of brighton The recruitment network has once again turned to South America. Athletico Paranaense youngster Joao Cruz is now emerging as a player to keep an eye on ahead of the summer window.

According to information first disseminated by a Brazilian journalist Vinicius FurlanThe Premier League side is one of the clubs showing interest in the 19-year-old midfielder. It is said that a Dutch club is also keeping a close eye on the situation.

The report claims someone inside Brighton’s recruitment department is “very interested” in Joao Cruz. Specifically, this individual works within the club’s structure focused on identifying young talents and emerging prospects abroad.

At this stage, there is no sign of a formal bid. However, the expectation in Brazil is that Joao Cruz may receive an approach during this transfer window, and Athletico may at least consider potential offers.

Who is this gem?

João Cruz is considered one of the more technically gifted academy products of Athletico Paranaense of the 2006 generation. Developed in the club’s youth setup, the midfielder has already attracted attention due to his versatility and quality on the ball.

The Brazilian can operate as a deep-lying midfielder, central playmaker or attacking midfielder. This tactical flexibility is one of the qualities that interests clubs abroad. Joao Cruz is comfortable driving play from deep areas, switching the ball quickly and finding vertical passes through defensive lines.

The other big strength is his shooting ability. He is considered dangerous from distance and regularly takes responsibility for set-pieces, including free-kicks and corners. The midfielder also likes to get to the edge of the box. There, he can either complete moves himself or create chances for teammates.

Beyond the technical side, reports from the Brazilians also highlight their intensity and flexibility. João Cruz has built a reputation for creating decisive moments in youth football and is often described as a player willing to contribute both defensively and creatively throughout the midfield.

Athletico is already debating the player’s future

The discussion about Joao Cruz in Brazil is not just about external interest. It’s also about whether Athletico should really allow him to leave now.

Player has recently lost position. Nevertheless, the tone of the discussion suggests that there are those in and around the club who believe their situation is more complex than abandoning them.

The Brazilian report repeatedly emphasizes that Joao Cruz is still very young and still has qualities that can be developed in the right environment. He is considered versatile enough to operate as a midfielder, attacking midfielder or even in wide roles.

It’s also an acknowledgment that the player may welcome a different challenge after struggling for minutes on their own. Meanwhile, Athletico are said to understand the situation and could consider offers if the market moves forward.

However, the same report raises questions about whether this is the right time to sell.

Squad depth concerns may be difficult to overcome

One of the strongest points raised in Brazil is the lack of depth in Athletico’s current squad.

The argument given by Furlan is that the club is lacking options for an already demanding season. Because of this, allowing more players to leave could be risky. This is especially true when the need for rotation arises in domestic competitions.

The report also mentions other possible departures in the team. There are also questions about whether Athletico can really afford to lose another player without a proper replacement. That argument could still work in Brighton’s favour.

Even observers of Brazil admit that their performance has fluctuated. Nevertheless, the feeling around the player is that there is still significant room for development under the right coaching structure.

At present, the situation appears to remain at a level of keen interest and internal monitoring. Yet the Brazilian are clearly referring to Brighton with growing confidence, and that alone suggests Joao Cruz is firmly on the club’s radar ahead of the next market opportunity.

Sunderland ready to challenge nottingham forest For Fenerbahçe’s Archie Brown.

Vitor Pereira’s side have already made progress towards bringing him to the City Ground in the summer.

On 1 May, Khel Sakshi Covered claims from Türkiye Nottingham Forest are making an official offer of €16m for Brown.

The Reds now face competition from Sunderland to sign the left-back. In fact, the Black Cats have also attempted to win the battle in the upcoming window.

Sunderland follows Nottingham Forest

This is according to Takwim, relayed by sporesWho covers the latest on Regis Le Bris and Nottingham Forest.

The 23-year-old is on the agenda of Nottingham Forest and Atletico Madrid and both clubs are following him closely.

Sunderland have entered the battle for Archie Brown and made a ‘strong effort’ to snatch him from Fenerbahçe.

The Black Cats have submitted an offer for the fullback with the Turkish club’s current management. There is no mention of a proposed fee but Takvim say the Super Lig side will not make a final decision until their new management is in place.

Fenerbahce has confirmed that presidential elections will be held on 6–7 June.

The group that wins the election will then decide whether to accept Sunderland’s offer for the Englishman. They will also evaluate a reported bid of €16m from Nottingham Forest.

Brown is a product of Derby County’s youth system and left them as a free agent without breaking into the first team.

