WWE is back with this week’s edition of WWE Raw on Netflix.

Monday’s episode will take place at the First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, NC and will begin at 8:00 pm ET. On tonight’s show, there will be a Women’s Tag Team Title match and much more on deck.

Below, you can check out all the results and highlights from WWE Raw.

Quick WWE Raw Results (May 18, 2026)

• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Brie Bella & Paige (c) vs. The Judgment Day (Roxanne Perez & Raquel Rodriguez) w/ Liv Morgan
• Six-Man Tornado Tag: El Grande Americano & Los Americanos (Bravo & Rayo Americano) vs. The Original Grande Americano & Los Americanos Hermanos (Brutus & Julius Creed)
• Oba Femi Open Challenge continues
• Roman Reigns addresses Jacob Fatu’s attack on last week’s Raw

wwe raw highlights

In the headliner of UFC 328, Sean Strickland entered as the underdog against UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev last Saturday. However, the prospects of conflict were nothing new for the Anaheim, California native. After a dominant performance in the first round where Chimaev controlled Strickland on the ground, it looked like the challenger was in for a long night.

Then Strickland (31-7) turned the tide in round two, as he scored several takedowns from the defending champion. Chimaev (15-1) suddenly looked vulnerable inside the octagon, with Strickland jabbing and landing a straight right hand. After five tough rounds, “Tarzan” won by split decision to become a two-time champion at 185 pounds and hand the Russian native his first defeat.

As Strickland enters his second reign as the Middleweight Kingpin, we look at who he might face in his first title defense.

joe pifer

“Bodybagz” has compiled an impressive 7-1 record since his UFC debut in 2022. Only one of those wins has come via decision. Joe Pfeiffer suffered a setback in February 2024 after losing a unanimous decision against Jack Hermansson. Since then, he has been on a four-fight winning streak, with three Performance of the Night bonuses. The Vineland, New Jersey native is coming off the biggest win of his career.

In March, he defeated former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya by second-round TKO. As one of the top rising contenders at 185 pounds, Pifer is closing in on a title shot.

dricus du plessis

The native of Welcome, South Africa previously reigned as the 185-pound kingpin from 2024 to 2025. In two defenses of the UFC middleweight title, Darius du Plessis achieved victories over Adesanya and Strickland (in a rematch for the title). However, last August, “Stillknox” suffered a lopsided unanimous decision loss against Chimaev and was deprived of the championship title.

Although Du Plessis may need a bounce-back win to get back into title contention, he remains one of the biggest names in the division.

Khamzat Chimaev

Although a rematch between Strickland and Chimaev is unlikely, they fought a very close and competitive match. Given his competitive nature, it is surprising that Chimaev might not choose to avenge his first professional defeat. The former UFC middleweight champion has been vocal about the difficulties he faced in losing weight at 185 pounds.

The native of the Chechen Republic, Russia will likely look to move up to light heavyweight. UFC boss Dana White also revealed that after the fight Chimaev told him he no longer wanted to compete at middleweight. But money talks, and he can always be persuaded to participate in a rematch.

Nasourdin Imavov

“The Sniper” is currently on a five-fight winning streak and is possibly the frontrunner for the title. Nasourdin Imamov scored a major upset TKO victory over Adesanya in February 2025. He followed that up with a wide unanimous decision win against fellow top-contender Caio Borralho last September. It was the only defeat of the Brazilian native’s UFC career since his debut in 2022.

Imavov previously met Strickland in January 2023, where he lost via unanimous decision. If they meet a second time, can Imavov change the narrative with the championship title at stake?

Born and raised in New York City, Jimmy Robles received a journalism degree from Queens College in 2017. Before… More About Jimmy Robles

The Vegas Golden Knights used another strong offensive performance to defeat the Winnipeg Jets 2-0 on Monday night. They are now 6-0-1 since the hiring of head coach John Tortorella.

The win extended the Golden Knights’ point streak to nine games, and they now have sole possession of first place in the Pacific Division and a chance to clinch a win against the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday.

Amidst the noise around the league, the first season was quiet. The Golden Knights forced a power-play by sending Adam Lowry for holding.

Not much happened on the power play, and neither did the Golden Knights for most of the period, which ended scoreless after 20 minutes.

It was Mark Stone who first got the Golden Knights on board. There was a shorthanded two-on between him and Jack Eichel and Stone beat Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck.

The puck went to the five-hole on Hellebuyck and took a lucky bounce, giving the Golden Knights the lead midway through the second period.

After what felt like a parade in the penalty box by both teams, Reilly Smith scored his 14th goal of the season by deflecting a shot past defenseman Noah Hanifin.

This gave the Golden Knights a 2–0 lead at the end of the second period, often called the worst lead in hockey but it played no role. Early in the third period, Eichel delivered a no-look pass to Ivan Barbashev, who headed into the open net and the score became 3–0.

Later in the third, Gabe Vilardi got the Jets on the board. Mark Scheifele added another soon after, cutting the deficit to 4–2.

Vegas answered on a double minor after Scheifele was called for high-sticking Rasmus Andersson. Pavel Dorofeyev took advantage of the power play and scored his 20th of the season with the man-advantage to cut the Golden Knights lead to 5–2.

Eichel later scored his first power play goal of the season on the same power play to make the score 6–2 Golden Knights.

Vegas will face the Kraken in their final game of the regular season on Wednesday at 7pm with a chance to take over the division by gaining a point.

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

For the first time in 20 years, the Carolina Hurricanes established themselves as the best Eastern Conference team throughout the regular season. It didn’t come with any dramatic impact, nor did it come with any spectacular victory – but it came nonetheless.

Starting the night with some of their six best players out of the starting lineup, they faced a hungry Philadelphia Flyers team that was fighting for a postseason opportunity.

The first period was all Carolina, taking a two-goal lead by the end of the frame. The first goal came off the stick of Bradley Nadeau, with an assist from Nikolaj Ehlers, who sent a no-look pass to the rookie who had positioned himself in the slot.

A few minutes later, the Hurricanes got the man advantage due to a holding penalty, which Ehlers managed to capitalize on. In doing so, he achieved the first 70-point season of his 11-season career.

However, the second period belonged to the Flyers – scoring two to tie the game. The first goal came from Matvei Michkov, thanks to a Hurricanes concession as the game began. His second goal, meanwhile, was during the power play – a snapshot of penalty-drawer Trevor Zegras who was left completely alone by Brandon Bussey’s net.

During halftime, Ehlers talked about the two goals he allowed, recognizing that they were the result of puck mismanagement and that it was something he would need to tighten up in the following frames.

