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A new report sheds light on some coaches the Dallas Mavericks could soon target to replace former head coach Jason Kidd.

Before the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers squared off in a wild Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals inside Madison Square Garden, the Mavericks dropped a bomb on the basketball world. And that was the firing of their head coach after five seasons on the job.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Kidd led the team to the NBA Finals two years ago, and has four years and $40 million left on his contract after signing an extension through 2024. The new Mavs head of basketball operations, Masai Ujiri, wanted a “clean slate” after taking the job a few weeks ago.

Micah Nouri is among potential targets to become the next Dallas Mavericks coach

The talented executive isn’t rushing into making a move, so he likely has multiple candidates in mind to lead the franchise. Late Tuesday night, Steen offered up a pair of assistants who would likely be on Ujiri’s candidate list.

As Steen noted, both have been linked to various head coaching jobs in recent years and come from two elite teams in the Western Conference. It’s also possible that Ujiri goes after more proven candidates like Billy Donovan, Jeff Van Gundy and Tom Thibodeau, who have all been linked to the Orlando Magic job in recent days.

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

The Philadelphia Eagles are expected to trade AJ Brown this summer in an effort to make further changes to the offense. However, if the unit again does not live up to expectations, some believe Jalen Hurts could be the next position.

An AFC executive speaking to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler suggested the Eagles could move on from Hurts after the 2026 NFL season.

“The player is becoming polarized, and as his running ability begins to decline, his value will also decline [Eagles general manager Howie Roseman] Will always be active to find solutions.”

Anonymous AFC executive on Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts

READ MORE: NFL defense rankings 2026, see where the Eagles land

• Jalen Hurts Contract (Spottrack): $31.971 million cap hit in 2026, $42.132 million cap hit in 2027, $47.549 million cap hit in 2028

Hurts, a second-team All-Pro in 2022 and Super Bowl LVIII MVP, has faced increasing scrutiny in Philadelphia. Earlier this offseason, Fowler and ESPN’s Tim McManus released an in-depth story detailing the friction in the Eagles’ locker room and the issues and questions surrounding the star quarterback.

Many around the league saw the leak from the Eagles organization as an indirect way of sending a message to Hurts. The coaching staff and front office want to see both improved play and leadership from him in 2026, as well as a willingness to work within the design of the offense.

It looks like Howie Roseman is giving himself a little flexibility at quarterback for a long time. The Eagles used the 178th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on developmental quarterback prospect Cole Payton. The coaching staff also remains high on former 2023 sixth-round pick Tanner McKee.

If the Eagles want to move on from Hearts in 2027, they will have to pay a heavy financial cost. Even the post-June 1 trade designation, which would be used to land the Browns this summer, would leave a dead cap hit of $30.756 million in 2027 and $54.478 million the following year.

However, the organisation’s growing dissatisfaction with Hearts has become more evident within the past year. Although it’s still unlikely that Philadelphia will move on from the Super Bowl-winning quarterback a year from now, it appears that it is an option that is being considered.

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

A new rumor suggests that the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks will eventually be joined by a fourth NBA team in Texas. But it won’t be a new team at all, and instead, Portland Trail Blazers fans will be heartbroken.

Aside from the ongoing playoffs and the upcoming NBA Draft, one of the biggest stories in the league’s offices is on expansion. With the NFL raking in the big bucks with 32 teams, the world’s top basketball league is also looking to squeeze more money out of its massive fan base.

All indications are that the league will add two more teams in the next few years, and they will likely be in Las Vegas and the returning Seattle SuperSonics. Even with those additions, it still means California remains the state with the most NBA teams – the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Sacramento Kings.

However, according to Bill Oram of the Oregonian, Texas, the state with the most land area in the union, may soon join California with four teams in the National Basketball Association.

Could the Portland Trail Blazers be moved to Austin, Texas?

What’s interesting about Oram’s comment is that Dundon is the majority owner of the Carolina Hurricanes and Trail Blazers. The NBA reporter is not suggesting that the billionaire would buy another team — nor could he. And that’s not to say Dundon would sell his stake in the Trail Blazers less than a decade after purchasing it. No, he’s insisting he’ll take the Trail Blazers to Austin.

Such a move would be heartbreaking for basketball fans in the Northwest, especially since they are likely to get the SuperSonics back after relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008. However, considering how long it took to get two more teams in the NBA, two more teams seems a long way away after that.

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

A new report suggests the Detroit Pistons are actually hoping big man Jalen Duren won’t earn All-NBA honors this season.

On Tuesday night, the Pistons begin their semifinal series against division rivals the Cleveland Cavaliers. It’s the latest step in the franchise’s most productive season since going to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2008.

