liverpool Captain Virgil van Dijk has admitted he has not yet fully digested a difficult season at Anfield, which has already resulted in Arne Slot losing his job.

football international Enjoy an interview today with the 34-year-old as he prepares for the World Cup after a poor season at Liverpool.

liverpool struggles

The Reds started the season as Premier League champions, and looked to defend their title in the summer due to heavy spending on signings such as Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.

Instead, they endured one of the most disappointing title defenses in Premier League history, finishing fifth and 25 points behind winners Arsenal.

It also saw the team break several negative records throughout the campaign, such as losing 12 games in a season for the first time since 2014/15. Van Dijk was part of it all and admits he still hasn’t digested it all.

“There will be moments when I have to keep everything in perspective,” he said.

“It will be very difficult. I know this already. I haven’t really been able to think about everything that happened last season yet. But right now, a short break was enough to get into a positive mindset for this World Cup.

“I spent six wonderful days with my family, my mother and my in-laws. We talked a lot about everything and did nothing else for a while.’ ‘He was very nice and very peaceful.’

Liverpool’s toughest season

Undoubtedly, this season was difficult for everyone involved at Liverpool. From the tragic death of Diogo Jota before the campaign to the falling out between Mohamed Salah and Arne Slot, coupled with the poor results, it was mentally exhausting to say the least.

As captain, Virgil van Dijk had a lot of responsibility. And he admits he felt that tension throughout the season.

“It was the hardest season of my career,” he said.

“It’s obvious. Especially on a mental level. It’s just been up and down. The consistent feeling and level that you strive for, we almost never got.”

“As a group, as a club, as players, as individuals. As a team, we had very good matches, and then suddenly things went bad again. Then you basically can’t move forward.

“This year, we’ve had a lot come through at Liverpool. From the moment I got the phone call with the terrible news about Diogo, to the last match where we said goodbye to Mo Salah and Andy Robertson. I was sitting on the grass looking at two guys I had played with for eight years.

“I’ve never experienced anything like this in all my years at Liverpool. It was just the way it happened.”

erne slot conversation

Players aren’t the only ones who are leaving, with Liverpool having decided to part ways with Arne Slott last week.

Andoni Ierola has already been confirmed as his replacement. Van Dijk admits he has spoken to his former boss, but would not share what was said.

He finally said, “I will not say anything about it.”

“At the moment. I spoke to Arne personally, that’s the most important thing. What we discussed is between us. At the moment, my focus is completely on the World Cup.”

liverpool Captain Virgil van Dijk has admitted he has not yet fully digested a difficult season at Anfield, which has already resulted in Arne Slot losing his job.

football international Enjoy an interview today with the 34-year-old as he prepares for the World Cup after a poor season at Liverpool.

liverpool struggles

The Reds started the season as Premier League champions, and looked to defend their title in the summer due to heavy spending on signings such as Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.

Instead, they endured one of the most disappointing title defenses in Premier League history, finishing fifth and 25 points behind winners Arsenal.

It also saw the team break several negative records throughout the campaign, such as losing 12 games in a season for the first time since 2014/15. Van Dijk was part of it all and admits he still hasn’t digested it all.

“There will be moments when I have to keep everything in perspective,” he said.

“It will be very difficult. I know this already. I haven’t really been able to think about everything that happened last season yet. But right now, a short break was enough to get into a positive mindset for this World Cup.

“I spent six wonderful days with my family, my mother and my in-laws. We talked a lot about everything and did nothing else for a while.’ ‘He was very nice and very peaceful.’

Liverpool’s toughest season

Undoubtedly, this season was difficult for everyone involved at Liverpool. From the tragic death of Diogo Jota before the campaign to the falling out between Mohamed Salah and Arne Slot, coupled with the poor results, it was mentally exhausting to say the least.

As captain, Virgil van Dijk had a lot of responsibility. And he admits he felt that tension throughout the season.

“It was the hardest season of my career,” he said.

“It’s obvious. Especially on a mental level. It’s just been up and down. The consistent feeling and level that you strive for, we almost never got.”

“As a group, as a club, as players, as individuals. As a team, we had very good matches, and then suddenly things went bad again. Then you basically can’t move forward.

“This year, we’ve had a lot come through at Liverpool. From the moment I got the phone call with the terrible news about Diogo, to the last match where we said goodbye to Mo Salah and Andy Robertson. I was sitting on the grass looking at two guys I had played with for eight years.

“I’ve never experienced anything like this in all my years at Liverpool. It was just the way it happened.”

erne slot conversation

Players aren’t the only ones who are leaving, with Liverpool having decided to part ways with Arne Slott last week.

Andoni Ierola has already been confirmed as his replacement. Van Dijk admits he has spoken to his former boss, but would not share what was said.

He finally said, “I will not say anything about it.”

“At the moment. I spoke to Arne personally, that’s the most important thing. What we discussed is between us. At the moment, my focus is completely on the World Cup.”

Netherlands icon Ruud Gullit has supported the decision west ham united star Crescencio Somerville for the World Cup, despite differing opinions about him in his home country.

football primer report Comments from the Dutch icon today. He is apparently a big fan of the West Ham star.

West Ham’s best player

Crescencio Somerville has undoubtedly been West Ham’s best player this season, despite falling short in the Championship.

Bouncing back from a difficult first season at the London Stadium last year, the 24-year-old was the driving force behind the Hammers’ efforts to stay up this season. a big summer move Could be on the cards as a result.

His former player has included him in the Netherlands squad for the World Cup ahead of Liverpool’s Jeremy Frimpong. This is despite not having appeared for the senior national team to date.

He has long been linked with a potential call up after playing for his country at U16, U17, U18, U19 and U21 level. He has also opposed efforts by Suriname to change allegiance.

Ruud Gullit’s support

Gullit supported the decision, despite Somerville’s reputation raising eyebrows in his homeland.

“I’ve known him for some time,” he said on RTL Tonight.

“He’s awesome; he has an opinion, too. He was always considered a little tough, but really tough players are the most fun.

“They think outside the box, they think differently. He had a stint in England, played for Leeds United and then moved to West Ham United. I think it’s a worthy reward. But it’s certainly bittersweet for other players who thought they would be included.”

Fellow panelist Glenn Helder West Ham United are equally positive about the star’s involvement. He believes the inclusion of Crescencio Somerville is indicative of the out-of-the-box thinking from Koeman and his team.

“I really like it,” he said during Studio Orange.

“He was always a good player, but not really fully functional. He has become a really good footballer in England. These types of players have creativity. I can only appreciate that. It’s really thinking outside the box.”

of the armory There has been another layer of intrigue in the preparations for the Champions League final after Martin Zubimendi discussed his recent spell on the bench.

The midfielder has been one of Arsenal’s most important players this season. After arriving from Real Sociedad last summer, Zubimendi quickly became a central figure in Arsenal’s Premier League-winning campaign.

However, ahead of Saturday’s final against PSG in Budapest, the Spain international admitted his recent lack of form may not be accidental.

Before Arsenal’s final league game against Crystal Palace, Zubimendi had played four consecutive matches as a substitute.

Zubimendi remains calm on Arsenal role

Talking to Spanish outlet MarkHe admitted that the intensity of the season had hit him harder than anything he had experienced in Spain.

“It’s been a very challenging season, a long one, in which I’ve put in efforts I haven’t put in in my career, and it’s certainly had an impact on me,” He said.

Nevertheless, the midfielder made it clear that he now feels physically ready again.

Asked if there should be concerns ahead of the World Cup, Martin Zubimendi replied: “No, no, I’m fine.”

Despite the recent benching, Zubimendi insisted he is confident of his place in the team. It is worth remembering that he was Recently linked with a move to Real Madrid.

“I always see myself in the team, the second thing is what happens then,” he explained. “Lately, I haven’t been playing as much, but I’m ready to go out and play. The overall balance of the Premier League season has been very good, and I won’t start thinking negatively because of these bench appearances.”

When pressed on whether he expected to start the final himself, the midfielder laughed before giving a diplomatic answer.

“I don’t know! Ask sir,” He joked.

Zubimendi still made 46 appearances in all competitions this season, contributing four goals and seven assists. And when it comes to scoring in finals, his career record is quite good.

Arsenal’s confidence before PSG match

Martin Zubimendi also spoke confidently about Arsenal’s mentality ahead of facing PSG.

“We will enter the final with enthusiasm and confidence,” He said. “Winning the Premier League gives us extra incentive to reach such a beautiful final. I have seen Arsenal endure many years without a win, and now that past has finally been broken.”

The midfielder believes that mentality and composure will be decisive against the French team.

“Confidence, knowing how to handle the occasion, and defuse the situation,” When asked what difference it could make in the final, he said. “We have our weapons and we will try to make the most of them.”

Zubimendi also looked relaxed about Arsenal entering the match as outsiders.

“Maybe we’re not the favourites, but once you’re on the field it doesn’t matter who the favorite is.”

defensive strength appreciated

Martin Zubimendi gave particular praise to Mikel Arteta and Arsenal’s defensive structure.