In fact, they worked together defensively in the final period, giving up only four possessions compared to nine in the second period. But ultimately, Philadelphia wasn’t giving up that much. The game remained deadlocked through regulation, and then as has happened every time they faced each other this season, they went into overtime.

As the extra frames opened, the Hurricanes had scored the points needed to win the Eastern Conference. Additionally, the Flyers’ overtime points eliminated the Columbus Blue Jackets from the playoffs.

However, nothing was achieved in five minutes of three-on-three and they were locked in a shootout for the third time in four matches played together.

The decider came in the fourth round of the shootout, as Tyson Foster managed to defeat Brandon Bussey, becoming the third skater to do so in the 14 rounds played by the goaltender this season.

With their win, the Flyers clinched third place in the Metropolitan Division – the only remaining playoff spot in the Eastern Conference – and clinched a spot in the postseason for the first time since 2020. Interestingly, the only Eastern playoff matchup confirmed for the postseason is now the Flyers against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are in second place in the Metro Division.

(PSST, Philly Hockey Now’s William James wrote a great article on the Flyers’ playoff clinch – be sure to check it out if you want to see the Flyers’ perspective!)

storm notes

Nicolas Deslauriers’ return to Philadelphia, where he will be playing through the 2022-23 season, has been more difficult than usual. Literally. He had 11 hits on his former teammates (notably Rasmus Ristolainen and Emil Andre, who had three hits each). This tied his career high for most hits in a single game, which he set in a game against the Dallas Stars on March 13, 2018, when he was a member of the Montreal Canadiens.

During the second period, Jalen Chatfield took a heavy hit from Owen Tippett. He was slow to get up and proceeded to walk down the tunnel, but returned to the game shortly afterwards. It was his first game since suffering a lower-body injury against the Boston Bruins last Tuesday.

The loss was the Hurricanes’ first in Philadelphia since March 5, 2020.

The last time the Hurricanes finished first in the Eastern Conference was in the 2005–06 season.

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

Paris Saint-Germain have added Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli to their transfer target list for the summer.

Both Luis Enrique and PSG consultant Luis Campos are planning to revamp the attack after this season and the Arsenal player appears to be part of their plans.

The Brazil international arrived at the Emirates from Ituano FC in 2019 and did not enjoy regular minutes in his first two seasons.

The player lost prominence this season before Mikel Arteta began offering him more minutes at the start of the 2021/22 season.

He has been a regular since then and has so far scored 62 goals and provided 34 assists in 267 matches. This season, the forward scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 42 matches.

His Premier League statistics are as follows.

• Appearances: 25
• Start: 9
• Total minutes: 852
• Minutes per game: 34
• Expected target: 3.38
• Expected Support: 0.99
• Big chances missed: 6

Brazilian wants Arsenal transfer

The 24-year-old has still caught the attention of PSG media foot Cover the latest from France now.

It seems the Ligue 1 winners are on the lookout for a world-class attacker, and the focus is on Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez. He is their priority target, and Gabriel Martinelli is a backup option.

Luis Campos is aware of the challenges of taking the Argentine away from La Liga and has identified other options. This is where the Arsenal player comes into the picture.

Recently, the Paris club made contact with the Gunners to inquire about his situation and the terms required to secure his services. This would indicate that PSG have contacted both the player’s camp and the Gunners.

It seems Martinelli is ready to leave Mikel Arteta after this season. He wants to ‘close’ this chapter in the best way by winning the title. Arsenal lead the table and are nine points ahead of second-placed Manchester City with a game in hand.

The media foot did not take into account that Álvarez prefers to play forward while Martinelli’s position is on the left.

Our opinion: Arsenal could consider offloading the player

Last December, Sports Witness broadcast news The Premier League side are actively trying to sell Gabriel Martinelli.

The summer window could be Arsenal’s best chance to collect a good transfer fee for the Brazilian.

That’s because his contract expires in 2027, with the option of another year, and his value is falling. Value of South American, according to transfer market€45 million, and this is reduced by €10 million from May 2025.

If he is not sold, the Gunners are likely to activate a clause to extend his contract until 2028.

🇪🇸Victor Valdepenas | Arsenal in the mix for Real Madrid youngster

💫 Once seen as the ‘chosen one’ of La Fábrica
➡️ There should be clarity in the next few weekshttps://t.co/RD0vkSCCrQ #afc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 2 April 2026

Drew McIntyre’s third WWE Championship reign lasted just 56 days, ending with interference from Jacob Fatu on the March 6 edition of SmackDown which allowed Cody Rhodes to regain the title. It was a brief run with a single successful defense – a victory over Sami Zayn at the Royal Rumble – but McIntyre has no complaints about how it played out.

Speaking with Chris Van Vliet on a new episode of Insight, he explained why he believed the shakeup was exactly what was needed heading into WrestleMania 42. McIntyre said, “Awesome. Nobody saw this coming.” “I think everyone assumed that Kodi Express would continue to grow.”

McIntyre made it clear that his assessment of Rhodes was positive. He acknowledged that Rhodes is a great performer and WWE Champion and his momentum cannot be denied. But McIntyre felt that Rhodes’ run to the top was beginning to seem predictable, and suddenly losing the title was a blow that could reshape both the championship picture and Rhodes herself.

“My hearing isn’t great these days, but I can hear the crowd,” McIntyre said. “I could hear the reaction. When I won in Berlin I could see the reaction. And it put Cody in a position where he had to chase. Gave Cody a little bit of an edge back, which, in my opinion, he desperately needed.

“For me, it gave me some degree of validation. ‘Oh yes, Drew can win big.'”

McIntyre is heading into WrestleMania 42 not as WWE Champion but with a undrafted feud against Jacob Fatu on the card. This will be his eighth consecutive year competing at WrestleMania, showing his consistency as one of WWE’s most reliable performers over the past several years. Rhodes, meanwhile, is entering his fifth WrestleMania main event in four years, defending the title against Randy Orton.

After the Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to eight games with a 134-126 win over the Miami Heat on Thursday night, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green offered a measured assessment of their championship outlook.

Speaking on the latest episode of The Draymond Green Show, Green pointed to Luka Doncic’s influence on the Lakers’ recent surge, while also casting doubt on whether Los Angeles is strong enough defensively to make a deep title run.

“Luka is playing absolutely incredible. The irony is the Lakers are playing absolutely incredible, the irony is DeAndre Ayton is playing better, the irony is Marcus Smart is playing better. Because that’s the magic of Luka Doncic. Luka makes everybody around him better at the top of their game. So, you ask yourself how dangerous can they be in the playoffs? And other than me I’d say absolutely dangerous. No, but the other side of me knows better. You got Luka Doncic and LeBron James on the court at the same time, you always have a chance against anybody.”