He joined Lausanne-Sport for free in July 2021 and then moved to KAA Gent in August 2023. Last summer, the Belgian club sold the defender to Fenerbahçe.

Operating primarily as a left-back, he has contributed five goals and seven assists in 38 games for the Istanbul club.

Contract, price and agent information

In the summer, Archie Brown will have two years remaining on his contract, with the option of a further year.

transfer market He is valued at €12m and agency Epic Sports is representing the football fullback.

A return to Grand Casino Arena, a three-day break and big nights from key players were all the Minnesota Wild needed to bounce back in their Western Conference Second Round series against the Colorado Avalanche.

Kirill Kaprizov and Brock Faber each had a goal and two assists, while Quinn Hughes added a goal and an assist to lead the Wild to a 5-1 win over the Avalanche on Saturday night in Game 3 of their best-of-7 series. Minnesota bounced back with a solid defensive effort after giving up 14 goals after losing the first two games in Denver. The Wild won a second-round game at home for the first time since May 9, 2014. They handed Colorado its first loss in seven games this postseason and evened the series with a win on Monday night.

Wild coach John Hynes went back to rookie goaltender Jesper Wallstad, who was replaced by Filip Gustavsson for Game 2 after allowing eight goals in a 9–6 series-opening loss. He justified Hines’ decision by making 34 saves, allowing only Nathan MacKinnon’s second-period power-play goal. Walstead played as he did in Minnesota’s first-round series win against the Dallas Stars and gave Minnesota a solid night between the pipes.

He also got a lot of help. In addition to Kaprizov, Faber and Hughes, Ryan Hartman and Matt Boldy scored for the Wild, with Matt Zuccarello adding two assists.

Neither team made any continuous attack for the first 15 minutes. Colorado’s Parker Kelly had the best chance around 11 minutes, but his backhander was denied at the right post by Volstad.

However, things opened up after roughing penalties to Kelly and Hartman at 14:54 and each team left with one man skating.

Kaprizov took advantage of open space to put the Wild ahead 1-0 at 15:11. He took a pass from Faber and raced to the middle of the Colorado zone, knocked Wedgewood to the ice and lifted the puck over himself.

Hughes, who had the second assist on Kaprizov’s goal, made it 2–0 with a 4-on-3 power-play goal at 16:44. With Devon Toews hooking up, Hughes controlled a pass at the left point, made his way to the high slot and fired. Wedgwood had lost his stick, was screened by Kaprizov and was helpless as the shot passed him.

Hughes was called for an unnecessary cross-checking penalty at 17:42. But the Wild kicked the penalty without any trouble and ended the period with their first two-goal lead of the series.

Minnesota’s power play came again at 4:23 of the second period and the score became 3–0. Zuccarello’s shot hit Toes on its way to the net; Hartman got a piece of the airborne puck and put it in the net.

That was the end of the night for Wedgwood, who came into the game 6-0 with a 2.12 goals-against average and .923 save percentage. Mackenzie Blackwood, who had not played at all in Colorado’s first seven games, replaced him.

MacKinnon got the Avs on the board at 13:11. Wallstedt made a save after Gabriel Landeskog took the puck to the net, but Wild defenseman Damon Hunt caught him and both men fouled Wallstedt. This caused the puck to sit just outside the crease; MacKinnon scored his 60th career playoff goal.

But before Wild fans had a chance to worry, Faber restored Minnesota’s three-goal lead at 13:31. During a delayed penalty, Blackwood blocked Vladimir Tarasenko’s shot near the left face-off dot. But the rebound hit him, bounced off Faber and slid past the goal line for a 4–1 lead.

Wallstadt stopped all 13 shots he faced in the third period. Boldy’s 155-foot empty netter with four seconds remaining sealed the victory.

Highlights from Minnesota’s 5-1 win over Colorado in Game 3

Big night for Kaprizov

“Kirill the Thrill” lived up to his nickname in Game 3.

The NHL’s soon-to-be highest-paid player was named the game’s first star on a night when he was seemingly everywhere. His compete level was off the charts, he went to the corners, got to the front of the net to screen Wedgwood on Hughes’ goal, blocked two shots and finished plus-3.

“He was going tonight,” Faber told TNT’s postgame show. “When he’s moving his hips, that’s when he’s playing fast. He’s one of the best players in the league and one of the hardest workers. He was at his best tonight.”

