標籤: statement

The Montreal Canadiens host the Buffalo Sabers on Sunday night, attempting to establish a 2-1 series lead at the Bell Centre.

It was another impressive game from the Habs, resulting in a 6-2 win, a win that could change the entire makeup of a playoff series.

Let’s look at the highlights!

Newfoundland Power

As we discussed in the game preview, Montreal’s depth players are doing wonders to make up for the lack of attack from the first line, and one of the most important Canadiens in that regard is none other than Alex Newhook.

The speedy winger scored his fourth goal of the playoffs to tie the game at the end of the first period. It was also an important goal as the Habs were the better team in the first period, but were at risk entering the first intermission with a goal deficit.

Newhook gets the bell center bumpin 🚨

Sabres-Canadiens all set deal on ESPN and the ESPN app 👀 pic.twitter.com/0jHSHEaOqo

– ESPN (@espn) 10 May 2026

star power

Another topic we discussed in the preview was the possibility that Juraj Slafkowski or Cole Caufield would find their offensive rhythm, making the Habs a team that no longer relies solely on first-line or depth players, but on both.

They are a dangerous team, especially in the playoffs.

On that note, Caufield scored his second springtime goal after a tremendous deke by phenom Lane Hutson, giving the Canadiens a nice 2-1 lead.

Cole Coffield scored after a great layup by Lane Hutson. #GoHabsGo Up 2-1. pic.twitter.com/0V4tKkOsd3

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 11 May 2026

You could argue that the Canadiens were robbed of a third goal when Philippe Danault was accused of interference on Lyon without any evidence.

The puck definitely went into the net. pic.twitter.com/DTzfp8Zodf

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 11 May 2026

back to depth

Rather than rest on their accomplishments, the Habs continued to press the game, resulting in a 3–1 lead when Joe Veleno beat his opponent to set up Zachary Bolduc for his second goal of the playoffs.

Once again, depth players made significant contributions, which is a recurring theme for the Canadiens.

Joe Veleno -> Zac Bolduc.

3-1 #GoHabsGo. They dominate this game. pic.twitter.com/TXqdm5IiSh

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 11 May 2026

Dobe’s Revenge

At this point in the game, the Sabers decided to increase foul play, culminating with the apparent intent to injure netminder Jacob Dobbs.

Beck Malensteen skated into Dobbs without attempting to make a break, however, the Canadiens goaltender simply shook off, and managed to stay in the game.

Beck Malensteen ran him at full speed in an attempt to injure Jacob Dobbs.

No attempt to stop.
He got a 2-minute penalty. pic.twitter.com/OOXGECxjl0

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 11 May 2026

The Canadiens only got a two-minute power play due to a dirtbag play, but that was long enough for Slafkowski to tip in a Hutson point shot, giving the home team a 4–1 lead.

You’ll notice that Dobbs made sure to thank the Sabers for the opportunity to score on the man advantage.

laugh out loud

Dobbs takes a little skate to thank the Buffalo bench after Slafkowski powerplay goal.

Classic. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/fjOyWZMyWn

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 11 May 2026

icing on the cake

To put a nice mark on the entire team effort, Dach restored Montreal’s three-goal lead midway through the third period.

At a glance, it might not have seemed like a very important goal, but it came after a push by Buffalo that resulted in some high-danger chances. Dobbs was up to the task, but it couldn’t be denied that the pressure from the road team was mounting.

Jacob Dobbs made some key saves and then Kirby Dach took the lead with his fourth playoff score. #GoHabsGo 5-2 lead. pic.twitter.com/T1Mt7LrGU2

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 11 May 2026

perfection

The Sabers got their goal with about five minutes remaining in the third period, which was a logical choice given the 5–2 scoreline.

However, Newhook managed to foul out Rasmus Dahlin shortly after, securing another two-goal game for the Newfoundlander. As an added bonus, his mother was in the crowd to watch her son steal the show at the Bell Center.

