標籤: success

Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez has been a target for a long time armory.

On 28 May, Game Witness Covered claims from Spain La Liga rejected Arsenal’s bid last summer.

Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are also in the battle with the Gunners to sign the 26-year-old this summer.

Diego Simeone publicly accepted It is not surprising that these three clubs are keen on the striker.

Recent claims hinted at an offer from the La Liga winners, but this was quickly dismissed by their counterparts.

Los Rojiblancos also blame Barça invention of stories And are using the media to spread their propaganda.

Big report on Arsenal from Spain

That doesn’t seem to put off Hansi Flick, who is competing with Arsenal and PSG.

Wednesday edition of As There’s a big report on the Gunners and it also mentions Barcelona and the Ligue 1 winners.

Mikel Arteta’s side are not giving up after a failed attempt last summer and continue to praise the World Cup winners.

The frontman wishes to join Barcelona, ​​but the Madrid club is blocking the move. His agent is also in talks with Arsenal and PSG at the end of the season.

Both of these clubs value him at €150m and they have the financial means to pay this price. The north London club are ‘preparing to make a move’ and plan to hold talks with Atletico to try to sign him. This will be their new attempt after last summer’s failure.

Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta spent a long time in Madrid and is likely to lead the talks.

Atletico Madrid are sticking to their stance that the Argentina international will not be sold and are counting on him being there next season. He has a release clause of €500m and his side insist that Julian Alvarez can only leave by activating the clause.

Spanish clubs are refusing to negotiate with Arsenal, Barcelona, ​​PSG or any other club.

There will be no bidding war as he is priced at €500m, which is a way of indicating that he is not for sale. Los Rojiblancos also insist the former Manchester City player has not asked to leave.

Player attitude will be important for Arsenal

Atletico Madrid could change their stance and open the exit door if Julian Alvarez asks for a transfer. Till then, there is unlikely to be any movement.

Therefore, the South American’s decision remains crucial for Arsenal, Barcelona or PSG moving forward.

Despite the challenges, after last summer’s failure, the Premier League winners are unwilling to give up and hope to succeed.

The Montreal Canadiens are set to face the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 7 of their tightly contested first-round series, with each game decided by a single goal.

Indeed, five of the six games required overtime, suggesting that any advantage in Game 7 would go a long way in deciding the series winner.

Take a look at some of the keys to success as the Habs prepare to face the Bolts.

defensive sharpness

Prior to Game 6, the Habs had done a great job of limiting high-danger chances from the Lightning.

On average, the Bolts managed to generate less than five quality scoring chances per game at 5v5, while the Canadiens were closer to 7 per game.

However, fortunes completely reversed in Game 6.

The Lightning held a 22-7 advantage in quality scoring opportunities, essentially doubling their overall production in just one game. It was enough to erase Montreal’s significant advantage in that statistical department throughout the series (45-41, 52.3%).

If the Habs are to win Game 7, they will need to recapture the defensive excellence that led to success in the first five games of the series. Slowing down the Lightning in the neutral zone, which will slow them down from the rush, will also go a long way in limiting the odd man rush.

star effect

We’ve discussed the lack of first-line offense at 5v5 several times throughout the series, but at this point, regardless of the situation, the team just needs to show them off.

Whether it’s the power play, penalty kill, overtime, or any other possible scenario, the Montreal Canadiens will need Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkowski to lead the offensive attack.

To return to his effective ways, he must find a way to increase his shot production, an issue that has plagued him against the Lightning.

hold the line

There are many advantages to being the youngest team in the league, and the Canadiens perform at their best when their backs are against the wall, but their lack of experience in Game 7 could be seen as a red flag.

Making it to the second round of the NHL playoffs is hard enough, taking a certain level of focus that is usually easier to find among the veterans.

On the other side of the coin, their youthful enthusiasm may be enough to ease nerves and allow them to focus on the task at hand, of course, with a little help from their friends.

#hubs Brendan Gallagher has his advice for players who will be playing their first GM7 today: “Nerves are normal, being over-excited is normal, you just have to believe in yourself and trust your teammates… show up, do your job and we feel we have what it takes to get the job done.”

– Priyantha Amrith (@HabsInHighHeels) 3 May 2026

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

Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha has insisted he is not chasing individual recognition with Brazil, even though his club form is cementing his position ahead of the World Cup.

The Brazilian spoke ahead of the friendly against Croatia, making it clear that his priorities with the national team differ from those expected of attacking players.

“I’m not looking for headlines,” Cunha said espn brazil. “When we wear this shirt, it’s about more than being remembered. It’s about being part of a winning group, like so many before us.”

This stance offers an interesting contrast to his situation at Manchester United, where he has been one of the key attacking figures during the club’s recent rise under Michael Carrick.

Club form versus international reality

Cunha’s performances in England have been consistently good. He recently spoke about his spell at Manchester United Interview for a Brazilian channel. However, he acknowledged that translating that form to Brazil is not always easy.

“We want to come here and give it our all.” he explained. “People who have been here a long time understand things faster, they know what the manager wants. But we still need some adaptation.”

That adjustment period is already visible. Cunha started in Brazil’s recent 2–1 defeat to France but did not register a goal contribution.

Nevertheless, the forward rejected any suggestion that the result had affected confidence within the team.

“Nothing has changed in our confidence,” He said. “We all have the same idea of ​​what we want, which is to win the World Cup.”

Keeping perspective ahead of the World Cup

For Cunha, the level of opposition in recent matches is part of the process.

“France and Croatia are two top level national teams,” He said. “Usually we don’t have that much experience in these games, so it’s great to get this opportunity.”

He also pointed to the difference in preparation time as a factor in maintaining trust in the group.