Without a doubt, top star Cade Cunningham has played a vital role in the Pistons’ success this season. But second on the list of credits is center Jalen Duren. The 2022 first-round pick had a breakout season in 2025-26. Leading the team in rebounds (10.5) and second in points (19.5). His emergence as an All-Star is why they are the No. 1 seed in the conference.

Plus, his big season comes at the perfect time for him. He is in the final year of his contract and is set to become a restricted free agent this summer. The expectation for several months has been that the Pistons will match whatever offer they receive. However, the franchise has always been on the conservative side when it comes to spending. And when it comes to Duran there’s one place they’re not willing to go.

Detroit Pistons won’t pay Jalen Duren supermax

In a new report from ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst, the pair of NBA insiders revealed, “If Duran is selected to the All-NBA team, he would become Supermax-eligible, which is an area the Pistons cannot venture into.” Cunningham is already playing on a supermax deal that will pay him an average of $55 million per year.

That doesn’t mean the Pistons aren’t willing to pay that type of money to two players. It’s probably more that they don’t want to pay Duran that kind of money, and they shouldn’t after a subpar performance in the opening round series against the Orlando Magic.

So what might be a good middle ground for both sides? A Western executive told Bontemps and Windhorst that a deal in the mid-$30 million per year is what Duren could get after a career year this season.

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

The New York Giants revamped their coaching staff after hiring head coach John Harbaugh, but retained general manager Joe Schoen. This was a surprising move, as many around the NFL believed that Harbaugh wanted to bring in his own general manager. However, Shawn’s time in New York may soon be coming to an end.

There are those in the NFL who think Schoen could be fired as Giants general manager “this week,” as Pat Leonard of NY Daily News Sports reports. New York is coming off a successful 2026 NFL Draft, and it’s clear that Harbaugh’s fingerprints are all over the selections.

Schoen only has one year left on his contract, but he may not reach the finish line. Harbaugh reports directly to New York ownership rather than to Schoen, creating a different power structure than previously established. This has limited Schoen’s power in the organization, which is evident heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.

If the Giants move on from Schoen, it would allow Harbaugh to eventually bring in his own general manager. If not, Schoen will essentially have to take a one-year “trial” to see if he’s a long-term fit next to Harbaugh in New York. However, that could all end if the Giants give their general manager a new contract extension.

Right now, it seems like everything is on the table for the Giants after the 2026 NFL Draft. Schoen can stick around and work with Harbaugh or New York can fire him. Despite what Harbaugh said was important, Schoen still had input on a successful 2026 draft class.

It remains to be seen what happens next, but this could end Shawn’s tenure as Giants GM.

READ MORE: 4 takeaways from the New York Giants after the 2026 NFL Draft

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

While the New York Yankees classic jerseys are iconic in MLB circles, it seems like the team’s players are a little bored with the look and would like some alternatives.

There are only a few sports brands that are known not only nationally, but across the world. The Yankees are one of them. Caps and shirts bearing their branding are worn all over the world as the club has become synonymous with winning after bringing home 27 MLB championships.

The franchise is also one of the oldest in the United States, having first graced the diamond in 1903 as the New York Highlanders. Their famous pinstripes are almost as old and were introduced in 1912. It’s a vintage look that ownership loves, and they’re the only team in the league that doesn’t use alternate jerseys. Even their rivals for over 100 years, the Boston Red Sox, have alternate uniforms.

But times change. Last year, for the first time in nearly 50 years, the Yankees allowed their players to grow beards. It seems that the move in a more modern direction may have prompted New York’s players to request another major change for the team.

New York Yankees players want alternative road jerseys

According to The Athletic, “New York Yankees players recently showed off the team by wearing alternate jerseys for the first time in franchise history.”

Now, the pitch rarely had to stray far from their classic home pinstripes. Instead, a request was made to get different jersey options for road games. The Yankees have long worn gray uniforms with New York written on them for road games.

Furthermore, the pitch was not for them to indulge in the wild designs that other teams have used for the annual City Connect alternate jerseys. Instead, Yankees players asked for permission to use their navy batting practice jerseys as a substitute.

This seems like a reasonable request that doesn’t mess with their iconic home form and spice up a very boring presentation for road games. It will be interesting to see if the Steinbrenner family accepts their players’ petition.

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

Matt Brown isn’t convinced by Nate Diaz’s public explanation for declining a UFC return in favor of fighting Mike Perry on the May 16 Netflix card headlined by Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano. Speaking on The Fighter vs. The Writer, Brown argued that the Netflix deal certainly paid more than what the UFC was offering and that Diaz’s decision does not hold up to scrutiny as a matter of principle.

The situation began when UFC CEO Dana White revealed that the promotion was in talks to bring Diaz back, but he believed that Most Valuable Promotions had made him an offer he could not refuse. Diaz publicly hit back, claiming that the UFC had actually offered him more money for a trilogy fight against Conor McGregor and that he turned it down because he had no interest in facing McGregor on his “last leg” after being out of action for five years. Brown knows Diaz well enough to know that he respects the framing but does not accept it at face value.

