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has been called out by one of his heavyweight counterparts, who says he would “come out like a beast” if they ever collide. ‘The Gypsy King’ is, of course, set to face Anthony Joshua later this year, but has also expressed an interest in having one more fight in the interim. This would follow his […]
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Oyunculuk döneminde Galatasaray'da 7 şampiyonluk gören Okan Buruk, teknik adam olarak da 5. kez mutlu sona ulaştı. Toplamda 12'yi buldu. Ve bu da onu inanılmaz bir yere getirdi.
Süper Lig'de güncel şampiyonluk sayıları şöyle:
Galatasaray- 26
Fenerbahçe- 19
Beşiktaş- 16
Okan Buruk- 12
52 yaşındaki çalıştırıcı, oyunculuk döneminde Galatasaray'da 7 şampiyonluk gördü. Teknik adam olarak da 5'e ulaştı. Bunların 4'ü yine Galatasaray'da, 1'i ise Başakşehir'deydi...
FATİH TERİM 8'DE
Galatasaray'ın efsane hocası Fatih Terim, oyunculuk döneminde hiç lig şampiyonluğu yaşamadı. Teknik Direktör olarak 8 kupası bulunuyor. Okan Buruk hem aktif futbolculuğunda hem de teknik adamlığında olağanüstü bir rakama ulaştı. 12 şampiyonluk gerçekten de inanılmaz bir istatistik...
AVRUPA DA İYİYDİ
Buruk'un en çok eleştirildiği konu, Avrupa kupalarındaki performansıydı. Bu sezon Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde gelen son 16 turuyla, biraz rahatlamış gibi gözüktü. Bu kadar başarıya rağmen hocanın istifasını isteyen çok sayıda Sarı-Kırmızılı taraftar bulunuyor. Yönetim ise ondan son derece memnun...
26.şampiyonluğunu ilan eden Galatasaray'da gözler sezon sonunda yolların ayrılacağı oyunculara çevrildi. Sezon sonunda sözleşmesi bitecek olan Mauro Icardi için ise önemli bir gelişme yaşandı.
Galatasaray, Süper Lig'in bitimine 1 hafta kala Antalyaspor'u 4-2 mağlup ederek şampiyonluğunu ilan etti. Galatasaray'ın son üç şampiyonluğunda kilit rol oynayan Mauro Icardi'nin kariyer planlaması merak edilmeye başlandı. Sezon sonunda sözleşmesi sona erecek olan Arjantinli yıldız için yönetimin nasıl bir karar alacağı da merak ediliyor.
Mauro Icardi'nin menajerinin sözleşme uzatma görüşmeleri için İstanbul’a davet edildiği öğrenildi. Galatasaray'ın Icardi ile yolları ayırmayı bir daha düşüneceği öğrenildi. Arjantinli yıldız Galatasaray'da fenomen haline geldi. Yönetim, santrfor transferindense Icardi'yi değerlendirmeyi düşünüyor.
SÖZLEŞMESİ SONA ERİYOR
2025-2026 sezonu boyunca tüm kulvarlarda 45 maçta süre alan 33 yaşındaki forvet, 16 gol ve 2 asistlik bir performans sergileyerek skor yüküne katkı sağladı. Öte yandan Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu (TFF) kayıtlarına göre oyuncunun mevcut sözleşmesi 30 Haziran 2026 tarihinde sona eriyor.
Antalyaspor'u 4-2 mağlup ederek 26.şampiyonluğunu ilan eden Galatasaray, şampiyonluk kutlamaları için start verdi.
Süper Lig'in 33.haftasında Antalyaspor'u 4-2 mağlup ederek 26.şampiyonluğunu ilan eden Galatasaray'da kutlamalar için hazırlıklar başladı. Galatasaray, şampiyonluk kutlamasını çarşamba günü yapmak istiyor.
Kutlamaların ardından milli takım oyuncuları tatile çıkacak. Kasımpaşa maçında Galatasaray'ın milli oyuncuları olmayacak.
KUTLAMALAR İÇİN PLAN HAZIR
Öte yandan Galatasaray'ın şampiyonluk için kutlama programı hazır:
-Havai fişek gösterisi
-Drone şovu
-DJ performansları.
-Sanatçı performansı
KLASİK SEVİNÇ
Ancak dün yapılan toplantıda alınan karara göre herhangi bir sanatçı sahne almayabilir. Ancak hala kesinlik kazanmış değil. Galatasaray Lisesi’nden bir klasik olan üstü açık otobüsle stadyuma geçilecek.
Trendyol Süper Lig'de 2025/26 sezonunun son haftasının maç programı açıklandı.
Trendyol Süper Lig'de 34. ve son hafta oynanacak müsabakaların programı belli oldu.
Türkiye Futbol Federasyonundan yapılan açıklamaya göre ligde son haftanın programı şu şekilde:
15 Mayıs Cuma:
20.00 Çaykur Rizespor-Beşiktaş (Çaykur Didi)
16 Mayıs Cumartesi:
17.00 Mısırlı.com.tr Fatih Karagümrük-Corendon Alanyaspor (Atatürk Olimpiyat)
20.00 Gaziantep FK-RAMS Başakşehir (Gaziantep)
20.00 Samsunspor-Göztepe (Samsun Yeni 19 Mayıs)
17 Mayıs Pazar:
17.00 Zecorner Kayserispor-TÜMOSAN Konyaspor (RHG Enertürk Enerji)
20.00 Fenerbahçe-ikas Eyüpspor (Chobani)
20.00 Kasımpaşa-Galatasaray (Recep Tayyip Erdoğan)
20.00 Hesap.com Antalyaspor-Kocaelispor (Corendon Airlines Park Antalya)
20.00 Trabzonspor-Natura Dünyası Gençlerbirliği (Papara)
Trump Media’s $405.9 million net loss was driven mostly by unrealized losses on Bitcoin bought at last summer’s peak and Cronos tokens acquired through a Crypto.com deal.
“İnter Mayami”nin hücumçusu Lionel Messi rekorda imza atıb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, argentinalı futbolçu turnir tarixində qol+assistlər sayında 100-ə ən tez çatan oyunçu olub. Messi bunu 64 matçda bacarıb. O, bu görüşlərdə 59 qol vurub, 41 məhsuldar ötürmə edib.
Buna qədər rekordçu Sebastyan Covinko idi. O, 95 oyunda bunu göstəriciyə nail olmuşdu.
“Qarabağ”ın futbolçusu Kadi Borqes Premyer Liqada 25-ci qoluna imza atıb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, braziliyalı yarımmüdafiəçi “Qəbələ” ilə səfər qarşılaşmasında (1:1) fərqlənib. 25-ci qoluna Misli Premyer Liqasının XXXI turunda sevinən cənubi amerikalı buna 76-cı oyununda nail olub.
Ölkəmizdə yalnız “Qarabağ”ın formasını geyinən Kadi 2021/22 mövsümündə 12, 2022/23 mövsümündə 4, 2024/25 mövsümündə 6, cari çempionatda 3 dəfə rəqib qapısına yol tapıb.
Yarımmüdafiəçi turnirin tarixinə ən azı 25 qol vuran 132-ci oyunçu kimi düşüb. Kadi 25-ci qolunu 2025/26 mövsümündə vuran 4-cü futbolçudur. Onun komanda yoldaşı Toral Bayramov və “Araz-Naxçıvan”lılar Felipe Santosla Ülvi İsgəndərov da yubileyini mövsümün gedişində gerçəkləşdirib.
Urfan Abbasov Premyer Liqada 350-ci oyununu keçirib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “Araz-Naxçıvan”ın kapitanının yubileyi “Sumqayıt”la səfər matçına (1:2) təsadüf edib. O, Misli Premyer Liqasının XXXI turunun görüşünə start heyətində çıxıb.
Abbasov 350 oyunda 8 qola imza atıb. Debütü 2011/12 mövsümünə təsadüf edən futbolçu üç klubun formasını geyinib. O, “Qəbələ”də 248 (5 qol), “Səbail”də 47 (2 qol) və “Araz-Naxçıvan”da 55 (1 qol) oyun keçirib.
Urfan Azərbaycan çempionatları tarixinə yüksək dəstədə 350 və daha çox oyun keçirən 14-cü futbolçu kimi düşüb. O, 2025/26 mövsümündə adı sifariş vərəqində olmuş oyunçular arasında 3-cü göstəriciyə malikdir. “Qəbələ”nin futbolçusu Asif Məmmədov 388, karyerasını mövsümün gedişində “Araz-Naxçıvan”da bitirən Qara Qarayev 360 matçın iştirakçısı olub.
Como will have their opportunity to respond to Juventus in the Champions League race when they take on Hellas Verona at the Bentegodi in Serie A in Sunday’s early kick-off.
Cesc Fabregas’s side find themselves in sixth place ahead of kick-off, requiring a victory to keep up the pace with Juventus, who moved into third as a result of their 1-0 win against Lecce on Saturday. Como are left needing favours heading into the final three matches of the season, sitting five points shy of the top four ahead of kick-off on Sunday.
They are looking to get back to winning ways this weekend after a 0-0 draw at home against Napoli last Saturday.
Hosts Verona have already been relegated from Serie A, but have gone unbeaten over their last two league fixtures, holding both Lecce and Juventus to draws over the last fortnight.
After last weekend’s draw with Juventus, Paolo Sammarco has decided to keep an almost unchanged XI: Nicolas Valentini is back and available after serving a yellow-card suspension and goes straight back into the starting line-up in place of Domagoj Bradaric.
Fabregas has also made just the one change to his Como XI, with Jesus Rodriguez coming in to replace Martin Baturina on the left flank. This is the Spaniard’s first start in Serie A since the 2-1 victory away against Cagliari back in March.
Kick-off is due at 11.30 BST.
Verona (3-5-2): Montipo; Edmundsson, Nelsson, Valentini; Belghali, Akpa Akpro, Gagliardini, Bernede, Frese; Bowie, Suslov.
Como (4-2-3-1): Butez; Vojvoda, D.Carlos, Kempf, Valle; Da Cunha, Perrone; Diao, Nico Paz, Rodriguez; Douvikas.
| 03-05-2026 | D | ||||
| 25-04-2026 | D | ||||
| 19-04-2026 | L | ||||
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| 04-04-2026 | L |
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| 15-03-2026 | L | ||||
| 28-02-2026 | L |
Former Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has given his verdict on Inter centre-back Alessandro Bastoni, who has been linked with a summer move to join the Catalan giants this coming transfer window: ‘Playing as a defender at Barcelona isn’t easy’.
For several months of the 2025-26 season, Barcelona have been linked with a move to sign Bastoni from Inter during the next summer transfer window.
Recent updates claim that Barca are beginning to cool off in their pursuit of the Italy international, and that the signing of a new centre-forward to replace Robert Lewandowski may be more of a priority than the purchase of a new luxury centre-back, but nothing has yet been ruled out either way.
The potential transfer of Bastoni continues to be a hot topic of conversation regardless, and former Barcelona defender Puyol was recently asked about the prospect of signing the recently-crowned Scudetto winner.
“You should ask Deco,” Puyol told DAZN when asked if he thinks Bastoni is the ‘right’ choice for Barcelona this summer.
“I think he’s a very good defender. I also think that Barcelona have very good defenders, youngsters who know Barcelona’s style well.
“Playing as a defender at Barcelona isn’t easy with such a high line. Sometimes it’s difficult to adapt, but if the club thinks they have to go and get Bastoni, then I think they’ll be buying a strong player and they will have analysed him perfectly to understand if he’s the right choice and whether his purchase is feasible, because in the end, you can want a player but there aren’t always the right conditions to buy him.”
Reports in Italy claim that Atalanta could turn to two former Juventus leaders in Cristiano Giuntoli and Raffaele Palladino to replace their current sporting director Tony D’Amico and head coach Raffaele Palladino.
It has been a disappointing end to the 2025-26 season for Atalanta, who are no longer able to qualify for the Champions League and could mathematically be out of the race for Europa League football by the end of the weekend as well.
With two draws and two defeats across their last four Serie A fixtures and a Coppa Italia semi-final defeat against Lazio, the Corriere dello Sport claims that it has been an April that has ‘cancelled out’ the work done in the previous months of the 2025-26 season.
Now, La Dea could be heading for a ‘mini revolution’ this summer.
Reports on Saturday confirmed that Atalanta are on the verge of appointing former Napoli and Juventus executive Giuntoli as their new sporting director to replace the outgoing Tony D’Amico, who has been linked with moves to join Milan and Roma.
Corriere dello Sport claims that Giuntoli could be tempted to make a change of head coaches at the beginning of his Atalanta tenure, and that Motta, whom he appointed at Juventus, is the leading candidate.
Atalanta had also looked at the possibility of appointing Motta before settling on Palladino at the beginning of the 2025-26 season. The 43-year-old has been out of work since leaving the Old Lady towards the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
Massimiliano Allegri is expected to make several changes to his Milan side as the Rossoneri take on Atalanta in a huge match in the race for Champions League football in Serie A on Sunday evening.
Milan have not yet secured their position in the top four, and begin the day in fourth place as a result of Juventus’s 1-0 victory over Lecce on Saturday night.
It has been a troubling run of form for the Rossoneri over the last few weeks, with three defeats and just four points on their record from their last five outings. They are looking to bounce back after a 2-0 defeat against Sassuolo last weekend.
Fikayo Tomori was sent off last weekend, which means that Koni De Winter is in line to return to the back three to replace him.
Ardon Jashari failed to impress standing in for the injured Luka Modric last weekend, and pre-match reports indicate that it will be over to Samuele Ricci to have a go this time. Davide Bartesaghi is also likely to return at left wing-back.
Rafael Leao has also been struggling for form and is likely to be dropped this weekend. Sky Sport Italia predicts that there will be a changed front two of Santiago Gimenez and Christian Pulisic in San Siro on Sunday.
Atalanta are no longer able to qualify for next season’s Champions League, and Europa League qualification could also be mathematically impossible by the end of the day. Raffaele Palladino’s seventh-placed Dea are now likely looking at a Conference League spot at best.
They were held to a 0-0 draw by Genoa last weekend, but only a handful of personnel changes are expected this time. Sead Kolasinac could return to the back three, Raoul Bellanova could also be re-introduced, as could Giacomo Raspadori in attack.
Kick-off is due at 19.45 BST.
Milan (3-5-2): Maignan; De Winter, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Loftus-Cheek, Ricci, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Gimenez, Pulisic.
Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta; De Ketelaere, Raspadori; Krstovic.
Today’s game will be available to watch live in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and through DAZN. Supporters in the USA are able to tune in via Paramount+.
Join us for all the pre-match build-up, in-game coverage and post-match reactions on the Football Italia Liveblog.
Vlahovic flash
Champions League fight: Goal in 12 seconds, Juve third
Scores immediately and the Bianconeri win in Lecce. The Serbian: ‘Farewell in two games? We’ll see’
Allegri turns Milan around
Six changes, Gimenez-Pulisic up top. Roma and Como still believe
Lautaro lion
Lazio warned
Inter, from the Pope to scoring three, Wednesday the game that counts
Dusan the difference
Vlahovic flash, Milan overtaken
Juve are third | Spalletti wins 1-0 in Lecce: +1 above Allegri and +4 above Gasp, goal from the Serbian after 11 seconds
Second goal in a row from the no.9: ‘The Champions League depends only on us, I thank the coach, he’s stuck close by me. Is my future still here? We’ll see’.
Inter don’t give discounts
Lazio beaten 3-0: They also want the Coppa Italia on Wednesday
Lautaro, Sucic and Mkhitaryan take centre stage and reserve the double against Sarri. Super numbers: 27 victories and 85 goals in 36 games. Romagnoli sent off: He will miss the derby
Leao and Fofana finish on the bench
Atalanta at 19.45
Milan need six points from three games to secure Champions League qualification. Gimenez in tandem with Pulisic. Ricci is there
La Dea have an idea: Thiago Motta
The Percassis’ move
Giuntoli progressing as the new sporting director, the Italian-Brazilian could replace Palladino
Gasp, a day in the name of Liedholm
Parma at 17.00
635 games on the bench in Serie A today, like Nils: ‘Roma deserve fourth place’. Como in Verona
Vlahovic impact
Flash-goal from DV9: Juve win in Lecce and rise up to third place
The Serbian scores the Bianconero goal after 12 seconds, his fastest ever in Serie A, then they disallow one for offside and (amidst doubts) judge his position to be irregular before Kalulu’s double: It ends nervously, but Milan are overtaken and Roma are back to -4. Dusan: ‘Staying at Juve? I don’t know, we’ll see’
Squad and fans back D’Aversa
‘Toro, the coach deserves to stay’
Results and a newly-united dressing room. Ebosse: ‘We want a big finish for him, too’. But Cairo continues to not make a decision and meets with Gattuso and Juric
Chivu doesn’t stop, 3 warnings to Lazio
3-0 in the Coppa Italia appetiser
Lautaro-Sucic-Mkhitaryan. The Scudetto hasn’t satisfied Inter. The final on Wednesday
Max: Still Milan, Palladino: Goodbye Dea
Tonight’s battle and the future
Allegri: ‘I’ll be here for a long time’. Revolution is in the air at Atalanta: Sporting director D’Amico is also leaving
‘Dossena, racist insults to Davis’
Udinese report, Cagliari deny
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United are leading the race to sign Sporting CP attacking sensation Luis Suarez this summer.
The Colombian international is enjoying a sensational debut campaign at Sporting CP, and his performances haven’t gone unnoticed. A number of top clubs want to prise him away from the Portuguese club, and Newcastle United are one of them.
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According to Correio da Manha via SportWitness, the Magpies are frontrunners to sign Luis Suarez, who has 44 goal contributions in his debut campaign in Portugal. The Tyneside club have already enquired about the availability of the 28-year-old.
Suarez made the move to Sporting last summer from UD Almeria in a deal worth €22.95 million. They brought him in to replace Viktor Gyokeres, who had left the club to join Arsenal. He has certainly filled the void left by the Swedish striker, with 35 goals and nine assists in 50 outings.
They are massive admirers of the Colombian, who impressed with his performances in the Champions League. While he prefers playing up top, he can also feature on the left flank.
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The Tyneside club are leading the race for his signature, but securing his services still won’t be easy because of Sporting’s stance on his future. With his contract running until 2030, they are in complete control of the situation and will only let him leave if his €80 million release clause is triggered.
The asking price is certainly on the high side for someone valued at only €28 million. It will be interesting to see whether the Magpies are willing to meet Sporting’s demands. It seems unlikely given their financial limitations. However, it could be possible if Nick Woltemade, who has been linked with a move away, does leave.
The post Newcastle leading the race to sign 35-goal hitman this summer appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool have their eyes set on RB Leipzig midfield sensation Assan Ouedraogo ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.
The FC Schalke 04 graduate has only gone from strength to strength since joining RB Leipzig. His impressive performances have helped him break into the German national team, and this has also attracted a lot of interest across Europe.
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According to a report from TEAMtalk, Liverpool are keen on acquiring the services of Assan Ouedraogo, as Arne Slot looks to reinforce his squad after a disastrous 2025/26 campaign. They consider the German international a perfect fit for the Dutch manager’s system and their project.
Despite having forked out a fortune on player transfers last summer, things didn’t go according to plan for the Reds. As a result, they are once again looking to go big ahead of next season. Ouedraogo, who has been a consistent performer for RB Leipzig, is their top midfield target.
While a knee injury has kept him on the sidelines for the majority of the ongoing campaign, the 20-year-old still has seven goal contributions in just over 800 minutes. He prefers playing as a central midfielder, but is capable enough to take up the number ten role as well as feature out wide on the left flank.
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The Reds were gearing up to make a €40 million offer for the youngster, but Leipzig have made it clear that it won’t be enough to get a deal over the line. With Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo all linked with a move away, the Merseyside club have shortlisted Ouedraogo as a top target.
While he can certainly add a lot to their squad, securing his services won’t be easy, as Leipzig have full control over his future with his contract running until 2029. They reportedly want around €80-100 million to sell their midfield sensation.
The only thing that works in Liverpool’s favour is that they have a great relationship with Leipzig, having signed Naby Keita, Ibrahima Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai in the past.
The post Liverpool prepare fourth raid on Euro outfit for 20-year-old midfield prodigy appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Tottenham Hotspur want to sign Crysencio Summerville from London and Premier League rivals West Ham United in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said on the Inside Track podcast: “Yeah, I think there’d be more than just Tottenham who would be looking at Crysencio Summerville. “West Ham don’t want to […]
The post Tottenham Hotspur plan West Ham United raid for Crysencio Summerville appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Tottenham Hotspur plan West Ham United raid for Crysencio Summerville appeared first on Soccer News.
Tottenham Hotspur want to sign Crysencio Summerville from London and Premier League rivals West Ham United in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said on the Inside Track podcast: “Yeah, I think there’d be more than just Tottenham who would be looking at Crysencio Summerville. “West Ham don’t want to […]
The post Tottenham Hotspur plan West Ham United raid for Crysencio Summerville appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Tottenham Hotspur plan West Ham United raid for Crysencio Summerville appeared first on Soccer News.
| Player | Inns | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | High Score | Not Outs | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KL Rahul | 21 | 977 | 65.13 | 135.13 | 103* | 6 | 3/6 |
| Virat Kohli | 34 | 972 | 32.40 | 128.91 | 92* | 4 | 0/7 |
| Shikhar Dhawan | 28 | 901 | 39.17 | 128.34 | 82* | 5 | 0/6 |
| Suresh Raina | 34 | 824 | 29.42 | 139.42 | 83* | 6 | 0/7 |
| Manish Pandey | 25 | 796 | 36.18 | 130.27 | 81* | 3 | 0/6 |
Britain's Adam Yates has been pulled out of the Giro d'Italia after suffering concussion in a heavy crash on Saturday.
Yates, 33, hit a barrier at high speed in a huge crash on a wet descent that involved about 30 riders. Two of his team-mates suffered fractures and were taken to hospital.
Although Yates managed to finish the stage to Veliko Tarnovo in Bulgaria, he lost 14 minutes to the leaders.
His team UAE Team Emirates-XRG said: "Adam Yates suffered heavy abrasions and a laceration to his left ear.
"He was initially assessed on site for concussion, and cleared to continue, but subsequently he has shown delayed concussive symptoms. He will not take the start of stage three."
This is the first Grand Tour that Yates has contested that he will not finish. He has seven top-10 finishes to his name overall in Grand Tour races.
Team-mates Jay Vine of Australia and Marc Soler of Spain were badly hurt in the crash. Vine suffered concussion and an elbow fracture, while Soler has a pelvic fracture.
The team said Yates, Vine and Soler would be kept under observation by medical staff before travelling home in the coming days to recover.
Yates' twin brother Simon won the Giro last year.
Guillermo Silva Thomas of Uruguay leads this year's race after two stages.
James Pearce believes Arne Slot is now facing the kind of pressure at Liverpool not seen since the final days of Roy Hodgson’s disastrous spell in charge, following another hugely frustrating display against Chelsea.
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The Reds were booed at full-time after a 1-1 draw at Anfield against a Chelsea side who had lost six consecutive Premier League matches before travelling to Merseyside.
Despite an encouraging opening and Ryan Gravenberch’s early goal, Liverpool once again lost control of the contest and drifted into another passive, disjointed performance.
Writing for The Athletic, Pearce compared the current mood surrounding Slot to some of the darkest periods of the modern era at Anfield.
“The parallels are undeniable.”
The journalist referenced Brendan Rodgers’ difficult end to the 2014/15 season before explaining why the reaction inside Anfield on Saturday felt even more alarming.
“A Liverpool manager hadn’t faced this level of dissent on home turf since the final throes of Roy Hodgson’s tenure in late 2010.”
That is an extraordinary comparison to make given how much goodwill the Dutch coach built after winning the Premier League title last season.
However, patience among supporters is clearly beginning to evaporate as performances continue to deteriorate.
Pearce described a “mutinous mood” inside Anfield and pointed towards the loud boos that followed Rio Ngumoha being substituted midway through the second half.
Slot explained after the game that the 17-year-old winger was suffering from cramp, but supporters wanted Cody Gakpo removed instead as frustration boiled over.
The worrying aspect for Liverpool is that the criticism is no longer isolated.
Clinton Morrison admitted he was becoming “sick and tired” of Slot’s management, while Jermaine Pennant labelled the current football “zero press, zero intensity”.
Pearce acknowledged the sympathy within FSG regarding Liverpool’s injury crisis, especially after losing Diogo Jota last summer and then suffering setback after setback throughout the campaign.
Still, the wider concern is obvious.
Liverpool no longer resemble the aggressive, intense side supporters expect to watch, and the atmosphere at Anfield now reflects that growing disconnect between fans, manager and team.
Barcelona could be crowned champions against fierce rivals Real Madrid in a historic Clasico that comes amid reports of in-fighting at the Bernabeu.
Barcelona are 11 points clear of Madrid in LaLiga and would win the title if they avoid defeat at Camp Nou. In the 97 years of LaLiga, the title has never been won in this fixture.
Real Madrid are in crisis, too, with the club confirming that disciplinary proceedings had been opened against team-mates Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde following reports of a training ground bust-up that left Valverde in hospital.
Real Madrid won the first Clasico of the league season 2-1 at the Bernabeu, a result that sent them top at the time. But Barcelona have been top since late November, have won 10 league games in a row and are four more wins from a 100-point season.
Here’s everything you need to know
Kick-off at Camp Nou is at 8pm BST (UK time) on Sunday 10 May.
Viewers in the UK can watch the game live on Premier Sports 1. A live stream will be available via the Premier Sports website.
Barcelona remain without star forward Lamine Yamal but Jules Kounde is able to return from suspension after missing the win at Osasuna. Gavi and Pedri are keeping Frenkie de Jong out of the side but Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford could return to the wings with Dani Olmo behind Robert Lewandowski in attack.
Kylian Mbappe has reportedly returned to training but remains a doubt after missing the 2-0 win at Espanyol due to a hamstring injury. Federico Valverde is missing due to a head cut sustained in his training ground clash with Aurelien Tchouameni, who may also be unavailable after the club opened disciplinary proceedings against the pair. The injury list is long with Rodrygo, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Dani Carvajal and Arda Guler out. Thibaut Courtois has also missed several weeks with a thigh injury.
Barcelona XI: Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, Araujo, Cancelo; Gavi, Pedri; Torres, Olmo, Rashford; Lewandowksi
Real Madrid XI: Lunin; Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Garcia; Camavinga, Pitarch Pinar, Diaz, Bellingham, Mastantuono; Vinicius Jr
Celtic host Rangers in a crucial Old Firm that could go a long way to deciding the Scottish Premiership title race.
Celtic cannot afford to drop points as they chase leaders Hearts, who are bidding to end the Old Firm’s dominance and become the first team outside of Glasgow’s big two to win the league since 1985.
The Jambos were yesterday held to a controversial 1-1 draw at Motherwell, which means Martin O’Neill’s side can reduce the deficit to just one point with a victory over their rivals.
Rangers were all but knocked out of the race by losing 2-1 to Hearts at Tynecastle on Monday, despite Danny Rohl’s side leading 1-0 at the break, but they would love to harm Celtic’s title chances.
Celtic and Rangers drew 2-2 in the last league meeting in March, before an explosive Scottish Cup quarter-final that finished with fans clashing on the pitch in the immediate aftermath of Celtic’s penalty shoot-out victory.
Here’s everything you need to know
Kick-off at Celtic Park is 12pm on Sunday May 10.
It will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.
Celtic are without Julian Araujo and Cameron Carter-Vickers in defence and Viljami Sinisalo continues to start in goal ahead of Kasper Schmeichel. Kelechi Iheanacho’s winner against Hibs last weekend could convince Martin O’Neill to bring him in from the start while Daizen Maeda has been passed fit.
Rangers left back Tuur Rommens is fit again and is likely to come back into the side in place of James Tavernier, with Dujon Sterling moving over to the right. Andreas Skov Olsen is likely to drop out after an ineffective display at Hearts but Danny Rohl has no other injury concerns.
Celtic XI: Sinisalo; Johnstone, Trusty, Scales, Tierney; McGregor, Engels, Nygren; Yang, Iheanacho, Maeda
Rangers XI: Butland, Sterling, Djiga, Fernandez, Rommens; Raskin, Diomande; Naderi, Asgaard, Moore; Chermiti
West Ham host Arsenal in an all-important fixture in their battle for Premier League survival, but the top-flight leaders will be wary of their relegation-threatened opposition too.