Green’s comments come as the Lakers continue to gain momentum heading into the season behind their star duo of Doncic and LeBron James. Los Angeles has looked increasingly dangerous offensively in its recent run, with Doncic producing at a high level and James providing consistent playmaking, rebounding and veteran leadership.

Draymond Green likely to be a real contender on the Lakers:

“You ask yourself how dangerous they can be during the playoffs, besides me I want to say not dangerous at all but the other side of me knows better. You put Luka Doncic and LeBron James on the court at the same time… pic.twitter.com/kYEsPPMj43

– NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) 20 March 2026

Draymond Green evaluates Lakers’ title chances with LeBron James, Luka Doncic

The Lakers’ recent performance has solidified their position atop the Western Conference standings and reinforced the ceiling many have created with a roster built around two of the league’s most efficient offensive players. Doncic’s ability to control the pace, set up for teammates and generate efficient offense has added a different dimension to a team that already relies heavily on James in key moments.

Still, Green made it clear his main concern with the Lakers focuses on the other end of the floor.

“The teams that will put pressure on them that will make it difficult for them in the playoffs are making them guard. They’re not a great defensive team at all, do some fake things like some fake zone turns that turn into a guy. And in a playoff series if you’re doing that for maybe a game, maybe two games they figure out some plays to dice up and then you have to play routine defense and then it takes us back to the core issues of the Lakers. It’s been like this since the beginning of the season. I don’t know if they’re good enough defensively to ultimately win it, but they’ll always be dangerous in the playoffs.

This assessment captures the central question surrounding Los Angeles as the postseason approaches. The Lakers have enough offensive star power to challenge any opponent in a playoff series, but concerns remain about whether they can hold off consistently against the conference’s top teams in seven-game matchups.

For now, the Lakers continue their upward trend at a key point on the schedule. With the leadership of James and Doncic, Los Angeles has built momentum and positioned itself to enter the postseason as one of the Western Conference’s most intriguing teams, even if questions about its defensive ceiling remain unresolved.

In only his third season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Cason Wallace has never played for a team that has not won at least 57 regular season games. It is extremely rare for most NBA players to win a championship between sophomore seasons. This season has undoubtedly been his best. Wallace recorded a career-high 27 points in a 121–111 win against the Denver Nuggets in February.

However, Wallace’s contributions go far beyond his career-high seven threes made in that win against the Nuggets. Wallace has emerged as a triple threat for Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault, giving him a unique on-ball defender who can stretch and stretch the floor with his outside touch.

Wallace’s career average is the best in several statistical categories, including points per game (8.6), assists (2.7), and steals (2.1), in which he leads the NBA. Still, returning as the defending champions and having faced every team’s best effort, Wallace doesn’t see any major changes in the Thunder’s approach this season.

Wallace said, “I don’t see any big difference between last season’s performance and this year’s. The goal will always be to win.” “As defending champions, we still look forward to working hard and competing every day.”

While some were expecting a championship hangover, which is the norm for most returning champions, the Thunder had the best start to the regular season – 24–1 – in NBA history. Without All-NBA forward Jalen Williams, who missed the first 19 games due to wrist surgery, the Thunder rose to the top of the Western Conference standings, where it remained stable through the 2025–26 season.

“I feel fortunate to be a part of such a great team and I’m excited to keep the energy flowing until the end of the season,” Wallace said.

Wallace will be a key part of the Thunder’s postseason campaign as the defending champions. With teams like the San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets threatening to dethrone OKC from its throne, Wallace is one of several interesting depth pieces that light up the Thunder’s backcourt.

Oklahoma City embraces Thunder’s Cason Wallace

As Wallace continues to grow as a player, his community of die-hard Thunder fans in Oklahoma City has embraced him. So much so that Wallace partnered with a local food chain in town, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, to create “Cason’s Queso”, his own cheese sauce inspired by his nickname “Queso”.

Wallace said, “We have great people on this team and we always have a lot of fun together. I’ve always had him at Fuzzy’s, and I told him my queso is a must-try because it’s loaded just the way I like it.” “Every bite is a little different depending on what toppings you bring out, so it’s perfect for sharing on game day.”

While Wallace hopes the fans enjoy the collaboration, he is eager to finish the regular season and enter the playoffs for another run at the championship.

Amid a 10-game winning streak, the Thunder earned their 55th win on Wednesday. With only 12 games remaining, Oklahoma City is in position to make another deep playoff run with hopes of winning back-to-back titles.

Mark Daigneault praises ‘committed’ Cason Wallace

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault praised Wallace’s adaptability to different lineups this season, which he has been successful in, as the third-year guard continues to improve. Although the Thunder traded for Wallace, who was selected 10th overall on draft night in 2023, it’s no coincidence that Casson has one of the highest winning percentages in NBA history.

Wallace’s career winning percentage is 75.6%. And while some fans will joke that he’s a lucky charm, given that the Thunder have finished with the best record in the Western Conference every season since Wallace joined, Daigneault looks at the work Cason has done behind the scenes.

“He’s one of many guys on our team who obviously plays his role well on a very good team,” Daigneault said. “When you look at Cason Wallace’s win percentage as a professional, his win percentage is insane. But one of the things that comes with playing on a team at this level as a young player is that your role can sometimes feel narrow compared to your teammates.

“If he wasn’t on such a good team, he’d probably be able to do a lot more, and his role would be a little broader. So, when you have a guy that’s committed to that kind of role, is committed to winning and the team’s success, having a night like tonight, everybody’s happy for him.”

While Wallace’s role has changed sporadically throughout the regular season due to the Thunder’s long list of injuries, he makes the most of his opportunities.

“He shows up – he takes whatever minutes he gets. Sometimes he starts, sometimes he doesn’t. Some nights he gets some shots, and he doesn’t get his breakthrough,” Daigneault said. “So, on a night when he does that, and he delivers, everyone is thrilled for him.”

For Wallace, it’s sometimes hard to believe how far he’s come. It all happened very quickly for the top-10 draft pick, who became an NBA champion, led the association in steals, and emerged as a key member for a team with the potential to win back-to-back titles.

If Wallace could talk to that younger version of himself, he would only give that kid one strong piece of advice for the future.

“I would tell the younger version of me to keep working hard,” Wallace said. “Results come from being disciplined, having confidence in yourself and your teammates, and being prepared for every opportunity.”