“They had more time to prepare, but we felt we could have won,” Cunha added. “Even in defeat, it shows we’re on the right track.”

That mindset matches the approach he mentioned earlier. Individual performances may shape perception, but Cunha’s focus remains elsewhere.

This could be a positive sign for Manchester United. A player who is less concerned with individual headlines and more focused on collective success fits well within a team striving for long-term stability.

As Cunha said, the aim is simple – to contribute to something bigger than yourself, whether at Old Trafford or on the international stage.

🇺🇾 Manuel Ugarte | Aston Villa and Newcastle United tryouts

➡️PL outlook revealed for midfielder
🏆Manchester United player ideally wants transfer sorted before World Cup
⬆️ Priority is to remain in the top league https://t.co/8tFRKFb605 #avfc #nufc #free

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 31 March 2026

Arsenal are seeing the best of Piero Hincapie at the right time, and the defender himself is acutely aware of this as the 2026 World Cup approaches.

The Ecuador international has become a key option for Mikel Arteta since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in September 2025.

Hincapie is no longer being talked about as a player who has adapted to English football. He is now part of an Arsenal team that is still fighting on many fronts, and his versatility has helped. He has been used as both a centre-back and on the left, providing Arteta with tactical flexibility.

In recent weeks, he has produced strong performances, including a standout performance against his former club Bayer Leverkusen. He also scored his first Premier League goal in a 2–2 draw against Wolves last month.

So when he talks about confidence, adaptation and responsibility, it fits into the wider picture at Arsenal.

Emotional return and Arteta’s demand

in an interview with dsportsHincapie considered moving to Bayer Leverkusen after leaving the German side for Arsenal. The defender admitted it was an emotional experience.

“Going back to where I was happy is very emotional, and also sad because I had to face the club where I won everything. They opened the doors for me, so there were a lot of mixed emotions.”

Arsenal signed a player with elite levels of experience despite his age, and Leverkusen clearly remains a major part of his story. Nevertheless, their focus is now on retaining their place in North London and ahead of the World Cup.

He also offered a revealing line on life under Arteta.

“With Mikel, he has a very strong character. He likes intense training sessions. You have to be at the maximum level because of the demands of the league. I have adapted very well to what he asks of me in every moment of the game. I’m very happy to have him.”

This seems absolutely true. The physical and tactical demands under Arteta are well known, and Hincapie’s comments suggest he has adapted to them rather than survived them.

Heinz’s influence and larger role

Another notable part of the interview was Hincapie’s praise for Gabriel Heinze, who joined Arsenal’s coaching staff in 2025.

“Heinz helps us a lot on the defensive side as well. He gives advice to everyone. He’s a great reference point for us too, having him in training.”

It should attract attention. Heinze arrived with a reputation for intensity and defensive aggressiveness, and Hincapie is one of the players to benefit from that influence.

He is already comfortable defending wide spaces, stepping into duels and covering on the left. The additional work on the defensive side could make him even more important to Arsenal next season.

However, for now, timing is the point. Arsenal have a defender in form, the player looks settled, and Ecuador will be pleased to hear that.

Hincapie is speaking like someone who knows this extension of the season could define both his club year and his World Cup summer.

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama is fully aware of his growing niche in the NBA. He expects his team to finish near the top of the league standings. And after essentially serving as the buzzer-beater against the Phoenix Suns, he made it clear he thinks nothing is possible without his Spurs teammates.

“We’ve got former Clutch Player of the Year De’Aaron Fox, so that’s a big component of it,” Wembey said of his young team’s success in close games. “We have talented guys all around. We can put five offensively talented guys on the court at any time in the game, so that makes a lot of sense. The fact that we don’t have experience can work in our favor.”

From 22 wins two years ago to 34 wins last season, San Antonio has not only clinched a playoff berth, but is already one of the best teams in the league despite its youth.

“It’s not a meaningless game. I should say it’s a meaningful game, close to the playoffs, so it’s a good test right now,” Wembanyama said of the 101-100 win against Phoenix.

“The good thing is I can feel like we’ve formed habits and that’s on both sides of the field, especially defense. Now we just have to work without even thinking about it too much, and we know each other, and we can anticipate. And it looks the same on film. That doesn’t mean our play was perfect. Far from it, I think it was actually below average, but it’s a good test, especially this time of year.”

Victor Wembanyama details his buzzer-beater vs the Suns

Vembanyama’s jumper with 1.1 seconds remaining proved as subtle as it was effective.

“It was hard to keep up with all the excitement around me,” Vembanyama admitted. “The fans were looking at me. This guy spilled wine on me, and this, by the way, was before the game was over. I made the shot, I came back to defend and hit a guy, and now I have wine on my shorts. There was a lot going on. I didn’t see all my teammates come forward in a second. It felt like I was stuck in the crowd.”

However, Short himself could not trick Wembley.

Vembanyama said, “This is a shot I worked on. It’s everything.” “Our game plan is not inventing things, so it’s all things we’ve been working on. This shot, in particular, is a shot I’ve been working on with (assistant coach) Tim Martin, so it’s nothing new.”

The Spurs trailed most of the time against Phoenix. Vembanyama did his best to ensure they did not fall behind again after their last-second effort.

“In this situation, you want to wait,” the two-time All-Star said about his approach on that final Spurs offensive possession. “If you take the shot too early, whether you make it or miss, you’re shooting yourself in the foot because the defense will probably get the rebound and have some time or inbound and have some time. So, you want to shoot it as close as a second or two. That way if we miss we have a chance to get an offensive rebound, and if we make it, they don’t have time.”

Devin Booker’s half-court heave missed at the buzzer, giving the Spurs their 52nd win in 70 games.