Volstad reclaimed the net

When you’re down 2-0 in a series against the reigning NHL regular season champion, your goaltender needs to step up. That’s exactly what Volstad did in Game 3, denied by the Avs’ flurry of goals in Game 1 and benching in a 5-2 loss in Game 2.

Kelly being saved for the first time might have been the biggest highlight of the night. The game was scoreless when Volstad blocked his wide-open backhander and managed to keep the rebound out of the net. Instead, Wild were not playing from the back; After less than six minutes they were leading 2–0.

Barring injury, it’s hard to imagine Hines changing goaltenders again.

Wild power play finally pays off

Minnesota was 0-for-5 with an extra man in two losses in Denver and 1-for-15 in its last five games before cashing in twice on Saturday.

The Wild cannot afford non-productive power plays when they are facing the NHL’s top regular season team. Even with two PPG in Game 3, Minnesota is just 5 of 33 (15.1 percent) with the extra man. But the advantage the Wild gained by converting their first two chances was clear. By turning a 1–0 lead into a three-goal lead, Minnesota forced Colorado to chase the game – something that had not happened this postseason.

stat shots

Kaprizov’s three-point night gave him 14 points, the most of all NHL players so far this postseason. Hughes is tied for second with Mitch Marner of the Vegas Golden Knights with 13 points.

Kaprizov extended his individual point streak against Colorado to 16 games (regular season and playoffs).

Faber (plus-12) and Kaprizov (plus-11) are 1-2 in plus-minus in the league through Saturday.

Zuccarello has nine points (three goals, six assists) in six games this postseason. He missed three times due to injuries but has at least one point in every game he has played.

Jon Krieger covered his first New York Rangers game (against the California Golden Seals) in November 1975 and it… More about Jon Krieger

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

Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Aston Villa are all chasing Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries in the summer.

Back in January, Sport Witness broadcast news After Jeremy Frimpong failed, Liverpool tried to sign him in the winter market. However, despite the Reds’ approach no deal could be reached.

Earlier this month, we Covered claims from Italy Aston Villa’s replacement as a right-back.

Liverpool and Aston Villa are not the only teams in the Premier League, but Manchester United and Newcastle United are also involved.

The Netherlands international has been first-choice for the Serie A team since joining from PSV Eindhoven for €12.5m in August 2021.

He suffered an ankle injury in November, which forced him to spend 103 days off the field. This has limited his playing time for the Nerazzurri this season.

His Serie A statistics are as follows:

• Appearances: 15
• Start: 12
• Total minutes: 1,020
• Minutes per game: 68

PL sides keen for Dumfries

The Interista The 29-year-old will reportedly be one of the most talked-about names in the next window as he is yet to finalize his Inter Milan future.

Denzel Dumfries has ‘very strong interest’ in the Premier League, with Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Aston Villa his favourites. These clubs are queuing up to secure his services in the summer.

The Italian club, for their part, want to offer him a one-year extension worth €5m net per year. His current contract includes a €25m release clause payable at one time. Cristian Chivu’s side want to get rid of this clause with a new contract.

For now, the Dutchman is focused on finishing the season with Inter Milan, seven points ahead of second-placed Napoli in the Serie A table.

His final decision will be important, which he has not taken yet. As things stand, it’s unclear whether Dumfries will sign an extension or go elsewhere.

Contract, price and agent information

Denzel Dumfries turns 30 at the end of this month and is under contract with Inter Milan until 2028. transfer market He is now valued at €25m, which is €10m less than in June 2025.

Earlier this season, the player changed agents and is now represented by Ali Barat of Epic Sports.

The new agent could use Premier League sides to help the Dutchman secure the last lucrative deal of his career.

For 20 minutes, the New Jersey Devils looked like a red-hot team capable of competing with any opponent in the NHL.

Nevertheless, in a result that seemed very familiar to Devils fans, the Carolina Hurricanes came back strongly with five consecutive goals in their 5–2 victory, which snapped the Devils’ two-game winning streak.

Evgeni Dadonov and Timo Meier each scored, the second of which came from Dawson Mercer in his 400th consecutive game. Jacob Markstrom made 29 saves in the loss.

Carolina scored three times in the second period, led by former Devils forward Taylor Hall, who had two assists. Nikolaj Ehlers also had a goal and an assist.

The Hurricanes won their 12th consecutive home game against the Devils, adding six Stanley Cup playoff wins over the past four seasons.