Wallace is living proof of what the other side of that hard work is.

Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Rico Verhoeven on May 23 in Giza, Egypt, with the fight taking place near the Pyramids. The event will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN pay-per-view.

The fight has attracted attention throughout boxing after it was approved as a full title defense by the WBC Board of Governors. The sanctioning body initially placed the matchup as a special event, later confirming that it would be contested for the belt.

That change has sparked debate within the sport, including a reaction from rising British heavyweight Moussa Itauma.

Moussa Itauma questions WBC decision

Moses Itauma spoke to Ariel Helwani after the WBC confirmed the fight would receive full title status. The 21-year-old said Usyk has earned the right to choose his opponents, but questioned whether the decision was fair.

“Usyk, he can do whatever he wants. He’s earned this right. But I don’t like to use the word fair, but I don’t think he should be allowed to fight for a world title.”

“Obviously, like I said, Usyk has earned the right to do whatever he wants, but I don’t think it’s right for Rico to be able to fight for a world title in his first fight. It’s a little crazy.”

Itauma also addressed the occasion on Verhoeven’s behalf.

“If Rico got a chance to fight Usyk for the WBC title, it would be foolish for him not to take it. It’s only fair if he’s able to fight for it in his first fight. It’s a little crazy.”

Rico Verhoeven enters his first major boxing title fight

Rico Verhoeven, 36, is a longtime kickboxing champion who has built his reputation on glory with victories over the top names in that sport. His professional boxing record includes one fight in 2014.

The fight against Usyk will be his first appearance in a major boxing event. The WBC’s decision to sanction the bout as a title fight came after its initial status was changed.

Dan Rafael and other members of the media reported the WBC’s earlier stance on the matchup.

“The WBC fully supports this crossover fight. This will be the WBC’s signature event. And we will create an incredible belt featuring elements of the Egyptian pyramids. The WBC supports Fury vs. Ngannou [sic]Joe proved to be very competitive, and we have full respect for Rico as a great kickboxing heavyweight champion. At this time, the request for a title defense has not been discussed and only a special event involving the WBC Heavyweight Champion has been discussed.

That situation later changed, with the WBC confirming that the fight would be for the title.

“After careful consideration. The WBC Board of Governors has ruled in favor of approving the voluntary title defense of WBC World Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk against veteran kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven.”

Organizers have positioned the event as a global showcase with international distribution through DAZN pay-per-view.

Usyk prepares for next title defense

Oleksandr Usyk entered the bout undefeated with a 24-0 record and 15 knockouts. The Ukrainian holds multiple heavyweight titles and remains active at the top level of the division.

The May 23 contest will serve as his next defense of the WBC belt, with Verhoeven stepping up to challenge despite his limited boxing experience. Itauma, who has a 13-0 record with 11 knockouts, continues to build his career with an eye on growth in the heavyweight division.

The decision to upgrade the bout to a title bout has put the focus on the matchup, with eyes now turning to how the bout plays out and what it could mean for future opportunities in the heavyweight division.

The San Antonio Spurs earned their 51st win of the season, defeating the Sacramento Kings 132–104. Victor Wembanyama says achieving his first 50-win season in almost a decade is a feat that has been more than a year in the making.

“I look back and think, ‘I hope we can be locked in like this for all of the upcoming offseason,’ because it was a high level of preparation mentally, physically for everybody; the amount of film we did. And that’s why we were so prepared for the season. So, that’s what I think when I look back.”

San Antonio entered the year with a 34–48 campaign, following a 22–60 mark in Wembley’s rookie season. While this provides a context for what could prove to be a very impressive 2025-2026, it reaches the minimum expectation for generational talent.

“One thing you can say is take each step at a time and validate the boxes checked. My goal was never to make the play-ins or win the play-ins. It was to go to the playoffs without question and that would have been a successful season at that point,” the Spurs’ leading scorer said after the win against the Los Angeles Clippers the night before.

At just 22 years old, Vembanyama displayed wisdom beyond his years. It’s been this way since he entered the NBA at the age of 19. And it’s a gift that he went home after the win in LA.

“It’s always difficult to look at a season as a whole. We can look at the season as our worst at the end of 2025 or as our best right now in the month of February.”

After a stint in which they won 11 of 12 games, including three against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Spurs lost consecutive home games to the Utah Jazz and then-struggling Cleveland Cavaliers team. A week later, they again lost consecutive games, this time to the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies, who were in 10th and 11th place in the Western Conference standings by mid-March.

In contrast, San Antonio did not lose in February and recently lost only one game at a home field filled with postseason contenders, including some of the league’s best players. And that loss came to the Denver Nuggets without Wembanyama.

Spurs resume makes history with 50+ wins

Before this season, the last time the Silver and Black had 50 wins was in 2016–17 when they won 61 and reached the Western Conference Finals. That run, which ended in a 4–1 series loss to the eventual champion Golden State Warriors after Kawhi Leonard re-aggravated an ankle injury, marked the franchise’s 20th consecutive win of 50+ (or the equivalent – ​​37 in strike short ’99).

The Spurs are 51-18 after a 132-104 loss in Sacramento.

“It’s very possible that these last 14 games have been satisfactory. Or not. That’s why we have to take each step at a time,” Wembanyama said after the aforementioned win over the Clippers.

“Although the season will be somewhat successful when viewed overall, we still have (13) games left.”

The truth is that Wembanyama and the Spurs look set to play even better with 13 games left in the regular season.

Benito Carbone’s football journey spans countries, cultures and generations, but one chapter still stands above all the others: Sheffield Wednesday.

Long before Inter Milan trained the youth and shaped Italy’s next generation, a teammate and a club changed everything.

It was teammate Paolo Di Canio who helped Sheffield Wednesday become a second home. Now he has explained everything to Gazzetta dello Sport.

Paolo Di Canio and the partnership that changed everything

Carbone doesn’t hesitate when he talks about Di Canio. The pair played together for one and a half seasons at the Oval, from August 1997 to September 1998.

Carbone was already at Hillsborough, having joined in October 1996. Di Canio arrived in August 1997, and the connection was immediate. First, there was the famous unveiling photo in which the pair were seen sharing an uncooked frozen pizza. Then the connection came on the pitch.

Together the two Italians formed one of the most creative and fondly remembered partnerships in Sheffield Wednesday’s modern history. In his only full season, Di Canio led the club with 14 goals, while Carbone contributed nine goals of his own.

According to the latter, the connection was immediate, intuitive and almost telepathic.

“Our families were always together, our kids were the same age,” He remembers.