LaMelo Ball says chemistry has been at the heart of the Charlotte Hornets’ recent surge, as the team continues one of the most remarkable postseason turnarounds in the league.

Ball discussed the Hornets’ success in an interview shared by the NBA on X, formerly known as Twitter, emphasizing the group’s connections on and off the court.

“Guys, you know everybody’s cool, takes care of each other, so it’s all real love. And you feel like a real family, and if someone’s down we’ll pick them up. And that’s how we go.”

Charlotte’s play has improved after a difficult start to the season. The Hornets dropped to 16-28 after a 94-87 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 21, but improved to 36-34 after a 130-111 win over the Orlando Magic on Thursday. The surge has lifted Charlotte to the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference standings.

Over the past 15 games, the Hornets have been one of the NBA’s most efficient teams on both ends of the floor. Charlotte ranked eighth in scoring with 117.2 points per game during that span, while leading the league in three-point shooting, making threes an average of 19 times at 40.4% accuracy.

Defensively, the Hornets have also made significant progress. The team has allowed just 106.4 points per game over that span, the fourth-best mark in the league, trailing only the Boston Celtics (102.1), New York Knicks (103.7) and Oklahoma City Thunder (105.6). Charlotte’s 10.8 net rating during that span ranks first in the NBA.

Buzzing energy at Hornets practice 🐝

Go behind the scenes with Coach Charles Lee and Kon Knueppel before Charlotte hosts Memphis tonight at 7:00 PM on NBA League Pass! pic.twitter.com/E4Mp7rZ2if

– NBA (@NBA) 21 March 2026

LaMelo Ball’s production fuels Hornets’ playoff boost

Ball has played a central role in the turnaround. The 24-year-old guard has averaged 19.5 points, 7.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game this season, while shooting 40.4% from the field, 36.4% from three-point range and a career-high 89.7% from the free-throw line. Appeared in 60 games, including 57 starts. He averages 27.6 minutes per contest.

With momentum building, Charlotte remains a long way from high playoff position. The Hornets are 2.5 games behind the sixth-seeded Orlando Magic (38-31) in the Eastern Conference standings.

Charlotte will look to extend its current two-game winning streak on Saturday night when it hosts the Memphis Grizzlies (24-45) at 7:00 pm ET as part of a seven-game homestand.

As the regular season enters its final stretch, Ball’s emphasis on chemistry continues to define a Hornets team that has rapidly re-established itself as a competitive force in the Eastern Conference.

After almost two full years of patience, the New Orleans Pelicans are finally getting an extended look at the version of Dejounte Murray they thought former EVP David Griffin was getting. If the past several weeks are any indication, the foundation of the franchise’s future is being built on the shoulders of the 29-year-old. Joe Dumars can’t deny how much James Borrego’s groundwork is starting to take shape on what has looked like a completely different team over the last 10 games.

The interim head coach has been generous with the praise lately, and made sure to give Murray plenty of credit. With the atmosphere they have established on both ends, the Pelicans are beginning to establish the habits needed to consistently compete in the Western Conference. For a franchise that has long sought stability, the emergence of a clear identity led by a fiery, disruptive All-Star offers a glimpse of what the future could look like.

New Orleans hasn’t seen anything like this since Jrue Holiday headed to the Portland Trail Blazers. Murray’s game-changing attitude was arguably never more evident than in Brandon Ingram’s recent win over the beleaguered Toronto Raptors.

“Dejounte (against the Raptors) was phenomenal,” Borrego admitted. “Probably the best game I’ve seen him play, certainly these last two years (with the Pelicans). Just his fire, competitiveness, obviously making shots, defense, communication, leadership out there, he instills so much confidence and fight in this group, and everybody is rallying around it.”

Everyone can talk about abstract things in probability. However, there’s only one way to measure those enduring qualities over time, and Borrego believes Dejounte Murray’s upside has been contagious.

“I think it’s really the same blueprint that we saw. Physical, offensively, defensively, disruptive, a big physical team. That’s what we’re looking to build,” Borrego explained. “That’s the goal, to keep that identity for the rest of the season. We’ve built habits to get to this point. Now it’s about not giving up and carrying it forward, like letting it become the standard.”

“Obviously, it starts with Dejounte at the point of attack,” the coach said, “and everyone else getting in line.”

Taking more than a year to recover from a torn right Achilles tendon, which came on the heels of a fractured hand, was difficult. Murray (17.6 points, 5.4 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 26.4 minutes per game) is trying to make up for lost time by building some momentum, scoring in double figures and recording at least one steal in each of his first five appearances. The story goes beyond the statistics, which is why Borrego has praised Murray’s leadership for weeks.

Dejounte Murray Motors Pelican

After the Pelicans returned home from a six-game road trip and defeated the Washington Wizards 138–118 on March 8, Borrego specifically credited Murray for leading the team to victory. The tone set defensively has created a ripple effect throughout the roster, setting a standard that was previously elusive.

Borrego admitted, “These are always tough games when we come home after a road trip. And they can be trap games sometimes. So, I’m proud of our guys. They responded with the right mentality. I give Dejounte Murray a lot of credit.” “He had fire, juice. He was going to get us a win (over the Washington Wizards) anyway. His great reaction, his leadership.”

The standard, as Borrego describes it, is rooted in toughness and defensive disruption. It’s a style that fits Murray’s game perfectly. He led the NBA in assists with San Antonio during the 2021–22 season. Murray has always been at his best whenever allowed to impose himself physically in a game. In New Orleans, that role has come into focus.

It remains to be seen if the Pelicans can turn these final weeks into a foundation for next season. But for a franchise that has faced hardships, seeing Murray playing with such purpose is, at least, a reason to believe that the future looks bright given the record.

