Manchester City Bayern Munich are keen to sign target Givero Reed in the summer.

In November, Manchester City and Bayern Munich sent his officers To see the right-back in action for Feyenoord.

On 22 April, Game Witness broadcast news The Bundesliga winners are keen to sign him.

The same source said the Dutch club are happy that Manchester City has joined the race.

feyenoord manager Robin van Persie insists The 19-year-old is ready to take a big step.

The Premier League side regard Reid as a ‘serious candidate’ to improve the right-back position next season.

is according to 1908.nlWho covers the latest on Manchester City and Bayern Munich.

Manchester City took the lead

Vincent Kompany’s side have been following the Netherlands U21 international for some time and are showing the most interest. However, the Citizens are now in ‘pole position’, indicating that they have overtaken the Bavarian club.

Pep Guardiola has used midfielder Matheus Nunes as his first-choice right-back and Rico Lewis has provided cover.

The Etihad club consider right-back to be a ‘vulnerable position’ and are, therefore, keen to strengthen this key area. His search has seen him settle on Giver Reed and now wooing him.

He suffered a hamstring injury in November and returned to action in January but suffered the same injury later that month. Read returned to action in April. His injuries do not bother Manchester City, and their interest pleases the player.

Feyenoord, for their part, are prepared to let the fullback leave, but for a club-record fee. Their current record, according to 1908.nl, comes from the sale of Igor Paixão to Marseille for almost €35m last summer.

It has also been reported that the Eredivisie side have requested €40m for Reid. The final fee may be at least close to this figure.

Contract, price and agent information

Givairo Reed will turn 20 on June 2. His contract expires in 2029 and is worth €25 million transfer market.

Dutch agency Muy Manero is representing the Feyenoord youth.

Stefon Diggs is still looking for a home ahead of the 2026-27 NFL season. After being released from the New England Patriots, Diggs hopes to land with a team capable of winning a Super Bowl next season. With the 2026 NFL Draft looming in the past, one ESPN writer has labeled him the “best” fit for the 32-year-old wide receiver.

As ESPN’s Matt Bowen wrote, the Los Angeles Rams are the “best” fit for Diggs in the upcoming 2026-27 NFL season. Diggs will be next to Puka Nakua and Davante Adams, giving the Rams an excellent wide receiver trio for starting quarterback Matthew Stafford.

However, why would Los Angeles be the best landing spot for Diggs?

Why would the Los Angeles Rams be a good fit for Stefon Diggs?

There are several reasons why the Rams would be a good fit for Diggs. In Los Angeles, the former Patriots wide receiver will work inside or outside, providing versatility to the organization. More importantly, Diggs won’t have to fill the wide receiver room like he did in New England.

Diggs will be lined up next to Necua and Adams, meaning he won’t get as much attention. This will be good for Stafford, as Diggs can spread out and operate in the middle of the field. There will be less pressure on the 32-year-old wide receiver as he looks to return to the Super Bowl. This is another reason why this will work.

Diggs is nearing the end of his NFL career, and Los Angeles is one of the favorites to win the 2027 Super Bowl. The Rams are considered a strong offensive team, but they worked on their defense during the 2026 NFL offseason. If Diggs joins the offense, it will become even more powerful.

Diggs’ days as an elite WR1 are over, but he can serve as a WR2. In Los Angeles, he will certainly be the best WR3 in the NFL. The Rams don’t need Diggs to compete for a Super Bowl, but adding him would boost their chances even more.

Los Angeles and Diggs seem like a perfect match, and it should be something both sides explore soon.

READ MORE: NFL Insider gives big update on AJ Brown trade to New England Patriots

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work may also…More about Austin Konensky

Now that the rosters are mostly set, we’re starting to get a clearer picture of the differences between Super Bowl contenders and contenders. Claiming the NFL’s reigning MVP, the Los Angeles Rams clearly fall into the former category of teams reaching the postseason again in 2026.

The question is, do the Rams have what it takes to bounce back from falling short in the NFC Conference Championship?

One area that some predicted the Rams would address early in the 2026 NFL Draft was the wide receiver position behind Puka Nakua and Davante Adams. After using the 13th overall pick on quarterback Ty Simpson, the Rams waited until the sixth round to select a wide receiver.

Although the Rams haven’t done much to find an immediate impact pass-catcher, that could change. There are still several potentially game-changing receivers available in free agency.

recently, Sports IllustratedAlbert Breer suggested the Rams could also be a suit for Stefon Diggs, who has yet to find a home for 2026.

Diggs is now 32 years old, but the former All-Pro still recorded 1,017 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 17 starts with the New England Patriots last season. It was the seventh time Diggs recorded 1,000 receiving yards in his 11-year career.

With Nacua and Adams both entering the final year of their contracts, Diggs would be the perfect one-year solution to complement both playmakers. But would he want to be the third wheel on a team that has leaned more toward sets that use three tight ends instead of three receivers?

RELATED: 4 Best Stefon Diggs Landing Spots After the NFL Draft

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

Lucas Giolito entered the offseason as one of the better starting pitchers available in MLB free agency outside of high-cost arms. He remains a free agent about a month into the 2026 season, but that could change soon.

MLB insider Robert Murray wrote for FanSided that he believes the San Diego Padres are the best fit for Giolito. San Diego is also one of two clubs that were recently linked to the veteran hurler.

RELATED: MLB Power Rankings Week 3, Padres Soar

San Diego is currently operating with a bit of a patchwork rotation. German Marquez and Walker Buehler have been placed in roles as back-end starters, with both veterans facing even more pressure to pitch innings now that Nick Pivetta has joined Joe Musgrove on the injured list.