“Money talks,” Brown said. “He’s making more money with this Netflix fight than he is with the UFC. That’s why he’s not fighting Conor in the UFC. I lean toward believing Dana on this. He got an offer he couldn’t refuse. Now, with the way the contract is structured, with how Nate is spinning it, there might be something going on a few layers down behind the scenes that we don’t know about yet. But there’s no way he’s making more money. Not earning.

“I don’t believe for a moment that he’s not making more money with this Netflix deal, although whatever happens, he ends up with more money in his bank account from this fight than the UFC, or he doesn’t take the fight. He’s going to pick the highest bidder. I don’t think that’s unique to Nate Diaz, but I think he understands that this is a prize fight. He’s fighting for the money. He’s going to take the highest pay. Is.”

Nate Diaz’s MVP deal

Brown’s broader theory is that Diaz’s deal with MVP could be tied to fewer terms than UFC returns, and the contract structure could be as important a factor as the upfront money.

“There’s either something more to it, like potentially he didn’t want to sign another contract with the UFC or something along those lines,” Brown said. “When they say there was an offer he couldn’t refuse, maybe it wasn’t just the money. Maybe there was something else going on behind the scenes with him. When he says they offered him more money, up front, they offered him more money – is there something going on through the back door?

“It doesn’t make sense to me that he would simply accept a lower salary for what would probably be an uphill battle for him. There’s something where the math is not adding up. There are some things going on behind the scenes, behind closed doors, that we don’t know about.”

Odysseus Vlachodimos says he joined nottingham forest To fulfill his Premier League dream.

At the end of August 2023, Nottingham Forest invested approximately €4.9m to sign him from Benfica.

The goalkeeper arrived at the City Ground after spending five years at the Portuguese club.

He played 225 matches, keeping 94 clean sheets and conceding 217 goals, and won two titles with Benfica.

Later that year, the Greece international said he made the right decision to leave Lisbon for the Reds.

At that time, he Said: : “I think it was the right time for me too to take the next step. And I think the next step is the Premier League.

“When I got the offer, it was clear to me too. I wanted to take the next step. I wanted to be in the best league in the world. And I also feel that I have given a lot to Benfica and I think it is the right time to leave.”

Stomper angry at Nottingham Forest

Fast forward to April and Odysseas Vlachodimos has been speaking to Greece’s Athletico to discuss a range of topics.

Monday edition of game Relays the 31-year-old’s comments on his decision to leave Benfica for Nottingham Forest.

“After five years at Benfica, I wanted to take on a new challenge, and the Premier League is every kid’s dream,” He said.

“That opportunity came; other interested teams had emerged before, but the transfer did not happen. Things did not go as I planned, but it helped me become the goalkeeper I am now at Sevilla.

“Contract Renewal [last at Benfica] Came seven months late; It was believed that this would have happened after I did not go [the previous year].

“However, [Benfica president] Rui Costa knew that if something happened to England, I would want to leave.

Stomper’s Nottingham Forest statistics

Steve Cooper was the manager when the goalkeeper joined the Premier League team.

Odysseus Vlachodimos played 660 minutes in seven matches for Nottingham Forest and made five league appearances under Cooper. They conceded 16 goals and kept only one clean sheet.

Nuno Espirito Santo replaced Cooper in December 2023 and did not consider the stopper in the Premier League. In fact, they dropped him from the team for the last 14 league matches.

The Reds sold him to Newcastle United in July 2024, and he struggled for minutes at St James’ Park.

Therefore, the Magpies let him join Sevilla on a season-long loan deal in August 2025. The transfer went very well, but the Spanish club cannot make a permanent deal.

When the Indianapolis Colts signed quarterback Daniel Jones to a multi-year extension, it was seen as a foregone conclusion that former first-round pick Anthony Richardson would be traded this offseason. Now it appears another option is on the table.

Speaking to reporters at the NFL’s annual league meetings this week, Colts general manager Chris Ballard said there is a “scenario” where the team keeps Richardson through the 2026 season.

RELATED: Indianapolis Colts urged to trade for Pro Bowl edge rusher

“There’s definitely a scenario there. He’s a good guy and he’s talented. I mean, I still want good for Anthony, man. I still think he’s got a lot of potential in him. He’s had a lot of bad luck, but I still think Anthony has a lot of potential and he’s maturing and growing.”

Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard if the team can keep Anthony Richardson

Richardson, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, appeared in only two games with 14 combined offensive snaps last season. In October, he fractured his orbital bone during pregame warmups when a resistance band he was using broke and hit him in the face.