PHOENIX – Inside the chaotic nature of the NBA season lies a Duke basketball family tone. Players in the program constantly refer to it as ‘brotherhood,’ and no one feels it quite like Phoenix Suns rookie Khaman Malooch.

Duke has a high level of success, consistency and a legitimate championship expectation every year, and one Maluach believes is more than attainable in the 2025-26 campaign.

“I don’t think there’s anyone here (on the Suns) that’s gone to a school that’s actually going to win the (NCAA men’s basketball) national championship,” Maluch joked to ClutchPoints in an exclusive interview before Sunday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets.

“Whether it’s Kentucky, or Michigan, or Villanova, or Marquette.”

As soon as Maluch mentioned Marquette, fellow center Oso Ighodaro, who went to Marquette, looked at him and repeated, “What did you say?” Maluch kept his comments to himself, but he let out a light laugh shortly thereafter.

Khaman Malooch’s journey with Duke basketball

Let’s take a trip back one calendar year.

The No. 10 overall pick spent only one season with the Blue Devils. Maluch played in 39 games and averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 21.2 minutes per game.

He was primarily the third or fourth option behind Cooper Flagg, Con Knueppel and sometimes Tyrese Proctor. They lost to the eventual runner-up, the Houston Cougars, in the Final Four in one of the premier basketball games of that year.

Although some thought he would stay with head coach John Scheyer for one more season, Maluch decided to join the NBA.

His rookie season did not go like other seasons, where the Suns’ center depth prevented him from finding solid playing time. Still, he worked diligently with G-League affiliate Valley Suns and made the most of his first NBA moment.

Ultimately patience won. He has not been named the starter, but has received consistent minutes for the first time in his NBA career. No matter when his name was called, Maluach relied on Scheyer’s lessons to maintain his optimism.

“He taught us a lot off the basketball court and on the basketball court (lessons),” Maluch told ClutchPoints. He really walked us through basketball and what we needed to do to get drafted. We followed him and the recipe worked.

“It’s just being a good person off the basketball court, too, and just respecting each other. It’s just simple things that they really put a lot of emphasis on.”

Khaman Maluach’s time with Duke aided his Sons’ success

Luckily for Maluach, he has a fellow Duke alumnus on the Suns in Grayson Allen. Granted, they played in two completely different eras: Allen with head coach Mike Krzyzewski and Maluach with Scheyer.

Allen’s tenure was highlighted by the 2015 national championship win. Maluach was not as lucky, but he got close to the top of the mountain.

The one common denominator between those two teams? The winning culture remains the same. For guys who have won national championships or been part of those programs, their habits translate immediately to the NBA.

The Suns’ front office put their eggs in the Maluach basket after dealing third-string center Nick Richards at the trade deadline.

He got his first chance on Thursday against the Chicago Bulls. It was a tough performance, posting only two points, four rebounds and four turnovers in 12 minutes. 24 hours later, a completely different story. He posted a career-high five blocks, which currently leads all rookies for most blocks in a game. He had four points and four rebounds with one assist. But it was confidence that came through.

On Sunday, he had four points, nine rebounds, two blocks and a +10 in the box score.

While Jordan Ott’s system can be difficult to learn, as well as the players’ tendencies, figuring out the mental game is quite a struggle. It was that element of play that Scheyer instilled into Maluch’s DNA.

“It was really similar to the NBA. Not game-wise, but preparation, mental preparation,” Maluch said of the instincts he picked up from ClutchPoints. Whether it’s food or habits, it’s really similar to the NBA. It really prepared me for this.”

Khaman Malouch knows Duke basketball is in good shape

Exactly a year ago, the Blue Devils won the ACC Tournament and made the Final Four. With the trio of Flagg, Knueppel and Maluach, the three-headed monster did everything they could.

In fact, Maluach was in rarefied air with Duke basketball during that tournament, making the run to Houston seem like a cake walk. Since all those players left, it was believed the program needed to take a step back.

Other awards include freshman Cameron Boozer, who has a legitimate case for AP Player of the Year. Guys like Isaiah Evans and Patrick Ngongba have lifted the Blue Devils up all season.

As a result, they are in great position entering their respective conference tournaments. With a cumulative 29-4 record and arguably the best team, they have a case to win it all.

Anything can happen, but Duke looks like a favorite to win the ACC.

Although the Suns will be on a six-game road trip during the ACC Tournament and March Madness, Maluch will be eyeing any moment and is confident of bringing home a national championship.

“They really have what it takes to win everything,” Maluach told ClutchPoints. “They’re really high on my list, (they’re) my number one on my list, so I’m really ready for the whole month of March, and I’m rooting for Duke as always.”

LOS ANGELES – When the Los Angeles Lakers first acquired Luka Doncic last season, he immediately developed strong chemistry with Jaxson Hayes in the pick and roll. That chemistry has continued to develop this season, and head coach JJ Redick has even built some of the Lakers’ lineups around that pairing.

Ahead of the Lakers’ game against the Indiana Pacers on Friday, JJ Redick pointed out how some of the team’s most successful lineups have included Luka Doncic and Jaxson Hayes at the same time. That lineup was able to make a positive impact on the last game against the Denver Nuggets, even though it resulted in a loss.

“We’ve had a chance to run some lineups with Jackson and Luka and shoot around that recently, and they’ve been really positive lineups for us. It gives Luka an outlet, it gives Jackson room to run,” Redick said during his pregame press conference. “He did a really good job for us last night, Jackson staying behind the defence, forcing Luka [Nikola] Jok has to make a decision there and allow that leg.”