Unfortunately for San Diego, the return timeline for neither Pivetta nor Musgrove is promising. Pivetta, who started on Opening Day, has been diagnosed with a flexor strain that will keep him from throwing for at least a month. There is no timetable for his return and he may not be able to pitch again in 2026.

RELATED: Padres GM could be on the hot seat

Musgrove, who missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, initially looked like he might rejoin the Padres rotation in late May. However, the club reported that he was in “a bit of a holding pattern” in early March and a month later he still has not pitched off a mound.

Giolito, who pitched 145 innings for the Boston Red Sox last season, recently said he has increased his pitch count to 75 pitches so far. However, given the poor track record of starting pitchers signing at the end of the season, it would be a risk for San Diego to sign him as well.

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

Barring another trade, the Baltimore Ravens will add a prospect with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23. Ravens draft projections and predictions have been all over the place so far, with some focusing on the offensive interior, and a large collection predicting a wide receiver.

There’s no way to know which prospects will be available when the Ravens are on the clock next Thursday, but there’s a good chance that one of several first-round receiver prospects will still be up for grabs. The Ravens may also have the opportunity to select top-ranked offensive guard, Vega Ioane, but is selecting a non-tackle in the top half of the first round the best value?

ESPN’s Ravens insider Jamison Henley believes the chances of Baltimore targeting a receiver are much higher. In fact, he suggests there is a “strong possibility” that the Ravens will select a pass-catcher with the 14th overall pick.

Ohio State’s Carnell Tate is widely expected to be the Ravens’ early pick, but between USC’s Makai Lemon, Arizona State’s Jordan Tyson, Indiana’s Omar Cooper and Oregon’s tight end Kenyon Saadiq, one of the four is sure to be available at 14.

The Ravens haven’t been afraid to target a receiver in the first round in recent years, targeting Rashod Bateman with the 27th overall pick in 2021 and Zay Flowers with the 22nd overall pick in 2023. Both are starting receivers in Baltimore, but there is still room for another pass-catcher to emerge, and it could be another first-round pick.

RELATED: Baltimore Ravens urged to trade first-round pick for superstar receiver

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

The Vegas Golden Knights have punched their ticket to the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Vegas secured their postseason berth with a 3–2 overtime win against the Colorado Avalanche, moving into first place in the Pacific Division. The Golden Knights are now one point ahead of the Edmonton Oilers and two points ahead of the Anaheim Ducks.

Colorado opened the scoring on the power play when defenseman Devon Toews scored his third goal of the season. With Cal Maker sidelined by injury, Toews stepped into an increased role and quickly performed well. Gabriel Landeskog provided a screen in front of goaltender Carter Hart.

Vegas responded immediately. Mark Stone turned the puck in before backhanding it to Mackenzie Blackwood to tie the score at 1-1.

Late in the period, Pavel Dorofeyev finished a setup from Ivan Barbashev to give Vegas the lead. With traffic in front of Brett Howden, Blackwood never got a shot off. The goal was Dorofeyev’s 36th goal of the season, giving him consecutive 35-goal campaigns.

The Avalanche responded to tie the game at 2-2. Nick Blankenburg scored his first goal with Colorado after being acquired at the trade deadline, and scored his seventh goal of the season on an assist from former Golden Knights forward Nicolas Roy.

The third period featured end-to-end action, with both teams creating quality chances but unable to convert. The Golden Knights played hard defensively late, limiting high-danger looks and getting key stops from Hart to force overtime.

In the extra frames, Jack Eichel scored the winner, his 26th goal of the season, moving the Golden Knights past the top team in the NHL. Eichel’s goal capped a strong night for the Golden Knights’ top line, which generated consistent pressure in the offensive zone.

With the win, the Golden Knights moved back into first place in the Pacific Division. If the playoffs started today, the Golden Knights would face the first wild-card team, the Utah Mammoth.

The Golden Knights will return home to close out the regular season with two games at T-Mobile Arena. The Golden Knights will host the Winnipeg Jets on Monday, April 13, before concluding the regular season against the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday, April 15.

A strong finish could secure the division title and home-ice advantage as the Golden Knights look to carry momentum into the postseason.

Cooper Krigbaum is a beat reporter covering the Vegas Golden Knights for Vegas Hockey Now on SportsNut. He also told about Cooper Krigbaum

The Montreal Canadiens are one of the hottest teams in the NHL, and they could be getting a very interesting reinforcement in the form of NCAA star Michael Hayes.

The 19-year-old Hayes enjoyed a stellar sophomore season with the University of Michigan, scoring 13 goals and 39 assists in 39 games. He finished the season with 52 points, more than Gavin McKenna (Penn State), Porter Martone (50 points, Michigan State) and James Hagens (47 points, Boston College).

But for Hayes it’s not just a matter of production.

His playing style is the epitome of dynamic hockey.

He executes his plays at full speed, combining elite playmaking with high-level vision. This is the driving force behind Hayes’ No. 1 ranking among Montreal Canadiens prospects, as voted on by Habs fans.

In that way, despite the fact that he has only spent two seasons in the NCAA, and has yet to play a single game of professional hockey, you can argue that Hayes is one of the team’s most NHL-ready prospects.

“Michigan lost, the Michael Hayes clock is on,” Elliotte Friedman explained on his latest 32 Thoughts podcast. “We’ll see where it goes in the next few days.”

michael hayes status

We can expect Hayes to sign a contract in the near future, although the nature of said contract may vary. As established by Nicolas Cloutier, the contract will not necessarily last in the NHL, even though this is the most likely scenario. There is a possibility that Hayes and the Canadiens will want to test the waters in the AHL through an amateur tryout before signing an NHL deal.