The Hammers are a point shy of safety and opened the door to Tottenham with a 3-0 defeat to Brentford last time out, with Spurs duly obliging by beating Aston Villa, leaving Nuno Espirito Santo’s men running out of time.
Meanwhile the Gunners are two points clear of Man City and riding high off the euphoria of making the Champions League final, where they will face defending champions PSG.
It’s been a good week for the Premier League leaders after that game and a 3-0 league win over Fulham, while City dropping points at Everton means the title race is well and truly Arsenal’s hands.
Here’s everything you need to know.
West Ham play Arsenal at the London Stadium on Sunday 10 May, with kick-off at 4.30pm BST.
Viewers in the UK can watch the game on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, and streaming service Sky Go.
Nuno can call on a full-strength team, with keeper Lukasz Fabianski the only absence with a lower back injury.
Arsenal remain without Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino; Arteta admitted the pair may not return before the end of the season as they struggle to recover from ankle and foot injuries respectively.
West Ham XI: Hermansen, Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf, Bowen, Fernandes, Soucek, Summerville, Wilson, Castellanos
Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Saka, Eze, Trossard, Gyokeres
A post-Miami Grand Prix moment between Alpine’s Franco Colapinto and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton has earned praise from fans for “good sportsmanship”.
During the opening lap of the race at the Miami International Autodrome, the two drivers collided, resulting in aerodynamic damage to Hamilton’s Ferrari that compromised his race pace.
Frustrated by the contact, the seven-time champion was later caught on untelevised onboard footage raising his middle finger at the Alpine driver as Hamilton finally managed to overtake him on the back straight.
But by the time the race was over, it all seemed to be water under the bridge.
“Fighting on track but leaving it behind off track is something we love to see. Good sportsmanship,” one approving fan wrote on Reddit, while another added: “Race was young Lewis, after race unc Lewis kicked in again.”
“Exactly as expected. Adrenaline always runs high and from your point of view you're always right... Then the race ends, you cool down, you have time to reflect, maybe watch a replay and get a different perspective. Love to see there's no bad blood between them and hopefully more battles to come,” someone else commented.
Others branded the moment “wholesome”.
“Looks like Colapinto trying to apologise and Lewis playing it down and saying it’s all good. Wholesome,” one wrote.
Hamilton commented on the contact in an Instagram post after the race. “A challenging weekend for us,” Hamilton posted. “With the contact, I was pretty much stuck in no man's land and couldn't extract more from the car.
"Tough to take especially given all the hard work the team has put in, but this won't define us. It's how we keep going. We're taking what we can from these past few days and putting everything else behind us. We move forward."
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To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.
Fabio Di Giannantonio has reached an agreement to race for the factory KTM team in the 2027 MotoGP season - opening the door for Nicolo Bulega at VR46.
The 27-year-old, who until now had been contracted by Ducati while racing for VR46, had set Friday of the French Grand Prix weekend as the deadline to receive an offer from the Italian manufacturer that satisfied his financial demands.
But Ducati and Valentino Rossi’s team asked the rider for more time to make a decision and instead of doing so, di Giannantonio has accepted KTM’s offer to become a factory rider alongside Alex Marquez.
The Italian's dream was to become a factory rider for a manufacturer and, in parallel, increase his annual salary to around €2million. These are two ambitions that are fulfilled by signing for KTM, a move that was finalised on Saturday night in the Le Mans paddock at this weekend's grand prix.
VR46 must now look for a second rider next year to partner Fermin Aldeguer. Aldeguer, who is contracted by Ducati as a factory rider, will leave Gresini to move to the Tavullia team’s garage.
Motorsport.com understands that the options for that second position are Bulega and Luca Marini. The former, a Ducati factory rider in the World Superbike Championship, has a contract that also makes him a test rider in MotoGP, with “the promise” of an eventual move to the premier class.
“If Diggia does not continue with us, our main option to replace him is Nicolo,” commented a source at Ducati, which would take care of the salaries of the two VR46 riders.
However, there is one detail that could complicate Bulega’s arrival in MotoGP, which is Marini’s situation. If Rossi’s half-brother does not manage to continue at Honda or does not find another destination on the premier class grid, the team could bring him back for next season. But that would mean having to take charge of the rider’s salary and pay Ducati for the full bike.
Read Also:
Trackhouse boss Davide Brivio quits for factory Honda MotoGP role in 2027
Marc Marquez injured, will miss at least two races, after French GP highside
To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.
Our draft-pick introductory series rolls on as we enter the seventh round for the Cincinnati Bengals, where they made two selections. The featured player here: Texas tight end Jack Endries, pick No. 221 overall for the Bengals.
As always, Dane Brugler's The Beast will help guide the creation of this article and these facts.
Before Endries made it to Austin to join the Longhorns in 2025, he spent the first three years of his college career at California. His quarterback those three years? Some guy named Fernando Mendoza. The one who transferred to Indiana and gave the Hoosiers one of the greatest seasons in school history. The one who won the Heisman Trophy, went 16-0 and won the National Championship. The one who just went No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft and is now the future of the Las Vegas Raiders.
But Mendoza may not be the only No. 1 pick Endries catches passes from. His current quarterback, Texas' Arch Manning, is the current favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. Endries totaled 91 receptions for 1,030 yards and four touchdowns in two playing seasons at Cal with Mendoza. He posted 33 receptions for 346 yards and three touchdowns last season with Manning at Texas.
Football wasn't always Endries' No. 1 sport. He grew up playing soccer, swimming, and baseball. He didn't get into football until high school. The reason he got into football? His friends were playing fantasy football. Matthew Berry would be proud.
His sophomore season was in 2019. That was the year New Orleans Saints' wide receiver Michael Thomas went on a tear, catching 149 passes for 1,725 yards and nine touchdowns. Hopefully, Endries had Thomas on his team.
Endries attended Monte Vista High School in Danville, California (about 30 miles from San Francisco). Among the alumni of Monte Vista are linebacker Nate Landman, quarterback Jake Haener and longtime tight end and Super Bowl champion Zach Ertz.
Ertz ended up playing a role in getting Endries recruited in college. The 3-time Pro Bowl selection shared Endries' highlights on social media. That helped Endries receive offers from Colorado State, San Jose State, and UNLV as well as seven Ivy League schools. That was in addition to the offer he already had from Fresno State. Endries ultimately committed as a preferred walk-on to Cal and eventually received a scholarship.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Jack Endries fast facts: A sleeper gem rookie weapon for Joe Burrow?
On the back of Storm Stacey's helmet was a learner plate and a tongue-in-cheek message saying, 'How's my riding? Call me'.
Pretty good, it turns out.
A talented rider with a big personality, Stacey arrived at the North West 200 as one of the most high-profile newcomers in recent years in Northern Ireland.
The 23-year-old is a rising star in the British Superbike Championship and he was making his road racing debut on the north coast.
People had high expectations, but he exceeded even his own high standards.
After impressing in qualifying, he won his second-ever race after out-duelling home hero Michael Dunlop on the final lap of the Superstock race that had those in attendance on the edge of their seats.
Better was to come in the feature Superbike race - the North West 200's blue ribband event - when he led front the front and was the beneficiary when an oil spill stopped the race after three laps.
After it was deemed it would take too long to clean up before roads would have to reopen to every day traffic, Stacey was declared the winner to make it a debut double.
"You can never ask for more than that," Stacey summed up.
Mentored by Michael Rutter, a 14-time winner at the North West 200 and veteran of the sport, Stacey's breakthrough win showed that he was a fast learner.
In the initial start, he missed his braking point on the long run to University Corner and ended up taking a detour into the grass run off.
A reg flag led to the race being restarted from their original grid positions, and Stacey made his second attempt count as he traded places with Dunlop - a nine-time NW200 winner - on several occasions on a thrilling final lap.
In doing so, he became the first winner in their debut year since Christian Elkin in 2007.
Dunlop is the one of the sport's biggest names, and the adulation Stacey received after defeating a fan favourite showed how he had been adopted by the local support.
There was a long queue outside his merchandise stall after his win and the top hats - which Stacey wears to promote talking about mental health and in tribute to his late father - were long sold out.
"I didn't think in my wildest dreams that he would be here winning two races, so he deserves all the credit in the world," said event director Mervyn Whyte.
His rivals were equally as impressed. Glenn Irwin had been talking about his British Superbike rival ahead of the event and wasn't surprised that he delivered.
The two had gone head-to-head in the final Superbike race, and Stacey's victory ended Irwin's 12-race winning streak in the category.
Irwin was circumspect, saying you "win some and you lose some" and added that Stacey "had done an incredible job".
He did, however, suggest that Stacey's inexperience at road racing led him to "ride harder" than the other competitors, and is hopeful he will "clean it up a little bit" due to the dangers of racing on closed public roads.
While Irwin lost his Superbike crown, he has welcomed the emergence of a new rival.
"He deserves the success now and whatever he has in the future," Irwin added.
"My rivals have changed every year since I've been here. At first it was Alastair [Seeley, the record wins holder], it was Davey [Todd] and Michael [Dunlop] at moments, Dean [Harrison] has pushed me every year and Storm is there now.
"Rivals always change. My motivation in racing is always to win. I'm grateful to have rivals.
"The rivalry is on track, and off track the respect is always there."
Despite Stacey's success, the overall event was overshadowed by the death of Czech Republic rider Kamil Holan in Superbike qualifying on Thursday morning.
Holan, 48, was the first rider to be killed at the North West 200 since Malachi Mitchell-Thomas in 2016, and the 20th in the 97-year history of the event.
His family gave their approval for the event to continue, as the riders on the grid vowed to race on in his memory.
The Czech flag on the main grandstand was flown at half mast and a minute's silence was held on the grid ahead of racing.
Stacey, too, had his own personal tribute.
Debutants at the North West 200 have to wear an orange vest to show they are new to the event.
After his first win, Stacey signed his and auctioned it off in the hospitality suite. It raised £3500, and all proceeds will go to the family of Holan.
While riders are rivals on track, Stacey's contribution highlighted how the road racing community comes together in times of tragedy.
Aged 62, and some 39 years senior to Stacey, Jeremy McWilliams rolled back the years to extend his record as the oldest rider to win at the North West 200.
The former MotoGP race winner claimed the second Supertwins race on Saturday after he was pipped in the opening race of the day.
McWilliams admitted he "got caught napping" on the final lap by race winner Peter Hickman, and while that may be a usual problem for someone eligible for their bus pass and pension, he bounced back with a dominant win in the penultimate race of the event.
"I've been chasing this for a while. People will say the older you get the less likely it is to come.
"This is for the people who believed in me."
Next month will mark the 25th anniversary of McWilliams' sole MotoGP win at Assen - before Stacey was even born.
But for McWilliams, winning at his home race is "possibly the best feeling you could ever get".
"Standing on top of that podium feels every bit as good as it did at Assen," he said.
For Dean Harrison, one of the most popular riders in the paddock, it was another case of what could have been as he missed out on a first North West 200 win.
Luck wasn't on his side as he was second in both Superbike races and the Supersport outing, all of which were impacted by red flags.
He was also contending in the Superstock race, where he was leading before a stoppage, and he was then forced out with a mechanical issue after the restart.
The final Superbike race was a 17th podium at the event for the Honda rider, but that victory remained elusive.
"I'm not disappointed, I've had a good day all-in-all.
"It's one of those things. I think I'm riding well so if I can bring that to the TT then I'll be fighting somewhere for a win."
Who is Mallory Edens? Meet the daughter of billionaire Bucks owner at 2026 NBA Draft Lottery originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Milwaukee Bucks are in the lottery for the first time since 2016, and they are using a familiar face to represent the organization in Chicago.
Mallory Edens will once again be the Bucks' representative at the NBA draft lottery, doing so for the second time in her life. The last time Edens represented the Bucks in this stage, she was deemed a good-luck charm as Milwaukee earned a top-two pick.
If the Bucks win the lottery this year, it would fundamentally change Milwaukee's future as the team assesses the future of star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Get to know Edens ahead of the draft lottery on Sunday.
MORE: How does the NBA Draft lottery work?
Mallory Edens is the daughter of Bucks co-owner Wes Edens and represented the Bucks at the NBA Draft lottery in 2014 as well. Then 18 years old, Edens went viral as the Bucks earned the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, a pick that the team used to select Jabari Parker.
Mallory Edens will be representing the Bucks at the NBA Draft Lottery this Sunday.
— SleeperBucks (@SleeperBucksNBA) May 8, 2026
In 2014, she was the representative when the Bucks received the second overall pick. pic.twitter.com/0QxcBEQ8G0
Edens, who went to college at Princeton, is a model and founded Little Ray Media, a media and production company based in Los Angeles.
In the past, Edens was rumored to be dating Aaron Rodgers at one point, although that was never confirmed publicly. She also once mentioned how going viral at such a young age was difficult to navigate.
"I actually think people actually don't know that much about me and I think that the biggest misconception — is just that they don't know that much about me," Edens said last year. "I went really viral on the internet at a really young age and it put me in this place where I felt so protective of myself because the things people were saying online about me at that time felt so harmful."
Edens also said that she enjoys being part of the Bucks family and doesn't rule out staying in basketball in her future.
"I have such a deep respect for what the front office does. And I love just getting to be a fly on the wall in their conversations," Edens said. "I always tell my dad exactly what I think all the time…We have a respectful banter about those things. So we're not always on the same page but I always let him know exactly how I feel. I love basketball. I'm open-minded about what my future holds."
MORE: 12 craziest NBA Draft lottery conspiracy theories
Edens is currently 30 years old and was just 18 when she represented the Bucks at the 2014 NBA draft lottery.
MORE:Tallest No. 1 draft picks in NBA history
Edens' father, Wes, is worth $2.5 billion, according to Forbes. Wes Edens has made a career in the finance industry, as he cofounded Fortress Investment Group, was a partner at BlackRock, sold Fortress to SoftBank for $3.3 billion, and is the CEO of New Fortress Energy.
Chelsea are one of the clubs alert to the situation surrounding Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri according to reports.
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The Blues had a very quiet January, but are once again expected to be busy this summer, with a number of areas in the squad needing to be addressed.
Chelsea are thought to be in the market for a centre back, whilst it’s believed they want to add another midfielder and attacker.
They face a critical summer as they need to appoint a new head coach, and sign quality players in key areas to improve the squad.
Co-Owner Behdad Eghbali has said the recruitment model will be tweaked, but fans will only believe it when they see it.
Despite signing four attackers last summer, and with Geovany Quenda and Emmanuel Emegha arriving this summer, the Blues want to add one more.
Chelsea have been linked with Morgan Rogers and Anthony Gordon, but Caught Offside have reported they are keeping an eye on Nwaneri.
The report states as well as Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, and AC Milan are monitoring developments, and Arsenal could be tempted to cash in for £35-£40m.
A source told Caught Offside:
“Nwaneri is struggling right now and that means Arsenal are going to have to consider a sale.
“Things can change quickly, but he clearly isn’t progressing as expected, and they’ll feel they can get a decent fee for him.
“Chelsea have tried signing him before. They’re still keeping an eye on how this develops, as are Dortmund, Juventus, and Milan.
“Many top clubs in England and Europe still see him as a fantastic talent, and he might benefit from a fresh start.”
Nwaneri is currently on loan at Marseille, where he’s scored two goals in 11 appearances, and the 19-year-old is under contract at Arsenal until 2030.
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Calum McFarlane has hinted Levi Colwill could start the FA Cup final after an impressive performance against Liverpool.
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Colwill started his first game of the season at Anfield following an ACL injury, and Chelsea immediately looked better both defensively and in their build-up play.
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
Toni Toney knows her family role. It’s to have all the right answers. Maybe your mom had the same job with some of the same questions.
“Mom, why can’t I stay up later?”
“Mom, can I watch this show?”
“Mom, where should I go to school?”
Toney was no different with her five children, though the questions are different with Malachi, her fourth child and second boy — “the baby boy,” as mom says of the University of Miami star receiver. “That’s what I call him. My baby.”
It’s Mother’s Day, and you can go through the South Florida sports pages to find a mom’s impact on the bigger names from any age or angle. Tennis legend Chris Evert won everything in that sport, but didn’t hesitate when asked about her biggest accomplishment: “Being a mother.”
Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo was taken by his mother, Marilyn Blount, from the rough streets of New Jersey to the backwoods of North Carolina for a better life.
“I’m nowhere without my mother,” Adebayo said.
Coco Gauff’s mom, Candi, over saw her daughter’s homeschooling to help her tennis. Heat legend Dwyane Wade saying his energy came from his mother, Jolinda, a preacher. Jimmy Johnson realized the light went out on his coaching fire when he stood over his mother’s coffin and knew he wanted to spend more time with family.
Here’s the thing about most such sports names we meet: They’re finished products. Adults in careers. Stars, in most cases, if we get to know them. Malachi Toney is 18. He might be as big a name as there is in college football right now. But he’s just a college sophomore.
Yet there he was the other day, leading a clinic for a few hundred youth at the same Washington Park he played on just a few years ago. An 18 year old giving back? Advising a group of hopeful players, “It’s all about the work?”
Someone taught him right — or is teaching him, present tense, because he was just college football’s big freshman name. Toni, who raised him as a single mom, knew Malachi was different from the time Malachi stepped on a football field at age 7. Everyone did.
She didn’t even want him playing football then, because he was so small. But his local youth team needed a quarterback.
“I’ll play it,” Malachi said.
It needed a defensive back, too.
“I’ll play it,” he said.
Mom didn’t try to hold him back. When that park closed and she needed a new one for her two sons, she found Washington Park for them. Malachi wasn’t sure he wanted to play there, but she knew this was a good place. Wasn’t finding good answers her role?
“My philosophy to him was, to be blunt, ‘Go take someone’s spot,’” Toni said. “I said, ‘Outwork him.’ That’s what he did, too.”
That’s what he’s always done. He’s the first to show up early for Hurricanes practices — even after his stellar freshman season for the 6 a.m. practices this spring.
“Watching my mom get up early for work — if she can do it, why can’t I?” Malachi told reporters when asked.
That brought tears from mom, a postal worker who starts each day at 5 a.m. She didn’t know he thought anything of her early hours until that comment. But her navigating his football youth in big and small ways is part of their story.
They have a word for the map she’s drawn up: The Blueprint. “Follow the blueprint,” she’ll tell him.
She had her role in that. It included mom not just being the organizing mother for youth teams but getting involve in the park. She became an official, overseeing the park’s meetings and representing it before the city commission.
The Blueprint included picking the right high school. She learned from the process of Malachi’s older brother, Monroe, who just joined the Hurricanes this winter as a defensive back.
“Monroe wanted to go to the high school of a coach he knew,” Toni said. “I let him play there. Then, the coach left and it wasn’t the same.”
Two years later, when Malachi was ready for high school, mom researched private schools, academics, coaches and football programs. Malachi attended Plantation American Heritage. But that wasn’t the only football conversation they had. He’d been a quarterback all his youth but now decided to play receiver.
“OK, let’s talk about it,” she said.
It came down to size. How tall did he need to be? Who was the tallest NFL quarterback? Malachi, now 5 foot 11, wasn’t the prototype quarterback but fit at receiver. His mother ran track in high school, but Malachi’s speed and athleticism came from his father, Antonio Brown, a receiver and return specialist who played in the Canadian Football League and three years in the NFL (the other Antonio Brown from Miami played for 12 NFL seasons with Pittsburgh, New England and Tampa Bay.)
Next came the decision to leave high school a year early, at 17.
“It just made sense to us,” mom said.
They discussed three ideas about college: Opportunity to play, exposure of his name and development. Miami checked all boxes. She gave him the same advice in sending him to college that she did at Washington Park: "Go take someone’s job."
“I went to every practice that first (training camp),” she said. “Why? Because I needed to see what he’s doing with my own eyes. I don’t need to hear what anyone said. I needed to see because that’s my son and so I’ll go every day.
“I was in my car on my way to the last fall practice, and he texted me. ‘Congratulations, you have earned a starting position as slot receiver at the University of Miami.’ That was my last practice. I cried. I told him, ‘Congratulations, you keep your head down and keep the same work ethic.’ ”
They’ve kept the same mindset, too, in the NIL era. Toney’s agent, Justin Giangrande, helped organize the Washington Park clinic. They also had a turkey giveaway last Thanksgiving at the park.
“It takes a community,” Toni said. “And this park is part of our community.”
He’s 18. Just 18. The best part of that is the good story mom helped script is just starting.
____
The Yankees dropped their first series in a while, losing the first two games in Milwaukee after getting shutout in the first one and getting walked off in the second. New York was in control late, though they’d wasted chances to grow their lead outside of a couple of Paul Goldschmidt RBI hits. The bullpen got themselves into jams after Cam Schlittler kept them off the board through six, and when they eventually bended the game went into extras. The dreaded 10th inning on the road went how it usually goes for the Yankees, and now they’re looking to avoid the sweep today with the first member of the rotation cavalry returning in Carlos Rodón.
Before the matinee finale gets underway, we’ve got a couple things on the docket for you. Scott talks to Oswaldo Cabrera down in Scranton as the infielder works his way back from the gruesome leg injury he suffered last season, and then Matt has a double-feature covering the Rivalry Roundup and honoring Ed Barrow on his birthday. After the game, John will be around to deliver the weekly social media spotlight.
New York Yankees at Milwaukee Brewers
Time: 2:10 p.m. EST
Video: YES Network, Brewers.tv
Venue: American Family Field, Milwaukee, MI
1. How do you think Carlos Rodón will look in his season debut?
2. Can Spencer Jones collect his first career hit before the team leaves Milwaukee?
CHICAGO — DJ Harris’ welcome-to-the-NFL moment came on the final play of Chicago Bears rookie minicamp Friday morning.
Scotty Miller, an eight-year veteran with a Super Bowl ring from his time running routes for Tom Brady with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ran a go route. Harris grabbed hold of Miller and tried to keep up as quarterback Maverick McIvor — a tryout player from Western Kentucky by way of Abilene Christian and originally Texas Tech — lofted a ball down the right sideline inside the Walter Payton Center.
Harris was all over Miller, and had there been officials at practice, a yellow flag surely would have been tossed. The crafty veteran hauled in the pass as the offensive players erupted in cheers.
It’s no knock on Harris, a tryout player who spent the last two years at Youngstown State after starting his college career with three seasons at Division II Tiffin. He competed throughout the play. There will be more reps Saturday.
Miller knows the ins and outs of the league, and he has a chance to latch on with his local team as the Bears probably could use a little more depth at wide receiver on their 90-man roster.
The two-day minicamp is a crash course for the seven-man draft class — and other newcomers — on how the team operates on the field and in the weight room. The rookies will be mixed in with the veterans beginning Monday during Phase 2 of the voluntary offseason program.
“It’s more about just introducing them to our way of life,” coach Ben Johnson said before practice. “That’s really the objective here. Good start already (Thursday) night. I know a lot of information was digested and we’ll see it come to life here.”
First-round pick Dillon Thieneman got his first taste of things. The Bears ran through circuit drills for the first 20 minutes of practice, and then he took reps at strong safety in 7-on-7 drills. There won’t be any highlight videos of him breaking up passes. The ball never made it his way.
Ultimately, Thieneman will be tasked with learning both safety positions. On special teams he lined up as the personal protector during some simulated punts. If he’s a starter on defense, as expected, his special teams role probably will be minimal, but you have to learn your way around, especially as a rookie.
“Been waiting for this moment for a while, so to get out there, it’s cool,” Thieneman said.
lt certainly was a little different to see center Logan Jones, a second-round pick from Iowa, wearing No. 54. The number hadn’t been issued since Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher last wore it in 2012.
Chairman George McCaskey was adamant after Mike Ditka’s No. 89 was retired in 2013 that the Bears were done retiring numbers, a situation they were sort of forced into by being too liberal with retirements decades ago.
And it was different seeing a Kreutz wear No. 57 again as Illinois center Josh Kreutz participated on a tryout basis, more than 15 years after his father, six-time Pro Bowl selection Olin Kreutz, last manned the position for the Bears. If he sticks around, hopefully the team picks a different number for Josh. No pressure, kid.
The newcomers ought to get up to speed pretty quickly with the veterans as organized team activities approach later this month, and then mandatory veteran minicamp comes in June. The Bears had a very productive rookie class a year ago when you consider the statistical output by tight end Colston Loveland, wide receiver Luther Burden III and running back Kyle Monangai. Ozzy Trapilo made six regular-season starts at left tackle, and defensive end Shemar Turner was starting to pitch in before a torn ACL.
They say it takes a couple of years, sometimes as many as three, to fully evaluate a draft class. Loveland is certainly the real deal. Can Burden ascend to become a No. 1 receiver at some point? Is Monangai’s future as a complementary back or more? Time will tell.
The current crop of draft picks will have different timelines. Thieneman might be the only one projected to start right away. That’s not to say Jones and cornerback Malik Muhammad, a fourth-round pick from Texas, won’t have opportunities to push for action.
Johnson reiterated what he has said previously: Once you’re on the roster, he doesn’t care how you arrived, meaning draft status and contract size don’t matter to him as he’s going through evaluations.
“How can they provide value for this football team?” Johnson said. “Is it special teams? Is it competing for playing time on offense or defense? That’s really up to them.”
Cornerback is a position to keep an eye on. After waiving Zah Frazier on Thursday, the Bears have 11 on the roster if you include free-agent pickup Cam Lewis as a reserve nickel corner and not a safety. That’s probably one light of where the team will be by training camp.
There’s plenty to prove at cornerback. Veteran Jaylon Johnson hasn’t been involved yet in the offseason program, a source said. That’s consistent with how he has operated previously, and the program is voluntary. Johnson surely is fully aware of the stakes on the table for him this season with no guaranteed money remaining in his contract in 2027.
There are opportunities for reps, and the starting job opposite Johnson will have to be won. Tyrique Stevenson, entering a contract year, must prove he can be the consistent performer the Bears have longed for since picking him in the second round in 2023, or else he’ll face a real challenge from someone.
Nahshon Wright, an unknown this time a year ago, emerged to become a starter, and Nick McCloud found meaningful playing time. They were a couple of veterans who forced their way on to the roster, but both are gone now.
Rookie minicamps usually don’t deliver many revelations. There can be some “ooh” and “aah” moments if there’s a highly touted quarterback. The Bears want to get everyone up to speed so they can evaluate their full roster.
Maybe they’ll add a wide receiver or two to the mix, and Miller did have the play of the day. Surely they’re on the lookout for a cornerback. There will be more reps for Harris after a tough one at the end Friday.
____
Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti rued his team’s inability to kill off the match against Lecce, as they settled for a slim 1-0 win.
The Bianconeri broke the deadlock through Dusan Vlahovic just 11 seconds into the match. However, the next 90+ minutes didn’t bear any goals, even though the Serbian and Pierre Kalulu thought they had netted, only to be denied by offside calls following VAR interventions.
With this win at the Via del Mare, the Old Lady temporarily leapfrogged Milan in third place and extended the lead over Roma to four points.
However, Spalletti was far from satisfied with the team’s attitude throughout the game, as his men failed to secure the result with a second goal, as they looked hesitant to take the initiative.
After the contest, the Tuscan manager addressed his team’s issues, beginning with the negative approach that left them exposed, especially in the final stretch of the game.
“We’ve been saying it for a while now, and tonight was the same again. It was a copy-and-paste of so many other matches,” said the former Italy boss in his post-match interview with Sky Sport Italia via JuventusNews24.
“We produce stretches where we completely dominate, and it feels like everything is under control, then comes the moment of superficiality where everything drops off, and we totally lose our identity.
“We make passes that are unbelievable considering the level of football these players have in them.”
Spalletti explained how the team’s mindset tends to gradually unravel throughout the course of the game, as players gradually start losing control.
“To put in dominant performances like the ones we showed, you need a certain level of quality. But then we can’t sustain that concentration, determination, and character over time.
“We start doing things carelessly, we lose a bit of composure, doubt and fear creep in, and suddenly the game is back in the balance.
“Then we get annoyed, we grab the game back by the scruff of the neck and drag it onto our side again.
“It’s all a rollercoaster, because this sort of match cannot end 1-0. It shouldn’t end 1-0. How many times did we get into positions around the edge of the box with huge advantages and situations where all we had to do was make a choice? But instead of taking one of the good options, we pick the third one — the one that punishes us. That’s just how we are.”