“And sometimes, Luka was able to score the basketball. We’re not going to be able to do that every game. Denver doesn’t switch on, what we call flips or backside screens. We try to switch to blow him up,” Redick said. “The perimeter guy’s first screen last night, we were able to get some separation, and then from there it’s a quick pitch and roll from Jackson. We got a lot of good things from him.”

According to Databaller, in the Lakers’ top five offensive five-man lineup, Doncic and Hayes are both on the court. Those lineups also include players like Rui Hachimura, Jake Laravia and even rarely used Dalton Knecht, all of whom have been consistent 3-point threats at times for the Lakers.

One reason Hayes is more effective among 3-point shooters is his better decision-making ability in short rolls. He has done a much better job of being able to read defenses faster and recognize corner 3-point shooters.

And when it comes to most assists per 36 minutes when they’re on the floor together, Doncic and Hayes are in the top 10 in the league with 3.5, according to NBA.com.

There’s no doubt that Doncic and Hayes are very happy with each other when they are on the court together. Hayes gives Doncic a legitimate threat that opposing defenses have to be aware of. Defenders will have to choose their poison between Hayes getting a free lob or Doncic getting single coverage on his step-back jumpers.

Heading into the final stretch of the regular season, it will be interesting to see how Redick continues to utilize the team’s different lineups.

Angel Reese has a lot of experience being in the spotlight, but last week it was her little brother Julian Reese’s turn and she’s been supporting him from the sidelines every step of the way. During JuJu’s first three games with the Washington Wizards, Angel has been vocally in his favor even as he had breakout moments.

“She attacks me before and after every game, just tells me what I need to do. [She] Watches games, tries to message me during halftime, stuff like that. Sometimes I have to push him away from me a little bit, just try to tell him to let me do what I do,” JuJu said with a smile. ”But it’s great to have a sister who always leans on me and tries to see the best for her brother, especially when he’s busy with what he’s doing. Love her till death.”

Julianne Reese on Angel Reese:

“She beats me up before and after every game and tells me what to do… It’s great to have a sister who is always there for me and tries to see the best for her brother… Love her to death” ❤️

(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)

pic.twitter.com/PnAo1Jr6oi https://t.co/bqq9f5gUO0

– Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) 6 March 2026

The Wizards signed JuJu to a two-way contract on February 28, and he has played three games so far with the team battling injuries. He had 11 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and three steals in his first two contests and followed up the success with an 18-point, 20-rebound performance in the third. Angel can be seen cheering for his brother both in person and online.

Angel Reese is courtside watching her brother JuJu Reese in his second career NBA game ❤️ pic.twitter.com/2xPhBstc9R

– Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) 4 March 2026

JuJu MF Reese. @reese10julian

– Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) 6 March 2026

The Reese siblings clearly have a lot in common on the court, as they have both demonstrated an impressive ability to work on the glass. JuJu set a Wizards franchise rookie record with 10 offensive rebounds in his third outing, while Angel has averaged a double-double with rebounds in each of his last five seasons. They both became the youngest players in their respective leagues to score 18+ points and 10+ offensive boards in a game, proving that the talent for grabbing “Maybounds” runs in their family.

Forever ours♾️ https://t.co/DL7wIA2oWt pic.twitter.com/vGKI4D4ePQ

– Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) 4 March 2026

Arsenal’s Victor Gyöckeres has revealed that his experience of winning back-to-back league titles with Sporting is helping him handle the Premier League title race – and he insisted he is going into it “without any fear”.

The Sweden international, who joined Arsenal from Sporting CP last summer, Spoke to DAZN in Portugal About how his time in Lisbon prepared him for this moment in England.

Over the past two seasons, Gyökeres scored 97 goals and provided 27 assists in 102 matches. He was at the center of Sporting’s historic league double. Now 27, he believes the experience in North London is proving decisive.

“In the last two years, I went through a very similar situation in different aspects, where we fought for the title,” He said.

“Yes, it was difficult at different stages of the season and the rivals were close to us in the table,” He continued. “But fortunately, I managed to finish first in both seasons at Sporting, which was obviously fantastic.”

Experience shaping Arsenal’s title push

Arsenal remain firmly in the Premier League title race, and Gyöckeres has already contributed 15 goals in 37 appearances in the competition. This includes two goals in the recent derby win over Tottenham.

Despite facing scrutiny from parts of the British media at the start of the season, the striker appears to have settled rapidly. Importantly, he believes the psychological aspect of past title fights is now a major asset.

“Now being in this position with Arsenal (having gained experience) is helping me to have the confidence and enthusiasm to continue in this position at this time, without too much fear,” He added.

That line emerges. Confidence under pressure is not guaranteed for a player adjusting to the Premier League after dominating in Portugal. However, Gyökeres suggests he has already been through the emotional ups and downs of a tough title race.

Why does this matter to Arsenal?

Arsenal invested heavily to bring him in. With its price tag, expectations were immediate. while their numbers are so far solid rather than spectacularThe broader picture is more encouraging.

Firstly, he has performed well in big moments. Secondly, he brings the experience of seeing the narrow edge at the top of the table. That mentality could be important in the run-in.

Mikel Arteta’s team is competing in one of the most demanding leagues in Europe. Yet Gyökeres’ observations indicate that, internally, there is peace rather than anxiety.

If Arsenal are to turn contention into silverware, they will need players who treat pressure as a routine. By his own admission, Gyöckeres now does exactly that – without any fear.

Chelsea winger Giovani Quenda is set to return to Portugal this week after completing a crucial phase of his injury recovery under the care of the London club.

portuguese outlet record This morning reports the teenager will travel back to Lisbon on Friday. He is expected to rejoin sports training immediately after completing rehabilitation in London.