However, in all likelihood Hayes will want to waste a year of his entry-level contract by signing in the NHL, which will lead to some important decisions in Montreal’s lineup.

Hayes is currently dealing with an injury that caused him to miss a few playoff games for the University of Michigan, so rushing out a contract signing is not a priority when it comes to signing, but once he is ready to play, head coach Martin St-Louis will need to establish the ideal usage for the talented prospect.

It’s a situation that’s complicated by the team’s injuries, or lack thereof.

The Habs are a remarkably healthy team at the moment, a rare occurrence for an organization known for overstocking hospitals.

On the flip side of the coin, just because a player is given the green light to play in the NHL doesn’t mean they aren’t going to struggle with minor issues. Many, if not most, NHL players have persistent health issues that are not serious enough to keep them out of the lineup.

With that in mind, the Canadiens may be able to rest some of their players in the final stretch of the season. Of course, the fact that first place in the Atlantic Division is still up for grabs may influence Montreal’s roster decisions, but I digress.

Montreal Canadiens Forward Situation

The only forward who is still on the mend is Patrik Laine, leaving 14 healthy players fighting for 12 spots. That number will increase to 15 if Hayes signs a contract, allowing at least three forwards to see games in the press box as healthy scratches.

It’s also important to remember that Hayes is expected to eventually become one of the top-six players for the Canadiens, meaning the ideal usage would involve filling that role as early as possible. Hopefully, the days of forcing an extremely talented young player to be on the fourth line in a role unsuitable for his skill set are over.

Given that there is little chance that Saint-Louis will want to disrupt his elite first line (again), the second line signals for the hedge.

And yet, given that the only two relatively permanent players on the second line are also first-year players (Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen), there is some logic in suggesting that running a trio with three rookies could spell trouble.

But if there’s one coach in the NHL who will give the experiment a legitimate shot, it’s definitely St.-Louis.

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

When you’re really under pressure, like Arne Slott is right now liverpoolSo every aspect of your job is under scrutiny. And, this also includes how you look.

English fans are used to seeing a manager under pressure suddenly become lethargic, tired, unkempt or simply look as if he has had too much to do.

However, for Dutch journalist René van der Gijp, there is another issue at play for the slot at Liverpool; The way he is currently dressing.

casual in france

Van der Gijp was watching like everyone else as Paris Saint-Germain beat Liverpool 2-0 in the Champions League this week.

While the performance on the pitch was worrying, with Liverpool dominating throughout and fortunate not to concede more, it seemed the journalist was distracted by something else entirely.

He was not impressed with how Arne Slott had prepared himself for the game. This is something he has seen before from the Dutch coach and has called him out on it.

“He was standing there like a swimming instructor,” Voetbal Primer reported him as saying.

“His first match at Feyenoord, he was still wearing the T-shirt. And at the next press conference I was there and I said: You shouldn’t wear a T-shirt, because it is not acceptable for the Feyenoord coach to be standing on the sidelines in a Ziman shirt.”

Slott agreed with Driessen on that point. “But now he’s wearing that Ziman shirt again, so the guy has completely lost his way.”

“Can’t afford to lose”

For fellow journalist Valentin Driessen, time is now running out for Arne Slott at Liverpool. Indeed, he believes the Dutch coach has two games to save his job at Anfield.

“They have two more matches,” he said.

“Now he faces Bournemouth, who he can’t afford to lose. And he has to get it out in a proper way against Paris Saint-Germain.

“I have to say, I saw him in that little T-shirt and it’s not good. He’s the manager of Liverpool.”

Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters is busy preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins on April 23. While free agency gave coach Dan Quinn’s team a chance to fill immediate needs with proven players, the draft gives commanders a chance to add potential stars for a fraction of the cost. With a little luck, Commander might even add a franchise cornerstone or two.

Still, even though the upcoming draft is the main focus for many front office executives, commanders are still being linked to other moves for veteran players.

Specifically, the latest report from ESPN’s 49ers insider Nick Wagner suggests that the Commander remain the “most likely landing spot” for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Still, it is not that simple.

Aiyuk, a former second-team All-Pro pass-catcher, is still under contract in San Francisco. They are working hard with him, hoping a team will table a trade offer for the 28-year-old. Meanwhile, other teams are hoping the 49ers will eventually release Aiyuk, feeling like he’s not worth the current $14.6 million cap hit for 2026 after missing the entire 2025 season due to a knee injury. Additionally, Aiyuk has a very bad contract through 2027, where he has a ridiculous cap hit of $41.4 million.

As for the Commanders, while they may really like the idea of ​​reuniting Aiyuk with his college QB, Jayden Daniels, at Arizona State, they are in no rush to part with draft compensation to do so. It appears that if Washington adds Aiyuk, they would prefer to do so on his own contract terms rather than the terms set by San Francisco, and no longer want to commit.

RELATED: Washington Commander tied for Speed ​​Freak with No. 7 pick in NFL Draft

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

Nothing comes easy, and this season, the Eastern Conference has proven that. With 102 points in the standings, the Carolina Hurricanes became the first team in the East to clinch a playoff berth this season with a thrilling 5–1 win over their Metropolitan Division rival, the Columbus Blue Jackets.

They wasted no time in securing their spot in the postseason, as Logan Stankoven found himself on the hat trick clock before 10 minutes had passed. His first goal, just 2:27 minutes in, was a tip-in on K’Andre Miller’s shot, while with his second goal, he completed a loose transition left by Taylor Hall.

Moments later on the penalty kill, Alexander Nikishin – with help from the usual suspects, Seth Jarvis and Sebastian Aho – got his first career NHL shorthanded goal. The scoreless score tied the Hurricanes with the Calgary Flames for most shorthanded goals this season with 11.