At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, the Colts gave Richardson’s agent permission to make a trade. Various reports have linked the Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers to the dual-threat quarterback.

However, Kansas City has acquired quarterback Justin Fields from the New York Jets. Meanwhile, the Packers are among the teams interested in signing free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​to serve as a backup next season.

The trade market for Richardson may not be as strong as his representation expected, or the Indianapolis club may not be satisfied with the draft-pick compensation the club is offering for him. With Jones recovering from his Achilles tendon, it’s obviously possible that the Colts keep Richardson through training camp and see if he can be the starting option until Jones is ready.

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

A new rumor suggests that an elite prospect is generating a lot of momentum to land with teams like the Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets or Washington Wizards as the No. 1 pick in June’s NBA Draft.

One of the biggest stories as we approach the end of the NBA regular season, for all the wrong reasons, is the race to the bottom of the standings. While the lottery was created to prevent franchises from having to take the top overall pick, there is a battle going on between the NBA’s worst teams to get the top pick in June.

While tanking is nothing new in the NBA, right now it is worse than most years because there is a very strong class of prospects declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft. So even if a team doesn’t get the No. 1 overall pick, a top-three selection could yield franchise-changing talent.

As we enter the final week of the season, the Pacers, Nets, and Wizards currently have the best chances (14% chance) to win the No. 1 pick. The NCAA Tournament is underway and the discussion is going on about who will be No. 1. And according to ESPN’s Jeremy Wu, it looks like it will be the same player whose team was eliminated in Round 1.

AJ DiBantsa the new favorite to go No. 1 in the 2026 NBA Draft?

“Based on conversations with sources around the NBA in recent weeks, the prospects are leaning toward AJ DiBuntsa as the No. 1 pick,” Wu wrote in a new Draft Stock Watch article.

Throughout the college basketball season, BYU’s freshman has been viewed as a potential No. 1 pick in June. He led the nation in scoring (25.5 points) and led the Cougars to a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Unfortunately, they were eliminated by Texas in the opening round.

Until recently, Kansas star Darrin Peterson was viewed as the favorite to go first because of his NBA-ready game. Unfortunately, injuries and questions about his dedication to the Jayhawks have hurt his standing with many draft experts. Any one of these guys would be a great option if the Pacers, Nets or Wizards land the No. 1 pick.

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

Just days after Cup Series drivers Daniel Suarez and Ross Chastain got into a post-race confrontation following the Pennzoil 400, 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace became the latest to call attention to the fight in NASCAR and the rulemaking that fines drivers when it happens.

Speaking to Frontstretch.com’s Dalton Hopkins ahead of Saturday’s Cup Series practice and qualifying session at Darlington Raceway, Wallace shared his perspective on whether NASCAR should allow drivers to contend again.

Reality: NASCAR Cup Series debut at Darlington, see where Bubba Wallace starts

“I don’t think so. When you go wrong… I blame my father, but I also respect him for how he was, he was an eye for an eye, okay? When you’re disrespected, it’s a fine line to be a better person or make sure they don’t do it again. … There’s got to be a fine line because it’s going to happen.”

NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace on whether he should be fined for fighting other drivers (H/T Dalton Hopkins of Frontstretch.com)

Last Sunday, Suárez got out of his car and came to confront Chastain on pit road. Moments later, bystanders pushed Chastain away before coming between the two drivers to prevent the incident from escalating. A few days later, Suárez said that he would have fought Chastain if he had not received a fine from NASCAR and the impact the fight could have on sponsors’ interest.

There hasn’t been a fight between NASCAR Cup Series drivers since Ricky Stenhouse Jr. attacked Kyle Busch after the 2024 All-Star Race. Just days after the brawl, NASCAR announced that Stenhouse Jr. was fined $75,000 and two crew members were also suspended for their roles in the brawl.

RELATED: NASCAR Stage Winners 2026, Bubba Wallace Among Stage State Leaders

The great irony, as Chase Elliott later pointed out, was that NASCAR gave Stenhouse the largest fine ever for the fight, but the video was also used in marketing, to generate engagement on social media and it brought more attention to the sport that many company executives wanted.

Speaking to Hopkins, Wallace proposed something that would give fans, drivers and NASCAR what it wants, while also ensuring that no one gets seriously injured. Adopting something along the lines of hockey rules could help drivers deal with what is perceived as persistent disrespect by a co-worker and prevent things from getting worse.

RELATED: NASCAR Power Rankings, Bubba Wallace in top 10 before Darlington

“I think that’s fair but, we’ve always talked about hockey rules. Go on the field and then you can stop it, but there’s got to be a fine line. Because it’s going to happen, you’re going to get disrespected unless it’s behind the scenes and that’s too bad.”