Spalletti then opened up on the club’s summer plans in his chat with former Juventus midfielder Giancarlo Marocchi, who was in the Sky studios.
“If you read the newspapers, it would sound like out of a 25-man squad we’re changing 18 players. That’s not possible. Marrocchi, you know well that in the transfer market, it becomes a problem.
“These players need to know this is a serious project — and John Elkann said it tonight as well to our fans. The project we want to build includes many of these players. Replacing huge numbers of them is difficult right now.
“As you know, Juventus have already spent heavily in recent transfer windows, so it’s not easy to start over and rebuild deeply. Things have to be done properly.
“Of course, football evolves, and you have to keep up with the times; you have to add quality, but more than anything, the growth has to come from within. These players need to know that, from both the club and me, many of them will stay. Then obviously we also need to be good at bringing in others because we do have shortcomings.”
Spalletti admitted that Juventus were sorely missing a striker like Vlahovic while he was out of action, explaining the difference between him and Jonathan David, who struggles in physical duels.
“We missed Vlahovic badly, like bread and butter, because he’s a player with different characteristics. You can’t play football without someone who offers those qualities.
“A team that wants to win needs a physical focal point, a strong focal point, maybe not necessarily tall but dynamic, someone with physical impact, someone who can handle duels, hold up the ball and score goals.
“You need that type of player. David scores goals too, but when it comes to contested balls and physical battles…”
Just a few days after one of the greatest European nights in recent Arsenal history, Mikel Arteta now faces a very different challenge, making sure his players quickly switch their focus back to the Premier League.
Tuesday’s emotional Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid secured Arsenal’s place in the Final and sent the fanbase into dreamland, but there is little time to celebrate with a difficult away trip to West Ham now next on the schedule.
The Gunners head to the London Stadium knowing they cannot afford any drop in standards if they want to keep the pressure firmly on Manchester City in the title race.
West Ham are currently in the bottom three on the table and currently face relegation which will not make the Gunners job any easier today.
One of the biggest concerns for Arteta may not simply be tired legs, but emotional energy.
The Atletico victory demanded enormous physical and mental intensity from Arsenal’s players and there is always a danger of a slight comedown following such a huge occasion, especially with a Champions League Final now looming later this month.
Arteta has already confirmed that both Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino will miss the match.
Martin Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard could return to the starting lineup after both began on the bench in midweek, while Gabriel Martinelli may also come back into the side to add pace and directness against a compact West Ham defence.
Declan Rice will once again be central to everything Arsenal do against his former club and the midfielder’s leadership could prove especially important in what feels like a potentially awkward fixture.
(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
If West Ham are to cause Arsenal problems, much will likely depend on Jarrod Bowen.
The England international has consistently troubled Arsenal in recent meetings and remains the Hammers’ biggest attacking outlet, particularly during transitions and counter attacks.
Arsenal will need to dominate possession while remaining disciplined defensively, especially when committing bodies forward.
However, if Bukayo Saka, Odegaard and Rice can establish control early, Arsenal should still create enough chances to continue their push at the top of the table.
This now feels like a match that will reveal a lot about Arsenal’s mentality. Winning after the emotional high of Atletico would be another huge statement from a squad still fighting to win the Premier League for the first time in over two decades and go all the way in the Champions League.
What’s your score prediction Gooners?
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JACKSONVILLE — Two elite triple jumpers, two Ocoee High standouts, two young distance prodigies, a pole vault winner with gymnastic experience, and a sprinter who set a national record before she hit high school — all among the best in Central Florida history — scored state titles to highlight Orlando area accomplishments on the final three days of the FHSAA state track and field finals at the University of North Florida.
Kissimmee Gateway junior Maxwell Garcon became the sixth Orlando area boy to leap 50 feet in the triple jump in Friday’s Class 3A meet. He jumped from second to first place by bouncing out to 50 feet and three quarters of an inch on his fourth and final attempt.
That came a day after Montverde Academy junior Samuel Johnson, already in the exclusive 50 foot club, jumped 50-4¼ to take the 2A championship. Johnson, who leaped 50-9¾ to win at the Florida Relays, also won the long jump for the Eagles.
The all-time triple jump record-holder is Seminole High graduate Andre Scott, who set a national record (since broken) of 53-7½ as a 2003 senior in Orlando’s discontinued Golden South Classic postseason meet. Scott’s FHSAA meet record of 52-5½ still stands. He became an Auburn All-American and has been a college assistant coach for more than 20 years — now at Ole Miss.
Here’s the all-time triple jump list:
53-7 Andre Scott, Seminole, 1993.
51-6 James Beckford, Boone, 1993.
51-2 Armani Wallace, Colonial, 2025.
50-9¾ Shane Lewis, Deltona, 2010.
50-9½ Samuel Johnson, Montverde, 2026.
50-3¾ Maxwell Garcon, Gateway, 2026.
Ocoee senior Jaiden Manning, who gave up football after going out for track as a sophomore, won Saturday’s 4A boys 110-meter hurdles in 13.92 seconds. He’s now confident he will earn a college scholarship to race.
His senior teammate, Devin Matthews, an oh-so-close state runner-up in the 800 last year, erased that disappointment with a 47.24 victory in the boys 400. He is also getting college attention.
“I felt really relaxed and for the last 200 I just left it all on the track,” Matthews said. “This means a lot because I felt short last season.”
On the girls side, Lake Minneola sophomore Vanessa Waite had to settle for second in the 100-meter dash with an 11.57 time, but then sped to a 4A victory in the 200 with 23.17 performance. That’s Florida’s fastest this year and the No. 9 time in the nation. Waite set a 15-16 national age group record with a 23.26 time to win at the 2024 AAU Jr. Olympics and was happy to finally eclipse that time.
“I was a little down about not winning the 100, but I know I’m better in the 200,” Waite said. “That’s my race. I’m very confident in myself now.”
Coaching changes, and 8th-grader Vanessa Waite sets U.S. 200 record | Varsity Weekly
Bishop Moore freshman Annabella Tomasic ran a career best 4:53.25 to win the 1,600 title in 3A. That’s her third state title — along with her November cross country win and the cross country championship she claimed as a seventh grader running for Lake Highland Prep. Tomasic was Friday’s runner-up in the 3,200 at 10:44.47.
Montverde Academy senior Nakira Hudson won the 2A girls 400 (53.24), finished fourth in the 200, and ran on the winning 4×400 relay as the Eagles tied Bolles of Jacksonville for the team title. Both scored 84 points. Montverde senior Jizelle Holland piled up points with runner-up finishes in both hurdles finals, a sixth in the triple jump and a leg on the winning relay.
Lake Nona Arrabella Duffel, a tiny sophomore (5-feet-tall) who was a highly-ranked age group tennis player before switching to distance running, won the 3,200 with a strategic 10:29.10 effort. Finishing 15th out of 16 in the 2025 state meet was her motivation.
“I’ve been wanting this for so long,” said Duffel. “It’s like tennis in a way because every single lap is like a different (tennis) set.”
Rain fell for much of Saturday’s 4A meet, and competition was stopped for just over an hour in the afternoon. UNF’s rubberized track held up well for fast race events, but wet conditions were a challenge in the pole vault for Lyman junior Nora Garraughty. That didn’t stop her from winning with an 11-feet, 9¾-inches clearance. She has vaulted 12-3½ in drier conditions and wants to climb past the 13-foot mark with continued training with Bill Cashman, whose Thin Air Vault Club has produced nearly 60 state champions in four decades.
“I thought it was fun vaulting in the rain. But the hard part was gripping the pole,” Garraughty said with a smile. “I wanted to jump higher, but I still have summer meets.”
CHECK HERE FOR ALL STATE MEET RESULTS, MAY 6-9, 2026
Spruce Creek’s Mikayla Palmer and Boone senior Naima Durandisse both cleared 5-7¾ in the girls high jump. Palmer won the state title because she had no misses until the bar was moved up to 5-9¾. Durandisse, who signed with Santa Fe College for basketball but hopes to get a ride to USF as a versatile jumper, had one earlier miss.
Cypress Creek senior Alondra Rodriguez, who won the girls 400 hurdles last season, finished fourth Saturday with a 1:00.28 time that was not what she wanted. Nia Armstrong of Sickles (Tampa), a sophomore, won with a 58.88 time that ranks No. 2 nationally.
Wekiva was third in the girls 4×100 (46.58).
Kissimmee Osceola’s Nicole Oliveira finished third in the girls long jump (18-5¼).
Ocoee’s Jayla Newton was third in the javelin (124-3).
Lake Brantley senior Layla Fuller finished fourth at 2:10.96 in a fast 800.
Boone’s girls were 12th with 19 points, followed by Lake Minneola (18), Osceola(17) and Seminole (17).
Oviedo senior Aiden Aysun was runner-up in the 1,600 with a school record time of 4:11.71.
Taylor Royster, another Oviedo senior, long jumped 23-11¾ to break his own school record and place second.
St. Cloud’s Denzel Hawkins was third in the 400 hurdles (54.42) and fourth in the 110s (14.32).
Lake Minneola had two boys runners-up: Wesley Morisseau in the high jump (6-5½) and Tyler Mullings in the discus (160-3).
Ocoee was fourth with 31 points in a meet won by Flanagan (77.5).
Class 3A
Bishop Moore’s girls ran an area-best 9:16.05 for second place in the 4×800 relay. The Hornets totaled 26 points, good for seventh in the team standings. Dillard of Fort Lauderdale topped Niceville 69-64 to take the title.
Innovation’s Mariah Turner long jumped 18-7¼ for fifth.
Elijah Cantero of Bishop Moore was the boys 400 runner-up (47.57) and ran on a 4×100 relay that placed second with a 41.23 time. Jones was fifth at 41.53.
The Hornets and Gateway tied for 11th in the boys team standings with 16 points each. Niceville won the title with 88 points.
Gateway’s Ethan Antle cleared 14-3¼ for fifth in the pole vault.
Class 2A
Montverde’s girls were led by senior Jizelle Holland, who scored in all four of her events. She was runner-up in the 100- and 400-meter hurdles with times of 14.30 and 59.84 seconds, sixth in triple jump, and ran on the winning 4×400 foursome (3:44.69).
Also for the Eagles, Angelica Wolfe was second in the 800 (2:11.70); DaQuana Howell was runner-up in the 200 (24.25) and fifth in the 100 (11.97); Adriana Rodriguez was third in the 400 (53.88) and fifth in the 200 (24.55).
Lake Highland Prep’s Saleigh Simpson placed fourth with a 40-2¾ shot put.
Montverde senior Grant Williams cleared 14-feet, 9-inches to win the boys pole vault. His ninth grade teammate, Max Georgiev, placed fourth at 14-3¼.
Windermere Prep’s Akai Tonge placed third in the boys 110 hurdles (14.55).
Lake Highland Prep’s Connor Allen ran 47.59 for third in the 400.
Geneva football’s Duke Carpenter wins state discus championship | Varsity Report
Wales back row Aaron Wainwright waved goodbye to Rodney Parade playing in his final home game for Dragons against Edinburgh on Saturday.
The 28-year-old has made 137 appearances for the club since his debut in 2017 but is making the move to Leicester Tigers for the 2026-27 season.
The number eight did not mark his final home game with a victory, as Scottish international Duhan van der Merwe helped secure a 24-15 victory for Edinburgh in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
Dragons fans were invited onto the pitch for a presentation honouring Wainwright for his commitments to the club.
"I think tonight summed it up really well. Seeing so many fans here and them being able to come out on the pitch afterwards just shows how tight this club is," Wainwright said.
"It was a special occasion for me tonight being my last home game here; I think going into next year, [there are] plenty of positives for the Dragons.
"Hopefully they keep the momentum going from what we've done this year because we've had some real good wins over the course of the season.
"Hopefully they can give the fans more to get behind next year."
Dragons have now lost two on the bounce, after last week's tight loss away at Montpellier in the Challenge Cup semi-final.
Despite this, Wainwright commended the Dragons fans for their support throughout his nine years at the club.
Many supporters even came dressed up as the Wales number eight, emulating his famous blonde mullet.
"It was awesome having the fans on the pitch. Very hectic as well," Wainwright said.
"I spoke in the week about having that connection with the fans after the games. Even though we lost tonight, they were still in full voice and that's what it's been like over the course of my career here.
"No matter what the scorelines have been, no matter what peaks and troughs we've gone through, the fans are always here cheering us on and supporting us.
"So I can only thank them for sticking by us for so long. They've been awesome."
Wainwright will play his final game for Dragons on the final weekend of the URC season in a Welsh derby away to Scarlets on 16 May, before making his move to Leicester in the summer.
He joins his Welsh teammates Jac Morgan and and Dewi Lake in moving to the English Prem, with the Ospreys duo joining Gloucester at the end of the season.
Wainwright is excited by the prospect of challenging himself in England.
"There is a load of history there at the club (Leicester) which was a major attraction for me. The way the Premiership is played week in, week out, the love of competition there," said Wainwright.
"Hopefully I can add to what they're already doing there at Leicester and it can help take my game to the next level.
"I'm really excited about getting started in this next chapter of my career."
Wainwright has also drawn praise from Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia, who says Leicester are lucky to have the Welsh number eight.
"He's a champion of a man. He's very unique, softly spoken. We're going to miss him," said Tiatia.
"We wish him all the best going to Leicester Tigers and they're very lucky to have got him."
PSG will meet Brest at the the Parc des Princes in their next ligue 1 match on Sunday.
Luis Enrique’s men are currently on a five match unbeaten run in all competitions and needs four more points to win the league.
Paris Saint-Germain enters this fixture grappling with a significant “injury wave” following their gruelling Champions League exploits.
Manager Luis Enrique is forced to reshuffle his backline as both Nuno Mendes and Willian Pacho have been ruled out with thigh injuries.
They are joined on the sidelines by key midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery, who is struggling with lower back pain, and long-term absentees Achraf Hakimi and Lucas Chevalier.
These absences leave the Parisians particularly thin at fullback. However, the squad receives a timely boost with the return of centre-back Illia Zabarnyi and striker Gonçalo Ramos, both of whom have completed their respective suspensions.
With several starters unavailable, expect a makeshift defensive line featuring Lucas Hernández and Senny Mayulu in the full-back positions.
Goncalo Ramos is likely to lead the line immediately upon his return as Enrique looks to rotate his squad.
Stade Brestois 29 heads to the Parc des Princes facing defensive shortages of their own as they look to pull off an upset. The most notable absence is regular right-back Kenny Lala, who is serving a suspension, forcing Eric Roy to look for alternative solutions on the flank.
The backline is further weakened by the continued absence of Bradley Locko, who remains out with a hamstring injury, and Soumaïla Coulibaly, who is sidelined by a stress fracture in his tibia.
There are also late fitness concerns regarding forward Ludovic Ajorque; while he travelled with the squad, a nagging back issue makes him a doubt for the starting eleven.
PSG are on “cloud nine” after reaching the Champions League final by overcoming Bayern Munich 6–5 on aggregate. Domestically, they sit at the top of Ligue 1 with 70 points. While they recently drew 2–2 against Lorient, they have been dominant in 2026, winning 16 of their last 18 matches. A win tonight would likely secure another league title, ending the race with RC Lens.
Brest are enduring a difficult spell, currently on a six-match winless run in Ligue 1. They sit 12th in the table after a heavy 4–0 defeat to Paris FC last weekend. Their recent away form is particularly concerning, with only one win in their last ten road games. Despite earlier draws against Lens and Nantes, the “Breton side” struggles for consistency and faces a daunting task at the Parc des Princes.
PSG: Safonov; Mayulu, Zabarnyi, Beraldo, L Hernandez; K Lee, Vitinha, D Fernandez; Mbaye, G Ramos, Barcola
Brest: Coudert; Zogbe, Chardonnet, Diaz, Guindo; Chotard, Magnetti, Tousart; Del Castillo, Ajorque, Lascary
In the UK, fans can watch the match live on Amazon Prime Video on a pay-per-view basis oprion.
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See More – Barcelona vs Real Madrid – Predicted lineup and team news
Former Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has given his verdict on Inter centre-back Alessandro Bastoni, who has been linked with a summer move to join the Catalan giants this coming transfer window: ‘Playing as a defender at Barcelona isn’t easy’.
For several months of the 2025-26 season, Barcelona have been linked with a move to sign Bastoni from Inter during the next summer transfer window.
Recent updates claim that Barca are beginning to cool off in their pursuit of the Italy international, and that the signing of a new centre-forward to replace Robert Lewandowski may be more of a priority than the purchase of a new luxury centre-back, but nothing has yet been ruled out either way.
The potential transfer of Bastoni continues to be a hot topic of conversation regardless, and former Barcelona defender Puyol was recently asked about the prospect of signing the recently-crowned Scudetto winner.
“You should ask Deco,” Puyol told DAZN when asked if he thinks Bastoni is the ‘right’ choice for Barcelona this summer.
LIMA, PERU – NOVEMBER 29: Carles Puyol waves to fans prior to the 2025 Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores Final match between Palmeiras and Flamengo at Estadio Monumental on November 29, 2025 in Lima, Peru. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
“I think he’s a very good defender. I also think that Barcelona have very good defenders, youngsters who know Barcelona’s style well.
“Playing as a defender at Barcelona isn’t easy with such a high line. Sometimes it’s difficult to adapt, but if the club thinks they have to go and get Bastoni, then I think they’ll be buying a strong player and they will have analysed him perfectly to understand if he’s the right choice and whether his purchase is feasible, because in the end, you can want a player but there aren’t always the right conditions to buy him.”
Barcelona face Real Madrid in what could be a historic El Clásico contest this evening.
The Catalans are closing in on a second straight Spanish league title and will be crowned champions if they avoid defeat at Camp Nou this evening.
It marks a historic opportunity for Barcelona, who can winLa Liga with a direct result against their arch-rivals for the first time. The La Liga leaders are 11 points clear of Real Madrid with four games to go, and a draw would be enough tonight to seal their success.
Hansi Flick's side will head into the clash with confidence against a Real Madrid side in crisis. Reports this week have emerged that head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has fallen out with several squad members, in echoes of Xabi Alonso's short-lived reign earlier in the campaign.
Furthermore, Federico Valverde was involved in an altercation with teammate Aurelian Tchouameni that saw the Uruguayan hospitalised andboth players fined €500,000.
Alongside that drama, a remarkable petition to have leading scorer Kylian Mbappe sold has generated millions of signatures.
Barcelona, in contrast, are riding a 10-game winning run in La Liga that has propelled them to the brink of the title. The Catalan club can secured back-to-back La Liga titles this evening, an achievement that Real Madrid have not managed since 2008.
Ahead of the game, Flick has hailed the atmosphere and connection at Barcelona, praising the performances of his young side.
"The atmosphere, the connection between the players is something really special," the German coach said in a news conference on Saturday.
"We have players with a lot of quality, world class players. The connection between everyone is amazing -- [especially between] the academy players because they have known each other many years.
"Winning a second title with this young team would be unbelievable. The players have made a fantastic job and now we want to win the title, the second in a row, which is amazing -- and not normal here in Spain."
PSG will face Brest at the Parc des Princes in their next Ligue 1 match on Sunday.
Luis Enrique’s side is currently unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions and needs just four more points to secure the league title.
PSG are in high spirits after reaching the Champions League final, having edged past Bayern Munich 6–5 on aggregate. In Ligue 1, they lead the table with 70 points. Although they were held to a 2–2 draw by Lorient recently, their domestic form in 2026 has been impressive, with 16 wins from their last 18 games.
PSG are dealing with several injury concerns following their demanding European campaign. Luis Enrique will need to adjust his defence, as both Nuno Mendes and Willian Pacho are sidelined with thigh injuries.
Midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery is also unavailable due to a back issue, while Achraf Hakimi and Lucas Chevalier remain long-term absentees.
These setbacks leave PSG short of options in the full-back areas. On a positive note, Illia Zabarnyi and Gonçalo Ramos return after serving suspensions.
With several key players missing, PSG may field a reshuffled defence, likely using Lucas Hernández and Senny Mayulu in full-back roles.
Up front, Gonçalo Ramos is expected to start right away as Enrique looks to rotate his squad.
Possible PSG starting XI: Safonov; Mayulu, Zabarnyi, Beraldo, L Hernandez; K Lee, Vitinha, D Fernandez; Mbaye, G Ramos, Barcola
The match will kick off at 8pm BST on Sunday, 10th May.
In the UK, the match will be available live on Amazon Prime Video as a pay-per-view option.
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Jason McAteer believes Chelsea deliberately targeted Curtis Jones during Liverpool’s disappointing 1-1 draw at Anfield, with the former Red insisting the Scouser’s lack of experience at right-back became an obvious weakness.
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Liverpool started brightly and deservedly took the lead through Ryan Gravenberch, but once Chelsea settled into the game, their attacks repeatedly came down the left-hand side through Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer.
Speaking on The Reaction via the official Liverpool podcast, McAteer explained why he felt the tactical battle swung heavily in Chelsea’s favour.
The former Liverpool midfielder stressed that Jones’ natural instincts as a central midfielder were causing problems defensively.
“Curtis is not a natural right back… he likes to drift inside.”
McAteer argued that someone on the pitch should have recognised the danger much earlier.
“If I was a leader on that pitch… I’d be saying to him, ‘listen, don’t be venturing into midfield, you just hold your position at right back.’”
That frustration reflected what many supporters inside Anfield were seeing as Cucurella continually found space down Liverpool’s right flank.
The ex-Republic of Ireland international made clear he wasn’t criticising the 25-year-old’s effort, but instead the positional discipline required when playing out of position.
“What I won’t do with Curtis Jones is criticise him for his endeavour… but sometimes you’ve got to be disciplined and play the position you’re playing.”
McAteer then explained how straightforward Liverpool’s tactical weakness would have looked from the Chelsea dugout.
“If I’m the Chelsea manager and I’m looking for weaknesses in Liverpool’s team, the first thing that’s going to stick out is who’s playing out of position.”
That analysis matches the wider criticism surrounding Liverpool’s performance after another passive display against struggling opposition.
Clinton Morrison admitted he was becoming “sick and tired” of Arne Slot’s decisions, while Jermaine Pennant labelled our head coach a “fraud” after another disappointing game.
Jones himself actually grew into the contest and thought he had scored in the second half before being denied by the offside flag, but the larger issue remained obvious throughout the afternoon.
Liverpool once again looked disjointed defensively, uncertain in possession and far too easy to play through once the momentum shifted away from us.
El Clásico is as much a cultural battle as it is a sporting showdown. And in this psychological war between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, the Camp Nou tifos have often played a central role. Some have become true symbols in the history of Spanish football.
A look back at these displays that have left their mark on the archives of El Clásico.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.
Konstantinos Mavropanos has said West Ham have no option but to 'go for it' when the club take on Arsenal this afternoon.
West Ham take on their title-chasing London rivals with both teams in need of the points. The Hammers dropped back into thePremier League's relegation places last weekend, after losing 3-0 to Brentford, and are a point from safety with three games to go.
The visit of Arsenal is the first of three massive games for the Irons, who travel to Newcastle and host Leeds before the end of the campaign.
Arsenal arrive at the London Stadium for today's derby with the title race in their hands. The Gunners have a two-point lead over rivals Manchester City, and are closing in on a first league title in 22 years.
Though the teams are at opposite ends of thePremier League table, Mavropanos has said West Ham are just 'as hungry' as Arsenal in the battle for precious points.
“It’s a big game but I think we are as hungry as they are, obviously for different things, but it’s a game that we have to go for it,”said the Greek defender, who spent four years at Arsenal earlier in his career.
“It’s one positive and really important that we play two games at home because we need our fans and their energy in these moments as well to push us.
“We have to make sure that we are going to be ready and we will go for it because that’s the only option.
“Right now, I think it’s getting tough. It’s not in our hands, but the only thing that we have to do is to keep fighting, because it’s football, you never know what’s going to happen and once we give everything we have and get the best out of these three games, then we will see where the table will be in the end.”
CLEVELAND – The Detroit Pistons’ worst first half of the Eastern Conference semifinals wasn’t enough to eliminate their hopes of winning Game 3. No, it was self-inflicted mistakes late that allowed the Cleveland Cavaliers to find their mojo late and prevail on their home floor, 116-109, on Saturday, May 9.
With the game tied at 104, Cade Cunningham’s inbounds pass to Daniss Jenkins was intercepted by Max Strus. The Cavaliers wing immediately raced downcourt for a fastbreak layup, giving Cleveland the lead with 2:28 to play.
Cunningham committed turnovers on each of the Pistons’ next two possessions – a bad entry pass to Jalen Duren that was picked off by Jarrett Allen, followed by a bad kickout to Tobias Harris that went out of bounds. All three turnovers took place over a 40-second stretch and were costly.
SHAWN WINDSOR: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons fumbled an opportunity in Game 3
Finally, James Harden scored seven straight points to help Cleveland close out the win, narrowing the Pistons’ series lead to 2-1. After using a 28-9 run to erase a 17-point deficit in the third quarter, the Pistons had nothing to show for it in a road loss at Rocket Arena.
But it did leave them with lessons for when they regroup on Sunday ahead of Game 4 on Monday (8 p.m., NBC). Cunningham’s miscues hurt, but their issues Saturday went deeper than just one player.
“We did our job getting back into the game,” said Cunningham, who nearly had a quadruple-double: 27 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and eight turnovers. “Fourth quarter, turnovers, they had a couple of opportunities out in transition and stuff. A couple bad ones where we don’t get the ball on rim, inbound the ball, little things that, just careless turnovers. I wouldn’t even say careless, I care about it, but just bad plays that could’ve got shots on rim and could’ve gave us an opportunity to win this game.”
Cunningham was responsible for their most prominent mistakes at game's end. But it was an all-around uneven performance for a Pistons team that won the first two games, handily, to enter Saturday riding a five-game postseason winning streak.
The Pistons were outscored 32-18 by the Cavaliers in the second quarter, the result of allowing Cleveland to shoot 68.6% over the entire first half while shooting just 37.5% themselves (including going 2-for-14 on 3s). After knocking down their first two 3-point attempts, they missed 15 in a row before Tobias Harris finally connected at the 7:22 mark of the third.
There were too many missed open shots and not enough defensive resistance as the Pistons struggled with the whistle. They were called for 12 personal fouls in the second quarter, and Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson all had three fouls at halftime.
“Second quarter, obviously we gave them too many good opportunities at the 3,” said Harris, who scored 21 points in reaching the 20-point threshold for his eighth straight playoff game. “Just missed assignments from us all around, offensive boards. The possession game. In the second half, we did a great job of finding our rhythm, our flow and settling into the game, understanding the type of physicality that’s needed for this environment and this structure of a game. Like the way we responded.
“Tough end result for us but a lot of good things we can grow on for it and be ready for the next one. We know where we made our mistakes tonight. We know where we need to be better. We’ll watch the film on it and get ready for the next one.”
It was a bad first half for the frontcourt, collectively– Duren and Isaiah Stewart. They combined for just four rebounds over the opening 24 minutes and struggled to seal off the paint, as Cleveland shot 17-for-22 (77.3%) inside the arc. It led coach J.B. Bickerstaff to turn to Paul Reed in the third quarter, and Reed’s energy was a key part of the 28-9 run that got the Pistons back into the game.
Reed, who finished with 11 points and three rebounds on 4-for-4 shooting in just under 10 minutes, checked in for Duren with 5:07 to go in the third quarter. He immediately finished a slam out of the dunker’s spot courtesy of a nice entry pass from Duncan Robinson; Reed’s putback dunk at the 2:30 mark of the third gave the Pistons their first lead, 76-74, since the score was 30-27 late in the first quarter.
“I just thought at that moment, what we needed is what P Reed provides and he provides that spark, that instant impact to make plays, whether it’s defensively or offensively,” Bickerstaff said. “I think he impacts the game. When you’re down, he’s a guy that you can go to that can raise the energy and I thought he did a great job of that again tonight.”
He went on to play most of the fourth quarter and scored seven more points, bringing the Pistons within three, 99-96, midway through the final period with a pair of free throws. Duren checked back in with roughly 4:30 to go, but went scoreless, with one rebound and one shot attempt in the fourth.
Bickerstaff’s decision to play Reed in the second half of Game 6 against the Orlando Magic was fruitful, as the backup big man helped spark their historic comeback win from a 24-point deficit. It paid off again on Saturday, prompting a question on why he decided to insert Duren back in for Reed with the game on the line.