“On the pitch, we understood each other immediately, just one look was enough. Di Canio was the best partner I have ever played with.”

Why did surviving Sheffield Wednesday feel like winning the title?

Yet despite the brilliance of the partnership, Sheffield Wednesday had a struggling season.

There were high expectations following Di Canio’s arrival but instead the Owls struggled for consistency. The club spent most of the campaign fighting relegation, ultimately finishing 16th and surviving by the narrowest of margins.

Most fans don’t remember it fondly, but Carbone has a different take. For the Italian, surviving Sheffield Wednesday was no footnote, it was a triumph.

“Staying at Sheffield Wednesday was like winning the title,” He adds.

An era of the Premier League that produced a footballer

Benito Carbone, perhaps, is looking back on his experiences beyond Sheffield Wednesday. His playing years in England were defined by challenges and successes.

He faced defenders such as Tony Adams, earned praise from Rio Ferdinand and built a reputation as one of the league’s most unpredictable midfielders.

At Sheffield Wednesday, he found freedom, and the partnership with Di Canio brought him joy. Purpose was also added to the fight for survival. And he fondly remembers the time when the Premier League was still being formed.

“It was not such a global league yet, but it was a very tough championship,” He concluded.

“There were a lot of English players there, and the game was all about the second ball: passing, aggression, heart. I had to face very tough defenders like Tony Adams. Rio Ferdinand once told me he didn’t sleep all night before playing against me. What a compliment!”

For Carbone, Sheffield Wednesday was never going to be just another milestone in his career.

It was where football became family and where the help of a teammate changed the course of his life. That’s why survival felt like victory, and that’s why this chapter still means everything.

The Knicks are generally careful with basketball. They average 13.7 turnovers per game, eighth-fewest in the NBA. However, when they turn the ball over their performance obviously suffers.

Knicks must limit bad turnover game

In 25 losses this season, the Knicks are averaging 15.5 turnovers per game. When they commit 14 or fewer turnovers they are 30-12, and when they commit 15 or more turnovers they are 11-13. Granted, this is a problem for most teams, as turning the ball over has a zero-sum effect on a team’s ability to score relative to the chances given to their opponents. But the problem isn’t just that New York performs poorly when turning the ball over, which is essentially the case for most teams; This is how many times they exceed their average.

For context, the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder committed 15 or more turnovers only 17 times last season. And the 2024 NBA champion Boston Celtics did so only 18 times in 2023-24. By comparison, New York has done it 24 times this season with 15 games remaining.

Why does high turnover lead to poor performance?

The Knicks clearly thrive in a low-turnover, high-efficiency model. Under head coach Mike Brown, the Knicks maintain the fourth-lowest turnover rate in the league. They have an average turnover rate of 10.5% in wins this season; However, in losses this figure has increased to 13.1%.

especially, The points they give up from turnovers present a major problem. When New York turns the ball over, it often turns into scoring opportunities for their opponents. And when the Knicks defense is suffering, which was the case. 2-9 expansion in January 2026, their turnover problems become unsustainable, as they begin to bleed points.

Jose Alvarado could be the key to the Knicks taking care of the basketball

One reason for the Knicks’ inconsistent ball security may be their lack of a true backup point guard. The Knicks’ 2025-26 identity is built on being an offensive juggernaut who makes efficient shots, especially corner threes. When they turn the ball over above their season average, they lose possession games. And because they play on one Slow pace (ranked 21st according to ESPN)Every lost property is magnified.

Fortunately, the addition of Jose Alvarado may have solved this problem. Alvarado has helped New York get a more consistent rotation, taking over playmaking duties when Jalen Brunson needs a break. And it does so efficiently and productively. Alvarado has turned the ball over just 11 times in 14 games with the Knicks. And in those 14 games, New York is 10-4. And if you ignore the last two games – in which the Knicks have turned the ball over 39 times – they are averaging just 13 turnovers per game since adding the New York native.

Ultimately, it seems as if the Knicks’ path to a championship depends on maintaining elite ball protection. If they can take care of the basketball regularly, they will have very few problems in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Conversely, if they fall victim to poor play – as they have recently on a two-game losing streak – it could be a challenging spring for everyone involved.

The fallout from UFC 326 has rekindled one of the top rivalries in combat sports, with Conor McGregor already paving the way for a third fight against Nate Diaz. Despite being left off the “UFC Freedom 250” White House card, “The Notorious” remained the center of conversation this weekend, specifically targeting the BMF belt held by Charles Oliveira.

McGregor was vocal in his criticism of Oliveira’s wrestling-heavy victory over Max Holloway. He believes the BMF title should return to its roots in the welterweight division.

“The BMF title was founded by Nate Diaz at 170 pounds. The creator of the belt,” McGregor said during a recent appearance on Smash Cast. “So, there’s a fight for the belt at 170 pounds, and I’m ready for it. I’ll go and take it, and I’ll bring it back, and Nate and I can complete the trilogy for the belt.” McGregor argued that losing weight to 155 pounds for a title that celebrates toughness was unnecessary.

Charles Oliveira, who earned a 50–45 clean sweep on the scorecards against Holloway to become the fourth BMF champion, was sharply criticized by both McGregor and Diaz. During the post-fight press conference at UFC 326, he dismissed McGregor’s social media posts calling the main event “shockingly bad”.

Conor McGregor Record: 22-6 (19 knockouts, 1 submission)

Oliveira made it clear that although his primary goal is to reclaim the undisputed Lightweight Championship, he is willing to accept a “money fight” against the Irishman at any weight.

“You want to put him at 170, you want to put him there, I don’t care, you want to put him at middleweight, we do it, it doesn’t matter,” Oliveira said. “I’ll tell you what – if you want it, make it a Grand Prix. Two fights, same day, and let’s see what happens.” Oliveira’s dismissive tone underlined his current position of power in the division, although he acknowledged that a fight with McGregor would be motivated solely by financial gain.

While McGregor’s ambitious plans for the BMF title and the Diaz Trilogy have his fans excited, the reality of his return remains complicated. UFC CEO Dana White said over the weekend that a deal is “not even close” to McGregor’s return despite the fighter’s claims. However, McGregor revealed on Smash Cast that his manager, Audie Attar, was in Las Vegas on Monday for a one-on-one meeting with UFC officials.

“I’m extremely good at tackling, I’m an honest guy,” McGregor said. “I hope a respectable offer comes.”

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 have seen many strikers pass through Stamford Bridge this century. Few have made as much of a mark as Diego Costa, who has now officially announced his retirement at the age of 37.