“I think this group needs to heal some wounds along the way,” Devils forward Connor Brown said after the game. “As soon as you let one in and get one on their heels, that’s where their system takes over. That’s the type of game they hunt.”

Devils had a strong performance in the first round in Carolina.

The Devils couldn’t have asked for a better start to the game.

They kept the shot count close throughout the frame and played the proverbial solid road game. Markstrom made eight saves, and they were mostly from outside, as the Devils gave up just 0.62 expected goals and two high-danger chances.

Despite two failed power plays in the first period, New Jersey also finished first on the board. Captain Nico Hischier hit Mercer with a 100-foot stretch pass and Mercer beat Carolina defenseman Sean Walker and found Meyer for a tap-in goal.

It was Meyer’s 22nd goal of the season. He has scored in three consecutive games and has five in New Jersey’s last seven games. Meyer now has eight goals in 15 games since the Olympic break ended.

Satan came unmasked in the second period

Failing to handle the Hurricanes’ surge has been a hallmark of the Devils’ struggles in Carolina, and Saturday was no different.

Carolina outscored the Devils 15–5 in the second period, and had a 32–13 shot-attempt advantage in the middle frame. Yet, according to Devils coach Sheldon Keefe, the whole thing backfired when Lenny Haminaho took the team’s only penalty of the game, a minor tripping at 8:27 of the second.

“We were definitely right there in the game,” Keefe said. “Up until the penalty take, I liked our second period. We didn’t get a lot of shots on net, but we were in our half of the ice. We just didn’t have the stamina or energy to keep up with it.”

Ehlers tied the score by beating Markstrom from the right circle on the power play, capping a typical passing play. Then Carolina’s rush got busy, energizing the Hurricanes’ offensive anticipation and forcing the Devils into mistakes.

“There’s no doubt that our bench sagged a little bit after we scored the first goal,” Keefe said. “It’s more than just the opponent. You know how hard it is to score. You’ve got the lead, you’ve given them life. The crowd just comes alive. It’s everything.”

Shane Gostisbier’s aggressive puck at the offensive blue line forced a turnover, creating a two-on-one situation for Jackson Blake and Logan Stankoven, and Blake got past Jonas Seigenthaler and beat Markstrom, giving Carolina the lead at 13:48.

“Punting against this team is exactly what they want,” Keefe said. “They drop it in the neutral zone, they come straight at you and it’s wave after wave. We’ve got to make a play. We’ve got to get it off the boards against these guys.

Jordan Staal scored just 95 seconds later, redirecting Ehlers’ shot after Simon Nemec’s soft back-handed clearing attempt, giving Carolina a 3–1 lead and effectively putting the game on ice.

“We had time to make a play and we panicked and threw it against the wall and that gave them an opportunity,” Keefe said. “Those are two big plays that end up on net.”

Pat Pickens is an award-winning sports writer and author who has covered the NHL since 2013. He reveals more about Pat Pickens.

The Los Angeles Lakers continued their late-season streak by defeating the Indiana Pacers 137-130 on Wednesday night behind another stellar performance from Luka Doncic. The Slovenian star finished with 43 points, seven assists and six rebounds, his league-leading 14th 40-point game of the season.

Setting the pace early, Doncic scored 21 points in the first quarter, his eighth instance of a 20-point span this season, approaching Stephen Curry’s 2015–16 record of 11. He reached 11 consecutive 30-point games, equaling the longest streak in the last 20 years.

The 27-year-old has been historically productive during this period, averaging 40.7 points on the Lakers’ six-game road trip, the first player to average 40 over that span since Michael Jordan in 1986-87. He currently leads the NBA in scoring with 33.6 points per game.

Doncic shot 15 of 30 from the field and 9 of 10 from the free-throw line, including five 40-point games in his last 11 outings.

Los Angeles (47-26) took control of the game early and went on a 10-0 run to lead 45-28 after one quarter. They led by 29 points and entered the fourth quarter ahead 105–85 before Indiana (16–57) made a late push to cut the margin to six in the final minute.

LeBron James contributed 23 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, while Austin Reaves finished with 25 points and eight assists. Jackson Hayes recorded his first double-double of the season with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Playing without Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura and Marcus Smart, the Lakers finished the road trip 5-1 and have now won 13 of their last 15 games. They sit in third place in the Western Conference with nine games remaining and next host the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night.

The LA Clippers have been climbing up the Western Conference standings throughout the season after starting the year with a 6-21 record. Under the leadership of Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers have been able to reach .500 once again at 36–36 entering their final 10 games of the season.