“You always have those thoughts about what you want to do,” Bickerstaff said. “I think JD’s done a great job for us all year long. P Reed obviously provides a spark for us. We went back with JD.”
Because the Pistons are also focusing on building for the future, Bickerstaff has leaned on Duren in late-game situations even in games in which he has struggled. Duren was better in Games 1 and 2 than in Game 3, in which he finished with nine points, four rebounds and two steals. They’re going to let him try to solve his issues.
The formula that worked as the Pistons built a 2-0 series lead – stout, physical defense, timely shot-making and controlling the boards – remains their best formula for success. The Cavaliers found life in front of their white-out home crowd. The Pistons know what they need to do to get back on track.
“We know it’s a war, not just one battle, so it’s about getting four wins,” Cunningham said. “Just continuing to play our brand of basketball and see if they’re able to withstand that. Beyond that, us trying to break through and go and take wins is the name of the game. This series is what it is. We’re ready for the next game and ready to get back to it.”
Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on X and/or Bluesky
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons Game 3 mistakes vs Cavaliers have them seeing red
CLEVELAND – The Detroit Pistons’ worst first half of the Eastern Conference semifinals wasn’t enough to eliminate their hopes of winning Game 3. No, it was self-inflicted mistakes late that allowed the Cleveland Cavaliers to find their mojo late and prevail on their home floor, 116-109, on Saturday, May 9.
With the game tied at 104, Cade Cunningham’s inbounds pass to Daniss Jenkins was intercepted by Max Strus. The Cavaliers wing immediately raced downcourt for a fastbreak layup, giving Cleveland the lead with 2:28 to play.
Cunningham committed turnovers on each of the Pistons’ next two possessions – a bad entry pass to Jalen Duren that was picked off by Jarrett Allen, followed by a bad kickout to Tobias Harris that went out of bounds. All three turnovers took place over a 40-second stretch and were costly.
SHAWN WINDSOR: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons fumbled an opportunity in Game 3
Finally, James Harden scored seven straight points to help Cleveland close out the win, narrowing the Pistons’ series lead to 2-1. After using a 28-9 run to erase a 17-point deficit in the third quarter, the Pistons had nothing to show for it in a road loss at Rocket Arena.
But it did leave them with lessons for when they regroup on Sunday ahead of Game 4 on Monday (8 p.m., NBC). Cunningham’s miscues hurt, but their issues Saturday went deeper than just one player.
“We did our job getting back into the game,” said Cunningham, who nearly had a quadruple-double: 27 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and eight turnovers. “Fourth quarter, turnovers, they had a couple of opportunities out in transition and stuff. A couple bad ones where we don’t get the ball on rim, inbound the ball, little things that, just careless turnovers. I wouldn’t even say careless, I care about it, but just bad plays that could’ve got shots on rim and could’ve gave us an opportunity to win this game.”
Cunningham was responsible for their most prominent mistakes at game's end. But it was an all-around uneven performance for a Pistons team that won the first two games, handily, to enter Saturday riding a five-game postseason winning streak.
The Pistons were outscored 32-18 by the Cavaliers in the second quarter, the result of allowing Cleveland to shoot 68.6% over the entire first half while shooting just 37.5% themselves (including going 2-for-14 on 3s). After knocking down their first two 3-point attempts, they missed 15 in a row before Tobias Harris finally connected at the 7:22 mark of the third.
There were too many missed open shots and not enough defensive resistance as the Pistons struggled with the whistle. They were called for 12 personal fouls in the second quarter, and Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson all had three fouls at halftime.
“Second quarter, obviously we gave them too many good opportunities at the 3,” said Harris, who scored 21 points in reaching the 20-point threshold for his eighth straight playoff game. “Just missed assignments from us all around, offensive boards. The possession game. In the second half, we did a great job of finding our rhythm, our flow and settling into the game, understanding the type of physicality that’s needed for this environment and this structure of a game. Like the way we responded.
“Tough end result for us but a lot of good things we can grow on for it and be ready for the next one. We know where we made our mistakes tonight. We know where we need to be better. We’ll watch the film on it and get ready for the next one.”
It was a bad first half for the frontcourt, collectively– Duren and Isaiah Stewart. They combined for just four rebounds over the opening 24 minutes and struggled to seal off the paint, as Cleveland shot 17-for-22 (77.3%) inside the arc. It led coach J.B. Bickerstaff to turn to Paul Reed in the third quarter, and Reed’s energy was a key part of the 28-9 run that got the Pistons back into the game.
Reed, who finished with 11 points and three rebounds on 4-for-4 shooting in just under 10 minutes, checked in for Duren with 5:07 to go in the third quarter. He immediately finished a slam out of the dunker’s spot courtesy of a nice entry pass from Duncan Robinson; Reed’s putback dunk at the 2:30 mark of the third gave the Pistons their first lead, 76-74, since the score was 30-27 late in the first quarter.
“I just thought at that moment, what we needed is what P Reed provides and he provides that spark, that instant impact to make plays, whether it’s defensively or offensively,” Bickerstaff said. “I think he impacts the game. When you’re down, he’s a guy that you can go to that can raise the energy and I thought he did a great job of that again tonight.”
He went on to play most of the fourth quarter and scored seven more points, bringing the Pistons within three, 99-96, midway through the final period with a pair of free throws. Duren checked back in with roughly 4:30 to go, but went scoreless, with one rebound and one shot attempt in the fourth.
Bickerstaff’s decision to play Reed in the second half of Game 6 against the Orlando Magic was fruitful, as the backup big man helped spark their historic comeback win from a 24-point deficit. It paid off again on Saturday, prompting a question on why he decided to insert Duren back in for Reed with the game on the line.
“You always have those thoughts about what you want to do,” Bickerstaff said. “I think JD’s done a great job for us all year long. P Reed obviously provides a spark for us. We went back with JD.”
Because the Pistons are also focusing on building for the future, Bickerstaff has leaned on Duren in late-game situations even in games in which he has struggled. Duren was better in Games 1 and 2 than in Game 3, in which he finished with nine points, four rebounds and two steals. They’re going to let him try to solve his issues.
The formula that worked as the Pistons built a 2-0 series lead – stout, physical defense, timely shot-making and controlling the boards – remains their best formula for success. The Cavaliers found life in front of their white-out home crowd. The Pistons know what they need to do to get back on track.
“We know it’s a war, not just one battle, so it’s about getting four wins,” Cunningham said. “Just continuing to play our brand of basketball and see if they’re able to withstand that. Beyond that, us trying to break through and go and take wins is the name of the game. This series is what it is. We’re ready for the next game and ready to get back to it.”
Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on X and/or Bluesky
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons Game 3 mistakes vs Cavaliers have them seeing red
A former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver has officially left the Steel City brand of football for the NFC North.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, ex-Steelers wide receiver Scotty Miller was set to sign with the Chicago Bears.
Bears are signing free-agent wide receiver Scotty Miller, per Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey. pic.twitter.com/sZ4gDCVcXw
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 9, 2026
Miller, who previously played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2019-2022), the Atlanta Falcons (2023), and the Steelers (2024-2025), was brought in for a tryout during the Bears' rookie minicamp. He apparently made the right impression, as he's now set to earn a spot on the team's 90-man roster.
Through 93 career games, including nine starts, Miller caught 99 passes for 1,216 yards and six touchdowns.
The Bears may have added some terrifying speed in Miller, but the Steelers also completely overhauled their wide receiver room, trading for a 1,000-yard receiver and drafting another early in the 2026 NFL Draft.
For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Ex-Steelers WR Scotty Miller signs with Bears in free agency
Gideon Gash misses the lacrosse field, but he's enjoying his first season as a member of the Novi Detroit Catholic Central track and field team, where he's making an immediate impact.
Gash, a junior, switched from lacrosse to track to accommodate his schedule, which has quickly filled with recruiting trips that are a byproduct of being one of Michigan's top football players.
"It's tough," Gash said at the Catholic League Bishop Division championship meet on Saturday, May 9. "I love lacrosse. I love the sport, been playing it my whole life. But I would have to miss a ton of games. I'm traveling all the time for lacrosse because we are playing the best competition in the Midwest. Track gives me a lot more time to travel.
"So, that's really what it was for. Football and recruiting and camps."
RELATED: New U-D Jesuit relay team sets records in league meet
He traded in his All-State long stick on the lacrosse field for a pair of track spikes, and he has already put himself in the school's record book.
Gash set the school record in the long jump in his second time doing the event in high school – he previously did long jump in middle school – and set a new personal best on Saturday with a leap of 22 feet, 8 inches to take first place in the league meet.
"I try to help the team out as much as I can here and there," Gash said. "I fill in in the 100 and some relays. [Long jump] has transitioned into my main event.
Along with long jump, Gash ran in the 100-meter relay and the 100 with his brother Samson Gash, the defending state champion, who finished first with a time of 10.63 seconds. Gash finished just behind his brother, with a time of 10.82. It was the first time the brothers were in the same race as high schoolers.
"Seeing his progress, he's never ran track before because he's always been a lacrosse player," said Samson, a Michigan State football signee. "He had the courage to put [lacrosse] away and really focus on his speed. He's getting better every week."
Gash's natural talents are as apparent on the track as they are on the football field, where he earned first-team All-State honors in the fall. Gash was a lockdown cornerback for DCC, the Division 1 state champions with the state's best defense, and caught three deep touchdown passes in the 42-19 state title win over Detroit Cass Tech.
In the winter, Gash earned All-Catholic honors as a starting forward for the 17-7 Shamrocks basketball squad that reached regionals. Now, he's doing the same for the track team.
"He's an overall athlete," said Catholic Central track and field coach Tiberia Patterson. "That's the best way I can put it. The things he does, you can't teach that. It is God-given."
And he has had that impact while still refining his technique. Gash came in with a mindset of "just running" and has had to work on his running posture, his starts and his foot placement on the run-up for the long jump. Gash plans to enroll in college early, which means this season is his only chance for track.
"There are levels to track, I've realized," Gash said. "I'm just putting in that extra work to try to balance the table. I try to run after Samson after practice, but he's a different kind of speed."
The track schedule has allowed Gash to put the requisite focus on his football recruiting, which has picked up significantly as he enters his final summer of high school. Gash has been attending camps and setting up official visits as he whittles down his list. As of now, Michigan State, Michigan and LSU are at the top of his consideration.
He has leaned on his older brothers, who all have experience with the recruiting process, for advice. Samson and Caleb, both Spartans, are giving straightforward advice with some requests to join them in East Lansing.
"They always say, if it's not the right place for you, walk your own race," Gash said. "They are super-supportive. Obviously, they want me to come play with them but they are super supportive."
Nominate a high school athlete for the Detroit Free Press boys and girls athlete of the week.
Jared Ramsey covers high school sports for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jramsey@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Gideon Gash trades lacrosse for track, sets Novi DCC records
The Nebraska softball team defeated the UCLA Bruins 7-2 to win the Big Ten Tournament Championship. This is the Huskers' second Big Ten Tournament title and 11th conference tournament title overall.
Nebraska (46-6) extends its winning streak to 21 games, the longest active streak in the country. UCLA falls to 47-8.
The Huskers also won the Big Ten regular-season title, the first conference title since 2014 and the first outright title since joining the Big Ten. The 23 regular-season wins tied for the most in conference history.
Jordy Frahm earned the win in the pitcher's circle. The Big Ten Pitcher of the Year had a complete game with five hits, two runs, and eight strikeouts. Frahm was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.
Nebraska now waits to learn its path to a national championship. The 2026 NCAA Division I Softball Tournament selection show will be on ESPN2 on Sunday, May 10, starting at 6 p.m. CT.
Find some of social media's best reactions below.
Family. pic.twitter.com/3Fd4dkeTAu
— Nebraska Softball (@HuskerSoftball) May 9, 2026
THE HUSKERS ARE YOUR 2026 B1G TOURNEY CHAMPIONS 🏆‼️ @HuskerSoftballpic.twitter.com/tdSNpgzUlp
— Big Ten Softball (@B1Gsoftball) May 9, 2026
Dang pretty impressive for Nebraska Softball to go 46-6 and 23-1 in the conference with only 1 All big ten first team player 😂✌️ https://t.co/9oyqkPd1l2
— Rhuler of Husker Nation (@RHULEROFNEB) May 9, 2026
The Huskers have secured their 2️⃣nd @bigten Tournament Title in program history 🙌🏆 pic.twitter.com/IhdFqCwTvu
— Big Ten Softball (@B1Gsoftball) May 9, 2026
Nebraska sweeps the Big Ten. Huge year for the Cornhuskers. With that and the best Non-Conference the committee should put Nebraska as a Top 3 seed. Will they though? We will find out tomorrow. https://t.co/WbDcZPzCr3
— College Softball Coverage (@collegesbzone) May 9, 2026
Here’s the moment they just told over 6-thousand fans at Haymarket Park that Nebraska Softball won the Big Ten Title. Big applause for the #Huskers.🥎👏🏼
— Chase Matteson (@ChaseMatteson) May 9, 2026
(@1011_News) pic.twitter.com/T4aNjwSbBp
HUSKERS JUMP IN FRONT ‼️
— Hail Varsity (@HailVarsity) May 9, 2026
Hannah Camenzind clears the bases with a three-run triple to put Nebraska in front.
📺 @BigTenNetworkpic.twitter.com/8cfF6Cn5pL
BIG TIME. NEBRASKA SOFTBALL WINS THE BIG TEN REGULAR SEASON AND TOURNAMENT TITLES. 🌽🏆 pic.twitter.com/M9W5iRG2lj
— Blackshirts (@blvckshirts) May 9, 2026
🌽 CLINCHED 🌽
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) May 9, 2026
No. 2 @HuskerSoftball defeats No. 8 UCLA, 7-2, to win the @B1Gsoftball Tournament and secure the AQ for the #RoadToWCWS!#NCAASoftballpic.twitter.com/dD4E1oeEBd
First time in program history Nebraska Softball wins the Big Ten Regular Season and Tournament in the same season
— randysilvertv (@randysilvertv) May 9, 2026
I feel pretty confident saying they will be hosting a super regional this year! https://t.co/X8rsRAtJtn
The Nebraska Cornhuskers are your 2026 Big Ten Softball Tournament Champions! 🥎🏆
— Big Ten Softball (@B1Gsoftball) May 9, 2026
Grab the gear 🌽 https://t.co/vvkOaH2MGSpic.twitter.com/AezZR3TjfG
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Social media reacts to Nebraska softball defeating the UCLA Bruins
The Indiana Pacers will be participating in, perhaps, the most important NBA Draft lottery in franchise history. IndyStar's Pacers Insider, Dustin Dopirak, will be in the room as the picks are announced so comeback to indystar.com Sunday for behind the scenes information. Here's what you need about Sunday:
The Pacers have a 14% chance of getting the top pick. Indiana has never picked No. 1 overall in the draft.
The Pacers have a 52.1% chance of getting a top 4 pick.
Below are the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery probabilities for each team ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/SPuHiKew7n
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 8, 2026
The Los Angeles Clippers get the Pacers' pick. The Pacers traded a top 4 protected pick to the Clippers as part of the Ivica Zubac trade. Indiana can't pick lower than 6th so the Clippers get the pick if it ends up being 5th or 6th.
Only the top 4 picks are subject to the lottery. The broadcast will reveal the picks in inverse order. If any of the teams outside the top 4 isn't called, it means it moved up to the top 4, reducing the Pacers' odds for a spot. For instance, the Bulls have the ninth-best odds, which means if the most likely scenario plays out, they'll pick 9th. If a different team is revealed picking 9th, it means the Bulls have a top 4 pick.
Here is the inverse order of teams:
13. Miami Heat
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from the Clippers)
11. Golden State Warriors
10. Atlanta Hawks or Milwaukee Bucks (Milwaukee gets the lesser of this pick and No. 7; this one is from Milwaukee)
7. Atlanta Hawks or Milwaukee Bucks (Atlanta gets the better of this pick and No. 10; this one is from New Orleans)
4. Utah Jazz
2. Indiana Pacers
1.Washington Wizards
The Pacers can't pick lower than sixth so when the broadcast gets to the sixth pick, it's time to get nervous. Indiana could show up for either of those picks, meaning they lose the pick. But look at the bright side, the Pacers keep their 2031 pick in that scenario.
Pacers point guard T.J. McConnell will be at the lottery Sunday.
There's some level of consensus among draft experts about who the top four picks will be, but the order could end up being determined by how the lottery shakes out.
A.J. Dybantsa, a 6-9 wing who played his lone college season at BYU, seems to be the current frontrunner to the No. 1 pick. The 19-year-old from Boston led Division I in scoring with 25.5 points per game and was named a consensus first-team All-American, first-team All-Big 12 and the Big 12 Rookie of the Year. He struggled somewhat from 3-point range, making 33.1% of his shots from beyond the arc, but proved to be a capable scorer at all three levels.
Cameron Boozer appears to have the highest floor. The Duke big man doesn't have run-and-jump athleticism that matches Dybantsa's, but he was the most effective player in college basketball this season, earning national Player of the Year honors from every major service. Boozer led Duke to an ACC championship, a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and the Elite Eight before the Blue Devils lost in a dramatic, heartbreaking regional final to No. 2 seed Connecticut. Boozer, the son of 13-year NBA big man and two-time All-Star Carlos Boozer, averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists in his lone college season, showing remarkable physical and mental maturity. He's 6-9, 250 pounds with a powerful, sculpted frame though the won't turn 19 until July.
Kansas guard Darryn Peterson is one of the most controversial prospects in the draft. He arguably had the most momentum as a potential No. 1 overall pick when the season started but trouble with cramping led him to ask out of games. He appeared in just 24 of Kansas' 35 games during the season. He still averaged 20.2 points but his efficiency numbers (43.8% from the floor, 38.2% from 3-point range) weren't quite what he and talent evaluators had hoped. Still, he's a talented scoring 2 guard which would be the most direct fit for the Pacers' roster needs.
North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson seems likely to be picked fourth. He might not have all the tools to be a franchise player, but he plays with a lot of energy and athleticism which could make him valuable on both ends. The 6-10, 215-pounder made just 7 of 27 3-point attempts (25.9%) but he made 61% of his 2-pointers and averaged 19.8 points per game with an ability to play above the rim and also hit mid-range jumpers.
Dustin Dopirak covers the Pacers all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Pacers Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: NBA Draft Lottery: What Pacers fans should root for
The Indiana Pacers will be participating in, perhaps, the most important NBA Draft lottery in franchise history. IndyStar's Pacers Insider, Dustin Dopirak, will be in the room as the picks are announced so comeback to indystar.com Sunday for behind the scenes information. Here's what you need about Sunday:
The Pacers have a 14% chance of getting the top pick. Indiana has never picked No. 1 overall in the draft.
The Pacers have a 52.1% chance of getting a top 4 pick.
Below are the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery probabilities for each team ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/SPuHiKew7n
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 8, 2026
The Los Angeles Clippers get the Pacers' pick. The Pacers traded a top 4 protected pick to the Clippers as part of the Ivica Zubac trade. Indiana can't pick lower than 6th so the Clippers get the pick if it ends up being 5th or 6th.
Only the top 4 picks are subject to the lottery. The broadcast will reveal the picks in inverse order. If any of the teams outside the top 4 isn't called, it means it moved up to the top 4, reducing the Pacers' odds for a spot. For instance, the Bulls have the ninth-best odds, which means if the most likely scenario plays out, they'll pick 9th. If a different team is revealed picking 9th, it means the Bulls have a top 4 pick.
Here is the inverse order of teams:
13. Miami Heat
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from the Clippers)
11. Golden State Warriors
10. Atlanta Hawks or Milwaukee Bucks (Milwaukee gets the lesser of this pick and No. 7; this one is from Milwaukee)
7. Atlanta Hawks or Milwaukee Bucks (Atlanta gets the better of this pick and No. 10; this one is from New Orleans)
4. Utah Jazz
2. Indiana Pacers
1.Washington Wizards
The Pacers can't pick lower than sixth so when the broadcast gets to the sixth pick, it's time to get nervous. Indiana could show up for either of those picks, meaning they lose the pick. But look at the bright side, the Pacers keep their 2031 pick in that scenario.
Pacers point guard T.J. McConnell will be at the lottery Sunday.
There's some level of consensus among draft experts about who the top four picks will be, but the order could end up being determined by how the lottery shakes out.
A.J. Dybantsa, a 6-9 wing who played his lone college season at BYU, seems to be the current frontrunner to the No. 1 pick. The 19-year-old from Boston led Division I in scoring with 25.5 points per game and was named a consensus first-team All-American, first-team All-Big 12 and the Big 12 Rookie of the Year. He struggled somewhat from 3-point range, making 33.1% of his shots from beyond the arc, but proved to be a capable scorer at all three levels.
Cameron Boozer appears to have the highest floor. The Duke big man doesn't have run-and-jump athleticism that matches Dybantsa's, but he was the most effective player in college basketball this season, earning national Player of the Year honors from every major service. Boozer led Duke to an ACC championship, a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and the Elite Eight before the Blue Devils lost in a dramatic, heartbreaking regional final to No. 2 seed Connecticut. Boozer, the son of 13-year NBA big man and two-time All-Star Carlos Boozer, averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists in his lone college season, showing remarkable physical and mental maturity. He's 6-9, 250 pounds with a powerful, sculpted frame though the won't turn 19 until July.
Kansas guard Darryn Peterson is one of the most controversial prospects in the draft. He arguably had the most momentum as a potential No. 1 overall pick when the season started but trouble with cramping led him to ask out of games. He appeared in just 24 of Kansas' 35 games during the season. He still averaged 20.2 points but his efficiency numbers (43.8% from the floor, 38.2% from 3-point range) weren't quite what he and talent evaluators had hoped. Still, he's a talented scoring 2 guard which would be the most direct fit for the Pacers' roster needs.
North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson seems likely to be picked fourth. He might not have all the tools to be a franchise player, but he plays with a lot of energy and athleticism which could make him valuable on both ends. The 6-10, 215-pounder made just 7 of 27 3-point attempts (25.9%) but he made 61% of his 2-pointers and averaged 19.8 points per game with an ability to play above the rim and also hit mid-range jumpers.
Dustin Dopirak covers the Pacers all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Pacers Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: NBA Draft Lottery: What Pacers fans should root for
IRA — The Sundown softball team is used to getting every team's best shot. Such is the privilege of wearing last year's crown deep in the playoffs.
The Roughettes received a reminder Saturday of the shrinking margin for error as the postseason continues. Thanks to some championship mettle, Sundown made sure Haskell fell on the short end of those defining plays.
An out away from a deciding Game 3, Nayleen Morin drove a first pitch to deep right field to score two runs — including Destiny Garza from first — in the Roughettes' 3-2 win at the Ira ISD Sports Complex. The dramatic finish sealed a Region I-2A Division II semifinal sweep for Sundown, which took the opener 7-4 on Friday.
It was Morin's first hit of the series.
"I saw a girl who was struggling all day, kind of a little bit yesterday too, just trust in her abilities," Roughettes coach Meagan Gonzales said. "Trust in her teammates, understand the situation and go up there fearless. We talk about it all the time, if you can go through adversity fearless, you give yourself a shot, and that's exactly what they did today."
Earlier in the afternoon, it looked as if one swing would make all the difference for the Maidens. Haskell's Rebekah Cunningham launched a two-run homer to center field in the fifth to give her team a 2-1 edge. That score held until Morin's late heroics.
"We absolutely knew what we were getting into with Haskell," Gonzales said. "Playing them last year and just hearing about all the good things they've done this year — that's a great ball team on the other side of the field."
Breigh Gregory was solid in the circle awaiting Sundown's breakthrough. She allowed no earned runs on six hits with five strikeouts, no walks and on hit batter. It was the third week in a row Gregory picked up the Game 2 win after Destiny Garza won the opener.
Gregory held the Maidens scoreless after a bases-loaded, no-out situation in the first. She also stranded a pair of runners in the following frame before finding a groove.
"Breigh was getting in some trouble early and then finding ways out of it," Gonzales said. "… That's another young lady that gets up there and just goes to battle for her teammates and never stops."
The Roughettes (27-3) advance to face Big Lake Reagan County in the regional final. Gonzales said anything is possible for the team as long as it stays focused.
"We're getting close to where we want to go," Gonzales said. "We have goals that we want to see. It's so easy, with a big senior class, to get derailed by distractions and graduations coming up. So I think the mindset is what is different. If you can keep your mindset, we'll be OK."
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Sundown edges Haskell softball in 2A D-II regional semifinals sweep
Basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson passed along some magical advice to the graduating class at Stillman College during the school's May 9 commencement ceremony.
"You have this big opportunity in front of you. It's what you do with it that's important, no excuses," said Johnson, who built a Hall of Fame basketball career before building billion-dollar business empire. "You can become anything you want to become as long as you prepare, and you believe in yourself. You can go as far as you want to go."
Around 114 students became Stillman College graduates during the commencement ceremony, held at the campus’ Sheppard Lawn in Tuscaloosa.
During the ceremony, Stillman College gave Johnson an honorary doctor of business administration degree. Stillman also made Johnson an honorary member of the basketball team, presenting him with a framed jersey.
Stillman College President Yolanda Page praised Johnson "... for his commitment to education and Black generational excellence. He is a true representative of the type of merit Stillman has continued to instill in our communities for the last 150 years.”
More: Stillman College opens I Dream Big Charter School in Tuscaloosa
The private, historically Black college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA), founded in 1876, is marking its sesquicentennial this year.
"This morning, we are celebrating 150 years of excellence," Page said.
Stillman College previously described Johnson's appearance as a "special gift" for this year's graduating class.
“We’re proud of our graduates and excited to see what they make of the future,” Page said.
During his remarks, Johnson encouraged graduates to strive for excellence. He also emphasized the importance of hard work, resilience and professionalism.
Johnson encouraged students to over-deliver in their work, in any job regardless of the role.
"I'm driven by excellence. You got to be driven by excellence in doing your job right," Johnson told the crowd.
He also shared his journey from basketball to business, describing how he had to get out of his comfort zone in order to succeed in the business world.
"You have to sometimes be uncomfortable to get comfortable," Johnson said.
"I know what to do with that ball – but, I wanted to become a businessman, so I got uncomfortable," he said. "It made me uncomfortable because I didn't know business, so I had to study, (do) research, get mentors who are businesspeople to teach me so I can get comfortable with finally becoming a businessman."
His Magic Johnson Enterprises investment company is involved in life insurance, movie theaters, fast food franchises, real estate, healthcare and more. He also owns small stakes in several professional sports teams and has built a net worth estimated at more than $1 billion.
And through the Magic Johnson Foundation, Johnson has supported scholarships, expanded access to technology, and invested in community-based initiatives that advance educational opportunity in underserved communities nationwide.
Johnson also highlighted the importance of continuous learning, especially in the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence, and he added that being financially literate is a must in today's world.
Graduates must not let others limit their potential and he urged Stillman students to set long-term goals while aiming for significant career advancements.
"I want you to tell yourself, you're going to be here in three years. I want you to say, man, in three years I'm going to be the manager, or the general manager, or whatever that is in that company. I do everything in threes. My dreams are always three years out," he said.
At the end of his remarks, Johnson encouraged graduates to chase their dreams, give back to their communities and to remember their roots.
The 66-year-old Johnson burst onto the basketball scene in 1979, winning an NCAA championship with the Michigan State Spartans before turning pro.
Johnson spent his entire NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He won five NBA titles and was named to 12 All-Star teams. He also has three MVPs and was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary team.
He was also a member of the USA "Dream Team," which earned a gold medal in 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain.
Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@usatodayco.com. To support her work, please subscribe to The Tuscaloosa News.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Magic Johnson inspires Stillman College graduates
We call them the Nopedy Nopes, and we reveal a new batch each weekend at VikingsTerritory — takes and happenings from the Minnesota Vikings orbit that did work out, are too far-fetched for believability, or were flat-out wrong.
Three rumors. Three verdicts. One more offseason reality check.
This week tackles two false theories and one WR theory that won’t come to fruition.
It’s the Vikings Nopedy Nopes for May 10th, 2026.
The Nopedy Nope: The Vikings didn’t spend much in free agency, so they will probably be sold by ownership.