Alex Newhook’s mom was in the crowd to watch her son score two goals in a row #GoHabsGo.

Bonus: Dobbs’ premature celebration at the end, haha pic.twitter.com/t5rI5p0QQj

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 11 May 2026

The Montreal Canadiens will be back in action on Tuesday facing the Sabers at the Bell Center for Game 4. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm ET.

All Montreal Canadiens stats are 5v5, via Natural Stat Trick, unless otherwise noted.

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

Facing significant salary cap constraints, the Minnesota Vikings had no choice but to cut costs this offseason. In doing so, they moved on from their general manager of the previous four seasons. Still, interim GM Rob Brzezinski wasted no time in doing what needed to be done, even if it meant moving on from star players.

For the Vikings, this meant parting ways with two former Pro Bowl defensive tackles with the release of both Jonathan Allen and Jevon Hargrave. Naturally, his departure leaves a big hole in Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ interior line.

While the Vikings still have former UFL standout Jalen Redmond, whom they view as a rising star, they need more depth and another starter to pair with him. Nevertheless, the Vikings remained busy identifying possible solutions to provide reinforcements in the defensive trenches.

According to NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports, the Vikings, along with six other teams, were set to attend the workout of Iowa State defensive tackle Domonique Orange. While ‘Big Citrus’ was not able to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine due to a quad issue, the Iowa State Pro Day provided a great opportunity to prove to scouts what an explosive athlete he is, and the Orange passed the test with flying colors.

Pauline reports that Orange recorded a 10-yard split of 1.68 seconds, which he called “typical for any defensive tackle, but for a player coming off a quad injury, that’s a statement.”

The Vikings have nine selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, including three selections on the second day, where the Orange could come into play. However, they may face tough competition.

In addition to the Vikings, the 49ers, Bears, Bills, Falcons, Lions and Packers were also at the event in the Orange’s workout. Additionally, the Saints and Texans had their defensive line coaches running drills for workouts. The Bears, Bills, Panthers, Texans and Vikings also plan to land the Orange one of their official top 30 visits.

RELATED: Minnesota Vikings almost guaranteed to target specific position in 2026 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

The Montreal Canadiens faced the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night with the goal of extending their winning streak to six games.

Apart from the points in the standings, the game was quite important, as there is a good chance that both teams will meet in the first round of the playoffs.

It was another tough battle, but in the end, the Canadiens emerged with a 4–1 victory.

Let’s look at the highlights!

happy belated birthday!

Juraj Slafkowski, who turned 22 on Monday, opened the scoring with a spectacular shot on the power play that actually pushed Andrei Vasilevskiy’s stick out of the five-hole before finding the back of the net.

It was his 29th goal of the year, although it should be noted that the power play would never have happened without a spectacular individual effort from Lane Hutson, which saw him easily navigate all traffic before falling in front of the Lightning net.

Juraj Slafkowski made the score 1-0 #GoHabsGo With a bang on the powerplay. His shot actually knocked Vasilevskiy’s stick out of the way! pic.twitter.com/K6PFyJ3uJG

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 31 March 2026

mr every night

While it’s true that Cole Caufield loves to score on Saturdays, they call him ‘Mr.’ ‘Saturday Night’ is selling him a little short, as he likes to score for every day that ends with ‘y’.

He scored his 47th goal of the year midway through the second period to give the Canadiens a 2–1 lead, although it should be noted that Slafkowski produced an excellent zone entry, not to mention a great pass before the goal. Additionally, Mike Matheson recorded his 300th career point in a scoring play.

He proceeded to score an empty-net goal, the first of two by the Habs, securing Montreal’s victory in the process.

Score 47 goals for Cole Coffield!!

Also great work by Juraj Slafkowski on Rush. 2-1 #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/Zk0QiBpgfa

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) April 1, 2026

first star of the week

Jacob Dobbs stopped 35 of 36 shots sent his way to secure his 26th win of the season, not to mention his fourth win in a row.