The former Blues forward confirmed the decision in an interview with the podcast mario’s wayHosted by his former teammate Mario Suárez. “It’s been a long time since I retired. My agent was looking around for something, but I lost the desire to keep playing.” He said.

brazilian outlet globo esporte That story was reported and reminded that Costa had not played a competitive match since December 2024, when he featured for Grêmio in Brazil. However, for Chelsea supporters, his story is strongly linked to the club’s most impressive recent era.

Premier League winner with bite

Chelsea signed Costa from Atlético Madrid in 2014. In his first season, he scored 20 Premier League goals and helped the club win the title under José Mourinho. They then achieved another league victory in 2016–17, this time under Antonio Conte, where he again finished as a key attacking figure.

Costa’s style divided opinion throughout England. He was combative, physical and tireless. Still he was decisive. He scored important goals in big matches and gave Chelsea the edge they often lacked in tight matches.

Overall, he won two Premier League titles and one League Cup with the Blues. In all competitions, he scored 59 goals in 120 appearances. This return underlines how central he was to Chelsea’s success during that period.

From Stamford Bridge to the Broad Forum

After leaving Chelsea in 2018, Costa returned to Atlético Madrid. He later had stints in Brazil with Atlético-MG, Botafogo and Grêmio. His last official appearance took place in late 2024.

Nevertheless, his prime years were in the Premier League. Despite being born in Sergipe, Brazil, he represented Spain at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups.

A mark in Chelsea’s recent history

Time has softened the edges of the controversy surrounding his Stamford Bridge exit. All that remains are silver vessels and tablets.

Costa was not subtle. He was not universally loved outside West London. However, during their peak, they embodied a ruthless Chelsea team built to win at any cost.

For a club that is struggling to find long-term stability, his retirement also serves as a reminder. Reliable, title-winning numbers of nine are rare. Chelsea had one in Diego Costa – and they knew it when he was at his best.

NEW YORK – The New York Knicks’ 18-point comeback win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night delivered a thrilling finish. The defensive intensity of Karl-Anthony Towns led to the lead in the fourth quarter, which set up Jalen Brunson to save the day. However, with 5:04 left in the fourth quarter, head coach Mike Brown continued a controversial trend of late games by sending Mikal Bridges to the sideline.

The coach replaced the starting wing with Landry Shamet, telling reporters after the game that assistant coach Rick Brunson deserves credit for the idea. Thursday night against the Detroit Pistons, Bridges sat the last 9:31 of the game. He also finished contests on the bench in late January and early February against the Sacramento Kings and Philadelphia 76ers, respectively.

Bridges replaced Towns in the final five seconds of the game, allowing New York’s four-point lead to focus on defense. But the 29-year-old wing, whom Leon Rose and the Knicks front office signed to a $150 million extension this summer, spent much of the crisis on the bench.

They saw Brunson destroy Houston’s defense with Josh Hart sitting to make way for the newly acquired Alvarado. The Brooklynite recorded his third, fourth and fifth steals of the game in those minutes, made just one of three late shots, but provided the energy and aggression New York needed to shut out Kevin Durant’s group.

Bridges repeats Celtics playoff magic with clutch 3-pointer vs. Bulls

On Sunday night, in the Knicks’ second leg of the weekend, the team defeated the Chicago Bulls. Bridges closed out the six-point victory, hitting a key 3-pointer with 27 seconds remaining to seal the victory. However, by then, Wing had only eight points on 3-9 shooting in over 29 minutes of playing time. A clutch 3-pointer pushed him into double figures and saved the Knicks’ night.

From not playing at all to stabbing Chicago in the back, the combination of late-game roles played by Bridges represents more than the ups and downs of Sunday night. Provides two-way wing performance that includes frustrating plays in quarters, halves or entire games. But, somehow, he often finds a way to make up for it in the end.

In each of the team’s first two games against the Boston Celtics in last year’s playoffs, Bridges won the Knicks the game with incredibly timely defensive play. The second of those games featured a perfect example of Bridges’ extreme swing. The Wings failed to score in the first three quarters, but scored 14 points and made the game-winning defense in the fourth.

Bridges’ early-game struggles and late-game heroics on Sunday night did not give New York a win with playoff-level significance. But it further demonstrated the wing’s zero-to-hero range. Under a new coach in Brown, the Knicks are leaning into their depth as Bridges wanted last season. Players, including Bridges, may not view finishing a game on the bench as an insult.

His competitive nature should allow him to use any tough times benching as motivation. Just because someone like Shamet or Alvarado was red-hot inside doesn’t mean a certain starter’s play was unacceptable. Sometimes, the two coincide. Ultimately, the Knicks shouldn’t care.

Brown has stressed the importance of “finding ways to win” and will likely continue to do so during the season. It’s something their group needs to pursue with equal enthusiasm, no matter who is on the court.

Two years away from having the 12th pick in the 2024 draft, Oklahoma City Thunder executive vice president and GM Sam Presti has both prospects — Nikola Topic and Jared McCann — he backed up Mark Daigneault. The timing of both guards could not have come at a better time. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is out with an abdominal injury, Ajay Mitchell hasn’t played since January, and Jalen Williams will be reevaluated in March.

Losing three of its leading scorers shows that Oklahoma City is unable to get close to its 119.4 point average without its reigning MVP and two of the Thunder’s top four scorers. It’s a good thing Presti parted ways with a 2026 first-round pick and two future seconds at the trade deadline to acquire a young guard he’s had his eye on since McCann’s 2024 pre-draft workout with the Thunder.

Presti also trusted the 19-year-old Serbian prospect with an old-school approach to the point guard position despite suffering a season-ending ACL injury. Presti was fine with the debut of Topch, who was selected by the Thunder at No. 12 in 2025-26. Back then, no one could have predicted what would happen after the Thunder preseason games. Now, McCain and Topic are both playing in Oklahoma City at unexpected times in their respective careers.

Jared’s trade to the Philadelphia 76ers made him cry. The subject is four months away from a cancer diagnosis. This was all unexpected, but they both fit like a glove into the Thunder’s offense. McCann’s ability to make open threes and create space gives Daigneault another scorer to utilize. Topic gives the Thunder a secondary playmaker who can score quickly off the bench, which he has already proven in the first two games of his NBA career.

It’s another win for coach Mark Daigneault and Thunder GM Sam Presti amid the defending champions’ quest to win back-to-back titles.