Down three-nil in the second frame, the Blue Jackets got on the board as Denton Matechuk put the puck through Frederik Andersen’s five-hole, but the Hurricanes reclaimed their breathing space just 13 seconds later thanks to a shot from the point by Jordan Martinook.

In the third period, the Blue Jackets power play was cut short. As the four-on-four hockey ended and the Hurricanes’ power play began, Shayne Gostisbier immediately contributed another goal by coming out of the penalty box, one-touching a pass from Aho and sending it to Andrei Svechnikov, who fired past Elvis Merzlikins from the right face-off circle – the final goal of the game.

‘The work will not stop now’

Throughout the match, the Hurricanes maintained the pace they boasted, and they allowed their offense to crush the Blue Jackets – dominating zone time and forcing Columbus to expend energy in their own zone. Carolina allowed only 10 shots on goal from the Blue Jackets, the fewest in franchise history for the Hurricanes.

“I think we had a huge start,” Stankoven said after the game. “We know a lot of these teams that are out here playing consistently are hungry for points and trying to get into the playoffs, so I think, mentally, we came prepared, and that’s been good for us.”

“I think our group is there, we don’t take the playoffs lightly – it’s very hard to fight and get to the playoffs. So, we’re really grateful, but the work doesn’t stop now.”

storm notes

Thursday’s game was the 1,400th game that Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal has played in his 20-season career. Of those, 968 have been played with Carolina, while 431 have been played with the Pittsburgh Penguins, with whom he won a Stanley Cup. During the first period, he received a standing ovation from fans in the stands.

Nikishin’s shorthanded goal was his 30th point of the season, tying him with Jamie McBain for most points by a rookie defenseman in Hurricanes history, and placing him second in the franchise tally, just five points behind Brad Shaw.

In each of the eight seasons that Rod Brind’Amour has served as head coach, the Hurricanes have made one playoff appearance. Only the Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs have longer active streaks (although the Leafs are out of the hunt at the moment).

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

After Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody is out with a groin injury in Monday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, star Draymond Green has spoken out about what caused the frustrating incident. While Moody suffered a patellar tendon injury with the Warriors, Green expressed some thoughts on the injury.

Green was on his self-titled podcast and show, where he said he and the players thought the wet floor caused Moody’s injury, but they had a different view after watching the video. As replays showed, Moody’s foot gave out, causing the unfortunate injury.

“What people were saying is like, man, we kept telling them the floor was wet,” Green said. “We kept telling them the floor was wet because we all thought he slipped. If you see him going full speed, you see him flying. We thought he slipped. When you go back and watch the replays, he doesn’t slip.”

“So we’re all standing there like, man, it’s one thing to see a guy get hurt, but it’s another thing when you see a guy get hurt because of a wet spot on the floor. So we all thought he slipped. Go back and watch the replay; he didn’t slip. He went to go up, and he was out. But that’s what the conversation was about. We kept telling them this floor is wet,” Green continued.

Moses Moody has gone down, caught his leg and appears to have seriously injured his left knee.

Hope he is okpic.twitter.com/OYkdqF0IG3

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 24 March 2026

Some good news on Warriors’ Moses Moody

With the Warriors dealing with Moody’s injury, the team has had to deal with a number of issues with the likes of Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry, but there has been one bright spot for the recent issue. Golden State head coach Steve Kerr would say on 95.7 The Game that “the MRI was clean” for Moody.

“it is [patellar] Tendon. There was no damage to the cartilage or bone, so that’s good news. That makes it a very basic surgery,” Kerr said.

“The MRI was clear. It’s [patellar] Tendon. There was no damage to the cartilage or bone, so that’s good news. This makes it a very basic surgery.”🙏

– Steve Kerr shares some positive news about Moses Moody’s knee injury @willardanddibs). pic.twitter.com/SkJAOz2YOi

– 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) 25 March 2026

At any rate, it remains to be seen how Moody recovers for next season as the Warriors look to overcome their troubles.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown has been in trade rumors for several weeks, and the New England Patriots are in hot pursuit. Despite the signing of wide receiver Romeo Doubs, the Patriots are still interested in acquiring Brown from Philadelphia. Other teams like the Los Angeles Rams have also been linked.

A trade for the Browns is unlikely to happen after June 1 due to financial reasons, but talks could heat up as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches. In fact, the most likely place for Brown to land has been revealed.

As ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports on UNSPORTSMANLIKE, the Patriots are the “most likely” destination for Brown amid trade rumors. Despite rumors that there is a “gentlemen’s agreement” between New England and Philadelphia, both organizations have no pending deal for Brown at this time.

Brown has several ties to the Patriots, including former Tennessee Titans teammates and head coach Mike Vrabel. New England was also the star wide receiver’s favorite team growing up. All signs point to the Patriots being Brown’s team, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen.

Potential trade package from AJ Brown to the New England Patriots

The Patriots and Eagles have been in talks over a potential trade for Brown since last month, but nothing has come to fruition yet. Despite the 2026 NFL Draft coming up in about a month, it’s likely the two sides will continue trade talks in June. If so, this may help each party finalize a deal.

If New England wants to make a deal for Brown this offseason, they must offer a 2027 first-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick. Philadelphia is seeking a first-round pick and a second-round pick, but the Jaylen Waddle to Denver Broncos trade would have set the market for each organization.

There is a possibility that New England offers a 2028 draft pick instead of a 2027 pick, but it depends on what the Eagles want in return for their star wide receiver. It’s clear that the Patriots are the most realistic landing spot for Brown, and both sides need to reach a middle ground to complete a deal.