He’s stepping up when the Habs need him most, and although new goaltending coach Marco Marciano deserves some credit, the 24-year-old netminder has certainly done a great job of bolstering Montreal’s push for the playoffs, despite his lack of NHL experience.

Jacob Dobbs, the first star of the week, emerges early in the first period. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/Fw8GOEvjdT

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 31 March 2026

The Montreal Canadiens will be back in action on Thursday facing the New York Rangers. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm ET.

All Montreal Canadiens stats are 5v5, via Natural Stat Trick, unless otherwise noted.

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

Giannis Antetokounmpo has not played since the Milwaukee Bucks’ 134-123 win over the Indiana Pacers on March 15. The 13-year veteran suffered a chronic knee injury and bone bruise in that competition and has since been sidelined. On Tuesday, the NBPA released a statement criticizing Milwaukee for wanting to lock Antetokounmpo despite his desire to play.

The NBPA called out the Bucks for allegedly tanking, despite the fact that Milwaukee does not have a first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Despite this, the union claims they are doing their part to hold franchises accountable, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

“The player participation policy was designed by the league to hold teams accountable and ensure that when an All-Star like Giannis Antetokounmpo is healthy and ready to play, he can be on the court,” the NBPA said. “Unfortunately, anti-tanking policies are only as effective as their enforcement; as long as ownership remains unchecked, fans, broadcast partners, and the integrity of the game will continue to be harmed. We look forward to collaborating with the NBA on meaningful new proposals that will directly address and discourage tanking.”

Maybe the NBPA’s statement will force the Bucks to change their mind about playing Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, considering the ranking in the Eastern Conference, it might actually be better to keep the 31-year-old forward out of the lineup to prevent further injury.

With 11 games remaining on the schedule, the Bucks are eight games behind the No. 10-ranked Charlotte Hornets. Milwaukee will need to go on a serious win streak, while Charlotte essentially loses in the final stretch of the regular season to make the play-in tournament.

Chelsea’s development plan for Mateo del Blanco is already facing mixed signals in ArgentinaThe latest reports show that the situation is much less advanced than previously presented.

In our first coverage, journalist Renzo Pantich described A clear path is being prepared. He clearly stated that del Blanco ‘Will be bought by Chelsea and loaned to Racing de Strasbourg’Framing this move as an expectation of something happening soon.

That version structured the deal and aligned with Chelsea’s multi-club model. Strasbourg will act as a first step, allowing the 22-year-old left-back to adapt ahead of any potential move to Stamford Bridge.

However, reporting from Argentina now paints a more cautious picture.

The situation was seen differently in Santa Fe

argentina outlet hail The situation has been addressed from inside the union – and the tone is notably different.

Both the club and the player’s representatives insist that there has been no formal offer from Chelsea. On the Santa Fe side, the situation is still being treated as speculation, even if Europe’s interest has been acknowledged.

Importantly, it is not designed as a running deal. Instead, it is described as a rumor that is growing in visibility, but with no concrete steps behind it.

Del Blanco is attracting interest – but no offers

Ole also provides wider context about the player’s rising profile. Mateo del Blanco was the top assist provider in the 2025 Clausura, registering five assists, and remains one of the standout performers in the current Apertura.

That form has already attracted attention from elsewhere in South America. Brazilian clubs such as Red Bull Bragantino and Corinthians followed him closely during the last window. However, as is the current situation with Chelsea, no formal bid was made.

The union responded to that interest by securing its future. The club extended his contract until December 2028, strengthening both his playing position and his negotiating leverage.

Youngsters still at the center of union plans

Mateo del Blanco remains a prominent figure in Santa Fe. He is a guaranteed starter under manager Leonardo Madellon and is one of the team’s most influential players.

A sale would represent a significant sporting loss, even though it could become one of the club’s most significant financial operations in recent years.

That balance helps explain the current stance. The club is aware of the increased attention, but is not yet dealing with any concrete situation.

Next Steps for Bluco

The new report means it now becomes a situation to monitor rather than complete.