“Sometimes it feels like you need to win titles to get credit, but I think Mikel was already among the top coaches,” he explained. “Winning takes you even higher and shows the whole process he has created at the club.”

Asked whether Arsenal were stronger defensively or offensively, the Spaniard highlighted the team’s balance, emphasizing their defensive consistency.

“I think it’s a very complete team, but where it really stands out is defensively,” He said. “The number of clean sheets we have is incredible and this is even more remarkable.”

While questions remain as to whether Zubimendi will start against PSG, there is no doubt that he has become one of the foundations of Arteta’s team during a transformative season at the Emirates.

AJ Brown trade rumors have begun to circulate again as speculation increases regarding his long-term future. Although nothing has been confirmed, discussion about a potential move is starting to gain more attention as June approaches, with the New England Patriots being the most likely landing spot.

However, as the situation evolves, multiple teams could begin to show interest, creating the possibility of a competitive trade market if Brown were ever made available.

Why are AJ Brown trade rumors gaining attention?

Brown’s tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles appears to be coming to an end. The 28-year-old superstar desires to play elsewhere, with New England the most likely option to land him. Despite Brown being under contract, the Eagles loaded up on wide receivers during the 2026 NFL offseason.

However, this is all procedural. Philadelphia has an incentive to wait until June to trade Brown for financial reasons. With less than two weeks left until the calendar turns to June, Browns trade rumors are heating up again. Despite rumours, it all points towards the same team unless there is a shocking turn of events.

Why are there New England Patriots? Involved with AJ Brown

The Browns want to play for the Patriots and the feeling is mutual. New England needs an elite wide receiver, and would give 28-year-old superstar Drake Mays their WR1. During the offseason, the Patriots released Stefon Diggs and signed Romeo Doubs; However, neither of them are true top wide receivers.

Enter Brown. Despite injury concerns with his knee, the Eagles receiver is one of the NFL’s best at his position. New England has struggled to produce in the 2026 NFL playoffs, so the offense will need a boost. However, this is still far from guaranteed, as other organizations may enter the mix.

Why might competition enter the mix?

While the Patriots are the favorites to acquire Brown, the team may face some stiff competition. The Kansas City Chiefs may consider trading for Brown as Rashee Rice deals with his ongoing legal situation. Rice’s long-term future in Kansas City is up for debate, and Brown would be a perfect fit for Patrick Mahomes.

Xavier Worthy will be the projected WR1 without Rice, and although he has the potential, the on-field production has not yet been proven. Brown will look to elevate the Chiefs’ offense into elite play following a difficult 2025-26 NFL season. The Patriots may be the leader, but don’t count out Kansas City and any other contending organization.

What does it take to acquire AJ Brown?

There has been widespread speculation over the Browns’ trade package for months. The Patriots would likely have to include a 2028 first-round pick and another asset to acquire the Eagles’ star wide receiver. That could be wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, who appears to be on the move soon if the Browns commit to the Patriots.

If not Boutte, New England could include a third- or fourth-round draft pick along with a 2028 first-rounder. Unless a team like Kansas City makes a move, Philadelphia shouldn’t get much more. The possibility of another suitor remains open, so the Patriots may have to raise their offer to get the deal done.

Major Obstacles in Any Business Scenario

There are some obstacles to a Browns trade from Philadelphia. The 28-year-old supersetter will be landing at one of her favorite destinations. Brown has become a distraction at points in Philadelphia and going to any team probably won’t be enough. This familiarity with head coach Mike Vrabel makes the Patriots trade even better.

However, the biggest hurdle is financial. The Eagles won’t lose much if they trade Brown after June 1. If not, a deal is likely to be made at this point. Luckily for the Patriots, the two biggest obstacles to a Brown trade should be cleared by June 1, 2026.

what could happen next

More likely, the Eagles are going to trade Brown after June 1. The Patriots are the top contenders, but a team like the Chiefs could swoop in at the last minute. Everyone involved has waited many months for the trade to be completed, but it looks like this situation is nearing a conclusion.

The Eagles don’t want to trade Brown immediately, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see this fall in July. However, New England is believed to be the landing spot, and if everyone is operating under the same assumption, it would be best to make the Browns a Patriot in the early summer.

READ MORE: NFL Insider gives big update on AJ Brown trade to New England Patriots

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

newcastle His association with Gabriel Make continues as the Grêmio teenager’s profile continues to rise across Europe following his increased involvement in the Brazilian club’s first team.

The 18-year-old attacking midfielder has gradually become part of the senior rotation this season and is starting to attract more attention with each appearance.

Clubs in England, Portugal, Spain and now France are keeping a close eye on the situation as Gremio prepares for another major transfer battle around one of its biggest talents.

Last year, Shakhtar Donetsk offered around €15m (£12.9m) for Make, only for the move to fail after resistance from both the player and Grêmio.

chelsea There was also a strong push at one stage, with reports in the Brazilian earlier mentioning a package that could reach €24m (£20.6m) including bonuses.

That background is helping shape Grêmio’s current strategy.

Gremio took steps to strengthen its position

according to espn brazilThe Brazilian side are now close to agreeing a contract renewal with MEC until September 2031.

Their current deal runs until September 2027, and there was growing concern internally about losing benefits as time went on. The renewal push appears to be designed to avoid exactly the same scenario before the next transfer window opens.

Importantly, this does not mean that Gremio wants to remove him from the market.

Instead, it looks like the club are trying to put themselves in a stronger negotiating position before a serious offer is made.

That also fits with it Recent Comments Grêmio vice-president Antonio Dutra Júnior insisted that no official bid had been made yet, but openly admitted that the club saw Meck as a player capable of generating “huge value” in the future.

It is getting bigger.

Newcastle will remain involved as soon as PSG enters

are newcastle Once again among the mentioned clubs Regarding make

The Magpies are actively monitoring emerging South American talent and have featured prominently in Brazilian reporting about the player. Make fits the type of high-upside signings Newcastle have sought in recent windows.

However, the race is becoming more crowded.

Villarreal, Sevilla, Porto and Shakhtar remain interested, but Paris Saint-Germain are now the latest heavyweight name to enter the picture.

The emergence of PSG is significant because it changes the market dynamics around MAC. Grêmio already valued him at between €15m and €20m (£12.9m-£17.2m), but the increasing level of competition suggests the Brazilian side believe they may be able to move even more than that.

now big sales objective

Rather than rushing towards a sale due to contractual pressure, Grêmio is now focusing on creating a controlled bidding war.

Newcastle, Chelsea and PSG have all been linked at various stages, with the club increasingly viewing Meck as a player capable of generating one of their biggest sales in recent years.

For Newcastle, that means the opportunity is alive – but both prices and competition are moving rapidly upwards.

Last week, Sport Witness covered a front page report from Spain on Barcelona’s interest chelseaMark Cucurella.

The source said the left-back wants to leave Chelsea following turmoil following Enzo Maresca’s exit in January.

This report came out a few days later The Spanish press initially covered Barcelona’s desire to snatch him from Chelsea.

Hansi Flick has Alejandro Balde and Gerard Martin as his two left-backs at the Camp Nou and it has been claimed that Barca are open to the sale of Balde.

Cucurella is not the only one on the La Liga winners’ radar for the left-back position. The Brazilian’s latest claims reflect their interest in AS Monaco’s Caio Henrique.

Chelsea star signing complicated

game Broadcast Brazil’s claims and then explain how Barcelona and AS Monaco could work on a potential deal.

Barca’s Ansu Fati is on loan at the Ligue 1 side, and the winger could be used in any talks for Caio Henrique.

Mark Cucurella and Bayer Leverkusen’s Alejandro Grimaldo are also on the Catalan club’s shortlist.

There are claims the Spain international wants to leave Stamford Bridge after this season. However, it will be difficult for the fullback to return to Barcelona in the next window.

SPORT STATE It will be complicated for Barça to sign the 27-year-old Chelsea player due to his price.

sports world Also broadcast the claims of Henrique as an option for the Spanish giants and then talk about Cucurella.

The Blues defender was initially their priority target but Chelsea have now set a high price for him. There is no mention of the figure but whatever it is, it is enough for Barcelona to pique their interest.

It seems that Hansi Flick’s team has given up on him and are now focusing on options like Grimaldo.

Our opinion: The Spaniard should stay at Chelsea

Mark Cucurella’s contract is until 2028, and transfer market He is worth €50 million.

It is unclear whether any of the top European clubs will be able to meet Chelsea’s price for Mark Cucurella. Therefore, he should remain in the English capital beyond the next window.

The fullback has played 3,437 minutes in 45 matches for the Premier League side this season.

Atletico Nacional’s young player Jose Escorcia is on crystal Palace And brighton and hove albion Transfer radar.

The 16-year-old is yet to make his first-team debut for the Colombian club, but has nevertheless attracted the attention of Crystal Palace and Brighton.

Brighton has kept a close eye on the South American market over the past few years. Some signatories have become regulars at The Amex before moving elsewhere.

Alexis McAllister and Moises Caicedo are notable examples and moved to Liverpool and Chelsea respectively.