Pioneer Press‘ Charley Walter unloaded the idea last weekend, claiming, “It’s beginning to look as if Vikings ownership now could be mirroring Twins ownership, which has sought to sell its team. Figuring they were championship worthy, the Vikings a year ago spent more money on player payroll in the offseason ($350 million) than any of the NFL’s other 31 teams.”
“This offseason, the Vikings have spent just $226 million, second lowest in the league. It appears Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf have decided on a significant payroll slash this year. The Vikings won’t admit it, but this sure looks like a rebuilding year. This is the 21st year the Wilfs have owned the Vikings. Until this year, they have made a commendable attempt at winning the Lombardi Trophy.”
On the pursuit of a Super Bowl in 2026, it is unclear why Walters believes the Vikings have said “no thanks.” Minnesota featured a Top 3 defense last year and signed Kyler Murray two months ago.
Walters continued, “Meanwhile, the Twins’ Pohlad ownership isn’t unlike what Red McCombs did with the Vikings in 2005 before selling to the Wilfs. McCombs, who bought the Vikings for $246 million in 1998, cut player and coaching staff payroll to a bare minimum and waited until he got his price ($600 million) from the Wilfs.”
“If the Wilfs, who curiously still haven’t named a permanent general manager since firing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah last January, were to sell the Vikings today, they could get between $8 billion and $9 billion.”
The Verdict: Teams that spend big in free agency — like the Vikings from 2022 to 2024 — are forced to reset because the money runs out. Suggesting a sale of the team is on the way can be construed as the grandaddy of all “nopey nopes.” Credible Vikings sources have since smacked down the reporting. The franchise is not for sale.
The Nopedy Nope: Stefon Diggs is a WR option for Minnesota.
Days after the 2026 NFL Draft, Bleacher Report’s Joseph Zucker analyzed Diggs’s employment options in 2026, and the Vikings got the nod.
He wrote, “The Kansas City Chiefs are in a much different spot organizationally. They’re aiming to contend despite quarterback Patrick Mahomes recovering from a torn ACL. Like the Raiders, the Chiefs didn’t take a receiver until Day 3. Cincinnati’s Cyrus Allen went in the fifth round, so signing Diggs to a short-term contract makes sense for Kansas City.”
“Would one of Diggs’ old teams consider a reunion? Jordan Addison has yet to make a true breakthrough with the Minnesota Vikings. The team’s depth really falls off once you get past him and Justin Jefferson as well. The Vikings have one quarterback on a one-year contract (Kyler Murray) and another who may be heading into a make-or-break season (J.J. McCarthy). Bringing Diggs back to Minneapolis has some merit.”
Fast forward a week, and Minnesota added Jauan Jennings, not Diggs.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Diggs to Minnesota. The choice was Jennings instead.
The Nopedy Nope: The Vikings have one of the league’s worst quarterback rooms entering 2026.
Naming the Vikings’ quarterback situation the NFL’s eight-worst, CBS Sports‘ Garrett Podell wrote, “One would think the Minnesota Vikings’ signing of two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray would keep them off this list, but that’s not the case. Murray earned his Pro Bowl selections in 2020 and 2021. That’s a lifetime ago in NFL years. From 2022 to 2025, Murray missed 30 of his possible 68 games.”
“In the five games Murray played for the Cardinals in 2025, he averaged a career low 227.0 total yards per game. Recent first-round pick J.J. McCarthy was the worst quarterback in the NFL in 2025, which sparked the signing of Murray. McCarthy’s performance was simply incredible considering the offensive ecosystem under 2024 Coach of the Year Kevin O’Connell.”
Murray may not be in the elite tier of NFL quarterbacks, but eighth-worst is pretty bold.
He added, “Despite an electrifying supporting cast, McCarthy ranked dead last in the league in completion percentage (57.6%), touchdown-to-interception ratio (11-12), and passer rating (72.6). Murray could rediscover his early career form with Minnesota.”
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Murray as the league’s eighth-worst signal-caller. That doesn’t make sense.
Alabama softball may not have ended the SEC Tournament the way it had hoped, but the Crimson Tide has certainly made a statement to be a top seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The Crimson Tide (49-7) ended its tournament run with a 7-1 loss to Texas. Beforehand, Alabama earned a 9-1 run-rule win over Florida (48-10) in the semifinals and a 7-1 win over Arkansas (42-11) in the quarterfinals.
Now, the Crimson Tide looks to host its first regional of the NCAA Softball Tournament.
Here’s how to follow the NCAA Tournament selection show.
The NCAA Softball Tournament selection show will air at 6 p.m. CT Sunday, May 10.
BRISKI: Jocelyn Briski's battle through mother's cancer diagnosis and injury made her Alabama's ace
The 2026 NCAA Softball Tournament selection show will air on ESPN2.
SALEN HAWKINS: The dirt is salvation: Softball saves Alabama SS Salen Hawkins' life
Amelia Hurley covers high school and college sports for The Tuscaloosa News and USA TODAY Network. You can find her on X at ameliahurley_ or reach her at ahurley@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: 2026 NCAA Softball Tournament selection show: How to watch, stream
It's time to vote for The Tuscaloosa News Girls Athlete of the Week from May 2-8.
Last round's winner was Hubbertville softball pitcher Anna Sophia Walker, who won 80.68% of the vote (6,802) for striking out nine and allowing one hit and one run through 4⅔ innings in relief in a 13-5 win against Marion County.
Nominees for Athlete of the Week come from our top performers list the week before. Any sport in the Tuscaloosa area can nominate for the top performers list and, in turn, our Athlete of the Week. Coaches and team stat keepers can send in stats to nominate players to sports@tuscaloosanews.com by 10:30 p.m. the night of their game.
Here are our nominees for our Girls Athlete of the Week. Voting will last until noon Thursday, May 14.
TOP PERFORMERS: Northridge's Jennings Hinz leads top performers with state championship
Robin Frijns says BMW "had to win" the Spa World Endurance Championship race after an unusual strategic choice handed the German manufacturer a big opportunity.
At Spa-Francorchamps, BMW opted for a very different strategy compared to the other Hypercar teams. The #20 M Hybrid V8 of Rene Rast, Sheldon van der Linde and Frijns took on significantly less fuel during its first pitstop, allowing for a shorter stop and enabling the car to move into the lead.
Once in clean air, the BMW proved extremely strong. Lap after lap, Rast and Van der Linde increased the gap to the rest of the field, leaving Frijns with the task of bringing the BMW home for victory.
That still proved challenging thanks to a chaotic final two hours featuring incidents and safety cars. But partly thanks to Kevin Magnussen's defensive driving in the sister car, the #20 BMW managed to secure the win - the first for the German manufacturer in the Hypercar class.
In an interview with Motorsport.com, Frijns mainly spoke of “relief” after finally securing BMW’s maiden win in its 18th race in the WEC’s top category.
“It feels really good,” said Frijns. “It was obviously stressful, because we saw, especially once Sheldon got in the car, that the car worked really well in clean air. He was putting in fast laps lap after lap. That’s when we knew this was the race we had to win - or could win.
“So, we absolutely couldn’t make any mistakes. Then you naturally start paying attention to a lot of small details, especially because it’s the first time. Once you’ve won four or five races, it becomes more routine. But there was definitely some pressure on us and on the team. We’ve been here for three years and we hadn’t won a race yet, but now we’ve finally changed that.”
BMW’s strong race pace, which ultimately delivered a 1-2, came as a surprise after qualifying. The manufacturer started from 10th and 11th on the grid, with the #15 ahead of the #20, but both cars managed to fight their way to the front.
According to Frijns, the major improvement compared to qualifying was mainly the result of BMW’s hard work on the updated LMDh package, with a particular focus on race performance.
“Last year, we usually had pretty strong qualifying pace and we were up at the front,” Frijns explained. “But in the races we always dropped off a bit. We really focused on making sure we had a good race car. It’s nice if you’re on pole, but if you can’t race properly, it doesn’t mean much.
“We gave up a little bit in qualifying. You could already see that at Imola, but especially here at Spa. After qualifying, you start thinking a little bit: ‘it’s not working’ or ‘the pace isn’t there’. But in the race we saw that it actually was working. We need to sit down in the meeting and understand why it worked so well this time.”
Frijns stressed that BMW had “always” believed there was “potential” at Spa.
“One hundred percent,” added the 34-year-old Dutchman. “Especially with the new package we have. But we haven’t always been able to unlock that potential - that’s something we’re still trying to figure out. Today, we managed to maximise it completely.”
The goal behind BMW’s alternative strategy was clear: spend as much time as possible in clean air in order to build a gap to the competition.
“It was basically a gamble. It was obviously a risky strategy,” Frijns admitted. “If the safety car had come out at the wrong moment, we would have dropped to the back - we knew that.
“But if you’re running in ninth or tenth place, like we were at the start with Rene, and you do nothing, then you’ll just finish ninth. We simply wanted to try something different and especially the people behind the scenes, together with my old engineer Adam, took responsibility for that call. Credit to Adam.”
During the final stints, Frijns still had to withstand pressure from, among others, the #50 Ferrari, the #7 Toyota and the #007 Aston Martin. The fact that the #15 BMW was running second and could therefore act as a buffer proved to be a small advantage in that battle. Magnussen ensured that none of the rivals could get close to Frijns.
“You build a gap, especially after the first safety car. I had something like 13 or 15 seconds of an advantage,” Frijns pointed out. “You build that margin to feel comfortable and then the safety car comes out again and the whole gap disappears. Then you have to start all over again.
“I thought: I need to create a gap in those first three laps so I can feel comfortable. And I managed to do that. You know traffic is coming. If you then have one bad moment and someone is within one-and-a-half seconds behind you, then you’re in trouble. That’s why I wanted to build a gap and feel a bit more comfortable.”
Thanks to the victory, the #20 BMW now also leads the manufacturers’ championship, while Frijns, Rast and van der Linde sit on top of the drivers’ standings.
Read Also:
WEC Spa: BMW scores maiden Hypercar win in chaotic finish
To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.
The Green Bay Packers must figure out what is going on behind Josh Jacobs on the depth chart at running back.
As of now, it seems like the team is content to consider MarShawn Lloyd the answer. If you're looking at Lloyd's draft slot only, that may make sense. The Packers selected Lloyd out of USC with the 88th pick (Round 3) of the 2024 NFL Draft.
At the very least, he should be a backup, right?
The issue with Lloyd is that he's incredibly injury-prone. When he's healthy, he's shown off flashy talent and athleticism, but he's played in just one regular-season game over two seasons in the NFL.
He could absolutely be an X-factor for the Packers, but trusting in him to remain healthy for a whole season would be unwise until he can prove that he's actually able to do it.
That makes Green Bay's position at quarterback a bit perilous heading into 2026, because Jacobs, for as good as he is, can also be injury-prone.
The Packers need an RB2 they can trust to carry the load if they asked him to. Emanuel Wilson appeared to be that player, but they let him walk in free agency.
Could their answer to this question be answered in free agency as well, though? The post-draft market does have some "bargain bin" options available at this juncture.
One who is being predicted to end up with the Packers is former first-round draft pick Najee Harris.
That prediction comes from Jacob Infante of PFSN.
He believes the Packers will pick up Harris in free agency. This, even though the 28-year-old played in just three games last season for the Los Angeles Chargers due to injury.
"He shouldn’t be expected to take on the workload he did in Pittsburgh earlier in his career, but he should still be effective for depth as a power back," wrote Infante regarding Harris' potential role with the Packers.
Harris suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Week 3 of the 2025 season, so that's a major red flag considering the aforementioned injury concerns with Jacobs and Lloyd for the Packers.
With that said, he did play in and start in all 17 games in each of his four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, so it's not like he has a long injury history. In fact, he has a history of being a bruising back who put up 1,000-plus yards in each of his first four seasons in the NFL.
Yes, the 2025 season was a disappointment, but everything else we've seen from Harris in his NFL career suggests that he, at the very least, would be a more than solid backup running back.
In four seasons in Pittsburgh, Harris rushed 1,097 times for 4,312 yards and 28 touchdowns. He also caught 180 passes for 1,149 yards and six receiving touchdowns, so he undoubtedly brings a "dual threat" nature to his game as well.
The Packers could also get him on the cheap because he's coming off that devastating torn Achilles.
They have to believe he can actually make a comeback, of course, but there is no better backup running back option available if they do indeed make that determination.
Where to watch West Ham vs. Arsenal live stream, TV channel, start time for Premier League match originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Arsenal face London neighbours West Ham United on Sunday in a game that carries huge importance at both ends of the Premier League table.
The Gunners reached the final of the Champions League this week for the first time in 20 years, but now their attention turns back to the domestic title chase.
Manchester City's hard-fought win over Brentford on Saturday means the gap at the top is back down to two points, so Mikel Arteta's team will be eager to avoid a slip-up that could allow City some hope.
West Ham, meanwhile, are in the drop zone and need a win to overtake Tottenham Hotspur ahead of their game with Leeds United on Monday.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the weekly schedule.
Here's how to watch this Premier League match in the U.S.:
TV channel: USA Network
Live stream: DIRECTV
This game is available via USA Network and can be streamed on DIRECTV.
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This Premier League clash takes place at the London Stadium in London, UK and kicks off on Sunday, May 10 at 4:30 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across the U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Sun, May 10 | 11:30 a.m. |
| Central Time | Sun, May 10 | 10:30 a.m. |
| Mountain Time | Sun, May 10 | 9:30 a.m. |
| Pacific Time | Sun, May 10 | 8:30 a.m. |
Sunday, May 10
Monday, May 11
Most No. 1 picks in NBA history: How Wizards can set record with 2026 draft lottery win originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Given its randomized nature, the NBA Draft lottery has historically worked out for some franchises better than others.
Some teams have benefitted at the perfect time, landing the No. 1 pick right when they need it — such as the San Antonio Spurs landing the right to select Victor Wembanyama in 2023. But even before the lottery was implemented, teams could utilize a No. 1 pick to bring in a potential superstar, the kind of player who can single-handedly elevate a franchise.
The NBA Draft has been held in every year since 1947, with the first lottery held in 1985. Over the years, a few franchises have held the No. 1 pick more than others — and should the Washington Wizards earn the 2026 top selection, they'll make history in that regard.
Here's a look at which teams have held the No. 1 overall pick the most across NBA history.
MORE:How the NBA's new potential tanking rules would've impacted past drafts
As things stand heading into the 2026 NBA Draft lottery, there are two franchises tied for the most controlled No. 1 picks ever: the Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards.
However, the history of the two teams is a bit different. Four of Washington's six No. 1 picks all-time came in the 1950s and 1960s, while Cleveland has earned the top pick four times since 2000.
There are also six teams that have never had a No. 1 pick: the Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies.
Because the Cavaliers are not in the draft lottery in 2026, the Wizards will have the opportunity to break their all-time tie for No. 1 picks with Cleveland. Washington is set to enter the lottery tied for the best odds at 14% after owning the NBA's worst record in 2025-26, totaling just 17 wins.
Here's a look at the No. 1 picks that the Wizards have had:
| Year | No. 1 Pick |
| 1951 | Gene Melchiorre (pick made as Baltimore Bullets) |
| 1954 | Frank Selvy (pick made as Baltimore Bullets) |
| 1961 | Walt Bellamy (pick made as Chicago Packers) |
| 1962 | Bill McGill (pick made as Chicago Zephyrs) |
| 2001 | Kwame Brown |
| 2010 | John Wall |
And a look at the No. 1 picks made by the Cavaliers:
| Year | No. 1 Pick |
| 1971 | Austin Carr |
| 1986 | Brad Daugherty |
| 2003 | LeBron James |
| 2011 | Kyrie Irving |
| 2013 | Anthony Bennett |
| 2014 | Andrew Wiggins (then traded to Minnesota) |
MORE: The 12 craziest NBA Draft Lottery conspiracy theories
Only the Wizards and Cavaliers have made six No. 1 picks, while another two teams, the Kings and Rockets, have had the top selection on five occasions.
Since the lottery began in 1985, the Magic and Cavaliers are tied for the most times winning the No. 1 pick, each winning the lottery four times.
Here's a look at the teams with the most No. 1 picks made in NBA history:
| Total No. 1 Picks | Team | Players Taken |
| 6 | Wizards | Gene Melchiorre (1951), Frank Selvy (1954), Walt Bellamy (1961), Bill McGill (1962), Kwame Brown (2001), John Wall (2010) |
| 6 | Cavaliers | Austin Carr (1971), Brad Daugherty (1986), LeBron James (2003), Kyrie Irving (2011), Anthony Bennett (2013), Andrew Wiggins (2014) |
| 5 | Rockets | Elvin Hayes (1968), John Lucas (1976), Ralph Sampson (1983), Hakeem Olajuwon (1984), Yao Ming (2002) |
| 5 | Kings | Si Green (1956), Hot Rod Hundley (1957), Bob Boozer (1959), Oscar Robertson (1960), Pervis Ellison (1989) |
| 4 | Hawks | Mark Workman (1952), Dick Ricketts (1955), David Thompson (1975), Zaccharie Risacher (2024) |
| 4 | Warriors | Ernie Beck (1953), Fred Hetzel (1965), Joe Barry Carroll (1980), Joe Smith (1995) |
| 4 | Bucks | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1969), Kent Benson (1977), Glenn Robinson (1994), Andrew Bogut (2005) |
| 4 | Knicks | Art Heyman (1963), Jim Barnes (1964), Cazzie Russell (1966), Patrick Ewing (1985) |
| 4 | Magic | Shaquille O'Neal (1992), Chris Webber (1993), Dwight Howard (2004), Paolo Banchero (2022) |
| 4 | 76ers | Doug Collins (1973), Allen Iverson (1996), Ben Simmons (2016), Markelle Fultz (2017) |
| 4 | Trail Blazers | LaRue Martin (1972), Bill Walton (1974), Mychal Thompson (1978), Greg Oden (2007) |
Sorry Tampa, ‘mixed use’ doesn’t reverse the poor economics of sports venues | Column, April 26
The guest columnist’s points are well researched, valid and compelling. Yet somehow, they miss the point.
The decision of whether or not to contribute public funds to a sports stadium is not an algebraic equation. Focusing only on the dollars misses much of the significance of the decision.
The value of a major sports franchise to a metropolitan area cannot easily be quantified. Show me the city that has lost a major sports franchise and, years later, thinks it has been a civic benefit, and I’m all ears.
No other form of business carries the civic clout of a professional sports franchise among the four major team sports in America. Even within this relatively small group, I submit that Major League Baseball reigns supreme. Sure, the NFL is the most popular and valuable. But if you examine the cities that host any of the four major professional sports, baseball emerges as clearly the most elite.
Steve Allison, Tampa
High school seniors weigh in on AI’s future | April 4
High schooler Rohan Morgan has stated the most articulate piece that I have read on AI. He was specific in stating the pros and cons of using this tool. It is a tool to be used carefully. I appreciate this young man’s perspective. I think he has a bright future ahead. Thank you, Tampa Bay Times, for highlighting and rewarding these students.
Rita Nelson, Hudson
Africa’s cellphone towers are turning to solar as diesel costs surge due to Iran war | May 3
If African nations can run cellular towers on solar, why can’t we do the same here? Surely less reliance on the electric grid would ensure more reliable coverage in times of weather incidents, to say nothing of reducing risk in terms of cyberattacks against the grid.
Willi Rudowsky, St. Petersburg
Florida finally frees churches to start schools without burdensome rules | Column, May 1
Pastor Joshua C. Robertson makes an impassioned plea for using tax money to fund religious education. I’d like to point out that he and his denomination are free to open any school they want, but they are not free to use my tax money to pay for it. Use your own money, like the rest of us.
Jim Barrens, St. Petersburg
Florida House rejects added school vaccine exemptions, AI rules | April 29
As a parent of three fully vaccinated boys, now grown men, I remain deeply grateful for preventive healthcare that supported their healthy growth and development. Today, each contributes meaningfully to society: one is an engineer, one a photojournalist, and one serves as a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. Their outcomes reflect not only individual effort but also the foundational protection offered by immunization.
Vaccine‑preventable diseases can significantly impair childhood growth through decreased food intake during illness, reduced nutrient absorption, direct nutrient losses, and increased metabolic demands as the body diverts energy from growth to fighting infection. For example, rotavirus causes severe dehydrating diarrhea, and recurrent infections are associated with delayed nutritional recovery. Serious infections such as bacterial meningitis and encephalitis may lead to seizures, hearing loss, and an increased risk of an IQ below 70.
The benefits of vaccination extend beyond physical health. In India, fully vaccinated children scored 4 to 6 percentage points higher in reading, writing, and mathematics than unvaccinated peers, representing relative gains of 6% to 12%. The American Academy of Pediatrics underscores that school immunization requirements help create safe learning environments that support attendance and social development. Ultimately, vaccination promotes long‑term educational attainment, productivity and economic stability while preventing the financial devastation associated with Vaccine‑preventable diseases.
Frances L Gilliland, DNP, CPNP-AC/PC, Tarpon Springs
U.S. destroys 7 Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz | May 5
In a March 22 appearance on Fox News, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., compared taking Kharg Island in Iran to the Battle of Iwo Jima, saying, “We did Iwo Jima, we can do this — my money is always on the Marines.”
What he failed to mention is the true cost of Iwo Jima: 6,821 American service members killed and more than 19,000 wounded. That’s not just history — it’s a reminder of the human price of war. Those numbers represent real people, real families, and lives forever changed.
It’s easy for politicians to invoke past victories, but far harder to acknowledge the sacrifices behind them. Many Americans — especially young families — may be the ones who ultimately bear the burden if history repeats itself in another prolonged conflict, as it did during the Vietnam War.
President Donald Trump entered this situation without a clear plan and still lacks a defined path forward. Statements like Graham’s strike some as detached from the reality faced by those who serve.
As voters head to the polls this fall, it’s worth reflecting on what leadership, accountability, and care for American families truly mean — and choosing representatives who align with those values.
Joseph Lipa, Seminole
As Tampa enters another election cycle, the debate over growth is no longer just about zoning maps or development incentives. It’s about whether residents’ lived experience is given equal weight in shaping the city’s future. For decades, development interests and the political networks around them have driven much of Tampa’s expansion. That momentum has brought investment, but it has also pushed our infrastructure to its limits.
As a Tampa resident since 1975 and a long-time neighborhood and infrastructure advocate, I’ve watched the same concerns surface year after year: sidewalks that disappear mid-block, traffic that overwhelms neighborhood streets, parking pressures in older communities, and stormwater systems that fail during routine rainstorms. These issues are not abstract; they affect safety, mobility, and quality of life across South Tampa, Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights, Hyde Park, Davis Islands, West Tampa, and Beach Park.
In my work as a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator, I’ve learned that durable solutions come from balancing competing interests, not ignoring one side of the table. Tampa needs that same balance now. As major candidates present their visions, voters deserve clarity on how each intends to align growth with the lived realities of our neighborhoods.
Tom Feaster, Tampa
• • •
Submit letters at www.tampabay.com/opinion/submit-letter/. Letters are edited for clarity and length.
Everton got handed a lifeline yesterday with Manchester City beating Brentford, which means they can draw level with the Bees with a win away at Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon. Chelsea sit in ninth with 49 points and the Toffees are in tenth with 48 points.
Crystal Palace meanwhile are through to the final of UEFA’s Europa Conference League and are likely to field a weakened side against the Blues at Selhurst Park today.
Competition: Premier League Matchweek 36
Date and start time: Sunday, May 10th at 6:00 a.m. PT / 9:00 a.m ET / 2:00 p.m. BST
Stadium: Selhurst Park, London, England, United Kingdom
Capacity: 25,486
Weather: 57°F/14°C, light rain, 20% chance of precipitation, 13 mph winds
TV: Peacock – United States; Sky Go UK, NOW, SKY GO Extra, Sky Ultra HD, Sky Sports F1 – United Kingdom; Fubo– Canada, beIN Sports HD 4, SuperSport GOTv Football
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Gamethread: There will be a live blog for this game, with our coverage continuing after the final whistle with the match recap and reaction.
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Information from LiveSoccerTV.com
The two sides had met at Hill Dickinson Stadium earlier in the season with the Blues prevailing 2-1 thanks to a penalty from Iliman Ndiaye and a Jack Grealish winner.
MLB.com | Mark Bowman: Just days after long-time Yankees radio broadcaster John Sterling passed away at the age of 87, the baseball world lost another legend with the passing of Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox. Cox was the long-time manager of the Braves across two separate stints, leading the franchise to 14 straight division titles, five National League pennants, and the 1995 World Series title. Cox memorably also holds the record for the most ejections as a manager at 162, 75 ahead of Aaron Boone.
Cox played in the minor league systems of the Dodgers and Braves before being traded to the Yankees in 1967 for Bob Tillman and Dale Roberts. He played for the Bombers in 1968 and 1969, even sharing the field with Mickey Mantle, and appeared in 220 games — mostly at third — batting .225 with nine home runs, 58 RBI, and an 87 wRC+. He managed in the Yankees’ minor league system from 1971 to 1976 and was Billy Martin’s first base coach for the 1977 World Series title. He went on to manage 25 seasons for the Braves sandwiched around a four-year stint at the helm of the Blue Jays, and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014 by the Expansion Era Committee. Our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones.
New York Post | Mark W. Sanchez: The turnaround in Ryan McMahon’s fortunes at the plate began with three words to Aaron Judge: “Cap, watcha got?” The pair then studied video of McMahon’s swings together, Judge pointing out how McMahon was shifting weight from his back hip to his front heel too early. The two of them along with Paul Goldschmidt and a couple of the Yankees’ hitting coaches went into the batting cage where McMahon worked on keeping his weight back for an extra tick which allowed him to see the ball for longer. The result: going from a .167 average and 52 wRC+ through the end of April to batting .375 with a 192 wRC+ in May.
CBS Sports: The Yankees have announced that Gerrit Cole will make his fifth rehab with Double-A Somerset on Sunday. It’s been a long road back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in March 2025, and Cole has looked rusty in his four rehab appearances so far, pitching to a 6.27 ERA with 14 strikeouts, one walk, and six home runs allowed in 18.2 innings. The team is unsure whether he will require two or three more rehab starts before joining the big league club, putting him right in line with the original timetable of a late-May or early-June return.
MLB.com | Casey Drottar: There was a scary moment in the first inning of the Yankees’ 4-3 extra-innings loss to the Brewers on Saturday when Cam Schlittler got drilled in the back of the left calf with a 109-mph line drive off the bat of William Contreras. Schlittler looked to be in visible discomfort, and worryingly threw all of his warmup pitches high when Aaron Boone and the trainer came out to check on him. However, he brushed off the pain to finish the day with six scoreless innings allowing two hits and no walks against six strikeouts.
All set for El Clásico – FC Barcelona
Hansi Flick holds the final training session before Sunday’s big game against Real Madrid.
Hansi Flick ready for ‘the final step’ – FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona head into Sunday’s Clásico knowing that victory would secure once and for all the La Liga title. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Hansi Flick praised the work done throughout the season and stressed the importance of staying true to the team’s identity in a match of this magnitude.
Bernal: ‘It will be a day to remember’ – FC Barcelona
He was clear and in no doubt. Marc Bernal had this message ahead of the Clásico on Sunday at Spotify Camp Nou, “I would say to the fans that they should trust us, that we should all stick together because it will be very special and a day to remember”. It won’t be easy, but this homegrown Blaugrana is confident and “can’t wait for the match”.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick praises ‘special atmosphere’ at club ahead of El Clásico – ESPN
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick celebrated the “special atmosphere” at the club going into Sunday’s Clásico against a Real Madrid side whose preparation for the game has been overshadowed by in-fighting.
Barcelona will receive the trophy on Sunday if they win La Liga – Mundo Deportivo
Spanish Federation president Rafael Louzán will be at the Spotify Camp Nou and will present the trophy at the end of the match if the home team clinches the title.
Newcastle United travel to the City Ground on May 10 for their Premier League MD 36 fixture against Nottingham Forest.
Eddie Howe’s side enters the match following a 3-1 home win over Brighton & Hove Albion, ending a four-game league losing run and a five-game losing skid across all competitions.
Newcastle sit three points and three positions above Nott Forest in the table and only need one point from their remaining fixtures to secure Premier League survival, which was pretty much confirmed with last weekend’s victory.
Before beating Brighton, however, Newcastle was still looking for answers, having lost a ton of matches and facing serious trouble of getting into an unlikely, but still there, relegation battle. Not anymore, one could say, let alone with Tottenham and West Ham not looking very dangerous.