Bubba Wallace on NASCAR’s current rules regarding fighting and the risks of not allowing it

For Wallace, who recently announced he and his wife welcomed their second child on Thursday, a $75,000 fine for settling differences with another driver after a race isn’t fair. If NASCAR ever decides to be a little more lenient in its penalties for fighting, while keeping personnel on the front lines to avoid actual brawls or significant injuries, maybe it could work out for everyone in the long run.

READ MORE: Denny Hamlin praises Bubba Wallace’s improvement

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

Just days after Cup Series drivers Daniel Suarez and Ross Chastain got into a post-race confrontation following the Pennzoil 400, 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace became the latest to call attention to the fight in NASCAR and the rulemaking that fines drivers when it happens.

Speaking to Frontstretch.com’s Dalton Hopkins ahead of Saturday’s Cup Series practice and qualifying session at Darlington Raceway, Wallace shared his perspective on whether NASCAR should allow drivers to contend again.

Reality: NASCAR Cup Series debut at Darlington, see where Bubba Wallace starts

“I don’t think so. When you go wrong… I blame my father, but I also respect him for how he was, he was an eye for an eye, okay? When you’re disrespected, it’s a fine line to be a better person or make sure they don’t do it again. … There’s got to be a fine line because it’s going to happen.”

NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace on whether he should be fined for fighting other drivers (H/T Dalton Hopkins of Frontstretch.com)

Last Sunday, Suárez got out of his car and came to confront Chastain on pit road. Moments later, bystanders pushed Chastain away before coming between the two drivers to prevent the incident from escalating. A few days later, Suárez said that he would have fought Chastain if he had not received a fine from NASCAR and the impact the fight could have on sponsors’ interest.

There hasn’t been a fight between NASCAR Cup Series drivers since Ricky Stenhouse Jr. attacked Kyle Busch after the 2024 All-Star Race. Just days after the brawl, NASCAR announced that Stenhouse Jr. was fined $75,000 and two crew members were also suspended for their roles in the brawl.

RELATED: NASCAR Stage Winners 2026, Bubba Wallace Among Stage State Leaders

The great irony, as Chase Elliott later pointed out, was that NASCAR gave Stenhouse the largest fine ever for the fight, but the video was also used in marketing, to generate engagement on social media and it brought more attention to the sport that many company executives wanted.

Speaking to Hopkins, Wallace proposed something that would give fans, drivers and NASCAR what it wants, while also ensuring that no one gets seriously injured. Adopting something along the lines of hockey rules could help drivers deal with what is perceived as persistent disrespect by a co-worker and prevent things from getting worse.

RELATED: NASCAR Power Rankings, Bubba Wallace in top 10 before Darlington

“I think that’s fair but, we’ve always talked about hockey rules. Go on the field and then you can stop it, but there’s got to be a fine line. Because it’s going to happen, you’re going to get disrespected unless it’s behind the scenes and that’s too bad.”

Bubba Wallace on NASCAR’s current rules regarding fighting and the risks of not allowing it

For Wallace, who recently announced he and his wife welcomed their second child on Thursday, a $75,000 fine for settling differences with another driver after a race isn’t fair. If NASCAR ever decides to be a little more lenient in its penalties for fighting, while keeping personnel on the front lines to avoid actual brawls or significant injuries, maybe it could work out for everyone in the long run.

READ MORE: Denny Hamlin praises Bubba Wallace’s improvement

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

The Detroit Pistons are entering a crucial period without Cade Cunningham, and Kendrick Perkins believes his collapsed lung injury could reshape the team’s trajectory moving forward. Detroit earned its 50th win of the season, its first since 2007–08, but the sudden loss of its All-Star guard changed everything. With momentum building, the focus has now shifted from celebration to survival. How do the pistons react when the engine dies?

Kendrick Perkins gives a bold answer on Road Trippin’. He did not suggest any simple replacement. Instead, he pointed to a change in the system for the Pistons.

“JB, I’m talking to you, your guy. If I were you right now, I would go and study when Miami gets to the Finals and I would expand our offense even more through Duncan Robinson. It doesn’t mean he’s getting touches, but my offensive sets will be designed around him. Chaos, back picks and all that stuff will be created.”

It’s not about quantity. It’s about gravity. Agitation. Pressure.

A different type of center point for the piston

This idea may seem unusual, but it has weight. Duncan Robinson’s figures support this. This season, he is averaging 11.8 points while shooting 40 percent from three. In previous playoff runs, he hovered around similar production, but kept defense every possession. That constant motion created space. It unlocked everything else.

Detroit could follow that blueprint.

As Cade Cunningham continues to battle his injury, the Pistons’ offense is at risk of becoming stagnant. Very predictable. Very slow. But a motion-based system built around shooters and off-ball action could breathe life into the mix. This may force the defense to react rather than give instructions.