The Seagulls continue to spotlight young talent from South America. Last week, Sports Witness Covered claims from Argentina They have an interest in Chile’s Vicente Pizarro, who is at Rosario Central.

Crystal Palace and Brighton shown interest

Jose Escorcia is on the agenda for the Premier League pair and bolvaip Cover the latest from the Eagles and Fabian Herzeler. His headline suggests the forward is attracting interest from the Premier League.

In the report, they have mentioned Crystal Palace and Brighton as both teams looking to sign the Colombia U17 international.

Operating primarily on the left wing, he performed for his country at the U17 South American Championship.

The wonderkid scored four goals and provided two assists in six matches. This included a goal and an assist in a 4-0 win over Argentina in the tournament final earlier this month.

Crystal Palace and Brighton will have to be wary of other unnamed clubs in the transfer race. These teams can contact in the next few hours.

Atlético Nacional, on their end, ‘could receive a significant transfer fee’ for the young attacker. The report makes no mention of a fee or the Colombian club’s demand to sell him.

It is unclear whether Oliver Glasner’s team or Amex Club will make an offer any time soon.

Why do PL parties have to wait?

Jose Escorcia will turn 18 in July 2027 and due to post-Brexit rules, he will not be able to move to the UK until then.

In other words, if Crystal Palace, Brighton & Hove Albion or any other British club agree to a deal, it would be for the Colombian club to arrive next year.

The outcome of Jarrell Miller vs. Lanier Perrow set the stage for a new rivalry on April 25, 2026, as Jarrell Miller used the moment after the fight to knock out Deontay Wilder. Fighting at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas in a WBA eliminator, Miller won by unanimous decision with scores of 117–111, 117–111 and 115–113.

The win moved him to 28-1-2 with 22 knockouts, while Lanier Pero fell to 13-1. The fight itself was tough and physical, but the big story came after the final bell, when Miller made it clear he wanted Wilder to fight next, which he described as a great fight between the top American heavyweights.

Jarrell Miller vs. Lanier Perrow result sets up Deontay Wilder callout

The result of Jarrell Miller vs. Lanier Pero came after 12 rounds of close-range action. Pero started well and used his reach to land clean shots in the early stages. He controlled the distance and prevented Miller from going inside repeatedly in the beginning.

Miller remained patient and continued to move forward. He entered the fight weighing 305 pounds but maintained a steady pace. As the rounds progressed, they began to close the gap more and more. The fight turned into a physical exchange, with both fighters trading blows at short range.

By the middle rounds Miller began to take control. His pressure increased and he started landing heavy combinations. Pero’s pace slowed and the pace changed. The outcome of Jarrell Miller vs. Lanier Pero became clear as Miller’s output remained higher in the later rounds.

Jarrell Miller vs. Lanier Pero outcome driven by pressure and work rate

Jarrell Miller vs. Lanier Perrow The result reflected Miller’s ability to keep up the pressure for 12 rounds. He landed over 1,000 punches, bringing the total to over 1,650 punches in the fight.

Pero continued to respond, but as the fighting progressed, his activity decreased. Miller remained active and kept working inside. His combinations were more effective in the later rounds and he controlled the pace. Both fighters showed fatigue late, but Miller finished stronger.

The judges scored the fight in his favor, confirming the impact of his volume and forward speed. The result of Jarrell Miller vs. Lanier Perrow ended Perrow’s undefeated streak and put Miller in a strong position in the heavyweight division.

Jarrell Miller calls out Deontay Wilder after Las Vegas win

After the Jarrell Miller vs. Lanier Pero results, Miller immediately focused on a potential fight with Deontay Wilder. He made his intentions clear in an interview and pointed towards the demands of the fans.

Miller said, “I think if the fans push hard enough for it the fight will happen.” “Everyone doubts me. They say he’ll beat me or knock me out, but there’s only one way to find out. He’s been knocked out several times. I haven’t. So let’s do that.”

Miller also highlighted the appeal of the matchup and what both fighters bring. “We are two top American giants and we can both attract attention,” he said. “My trash talk and his dramatic speeches and entrances will make it entertaining.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn supported the idea of ​​the fight and pointed to its potential impact. He said both fighters have knockout power and contrasting styles, which could attract strong interest.

Miller, now 37, plans to stay active and return soon. The Jarrell Miller vs. Lanier Perrow result has now directly called out Wilder, setting up a potential next step in the division.

Dogley Wilberforce is a boxing writer for SportsNaught, covering fight news, fighter reactions and major bouts in the sport… More about Dogley Wilberforce

The Toronto Raptors picked up an impressive and convincing win in Game 3 of their first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The home team led 47–23 in the second half and won 126–104. They are now trailing 2-1 in the series.

However, the team received some bad news on the injury front on Friday, as they learned they will be without point guard Immanuel Quickley for the remainder of the series, no matter how long it takes.

Quickley has apparently suffered a setback in his rehab with a right hamstring injury and will remain on the sidelines indefinitely.

The 26-year-old player averaged 16.4 points per game in 70 contests this season. He had a career-high 5.9 assists, while also adding 4.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. He shot 37.4% from three-point range.

Quickley will miss the entire first round series

The speedy guard’s presence was missed in the first two matches of the series. In Game 3, however, Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett exploded for 33 points apiece, while rookie Collin Murray-Boyles came off the bench with 22 points and eight rebounds in 28 minutes.

Backup point Jamal Sheed will continue to see starter’s minutes in Quickley’s absence. After playing an average of 22 minutes per night during the regular season, Shead has played 32 minutes per contest in the first three games of the series.

Additionally, players like Ja’Kobe Walter (27.2 mpg) and Jamison Battle will see an increase in usage. After playing only three minutes total in the first two games, Battle broke out in Game 3 by finishing four three-pointers in clutch minutes to help ice the game for the Raptors. They will need both of them to continue to pick up the slack for Quickley, especially shooting from beyond the arc. Sheed has hit 6 of 12 three-pointers in the series, while Battle is now 4 of 5.

The only way Quickley gets a chance to play again this season is if the Raptors pull off a massive upset of the Cavs and advance to the second round.

chelsea Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen suffered a groin injury in March and has been on the sidelines since then.

The 23-year-old has been second-choice at Chelsea behind Robert Sanchez.

Before his failure, Liam Rosenior had made his debut in the league win over Aston Villa and the 5–2 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in March.

With Celtic star Kasper Schmeichel out for the season, the 23-year-old got his chance to start for Denmark in the March international break. However, this setback also meant that he could not represent the national team.

Denmark manager Brian Reimer had Confirmed After Stomper’s scan he got a shock.

Chelsea close to star Jorgensen

Joao Pedro arrived at Stamford Bridge from Brighton & Hove Albion last summer. He has given an interview to Viaplay and bold Philip Jorgensen has released his comments.

The Blues star has developed a close relationship with the goalkeeper in his debut season and he now talks about his groin injury.

“He is going through a tough time at the moment because he has been injured. So, we are trying to help him. He is a really good guy, and he is very professional both on and off the field. He tries to help everyone,” He said.

“We are very close because our girlfriends also try to hang out together. Off the field, we are always joking with each other. So, we are very close.”

Jorgensen joined Chelsea in August 2024 after spending seven years at Villarreal and has made 34 appearances so far. It covers 10 matches this season and his Premier League statistics are as follows:

• Appearances: 3
• Start: 2
• Total minutes: 264
• Clean sheets: 0
• Goals accepted: 4

Chelsea loanee suffers latest blow

Chelsea cut short Aaron Anselmino’s loan stay at Borussia Dortmund and sent him on loan to RC Strasbourg in the winter market. The 20-year-old Argentinian has played 15 minutes in three matches for the French club.

A hamstring injury kept him out of action for more than a month in February. Last weekend, the Blues man returned to the field in Strasbourg’s 3-1 win over OGC Nice.

Team Now reports are that he has suffered a fresh setback, forcing him to spend more time away from the field. Strasbourg manager Gary O’Neill has confirmed the latest injury.

“This time it is the other hamstring, he will have to undergo tests to determine the severity of the injury,” He said.

What do these injuries mean for Chelsea?

The Premier League side will be waiting for Filip Jorgensen to return soon and make himself available for selection.

Aaron Anselmino’s latest injury will have no impact on Chelsea this season, but his repeated failures will certainly be a concern for them.

nottingham forest Preparations are already underway for a hostile environment in Portugal. However, the scale of the task against FC Porto far outweighs the pressure of the crowd.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s team will face a team with strong domestic and European form. Porto are currently leading the Portuguese league and have lost only once in their last 11 matches in all competitions. This fixture adds another layer to an already demanding Europa League quarter-final.

Nottingham Forest have shown resilience to reach this level. Still, this tie presents a different challenge. Porto combines pace, structure and experience, especially when playing at home.

Strong home record against English sides

FC Porto’s record against English clubs at the Estadio do Dragão highlights the size of the test awaiting Nottingham Forest.

according to to ballPorto has played 25 home matches against English opposition in European competitions. They have won nine, drawn nine and lost only seven. This is a solid record that shows how difficult it is for visiting teams to control matches in Porto.