Defensive absences will remain an issue for the Magpies, with Tino Livramento and Fabian Schar both done for the season. Lewis Miley will also miss all remaining matches after suffering a fractured fibula mid-week.
On the positive side, Kieran Trippier is expected to feature in the remaining matches as he completes his farewell tour ahead of his summer departure. Anthony Gordon could very well be doing the same, as he’s bound for Munich in July and has returned to the squad after injury, while Harvey Barnes is pushing for a starting role after scoring against Brighton. Howe’s new favorite son, Will Osula, should be expected to lead the frontline.
Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, arrive into the match following a Europa League semi-final exit at the hands of Aston Villa, but it must be said they have recorded three consecutive Premier League wins.
Nott Forest are unbeaten in their last seven league matches and sit five points above the relegation zone, not safe but not quite there. Forest could confirm survival with a win depending on other results, although they have several injury concerns, including Willy Boly, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Nicolo Savona.
Here are some of Howe’s Wisdom Nuggets, courtesy of NUFC.co.uk
On Miley’s injury…
“It was a really innocuous moment, training on Tuesday. There was no other player involved. He was unable to continue and it was a little more serious than we thought.
“The surgery went well, he now faces a few months out, we hope he will be back in and around pre-season. It is a shame as he was playing well, outstanding in recent weeks and we really missed him.
“A real blow for us but also for Lewi It’s been a huge frustration for him.”
On Livramento’s progress…
“Tino is doing well. He is improving, back running on the grass, but I don’t think he will be back this season.
“We could maybe push him for the Fulham game but that would feel silly. We will let him recover and get a good summer behind him.”
On Schär…
“We’re not 100% sure. His situation was slightly unique. He was very close to returning to full fitness and got an infection.
“He’s building up his strength and resilience again. He’s looking a lot more positive in his body at the moment.
“Whether or not he’s going to be fit enough to take to the pitch again between now and the end of the season, let’s wait and see.”
On Nick Woltemade, who scored in October’s reverse fixture against Nottingham Forest…
“Nick’s fine. There’ll be a sense of disappointment because everyone wants to play.
“Nick’s been training well. Since we’ve returned to team training, I think it’s been good for him and a lot of the other new players. It’s really helped them have a greater understanding of what we want them to do.
“I’m very impressed by all of their attitudes. He’s committed, we really value him and want him to do well.”
On Nottingham Forest, who were knocked out of the Europa League semi-finals last night…
“They have done very well; they have a strong squad of players and have responded to the challenges of domestic and European football well.
“They have built some good momentum to their game. We know it will be a tough game, always difficult going to the City Ground. We are going to have to be at our best.”
On Will Osula, who has scored four goals in his last six Premier League appearances…
“He’s got really rich potential. He’s outstandingly quick, powerful and scores goals with both feet so he’s got a array of different scoring techniques that he can use.
“He’s willing to learn and improve. I love that about him. From day one here, he’s put a lot of work in his game and is very committed to that process.
“He’s, generally, got a really good attitude to football. He enjoys the game, wants to play and is a very positive guy. It’s great to see him doing well and I’ve seen how hard he’s had to work to get that success.
“Now he’s in the team and doing well, he’s got to make sure he sticks to those processes that have worked for him.”
Howay!
For all your watching needs, check LiveSoccerTV.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has urged West Ham to pull off an upset in their Premier League meeting with Arsenal on Sunday evening.
City cut Arsenal‘s lead at the top of the Premier League table to two points with a commanding 3-0 win over Brentford at the City in the Community Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening, keeping their slim title hopes alive heading into the final weeks of the season.
Arsenal’s trip to the London Stadium on Sunday now takes on enormous significance, a result that could either effectively end the title race with two games to spare for the Gunners – or set up a dramatic finale to the campaign.
Five Things Learned: Manchester City 3-0 Brentford (Premier League)
Speaking in a press conference after Saturday’s win over Brentford, Guardiola was asked about West Ham‘s meeting with Arsenal on Sunday. His answer amounted to three words.
“Come on you Irons,” Guardiola said.
It is the kind of moment that encapsulates everything about this title race, a manager who spent his pre-Brentford press conference insisting he would not be cheering on anyone other than his own team, now openly declaring his colours the moment City have done their part this weekend.
Earlier this week, Guardiola had joked about the suggestion he might wear a West Ham shirt ahead of Sunday’s game. By Saturday evening, the laughter had given way to something altogether more earnest.
On whether he is enjoying the title race, Guardiola added: “I love it! I love to be here again. We’ll finish second this season minimum, I love it, I love to be here.
“I didn’t enjoy last season in the moment we were fighting to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, it was so difficult. I love it; Carabao Cup in our pocket, we’ll play the FA Cup final in Wembley – the most beautiful game of the season – and I like it, I love it.
Jeremy Doku issues battle cry ahead of Man City’s Premier League season finale
“Tension? No, no, no. When you arrive and have the feeling that the job has been good, well done! When you arrive there, fighting against Arsenal, being there all the time, after the many changes that happened, the spirit of the team, how they help each other. It’s a joy to work with them. And how they fight, how the experienced players help, it’s really good!”
Having dropped two crucial points against Everton earlier this week, City returned to winning ways against Brentford courtesy of second-half strikes from Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush.
Should Arsenal drop points at the London Stadium on Sunday, City will have the chance of going top of the Premier League by beating Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.
For now, Guardiola and his players can only wait. They have played their part. The next move belongs to West Ham.
Smartphone titans like Samsung have made efforts to ensure that the DRAM crisis doesn’t adversely affect their ‘day to day’ operations, but these attempts were futile as the Korean giant has been forced to introduce a price hike to the Galaxy S26 series. However, the company is working to ensure that it minimizes additional component cost bumps by moving to a dual-sourcing strategy. Since displays are among the more expensive parts of a smartphone, the base Galaxy S27 could feature panels from Samsung and another manufacturer, but this could lead to quality disparities in the future. Chinese suppliers could become a […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/galaxy-seeking-inferior-display-supplier-to-keep-galaxy-s27-component-costs-down/
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Spain’s Stunning 794 Blue Flag Takeover Delivers Jaw-Dropping Beaches and Superyacht Marinas for 2026 Bliss!Spain boasts a record 794 Blue...
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Orlando Shatters Its Own Tourism Record with Over Seventy Million Visitors in Florida, USA: Everything You Need to KnowOrlando welcomed...
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Heavyweight icon has cast his verdict on the skills of . Benn suffered a first professional defeat when he came up short against fierce rival Chris Eubank Jr in the middleweight division, but he was able to even the scores in their rematch, before announcing a return to welterweight – which he believes to be […]
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Konyaspor maçının yıldızı Fred, yeni sezonla ilgili açıklamalarda bulunmuştu. Ancak başkanlık seçimi sonrasında sambacıyla yolların ayrılması bekleniyor.
Fenerbahçe, Konyaspor'u deplasmanda 3-0 mağlup ederken Fred duble yapmıştı. Brezilyalı futbolcu, karşılaşmanın ardından, "İyi bir maç çıkardığımızı düşünüyorum. İki gol attığım için de mutluyum. Bugün göstermiş oldukları mücadeleden dolayı arkadaşlarımı tebrik ediyorum. Bizim yapmamız gereken diğer maçları unutup sadece işimize odaklanmaktı. Bugün de bunu yaptık. Artık yapmamız gereken şey sezonu en iyi şekilde kapatıp, yeni sezonda açılışı en iyi şekilde yapmak" ifadelerini kullanmıştı.
UZATMA OPSİYONU VAR
33 yaşındaki futbolcunun, Fenerbahçe'yle mukavelesi önümüzdeki sezonun ardından bitecek. Fakat kontratta +1 yıllık uzatma opsiyonu bulunuyor (çift taraflı). Sarı-Lacivertliler'de şu anda en önemli gündem maddesi; başkanlık seçimi... Sonrasında yeni teknik adam ve transfer listesi de netlik kazanacak.
DAHA GENÇ BİR İSİM
Alınan bilgilere göre; kim seçilirse seçilsin büyük ihtimalle Fred yaz dööneminde satılacak. Sambacıyla, ülkesi Brezilya'dan bazı takımların ilgilendiği biliniyor. 33 yaşındaki futbolcunun yerine daha genç bir ismin gelmesi bekleniyor. Fred, 2023 yazında Manchester United'dan transfer edilmişti. O dönemde 9.74 milyon euro bonservis bedeli ödendi.
Beşiktaş'ın bu sezonki en flaş transfer hamlesi hiç şüphesiz Orkun Kökçü'ydü... Milli futbolcu, sezonun ikinci yarısında skor anlamında harekete geçti. Ancak genel derbi performansları, kafa karıştırıcıydı.
Beşiktaş'ın yıldızı Orkun Kökçü'nün bu sezonki derbi karnesi şöyle gerçekleşti:
Galatasaray 1-1: Skor katkısı yok
Fenerbahçe 2-3: Skor katkısı yok, kırmızı kart gördü
Trabzonspor 3-3: Skor katkısı yok
Galatasaray 0-1: Skor katkısı yok
Fenerbahçe 0-1: Skor katkısı yok
Trabzonspor 1-2: 1 penaltı golü
Toplam: 6 derbi, 1 penaltı golü, 0 asist, 1 kırmızı kart
30 MİLYON DEVREYE GİRECEK
Beşiktaş, milli yıldızı bu sezon başında Benfica'dan kiralamıştı. Orkun'un 30 milyon euroluk satın alma maddesi, 1 Temmuz 2026 tarihinde devreye girecek. 25 yaşındaki futbolcu, 30 Haziran 2030 tarihine kadar Beşiktaş'ın oyuncusu... Bu sezon 29 lig maçına çıktı. Sahada 2.395 dakika kaldı.
8 GOL-9 ASİST
Orkun, Kartal adına 8 gol ve 9 asist üretti. Oynadığı bölge de düşünüldüğünde bu rakamlar oldukça iyi... Fakat derbilerdeki performansı ciddi şekilde düşündürücü... Yönetim, birçok talibi bulunan oyuncuyu satmayacak. Yeni sezonda, Orkun'un yanına kaliteli takviyeler gelmesi bekleniyor.
Son yıllarda şampiyonluk yarışlarına çok erken havlu atan Beşiktaş'ta durum hiç parlak değil. Siyah-Beyazlılar, tarihinde ilk kez bir rakibinin 10 şampiyonluk gerisine düştü.
Galatasaray bu sezon da mutlu sona ulaşarak üst üste 4. şampiyonluğunu elde etti. Sarı-Kırmızılılar böylece müzesine 26. kupasını götürdü. Beşiktaş ise özellikle son yıllarda yarışlara çok erken havlu atıyor. 2025-2026'da da bunun bir benzeri yaşandı...
MEVCUT DURUM
3 İstanbul ekibinin mevcut şampiyonluk sayıları şöyle:
Galatasaray: 26
Fenerbahçe: 19
Beşiktaş: 16
Siyah-Beyazlılar, tarihinde ilk kez bir rakibinin 10 şampiyonluk gerisine düştü. Doğal olarak Beşiktaş taraftarları da oldukça sinirli. Önümüzdeki sezon da benzer bir durumun yaşanmasını istemiyorlar.
İSTİKRAR KALMADI
Beşiktaş'ta son yıllarda çok fazla teknik direktör değişimi görüldü. Ayrıca büyük hayal kırıklıkları yaşatan transferler geldi. Yapılan hataların bedeli de puan tablolarına net bir şekilde yansıdı. 2026 yazında kadroda bulunan birçok isimle yolların ayrılması bekleniyor. Kartal'ın transferdeki karavana şansı ise sıfır!
Trabzonspor'a evinde kaybeden Beşiktaş, sezonu Çaykur Rizespor deplasmanında kapatacak. Rize sınavının ardından Teknik Direktör Sergen Yalçın ve Başkan Serdal Adalı, önemli kararlar alabilir.
Beşiktaş adına yine çok kötü bir sezon yaşandı. Kartal, kendi evinde Trabzonspor'a 2-1 yenildi. Bu sezon Süper Lig'de hiçbir derbi kazanılamadı. Siyah-Beyazlılar, 17 Mayıs Pazar günü Çaykur Rizespor sınavına çıkacak. Bu karşılaşmanın ardından da önemli gelişmeler yaşanacak.
ÖNEMLİ ZİRVE
Çaykur Rizespor maçının ardından Başkan Serdal Adalı ve Teknik Direktör Sergen Yalçın bir araya gelecek. Bu görüşmede bütün konuların masaya yatırılacağı öğrenildi. Takımdan gönderilecekler netleştirilecek. Ayrıca takviyeler konusunda da alternatiflerin tamamen belirlenmesi bekleniyor.
İSTİFA KONUSU
Bugün itibarıyla Serdal Adalı ve Sergen Yalçın'ın görevi bırakmaları söz konusu değil. Beşiktaş, önümüzdeki sezona güçlü bir kadroyla girmek istiyor. Bunun için de çalışmalar yapılacak. Ancak istifa konusu şu anda gündemde olmasa da, Türkiye'de dinamikler çok hızlı bir şekilde değişebiliyor. Ve bunu kesinlikle unutmamak gerekiyor.
Galatasaray-Antalyaspor sınavında Sarı-Kırmızılılar beklenenden fazla zorlandı. Ancak Noa Lang'ın etkisi, bu maçta şampiyonluğun gelmesini sağladı. Hollandalı tam 5 kilit pas gönderdi.
Galatasaray kış döneminde Napoli'den sürpriz şekilde Noa Lang'ı kiralamıştı. Sarı-Kırmızılılar'ın ayrıca 30 milyon euroluk satın alma opsiyonu da bulunuyordu. Ancak bu maddenin aktif hale getirilmesi beklenmiyor. Hollandalı yıldız, her şeye rağmen kısa sürede unutulmaz izler bıraktı.
3 KATINDAN DAHA FAZLA
Büyük bölümü sıkıntı içinde geçen Galatasaray-Antalyaspor mücadelesinde Noa Lang'ın dokunuşları büyük fark yarattı. 26 yaşındaki futbolcu, 45 dakika içinde tam 5 kilit pas gönderdi. Lang'ın kilit pas anlamındaki sezon ortalaması 1.5'tu... Yani Antalyaspor önünde bu istatistiğini 3 katın da üzerinde geliştirdi.
5-2'LİK JUVENTUS MAÇI
Noa Lang'ın Galatasaray dönemindeki en unutulmaz maçı ise hiç şüphesiz Şampiyonlar Ligi'ndeki Juventus sınavıydı. Hollandalı yıldız, 5-2'lik galibiyette rakip ağları 2 kez sarsmıştı. Sarı-Kırmızılı forma altındaki tek gol katkısı da o gün gelmişti. Lang, 12 Süper Lig sınavına çıktı. Sahada 614 dakika kaldı. 3 asist üretti.
II Liqada çıxış edən “Göygöl”, “Ağstafa Gəncləri” və “Şəmkir” klublarının əsas komandalarının üzvləri üçün danışılmış oyunlara qarşı mübarizə mövzusunda maarifləndirici sessiya təşkil olunub.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, sessiya AFFA-nın Komplayns və danışılmış oyunlara qarşı mübarizə şöbəsi tərəfindən həyata keçirilib.
Təlimdə çıxış edən Komplayns və danışılmış oyunlara qarşı mübarizə şöbəsinin rəisi, eyni zamanda danışılmış oyunlara qarşı mübarizə üzrə məsul şəxs Naib Əsədov və şöbənin digər əməkdaşı Murad Məmmədli futbolçulara danışılmış oyun anlayışı, oyun zamanı edilən adi səhvlərlə qəsdən manipulyasiya edilmiş davranışlar arasındakı fərqlər, eləcə də bu cür halların futbolun dürüstlüyünə və nüfuzuna vurduğu ciddi zərər barədə ətraflı məlumat veriblər.
Sessiya çərçivəsində futbolçuların yalnız idmançı deyil, eyni zamanda dəyərlərin daşıyıcısı olduğu vurğulanıb, ədalət, dürüstlük, məsuliyyət və nümunə olmaq kimi prinsiplərin futbolçuların peşəkar fəaliyyətində mühüm rol oynadığı qeyd edilib. Danışılmış oyunların əsas motivləri, manipulyasiya hallarının daha çox hansı oyunlarda baş verdiyi, idman mərclərinin bu prosesdə rolu və futbolçulara təsir üsulları təqdimat vasitəsilə izah olunub.
Eyni zamanda, futbolçuların etik borcu, şübhəli və ya danışılmış oyun təklifi ilə qarşılaşdıqda atmalı olduqları addımlar, susmağın da məsuliyyət daşıdığı hallarla bağlı praktiki situasiyalar üzərində müzakirələr aparılıb. Sosial media üzərindən edilən yaxınlaşmalar, manipulyatorların istifadə etdiyi vasitələr və futbolçuların ictimai və şəxsi profillərinin düzgün idarə olunmasının vacibliyi xüsusi diqqətə çatdırılıb.
Sessiya zamanı AFFA-nın 2025-ci ildə qəbul edilmiş İntizam Məcəlləsinin müvafiq maddələri, danışılmış oyunlarda iştirakın, bu cür hallara cəhdin və ya məlumatın gizlədilməsinin ağır intizam pozuntusu hesab olunduğu bildirilib, həmçinin yerli və beynəlxalq təcrübədən konkret nümunələr futbolçulara təqdim edilib.
Maarifləndirici tədbirin əsas məqsədi futbol ictimaiyyətində şəffaflığın və dürüstlüyün qorunması, danışılmış oyunlara qarşı mübarizənin gücləndirilməsi və futbolçuların bu sahədə məlumatlılığının artırılmasıdır.
“Liverpul”un baş məşqçisi Arne Slot açıqlama verib.
Futbolpress.az xarici KİV-ə istinadən xəbər verir ki, mütəxəssis yeni mövsümlə bağlı fikirlərini bölüşüb:
“Azarkeşlərimizə fərqli şeylər yaşatmaq istərdik, amma indi alınmır. Onları xoşbəxt etməyi arzulayırıq. Əminəm ki, yeni mövsümdə fərqli “Liverpul” görəcəklər”.
“Liverpul” Premyer Liqada 36 turdan sonra 59 xalla 4-cü sıradadır.
Bu gün dünyanın yaşıl meydanlarında futbol oyunları keçiriləcək.
Futbolpress.az qarşılaşmaları canlı yayımlayacaq telekanalların siyahısını təqdim edir:
İtaliya, A Seriyası
14:30 Verona – Komo (Futbol 1)
17:00 Fiorentina – Cenoa (Futbol 1)
20:00 Parma – Roma (Futbol 1)
22:45 Milan – Atalanta (Futbol 1)
Rusiya, Premyer Liqa
16:00 Zenit – Soçi (Matç Premyer, Matç TV)
18:15 Axmat – Dinamo Mahaçqala (Matç Premyer)
20:30 Lokomotiv Moskva – Baltika (Matç Premyer, Matç TV)
Azərbaycan, Premyer Liqa
17:00 Turan Tovuz – Karvan-Yevlax (CBC Sport)
19:30 Neftçi – Şamaxı (CBC Sport)
İngiltərə, Premyer Liqa
17:00 Kristal Pelas – Everton (beİN Sports 2)
17:00 Bernli – Aston Villa (beİN Sports 3)
19:30 Vest Hem – Arsenal (İdman TV)
İspaniya, La Liqa
18:15 Atletik – Valensiya (Futbol 2)
23:00 Barselona – Real (İdman TV, Matç TV, Futbol 2)
Fransa, Liqa 1
23:00 PSJ – Brest (beİN Sports 2)
Roma will have their opportunity to respond to Juventus when they take on Parma away from home on Sunday evening, as Serie A’s Champions League race heads towards its conclusion.
Hosts Parma have won two of their last fixtures in Serie A, but fell to a 2-0 defeat against Inter last weekend in the game that won the Nerazzurri the Scudetto for 2025-26.
They find themselves in 13th place ahead of kick-off and have already confirmed their top-flight status for next season.
Roma have responded well since their 5-2 defeat against Inter back in April. They have gone four matches unbeaten since then, winning three, with their most recent ending in a 4-0 scoreline against Fiorentina.
They start the day in fifth place, three points behind Milan in fourth and four points behind Juventus in third heading into the final three games of the season.
Carlos Cuesta is expected to stick with the same front two of Lorenzo Pellegrino and Gabriel Strefezza, but could make some alterations to the midfield three in his 3-5-2. Sky Sport Italia claims that several combinations have been tested ahead of the visit from Roma.
Gian Piero Gasperini, meanwhile, is likely to stick with a similar line-up to the one that put four past Fiorentina last time out. It could be an unchanged Giallorossi XI, led by Donyell Malen, Matias Soule and Niccolo Pisilli in attack.
Kick-off is due at 17.00 BST.
Parma (3-5-2): Suzuki; Troilo, Circati, Valenti; Delprato, Sorensen, Keita, Nicolussi Caviglia, Valeri; Strefezza, Pellegrino.
Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar, Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Celine, Cristante, Kone, Wesley; Pisilli, Soule; Malen.
Today’s game will be available to watch live in the UK exclusively on DAZN. Supporters in the USA are able to tune in via Paramount+.
Join us for all the pre-match build-up, in-game coverage and post-match reactions on the Football Italia Liveblog.
Chelsea are preparing a €38 million offer to sign Bologna attacking sensation Jonathan Rowe after scouting him last month.
The Norwich graduate is enjoying an impressive debut campaign in Italy, and it has caught the attention of quite a few top clubs. Chelsea are one of the clubs that are interested in his services after having scouted him in April.
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According to Gazzetta dello Sport via SportWitness, the Blues are plotting a raid on Bologna. They are preparing a €38 million offer to prise him away from the Italian outfit, with growing concern at Bologna over the Premier League giants’ increasing interest.
Rowe, who joined Bologna from Marseille last summer, has had quite an impact at the Italian club. He has been involved in 40 matches for his new club and has contributed towards 11 goals. While he prefers playing on the left flank, the 23-year-old is equally effective on both sides.
His impressive performances and massive potential have resulted in a lot of interest. Chelsea had their scouts keeping a close eye on him last month, and they are now ready to raid Bologna for the English winger.
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The Italian club do not want to lose him just yet, but the threat is real. The Blues are preparing a €38 million offer, which could tempt the Serie A outfit. The only thing coming in their way is that they might not have Champions League football next season.
If Rowe decides to move on, he could look to join a club that can offer Champions League football. The Blues are not in the best financial position, and with Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittens, and Pedro Neto already capable of featuring on the left flank, they may need to offload one of them before pushing ahead with the move.
The post Chelsea preparing offer to sign 23-year-old forward after scouting him in April appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool are looking to raid rivals Newcastle United for their defensive sensation Tino Livramento.
Liverpool will look to address the right-back issue in the upcoming transfer window, and they seem ready to knock on the doors of Newcastle United. According to a report from TEAMtalk, the Merseyside club have their eyes set on Tino Livramento, who could be on the move this summer.
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Liverpool’s right-back issues were completely exposed in their 1-1 draw against Chelsea as Curtis Jones was asked to fill in. While the Reds do have Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong, the duo have struggled to stay fit, and Slot doesn’t really trust the latter defensively.
As a result, signing a new right-back is a top priority for the Reds ahead of next season, and Tino Livramento is the latest name on their wishlist. He has already proven himself in the Premier League, and his ability to feature on either flank makes him a very interesting option for them.
The 23-year-old could actually be on the move this summer, as contract renewal talks with Newcastle have stalled and the English international is now open to discussing a potential move away.
Prior to the game against Chelsea, Ben Jacobs said to Born ‘N RedYouTube channel via TEAMtalk, “Liverpool have always had appreciation for Tino Livramento, who is capable of playing right-back and left-back.
“He’s a player I expect Newcastle United to put available on the market.”
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With renewal talks not going as planned, the Magpies could look to cash in on him. The funds raised could then be used to revamp the squad as a whole. The Tyneside club want around £70 million to sanction his departure.
While the price tag certainly seems to be on the higher side, it could be worth the risk given the massive potential the 23-year-old. Manchester City and Arsenal have been constantly linked with Livramento, but it looks like Liverpool could soon make a move of their own.
The post Not Anthony Gordon: Liverpool ready to address major weakness with another raid on Newcastle appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Robert De Zerbi’s Tottenham Hotspur can sign Levante attacking sensation Karl Etta Eyong for €30 million.
Tottenham have finally managed to escape the drop zone with only a handful of games to go, and have already started making moves to bolster their squad to ensure they don’t find themselves in a similar situation next season.
The North London club have their eyes on Levante’s Karl Etta Eyong, as they look to reinforce their attack.
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According to a report from Spain, Tottenham are very keen to sign the Cameroonian international and are ready to meet Levante’s demands to make the deal happen.
The North London club are willing to trigger his €30 million release clause once their sporting director green-lights the move, and Roberto De Zerbi believes the 22-year-old can fit into his system straightaway.
Tottenham are looking for someone who can quickly adapt to the Premier League’s pace and deliver immediate results. They consider the Cameroonian international just the perfect fit, and have already made initial contact to enquire about the player’s situation.
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In his debut campaign with Levante, he has seven goals and four assists in just over 1,600 minutes in 31 league appearances. He has showcased a lot of promise, and Tottenham seem willing to make a bet on him.
Etta Eyong is a complete forward who, apart from being clinical in the final third, can help stretch the opposition defence, link up with others around him, and press high up the pitch. He has everything Spurs want in a young forward, and they are more than willing to invest €30 million to add him to their squad.
If they do manage to survive the drop, the North London club could move very quickly to beat the competition to the signature of the 22-year-old.
The post Tottenham ready to pay asking price for 22-year-old La Liga ace after 11-G/A season appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Liverpool are interested in signing Netherlands international central defender Micky van de Ven from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said on the Transfer Insider podcast: “A bit similar to Fernandes and West Ham, if Spurs were to go down it will be almost inevitable that Van […]
The post Liverpool plan Micky van de Ven swoop appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Liverpool plan Micky van de Ven swoop appeared first on Soccer News.
Phil Foden will sign a new contract with Manchester City and commit his long-term future to the Premier League club, according to Football Insider. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said on the Transfer Insider podcast: “If there was any indication that Phil Foden was not planning to sign a new contract at Man City, there would have […]
The post Phil Foden to sign new Man City contract appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Phil Foden to sign new Man City contract appeared first on Soccer News.
Newcastle United are interested in signing Goncalo Ramos in the summer transfer window, with Paris Saint-Germain willing to sell the striker, according to Football Insider. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said on the Transfer Insider podcast: “Yeah, he could be a potential target for Newcastle. It does look like PSG would be open to letting Ramos leave […]
The post Newcastle United linked with Goncalo Ramos appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Newcastle United linked with Goncalo Ramos appeared first on Soccer News.
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Aurelien Tchouameni wants to stay at Real Madrid, despite his bust-up in training with teammate Federico Valverde. The well-known and well-respected Italian journalist, though, has said that Manchester United would love to sign the France international defensive midfielder. Romano said about Tchouameni on his YouTube channel on Friday: “For sure, […]
The post Aurelien Tchouameni wants to stay at Real Madrid appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Aurelien Tchouameni wants to stay at Real Madrid appeared first on Soccer News.
Liverpool are interested in signing Netherlands international central defender Micky van de Ven from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said on the Transfer Insider podcast: “A bit similar to Fernandes and West Ham, if Spurs were to go down it will be almost inevitable that Van […]
The post Liverpool plan Micky van de Ven swoop appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Liverpool plan Micky van de Ven swoop appeared first on Soccer News.
Phil Foden will sign a new contract with Manchester City and commit his long-term future to the Premier League club, according to Football Insider. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said on the Transfer Insider podcast: “If there was any indication that Phil Foden was not planning to sign a new contract at Man City, there would have […]
The post Phil Foden to sign new Man City contract appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Phil Foden to sign new Man City contract appeared first on Soccer News.
Newcastle United are interested in signing Goncalo Ramos in the summer transfer window, with Paris Saint-Germain willing to sell the striker, according to Football Insider. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said on the Transfer Insider podcast: “Yeah, he could be a potential target for Newcastle. It does look like PSG would be open to letting Ramos leave […]
The post Newcastle United linked with Goncalo Ramos appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Newcastle United linked with Goncalo Ramos appeared first on Soccer News.