The Pistons have already proven they can win. Fifty wins say this clearly. Still this moment feels different. Big. Margins for error reduced.

So now the focus turns to Bickerstaff. Adjust or pause. Favor or fade.

Because if this team wants to move forward without its star, it will have to embrace chaos, and rely on an entirely new path forward. What happens next could define this entire season.

Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana is hopeful of Youri Tielemans’ quick return from injury.

The 28-year-old midfielder has suffered two separate injuries during this season.

Following the September international break, he started in Aston Villa’s goalless draw against Everton in the Premier League. Unai Emery replaced Tielemans after the break due to a calf injury.

They spent 55 days ashore, a few weeks longer than initially expected. The former Leicester City player regained full fitness just ahead of the November international break.

Tielemans featured regularly for the Birmingham club for just over two months before suffering another setback. On 25 January, he was forced off the field in the 74th minute of Aston Villa’s 2–0 league win over Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

The Belgium international has since been on the sidelines with an ankle injury and will miss out on a place in Rudi Garcia’s squad for the March international break.

Youri Tielemans’ injury news

Meanwhile, Emery’s side host Lille in the second leg of the Europa League last 16 today. The first leg in France ended in a goalless draw.

Onana will face his former club in this match, and before this match, rtbf Spoke to the 24-year-old midfielder in Belgium. They finished ahead of their compatriots and Lille pair Thomas Meunier and Nathan Ngoy.

Amadou Onana discusses the upcoming international break with the 34-year-old Meunier:

“He’s a legend in our country, but also like a big brother to me. It’s always a pleasure to see him again. We talked a bit about the upcoming international break. We’re all looking forward to that happening.” He said.

Garcia called up the 22-year-old centre-back in November, but he withdrew due to injury.

On the possibility of Ngoye making his senior debut, Onana said: “He is a young player who already has a lot of experience. I have trained with him before for the national team. He is fast, strong, good at distributing the ball… He has a lot of qualities. He is a contender for a place in the team.”

When asked for an update on Youri Tielemans’ injury, he said: “I’m not a doctor, but his rehabilitation is going very well. We miss him on the field. I hope he recovers soon and we see him again soon.”

Tielemans and Onana’s Aston Villa statistics

On Wednesday, Sports Witness broadcast news That Tielemans wants to travel with Belgium to the United States this month despite his injury. They will face USA and Mexico in friendly matches in the upcoming international break.

Emery has regularly used the Belgian pair at Villa Park when available for selection. However, his injuries have affected his contribution to the team this season.

🇪🇸 Andres Garcia and Kosta Nedeljkovic | La Liga club wants to sign 2 players from Aston Villa
➡️Be careful with financial mattershttps://t.co/BnGNRHPdpy

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 18 March 2026

The conversation about Cleetus McFarland Racing in NASCAR’s national series is still far from over, and now Brad Keselowski has stepped in with an idea he believes can fix what he calls a “broken” system.

McFarland, a YouTuber who built a large following through online car content, recently received clearance to compete in NASCAR’s upper divisions despite limited racing experience. After a few starts in the ARCA Menards Series and a debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, he was cleared to race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Richard Childress Racing.

Understandably, this decision didn’t go down well with everyone in the garage.

Keselowski said the situation shows how unclear NASCAR’s development ladder has become over the years. Speaking on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast, the RFK Racing driver said the structure that once guided drivers through the sport has slowly disappeared.

“The problem we have is the industry of NASCAR as a whole, for whatever reason we have completely abandoned the identity of those four series,” Keselowski said.

“Not necessarily the Cup Series, but those four series, like the pecking order, has been thrown around. And it started with the removal of Cup drivers from the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.”

Previously, most drivers climbed ladder by ladder. Many started in ARCA, moved to the Truck Series, then moved to the Xfinity Series before moving up to the NASCAR Cup Series. Keselowski believes the path is no longer as clear.

Because of this, he suggested a stricter approval system that would require drivers to gain more experience before moving to the next level.

“Personally, I think the 3 series should have three different approval criteria with the Truck Series being sanctioned. So, here’s my opinion. If you want to run ARCA and you know you have less than 100 starts in any major or minor league form of racing. Yes. OK, great. ARCA is your place. In my opinion, you should not be allowed to run the Truck Series unless you say so, “I have around the country. There are over 100 starters.”

The conversation intensified after McFarland’s truck’s start ended early following a crash during the race weekend at Daytona International Speedway.

Also read: “What are we doing?” Veterans approve NASCAR standards after Daytona

Kyle Busch also questioned NASCAR’s decision

Keselowski isn’t the only driver to raise concerns. Two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch also questioned how quickly McFarland was able to break into NASCAR’s national series. Busch explained that most drivers spend years gaining experience before reaching those levels.