Jared McCann scores season-high in Thunder vs. Nets win

Second-year guard Jared McCain has made at least one 3-pointer in each of his five appearances with the Thunder. He’s also efficient at connecting on 9 of 20 (45%), including half of his six 3-point attempts in a 105-86 win against the Nets. McCain led the Thunder with a season-high 21 points on 7-for-12 shooting, four rebounds and one steal. And his presence has also had a positive impact on the defending champion’s supporting cast.

Isaiah Joe, who has missed at least two threes in five consecutive games, extended his streak to six to 11 points as his hot streak continued in Friday’s win against the Nets. Joe shot a career-best 41.7% clip from deep this season. However, that percentage has increased to 55.8% with McCann making 19 of 34 attempts in the five games since his arrival.

Still, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault reminded reporters it’s not all about shooting with McCain and Joe, as their increased roles amid Oklahoma City’s injuries have elevated them to do other things that help win.

“It’s not the only thing they do,” Daigneault said. “Jared is a guy that – he’s dynamic offensively – there’s a lot more to his game than spot-up shooting. You could see it tonight. Again, Isaiah Joe rebounded the ball great tonight. We play short games with him on the court, even though he’s a light guy because he’s good physically, he executes, and he gets his nose in the ball to make plays.

“It’s not just taking advantage of the shooting. It’s being able to put them out there because of the other skills they bring. But, yes, we have optionality, and that’s what you want. You never know what you need. You never know who’s going to do well. We obviously try to lean into that with changing rotations and lineups, and they definitely give us more options,” Daigneault concluded.

Since McCann joined the Thunder, Joe has averaged 15.8 points on 49.4% shooting, including 55.8% from deep, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.

“We all have a role to play, and we all know it, and he’s done a great job of helping me with that. I think once we get the ball moving, we can all create shots for each other. Once we get the ball moving, good things are going to happen,” McCain said. “[We’re] This becomes known as we move forward. It’s hard to do it without those people. “However, we are figuring it out.”

Nikola Topic’s playmaking wraps up Thunder’s win

While Jared McCann and Isaiah Joe’s scoring gave the Thunder double-digit relief, Nikola Topic, in his second NBA game, closed the door in the final frame with playmaking, shooting and smooth finishing at the rim. For coach Mark Daigneault, the Thunder’s theme is a traditional pure point guard with a pass-first mentality, and the confidence to score when he sees fit.

Daigneault says Topic is proof of what’s missing in the NBA modern day point guard During the Thunder head coach’s postgame media availability on Friday.

“There aren’t a lot of real pure point guards in basketball anymore. There’s incredible skill, but there’s not a ton of traditional team runners, those guys, and that’s it: He can run your team,” Daigneault said. “He’ll settle you down to ground level. He understands what we’re trying to achieve, even at this very early stage of his career, and he’s got the ability to go along with it.

“He’s still got a long way to go. Offensively he’s got a lot to learn in terms of getting the edge, reading different coverages that he’s going to see as the league gets to know him a little bit; it’ll be a new challenge for him. But he’s off to a great start.”

Topic finished with nine points, three rebounds and two assists in 11 minutes, as the rookie guard is finding his feet in the early stages of his career. Still, Daigneault feels his team will benefit from the influence of both McCann and Topic amid the Thunder’s title defense.

Wrestling fans love a good mystery, and WWE has one set for this month’s Elimination Chamber premium live event. On this week’s edition of WWE Raw, a mysterious box arrived on the Box Stage with a note that it would not be opened until February 28, which is the date of Elimination Chamber.

Ever since the mystery box arrived, there has been speculation about who or what would be inside it. With that in mind, we present six ideas for what WWE fans will find when the boxes open next Saturday.

Chris Jericho

Many fans and podcasters are hoping that the mystery box is somehow connected to the return of Chris Jericho. There have been rumors for several months that the WWE veteran’s AEW contract was set to expire at the end of 2025, and all signs were pointing towards a return to WWE this year. Bringing him back just in time for WrestleMania 42 makes sense.

However, a new report this week claims that he is still under contract with AEW after his contract expired last year. So the likelihood of him or anything related to him being in the box seems very slim.

denhausen

If there really is a person in the mystery box, it would make sense if they weren’t tied to real life. So it would require someone who has some supernatural elements in his character. That’s why it makes sense to have AEW veteran Danhausen in the box.

The box mirrors when Dracula is sent to England in the famous Bram Stoker book, and Danhausen is like a hilariously wrestling version of Nosferatu. If a creature is kept locked in that box for several weeks, it makes for a funny start to the beloved comedy-driven character.

New WWE Hardcore Championship

Many people have an assumption that the mystery box that is opened at the Elimination Chamber must contain a person, but it could be one thing, and that thing could be a new belt. However, instead of introducing a new title, it would not be surprising if the company brings back one of its former championships.

Considering how the box looks, the return of a hardcore title would be an ideal choice. That belt has long been a favorite among fans, but the type of matches it brought about was a unique aspect of the Attitude Era. Adding more violent matches to diversify the circus that is WWE and provide some talent a new path to fame would be a fun surprise on the road to WrestleMania.

‘Broken’ Matt Hardy and Brother Nero

Going back to the idea of ​​a character with supernatural elements in the mysterious box. The second option is the unexpected return of the legendary duo, the Hardy Boyz. Recently, Matt Hardy claimed that the tag team will be on WWE TV again in 2026 after making several appearances on NXT last year.

But what if they came back to the company this time because their “Broken Universe” alter ego? Hardy being in TNA, but then the “Broken” version in WWE could be a fun confrontation and offer something unique for both brands. The characters that could potentially clash with Wyatt Six at WrestleMania could be something that will be established by his return.

New WWE European Title

In the past year, WWE has pushed hard into Europe and has begun doing live editions of Raw and SmackDown in major European cities. They have brought in even more European prospects in recent years.

That’s why now could be the right time for the return of the European title. When it comes to possible options for what’s in the mystery box, one possibility is the title being “shipped from Europe” for its return to WWE TV.

evil

Another guy who would be a wise choice to stay inside the box is former IWGP Champion EVIL. The longtime NJPW star reportedly recently became a free agent, and rumors claim he is linked to WWE. There are also some supernatural elements in his character. Therefore, the company is focused on how to present him to a North American audience unfamiliar with his work.

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

On Sunday, the NBA All-Star Game begins at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, with Lakers star LeBron James taking part in the festivities. James was recently made ineligible for the All-NBA team this year due to his absence from the lineup this season, but he will still be in uniform for fans during All-Star weekend.

It’s been an up-and-down season so far for the Lakers, and recently, James has been 100% honest on his team’s title chances entering the extension of the campaign.