Pentich’s claims suggest internal planning and intention. Meanwhile, reporting on hail reflects the reality on the ground in Argentina, where no formal measures have been taken.

This difference is common in early stage transfers, especially in South America. Interest may persist for months before developing into conversation.

For now, Matteo del Blanco sits in between those two versions. A player clearly on Chelsea’s radar, but still waiting for that interest to translate into something tangible.

🇵🇹 Exclusive: Maxi Araújo

⏩Tottenham and Chelsea are in contact
➡️ Source gave information @UllalIBT
➡️There is also further Premier League interesthttps://t.co/K17lRpjlUG #thfc #cfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 22 March 2026

The Detroit Pistons have been one of the top teams in the league this season, but the next few weeks could be tough for them playing without their star player. ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that Cade Cunningham will be out for an extended period of time with a lung injury. He left their game against the Washington Wizards after playing only five minutes.

The Pistons released a statement regarding Cunningham’s injury.

“After further testing, Pistons guard Cade Cunningham has been diagnosed with pneumothorax of the left lung. Cunningham
Went out in the first quarter of Tuesday’s game vs. the Wizards. He will be reevaluated in two weeks, Pistone wrote.

It is uncertain how long Cunningham will be out, but there is a good chance he will miss the remainder of the regular season. There is some optimism that he will return for the start of the postseason, but it is still too early to tell.

Cunningham has been the engine for the Pistons this season, and without him, they will have to carry a lot of the load. He had an All-NBA season, and at this point, he may not be able to qualify for season awards given the amount of games he could potentially miss.

The Pistons are also in danger of losing the No. 1 seed, as the Boston Celtics are just 3.5 games behind them. Luckily, the Pistons have a tiebreaker between them, which could go a long way if they have the same record as them at the end of the season.

The Pistons have a fairly easy schedule, so they should be able to stick around if Cunningham is sidelined, but they’ll need him when the playoffs start. If they can bring him back before that then it would be a big thing for them.

Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) owner Al Snow made his first public statement on Saturday regarding the horrific events that occurred in which officials slowly responded to a referee who was having a seizure during a match for the company.

A scary moment from a recent OVW event that went viral on Friday has wrestling fans demanding it from the company’s top brass. During Friday’s TV tapings, referee Dallas Edwards got physically involved in a match when a competitor pulled him into the path of his opponent’s top rope crossbody.

The move knocked Edwards unconscious as he hit the back of his head hard on the mat. However, this moment did not cause the match to stop immediately and the wrestlers involved continued on. The lack of prompt medical care caused Edwards to suffer a seizure inside the ring.

Unfortunately, despite severe shock during the visit, OVW staff and officers waited approximately two minutes before providing care to Edwards. The incident spread quickly on social media and shone a terrible light on the wrestling promotion.

On Saturday, OVW owner and former WWE star Al Snow gave his first public statement on the scary moment.

Snow wrote, “There is always a risk of injury for anyone who steps into the ring in professional wrestling. On March 12, during a live OVW television program, Dallas was involved in a planned moment of physical contact with a wrestler, resulting in a head injury.”

“Traditionally, when an injury occurs in the ring, the referee is the central point of communication, assessment and decision-making. In this unprecedented situation, the person who would normally make the assessment was the one who needed assistance. That unexpected breakdown in communication caused the match to be stopped and the show’s conclusion delayed.”

“…At OVW, the health and safety of our artists and executives has always been our top priority. We are proud of the standards we have maintained over the years, but we also recognize there is always room to strengthen and improve.”

“With this in mind, we are reviewing our existing procedures and updating many of our in-ring and ringside protocols to ensure we continue to meet the highest expectations for performer safety.”

Snow said improved communications systems, more referee training and expanded ringside response measures are part of the changes. He also said that Edwards is recovering from injuries suffered this week.

