, I feel like those differences are being used to divide us instead of us appreciating those differences and being able to respect those differences and come together. That’s where I am with my wife and my family is like, we are learning each other’s experiences in a different way, the way that it impacts our kids. You hear both sides — their relationships with other Black kids, their relationship with white kids.

There is good and bad in both. Some of the things, that colorism amongst Black kids, you still hear the acceptant piece of it. You still hear no matter who you are, if you look like us, you’re one of us. So, it’s a very interesting dynamic that I’ve had to learn and navigate, and my family’s had to learn and navigate. But I’ve been blessed with three amazing kids because of it and [I’m] trying to help them through their journey, with the message of being proud of who you are, allowing others to be proud of who they are, but accepting them for who they are at the same time.

Because of the wealth that you’ve attained and the status as an NBA head coach while also living in a predominantly Black town in greater Detroit, do you try to seek out things where they could have Black experiences or is it just naturally a part of your environment?

It’s more of a family thing, to be honest with you. Because of the sports that they’re in and the level of competition of sports, they don’t have much free time. My sister and her daughters just moved out here. So, for us, it’s more about putting them around family. And then through sports also, they meet people and experience people that look like them. And that’s where they find the majority of it is through sports, school, and family.

What’s the coolest thing about being Black in Detroit?

Just the love that you get from the city of Detroit is amazing. No matter where I am, it’s a sign of pride from the city and the people that I’ve met that I’ve been able to get to the position that I’m in and coach their team. And I don’t take that for granted. We try to do a job with the mindset of how many people are out there pouring into this Pistons team and how many people from our community love this Pistons team. I feel that love every time I’m out in the streets or anywhere.

You can just feel how proud people are and how much they want to be a part of this Pistons group and the Pistons history as a whole. You go all the way back for me into ‘The Bad Boy’ eras. There’s a connectedness to the community here that’s loud and they wear it proudly.

What notable Black athletes or figures did you get a chance to meet because of your father that stays with you today?

Magic Johnson. Julius Erving. Those were guys that when I was really young, they were bigger than life to me. And those are people who I got enabled to meet through my dad because of it. K.C. Jones was my brother’s godfather and one of my dad’s closest friends who gave my dad his first job in the NBA. So, there’s so many people that I was fortunate enough to meet because of him that it was weird because it was almost normal.

I was a ball boy for his teams in Seattle and it was guys like Xavier McDaniel, Dale Ellis, Shawn Kemp, Derek McKey and all those guys like Nate McMillan. I would just be at practice every day, so they just felt like regular guys to me. One of the guys who I have a great relationship here who’s from Detroit is Jalen Rose. My dad drafted Jalen Rose when he was in Denver and I used to wear Jalen Rose’s shoe. He would give me his shoes to play basketball in when I was in high school. So, it’s like what was normal for us, I sit back now and think about just how abnormal it was and how fortunate I was to be in that position.

There are going to be two Black head coaches in this NBA All-Star Game. San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson won the honor in the Western Conference. What does it mean to you to have two African American coaches and what do you hope comes from people seeing that?

Of all the major sports league, the NBA and the owners of teams in the NBA have gotten it most right as far as allowing and providing opportunities and trusting Black coaches to lead their franchises and to lead their organizations. When given equal opportunity, there’s so many qualified people out there who are capable of doing the job. To me, that’s what’s changed over time is just the opportunity.

I think about guys like my dad, Wes Unseld Sr., Al Attles, K.C. Jones, all these guys that broke down barriers for people like myself to be in the position that I’m in, that Mitch is in. When you get the opportunity, you need to be mindful of that, of all those people that came before you, you do have a responsibility to continue that and push that forward.

What did you think of Lenny Wilkens’ legacy and also his passing last year?

It was sad, obviously, when he passed away. I’ve knew Lenny since I was probably six years old. He gave my dad his first head coaching job with the Seattle SuperSonics. He went on a trip to the Bahamas with us. It was like a celebrity game that was put on, and he and my dad were the coaches. I believe Magic Johnson put that celebrity game on, if I’m not mistaken. So, I’ve known him literally the majority of my life and admired him at a level because of the way he carried himself, the class at which he did the job, how long he survived and lasted in a tough business. He was the President of the Basketball Coaches Association for a long time. So, I have a ton of respect for him. And even when I was in Cleveland, he would call me and check on me and see how I was doing and ask me if I needed anything.

It’s guys like that and mentors like that, that just opened doors for us but then took care of you afterwards. They didn’t just bust it down. They busted it down and stayed around to make sure that we were all okay in moving through the process.

What advice would you give a young Black man or young Black woman considering trying to get into the basketball coaching ranks?

I’ll give the same advice that I was given by my dad, and that was to work twice as hard as everybody else around you and work to be twice as good. I would find every opportunity that existed to work and show people that I was willing to work. My dad set me up when I was younger. Every summer I would work the Euro Camp and then I would work the Chicago Pre-Draft camp every time I was given the opportunity. We used to do those group draft workouts and I would run the group draft workouts that all the executives would come to. We had ‘Grg’s Camp’ [Tim Grgurich] in the summer that we would all go to and the executives would be there. It opened opportunities where people got a chance to see you as an assistant coach to and see what your talents were and what your skillset was. That would be my thing: wherever there is work to be found, go find it and go do a great job at it.

The idea of ​​LeBron James returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers for one last dance would be attractive to star guard Donovan Mitchell.

Rumors of James signing with his first NBA team to finish his career have been circulating around the league. The veteran star is going through his eighth season and counting with the Los Angeles Lakers, but he will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Mitchell addressed those rumors during his interview on SiriusXM NBA Radio on Saturday. If James decides to return to Cleveland for his final season in the league, he is very open to this scenario, citing the special occasion.

“As a Browns fan, to be able to be a teammate, obviously, will be special,” Mitchell said during an interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio on Saturday.

“Yeah, man, it’s LeBron James. But at the end of the day, that’s not my focus. I’m not here to worry about that. I know I’ll be asked about it a lot throughout the weekend… but my focus is on the fact that we just traded for James Harden, Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis. Let’s try to find a way to get a ring.”

“It’s LeBron James, right?”

Here are Donovan Mitchell’s thoughts on rumors that LeBron could end his career in Cleveland@terminradio | @jumpshot8

Click here for more All-Star coverage – https://t.co/j3RPgmlH7e pic.twitter.com/lm2My2U5HQ

– SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) 15 February 2026

Donovan Mitchell, what’s next for the Cavaliers

Donovan Mitchell is right to remain focused on the current season. The Cavaliers traded Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for James Harden, increasing their chances of being a serious contender for the remainder of the season.

Mitchell has been excelling as one of the best scorers in the league. In his fourth season with the Cavaliers, he has averaged 29 points, 5.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game in 51 appearances. He is shooting 48.7% from the field, including 37.6% from beyond the arc, and 85.3% from the free-throw line.

Cleveland has a record of 33–21 on the season, placing fourth in the Eastern Conference standings. They are two games up on the Toronto Raptors and 3.5 games up on the Philadelphia 76ers. However, they trail the New York Knicks by one game and the Boston Celtics by 1.5 games.

With five consecutive wins, the Cavaliers will remain on hiatus until All-Star Weekend festivities conclude. They will resume action at home when they host the Brooklyn Nets on February 19th at 7 PM ET.