In an interview with Fox8, Busch said, “I don’t know how many races he’s run. Denny Hamlin ran 10,000 races before he got here, right? So, I don’t know if Cletus has run 10 races or not, but definitely needs enough experience. My son has probably run more races than him, and he’s 10 years old. You know what I mean? So, I don’t think it sits well. There are a lot of us.”

The Cletus McFarland debate highlights a broader debate that is growing in modern motorsports. On one side are traditionalists who believe drivers should climb the established development ladder – karting, Late Model, then ARCA – gaining years of experience before reaching NASCAR’s national series. On the other hand, teams like NASCAR and Richard Childress Racing (RCR) understand that driver reach and marketability can be important in today’s media landscape. It also seems like NASCAR is in desperate need of getting younger fans.

The real point of contention among insiders is not whether McFarland can actually drive. His top-10 finish in ARCA at Talladega shows he has some driving skills. Instead, some are questioning whether NASCAR’s licensing standards have become too flexible. By allowing only a small number of ARCA drivers to compete in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, he believes the sanctioning body risks putting online popularity ahead of the competitive standards expected at the experience and professional level. And along with this, security is also at risk.

Either way, McFarland will drive the №33 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing at Rockingham Speedway later this season. It remains to be seen whether he proves the critics wrong, but the discussion about NASCAR’s sanctioning system is unlikely to subside any time soon.

My love for motorsports began as a child watching races with my family in Tunisia. Fast forward to today… more about Farah Ben Gamra

A new rumor suggests that the Minnesota Vikings may be close to signing competition JJ McCarthy for the 2026 NFL season.

After former first-round pick McCarthy disappointed in his second season in Minnesota, reports quickly emerged after the season ended that the organization intended to bring in a veteran QB to serve as potential competition for the 23-year-old in training camp this summer. Well, that player may be signed soon.

In a new report from SNY’s Connor Hughes, an NFL insider claims the New York Jets are interested in soon-to-be-released two-time Pro Bowler Kyler Murray. Still, despite being a top target for a QB-needy team, Hughes revealed, “However, the strong belief from multiple sources is that he will sign with the Vikings.”

Kyler Murray stats (2025): 2-3 record, 962 passing yards, 6 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 88.6 rating

The Arizona Cardinals informed Murray this week that they would waive him when the new league year officially begins next week.

When the Cardinals used the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft on Murray, there were hopes he could be the franchise quarterback they have been lacking for decades. After his first three seasons, it looked as if he would earn Pro Bowl honors in 2020 and 2021. But in the four seasons that followed, Murray regressed. Partly due to injuries. However, when he was on the field, he was still ineffective.

Still, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has developed a reputation as a QB guru, and it makes sense that Murray would want to go to Minnesota in hopes of returning to his Pro Bowl form. If the 28-year-old gets back to being the player he was in 2020 and 2021, the Vikings will be a serious Super Bowl contender next season.

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

Tottenham Hotspur defender Pedro Porro has branded their Premier League season a ‘disaster’ and admitted his team is not good at all.

Cadena SER has quotes from Tottenham The full-back today after appearing in El Larguero.

Igor Tudor’s team is currently in 16th place^th in the Premier League and just one point out of the relegation zone.

West Ham won over Fulham yesterday but Spurs are in serious danger of being in the relegation scrap. Nottingham Forest’s point against Manchester City also took them one point closer to 17^th.

Why is he angry at Tottenham’s terrible form?

Of those teams, Spurs are undoubtedly in the worst form, having failed to win a single game so far this calendar year. they are 20^th Form table of last six matches. They have failed to win in their last ten league matches.

A big part of the issue has been injuries and suspensions, with 10 first-team players currently out of contention. This is the highest in the league, and Porro admits he simply does not have the team to compete.

“Obviously, when you don’t have a team capable of competing in four competitions, it’s difficult,” He said.

“You look at the injuries and it’s the starting XI that makes you think, ‘Wow.’ Last year was exactly the same; We had that momentum in the Europa League to win the competition and the same happened in the Premier League.

“You have to create a project to compete in everything and focus on everything.”

champions league distraction

Strangely, however, competing in Europe has not been a problem for Tottenham. Spurs finished fourth in the Champions League league stage earlier this year. This secured automatic qualification for the round of 16.

After the draw last week, they will now face Atletico Madrid. How they treat that game when the existence of the Premier League is under threat is debatable.

Poro is hoping for a good game, admitting that while his Premier League form has been disastrous, Europe has been good to him.

“Our situation in the Premier League is a disaster,” He added.

“But then you look at how we have competed in the Champions League and barely conceded at home. It’s going to be two very intense matches, and we’ll see what happens.”

Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg missed Tuesday’s 117-90 loss to the Charlotte Hornets, then received an encouraging injury update ahead of Wednesday’s matchup against the Orlando Magic. Flagg missed the last eight games with a foot injury, but was listed as questionable on the Mavericks’ injury report.