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

On January 31, 2025, Dejounte Murray’s first season with the New Orleans Pelicans ended prematurely when he ruptured his Achilles in an Finals loss to the Boston Celtics. A torn Achilles usually involves an absence of nearly or more than a year, and for the Pelicans guard, it certainly took his time to heal. And the patience with which he carried out his recovery seems to have helped him get back into form.

On Sunday, the Pelicans won 138-118 over the Washington Wizards and Murray has continued his solid play so far in his return. His minutes haven’t been so limited either; He played 30 minutes against the Phoenix Suns last Friday, and was out for 24 minutes in the blowout win over the Wizards, and recorded 19 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals for that contest.

Although Murray has not yet returned to his All-Star form, the fact that he has been so productive for the Pelicans early in his comeback is a source of joy not only for the team, but also for fans of the former All-Star. On Sunday, former NFL safety Ryan Clark were present and praised Murray highly.

Clark said via Pelican Film Room on Twitter

“You know it when you meet a real person.. He’s a guy that will inspire other people… It’s authenticity. You feel that under his leadership.. That’s why I’m here. It’s my first game of the season… I wanted to make sure he saw me”

-Ryan Clark on Dejounte Murray pic.twitter.com/1K0uDQrbM1

– Pelican Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) 9 March 2026

Pelicans want to bounce back next season

The 2025-26 season is over long ago for the Pelicans. All that’s left for them to do this season is play with pride and maybe screw up the plans of the Atlanta Hawks, who they surrendered in the Derrick Queen swap, by winning as many games as they can.

But when the Pelicans are healthy, they are hoping to dismantle the Western Conference playoff picture.

While ESPN NBA insider Zach Lowe believes Luka Doncic is a basketball “genius”, he can no longer tolerate his frequent complaints to the referees and has called the Los Angeles Lakers star unwatchable.

The LA Lakers certainly don’t regret their spectacular trade from a year ago that landed them Luka Doncic, one of the best players in the NBA. In his first full season in LaLa Land, the 26-year-old not only leads the Lakers in scoring, but his 32.5 points average currently tops the league. He is second in the NBA in three-point makes (3.6) and third in assists (8.6).

Furthermore, the LA Lakers have a record of 34–23, which is sixth best in the conference. Although the LA Lakers may not want to be at this point in the season, they are still in the early stages of building a proper team around their new top star. However, despite his play, the reputation he grew in Dallas has begun to become a fixture in the team’s games this season, and he is constantly complaining.

Doncic’s constant nagging of NBA referees to call fouls is a common complaint about the six-time All-Star. And as he gets older, it’s getting worse. It’s gotten so bad lately that Zach Lowe is upset about it and he made a funny but fair comment about the Slovenian this week.

Luka Doncic stats: 32.5 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 8.6 apg, 1.4 spg, 35% 3pt

Lowe said in a new edition, “The crying is at an extreme level in Dallas. It’s every bullshit game.” zach lowe show. “Just play, man. Not everything is a foul. And, it’s almost like, are you playing to get fouled or are you playing basketball?

“Are you playing one-on-one with the referee, or are you playing a game? It’s every single possession now, it’s completely out of control, it’s absolutely unwatchable.”

While Lowe is tired of the constant complaining, he admitted that he is more frustrated because it is not absolutely necessary, and Doncic is a “basketball genius” who can “get any shot.” Unfortunately for him and other NBA fans, there are no signs that the LA Lakers star will stop his constant crying anytime soon.

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

The Los Angeles Lakers reached the finish line with a mediocre record of 4-4 in an eight-game homestand after a dramatic 110-109 loss to the Orlando Magic. This came just days after a 111–89 loss to the rival Boston Celtics, dropping them to 34–23 for the season.

DeAndre Ayton, who performed with 21 points and 13 rebounds against the Magic, said something that may also be true for most fans.

“It’s a little frustrating. We’ve still got a lot of opportunities to get in as good a position as we can. It felt weird being 4-4 ​​in the homestand,” he told ESPN, according to ESPN.