Kwenda was sidelined with a fracture of the fifth metatarsal of his right foot. The recovery process took place in Cobham, with Chelsea overseeing the final stages. As first reported in PortugalThe London club adopted a cautious and structured approach, prioritizing long-term security over any hasty withdrawal.

Now, it appears that the green light has been given.

Chelsea’s contract confirmed till 2032

The record also outlines a key contractual detail. Chelsea have already secured Kwenda’s playing rights until June 2032.

That long-term deal reinforces why the Premier League club has taken full control of his rehabilitation. At 18 they are considered a strategic investment rather than a short-term solution.

The winger will officially join the Chelsea squad in July. Until then, he will remain on loan at Sporting CP, where he is expected to build match rhythm during the decisive months of the season.

The important thing is that there is no sign of failures. The return schedule has been decided in London only after medical clearance.

The clock is ticking on Chelsea’s arrival

For Chelsea, it marks the transition from the recovery phase to performance monitoring again.

After hard work, the club has now handed him back to Sporting. However, his minutes, physical response and load management will be closely monitored from Cobham in March and April. if he comes back his previous good formThis will definitely be a matter of happiness for both the clubs.

Given the length of his contract and the scale of the stakes placed on him, the priority is to ensure he finishes the campaign fit, confident and physically strong.

If that happens, Chelsea will get him in July not as an emerging talent, but as a winger fully ready for the next step.

Habib Bey spent two years at Newcastle United between 2007 and 2009 during his playing career.

The Frenchman joins the Magpies from Marseille. Earlier this month, the Ligue 1 side appointed Roberto De Zerbi as his successor.

Friday edition of provence, A local newspaper of French clubs reviews his career and Newcastle United is part of it.

On Thursday, the former Arsenal star Robert Pires urged Marseille will have to be patient with their new manager. He used the Gunners’ decision not to part ways with Mikel Arteta early on as an example.

How Newcastle United lured Beyi

La Provence explains that during his playing career, finances led Bey to leave the League 1 team for the Magpies in 2007.

When he arrived at St James’ Park, Sam Allardyce was in charge. The newspaper says that he personally pressured Beyi to sign and that Newcastle United offered him a large salary which he found impossible to refuse.

Back in 2021, the 48-year-old said he was the top earner at Marseille, but the Premier League increased his salary by 2.5 times.

The former defender made 54 appearances for the Tyneside club and his supporters voted him Player of the Year in his first season.

Bayi left Newcastle United for Aston Villa in 2009 and in his final season at St James’ Park, he played alongside Sébastien Bassong.

Marseille boss’ influence on PL side

La Provence have now broadcast Bassong’s comments, in which he praised the impact of the new Marseille management at Newcastle United.

“In a dressing room full of stars near the end of his career, he was respected and he took responsibility,” He said.

“He was himself and had a zest for life and always loved connecting with the fans. They need that showman, extroverted side.”

Bassong was only at Newcastle United for one season but still felt Beyi’s influence. In fact, the Frenchman credits the former right-back for his successful spell with the Premier League team.

“He was like a big brother to me, looking after me. I often slept over at his place. I didn’t have a car, so he lent me his car. Since I didn’t have much money, he bought my first watch. I paid him little by little every month. He, Charles N’Zogbia and I were a trio. Without him, I wouldn’t have had such a good year at Newcastle. He played a huge role in my success,Baisong explained.

Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ loss to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, Deandre Ayton was heard saying the team has put him in a Clint Capela-like role. Capela, who is currently playing for the Houston Rockets, has made his career as a big man who does the dirty work on the glass and on the defensive end.

Capela was never a major scoring threat in the NBA, and he was never one to take many shots during a game. His career average is 8.1 field goal attempts per game, and in his 12-year career so far, he has only had two seasons where he made double-digit shot attempts.

But then again, Capela was a late first-round draft pick. He was not expected to become any kind of star player. He always knew what his role was in the NBA and he played that role well. Ayton, on the other hand, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. There has only been one season in his eight-year career where he has attempted fewer than 10 shots per game, and that is this season with the Lakers.

When the Lakers initially signed Ayton as a free agent last offseason, it wasn’t without some doubts. His previous stints with the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers were marred by alleged behavioral issues. But Ayton insisted he knew what was at stake in terms of his career when he joined the Lakers.

And now, more than halfway through the season, some of those issues are starting to resurface. But if DeAndre Ayton wants to continue to shape his image and the overall perception of him in a good way, he needs to embrace Clint Capela’s role for the Lakers.

Deandre Ayton becoming Clint Capela would help the Lakers

The way Ayton referred to his role in Capela’s transformation made it seem like he was a player of his caliber. But beyond all that, Capela actually played a major role as the starting center during a period when the Rockets were viewed as a legitimate contender in the Western Conference.

His Rockets career averages are 11.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots while shooting 61.4 percent from the field. During the playoffs, he averaged 8.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots making 60.2 percent of his shots from the field. Again, Capela knew his role and played it to perfection.

According to Daniel Starkund of Lakers Nation, coming into this season, Ayton himself knew he would have to sacrifice some of his offense while playing alongside Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves. The same three players will have the ball in their hands most of the time and will take the lion’s share of shot attempts. This is not a bad thing and this is how the Lakers should operate.

Ayton has already shown that he can be a good defensive anchor for the Lakers team. He has shown he can be employed on both ends of the court and on the glass. Before the Lakers’ matchup against the Atlanta Hawks on January 13, head coach JJ Redick mentioned how Ayton couldn’t fool anyone by giving up effort on the defensive end on a consistent basis.

“When he’s been engaged, he’s been good. There are some technical things we’ve worked on with him throughout the season, both in his individual workouts and in our defensive circles,” Redick said. “It’s just more consistency. He’s shown he can do that… DeAndre has shown it himself. He can be a really good defender.”