The 2025–26 season has perhaps been the most impressive of Leonard’s career when taking into account the highest scoring of his career in addition to injuries and franchise-altering moves made by the team at the NBA trade deadline. Leonard has already been a leader for the Clippers due to his work ethic and incredible in-game performances, but everything that has happened so far has only heightened that.

“This group loves to play basketball,” Kawhi Leonard said when asked about his leadership style with this new-look Clippers team. “They love to be out there having fun and competing. And we’re not afraid of anybody. Even if they’re more talented or have a better record, we still want to go out and compete and try to take pride in being out there playing and being competitive.”

This season of the Clippers has seen allegations of salary cap manipulation, a season-ending injury to Bradley Beal, Chris Paul being sent home at midnight during a road trip, the trade of the Clippers’ longest-tenured teammates in James Harden and Ivica Zubac, the arrivals of Darius Garland, Benedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson, as well as a season-ending injury to Yannick Konan Niederhauser.

Through it all, the Clippers have been a bright spot, especially in their young players like Niederhauser, Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller.

“There’s a lot of young guys or guys that are getting a lot of minutes in different roles this year that are moving forward. So we just have to tell them to enjoy the moment, but a lot of times when we’re frustrated or if the call isn’t going our way, at the end of the day it’s just basketball and it never goes your way. So just put one foot in front of the other and just play and enjoy.”

After some initial doubts about the Clippers’ ability to compete following the Harden and Zubac trades, Darius Garland quickly shut it down with his stellar play.

“It’s always good to have help,” Leonard said. “Darius is getting back in the lineup and being the star he has been in years past and coming in and still great for us, with 40 the other night, he’s getting the crowd going with his threes and passing and just his overall energy and, yes, looking forward to Ben coming back. But I think it’s a new challenge for everybody. Every year is different. And, yes, just try to come in and be competitive and just positive energy for everybody. Release.”

In 56 appearances this season, Kawhi Leonard is averaging a career-high 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.0 steals per game, while shooting 50.4 percent from the field, 38.5 percent from three and 90.1 percent from the free throw line.

Leonard has missed 16 of the Clippers’ 72 games this season, so he is only allowed to miss one more game before he will be ineligible for season-end NBA awards such as All-NBA teams and All-Defense teams.

The Vancouver Canucks defeated the Florida Panthers 5-2 in what was a spectacular Tuesday night at Rogers Arena.

Elias Pettersson scored twice, including the 200th goal of his NHL career, and Marco Rossi added a goal and two assists. Brock Boeser had three assists and Kevin Lankinen stopped 21 shots.

Pettersson had gone 20 games without a goal before scoring twice on the power play and Lankinen got his first win in 10 starts.

The Canucks have now won two of their last three, which might not sound that good, but after the stretch this team has endured, it makes sense.

I’ve watched enough Canucks hockey to know when a game starts to feel fragile, even when the scoreboard looks safe. Vancouver came out with a real jump, yet there was the same familiar tension after Matthew Tkachuk tied the game in the first period.

Against a team like Florida, these are the moments that usually turn into trouble. This time, he did not do so.

game flow

At 3:49 of the first, Pettersson opened the scoring on a one-timer from the right circle following Rossi’s cross-ice pass. Tkachuk replied at 11:41 when an awkward bounce from Carter Verhaeghe left him alone in front.

Peterson struck again on the power play at 13:40, with a shot that bounced off two Panthers defensemen for goal No. 200. Rossi then took a 3–1 lead late when Boeser won a puck battle and fed him a pass in front. There was some bite in that first period.

Then came the tension. Sam Bennett made it 3-2 in the second, and it looked like the Panthers were hanging on long enough to flip the script. Instead, Aatu Ratie restored the two-goal lead after a failed clearing pass, and later Drew O’Connor finished another chance from just above the crease.

As NHL.com noted, three of Vancouver’s goals came when skaters were left open in front of the Florida net, and Panthers coach Paul Morris acknowledged that these breakdowns were unusual for his club.

A better night, but not a clean slate

The Associated Press reported that Lankinen was playing his 200th NHL game, while Panthers defenseman Seth Jones returned after missing 26 games.

Reuters found that Sergei Bobrovsky was making his 800th NHL appearance, but the milestone night belonged to the Canucks.

Pettersson’s last goal came on January 13, making it his longest drought in the NHL. He said he’s trying to simplify and shoot more, and you can see that in the way he attacks his look instead of overthinking about it.