The 2027 NFL Draft is expected to be very strong, so New England may be more incentivized to include a 2028 draft pick instead of two 2027 picks. Trade between the two sides has to be completed, but the possibility of negotiations breaking down is also realistic.

New England and Philadelphia are in no rush to complete a trade for the Browns, and talks could intensify as June 1 approaches. For now, both sides are in a waiting game, and an offer for one of the NFL’s best wide receivers may not come until the summer.

READ MORE: NFL Insider gives major update on AJ Brown, Patriots trade rumors

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

In just three seasons, Victor Wembanyama has led the San Antonio Spurs back into playoff position after his game-winning performance against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.

Wembanyama has achieved superstar status as the face of the Spurs franchise. The team has not reached the postseason since 2019, a drought that the young star center looks to end this season.

Luckily, San Antonio is enjoying its best season so far in 2020. They have a distinguished campaign ahead as the team is in the top position of the Western Conference, needing one more win to seal their ticket.

Wembanyama answered the call during San Antonio’s clash with Phoenix. With 10 seconds left on the game clock, he took the ball inbounds and hit the game-winning shot from mid-range to seal his team’s spot in the playoffs.

Wembley calls game for the Spurs 👽

They sent San Antonio to the playoffs for the first time since 2019!pic.twitter.com/X5BeZmjcXE

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 20 March 2026

Victor Wembanyama, how Spurs played against the Suns

Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs will be looking forward to their playoff journey together. Beating the Suns in game-winning fashion was the cherry on top.

Four players scored in double figures for San Antonio in the win, including Wembanyama. He finished with a stat line of 34 points, 12 rebounds, three steals, one assist and one block. He made 10 of 20 shots from the field, including 2 of 7 from beyond the arc and 12 of 12 from the free-throw line. De’Aaron Fox came in next with 23 points and seven rebounds, Julian Champagne had 14 points and two blocks, while Devin Vassell added 12 points and two assists.

San Antonio improved to a 52–18 record on the season and finished second in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves, while trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder.

With four consecutive wins, Spurs will look forward to their next encounter at home. They will host the Indiana Pacers as tip-off takes place on March 21 at 8 PM ET.

Max Verstappen has called Formula 1’s 2026 rules “like playing Mario Kart”, declared them “fundamentally flawed”, and told anyone who actually enjoys yo-yo racing that they “don’t really know what racing is” – and the disturbing thing is, he’s not wrong.

The 2026 tech overhaul produced something really strange. The new power units run on an almost 50-50 split between internal combustion engine and electric power, meaning battery management now drives the race as much as driving talent. The Overtake Mode button gives the driver a surge of power to propel ahead – but doing so burns the charge, leaving them sitting on the next straightaway. Exchange of posts. The fight continues. The lap counter has stopped and no one has really gone anywhere.

Verstappen illustrated it clearly this week.

“You boost past, then on the next straight your battery drains, and they boost you again,” Verstappen said. This is not a hot take. This is a mechanical description of what the spectators saw happen in Melbourne and Shanghai. The Australian opener made 75 more overtakes than in last year’s race on the same circuit. Impressive numbers. Almost meaningless in context.

An overtake which reverses after two corners is not an overtake. It is a position exchange, operated by a button. And presenting it as close racing is exactly the kind of thing F1’s marketing department loves and race engineers quietly despise.

So yes – there is merit in the criticism. The problem is that Max Verstappen is the least reliable man in the paddock making it.

Verstappen’s complaints are selective

Max Verstappen is eighth in the championship with eight points after two rounds. Red Bull is nowhere to be found. The car he is driving hits the front window. Verstappen retired from sixth in Shanghai while trying to keep pace with Oliver Bearman in the Haas. This is the context of this crusade. And context matters.

Toto Wolff said candidly: “Obviously, for a guy like Max to lift and coast for a qualifying lap, who is completely aggressive, it is difficult to cope and digest. But I would say it is a car-specific issue that exacerbates the problem.”

Wolfe is also not wrong. Verstappen has a habit of linking his complaints to his results. This is the same driver who had nothing but contempt for him until he won the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The same driver who, during four years of Red Bull dominance, told fans struggling to connect with procession racing that they were not properly appreciating greatness. He was still enjoying the gatekeeper, from the other direction.

When pressed on his selective outrage, Verstappen was, well, Verstappen.

“If I was winning the race I would say the same, because I care about the racing product.”

Perhaps. But the line would be even more difficult to draw if he had not spent the last several years with absolute ease, with critics calling his era boring.

Charles Leclerc, who is actually in dispute, offered a different reading.

After China he said, “I enjoy it and from inside the car it doesn’t seem so artificial.” He finished second in the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race, watched Lewis Hamilton climb to the podium in the race, and walked away with a car that looked like a genuine championship contender. His stance on regulations doesn’t detract from his results, but at least he’s taking an honest look at what the new formula actually produces instead of trying to demonize the whole thing.

F1’s real issue isn’t Max Verstappen

The real problem facing Formula 1 here is not Max Verstappen’s state of mind. It’s their underlying argument – ​​that manufactured position swaps are not the same as earned overtakes – is a conversation the game needs to have seriously, and can’t have seriously because the loudest voice making the case is the one with the obvious ax to grind.

When the person who has the most to gain from a change in a rule is the one shouting the loudest for that change, it spreads poison. Valid criticisms get filed under sour grapes. Fans who might otherwise engage with the nuance dismiss the entire argument. And F1’s leadership, already financially comfortable with the current direction, gets to do exactly what Verstappen accused them of doing – count the engagement numbers and move on.

He is not wrong about what the rules produce. He is just a wrong messenger. And in Formula 1, those two things are equally important.