For a Lakers team that has faced problems defensively, Ayton could be the one that can make a big difference. It’s just that he has become more active on the defensive end when he is getting more consistent shot attempts.

However, there is a trade-off to this. Ayton is attempting a career-low 9.0 shots, but he is shooting a career-high 66.7 percent from the field. Playing alongside creators like Doncic, James and Reeves, the quality of his looks is going to be better.

Capela’s embrace of a role of playing strong defense and driving hard on the glass is important not only to raising the team’s ceiling, but also to furthering his NBA career. Should Ayton exercise his team option, he potentially has one more year remaining on his signed contract with the Lakers.

Whether he stays with the Lakers or chooses to go elsewhere, if he can show that he is capable of playing a Capela-like role, he will find a place in the league. The NBA is often a rude awakening for those who are accustomed to having the ball in their hands and being the primary offensive option. That was Ayton’s role during his lone season in Arizona. That was his role in high school.

But in the NBA, players don’t become No. 1 options at the end of their careers. It’s either there or it’s not. And Ayton has the potential to be a good complimentary player on a winning team. He just needs to understand this before it’s too late.

The New York Knicks made a strong comeback against the Houston Rockets and won. He displayed serious composure, which was in question in the previous defeat. Additionally, Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson both played incredibly well – something that could have been expected on a regular basis early in the season, and yet something that hasn’t been seen nearly enough. But while the win should inspire optimism, the reason for the pause is the Detroit Pistons.

New York played a great fourth quarter in its recent win against Houston. They finished the game on a 33–13 run, which included Brunson’s 18 points. The Knicks also held the Rockets to 28% shooting in the final 10 minutes of the game. And their defense, led by new addition Jose Alvarado, forced several changes.

The Knicks have played well against more top teams than the Rockets. The Knicks have performed incredibly well against most of the league’s top competition this season. They are now 1-0 against Houston, 2-1 against Boston Celtics, 2-0 against Cleveland Cavaliers, 1-0 against Denver Nuggets, 1-0 against Los Angeles Lakers and 1-1 against San Antonio Spurs.

However, they have struggled mightily against the Pistons, a team they will likely see in the 2026 playoffs. In fact, New York is 0-3 against Detroit on the season, and their next matchup is scheduled for (much) later in the season.

Are the Pistons too tough for the Knicks?

The Pistons present completely different problems for the Knicks than other elite teams. First of all, there is their physicality Very To struggle. Detroit boasts the NBA’s second-best defensive rating (108.3). His size is challenging on the downside. Jalen Duren is eighth in the league in rebounds (10.5 per game), and Isaiah Stewart is sixth in blocks (1.2 per game). Ironically, neither Duren nor Stewart were available for the Pistons’ most recent win over the Knicks on February 19.

Pistons also push the limits of materiality and efficiency. According to Statmuse, he leads the league in fouls per game (22.3). And why not? When your team is built like Detroit, the only disadvantage in fouling is a penalty. Agreed, this is not ideal. But the cumulative effect of fouling results in a reputation bump that forces teams to think twice about how they attack open lanes.

The piston perimeter protectors are also exceptionally strong. Cade Cunningham and Auser Thomson are two of the best at blocking opposing perimeter players. And both are physical enough to compete with bigger wings in the post and around the basket.

It became clear that New York couldn’t match Detroit’s toughness while remaining focused and locked down.

Can the Knicks offense be consistent enough to take down the Detroit Pistons?

If the Pistons are a more physical team, which they are, the Knicks should emphasize their strength, finesse, and finesse. This is how New York defeated Detroit in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Brunson took the lead. And for all the Pistons’ defensive abilities, they had no answer for Brunson when he was in his own zone and protecting the basketball.

In the 2025 playoffs, Brunson averaged 31.5 points and 8.2 assists per game. His footwork and finesse were on full display, including a series-clinching shot. If the Knicks are to be successful against the Pistons, Brunson will need to get back to that kind of game.

In the 2025–26 regular season, Brunson scored the ball very well, averaging 29.7 points per game. But he also turned the ball over. Very. Brunson averaged five turnovers per game in their regular season series against the Pistons, compared to just 2.6 turnovers per game in last season’s first round – and 2.3 turnovers per game the entire season (so far) this season.

Knicks supporters also need to do more. Towns and OG Anunoby missed the second of three games with the Pistons this season. But when he played he did not perform well enough. Towns averaged 13.5 points over the two games, and Anunoby averaged 6.5 points per game.

Granted, there are more failings to highlight – like how the Knicks crushed on the glass – but the simple fact is that when their second- and third-leading scorers add up to an average of 20 points per game, the Knicks are unlikely to perform well.

Fortunately, the Knicks have time to digest their recent loss against the Pistons and lick their wounds. New York has 25 games remaining before the playoffs, and their first-round rematch with Detroit is unlikely. That matchup will likely come later in the playoffs. So, the Knicks have some time to figure out how to approach the Pistons. But one thing is for sure, he has his work cut out for him.

A new report reveals a pair of New York Mets players who could have a much bigger impact on the team’s success in 2026 than fans realize.

After the turmoil of the last five months, there is new hope for what the NY Mets can do this season. After an epic collapse in August and September, then losing Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz in free agency, fans were angry and concerned about the club’s potential in 2026.

However, in January, the front office’s grand plan to improve the team came into focus after the additions of Bo Bichette, Luis Robert Jr. and Freddy Peralta. Those moves, along with other changes the team made earlier in the offseason, have created a narrative that this revamped NY Mets roster may have addressed the issues that led to their ugly end to 2025.