Recent history supports that pattern. Porto drew 3–3 with Manchester United in a high-profile performance in October 2024. Earlier, he had secured a late win over Arsenal in the Champions League with a stoppage time goal.

So they are certainly a team that is comfortable dealing with top-class English opposition on home soil.

The context behind the Nottingham Forest meeting

There is also a layer of recent history between the two sides.

Nottingham Forest beat Porto 2–0 early in the competition, handing the Portuguese team their only defeat in Europe this season. That result came via two penalties that Diogo Costa could not save.

However, the context has changed since then. Porto are now in a stronger position domestically, and there is a clear sense of unfinished business in this regard. Furthermore, they there will be some reinforcements For this stability.

Porto manager Francesco Farioli knows it is a completely different scenario.

“When we played Nottingham before, it was Sean Dyche’s first game. I have positive memories of the game there. We conceded two penalty goals and played well throughout the game.” he said A recent press conference.

“But now we are talking about a completely different reality, a team that is in more positive form. Nottingham Forest have many strengths, including great wingers and very high-quality forwards. They also have strong midfielders and are dangerous at set pieces.”

He then concluded: “It is difficult to say which version of Nottingham suits us best, but what is certain is that we will have to do our best.”

It is also worth noting that this will be Nottingham Forest’s first match at the Estadio do Dragão. It adds an element of the unknown to the Premier League side.

more than just atmosphere

The focus has already been on the build-up Porto will bring intense supportBoth at home and outside. Their fans have sold out allocations and have formed a strong presence throughout the competition.

Yet the challenge for Nottingham Forest is wider. They will face a team that is leading their league, in form and is historically strong at home against English clubs.

Plus, this is a team that has already lost once this season and now has clear motivation to respond.

For Forest, it is about managing a complete test – tactical, emotional and physical – against one of the most consistent teams left in the competition.

That’s why this quarter-final feels particularly challenging. And that’s why Nottingham Forest will need one of their most controlled performances of the season to take something positive from Portugal.

The Detroit Pistons suffered a tough 130-129 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in overtime at Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday, ending their four-game winning streak.

The Pistons had two chances to win on the final possession, but Tobias Harris missed a jumper with 2.9 seconds remaining, while Jalen Duren, who had grabbed the offensive rebound, buried a gimme as time expired.

Courtesy of Harris’ jumper, Detroit overcame a 21-point deficit to send the game into extension. However, the team still ultimately fell short.

Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff praised his return, but also said he couldn’t celebrate the loss, as shown in video posted by Coty Davis of the Detroit News.

“We didn’t like the way we dug into a hole in the first half. But to be able to negotiate at halftime and then come out and play like we played in the third and fourth quarters, credit to those guys,” Bickerstaff said.

“Obviously, we fell a bucket behind. But most teams wouldn’t even get themselves in that position. Most teams don’t have the strength to dig deep, collect themselves, pick themselves up off the mat, and do what our guys did. No moral victory, but I’m proud of our guys’ effort.”

“We didn’t like the way we dug a hole in the first half…no moral victory.”

speak on bickerstaff #piston They are battling a 21-point deficit after the loss to the Hawks. pic.twitter.com/cIbhluHyM5

– Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) 26 March 2026

The Pistons lost for the first time since Cade Cunningham was diagnosed with lung failure.

They have played well even without the two-time All-Star with Duren, Harris, Duncan Robinson, Dennis Jenkins and Aussie Thompson. They all scored in double figures against the Hawks, led by Duren with 26 points.

The Pistons, who fell 52-20, including 28-9 at home, will look to bounce back against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday.

Mike Conley’s playing time has declined significantly this season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, as the team aims to introduce younger players into the lineup. Although this is the case, head coach Chris Finch admits it is difficult not to play the 19-year-old veteran.

Speaking to media members on Tuesday, Finch admitted that removing the 38-year-old point guard from the rotation is one of the toughest decisions he has made in his coaching career, according to Timberwolves reporter Dan Moore. Finch compared not playing with Conley to being on offense.

“Honestly, it’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do in coaching,” Finch said of benching Conley. “Especially with who he is as a person and professional, and everything he’s done for us. Feels like a crime against humanity.”

Chris Finch was asked what it was like to have Mike Connelly removed from the rotation.

“To be honest with you, it’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do in coaching… especially with who he is as a person and a professional, and everything he’s done for us. It feels… pic.twitter.com/jSeYDaP3BD

– Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) 24 March 2026

Mike Conley has played in 47 games for the Timberwolves this season, starting nine of those contests. His playing time decreased shortly after as he was traded twice this season (first to the Chicago Bulls, then to the Charlotte Hornets) before being released by Charlotte, only to re-sign with Minnesota.

In the games he played, Conley averaged career lows in minutes (17.8), points (4.1), rebounds (1.7), assists (2.9), and steals (0.6). His field goal percentage (31.5%) and three-point percentage (31.1%) are also career lows.

Conley is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-26 campaign. The one-time All-Star will get an opportunity to sign with a new team in the offseason. However, due to lack of playing time and his age, it is likely that Mike Conley will retire after this season.

The Orlando Magic lost 128-126 against the Indiana Pacers at the Kia Center on Monday when Paolo Banchero’s game-winning attempt was blocked as time expired.

The Pacers finally ended their franchise-record 16-game losing streak, while the Magic suffered their fifth consecutive loss.

Orlando won on a jump ball with just 6.4 seconds left in the game. Banchero attacked the rim, but was faced by Pascal Siakam and Jay Huff, who held down the fort.

After the game, the 23-year-old Banchero said may have been fouled On the last play, as reported by Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel.

“We took an aggressive step to the hoop. I thought they both jumped on me with their bodies, but they were both straight up, you know? So it could have been a foul, but it wasn’t. It was a tough one,” Banchero said.

I asked #magical Forward Paolo Banchero on the last game and whether he felt he was fouled by Indiana:

“I thought they both jumped into me with their bodies, but they were both straight up, you know? So, it could have been a foul, but it wasn’t. And yes, it was a hard one.” https://t.co/IugjbiTXq0 pic.twitter.com/4QsqqlTRLi

-Jason Beede (@therealBeede) 24 March 2026

The fourth-year forward had a heroic performance, finishing with a game-high 39 points on 13-of-27 shooting. He added four rebounds and six assists.

Banchero has found his rhythm after struggling with his efficiency in the first half of the campaign.

The Magic played without Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner and Anthony Black due to various illnesses.

While they admitted a painful loss at the hands of the Pacers, Banchero stressed they need to move on quickly as they face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday at Rocket Arena.

“We don’t really have time to get our heads down. We’ve got to come back to Cleveland tomorrow and try to get a win there,” Banchero said, quoting Beede.

The Magic are in eighth place in the Eastern Conference with a 38–33 record.

MIAMI – As the Miami Heat make a playoff push, the team is headed in the wrong direction after losing its third straight game, this time a 134-126 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. With the Heat facing tough opponents in the home stretch of the season, the team is still trying to find a key area with 12 games left, as it features the duo of Norman Powell and Tyler Herro.

The explosive guard duo has been in just 14 games together this season, with each missing significant time due to injuries, especially Herro, who has missed a total of 47 contests with a myriad of issues. Powell has filled the void as the leading scoring guard in Herro’s absence, making the veteran a first-time All-Star and leading Miami with 22.4 points per game.

Head coach Erik Spoelstra brought Powell off the bench on Thursday night, which could be an untenable situation as the team figures out how to utilize both Powell and Herro. As for Spoelstra, he believes it will “work itself out”, admitting that it is “hard to assess”, and even going so far as to say that it is “at the back” on his list of priorities.

“The skill level of both of them will lend itself to them on the court,” Spoelstra said. “You know we need it. We need all the offensive firepower we have right now. It’s hard to assess, and I understand it because it’s a story, because they don’t have a full body of games and a season, it’s way behind the order of my priorities. Because if we’re defending the way we’ve been, and getting things done in the open court, and we’re getting in transition, in my view, it just works itself out.”

Heat’s Norman Powell gives honest opinion on coming off the bench

Although the Heat’s lineup may change due to injuries to Andrew Wiggins and Jaime Jacquez Jr., Powell’s role on the team will remain until the end of the regular season. Still, it’s not like Spoelstra is keeping Powell and Herro away from each other, either, with them playing significant minutes together in the loss to the Lakers, even if Herro came off the bench.

Herro recorded 21 points on eight of 19 shooting from the field, four of 10 from deep, along with eight rebounds and five assists. Powell worked well with the second unit, and even played extended games with the starters near the end, recording 32 minutes and scoring 20 points on seven of 13 shooting from the field.

Still, the two of them on the floor together are a work in progress, and it’s noticeable when looking at the two guards’ spacing and defense. Powell will talk about coming off the bench and how much of an adjustment it is, something he underestimated because he’s had so many roles during his decade-plus long career.

“I’m just playing my game, those decisions and things are up to me,” Powell said. “I can’t control it. I focus on what I can control: being a good teammate, being professional, having confidence in myself, going out there and playing the way I want to play, and whatever minutes I get, figuring out how we can make it work.”