Scott Gulbransen, a quintessential expert in the field of sports journalism, serves as an editor, nfl , mlb , Formula 1 … More about Scott Gulbransen

San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet has been a constant for the team throughout the season, stepping up in the absence of Victor Wembanyama. He found himself starting for the All-Star big man on several occasions this season, which he jokingly talked about white noise podcast.

“Vic was out for a while and then he was back on minutes restriction and coming off the bench,” Kornett said. “And we were doing pretty well. And nobody really asked me how I felt about it. I don’t know if you’re familiar with Wally Pipp. It was fun too because there was the All-Star thing going on and it felt like I was the starter on the team. I saw a lot of votes going the other way.”

Wembanyama returned to the Spurs lineup this season after playing only 46 games in the 2024–2025 season due to deep vein thrombosis. He made one appearance earlier this season in his third year in the league, but was slightly derailed by a calf strain. After being out for a few weeks, he returned in time for the in-season tournament and Christmas Day games versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the Spurs coaching staff moved him off the bench out of an abundance of caution. Instead, Luke Cornet began managing Vembanyama’s minutes following the injury.

The Spurs were actually able to remain competitive in the Western Conference without Wembanyama, posting a 10–5 record in 15 games without him this season. Kornet certainly played a role, averaging 6.7 points and 6.2 rebounds on 65% from the floor.

The Memphis Grizzlies have been in full-on tank mode in recent weeks as the 2025-26 NBA season reaches its home stretch. These efforts continued on Tuesday night against the Philadelphia 76ers, with the team leading for most of the game on the road before shamelessly pulling their starters early in the fourth quarter and losing the game.

The Grizzlies shook things up by trading Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz at the NBA trade deadline last month, with many speculating that a Ja Morant trade could happen soon. While Memphis wasn’t able to do anything on that front, many still believe the Grizzlies have shifted their focus to the post-Morant era, which continued with the latest mock draft from ESPN’s Jeremy Wu, who projected them selecting point guard Mikel Brown Jr. from Louisville.

Wu said on ESPN.com, “Although he is shooting only 41% from the field this season, scouts feel comfortable with his history and his dynamic perimeter shot-making (34% from 3) continues to be a strong attribute.” “…Brown still projects somewhere inside the top 10, with evaluators remaining optimistic on his emergence as a tall (6-5) backcourt playmaker.”

Wu also said that “With Ja Morant’s long-term future uncertain, the Grizzlies should be in best-available mode.”

Some expect the Grizzlies to embark on a full rebuild this offseason, which has already begun with the trades of Jackson Jr. this year and Desmond Benn last offseason. A lot of Memphis’ future prospects may depend on how lucky they are when the NBA Draft Lottery is decided by ping pong balls in two months.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, two players who have jockeyed for the top spot in the NBA MVP rankings all season, have played two games against each other so far this season. The Oklahoma City Thunder and SGA claimed the first matchup, setting up a highly anticipated game between these two foes on Friday.

Once again, the Thunder were victorious over the Denver Nuggets, winning 127–121 in overtime. Although Jokic had 23 points, 17 rebounds and 14 assists in the game for his league-leading 22nd triple-double of the season, it was Gilgeous-Alexander who grabbed the headlines with 36 points in his first game after suffering an abdominal strain before the All-Star break.

It was a big game for Gilgeous-Alexander to get back into action, but this head-to-head matchup against the three-time MVP certainly mattered to the defending league MVP. Besides being a chance for the Thunder to extend their lead in the Western Conference standings, it was a chance for Gilgeous-Alexander to prove that he should win back-to-back MVP awards.

Well, after another strong performance against Jokic and the Nuggets, the Oklahoma City star is back in the top spot in the NBA MVP rankings with six weeks remaining in the regular season.

There are two more showdowns left against these two MVP candidates, and these battles will undoubtedly carry equal importance in helping determine this year’s MVP. However, there is still an outside chance for others to steal the first-place votes.

Cade Cunningham is having a great season and has extended the Detroit Pistons’ lead to the 1st-seed in the East. Jaylen Brown has led the Boston Celtics to the second-best record in the East without Jayson Tatum, and Luka Doncic leads the league in scoring for the Los Angeles Lakers.

And then there’s Victor Wembanyama, who continues to lead the San Antonio Spurs, who are just three games behind Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder in the West standings, and who has dominated Oklahoma City this season.

Can any of these other MVP candidates surpass Jokic or Gilgeous-Alexander over the next several weeks? This is where the MVP rankings currently stand, now that SGA is back on top.

Previous 2023-24 NBA MVP Rankings: Week 18 | Week 17 | Week 16 | Week 15 | Week 14 | Week 13 | Week 12 | Week 11 | Week 10 | Week 9 | Week 8 | Week 7 | Week 6 | Week 5 | Week 4 | Week 3 | Week 2 | week 1

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder*

Previous ranking: #2

2025-26 season stats: 51 games, 31.8 points, 6.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 55.1 FG%, 38.1 3P%

*Only a maximum of 6 more games can be left to remain eligible.

Gilgeous-Alexander missed nine consecutive games before returning against Jokic and the Nuggets on Friday night, meaning he is only allowed to miss six more games for the remainder of the season to remain eligible for season-ending honors and awards such as MVP.

Gilgeous-Alexander did not look stiff at any point in this game, as he made 12 of 29 shots from the floor and scored 36 points, while also recording nine assists. He followed that performance up with another 30-point performance on Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks, leading Oklahoma City to two consecutive wins.

The Thunder are now three games ahead of the Spurs for the 1-seed in the Western Conference, and Gilgeous-Alexander has moved closer to history with his two big-scoring performances since returning from injury.

Gilgeous-Alexander has now scored at least 20 points in 123 straight games, meaning he is three games away from tying Wilt Chamberlain’s record of 126 consecutive games with 20-plus points.