Flagg, who hasn’t played since the Mavericks’ 120-111 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Feb. 20, could make his return in Thursday’s game against the Magic. The Rookie of the Year candidate is averaging 20.4 points on 48.2% shooting, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game this season.

Jeff Teague of the Mavericks on Cooper Flag, Kon Knueppel of the Hornets

Former NBA guard Jeff Teague addressed the Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg’s candidacy for Rookie of the Year opposite Hornets rookie Kon Nueppel. Duke’s two prospects are the leading candidates for the award, and the race is close, as Knueppel has taken a slight lead as the likely favorite to win the award.

Flagg, who had led in rushing all season amid Cooper’s injury, and the Hornets’ five-game winning streak, was overtaken by Knueppel as Teague. Mentioned in their selection For Rookie of the Year, according to the Club 520 Podcast.

“If he is [Knueppel] Not Rookie of the Year, he was robbed. They [are] actually winning the game, that [is] Average 20 points.”

“He’s killing every game… If he’s not Player of the Year, he’s been robbed. They’re actually winning games, he’s averaging 20 points.”

Jeff Teague on Kon Knuppel 🗣️

(via @club520podcast)pic.twitter.com/B019SER50Z

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 25 February 2026

In only his first season, Flagg is averaging 20+ points while playing for the Hornets. Knueppel is averaging 19.2 points on 48.8% shooting, and his 43.5% 3-point clip leads the NBA, along with his 212 threes. The Hornets improved to 31–31, the ninth-best record in the Eastern Conference standings.

Flagg and the Mavericks, who have lost eight of their last 10 games, have the fourth-worst record (21-40) in the Western Conference.

While there are many signs that the Milwaukee Bucks will work to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer, a new report links the team to an elite star to pair with him in 2026-27.

Heading into the trade deadline earlier this month, there was no bigger story than the will-they-or-won’t-they saga of the Bucks and the two-time NBA MVP. While Antetokounmpo technically did not ask for a trade, Milwaukee began fielding offers from interested teams because they felt he was ready for a divorce.

However, after a couple of weeks of trade talks, Milwaukee decided to pounce on the nine-time All-Star and retain him. The perception around the league is that the organization did not like the offers it received, and this was an information-building process for the summer when better offers come in, and more teams join the sweepstakes.

Veteran NBA insider Jake Fisher firmly believes that the Antetokounmpo trade will indeed happen this summer. However, in a new post on The Stein Line, he posed an interesting scenario where Antetokounmpo would stay and be paired with Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant.

Were the Bucks ‘sincere’ about interest in Ja Morant trade?

Fisher wrote, “The Grizzlies will have to try again this summer to find a palatable Morant deal. They may have even more options, as the Bucks presumably have, when it comes to Antetokounmpo.”

He added, “One scenario that would have to be addressed is the possibility of a Milwaukee trade for Morant. Several teams came out of the deadline believing that the Bucks’ interest in Morant was genuine.” “Whether it was to establish him as Antetokounmpo’s eventual successor as the face of the franchise or because he believes he can really make the Giannis-and-Ja pairing work.”

While rumors swirled about the team trading Giannis Antetokounmpo, there were also reports that they are looking to add impactful talent before this month’s deadline. The team would love to have the greatest player in team history. Adding Morant when his value is low and getting back to the superstar he was a few years ago could attract the Greek giants and keep him for another season.

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

Recently, the NBA All-Star Game took place at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, home of the Clippers. The game received better reviews this year than last season, players scored at least a few tries in the new USA vs. World format, the young USA team won the round robin tournament and Anthony Edwards won MVP.

However, the league is apparently still open to suggestions about how to improve the event going forward, and recently, NBA legend Dwyane Wade offered an interesting idea for the future of the game.

“I don’t think we should stop and do this [NBA] No more mid-season All-Star Game. …I look at it like the Pro Bowl. … The All-Star Game should be a journey … an experience for the guys who make it,” Wade said, according to the Y Network by Dwyane Wade, ex, formerly on Twitter.

Indeed, the NFL Pro Bowl game takes place after the regular season and the first three rounds of the playoffs have already been completed, which could theoretically attract more attention.

However, that game has also been the subject of extreme criticism, the league has recently changed the format to flag football, and a large number of star players are opting out of the event each year, so it may not be the best reference point to use for improving the NBA’s version of the game.

This year, San Antonio Spurs young star Victor Wembanyama set the tone early in the All-Star Game with his effort level, and most of the other players seemed to follow suit, resulting in three straight game losses before the finals quickly turned into a blowout.

Overall, while it wasn’t perfect, it was definitely a step in the right direction for the NBA All-Star celebration.