Heat’s Norman Powell sees himself as a starter

As the Heat were unable to stop Lakers star Luka Doncic, who contributed a massive 60 points, it started in the second half, where the star lit it up with 19 points in the third quarter, as he had 21 points at halftime. It was another disappointing loss for Miami, as they led by as many as 15 points in the first half, even scoring 42 points in the opening frame.

The three-game slump is a blow to the Heat, especially with a seven-game winning streak already underway, as the team still needs to figure out a significant role for Powell. Whether this is a permanent move or it will be on a game-by-game basis, Powell thinks it’s the latter.

Powell will be honest in saying he believes he is a starter, but he is accepting his role if Miami feels that is what it takes to win games.

“We talked, I don’t know, game by game. I don’t know, it’s a question [Spoelstra]But we talked about how it’s going to move forward, with everybody, you know, treating every game as a playoff game, because it’s so important,” Powell said. “And whatever role you’re given, the focus has to be on going out there and winning games, no matter what, and that’s my focus. I feel like I’m a starter; I’ve worked to be in that role. But if the team feels like me coming off the bench for a few games, or whatever depending on the matchup, will put us in a position to win games, then I’ll accept the role and go out there and play basketball.

Heat’s Bam Adebayo takes down Norman Powell coming off the bench

At the end of the day, it remains to be seen how Powell’s role changes with the Heat, but if one thing is for sure, the minutes he is playing are integral. Miami captain Bam Adebayo echoed the same sentiment with ClutchPoints, saying how he’s still playing minutes, comparing it to the way former star Lou Williams was brought off the bench.

“I mean, obviously, the guy was an All-Star, so we think he can carry it forward,” Adebayo said after leading the team with 28 points and 10 rebounds. “You know, for me, it’s always the other side. Always want my guys to be scoring. Some of us are just built to do that. You know, for me, it’s doing the little things on the other side, communicating, being in your right spots, and then on the other side, it’s sacrificing cuts every now and then, and that’s everybody.”

“It’s not just Norm, I mean, Norm’s sacrifice, he’s coming off the bench, and he’s figuring out his role, but he’s still playing 32, so it’s like, at the end of the day it doesn’t matter about coming off the bench, because you’re being like Lou Will in coming off the bench, but you’re still playing 30 plus.”

In addition to Doncic, it was an efficient game for former Heat star LeBron James, who recorded 19 points on 8 of 12 shooting from the field, along with 15 rebounds and 10 assists. At any rate, Miami is now back up to the eighth seed at 38-32, with its next game on Saturday against the Houston Rockets.

The Boston Celtics have been playing well all season, and they have gotten even better over the past few weeks with the return of Jayson Tatum to the lineup. They are currently the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, and they have an opportunity to climb to No. 1 with the latest news of Cade Cunningham suffering from a bad lung.

The Detroit Pistons have been on top of the Eastern Conference all season, and Cunningham has been the engine of their success. It is uncertain how long he will be sidelined, but it could be three weeks or even six weeks. Any deadline would be after the regular season, meaning the Pistons may struggle without their star player.

The Celtics, on the other hand, have everything they need, and they are ready to make a run.

It won’t be all easy for the Celtics, as they have the league’s seventh-toughest schedule remaining. They still have matchups with the Oklahoma City Thunder and New York Knicks, and two matchups with the Atlanta Hawks, who are currently on an 11-game winning streak. The Celtics can beat these teams, but they’ll have to work for it.

Additionally, if the Celtics have the same record as the Pistons at the end of the season, they will still be the No. 2 seed because they do not have a tiebreaker. That means if the Celtics want to capture the No. 1 seed, they’ll have to stay ahead by a few games.

The Pistons are left with the 15th toughest schedule in the league, and that’s probably good news for them as they try to move forward without their star player.

It will be interesting to see if the Celtics can make a move with a few weeks left in the regular season, but there’s no doubt it can be done.

The New Orleans Pelicans haven’t been the best all season, but they have found a little life the past few weeks since the return of Dejounte Murray. He has made things easier for the Pelicans with his play and is another scoring option they need. What’s even better is that he can get as close as he needs to, and he’s not afraid to take the shot.

That’s what happened in their latest game against the Toronto Raptors, where the Pelicans were looking to shut them out. Murray had the ball and Jamal Sheed was protecting him. He hit some moves on Sheed which caused him to fall to the floor and Murray hit a shot.

The end of that sequence was something like this.

This picture of Dejounte Murray after taking down Jamal Sheed 🥶 https://t.co/VC7K7sxhgg pic.twitter.com/YWGanOLzEK

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 12 March 2026

It wasn’t a great moment for Shead, but Murray was in the news at least for the next minute. At that time, it was clear that the Pelicans missed him for most of the season.

After the game, Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic spoke about the incident that occurred after the shot.

Rajakovic said, “I don’t give it too much attention there. The guys are competitive. What they did there was probably off the board. I got to see it on film. But I don’t want to make too much of it.”

That moment may stick around, but at some point, people will forget about it until something else like it happens.

In seven games this season, Murray is averaging 17.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists. The Pelicans have been near the bottom of the Western Conference for most of the season, but if Murray continues to play there is a chance they will finish the year strong.

They have no reason to tank like other teams in the lower tier because they don’t have their picks in this year’s draft.

The NBA world continues to react to Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo’s spectacular 83-point performance. As NBA players and coaches continue to share their insights about the game, even the best players are not holding back.

On Wednesday night, the LA Clippers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 153-128, led by a 45-point effort from Kawhi Leonard. In his 32 minutes of play, Kawhi scored 45 points, grabbed five rebounds, dished out five assists, and missed only five of his 30 total shot attempts on the night.

After the game, Leonard was asked about Bam Adebayo scoring 83 points, and he gave a very Kawhi Leonard answer.

“I haven’t had a chance to see it, but it’s amazing,” Leonard said. “He’s a hard-working guy, getting better every year. It’s something to see. I’m happy for him.”

Kawhi Leonard on Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game:

“I didn’t get a chance to see it, but it’s amazing. He’s a hard-working guy, getting better every year. It’s worth seeing. I’m happy for him.” pic.twitter.com/IEuV2PgJmR

-Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) 12 March 2026

Bam Adebayo finished his historic night by scoring 83 points with nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocked shots in 42 minutes of play. Adebayo shot 20 of 43 from the field, 7 of 22 from three and 36 of 43 from the free throw line.

With the points total, Adebayo passed Kobe Bryant for the second-highest scoring game in NBA history, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain.

Bam Adebayo has set a new record for the second-highest scoring game in NBA history, surpassing Kobe Bryant.

83 points 20-of-43 FG
9 rebounds 7-of-22 3pts
3 ASSETS 36-IN-43 FT
2 theft
2 blocks pic.twitter.com/ZkdhRV5m17

-Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) 11 March 2026

Leonard was one of the few NBA superstars who has had incredible performances. Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo praised Adebayo for the effort and dismissed any notion that Adebayo’s play was not impressive.

“It’s unbelievable,” Antetokounmpo said after the Bucks’ home loss to the Suns on Wednesday night. “83 is incredible. It says a lot about his hard work. I haven’t seen the game yet, I have to see the game. He took 43 free throws? It doesn’t matter how you got there. What matters is that you got it. Like 10, 20, 30 years from now, no one will remember how many free throw shots he shot. I don’t think I remember how many shots Kobe shot or how many free throws he made or Three. You don’t remember that, Wilt.

“At the end of the day, he got 83 points. Amazing way to help his team win. I know his family and close friends are extremely excited and happy for him. The game reflects his hard work. I know that Bam, he works hard every day, never cheats the game. It’s incredible to see a guy like him do that.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored by Bam
He spoke on 83 issues:

💬 “It doesn’t matter how you did it. What matters is that you did it. In 30 years, no one will be talking about how many free throws you made.

“I don’t remember how many free throws and three-pointers Kobe made.” pic.twitter.com/c45SD03DfZ

– Everything NBA (@herseynba) 11 March 2026

Even Kevin Durant, who spent time with Adebayo during Team USA’s Olympic gold medal run in 2024, expressed his interest in the Heat star having a big scoring night.

“I couldn’t believe it when I heard it in real time,” the Houston Rockets star said Wednesday. “It seems like he got 30 in the first quarter. Congratulations to Bam. I know how much he works. I looked at the stat sheet, it’s crazy. He had 40 shots, 40 free throws, 20 threes. It takes a lot of stamina, a lot of energy to make those shots and then make them, set a record, surpass Kobe as the second-highest scorer in the history of the game. Congratulations to him. That’s a huge accomplishment to be talking about.” I’ll always keep talking.”

I asked Kevin Durant about Bam Adebayo’s 83 point game.

“Something we’ll always talk about.” pic.twitter.com/mRXm3XkBrY

– Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) 11 March 2026

Bam Adebayo’s big night will surely have more players speaking out as he continues to be asked about it, but one thing is for sure: NBA stars and the Miami Heat star’s teammates are excited for the new, second-best scorer in NBA history.