According to Brett Siegel, formerly of ClutchPoints, on Twitter, James said, “Our success will depend on our health.”

Health has actually been a major question mark for the Lakers at times this season, as James missed the early portion of the campaign, and Austin Reaves was recently sidelined for nearly a month in the midst of his breakout campaign.

Lakers star Luka Doncic has also been out of the lineup for the past few games, although he will be able to participate in Sunday’s All-Star Game.

Even when fully healthy, many pundits are skeptical of the Lakers’ ability to compete for a championship, given the lack of two-way players on the roster. While Los Angeles has the offensive firepower to compete with anyone, there aren’t many above-average defenders on the roster, a problem that was fully exposed by the Minnesota Timberwolves during last year’s playoffs.

Still, as James said, staying healthy will greatly help this Lakers team maximize its chances in April, and so far, that has been a big challenge for the team in 2025-26.

In any case, the All-Star Game is scheduled to begin on Sunday at 5:00 PM ET. Meanwhile, the Lakers will next be at home against the Clippers on Friday.

Chris Bosh believes the Miami Heat still had championship potential after LeBron James left in 2014 and said he was motivated to win a title without his former teammate.

Speaking on the latest episode of the All the Smoke podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, the Hall of Famer reflected on the immediate aftermath of James’ return to the Cleveland Cavaliers and the direction of the Heat franchise.

“We had a squad man, I felt like not to say we were going to win it all, but we could compete for a championship… I wanted to establish myself in the record books, I wanted to establish myself without LeBron, to be honest with you. Honestly, we wanted to win without him. That’s like saying Shaq won without Kobe, Kobe won without Shaq. I wanted to put myself in that category and on that pedestal. Was.” Bosh continued. “I wanted to help D.Wade get back to that position as well. I felt very good about my team. We were in second or third place. If we get to the Eastern Conference Finals, let’s play some ball. “I’m not worried about it at all.”

Earlier in the podcast, Bosh recounted the moment when James informed him via a last-minute message that he would be leaving Miami. He previously admitted that he was “displeased” with how the decision unfolded, adding that it took him several months to fully process the departure and adjust to life without the four-time MVP.

Despite the disappointment, Bosh said he believed the Heat were ready to compete in the Eastern Conference. Miami finished 37–45 in the 2014–15 season due to injuries to both Bosh and Dwyane Wade. However, the following year, the team bounced back with a 48–34 record during the 2015–16 campaign.

Chris Bosh believes the Heat could have competed for a championship before being sidelined due to blood clots and says he wanted to prove he could win a ring even without LeBron.

“We had a squad man, I felt like I can’t say we were going to win it all, but we could compete… pic.twitter.com/mmBtylmPPb

– Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) 13 February 2026

Heat’s 48-win resurgence boosts Chris Bosh’s confidence in title hopes after LeBron James

The Heat advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals that season and pushed the Toronto Raptors to seven games, but fell just short in a Conference Finals matchup against James and the Cavaliers. Bosh was sidelined for the postseason due to recurring blood clotting issues, a condition that ultimately ended his playing career.

At the time of his absence, Miami was one of the top teams in the East standings, strengthening Bosh’s belief that the group could compete at a high level without James.

Bosh said, “We were very confident, but it wasn’t meant to be, but eventually I realized what more do you want? Don’t be greedy, you did everything brother.” “Me and my man Maverick Carter were talking, just talking and I said, this doesn’t happen the way it’s supposed to happen. He said, ‘It never happens the way it’s supposed to happen.’ And when he said that, I was surprised, you’re right. And it kind of put me in a position where I had to figure something else out because God forbid if something happened while I was on the court, which has happened several times, I feel like I’ve done a lot because people die at very little cost. I was like, ‘I should be here’ because usually the people who have the thing that I have, aren’t here anymore. I just took it to heart and moved on and got it out of my system and moved on.

Bosh’s career was short, championship confidence never wavered

Bosh averaged 21.1 points and seven rebounds during the 2014–15 season and 19.1 points and 7.4 rebounds in 2015–16 before his career was cut short. He was later inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.

While Miami never returned to the Finals during Bosh’s tenure following James’ departure, the franchise later reached the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023 under a new core led by Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.

Looking back, Bosh said the Heat had the talent and confidence to compete for another championship – even without James – if circumstances had turned out differently.

Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett are headlining the first UFC event of 2026 this weekend.

The top-ranked lightweight stars are set to meet in the main event of UFC 324 with the interim lightweight title on the line.

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Gaethje proved he could still mix it up at the top when he defeated Rafael Fiziev last March, having been brutally knocked out by Max Holloway at UFC 300.

The American is hoping to reclaim the interim strap at 155lbs that he previously held for five months in 2020.

He lost his opportunity to secure the division’s undisputed belt against Khabib Nurmagomedov in the same year – the Russian legend’s last ever fight.

Pimblett, meanwhile, has been calling for his chance to challenge for gold at lightweight since he beat up Michael Chandler in Miami nine months ago.

Should the Liverpudlian overcome Gaethje, he may finally get the opportunity to fight his long-term, bitter rival and UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.

Topuria is currently taking a break from the sport due to a personal matter.

This will provide Pimblett and Gaethje with extra motivation heading into their fight, as they will know there is a chance they could get elevated to undisputed status if Topuria vacates his belt.

The pair are set to kick off an exciting 2026 schedule in Dana White’s promotion, with UFC White House on the horizon and the Paramount+ deal already underway.

Rangers have reportedly made enquiries to Sunderland for duo Dan Neil and Romaine Mundle.

Despite playing a key role in the Black Cats’ promotion to the Premier League last season, the pair have seen their playing time limited this term.

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Academy graduate Neil captained his hometown club in their Play-Off Final win over Sheffield United at Wembley in May.

However, he has only featured three times in the top-flight in the 2025/26 campaign, having been replaced by Granit Xhaka in the Sunderland midfield.

Meanwhile, after a breakthrough year in the Championship last season, winger Mundle is yet to start in the top-flight this term.

Sky Sports report that the 22-year-old is keen for more regular game time, with Sunderland open to allowing him to leave on loan this month.

As for Neil, he is said to be on the radar of some Championship clubs, and is out of contract in the summer.

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris appeared to suggest both players could be allowed to leave in January.

When asked about the prospect of Mundle leaving, he said: “If a player won’t play too much in the second part of the season, there is the possibility for him to find another club to get minutes.”

Rangers alert to Sunderland duo

It appears Rangers are alert to Neil and Mundle’s situations, with head coach Danny Rohl prioritising recruitment in January.