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Aurelien Tchouameni wants to stay at Real Madrid, despite his bust-up in training with teammate Federico Valverde. The well-known and well-respected Italian journalist, though, has said that Manchester United would love to sign the France international defensive midfielder. Romano said about Tchouameni on his YouTube channel on Friday: “For sure, […]
The post Aurelien Tchouameni wants to stay at Real Madrid appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Aurelien Tchouameni wants to stay at Real Madrid appeared first on Soccer News.
Jose Mourinho is ready to take charge of Real Madrid despite the bust-up in training between Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde, according to Fabrizio Romano. The well-known and well-respected Italian journalist has reported that Mourinho, who is in charge of Benfica at the moment, is ready to return to Estadio Bernabeu this summer. Romano said […]
The post Jose Mourinho willing to become Real Madrid manager appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Jose Mourinho willing to become Real Madrid manager appeared first on Soccer News.
Barcelona are not in talks to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United in the summer transfer window because the winger is too expensive for the Spanish giants, according to Fabrizio Romano. The well-known and well-respected journalist has said on his YouTube channel: “I am not aware of Barcelona actively working on a deal for Anthony Gordon, […]
The post Anthony Gordon too expensive for Barcelona appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Anthony Gordon too expensive for Barcelona appeared first on Soccer News.
Liverpool are interested in signing France international striker Kylian Mbappe from Real Madrid in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said on the Transfer Insider podcast: “I’m sure they would love the chance to try and Kylian Mbappe, undoubtedly one of the world’s best players. “Obviously, there’s been a bit […]
The post Kylian Mbappe linked with Liverpool appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Kylian Mbappe linked with Liverpool appeared first on Soccer News.
The New York Jets and rest of the NFL will soon know their exact route to the Super Bowl in 2027.
The league has confirmed when the schedule for the 2026 regular season will be announced for all 32 teams will be. It is set for Thursday:
NFL has confirmed that the schedule release will be next Thursday, May 14. pic.twitter.com/mEfhHKKR2m
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 8, 2026
The Jets have known who their opponents will be next season for months. That is determined at the end of last season.
The schedule release announces exactly how that order of games will happen. Fans will then have the ability to plan road trips and know what games will be considered prime-time games.
Prior to the release on Thursday, schedule leaks and rumors will surface.
Jets Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2026 offseason.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: NFL announces when Jets' 2026 regular season schedule will be released
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn made a declaration during his press conference ahead of the team's rookie minicamp on Friday.
Since Quinn was hired in 2024, he has stressed culture and brotherhood. The players bought in immediately. In 2024, the Commanders shocked everyone, going 12-5 and reaching the NFC Championship game. Things fell apart last year, though, as Washington limped to a 5-12 finish.
Despite such a disappointing season, players remained all-in for Quinn. However, this offseason, general manager Adam Peters has made many changes, specifically on the defensive side of the ball. The changes began in January, when the Commanders parted ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.
On Friday, Quinn was asked about implementing Washington's culture with the rookie class this weekend. His answer was interesting and refreshingly honest.
"I think it should get tested, you know, to find where your mettle is when you have a season that goes well and then one that just went terribly," Quinn responded. "You want to dig in, you want to find answers, you want to make sure you can tweak things that need to be tweaked. But one thing that I know to be a fact, like there's some real competitors in this locker room and the standards they have as ball players and teammates, those are the things that help you get to where you want to get to get to."
It's rare to hear a coach acknowledge a season that had gone so "terribly." These days, coaches are one bad season away from the hot seat at all times. Quinn didn't run from it. The Commanders were terrible in 2025.
Injuries played a part in Washington's demise last season. But it was more than that. Much of the good luck the Commanders had on their side in 2024 went the other way last year. That's not to say injuries didn't play a significant part. Quarterback Jayden Daniels missed 10 games with three separate injuries.
Fortunately, Daniels is healthy now, and the Commanders hope and believe that their active offseason, coupled with a healthy Daniels and wide receiver Terry McLaurin, will get them back on track in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Dan Quinn's one word to describe 2025 season
The high school spring sports playoffs are underway, and Wilmington-area athletes are already delivering in the biggest moments.
From baseball to softball, the postseason is just beginning to take shape. The slate only gets deeper May 11, when girls soccer and both boys and girls lacrosse join the bracket. For full coverage, including updated brackets, scores and analysis from across the area, find everything you need here.
Now it’s your turn to weigh in. With 28 nominees in this playoff-loaded StarNews Athlete of the Week Poll, the decision is in the hands of the fans. Cast your vote and help decide the next Athlete of the Week.
Voting runs through Thursday, May 14, at 11:59 p.m. Fans can vote as many times as they like using the poll below.
HIGH SCHOOL PLAYOFFS Wilmington-area 2026 high school spring sports scores, brackets
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Vote now in the StarNews Athlete of the Week Poll May 10
It's time to vote for the Montgomery Advertiser's girls Athlete of the Week, presented by the Vance Law Firm for the week of May 4-8.
Voting will open Sunday, May 10, and will be open until noon Thursday, May 14. The winner will be announced on Friday, May 15. Nominees are based off of top performers that are sent in by high school coaches or statisticians. Coaches and team stat keepers can send in stats to sports@montgomeryadvertiser.com to nominate players.
NEEDHAM CARRYING FATHER'S LEGACY: Emily Needham carrying her father's legacy in every pitch during senior season
A POCKET FULL OF JOKES: A pocket full of jokes and nonstop motor of Emily Darby drives Saint James softball
Jaeden Day covers high school sports, Alabama State football and Auburn recruiting for the Montgomery Advertiser/USA Today. You can find him on X at dayjaeden12, or reach him at JDay@montgome.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Montgomery-area high school sports athlete of the week fan poll, May 4-8
Arsenal return to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon knowing there is still domestic work to do despite the euphoria of Tuesday night’s Champions League heroics.
The Gunners booked their place in the Champions League Final with a huge victory over Atletico Madrid, but Mikel Arteta must now quickly refocus his players ahead of another difficult London derby away to West Ham at the London Stadium.
Arteta has already confirmed that both Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino will not be available for the trip, meaning Arsenal head into the match with limited rotation options after such an emotionally and physically draining European night.
The biggest decision may come in midfield, where Arteta must balance energy levels carefully.
David Raya is expected to continue in goal behind a settled back four of Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori.
Further forward, Martin Zubimendi could come into the starting side to help freshen up midfield after Myles Lewis-Skelly put in another huge shift against Atletico Madrid. Declan Rice should once again be central to everything Arsenal do against his former club, while Martin Odegaard may return to the starting lineup to provide greater control and creativity.
Bukayo Saka is almost certain to start despite recent heavy workloads, while Gabriel Martinelli’s pace could prove a huge weapon on the counter attack away from home. Viktor Gyokeres is expected to continue leading the line after another powerful European display in midweek.
Predicted XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
(Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
West Ham may sit deep and attempt to frustrate Arsenal for long periods, but the visitors should still have enough quality to break them down if they maintain the same focus and intensity shown in Europe.
Jarrod Bowen remains West Ham’s biggest attacking threat and Arsenal will need to stay alert during transitions, especially after such a demanding midweek fixture.
However, if Rice, Odegaard and Saka can establish control early, Arsenal should create enough opportunities to continue their push at the top of the table.
Score prediction: West Ham 1-3 Arsenal
The challenge for Arteta now is making sure Tuesday night’s celebrations do not become a distraction. If Arsenal can maintain their standards and professionalism, this is another huge opportunity to keep the pressure firmly on Manchester City in the Gunners fun for the title.
What’s your score prediction Gooners?
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Predicted Arsenal XI and score prediction v West Ham
Has Football Rivalry Gone Too Far After Spurs Fan’s Cruel Stunt?
On Saturday evening, Juventus returned to winning ways at the Via del Mare thanks to Dusan Vlahovic’s solitary strike against Lecce. The Bianconeri thus boosted their Champions League hopes, while temporarily jumping to third place in the Serie A table.
So here are our player ratings for Juventus, who held on to earn a laboured 1-0 victory over Lecce away from home.
Michele Di Gregorio – 6
The Italian goalkeeper desperately needed a clean sheet following his shaky display against Verona. While not all of his saves were utterly convincing, he still did the job.
Pierre Kalulu – 6.5
A well-rounded display from the French defender who kept Lameck Banda quiet. He thought he had scored Juve’s second but was denied by a controversial offside call. His only blunder was an overhit pass that gifted Konan N’Dri a golden chance to bag an equaliser.
Gleison Bremer – 6.5
A solid display at the back from the Brazilian defender, who comfortably dealt with Walid Cheddira. However, he still needs to improve his distribution.
Lloyd Kelly – 6.5
A no-nonsense display from the English defender. While he didn’t distinguish himself, he kept things tidy and avoided needless risks.
Andrea Cambiaso – 7
This was one of the wing-back’s best displays in recent memory. Provided the assist for Vlahovic’s opener, and almost added a second when he picked up Kalulu with a clever square ball, only to be denied by the VAR.
Weston McKennie – 7
The American was quite literally all over the pitch. He played as a midfielder with a licence to roam forward and was at the heart of every play. He also had spells as a false 9 and a wing-back before leaving the pitch.
Manuel Locatelli – 6
A hard-working display from the Juventus captain, who fought for every ball but at times struggled to pick up his teammates.
Teun Koopmeiners – 6
The Dutchman did fairly well while filling in for Khephren Thuram, although it was far from spectacular. Won the duel that kept the ball alive in the lead-up to the goal.
Francisco Conceicao – 6.5
The Portuguese winger has been in inspiring form lately. His movement and dribbling put the Lecce defenders in a sea of troubles. Deserved to have an assist to his name after setting up Vlahovic on several occasions.
Dusan Vlahovic – 7
It was an evening that peaked too soon for the Serbian striker, who set a new Juventus record by netting after 11 seconds. The Serbian then had a host of chances to add a second, but couldn’t replicate his early-game exploits. He only found the back of the net on one other occasion, but it was ruled out for a marginal offside position.
Kenan Yildiz – 6
The Turkish international is still trying to find his best form after being hampered by a knee inflammation. While he remains far from his best, he looked much more dangerous and slick compared to his previous outing.
Emil Holm – 6
A decent cameo from the Swede, who added energy rather than technique on the right flank.
Jonathan David – N/A
Jeremie Boga – N/A
Edon Zhegrova – N/A
Federico Gatti – N/A
There is far more than just three points at stake when FC Barcelona take on Real Madrid in tonight’s El Clasico.
For Hansi Flick’s men, a victory tonight will help them seal the La Liga title mathematically and that too against their eternal rivals.
But a win will also see Barcelona draw level with their eternal rivals in the all-time Clasico head-to-head record, reports Mundo Deportivo.
Everything suggests Barcelona are the favourites heading into this game, having dominated Spanish football in the past two seasons, including a Real Madrid team fraught with dressing room unrest.
Historically, Real Madrid have enjoyed the slightest of advantages in the fixture, winning 106 meetings compared to Barcelona’s 105, while 52 encounters have ended in draws.
Barcelona are looking to equal Real Madrid’s record in El Clasico tonight. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
The Blaugrana entered the matchday with an 11-point lead and just four games remaining, meaning victory over Carlo Ancelotti’s side would officially put the championship beyond reach.
Under Flick, the Catalans have already defeated Real Madrid in three major finals this season. Barcelona first dismantled Los Blancos 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup before edging them 3-2 in another Super Cup meeting.
Most recently, the Blaugrana lifted the Copa del Rey after a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory sealed by Jules Kounde.
Despite Barcelona’s dominance in recent finals, Real Madrid still maintain a slight edge in overall goals scored in Clásico history. Los Blancos have netted 444 times against Barcelona’s 439.
The rivalry has remained evenly balanced in recent years, with both clubs winning five of the last ten meetings. Real Madrid also narrowly lead the goal difference in those clashes, having scored 24 goals compared to Barcelona’s 20.
Calum McFarlane has hinted Levi Colwill could start the FA Cup final against Manchester City next weekend after an impressive display against Liverpool.
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Chelsea stopped a run of six consecutive defeats with a 1-1 draw against the Reds at Anfield, as Enzo Fernandez cancelled out Ryan Gravenberch’s opener.
The point does little to help Chelsea’s chances of European football, and the Blues remain ninth in the table with just two games remaining.
Colwill had been sidelined with an ACL injury, and he made his first appearance of the season as a half time substitute in Monday’s 3-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest.
McFarlane then handed Colwill his first start of the season at Anfield, and the England international put in an impressive performance.
It was no surprise that Chelsea looked more assured at the back, and the Blues also looked a lot better in their build-up play.
Speaking after the game McFarlane praised Colwill’s performance, and said he’s in contention to start at Wembley.
“I thought he was exceptional today,” he told his post match press conference.
“I thought there was a lot of good performances. I’m really pleased for Levi. He’s been injured for a long time. The first 90 minutes, Anfield away, when the team aren’t particularly in their best form, to go and put that level of performance in, it doesn’t only show his level of talent and quality, it shows his mentality.
“So, I’m really pleased for Levi, as I am for the whole group and the team. I thought it was a really good performance.
When asked if he has a chance of starting at Wembley he said: “Definitely, yeah.”
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Nothing is advanced with Chelsea and Xabi Alonso despite rumours according to Fabrizio Romano, with the Blues in the process of appointing their next head coach.
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It’s understood there are seven or eight names under consideration, with Andoni Iraola thought to be an early front runner.
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
That three-week break back in late March and early April looks more and more like it could have been the death knell for Everton’s European ambitions this season.
But it didn’t have to be.
Momentum from the dominant 3-0 victory over Chelsea seemed to ebb away, and Everton have looked rusty since returning to action on 12 April.
But the other teams have had to deal with it too, so there’s no excuse.
On Monday, Everton demonstrated that they still have it in them. They stuck in the game against Manchester City and then in the second half, and this is no hyperbole, absolutely deserved to go on and win that match.
That they didn’t is down to a combination of factors. First off, poor defending. Michael Keane and James Tarkowski were shambolic for Erling Haaland’s goal, which came straight from the restart after Thierno Barry had made it 3-1, when Man City’s players were on the floor and staring abjectly at the heavens.
That goal cut the celebratory mood and instead led to nervousness, which carried over into an inexplicably long period of stoppage time... and we all know what happened then.
There were other factors, too though. Bad luck and dreadful officiating played their part.
Poor decision-making from Carlos Alcaraz, who showed why he is so far away from a player like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall when it comes to composure on the ball. Poor finishing from Iliman Ndiaye, who missed several golden chances.
Dreadful officiating comes into play when the referee and VAR somehow determine that, at 3-2 up, Everton shouldn’t have been awarded a penalty for a blatant foul on Merlin öhl by Bernardo Silva.
Perhaps the biggest reason of all, though, is regression.
Opta posted this stat on X: Everton are the first team in Premier League history to concede a result-altering goal in the 90th minute or later in three consecutive matches.
And while that is a horrific record to have, the data Gods do sometimes have a way of showing their hand.
Teams over- and under-perform their underlying metrics across the course of a campaign. Sometimes, they manage to get through the entire season without it levelling out. But eventually, usually, it catches up with you somewhat.
And this is what we’re starting to see now.
According to Opta Analyst, Everton have accrued 40.2 ‘expected points’. Essentially, their underlying metrics suggest they should be hovering around 14th — some 12 points off the Top 6.
But these numbers must always be taken into context. Chelsea, for example, have amassed 56.4 expected points, which is the third-best in the league, and there is no way Chelsea have been the third-best team this season.
But perhaps the biggest mark of Everton’s overperformance comes when looking at the expected Goals Against (xGA) figure.
Everton have conceded 41 times from 50.5 xGA. That 9.5 overperformance is the biggest in the Premier League, ahead of Man City’s 7.5. So the Toffees have not really been brilliant defensively when it comes to keeping it tight, but have managed to concede fewer goals than would have been anticipated based on the quality of chances they have given up.
Ultimately though, when regression strikes, you can get results like Monday, or against West Ham and Liverpool. When you’re on the wrong end of the fine margins.
Jeremy Doku had very little right to score either of the goals he did, but he is a quality player and turned low xG chances into pinpoint finishes of the highest calibre.
The irony is, Everton finished Monday’s match with 2.72 xG, their second-highest mark of the season, behind Bournemouth at home in February. The Toffees lost that one.
In fact, Everton also won the ‘xG battle’ against West Ham, as well.
Everton have been getting better going forward as the season has gone on. From that Bournemouth game onwards, David Moyes’s men have created the higher xG in 6 of 10 matches.
But then going the other way, the regression has struck — the chances Everton’s defence have given up have started to bite them, whereas earlier in the campaign they were getting away with it.
Re-living it when I close my eyes, that Doku goal might just have floored me. It certainly caused a sleepless night.
Taking a step back, this kind of near-miss is much easier to deal with than the existential dread that came when results would go against Everton in the relegation battles of years gone by, but it still hurts, even if in just a different way.
Everton deserved to get the points for that second-half performance — it was a display worthy of propelling them right back to the front of the European race.
They are still not out of it, which makes it worse in a way, as the hope remains, but it’s really beginning to feel like a case of what might have been... and, when all is said and done, regression to the mean is possibly what’s going to prove ever so costly.
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Ian Bennett 2 Posted 06/05/2026 at 11:08:01
The ball retention and positional discipline has to be better. They can't score if you can keep the ball, which I think we still struggle at.
For all Grealish's faults, he could take the ball, buy a foul, and run the clock down. It needs that level of professionalism, not panic or stupidity.
I've revised my opinion a bit on the Pickford corner, as all keepers are struggling on the flat delivery, and corner wrestling contest. Not saying he is perfect, but I was surprised how Donnaruma was done vs O'Brien. 6ft-7in Italian international.
Some might not like this, but Carragher was talking about late goals conceded or late goals won on TV about 10 days ago.
He said it's not by accident, top teams score late goals on a regular basis. Lesser teams concede late goals, lack of concentration or they think they have already won the game or taken a point. It's a mind-set.
Having said that, Liverpool have conceded late goals this season, but they got one over on us at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Andrew Ellams 4 Posted 06/05/2026 at 11:48:46
Last season, it was throwing away 2-goal leads; this season it's conceding in added time.
Is it a concentration issue? Fitness? Arrogance, thinking we've got games wrapped up?
Part of it has to be the weakness of the overall squad, combined with the manager's poor decision-making when it comes to substitutions, I guess.
Kevin Molloy 5 Posted 06/05/2026 at 12:03:44
We've not been able to invest in the squad for 5 years up until last summer. So we've got problems that one window won't cure. Like quality in the squad.
If we sold our back four in the summer, we'd get about £40M as a job lot. And that's cos Jake O'Brien is now worth £30M. And we were facing Doku and Haaland. So, you know, mistakes will be made.
It's gonna take a couple of years to bring the squad properly up to scratch.
That draw on Monday was nothing to do with anything other than the players not doing the basics.
Tarkowski and Keane letting Haaland run straight through them. Alcaraz not letting the ball just go out of play. Not closing down Doku for his second.
Basics; nothing to do with how much you spend or quality of squad.
John Collins 7 Posted 06/05/2026 at 12:51:47
Kevin,
Someone's getting a bargain buying Branthwaite for £10M.
Form an orderly queue!
Kevin Naylor 8 Posted 06/05/2026 at 12:59:58
We seem to hold a lot of records -- most of them undesirable.
When you look back over the years, at times you would believe there was a curse on the club.
Ray Jacques 9 Posted 06/05/2026 at 13:25:27
Paul @6, I couldn't agree more. We have better players and a better team this season than in seasons past, but we still don't have any -- as they used to say -- 'savvy' players.
For all his experience and despite being captain, I don't feel that Tarkowski leads on the pitch in terms of telling others to think, organise, waste time, manage the game etc. The Haaland goal was a perfect example.
The only one who seems to understand ball retention, slowing the game and the importance of retaining possession in key areas and at key times is Grealish.
Si Cooper 10 Posted 06/05/2026 at 14:24:31
‘Haunts' and ‘horrific'?! You will have people making out the club is ‘cursed' next…. Oh, hang on… never mind!
Let's put things in context, shall we? It's Premier League history so that already severely limits the possibilities of who could be the first for this. Mammoth amounts of added-on time are also relatively new which further restricts the field.
What about the relative calibre of the opposition and the fact these were games where both sides wouldn't give anything up until the final whistle?
Then how about factoring in that we are in the tail-end of the season when some players are likely to be really feeling it at the end of intense fixtures?
I'd have preferred 4 more points for sure but I'm not going to get hysterical about the exact timing of when the final goals were scored in three games.
Kevin Molloy 11 Posted 06/05/2026 at 15:02:09
Sorry, John, I meant the backline which faced Man City.
Kevin Molloy 12 Posted 06/05/2026 at 15:04:54
Paul that's the great thing about elite players, they deliver the basics as standard.
But when you have players who aren't worth very much, the first thing to be sacrificed is an assumption the basics will be carried out.
John Collins 13 Posted 06/05/2026 at 15:57:24
I know, Kev, a little joke, bud.
I would get shut of three of the back four to be honest. Four at a push.
John Collins 14 Posted 07/05/2026 at 12:17:22
So 3 games to go. The suspense is doing me in, will David go past Sean's total of 48 points???\
Come on, Davy, you can do it. You're the Moyesiah remember.
Kevin Molloy 15 Posted 07/05/2026 at 13:43:49
Sean Dyche wasn't sacked for getting us 48 points, John, which as we all know was a respectable total. He threw himself under the bus after 2 goals in 10 games... that's right, 2 goals in 10 games.
And here you are moaning about the manager after we were seconds away from beating the Champions elect.
Tony Abrahams 16 Posted 07/05/2026 at 14:17:31
I thought Dyche threw himself under the bus, when he started trying to pick little fights with the fans, Kevin. Maybe he felt like he deserved more credit for his work over the previous 18 months, but I personally thought that this was when things began to really change for him.
Losing two nil leads in successive games, would have definitely contributed to his decision to seemingly start concentrating completely on defending, but I think you could already see that the club had taken it's toll on him by the time last season started. I forgot he got to 48 points without the points deduction.
Let's face it, the only really memorable thing about that season was the win against Liverpool, and yet some people are now saying that we are doing great, and have had a much better season this time around.
Kevin Molloy 17 Posted 07/05/2026 at 14:21:58
We clearly are though, aren't we, Tohy? We are surely in a much better situation than then.
We have Keane, O'Brien, Beto, Garner -- all a magnitude better under Moyes. Excellent signings like Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish, and Röhl, and the prospect of adding two excellent fullbacks in the summer.
Even Barry is starting to slot.
John Collins 18 Posted 07/05/2026 at 14:46:54
We clearly are though, aren't we, Tony
Not in the points department, Kevin. He didn't beat City and they are not the Champions elect.
Kevin Molloy 19 Posted 07/05/2026 at 15:23:16
They would have been if we hadn't taken points off them, John.
I think if you polled a thousand Evertonians and asked "Is it better now, or then?" none of them would say "It was better then".
John Collins 20 Posted 07/05/2026 at 15:28:59
I agree.
"How much better?" -- That is the question, Kevin.
Kevin Molloy 21 Posted 07/05/2026 at 15:41:33
Well, 2 weeks ago, we were in the running for the Champions League?
No question we've had a frustrating falling off, but our two best players have been out for most of the season.
I don't think anybody would have given this team much of a chance if we'd been told we'd have to have Tarkowsky and Keane as our centre-back pairing all season.
Dale Self 22 Posted 07/05/2026 at 15:50:03
This week, we are in the running for 14th.
Could be in the running to drop below Leeds in two weeks time. Just to add some balance.
John Collins 23 Posted 07/05/2026 at 16:04:20
What finishing position would be acceptable for you, Kevin?
Grant Rorrison 24 Posted 07/05/2026 at 16:33:24
If we finish where we are currently, it's acceptable. If we get up to 8th it's pretty bloody good.
If we had somehow got 6th, especially if it was a Champions League spot, it would be amazing and Moyes should be in the running for Manager of the Season.
John Collins 25 Posted 07/05/2026 at 16:36:12
If we finish 10th or below, Grant? It's frustrating more than anything for me.
So much more could have been achieved if we had had a go in a sub-standard league.
Grant Rorrison 26 Posted 07/05/2026 at 16:41:34
John, I've covered 10th already in my post. I'll personally be a bit disappointed if we drop out of the top half entirely.
But I suppose, as we finished 13th last year and then had the 13th highest spend, a case could be made for it being acceptable. Just not by me.
Dale Self 27 Posted 07/05/2026 at 17:02:01
Acceptably comparable to Dyche?
But, but, he was so...
Kevin Molloy 28 Posted 07/05/2026 at 17:24:31
John,
As we were in the running for the Champions League in April, it doesn't really much matter where we finish in Moyes's first season after taking over a relegation side.
It's clear that progress is being made, that's good enough for me at this stage in our development.
Tony Abrahams 29 Posted 07/05/2026 at 17:48:08
Memorable games wise Kevin. Do you think we have had more memorable games this season than the previous few seasons? Man Utd, away -- winning with 10 men?
What else, beating a Chelsea team that have been getting battered by everyone?
Villa away was good, but other than Forest, I can't off the top of my head, a team who Everton have done the double against?
John Collins 30 Posted 07/05/2026 at 18:08:12
"John,
As we were in the running for the Champions League in April, it doesn't really much matter where we finish. "
I can't think of a suitable, polite, answer, Kevin.
Kevin Molloy 31 Posted 07/05/2026 at 18:27:14
I think I have more of an understanding of football management, John.
As Howard Kendall said in 1985, "This didn't happen overnight, it took 4 years to build this". Or Alex Ferguson, who didn't win a carrot for 5 years.
So I'm not going to freak out with a disappointing May if the previous 8 months have been very encouraging. And when I say 'very encouraging', I'm referring to having the best away record in the Premier League for much of that time.
Grant Rorrison 32 Posted 07/05/2026 at 18:45:02
Does our away form being massively improved count as something 'memorable'? Or would you prefer to talk about the day we beat team 'x' even if it was the only win we had all season?
We've won away to half the current Top 6 this season. Is that 'memorable'?
Dale Self 33 Posted 07/05/2026 at 18:59:37
Do the Moyes defenders answer counter questions like that? Please direct me to those posts so I can read them.
And what's with the 'only win all season' qualification?
John Collins 34 Posted 07/05/2026 at 19:13:42
On that basis, Kevin, Moyesie was 7 years overdue first time around.
What teams have you managed, Bud?
Kevin Molloy 35 Posted 07/05/2026 at 19:24:51
Haha, I thought you'd like that.
Mark Murphy 36 Posted 07/05/2026 at 19:32:51
Tony,
Fulham, mate.
And Palace, come Sunday.
Tony Hughes 37 Posted 07/05/2026 at 20:38:52
Kevin, you keep banging on about having the best away record in the Premier League -- that's just not true, mate.
At best, we're 5th or 6th and probably lower now after our recent Moyesiac falling off to the end of the season.
Kevin Molloy 38 Posted 07/05/2026 at 20:44:43
Tony,
From the moment he joined in January 2025 up until I believe the Brentford game, he had the best win away record in the Premier League. That's over like 16 months.
Tony Abrahams 39 Posted 07/05/2026 at 21:11:02
Kevin, I’ve just looked at the Premier League table, and I’m hoping we can win another away game on Sunday, which would mean we have done the double over three bottom-half teams. (Thanks Mark!)
The away form has been very encouraging, Grant, but because of our home form, it hasn’t really made much of a difference points wise to the two previous seasons, even though some people continue to say we have been battling against relegation for years.
I could probably count the really good performances I’ve seen this season on one hand, which actually might be an improvement on the last few seasons....
Taking away the Chelsea game, when everyone got excited (looking back, Chelsea’s form was absolutely horrendous), I can’t remember one home game in 2026 which got the fans excited until the other night.
It’s backward and forward arguments, and for every person who is happy, I’m sure there’s another who sees it a little bit differently and might even be a little disappointed because, with seven games left, the season was looking like it promised a lot more.
Kevin Molloy 40 Posted 07/05/2026 at 21:16:26
Tony,
We've had to play with a low block the whole time, and no attacking full-backs. It's going to improve once we get the full-backs in. Moyes knows how to win at home, his whole career has been based on strong home form.
I really don't know why everyone is getting too excited with what the eventual Premier League position is. It could go up or down about 8 places, depending on our and other results. If we luckily finish 7th, it doesn't mean we're a much better side than if we unluckily finish 13th.