The Toronto Raptors are stumbling right when they need to make a run. After Wednesday night’s disappointing 122-111 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, All-Star forward Brandon Ingram had nothing to say about the current state of the team.

Returning to the city where he spent six seasons, Ingram made a valiant effort, finishing with 22 points, six rebounds and five assists. He even reached a major milestone during the competition, surpassing 11,000 career points. However, their individual success couldn’t hide the collective struggles of a Raptors team that has now lost six of its last eight games.

“We’re going through a little tough time,” Ingram admitted after the game. “But I think it’s going to bring us even more together. We’ve just got to figure it out. Figure out what’s best for us offensively and defensively, and just play a little harder.”

Brandon Ingram weighed in on whether the team is matching the urgency/intensity needed at this point in the season, where the standings are constantly changing:

“We’re going through a little rough time. But I think this will bring us even more together. We just have to figure out… https://t.co/a3oWc4HE3d pic.twitter.com/5SevdZ3MXS

– Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) 12 March 2026

The “rough patch” in the crowded Eastern Conference is proving costly. This latest loss dropped Toronto from the fifth seed to seventh, leaving them half a game behind both the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat. Despite Immanuel Quickley’s 25 points and a stellar performance from Scotty Barnes, the Raptors couldn’t stop New Orleans’ duo of Trey Murphy III and Dejounte Murray.

Murphy caught fire from deep, scoring 28 points on 5-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc, while Murray spoiled Ingram’s homecoming by adding 27 points. The Raptors struggled with efficiency, shooting just 31.8 percent from downtown compared to the Pelicans’ blazing 48.3 percent.

Toronto briefly cut an 18-point deficit to just two early in the fourth quarter, but a lack of defensive urgency resulted in the Pelicans taking an 8–0 lead. For a team with championship aspirations, the margin for error is officially gone. If Ingram and the Raptors don’t figure it out soon, they could find themselves fighting to stay out of the play-in tournament.

Although he left the Alamo City on strained terms, Kawhi Leonard has largely been a supporter of the San Antonio Spurs since the 2018 trade that sent him to the Toronto Raptors. After a 116–112 loss, in which his Los Angeles Clippers blew a 25-point lead, Clough didn’t hesitate in praising the organization he helped win an NBA title in 2014.

After their first meeting of the season, ClutchPoints asked Leonard if he thought the young Spurs were ahead of schedule.

“Obviously, probably no one thought they’d be this good so quickly. But, they have great individual players, a great coaching staff. The organization has always known how to win basketball here. So, they’re putting everything together,” the seven-time NBA All-Star responded.

Los Angeles’ leading scorer then fouled out his Spurs counterpart.

“This team; the league is young. So it’s all about speed and run and if you have a shooter at the five, like Wembey or anybody who can shoot threes and block shots, your chances of winning are even greater.”

“…Probably no one thought they’d become so good so quickly… They have great individual players, great coaching staff. The organization always knows how to win…
They’re just putting it all together…”⬇️

-Talked to the poet about what he thinks #spurs are ahead of schedule#porvida pic.twitter.com/IYX2uDbPBa

– Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) 7 March 2026

Victor Wembanyama scored 27 in just 22 minutes, but the 2023 first overall draft pick wasn’t the only standout spurt to earn praise from the 34-year-old star.

“[Stephon] Cassel is playing very well, had a great rookie year and has taken a step forward this year and gotten better. I like what he’s doing on the court. He is getting better. “It’s fun to go out there and compete against younger guys, giving us some advantages here and there,” Leonard said of San Antonio’s star guard.

“When you’re trying to win a game, you’ve got to play on both ends of the floor,” the two-time NBA champion said.

Leonard finished with a game-high 30 points for a Clippers team that advanced from play-in contention in the Silver and Black.

“You never know. Nobody can say if they are ahead of schedule or not, you just have to see how it all plays out,” the former Spur concluded from ClutchPoints about the team finishing second in the Western Conference.

“We’ve been steady, but you’ve got to give the Spurs credit,” Leonard added. “They’re a great defensive team, they have some great individual defenders. Wembey is unbelievable and he made us miss shots.”

Kawhi Leonard downplays constant ridicule from Spurs fans

Leonard, once considered the next face of a proud franchise, was essentially forced out of San Antonio when he requested a trade following a lengthy controversy centered on an injury that led to a strained relationship. Since then, the 2011 first-round pick has often been criticized when he won Finals MVP in 2014.

Leonard said the boo birds don’t bother him.

“As soon as the game starts, you hear that. But after a while, you hear the cheers and I get a lot of love whenever I walk around town. So, like I said before, it’s a competitive fan base, so they’re not going to be on the court cheering for you to score. But after the game, it’s all love.”

Some, perhaps many, fans in San Antonio would not agree. However one thing is certain. Leonard doesn’t mind showing these Spurs love.

After an ankle-related one-game layoff, Zion Williamson wasted little time in reminding everyone what the New Orleans Pelicans look like at full strength. Williamson finished with 24 points on 10 of 18 shooting, added four rebounds and drew six fouls in 33 minutes in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite the loss, it was a very encouraging bounce-back performance against LeBron James. The 25-year-old consistently attacked the rim, converting all three of his fast-break opportunities and scoring 20 of his points in the paint.

Yet Williamson’s defenders were rarely whistled for any contact, allowing only five free throw attempts. This disparity did not go unnoticed by the Pelicans. James Borrego praised Williamson’s effort in no uncertain terms after the game, but admitted growing frustration at how contact was being made when his star forward went downhill.

“(Williamson) looked good,” Borrego said. “He had a lot of pop in his step, he was aggressive, downhill. I’ve gotten to see some clips of them, but I feel like there’s a lot of contact on that as well. There’s a tough, tough whistle out there with Z running the ball. He had a lot of strength, a lot of balance. I thought he brought it on the defensive end as well, so a really good performance by him (against the Lakers).

At this point the visible frustration towards the authorities should be forgiven. Borrego is calling out the refs about the lack of calls on a nightly basis.

Payment of fine for technical glitches may be included in next month’s budget.

“Got to be disappointed,” Borrego admitted. “If I were him, I would be disappointed. It’s a question for (Williamson), but I understand it. I look at it and talk to him about it. I understand it’s a tough call, but the amount of force when he goes to the rim, it’s definitely a lot of contact. A lot of contact in my opinion. We have to do everything we can as an organization, as a team, to protect him.”

Williamson, who has heard criticism about his durability and conditioning throughout his career, addressed his mindset in an ESPN interview last week, and admitted that injuries have taken a toll. Borrego addressed the emotional hurdles the former All-Star constantly needs to overcome.

“Obviously, right now, he’s got to keep his head, his cool, but it’s extremely frustrating. I feel it, and it really happens every night. So we’ve just got to keep fighting, stick together and keep fighting. I just love his spirit and fight.”

Call it sentiment or professional pride, but the Pelicans are going to have to play this way for a long time. A loss to the LA Clippers before a loss to the Lakers practically eliminated New Orleans from any NBA play-in race. It should be a little easier to build a little chemistry with a healthy roster, even without any foul play on the part of the executives.

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo recently expressed his frustration with always being in the play-in tournament. It seemed like a warning to his teammates, and possibly, also a well-intentioned appeal to coach Erik Spoelstra.

Although only time will tell if Adebayo’s message works, the Heat recorded an impressive 115-105 win against the Houston Rockets on Saturday. Spoelstra made the right decision to employ a zone defense, making life difficult for the Rockets.

The Heat are 5-5 in their last assignment, improving to 32-29.

In a report by Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, Spoelstra admitted he has a love-hate relationship with zone defense. However, he stressed that at the end of the day, it’s all about effort, as cliché as it sounds.

“No matter what the plan is, I always go back to it. It’s about being committed to doing the hard work,” said the three-time champion coach.

“We were really driving down the field, taking away airfields, and struggling to challenge shots at the rim. In a lot of these losses over the last three months, we’re just giving up shots at the rim and threes.”

The 55-year-old Spoelstra is considered one of the most brilliant strategists in the NBA, and he knows his willingness to do less glamorous things on the field will set him apart from the competition.

The Heat held the Rockets to only 43% shooting from the field, including 9 of 36 from three-point territory. He also hit the Rockets inside, scoring 66 points in the paint.

Miami has been in the play-in tournament for the past three seasons, including advancing to the NBA Finals in 2023.

The math says Zion Williamson’s injured New Orleans Pelicans have almost no chance of reaching the NBA Play-In Tournament. Dejounte Murray says otherwise. After spending 13 months recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, Murray made his season debut on Tuesday and immediately took to social media with some bold announcements.

There will be no holidays in New Orleans. A handful of people in the organization, including Murray and broadcaster Antonio Daniels, suggest the Pelicans will make a push for the final NBA Play-in Tournament spot.

Murray posted on “Can we treat every game like a championship game and win, win, win? Yes. Can we get the last spot in them in the play-ins??? Duhhhh.”

The All-Star point guard’s postseason aspirations are, generously speaking, optimistic. The excitement after the start of the season is understandable; The reality is serious. New Orleans won two of their first three games after the NBA All-Star break and will soon have a fully healthy roster. According to Borrego, Murray’s return actually added some ‘balance’ to the process.