2. Nikola Jokic – Denver Nuggets*

Previous ranking: #1

2025-26 season stats: 45 games, 28.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 10.5 assists, 1.4 steals, 57.0 FG%, 40.1 3P%

*A maximum of 1 more game can be missed to remain eligible.

As good as Jokic’s numbers may look, he hasn’t looked like himself since returning from his hyperextended left knee.

In the 13 games that Jokic has played since returning from a knee injury, the Nuggets star has averaged 26.8 points, 13.8 rebounds and 9.2 assists per game, while shooting 49 percent from the floor. Obviously, these are MVP-like stats, but what stands out is his 4.1 turnovers per game during this span.

Jokic’s efficiency has declined, his shooting splits have decreased, and turnovers are a concern. Needless to mention, Denver is not playing well overall and is now down to the 5-seed in the Western Conference.

These are the main reasons why Jokic has fallen behind Gilgeous-Alexander in the MVP race.

3. Cade Cunningham – Detroit Pistons

Previous ranking: #3

2025-26 season stats: 53 games, 25.5 points, 9.8 assists, 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 46.0 FG%, 33.2 3P%

Besides Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic, if there is another player who needs to be voted for MVP this season, it has to be Cade Cunningham. Aside from the “feel-good” story with the Detroit Pistons, Cunningham has arguably been the best full guard in the league this season, making a greater two-way impact than Gilgeous-Alexander.

Only Jokic has provided more assists than Cunningham this year, and what the Pistons’ star has done to lead his team to the top of the East standings is remarkable. Not only is he doing this with his scoring, but Cade has set a tough standard for how the Pistons will play every night.

He doesn’t back down from any opponent and Cunningham takes on his opponent for the full 48 minutes and puts all the pressure of the game on them. It’s what’s allowed Jalen Duren to have a breakout All-Star campaign, and it’s what’s allowed this young Pistons team to suddenly go from being the favorite to make it to the NBA Finals in the East.

Between rarely missing a game and being on the team with the best winning percentage in the entire NBA, Cunningham is definitely in the MVP race with SGA and Jokic. Quite honestly, if you look at the MVP race from the perspective of a player who has exceeded expectations at the top of the league, Cunningham Is MVP. If you ask JB Bickerstaff, he’d agree.

4. Victor Wembanyama – San Antonio Spurs*

Previous ranking: #4

2025-26 season stats: 46 games, 23.7 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, 50.1 FG%, 34.1 3P%

*Can only miss a maximum of 4 more games to remain eligible.

Since the All-Star break, Victor Wembanyama has averaged 19.2 points, 12.0 rebounds and 4.3 blocks per game, while shooting 42.7 percent from the floor. His plus-minus stats over his last six games are among the best in the league, but Wembley’s MVP case has unfortunately come down to where the San Antonio Spurs finish in the West standings.

Should the Spurs move on from Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder, it would be difficult to deny Wembley the MVP award as he will have the numbers and best record in the NBA to back it up.

However, for the moment, what Gilgeous-Alexander has done with the best record in the West is surpassing Vembanyama’s success. While many would argue that this is an individual award that should be given to the league’s best player throughout the season, team success always plays a role in the race for this award each year.

This season is no different, and while Wembley can increase his MVP odds by racking up his playoffs in the stretch run of the season, the Spurs will still need to pass the Thunder in the standings to win the MVP.

5. Luka Doncic – Los Angeles Lakers*

Previous ranking: #5

2025-26 season stats: 48 games, 32.5 points, 8.6 assists, 7.7 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 47.3 FG%, 36.0 3P%

*Can only miss a maximum of 5 more games to remain eligible.

The only MVP case for Luka Doncic at this point might be that he leads the league in scoring, and his nearly triple-double numbers are the best of his career. While both of those things may be true, one can’t argue with Doncic being ahead of any of the other four players in the MVP rankings.

Not only is Doncic behind the level of play of Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic, but expectations for both Cunningham and Wembanyama make more sense in this race as well. In addition, the Los Angeles Lakers have not been playing well recently and are in danger of falling into the play-in zone of the West standings.

Very few players have won the MVP award while their team was not at the top of the league standings, and those who did had historic seasons that will forever be remembered in NBA history. That’s not the case with Doncic this year.

just missing the cut

6. Jaylen Brown – Boston Celtics [Ranked No. 6 last week]

7. Anthony Edwards – Minnesota Timberwolves [Ranked No. 8 last week]

8. Donovan Mitchell – Cleveland Cavaliers [Ranked No. 7 last week]

9. Jalen Brunson – New York Knicks [Ranked No. 9 last week]

10. Kevin Durant – Houston Rockets [Ranked No. 10]

*Signals players are in danger of meeting the 65-game minimum threshold for awards/accolades.

The Denver Nuggets made a move on forward Spencer Jones just before NBA action resumed following the All-Star break.

The Nuggets needed enough players to meet the minimum player requirement on the roster, so the decision was made to convert Jones’ two-way deal into a standard contract for the remainder of the 2025–26 NBA season, as ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel reports.

“The Nuggets are converting two-way forward Spencer Jones to a standard contract,” Siegel, formerly of the Ax, wrote in a social media post on Twitter.

It’s also worth noting that the 24-year-old Jones had already exceeded his limit of 50 games for a two-way player in the league.

Now that he is already guaranteed a roster spot for the remainder of the campaign, he simply needs to recover from his injury to return to active status. The former Stanford Cardinal player missed the Nuggets’ final three games before the break, although Denver managed to win two of those contests, including a 122–116 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on February 11.