Although improving the defense was a goal this winter, the biggest unofficial priority was improving the locker room. After the season, reports emerged about issues in the clubhouse between various players, including some of the team’s top stars. The perception is that the departures of JD Martinez and Jose Iglesias took away veterans who had helped bring teammates together during difficult times.

The underappreciated roles of Shawn Manaea and Francisco Alvarez in NY Mets leadership

However, a new report has revealed two other bona fide members of the roster who didn’t have as much clubhouse influence last year as they did in 2024. But he could be an under-the-radar factor in the NY Mets making a big difference in 2026.

Tim Britton and Will Sammon of The Athletic report, “In diagnosing what went wrong at the end of last season, multiple sources inside the Mets pointed not only to some tough injuries, but how those injuries affected the mood inside the clubhouse.” “In particular, players like Shawn Manaea and Francisco Alvarez – who bring infectious energy – missed time at the beginning of the season and struggled to perform extensively afterward.

“It’s hard to be a clubhouse leader when you’re not performing. Alvarez brought some of that back upon his return from Triple-A last summer — ‘You notice the energy right away,’ a team source said that week — but a thumb injury sidelined him again in August,” he added.

Fans are well aware of Alvarez’s energetic personality. But interestingly, Mania also plays a major role in bringing positivity in the clubhouse. If both can have improved seasons in 2026, it could make a huge difference for the NY Mets on and off the field.

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

Randers director of football Soren Pedersen has revealed that he is due to various bonus provisions in the deal that saw him sell Mohamed Toure to Norwich City.

Bold cover comments from Randers chief today. He was more than happy to talk about the sale of the Striker. The deal he signed with Norwich could prove fruitful for the 21-year-old.

Toure joined the Canaries on a €3m deal at the end of the January transfer window. Sport Witness covered it at the time, Explaining how he quickly completed negotiations for the striker.

norwich deal

So far the deal seems to be a profitable one. The Australian has performed brilliantly at Carrow Road, scoring four goals in two matches so far in the Championship. This included a hat-trick in the 3-0 win over Oxford United last weekend.

It took just 47 minutes to achieve this. He became the first player since September 2013 to debut with a hat-trick in England’s top four divisions. Norwich have not seen a player achieve such a start since 1966.

iToure has made a high-flying start to life as a Canary, with a goal also in the FA Cup.

Randers is watching his performance closely. He joined them in July 2024 for €250,000, and recorded 12 goals and nine assists in 48 games for the club.

There’s more to come from Norwich

Their sale to Norwich was the joint second largest in their history. Tamar Benny’s €4m transfer to West Brom in 2024 is in that spot. However, Pederson is pleased with their conversation.

“The talks with Norwich were good,” he said.

“They showed understanding of our demands and the possibilities we see. I can’t comment on the numbers, but can only say that it’s a good Randers sale.

“So, it’s clear that if he had played the whole autumn, as he has started at Norwich, the price would probably have been different.

“But that wasn’t the case, and that’s why we’re proud of the sales we made. We’re certainly looking forward to both receiving the various bonuses and the opportunity to realize the existing resale segment. Because that has the potential to go really far.”

NEW YORK – Peaks and valleys tell the story of the New York Knicks’ season so far. Their path to the NBA Finals was open and clear when they were crowned 2025 NBA Cup champions in Las Vegas. Their blockbuster trades and offseason coaching changes were in question after a 2–9 slump. And everything went well in the eight-game winning streak that followed.

The Knicks have shown tremendous, championship-level potential, with superstar point guard Jalen Brunson in the MVP conversations. And he has essentially exposed all the issues on which pundits and scribes base their doubts.

Head coach Mike Brown has preached the importance of selectively losing memory. The goal is to stay grounded, which is similar to the philosophy of Knicks teams led by Tom Thibodeau. The coach, who has spent two-thirds of his first season with this group, says their midseason struggles are necessary evils that ultimately help lay the foundation for playoff success. He declared before their overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers that, based on his experience, the Knicks are on the right track.

“You hate to lose games, and I’m not signing up to lose games. But I believe we need to struggle a few times this year. … It’s going to test our resolve as a group. You’ve got to stay connected if you want to give yourself a chance. As the playoffs go on, there’s nothing more stressful than that at the NBA level. Seven-game series, four of them, so it really tests your resolve. … Being able to deal with some adversity.” To be, go through it, stay connected, and hopefully you come out of it a little stronger than you were going into it, that’s something I hope,” Brown told reporters before the All-Star break.

Knicks’ path to NBA Finals clear after All-Star post, but not easy

Logical and methodical, Brown is focused on his group playing winning basketball. The coach was asked about the relative decline in production from All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns and his focus was solely on the games leading up to the eight-game winning streak. And when asked what he’s learned about the Knicks players this season, he told the media that the locker room’s solution-oriented approach to dealing with adversity has impressed him.

The coach confirmed last Tuesday, “The way they handled going 2-9 was really good. Because it could have been a lot of finger-pointing, infighting. And our guys were pretty steady in trying to find ways to right the ship.”

The same structured, step-by-step approach that the Knicks’ front office employed to build their current roster – doing research, gathering possessions, waiting for strike opportunities, and executing aggressively when they arise – is similar to Brown’s systematic approach to coaching.

Like many coaches, he has fundamental principles that he wants his teams to follow. And it seems the coach has taken notice of the detail-oriented zeal with which he assigns roles to assistants or reportedly challenges players in practices within team captain Jalen Brunson and his teammates. Their responses to adversity so far have included acknowledging the issues at hand, discussing them as a team, and working with their coaches on implementing solutions.

All things considered, this process has been a winning formula so far. The ultimate test will still be in the postseason, and whether the Knicks can make that fourth seven-game series.