However, the basement-dwelling Pelicans have less than two dozen games left to overcome their 11-game deficit. The schedule is manageable, but the bigger picture of what the LA Clippers are trying to pursue is undeniable.

Murray’s henchmen are about to embark on a six-game road trip, although five of the next seven games are against lottery-bound squads looking to lose to improve their odds. Unfortunately, the Clippers have the third-easiest schedule to end the regular season. Still, the core of this team could build some momentum and chemistry that should be valuable next season, when the team hopes to compete for a top-six seed.

Pelicans moving towards stability

James Borrego’s improved starting five features two All-Star-caliber veterans instead of two rookies. At least one current starter will be replaced when Trey Murphy III and Yves Missy become available, which should be soon.

“It’s very complicated right now,” Borrego confessed. “It’s going to be more complicated over the next game or two. It’s a good problem; we’ve been waiting for it. We’ve got healthy bodies back, we’re playing good basketball, and guys are confident right now. It’s complicated, a puzzle I have to figure out night after night. I can’t make 15 guys happy, but I know 15 guys are ready to go. And I have confidence in all 15. At any given moment, it’s their night, your moment, “Maybe your quarter.”

The main points are becoming clear. Murray will run point for the next six weeks. Given the continued communication with Joe Dumars and the urgency to return to action, fans can expect the former All-Star to be in Metairie for training camp next September. Zion Williamson’s value ahead of the NBA trade deadline was a wake-up call to the sagging face of the franchise. However, the front office has found a way to get Williamson on the court and smiling, so hopefully the experiment will be extended.

Fans can expect Williamson and Murray to take turns handling the ball and setting the table to create chances for everyone else. Herb Jones is beloved by fans, admired by teammates and feared by enemies around the world. Not on Herb for not starting the game on the bench. Trey Murphy III is arguably the best player in the Big Easy, and possibly the best shooter on the planet. His length and versatility fit him well on the wing opposite Jones.

Depending on the matchup, Yves Missy, Derrick Queen and Saddiq Bey will likely alternate as the fifth starter. Bey is a tactical play as a sixth man option to boost scoring off the bench. For example, it gives Jeremiah Fear a new outlet. However, the Pelicans have played from behind too often this season. Building momentum and allowing young players to thrive against other units is the only way to keep the play-in tournament dreams alive until March Madness begins.

The guard should be the first to keep fear off the bench. Murray is on a minutes restriction right now, and the recent first-round investment means the rookie will get significant development time on the court next season. Jordan Poole is clearly out of Borrego’s metaphorical doghouse, but his potential with the team this postseason is limited. Expect Poole to punch out an average of about 20 minutes per night, depending on whether his shot is falling and passing is on point.

The queen and bay together should log about 50 minutes per night. The potential of that pair should be given time to develop. If the pool is playing a lot, Micah Peavy and Bruce McGowens are ready for a bigger role in getting the data. The Pelicans are getting serious about setting a new standard in every way. When Missy and Queen get tired or face obstacles, Karlo Matkovic substitutes the pace front court. Matkovic is still earning Borrego’s trust in small increments.

It may not be enough to clinch the final NBA Play-in Tournament spot, but this gameplan gives the Pelicans a real chance to try for an NBA playoff spot next season. Joe Dumars has arguably walked away from some sensible offseason controversy if Poole and Jordan Hawkins are among those taking a pay cut.

Murray, Williamson, Murphy III and Queen have All-Star potential. Fear is a firecracker. Not on Herb could still win Defensive Player of the Year. Bey may have been the best buy-low deal bet of the last 12 months. The outline is there. He just needs one season without injuries to light the championship fire. The next six weeks are the lowest of low-pressure situations to show fans why they should still be excited about the viability of this foundation.

Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Yerson Mosquera has admitted he is using the club’s difficult Premier League season as motivation to reach the 2026 World Cup with Colombia.

Spoke to the 24-year-old centre-back AS ColombiaWhere he reflected on Wolves’ struggles near the bottom of the table. Despite the collective problems, he believes his recent individual performances can strengthen his claim to the national team.

Mosquera made it clear that regular minutes in England are central to his ambitions. “It’s clear that if you play you have a higher chance of getting into the national team”He accepted.

“It’s no secret to anyone how many quality players there are in the national team, it will not be easy at all. I talk with many of them, I have told them that I will not make it easy for them, that I am going to fight for my place, that I will fight there yes or yes. Tell them I am trying to make my place there to go to the World Cup.”He said.

These words outline his mentality. He recognizes the competitiveness under Colombia manager Nestor Lorenzo. However, he says he will compete for a spot.

Difficult season may not help Wolves

Wolves have had a turbulent campaign. The club are bottom of the Premier League table and face a real relegation battle.

Mosquera didn’t shy away from that reality. He described the season in honest terms. “Honestly, it’s been a very difficult season because of everything that’s happened.”He said.

“Regardless of any situation, the only thing left is to take advantage of it, keep the possibilities that still exist and keep growing as a player and a person. These situations make you stronger.” He concluded.

That assessment reflects maturity. Rather than distance himself from the club’s problems, he sees them as part of his development.

Bottom line for club and country

From Wolves’ perspective, Mosquera’s focus on development is important. The defender arrived in England with promise but faced adaptation challenges.

Now, with regular performances in high-pressure environments, he appears determined to turn adversity into progress.

At the age of 24, he is entering an important phase of his career. Consistent Premier League performances will not only help Wolves in their battle for survival but also strengthen their bid for Colombia’s World Cup squad.

For Wolves supporters, that ambition could work in their favour. A player who struggles to make it on the world stage often raises his standards.

If Mosquera continues to perform individually despite the team’s struggles, both club and country could benefit from that campaign.

The rigors of the NBA rookie season can exhaust even the most prepared first-year players. However, for New Orleans Pelicans rookie Derrick Queen, the physical demands are matched by a growing appreciation for the All-Rookie opportunity in front of him, even when it comes in the middle of the night.

Queen has been one of James Borrego’s key players during an injury-plagued season. However, the physical impact of playing over 1000 pre-All-Star games after a few months of some off-season rehab work isn’t really taking effect yet.

Queen shared, “I feel good. I was just thinking about it. I forgot all about the three months I was out.” “I actually woke up at midnight thinking about it. I’m (somewhat) excited for the opportunity to perform.”

The excitement of finally being on the floor, of finally getting a chance to prove myself in the league, has completely overshadowed the memory of the downtime. When Queen was asked to pinpoint his favorite moment so far, the play that injected some joy into a losing season, he didn’t select a poster highlight or a career-high scoring night. Instead, the rookie chose a moment of pure basketball intelligence.

“When we played Portland, at halftime we were talking about kicks and how we didn’t have to take extra dribbles,” Queen said. “The kicks are open, and they were pressuring us. I got the ball, took a dribble, then passed it to (Sadiq Bey), and he made a three. It was a good pass.”

In a league often obsessed with dunks and isolation scoring, Queen’s favorite play was a simple swing pass resulting in a three-pointer. It was a play born of a halftime adjustment. That’s the only thing the Pelicans are excited about. Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver invested in a man who appreciates playing the game the right way.

Between midnight revelations about her own resilience and the satisfaction she finds in making the right read at the right time, Queen appears to be settling into her rookie season with a quiet confidence. The minutes are accumulating, the lessons are accumulating, and for now, the former Maryland student is excited for the opportunities to come, one sleepless night at a time.

When Zion Williamson’s highly-touted New Orleans Pelicans began the season, Karlo Matkovic was not included as a key rotational piece. However, through sheer effort, physicality and an infectious team-first mentality, the young big man has put James Borrego in a welcome dilemma.

Matkovic’s steady growth from a fringe option to a reliable contributor has complicated lineup options, especially with multiple productive big men competing for minutes.

Matkovic is flirting with 10-point and 10-rebound nights more often, while shooting 46% from 3-point range (1.2 attempts per game). As of February 23, he has had at least two blocks in three of his last eight games. It is impossible to ignore the 24-year-old Croatian’s recent performances.

“He’s making it hard for me,” Borrego told ClutchPoints. “It’s hard to decide who we’re going to play with, who we’re not going to play with. We have a lot of guys that are playing well in the front court with (Derrick Queen, Yves Missy) and Carlo. (Kevon Looney) is a professional and he’s been there; then there’s also (Zion Williamson). Still, Carlo continues to impress on me through his effort, his physicality, his size and his ability to be a two-way player. Keeps pressing. Offensively, (Matkovic) plays with great pace, gets up the floor and can make threes.

However, what separates Matkovic from a typical young player fighting for minutes goes beyond the box score. Borrego has been particularly impressed with what the big man brings to the less measurable areas of the game.

“It’s all the intangibles, too. (Matkovic) doesn’t care if he scores or gets credit. That’s what you want to be as a team,” Borrego said. “Carlo is a team-first person.”

Matkovic’s emergence has largely come through consistent energy and reliability rather than headline-grabbing stat lines. Borrego suggests that that selfless character did not happen by accident.