Boeser also supported this, saying that a confident Peterson would have to let that shot go. For Vancouver, it means more than a nice night in March. This changes the feel of the room a bit.

The reality is that this win doesn’t fix the season. I’m not pretending otherwise. Still, for Canucks fans who have waited a while to see Pettersson look dangerous again and for the team to actually finish their chances, it may have seemed worth holding out for a few days.

The Panthers visit Edmonton next, and the Canucks stay at home to face Tampa Bay on Thursday.

It’s not that common for rookies to make a team better defensively. Enter Phoenix Suns first-year players Rasheer Fleming and Khaman Maluch. Both of them have received immense support and praise from head coach Jordan Ott.

Ever since the Suns selected Maluach and Fleming in the 2025 NBA Draft, they have seen the potential. Both have the defensive abilities to switch, play pick-and-roll, and play bigger than their respective sizes.

As a result, this has allowed Ott to experiment and be creative. There may be offensive limitations, but the defensive promise far outweighs any shortcomings on the other end.

For example, they had a lineup at the five on small ball with Royce O’Neal, Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin, Jalen Green, and Fleming.

It’s an extremely small sample size, but that lineup posted an offensive rating of 141.7 and a defensive rating of 100 in just six minutes.

Will this lineup achieve a net rating of 41.7 every time it’s on the court? Probably not, but it’s a good metric to assess and see what the potential might be.

Fleming’s 7’5 wingspan and 9’1 vertical reach make him the ideal small-ball center. Not to mention, his physicality and athleticism far exceeds that of a typical rookie.

Again, the numbers are small, but it seems like Ott is optimistic about moving forward with it based on the scenario.

“Both games (vs. Milwaukee and Indiana), it felt great,” Ott explained via AZCentral’s Duane Rankin on Twitter (formerly Twitter). “When to really get near it. Facing massive pullouts again.”

“Some of the challenges we’re having with guarding those guys with our bigger players are new. Just new situations that (7-foot freshman Khaman Maluach) has been in. Thought we were able to respond in the game to try to find another way to get a win on the road.”

Defensive combo of Rasheer Fleming + Khaman Maluach = Jordan Ott for the Suns

Again, Fleming and Maluach, being rookies and picking up minutes, may have some skeptics, but they have earned their fair share of respect from their teammates and coaches.

Tireless work, playing with the G-League Valley Suns and constantly staying prepared are all parts of the process that helped him get here. Eventually, the Suns relied on Fleming and Maluach by trading Nigel Hayes-Davies and Nick Richards at the trade deadline.

While part of this was for salary cap purposes, it shows the confidence the organization and the entire team have in these two rookies.

As for the former St. Joe’s forward, he has all the makings of an elite defensive player. As mentioned earlier, her mentality as well as physical gifts have attracted many people.

Even Suns teammates Grayson Allen and Colin Gillespie shared that Fleming’s ceiling is so high. Devin Booker noted Maluach as having high basketball skills for a center, and for a young man like himself.

Given where we are in the season, a contending team typically doesn’t aim to keep two rookies around for a significant amount of time. However, Ott appears to have a lot of offensive and defensive potential.

Trust is growing with teammates, lineup experiments are going well, and Maluach and Fleming seem to be playing freely.

Phoenix’s defensive rating is already the tenth-best in the association. The influx of lineup combinations could disrupt a set five-man unit. However, this may be a blessing in disguise because of the opportunity both Fleming and Maluach have.

Meaningful minutes and impacting the game on the defensive end with strong rim protection, perimeter defense and a never-ending hustle is exactly what Ott was good at — and it’s paying dividends.

Chelsea and Newcastle United have now joined the race for FC Koln’s Said El-Mala ahead of the summer transfer window.

This is according to the kicker. The German newspaper today covers the 19-year-old and a possible exit in the summer.

According to their information, the ‘breakout star’ of the current Bundesliga season has decided to change his inner circle.

His parents, Sabrina and Mohammed, now represent him, ending their long-standing partnership with their previous agents.

He was represented by an agent from the Cologne area. That agent also represents his older brother, Malek El Mala. He currently plays for Köln’s U21 team.

agent change

Saeed is ‘redirecting’ his career ahead of the summer. It is also not uncommon in Germany to receive advice from family members. And they know there is Premier League interest in the winger.

Brighton & Hove Albion have been chasing him since last summer. The Seagulls have also presented various concrete proposals.