Signed by the Nuggets to a two-way deal as an undrafted contract through 2024, Jones has averaged 6.0 points and 3.1 rebounds through 46 games this season. He has been quite dangerous from behind the 3-point line, where he is hitting downshots at a 41.1 percent success rate on 2.5 attempts from deep outings.

The Nuggets begin a three-game road trip after the break this Thursday when they face the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, with Jones expected to be in the lineup.

As the Miami Heat focused on restarting the season after the All-Star break, some business was done with the team, giving an undrafted standout a standard contract. Although the Heat are dealing with an inconsistent season, some standout things have happened, one of which is a two-way player in Myron Gardner who has been rewarded for his efforts.

According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Gardner and Miami have agreed to a standard three-year contract because he has played well as a two-way player. This contract now fills Miami’s 15th roster spot, which could be the maximum spot for a team, although a two-way opening has been cleared.

The other two-way player spots have been filled by Vladislav Goldin and Jahmir Young, as Gardner has recently seen expanded minutes under head coach Erik Spoelstra, especially due to some injuries the team has suffered. Gardner has started four times for the team, averaging 11.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists, while shooting 55.2 percent from the field and 53.8 percent from three-point range.

In addition to his ability on the court, Gardner is known for the physicality, personality and energy he brings to the Heat, with Norman Powell explaining how beneficial this has been to him.

“Myron is a character. I love Myron. He’s always high energy, high octane,” Powell told ClutchPoints on January 18. “He’s always hitting and hitting you; it’s always a positive energy, positive light that comes from him. I’m encouraging everybody. Everybody around him is laughing and joking. But when he steps out there, he’s 125%, 150% every time. And we need that.”

Asked Norman Powell about the influence of Myron Gardner:

“Myron is a character, I love Myron. He’s always high energy, high octane… He’s encouraging everybody, everybody around him is laughing and joking, but when he steps out there, he’s 125%, 150% every time…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/2Ufy8RSgU1

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 18 January 2026

Heat’s Bam Adebayo needs teammates like Myron Gardner

As Gardner continues to anchor the Heat throughout the remainder of the season, he is doing the same with the team’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Active on the glass and making his presence felt, the 24-year-old has already earned respect from Miami, with captain Bam Adebayo emphasizing his important role.

“You need teammates like him, like throw him in the game, and he’ll play as hard as he can. But when Myron checks into the game, you feel a difference right away,” Adebayo said on Jan. 21.

Bam Adebayo on the “kid energy” that Myron Gardner has after a standout performance:

“I can’t describe Myron, but you need teammates like him. Throw him in the game and he’ll play as hard as possible.. When Myron checks into the game, you immediately feel a difference…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/h8RR8FaOqx

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 18 January 2026

At any rate, Gardner wants to be a part of helping the Heat turn their season around, which has them at 29-27, placing them in eighth place in the Eastern Conference as their next game is on Friday against the Atlanta Hawks.

The Los Angeles Clippers shook things up in a big way at the recent NBA trade deadline, sending James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers, receiving a wealth of draft assets and young players in return. Since then, the Clippers have been playing with only 14 players on their official roster, leading some to wonder if they might make another move as the season continues.

It finally happened on Wednesday morning.

“The Los Angeles Clippers are signing guard Jordan Miller to a new two-year contract. The Clippers are 9-3 when Miller scores 10 or more (averaging a career-high 9.1 points), and have gone 21-12 since joining the rotation this season,” sources told ESPN.

ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel said, “Miller fills the Clippers’ 15th roster spot and joins Kobe Sanders in converting his two-way deal.”

Miller is one of several Clippers playing some anonymous basketball off the bench in Ty Lue’s rotation this year. While Los Angeles’ bench was much maligned during the first stretch of the season when the team got off to a bad start, they have started to pick things up in recent weeks, providing some assistance to Kawhi Leonard and company when he is off the field.

As Charania said, the Clippers have put together an impressive record since adding Miller to the rotation.

Los Angeles next plays against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday evening.

Beaches, safaris, world-class cricket… and you in Cape Town for the New Years Test. Grab your mate and make it happen!

What’s Included:

• Two spots on the official Barmy Army South Africa New Year’s Test tour for 7 days
• Match tickets to the New Year’s Test at Newlands, Cape Town for all five days (England vs South Africa)
• Return economy flights from London to Cape Town for the winner and their guest (exact dates to be confirmed)
• Six nights’ accommodation in Newlands, including breakfast (winner and guest will share a twin/double room)
• Full access to all Barmy Army tour activities and events as scheduled
• £2,500 spending money

Don’t forget to also tune in to sport2 for full Sri Lanka cricket coverage!

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

sport x Barmy Army South African Tour Prize SPECIFIC TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

1. By entering this prize draw or competition (the Promotion), you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions (the Specific Terms and Conditions). The General Terms and Conditions also apply to each Promotion and by entering the Promotion you agree to be bound by the General Terms and Conditions.  Completion and submission of an entry form or e-mail will also be deemed acceptance of these Terms and Conditions. Promotional materials relating to the Promotion, including all information on how to enter the Promotion on the Promoter’s sport (including social media if applicable) or on the Promoter’s websites, also form part of these Terms and Conditions. In the event of any conflict between any terms referred to in such promotional materials or the General Conditions and these Specific Terms and Conditions, these Specific Terms and Conditions shall take precedence.
2. The promoter of this Promotion is sport Limited of 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF with company number 02806093 and VAT number GB243805469 (the Promoter).

Eligibility

3. The Promotion is only open to residents of the United Kingdom who are aged 18 years or older. Additional eligibility requirements are set out in the General Terms and Conditions. 
4. The winner and guest must each hold a valid passport and meet all South Africa entry requirements (including visa).

Timing