Borrego admitted, “Somewhere at home, someone taught him well; he was raised well. He was coached well, and he has a sense of selflessness and a sense of team that I really like.” “It reflects in his play, and he continues to play with great confidence.”

Matkovic was not projected to be a regular part of the rotation when the season began. Yet every time he steps onto the floor, he gets another chance… and then another.

The Pelicans are crazy about Karlo Matkovic

Confidence, in fact, has been one of the most visible developments in Matkovic’s game as the workload has increased. The more he plays, the more natural he looks in an NBA setting.

“As you said, (Matkovic) looks more comfortable with more minutes,” Borrego acknowledged. “He’s earned it. It’s not been given to him. He wasn’t projected to start this season, but we put him in there. I trust him and believe in him. He knows that, and I don’t see him losing.”

Matkovic, the 52nd overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has offered an intriguing blend of modern big man skills. At 6-foot-10 with legitimate shooting range, he adds a cool, unselfish credibility that coaches want. If the Pelicans don’t pick up the $2.2 million club option, at least one team will value those attributes in free agency this summer.

Borrego doesn’t hide how much he values ​​that last part. In a league where egos can derail the locker room, Matkovic’s willingness to do the dirty work without needing the spotlight has made him a favorite of both the coaching staff and his teammates. The coach’s “difficult” decision is unlikely to be easy.

As long as Matkovic continues to bring the same effort, physicality and team-first mentality every night, the rebuilding Pelicans will need to keep finding ways to get him on the floor because right now, giving up on him feels like the wrong choice in both the short and long term. In a league always looking for shooting, size and unselfishness, Karlo Matkovic is proving to be a rare combination of all three. And he’s making James Borrego’s job extremely difficult in the process.

Team Canada and Team USA met in the gold medal game on Sunday morning, which was the first opportunity for Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki to enjoy success at the Winter Olympic Games.

NB Due to Olympic rights issues, you may not be able to watch the highlights in your country. If you are located in the United States, please visit the NBC Olympics Twitter account for highlights.

Hey say, can you score?

The Americans started brightly and scored their first goal of the game, a very familiar situation for many Habs fans.

Matt Boldy not only opened the scoring, he also beat both Cale Makar and Devon Toews before beating Jordan Binnington with a brilliant move. Team USA captain Auston Matthews and Minnesota Wild superstar Quinn Hughes were awarded assists in the game.

Considering the impressive talent levels of both teams, scoring the first goal of the game gave the Americans the biggest advantage, while Canada was forced to play behind the eight ball for a significant portion of the game.

Hockey🏒| Final 🇨🇦-🇺🇸 Matt Boldy gave the Americans the lead.

The score is 1–0 to the United States in the gold medal game.@hockeycanada #MilanoCortina2026 #rcsports #Hockey #olympic games #teamcanada pic.twitter.com/sxN9F7mm6Y

– Radio-Canada Sports (@RC_Sports) 22 February 2026

solving hellebuyck

With Canada down 1-0, he showed great performance in the pace department, forcing the United States to take back-to-back penalties, increasing time at 5-on-3 for Team Canada. However, despite controlling the game at 5v5, Canada created very few high-quality chances on the powerplay.

When Canada finally created a high-danger scoring chance, Connor Hellebuyck shut them down with ease. Without his heroic effort throughout the game, there is a very good chance that Team Canada would have found the net on multiple occasions.

It took an excellent shot by Calle Makar, not to mention a strong effort from Suzuki on the boards, which ultimately tied the game at the end of the second period.

Suzuki wasn’t given an assist on the play, although you could easily argue he deserved the assist.

Hockey – Final 🇨🇦-🇺🇸 Cale Makar 🇨🇦 ties the score at the end of the second period! It’s 1-1. ➡️@hockeycanada#MilanoCortina2026 #rcsports #Hockey #olympic games #teamcanada pic.twitter.com/cq4BCh9HqT

– Radio-Canada Sports (@RC_Sports) 22 February 2026

golden goal

Canada defeated the United States 40–26 in regulation, but as per tradition, the teams required extra time to decide which team would be victorious.

Then New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes gained additional fame in less than two minutes, securing the gold medal for Team USA.

Hockey – Final 🇨🇦-🇺🇸 Jack Hughes scores in overtime to give the United States a 2–1 victory, the first Olympic gold medal for the Americans since 1980.

Canada will have to settle for a medal.@hockeycanada#MilanoCortina2026 #rcsports #Hockey… pic.twitter.com/vbnaAXbd09

– Radio-Canada Sports (@RC_Sports) 22 February 2026

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

The Los Angeles Clippers showed plenty of promise during their 125-122 loss against the Los Angeles Lakers, despite being on the wrong side of the result. And while Tyronn Lue was completely happy with his team’s efforts, he had clear issues with how the Lakers did it.

Lue accused his opponents of the night of committing fouls throughout the game and claimed that it was something his team went through in every game.

According to a post on the

Undoubtedly, the turning point of the game proved to be Leonard’s exit with an ankle injury, which came with about five minutes left in regulation. The Clippers stayed in the game despite the Lakers getting an explosive start to the game.

While Luka Doncic led from the front with 38 points and 11 assists, Austin Reeves contributed 29 points on 9-15 shooting, LeBron James also came up with a double-double with 13 points and 11 assists.

This was only the 11th time in 55 games that the Lakers’ three superstars played together, something fans will hope will become the norm from now on. The Clippers’ response was mainly driven by Kawhi Leonard’s 31-point performance.

Whenever the Lakers threatened to take over the game, he seemed to inspire his team’s response. Benedict Mathurin scored 26 points off the bench on the night, while Brook Lopez returned with a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds.

The Clippers even came back from a 15-point deficit at one point in the third quarter and things might have changed if Leonard had been able to log minutes toward the end.

Claudio Echeverri arrived at the Etihad in January 2025, a year after Manchester City agreed a deal with River Plate.

The attacking midfielder has struggled for regular minutes under Pep Guardiola, being limited to 64 minutes in three matches for the Citizens.

Last summer, Manchester City let him join Bayer Leverkusen on a season-long loan deal, with the aim of helping the Argentine settle in Europe.

Two months ago, Sports Witness Covered claims from Spain Guardiola wanted him to join Verona the previous summer. However, the 20-year-old chose the Bundesliga team, and it clearly didn’t work out for him.

Echeverri is making progress in Verona

Echeverri played 270 minutes in 11 matches for Bayer Leverkusen and was unhappy with his situation in Germany. Manchester City cut his loan stay short and then sent him on loan to Verona in January.

The Argentina U23 international has featured in four matches for the La Liga team, including a 2-1 win over Barcelona on Monday. He came off the bench for the last 17 minutes against Hansi Flick’s team.

After yesterday’s win, the Manchester City man spoke to DAZN in Spain Sports stadium Has released his comments.

The Manchester City man has clear goals

The South American is happy to leave the difficult German spell behind and knows what he wants from a loan transfer to Verona.

“I was really looking forward to it [playing in matches like this]. It was a difficult few months in Germany, a very difficult time for me.” He said.

“I’m happy to be here today, trying to get back to the form that led to my transfer to City.”

Verona’s win over Barcelona moved them up to 12th, five points clear of the relegation zone. The Manchester City-owned player says Barcelona suffered defeat to secure a big win over “the best team in the world”.

“We had to suffer some points, but the team played very well, ran a lot and that’s why we won.” Echeverri explained.

Kyrie Irving gives fans the inside scoop on how he’s been spending his time over All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, whether it’s working out or interacting with fans. He also shared how he is not a fan of some sports media companies, including the world’s largest.

Irving was taking pictures with fans when a publicist approached him and said ESPN was going to interview him. The Dallas Mavericks guard smiled at the man and later said, “I don’t really care about ESPN.”

Kyrie Irving declined an interview for ESPN:

“I don’t really care about ESPN”pic.twitter.com/YI1KQSOhS6

– MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) 16 February 2026

There is some truth to the fact that Irving is not very fond of ESPN, and it is directly related to Stephen A. Might be from Smith, as they’ve been going back and forth over the years.

The most recent time was when Smith talked about Irving’s extension with the Mavericks, saying the guard deserved more than he got.

“In today’s economy, where you get Cats paid over $55, $60 million, you can’t give this guy at least $43 to $45 million per year? Remember, he should have gotten a player option that would have given him $43 million. So, to me, $119 million, that’s a little less than $40 million per year. Kyrie Irving deserves more than that,” Smith said.

Although it was a compliment, Irving did not take it that way and fired back at Smith.

“I’m going to discuss his contract. I’m going to discuss Stephen A’s contract and I’ll say: ‘I don’t think you’re worth it,'” Irving said.

Before then, Smith will test Irving after he did not receive the COVID-19 vaccine, which caused him to miss court time with the Brooklyn Nets. Smith has since apologized for his stance on it, but it was still a big issue that he always brought up on First Take.

The feud between Smith and Irving may have started when the guard went on First Take after being traded to the Boston Celtics, and he was basically questioned during his entire segment about why he wanted to leave Cleveland.