“It’s a little frustrating … but we’ve got 24 games left.”
DeAndre Ayton reflected on missed opportunities at home, late defensive lapses and the team’s continued focus on momentum. pic.twitter.com/zTi1NtlcFg

– Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) 25 February 2026

The Lakers played some big teams during this time, including the Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers, and San Antonio Spurs.

“It was a tough loss and played against some very good teams. But… just get back in the lab and get ready for the next game,” Ayton concluded.

The loss against Orlando was particularly worrying. It was their first loss of the season after holding the lead for three quarters, during which they led 25–0 in the matchup.

Despite taking a 12-point lead in the second half, the Lakers’ defense collapsed as Austin Reaves scored all 18 of his points after halftime. They were torched by Paolo Banchero’s 36-point masterpiece, with Wendell Carter Jr.’s game-winning putback coming with just 6.7 seconds remaining.

In fact, Ayton proved to be a ray of hope, much like what happened with LeBron against the Celtics. The 41-year-old became the first NBA player to score over 43,000 points and tied Robert Parish for the second-most regular season games in NBA history with 1,600.

However, the Lakers lost both games, even though they were very much alive until the end against Orlando.

With the Golden State Warriors trading Jonathan Kuminga to the Atlanta Hawks at the trade deadline, it cannot be denied that it has been a up and down road for the player and the franchise. As fans were expecting the Warriors to trade Kuminga, owner Joe Lacob broke his silence to talk about the deal.

In the trade, Golden State also traded Buddy Hield and received Kristaps Porzingis in return, marking the team’s largest trade as they hope to advance in the playoffs. Lacob Kuminga will speak on the experiment, as his perspective is interesting as he is known to be a big supporter of young players, saying it was “not difficult” to agree to deal with the 23-year-old.

According to The San Francisco Standard, Lacob said, “Everyone believes a lot about it.” “Look, I like him as a player, I like him as a person. … And at times, he showed a lot of potential for us. Just never really worked out to his full potential. And he got injured at an inopportune time.”

Kuminga added, “I think we all knew we had to do something. But we couldn’t just leave it.” “Because he’s a talent, and a lot of people think so. It worked out – we found something we thought was worth doing. Otherwise, we would have kept him.”

Warriors’ Joe Lacob experiment on Jonathan Kuminga isn’t working

While the Warriors were also in Giannis Antetokounmpo talks, the trade with Kuminga and Porzingis was their main deal of the deadline. Kuminga had been with Golden State for five seasons, as Lacob explained how the relationship “didn’t work out.”

“I liked him. I like all of our players. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have gotten them if we didn’t all like them. But you know, it didn’t work out. It looked like it was going to work out. It was going to be that way for a long time,” Lacob said.

The Warriors are looking to improve as their record is 29-27, which will move them into eighth place in the West heading into their next game against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.

Tanking in the NBA has been a heated conversation this season, and Pacers coach Rick Carlisle has had to approach that conversation carefully. Just eight months ago, the Pacers were at the pinnacle of the basketball world, making a thrilling run to the NBA Finals in which they defeated the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics and the beloved New York Knicks. They also took on a dominant Oklahoma City Thunder team in the NBA Finals in a seven-game series.

But in that Game 7, star point guard Tyrese Halliburton suffered a torn right Achilles tendon, definitively ruling him out for the season. With the loss of Halliburton, the Pacers have struggled this season, sitting at 15-40 in the Eastern Conference, just one spot ahead of the Washington Wizards.

Recently, the NBA fined the Pacers $100,000 for player participation policy violations on February 12. The penalty was given because NBA All-Star Pascal Siakam and two other starters were held out of the game, although an independent league investigation found that all three could have played, albeit in fewer minutes. The Jazz ultimately won the game 131–122.

Carlisle talked about the fine while speaking to reporters after Pacers practice Tuesday in comments obtained by IndyStar.

“I have no idea,” he said, “and really no comment on it.”

Carlisle was asked if the team would change the way it manages player involvement going forward.