In fact, A report last month said That they are taking the initiative to try to reach a compromise. They want face-to-face talks on the transfer agreement.

A report from three days ago It was then said that El Mala’s asking price is now €50m. However, it was believed that Brighton had a double advantage over any competition.

Chelsea and Newcastle effort

Now that competition will likely include Chelsea and Newcastle. According to Kicker’s information, they are making ‘strong bids’ for both wingers. The nature of these bids has not been made clear, but they are putting them forward anyhow.

Chelsea’s interest is not surprising given their continued determination to sign every young player the Blues have led.

Newcastle are a bit more of a surprise as they have plenty of options on either wing at the moment. However, reports have linked the likes of Anthony Gordon with a summer exit, so perhaps El-Mala could be a long-term replacement for him.

Given that Transfermarkt is currently valued at €40 million, an asking price of €50 million may also not be out of the realm of plausibility.

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.

Victor Wembanyama sent a clear message on the unique situation of the San Antonio Spurs after Tuesday night’s emphatic 131-91 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Vembanayama did not need much time to strengthen Philadelphia’s defense. In 24 minutes of action, he finished with a stat line of 10 points, eight rebounds, six blocks, four assists and three steals. He shot 3 of 5 from the field, including 1 of 5 from beyond the arc, and 3 of 5 from the free-throw line.

Vembanyama reflected on the victory after the game. Enjoying a strong campaign for San Antonio, the young superstar center sent a bold message about the team’s quality compared to the rest of the league.

“When we play like this as a team, I think we’re the best team in the world,” Wembanyama said.

“When we play like this as a team, I think we’re the best team in the world.”

Victor Wembanyama after Spurs’ 40-point win over the Sixers 🗣️

(via @NBAonNBC)

pic.twitter.com/JPtz4DzV37

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 4 March 2026

Victor Wembanyama, how the Spurs played against the 76ers

Victor Wembanyama continues to stake his claim as one of the best superstars in the league. Furthermore, the Spurs have made serious progress as playoff contenders, their blowout win over the 76ers being another example.

The game started out close as San Antonio led only 32–25 after the first quarter. Despite this, the Spurs took a dominant lead in the second and third periods with an 81–39 performance and never looked back.

Eight players scored in double figures for San Antonio in the win, including Wembanyama. Devin Vassell led the team with 22 points, five rebounds, two steals, one assist and one block. He made 7 of 10 shots overall, including 6 of 8 from downtown. Dylan Harper came next with 22 points and two assists, Stephon Cassel had 15 points and 10 assists, Keldon Johnson added 12 points and nine rebounds, while De’Aaron Fox and Carter Bryant each provided 11 points apiece.

San Antonio improved to a 44–17 record on the season and finished second in the Western Conference standings. They are 5.5 games above the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves while three games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Spurs will remain at home awaiting their next matchup. They will host the Detroit Pistons as tip-off takes place on March 5 at 8 pm ET.

Nottingham Forest negotiated the loan of Arnaud Kalimuendo to Eintracht Frankfurt in January as a strong defense. Just a few weeks later, that security already appears to be under quiet pressure.

according to Image Frankfurt, The Bundesliga side secured a purchase option for the 24-year-old forward worth around £23.2m (€27m). This was an important section, structured by sporting director Markus Kroesch during the winter window.

At the time, the figure gave Nottingham Forest clarity. If Frankfurt were satisfied, they could trigger the option. If not, the player will be returned. Easy. However, the situation now looks less straightforward.

Kalimuendo made an immediate impact in Germany. He has scored three goals and added one assist in his first eight Bundesliga appearances. Recently he also scored a goal in the 3-2 defeat to Bayern Munich. Internally, both the board and head coach Albert Riera are said to be very pleased with his performances.

Individual conditions are not a hindrance. contract till 2031 reportedly agreed in principleThe basic salary is approximately £2.6m per year (€3m). From a sporting and contractual perspective, the groundwork is in place.

Consent on option – delay in decision

Despite this, BILD reports that Frankfurt does not intend to make a final decision until May. The delay has been agreed with the players and their representatives, with all parties focusing on football for the time being.

The financial context is important. If Frankfurt fails to qualify for European competition, it will be much more difficult to commit more than £23 million on a player. That uncertainty shifts the focus back to fees.

Importantly, Krosh has a reputation as a tough negotiator. The report suggests that even if Frankfurt reaches Europe, they may still consider resuming price discussions. If the forest were removed, that leverage would only increase.