Carlisle said, “We will manage our situation the way we need to. I am extremely proud of the way our players, organization and fans have navigated an exceptionally challenging season.” According to IndyStar, he said, “We’ve been very consistent in the way we’ve approached everything this year, and the NBA is aware of that. Communication with the league office has been productive. We’ll move forward with the same emphasis on competitiveness and growth that I talked about at Media Day, Sept. 29, 2025.”

Although the team has struggled this season, the Pacers have been competitive in several games, including a January 23 win over the Thunder and an overtime win over the Knicks a few days before the All-Star break. The Pacers made a big trade deadline move and acquired former Clippers center Ivica Zubac, who is considered one of the best big men in the league.

But despite the team’s success, the NBA has put a halt to enforcement of player participation. The Pacers, as well as the Jazz, were fined $500,000 for violating the player participation policy. The NBA also instituted the 65-game rule which requires players to play at least 65 games to be eligible for postseason awards and honors.

The Pacers will play the first of two games against the Wizards tonight at 7 PM

Still recovering from last season’s ACL injury, many expected Kyrie Irving to return to the field this time around. It looks like he is putting the brakes on returning for this season and recently announced that he will be sitting out the entire year.

According to Joey Mistretta of Clutch Points, Irving wrote a statement regarding the decision.

“This decision was not easy, but it is the right one. I am grateful to the Mavericks organization, my teammates and our fans for their continued support throughout the process,” Irving wrote. “I’m looking forward to coming back stronger next season. The confidence and enthusiasm I have is only growing.

“And I want to say a big thank you to all of my brothers and sisters who have torn ACLs or been injured doing the work they love to do every day. Thank you for the inspiration. No fear!”

Irving’s agent, Shetalia Riley Irving, told ESPN that this will help the Mavericks guard return to full strength next season.

“It’s about being 1000% when Kyrie comes back and giving ourselves the best chance to chase a championship next season,” Riley Irving said, via Shams Charania.

With the Mavericks at the bottom of the Western Conference standings and beginning to build the team around Cooper Flagg, Irving didn’t have much need to rush. Had they been fighting for a playoff spot, things probably would have been different, and he would have bounced back around the time he should have.

Sitting out the entire season gives Irving more time to get back to the player he was before the injury, which is one of the most dangerous scoring point guards out there. It will be interesting to see what he looks like when he returns next season.

Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown criticized the Beverly Hills Police Department on Saturday for shutting down a panel he hosted during All-Star weekend. After Sunday’s game, according to ESPN’s Baxter Holmes, Brown dismissed a statement issued by BHPD during his post-game media availability.

“I’m hurt by the statement made by Beverly Hills, as if we applied for something and didn’t get it, and yet we got it done.” [and] We were disobedient,” Brown said after the NBA All-Star Game. “I know how to follow the rules. I’m smart enough to follow the guidelines. It seemed like no one wanted whatever we were doing to continue because out of everything we were doing, it seemed like I was the only one who got shut down.

Brown claims the event was quiet, filled with fans, social media influencers and NBA players like the Celtics All-Star forward.

Brown didn’t hold back when he called out his ex, the Beverly Hills Police, on Twitter.

He wrote, “Beverly Hills is so trash I’m offended, here was a great panel with a great guest about the future of the culture, people worked hard for this, how dare you guys.”

“For a little more context, police came to shut down Jaylen Brown’s panel in Beverly Hills around 7 p.m., claiming he didn’t file the proper permits,” Daniel Donabedian of ClutchPoints reported on X.

“I know I play for the Celtics, and I know we’re in L.A. But hey, I didn’t think y’all would do this to me,” Brown posted on social media via a video of him interacting with police who were dispatched to the event.

Statement from Beverly Hills PD regarding Celtics’ Jaylen Brown.

Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown revealed a lot over All-Star weekend, including a potential career opportunity with the UFC, and how his program was unexpectedly shut down by Beverly Hills Police. According to Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe, the following statement regarding Brown’s event was released by BHPD.