What does this mean for nottingham forest

On the Nottingham Forest side, the provision of £23.2 million was to resolve the ambiguity. There are options to avoid this type of scenario – strong performance leads to new deals.

Now, this clause could become the starting point for another round of talks, rather than being a definitive outcome. Frankfurt clearly wants to keep Kalimuendo. The player wants to stay. Yet the agreed figure is no longer presented as inevitable.

Nottingham Forest negotiated in good faith in January. The coming months will reveal whether that agreement holds – or whether Frankfurt’s strong desire to renegotiate the numbers turns a direct option into summer negotiations.

There is also a belief in Frankfurt that forest removal could help in achieving lower tariffs.

Jaylen Brown isn’t ready to turn the page just yet. Despite the Beverly Hills Police Department issuing a formal apology for shutting down his “741 Performance” brand launch during NBA All-Star Weekend, the Boston Celtics star forward made it clear that a public “sorry” doesn’t fix the finish line.

Brown took to social media to express his disappointment and tagged the department, highlighting the lasting impact of the incident.

“Thank you for the apology @BeverlyHillsPD but the damage is already done and I can’t recreate that moment,” Brown posted. “And what about lost resources/partners? In a moment that was supposed to be celebrated, you embarrassed me and my brand.”

thanks for the apology @BeverlyHillsPD But the damage has already been done and I can’t recreate that moment and what to say about the resources/partners lost? In a moment that was supposed to be celebrated, you embarrassed me and my brand @741show https://t.co/608Iy8jcZD

– Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) 20 February 2026

The confrontation occurred on February 14, when officers arrived at the luxury retail corridor to disperse a crowd gathered for Brown’s event. The department cited safety concerns and a lack of proper permitting, but the move immediately drew backlash from fans and Brown’s camp, who saw it as overreach.

While the off-court drama was going on, the reigning Finals MVP tried to keep his focus on the hardwood. During the 2026 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles, the Boston Celtics cornerstone played a respectable line out, though the weekend distraction clearly loomed large. Brown finished the Mid-Season Classic with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, shooting 7 of 13 from the field in 22 minutes of action.

For Brown, it’s not just a matter of the party being over; It’s about business. The “741” brand represents their latest venture into the performance and wellness arena, and the all-star platform was supposed to be its huge coming-out party. Brown argues that by closing it, the city didn’t just destroy the atmosphere; They destroy potential revenue and partnership opportunities.

NBA All-Star weekend is usually a time for celebration, but for Jaylen Brown, it’s leaving a bitter taste. As the Celtics prepare for a deep playoff run, Brown intends to hold BHPD accountable for more than Saturday’s ruined night.

The Dallas Mavericks are currently undergoing a significant transition, especially after parting ways with Anthony Davis and handing the future of their backcourt over to rookie sensation Cooper Flagg. Flagg has shown steady improvement in his new role, but the organization is still focused on the status of veteran star Kyrie Irving. He has been sidelined since last March with a torn ACL. Recently, Irving connected with fans via live stream to update them on his rehabilitation progress.

He noted that he would provide a more detailed update after the All-Star break, saying, “I’ll give you guys an update after the All-Star break. Whether it’s this year or next year, it doesn’t really matter. I’ll speak when the time is right.”

Additional details from The Stein Line indicate that Kyrie Irving was a notable presence at All-Star Weekend. He recently announced via a Twitch stream that an announcement is coming regarding his possible return this season. He had surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee in late March last year.

The upcoming June draft is important, as it is the last time Dallas has control over its first-round selection between 2026 and 2031. Therefore, the team has solid reasons to consider allowing Irving, who will turn 34 on March 23, to sit out the entire season.

Irving’s preference for a collaborative decision-making process is coupled with his ongoing dissatisfaction with some media outlets. During his time in Los Angeles for the All-Star festivities, he declined an interview request from the world’s largest sports network.

When a publicist informed him of the request, Irving smiled and said, “I don’t really care about ESPN.” This tension is rooted in years of contentious exchanges, particularly between Stephen A. With Smith. Even when Smith attempted to appreciate Irving’s contract value, the guard responded, “I’m going to discuss Stephen A’s contract and I will say: ‘I don’t think you’re worth it.'”

As the Mavericks continue to transition into an era led by young talent like Flagg, Irving’s final decision will determine whether he re-enters the rotation this season or remains a veteran protector on the sidelines to protect the team’s valuable draft assets.