“On Saturday, February 14, the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) responded to an event taking place at a private residence in the city’s Trousdale neighborhood. An event permit had been applied for and denied by the city due to previous violations associated with events at the address,” the statement said.

“Despite the fact that the permit was denied, the organizers still decided to invite hundreds of guests, despite knowing that this was not allowed to happen. BHPD responded and shut down the unpermitted event.”

Brown disputed this account from the Beverly Hills Police Department and said he believed he was targeted by city police.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards apparently doesn’t care much for Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic. During his Antland event hosted by Adidas at NBA All-Star Weekend, Edwards made a comment about Doncic while signing autographs for young fans.

A young fan wearing Luka Doncic’s jersey asked Anthony Edwards to sign it. However, the 24-year-old star made it clear how he feels about Doncic before turning down the young fan’s request. However, Edwards said it with a smile as he continued signing basketballs and other merchandise.

“I don’t really fuck with Luca [Doncic]Edwards said.

“I don’t really mess with Luca [Doncic]”

Anthony Edwards, after a young fan asked him to sign his Luka jersey

(via @stockx/tiktok)pic.twitter.com/GHTvVxswE9

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 14 February 2026

Both players were named All-Stars this year. However, Edwards is considering not playing due to injury, as he may opt to rest in preparation for the final portion of the regular season. Doncic, meanwhile, is expected to play in the All-Star Game.

The Timberwolves and Lakers have played against each other twice so far this season, with Los Angeles winning both contests. The two teams are scheduled to play for the third time on March 10, giving Anthony Edwards and his teammates a chance to avoid a season sweep. Either way, these games are a fun matchup, as Edwards and Doncic are superstar talents in the NBA.

Edwards, who is in his sixth season in the league, was named an All-Star for the fourth consecutive year. He has been a monster for the Timberwolves this season, as he has averaged 29.3 points (career-high), 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, while shooting 49.3% from the floor and 40.2% from beyond the three-point line.

Meanwhile, Luka Doncic is headed for the Lakers. The 26-year-old guard is averaging 32.8 points (league leader), 7.8 rebounds and 8.6 assists per contest this season. He also has a 47.3% field goal percentage and 34.5% three-point percentage.

Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross released his first statement after making the decision on hiring the franchise’s newest general manager.

Ross made the tough choice to move on from longtime member Chris Grier, who dedicated a lot of time to the Dolphins since 2000. He was the general manager from 2016 to 2025, moving on midway through this past season after Miami was unable to build winning consistency as a franchise in the modern NFL era.

Ross moved forward with the crucial decision of finding the next GM. He hired Jon-Eric Sullivan over from the Green Bay Packers, releasing a statement to NFL insider Tom Pelissero on why he made the decision to hire Sullivan.

“I could not be more excited to welcome Jon-Eric Sullivan as our next general manager. Jon-Eric brings a clear vision for how to build and run a football team, founded upon his own experience at a winning organization. As we went through our search process, it became undeniable the respect Jon-Eric has across the league as a talent evaluator, leader and man of integrity,” Ross said.

“We had an extremely talented group of candidates, and Jon-Eric’s ability to stand out so clearly speaks to how impressive he is — not only for his experience, but also his depth of knowledge, his detail-oriented approach and his passion. I believe we found the best of the best in Jon-Eric, and I’m looking forward to working with him as he leads us into a new era of Dolphins football.”

What’s next for Dolphins after GM hire

It’s clear that Stephen Ross wants to embrace a different direction for the Dolphins, hoping that Jon-Eric Sullivan will right the ship.

Miami also moved on from head coach Mike McDaniel after four seasons, meaning that Ross and Sullivan will heavily communicate on who should be the next leader for the squad.

The Dolphins haven’t had the identity of being serious contenders since the Dan Marino era. Making the playoffs six times since the legendary quarterback retired in 2000, they haven’t been able to make their mark in past seasons. With Ross making the actions to carve a new path, there could be hope that Miami returns to the discussion as a threat for the league to prepare for.