I look at things in the round: wwe look set to have a strong side next season. We're in a transitional phase, we need the squad to be improved incrementally, and I think that's what we'll get.
John Collins 41 Posted 07/05/2026 at 21:24:02
The targets are slowly being lowered over the last few weeks from some posters...
Tony Abrahams 42 Posted 07/05/2026 at 21:26:07
Some fair points, Kevin, but maybe if we had played with a low block all season, then we might have won more home games?
I think we would have won more home games if we had played with a bit more adventure in some games, but we are going over old ground, because that low block has worked away from home!
Martin Reppion 43 Posted 07/05/2026 at 21:29:13
To jump into your argument, guys, this season has been a massive improvement on recent years. At no point has it felt like a relegation battle. At times, we have punched well above our depleted squad's weight.
We are stronger than we have been for a long time and have posters on this site moaning that we now look like we will miss out on European football.
Pre-season, most of us would have said that mid-table security for a season was an improvement.
Over the summer, we will see more changes of personnel. Some will bemoan that we don't sign the likes of Lionel Messi. Get real. All we need to ensure is that each signing is better than the starting or cover player they are replacing.
The same level of incremental improvement will give us a realistic chance of a Top 8 campaign next year. I am not advocating support for mediocrity. I am advocating support for realistic targets that will see us back as contenders in 2 or 3 years time.
Brendan McLaughlin 44 Posted 07/05/2026 at 21:29:27
When Moyes arrived at Everton in his first stint, he took a team that had generally being looking downwards to the heady heights of 8th.
The following season, we were back in the Bottom 6. And then in his third season we finished 4th.
Progress isn't, as Kevin alludes, necessarily linear.
(The exact seasons and the positions in which Everton finished have been deliberately changed to protect the MOB!)
Tony Hughes 45 Posted 07/05/2026 at 21:42:50
Kevin's right, the squad just had a 3-week spring break, they should have been refreshed and raring to go.
Mentalty issues? It can't be down to tiredness.
John Pickles 46 Posted 07/05/2026 at 22:02:14
Whatever happens from now to the end of the season, three things come to mind.
Firstly, we have made recognisable improvement from the last few seasons; we have a core group of players that are good enough to play in European competitions; and lastly, we are the nation's basket-case club no more.
Brendan McLaughlin 47 Posted 07/05/2026 at 23:35:36
John P #48
Pretty boring but pretty accurate
Stu Gre 48 Posted 08/05/2026 at 11:43:41
Brendan didn't we finish 7th in Moyes first season?
That means if Moyes doesn't finish in the top 8 he'd have failed based on his own previous high standards? (not too dissimilar circumstances to his first stint). Tbh, if he doesn't finish in the top 8 I'd be very disappointed as that's what a lot of us less favourable towards Moyes would have expected at the start of the season.
Have we progressed, yes in some respects but no in terms of youth development and style of play.
Have we progressed on what Moyes did when he first took over from Dyche, I'd argue we have regressed a bit.
We're we ever seriously in for champions league positions. NO! Read back comments if you like, but lots of us predicted the Moyes unravelling, because its not like he doesn't have previous.
BTW, one manager lots of us have spoken about - Glasner - has reached yet another final despite being dealt a far worse hand than our manager. Finding it hard in the league but he still found time to think about trying to win something. Oh and they can still finish above champions league chasing Everton btw.
Now to opta stats, they are fine until you realise people make mistakes, or have moments of brilliance. One moment can defy all statistics. Just ask Stephen Gerrard.
Tony Abrahams 49 Posted 08/05/2026 at 12:01:29
Brendan@44, when Moyes, took Everton, to that 4th place finish mate, I remember that we got absolutely murdered on the opening day of the season at home to a very good Arsenal team.
After that opening game I remember Kevin Campbell, coming out and saying that he would take 17th place right now, and because we had just sold Wayne Rooney, and hadn’t really signed any players during that summer, then I think most people felt the same way.
Moyes, changed the system and then we beat a few of the promoted teams, got a bit of confidence and never really looked back, and yet now, at a time that some of us can see that we have got a few very good players in our squad, and are playing in front of nearly 50.000 Evertonians, every other week, in a fantastic new stadium, why do so many people just keep going on about STABILITY?
It’s time to wake up start demanding more and realise what Everton can become once again, imvho!!
Kevin Molloy 50 Posted 08/05/2026 at 12:42:49
why is there this assumption that getting rid of Moyes and getting someone else in is not a huge risk? Any new appointment is always fraught with risk, and yet we are being urged to ditch the concrete progress of the last year, in order to roll the dice with god knows who? Just cos we've got a new stadium, we aren't this big draw we were 40 years ago. you only need to look at our struggles in the transfer market to see that. Players in France preferred to stay where they were last year. And if we get the appointment wrong, we'll be bobbing around the relegation zone by Christmas, knowing that we absolutely have to get the next appointment right or we'll be relegated. the uptick in form of Garner KDH O'Brien Beto and Keane are all traceable to working under Moyes. They may well fall off again with a new guy. Why would we want to open up that gigantic. can of worms. It's not like we haven't been down this road before, we've appointed the exciting young coaches like Silva and Lamard, and we know that when we have to boot them it forces us to managers like Dyche and Allardyce. Let's not do that. Let's at least give this manager a fair crack of the whip. ie more than a year.
Andrew Ellams 51 Posted 08/05/2026 at 13:41:33
John P @ 46. If the next 3 go like the last 4 then we will finish the season with pretty much the same points as last season and around the same league position which is not too different from the previous season under Dyche,
Sounds more like treading water to me.
John Collins 52 Posted 08/05/2026 at 13:51:42
The brainwashed from Moyes's first go around remain in situ.
Indoctrinated fans with the fear of relegation as opposed to the accepted stability.
He has made no progress on the points total of Dyche to date.
Brendan McLaughlin 53 Posted 08/05/2026 at 21:23:36
Stu mate #48
I agree I don't think we were ever serious contenders for the Champions League.
Take your own advice and read back the comments and you'll see that the people bigging up our Champions League hopes were mainly the MOB. They were hyping the expectation levels to use as a stick with which to beat the manager.
Not sure Moyes unravelled. I just think we had a difficult run of fixtures and just weren't good enough.
Brendan McLaughlin 54 Posted 08/05/2026 at 21:29:09
Tony #49
That was also the season I discovered ToffeeWeb and it's been great company ever since.
Tony Abrahams 55 Posted 08/05/2026 at 21:54:38
Very debatable what you have written about it only being the MOB, Brendan, because arguably the biggest defender of David Moyes, on this website is Kevin Molloy, and along with him saying we have got the best away record in the league, the other repetitive thing he has kept on saying was, we are in the running for the champions league.
Surely you could argue that Kevin, was also hyping the manager, to make it sound like he wasn’t getting enough credit for the job he was doing?
We have come up short but we have also just lost five points, because we have started conceding last minute goals in our last three games, so if Everton don’t get into Europe, because of this then, does this also mean it was because we simply weren’t good enough, and the manager has still done a fantastic job?
Brendan McLaughlin 56 Posted 08/05/2026 at 22:09:15
Tony #55
Being in the running and being serious contenders are very different arguments but I'm sure Kevin can speak for himself.
Not sure many people are claiming Moyes has done a fantastic job or I'm missing more than I think on ToffeeWeb.
John Collins 57 Posted 08/05/2026 at 22:26:10
"Paranoia is just a heightened sense of awareness." — John Lennon
"The Mob" Brendan?
Brendan McLaughlin 58 Posted 08/05/2026 at 22:55:01
John #57
Obviously notThe MOB
John Collins 59 Posted 08/05/2026 at 23:02:01
I don't know, Brendan....
Given your opinion on the TW MOB, they could be on a par.
John Collins 60 Posted 08/05/2026 at 23:09:57
Fergeddaboutid 😁
Brendan McLaughlin 61 Posted 08/05/2026 at 23:21:36
John #59
The ToffeeWeb MOB can hardly land a punch... a Saint Valentine's Day mob like massacre... doubt I'll see it on these pages.
John Collins 62 Posted 08/05/2026 at 23:39:03
You would dive in the way if it was aimed at Bugsy Moyes, Brendan.
Take one for the gaffer!
Eric Myles 63 Posted 08/05/2026 at 00:38:27
Andrew #51, we were not treading water under Dyche.
We were the drowning man about to go under for the final time until we got a Moyes-shaped rescue boat.
Don Alexander 64 Posted 09/05/2026 at 03:12:52
As me and others have proposed, Freidkin this Summer will display what he is between being the owner of a trophy-winning historically major English football club with a huge measurably fanatic and eternally loyal fan-base... or, regrettably, just another avaricious tosser intent on using us for his personal financial benefit.
Freidkin, be warned: if you're the latter, you will not get decades of ostensible "support".
Us lot, the fans upon which your fortune depends, have been punished enough by bogus owners, for decades, and you should have known that before you acquired us.
Make a statement this Summer, with signings and sales.
Maybe I’m becoming a little bit of a sensationalist myself but, when I read some of the comments from the other little gang, who blame anyone but the manager at times, then it does make me think that they must believe David, is doing a fantastic job, Brendan?
I see quite a few people giving Moyes - stick, on this website Brendan, and although I’m not going to go back and look at the posts, I don’t think many people are using the team’s failure to qualify for the champions league, as a stick to beat up our manager?
If we don’t qualify for Europe, after putting ourselves in such a great position, then I think a lot of the people who don’t really like the manager, will blame him and say he has failed, but let’s see how the season finishes first, is what I’d say.
FC Barcelona are just one point away from being crowned as La Liga champions, and they could achieve that tonight when they face off against Real Madrid in El Clasico.
The Catalans have an 11-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid, who are currently going through a period of tumult and turmoil with all the infighting and unrest in the dressing room.
Having already won the Spanish Super Cup by beating Los Blancos, lifting the La Liga title with a win over their arch-rivals will make the triumph even sweeter for Hansi Flick & co.
Leading up to the big game, Barcelona have no new injury concerns, although Lamine Yamal’s absence will be felt. Andreas Christensen, who has been training with the team for a while now, is unlikely to be rushed back either.
Flick, though, has some interesting decisions to make with regard to the lineup that will take the field against Alvaro Arbeloa & co. Here’s how the soon-to-be-confirmed champions could take the field in the Clasico.
Joan Garcia, on the cusp of winning the Zamora Trophy, will start in goal as usual for Barcelona, hoping to keep a clean sheet against Real Madrid.
The centre-back pairing of Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin, which has never lost a game in La Liga this season, is unlikely to be tinkered with either.
One major dilemma comes in the right-back position, where Flick will have to choose between three players to tackle the threat of Vinicius Jr. Going by the test lineup the manager tried in training, Jules Kounde could get the nod over Eric Garcia and Ronald Araujo.
Kounde vs Vinicius tonight? (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
On the left side of the defence, Joao Cancelo is expected to retain his spot in the team ahead of Alejandro Balde.
Pedri is a guaranteed starter for Barcelona tonight in the Clasico and will be extremely crucial to the team’s chances of coming out on top.
As for his partner in the double pivot, Flick faces another selection headache. Frenkie de Jong has been the preferred option for the majority of the season and has accumulated plenty of minutes from the bench since returning from injury.
However, Gavi has been in fine form in recent games, performing exceptionally well in the centre of the park, and could, thus, retain his spot for the Clasico.
As for the No. 10 position, Dani Olmo is expected to get the nod again for the home team.
Raphinha is back from injury, but is unlikely to start from kickoff. As such, Fermin Lopez is expected to feature on the left flank for the Blaugrana against Real Madrid.
Even though Ferran Torres has been making a strong case for his inclusion in the team, Robert Lewandowski has been going through a positive run, and Flick is likely to continue backing the veteran forward in the No. 9 position.
On the right, Roony Bardghji is set to be given another opportunity in Lamine Yamal’s absence, even though Marcus Rashford has impressed on that flank after coming on as a substitute in the past couple of matches.
Mimi Van Zanten’s header goal in the 81st minute was the game-winner at BMO Stadium on Saturday night. The rookie’s first professional goal gave San Diego Wave FC a 2-1 win against Southern California rival Angel City FC.
The 21-year-old Jamaican defender has started all nine games for the Wave this season, and continues her ascension. Dudinha’s two-goal contributions helped snap San Diego’s two-game losing streak on the road. Following their win against LA, they now have a 6-3-0 record and have the second-most points in the NWSL (18), behind the Portland Thorns.
Portland snapped San Diego’s five-game win streak last week in a top-of-the-table clash. Following that loss, the Wave returned to Snapdragon Stadium on May 2 to host Bay FC. San Jose’s early goal from Racheal Kundananji decided the outcome, handing them back-to-back losses.
In that match, head coach Jonas Eidevall received a red card for expressing his frustration with the referee's decision that interrupted a fast break opportunity. Becki Tweed, the Wave's assistant coach, took over for the rest of that match and served as the interim coach while Eidevall served his suspension.
Tweed made a few changes to the starting lineup against Los Angeles, swapping midfielders Gia Corley and Kimmi Ascanio for Lia Godfrey and Laurina Fazer. DiDi Haracic started in goal once again following an injury that kept her sidelined for several weeks.
Meanwhile, Angel City entered Saturday night on a three-game losing streak, falling to Orlando (2-1), Portland (2-1), and Utah (1-0) on May 2. Cloé Lacasse’s goal in the 32nd minute secured the win for the Royals. Los Angeles began the season with three straight wins. Forward Sveindís Jónsdóttir is their leading goal scorer with three.
Haracic had a very impressive save in the first half. Taylor Suarez entered the attacking third, and a ball that rolled past both San Diego center-backs. Kennedy Wesley’s slide attempt was unsuccessful, leaving Suarez one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Haracic made a terrific block to keep the game scoreless in the 38th minute.
denied by Didi 🚫 pic.twitter.com/eDKF1ZCZBx
— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) May 10, 2026
Neither team was able to score in the opening half, but that would quickly change following the break. San Diego brought on two attacking players to begin the second half in Godfrey and Trinity Byars.
Dudinha continues to prove why she’s one of the league's better attacking players. She flashed her dribbling skills, getting past two Angel City defenders as she entered the box. Her right-footed shot ricocheted off the shoulder of Sarah Gorden and into the net. Dudinha scored her third goal of the season in the 49th minute. This was also the 200th goal scored by a Brazilian player in the NWSL.
Angel City responded five minutes later. Gordon sailed a pass into the box, and Emily Sams perfectly timed her run behind the backline. Her sliding shot got past a diving Haracic to equalize. It was a center-back-to-center-back connection for the score. This was Sams first goal for her new team.
After the tying goal, San Diego increased its offensive momentum and had several opportunities to regain its lead. Kenza Dali fired off two quality shots. Melanie Barcenas, who was subbed on in the 63rd minute, shot was blocked by goalkeeper Angelina Anderson. Godfrey’s powerful shot from outside the box was also saved.
That moment finally came in the 81st minute.
Godfrey swung a pass to the left wing. Dudinha analyzed her options for a quick second and noticed Van Zanten’s hand go up, asking for the ball. She placed the ball right in front of the right post, and a sprinting Van Zanten put the ball inside the net using her head—a perfectly executed play to take the lead.
THE SAN DIEGO GAME WINNER IN LA 🌊 pic.twitter.com/nLQfdccRf6
— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) May 10, 2026
Dudinha has the third-most goal contributions in 2026 with seven (three goals and four assists). Van Zanten’s first-ever goal helped San Diego get back into the win column and secure three points. This was the Wave’s fourth road win this season.
Los Angeles committed 20 fouls, compared to the visiting team’s eight. San Diego had one more shot on the night and controlled possession 55.5% of the time.
The Wave will return to Snapdragon Stadium on Friday, May 15, to host the Washington Spirit, who are having themselves a good season as well. Kick off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PT.
St. Louis Cardinals (23-16, second in the NL Central) vs. San Diego Padres (23-16, second in the NL West)
San Diego; Sunday, 4:10 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Cardinals: Kyle Leahy (4-3, 4.93 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 27 strikeouts); Padres: Walker Buehler (2-2, 5.64 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 29 strikeouts)
LINE: Padres -136, Cardinals +115; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The St. Louis Cardinals meet the San Diego Padres leading the series 2-1.
San Diego has a 23-16 record overall and a 12-10 record in home games. The Padres are 14-4 in games when they did not allow a home run.
St. Louis has a 13-6 record on the road and a 23-16 record overall. The Cardinals are 10-5 in games when they did not give up a home run.
The teams meet Sunday for the fourth time this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Xander Bogaerts has two doubles and seven home runs for the Padres. Ty France is 10 for 34 with a double, two triples, three home runs and 10 RBIs over the last 10 games.
Jordan Walker has eight doubles and 10 home runs while hitting .301 for the Cardinals. Alec Burleson is 11 for 40 with two doubles and three home runs over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Padres: 4-6, .184 batting average, 3.94 ERA, outscored by seven runs
Cardinals: 7-3, .244 batting average, 2.83 ERA, outscored opponents by 13 runs
INJURIES: Padres: Joe Musgrove: 60-Day IL (elbow), Luis Campusano: 10-Day IL (toe), Jake Cronenworth: 7-Day IL (concussion), German Marquez: 15-Day IL (forearm), Jhony Brito: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bryan Hoeing: 60-Day IL (elbow), Nick Pivetta: 15-Day IL (elbow)
Cardinals: Matt Pushard: 15-Day IL (knee), Ramon Urias: 10-Day IL (elbow), Lars Nootbaar: 60-Day IL (heels)
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Atlanta Braves (27-13, first in the NL East) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (24-15, first in the NL West)
Los Angeles; Sunday, 4:10 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Braves: Bryce Elder (3-1, 2.02 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 45 strikeouts); Dodgers: Justin Wrobleski (5-0, 1.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 15 strikeouts)
LINE: Dodgers -131, Braves +110; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves meet on Sunday with the three-game series tied 1-1.
Los Angeles has a 13-7 record in home games and a 24-15 record overall. The Dodgers have gone 19-4 in games when they record at least eight hits.
Atlanta has a 27-13 record overall and a 15-7 record on the road. The Braves have the fourth-ranked team on-base percentage in the NL at .335.
The teams play Sunday for the third time this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Andy Pages leads the Dodgers with 17 extra base hits (eight doubles and nine home runs). Freddie Freeman is 11 for 40 with three doubles, a home run and five RBIs over the last 10 games.
Drake Baldwin has five doubles, nine home runs and 31 RBIs while hitting .298 for the Braves. Ozzie Albies is 12 for 39 with three doubles and two home runs over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Dodgers: 4-6, .247 batting average, 2.90 ERA, outscored opponents by six runs
Braves: 6-4, .260 batting average, 3.41 ERA, outscored opponents by 14 runs
INJURIES: Dodgers: Brock Stewart: 15-Day IL (foot), Tommy Edman: 60-Day IL (ankle), Tyler Glasnow: 15-Day IL (back), Mookie Betts: 10-Day IL (back), Brusdar Graterol: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Ben Casparius: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Landon Knack: 60-Day IL (undisclosed), Jake Cousins: 60-Day IL (elbow), Gavin Stone: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Kike Hernandez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bobby Miller: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Evan Phillips: 60-Day IL (elbow), Edwin Diaz: 15-Day IL (elbow)
Braves: Ronald Acuna Jr.: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Dylan Dodd: 15-Day IL (back), AJ Smith-Shawver: 60-Day IL (elbow), Ha-Seong Kim: 10-Day IL (finger), Danny Young: 60-Day IL (elbow), Spencer Schwellenbach: 60-Day IL (elbow), Joe Jimenez: 60-Day IL (knee), Joey Wentz: 60-Day IL (knee), Hurston Waldrep: 15-Day IL (elbow)
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
New York Mets (15-24, fifth in the NL East) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (18-20, third in the NL West)
Phoenix; Sunday, 4:10 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Mets: Huascar Brazoban (2-0, 1.53 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 14 strikeouts); Diamondbacks: Eduardo Rodriguez (3-0, 2.50 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 29 strikeouts)
LINE: Diamondbacks -110, Mets -109; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Mets meet on Sunday with the winner claiming the three-game series.
Arizona has an 11-9 record at home and an 18-20 record overall. Diamondbacks hitters have a collective .395 slugging percentage to rank ninth in the majors.
New York has gone 9-12 on the road and 15-24 overall. The Mets have the sixth-ranked team ERA in the NL at 3.90.
The teams play Sunday for the sixth time this season. The Diamondbacks lead the season series 3-2.
TOP PERFORMERS: Ildemaro Vargas has seven doubles, two triples and six home runs for the Diamondbacks. Corbin Carroll is 9 for 38 with two doubles, two home runs and three RBIs over the past 10 games.
Juan Soto has four doubles, a triple and four home runs for the Mets. Marcus Semien is 10 for 36 with a double, a home run and four RBIs over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Diamondbacks: 3-7, .203 batting average, 3.93 ERA, outscored by 10 runs
Mets: 5-5, .221 batting average, 3.93 ERA, outscored by five runs
INJURIES: Diamondbacks: Carlos Santana: 10-Day IL (groin), Jordan Lawlar: 60-Day IL (wrist), A.J. Puk: 60-Day IL (elbow), Blake Walston: 60-Day IL (elbow), Andrew Saalfrank: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Cristian Mena: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Corbin Burnes: 60-Day IL (elbow), Pavin Smith: 60-Day IL (elbow), Justin Martinez: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Mets: Joey Gerber: 15-Day IL (finger), A.J. Minter: 15-Day IL (lat), Jorge Polanco: 10-Day IL (wrist), Ronny Mauricio: 10-Day IL (thumb), Luis Robert: 10-Day IL (back), Kodai Senga: 15-Day IL (spinal lumbar ), Jared Young: 10-Day IL (knee), Francisco Lindor: 10-Day IL (calf), Reed Garrett: 60-Day IL (elbow), Justin Hagenman: 60-Day IL (rib), Tylor Megill: 60-Day IL (elbow), Dedniel Nunez: 60-Day IL (elbow)
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Pittsburgh Pirates (22-18, fourth in the NL Central) vs. San Francisco Giants (15-24, fifth in the NL West)
San Francisco; Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Pirates: Bubba Chandler (1-4, 4.76 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 31 strikeouts); Giants: Tyler Mahle (1-4, 5.00 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 34 strikeouts)
LINE: Giants -118, Pirates -101; over/under is 8 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Pirates take on the San Francisco Giants after Nick Gonzales' four-hit game on Saturday.
San Francisco is 15-24 overall and 9-12 in home games. Giants hitters are batting a collective .241, which ranks eighth in the NL.
Pittsburgh has an 11-9 record on the road and a 22-18 record overall. The Pirates are 15-7 in games when they record eight or more hits.
Sunday's game is the third time these teams meet this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Luis Arraez has seven doubles and two triples while hitting .312 for the Giants. Casey Schmitt is 11 for 38 with a triple and two home runs over the past 10 games.
Ryan O'Hearn has five doubles and five home runs for the Pirates. Brandon Lowe is 12 for 34 with four doubles, a triple and three home runs over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Giants: 2-8, .228 batting average, 4.43 ERA, outscored by 25 runs
Pirates: 6-4, .270 batting average, 4.09 ERA, outscored opponents by 14 runs
INJURIES: Giants: Logan Webb: 15-Day IL (knee), Sam Hentges: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Erik Miller: 15-Day IL (back), Jared Oliva: 60-Day IL (wrist), Harrison Bader: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Daniel Susac: 10-Day IL (elbow), Jose Butto: 60-Day IL (arm), Reiver Sanmartin: 60-Day IL (hip), Hayden Birdsong: 60-Day IL (forearm), Jason Foley: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Randy Rodriguez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Rowan Wick: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Pirates: Jake Mangum: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Chris Devenski: 15-Day IL (illness), Jared Jones: 60-Day IL (elbow)
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Houston Astros (16-24, fourth in the AL West) vs. Cincinnati Reds (21-19, fifth in the NL Central)
Cincinnati; Sunday, 1:40 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Astros: Kai-Wei Teng (1-2, 2.35 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 22 strikeouts); Reds: Andrew Abbott (1-2, 5.13 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 28 strikeouts)
LINE: Reds -124, Astros +104; over/under is 9 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Cincinnati Reds and Houston Astros play on Sunday with the winner claiming the three-game series.
Cincinnati is 11-9 in home games and 21-19 overall. The Reds have hit 52 total home runs to rank third in the majors.
Houston has gone 7-14 in road games and 16-24 overall. Astros hitters have a collective .436 slugging percentage to rank fourth in the majors.
Sunday's game is the third time these teams square off this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Elly De La Cruz leads the Reds with 18 extra base hits (eight doubles and 10 home runs). JJ Bleday is 8 for 35 with two doubles, three home runs and six RBIs over the past 10 games.
Christian Walker has nine doubles, nine home runs and 27 RBIs while hitting .288 for the Astros. Isaac Paredes is 12 for 35 with three doubles over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Reds: 2-8, .210 batting average, 6.64 ERA, outscored by 33 runs
Astros: 5-5, .265 batting average, 4.40 ERA, outscored by four runs
INJURIES: Reds: Rhett Lowder: day-to-day (shoulder), Eugenio Suarez: 10-Day IL (oblique), Brandon Williamson: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Emilio Pagan: 15-Day IL (hamstring), Caleb Ferguson: 15-Day IL (oblique), Hunter Greene: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Astros: Hunter Brown: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Bennett Sousa: 15-Day IL (elbow), Carlos Correa: 10-Day IL (ankle), Yainer Diaz: 10-Day IL (abdominal), Joey Loperfido: 10-Day IL (quadricep), Jake Meyers: 10-Day IL (oblique), Nate Pearson: 15-Day IL (elbow), Taylor Trammell: 10-Day IL (groin), Tatsuya Imai: 15-Day IL (arm), Jeremy Pena: 10-Day IL (knee), Cristian Javier: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Brandon Walter: 60-Day IL (elbow), Ronel Blanco: 60-Day IL (elbow), Josh Hader: 60-Day IL (biceps), Hayden Wesneski: 60-Day IL (elbow)
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
New York Yankees (26-14, second in the AL East) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (21-16, third in the NL Central)
Milwaukee; Sunday, 2:10 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Yankees: Carlos Rodon (0-0); Brewers: Logan Henderson (0-1, 4.50 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 11 strikeouts)
LINE: Yankees -125, Brewers +105; over/under is 8 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The New York Yankees hit the road against the Milwaukee Brewers looking to stop a three-game road skid.
Milwaukee is 21-16 overall and 12-8 at home. Brewers pitchers have a collective 3.45 ERA, which ranks third in the NL.
New York has gone 12-8 on the road and 26-14 overall. The Yankees have the second-ranked team on-base percentage in the AL at .333.
Sunday's game is the third time these teams square off this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jake Bauers leads the Brewers with six home runs while slugging .458. William Contreras is 15 for 42 with a double, a home run and 12 RBIs over the past 10 games.
Ben Rice has nine doubles and 12 home runs for the Yankees. Aaron Judge is 10 for 36 with a double and three home runs over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Brewers: 7-3, .267 batting average, 2.43 ERA, outscored opponents by 34 runs
Yankees: 6-4, .267 batting average, 3.16 ERA, outscored opponents by 24 runs
INJURIES: Brewers: Brandon Lockridge: 10-Day IL (knee), Quinn Priester: 15-Day IL (wrist), Jared Koenig: 15-Day IL (elbow), Brandon Woodruff: 15-Day IL (arm), Angel Zerpa: 15-Day IL (forearm), Rob Zastryzny: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Akil Baddoo: 60-Day IL (quadricep), Christian Yelich: 10-Day IL (groin)
Yankees: Ben Rice: day-to-day (finger), Jasson Dominguez: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Carlos Rodon: 15-Day IL (elbow), Giancarlo Stanton: 10-Day IL (leg), Angel Chivilli: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Gerrit Cole: 15-Day IL (elbow), Clarke Schmidt: 60-Day IL (elbow)
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Chicago Cubs (27-13, first in the NL Central) vs. Texas Rangers (18-21, third in the AL West)
Arlington, Texas; Sunday, 2:35 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Cubs: Jameson Taillon (2-1, 4.24 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 36 strikeouts); Rangers: Jacob deGrom (2-2, 3.11 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 47 strikeouts)
LINE: Rangers -131, Cubs +110; over/under is 8 runs
BOTTOM LINE: Both the Texas Rangers and the Chicago Cubs are looking for a series win with a victory on Sunday.
Texas is 18-21 overall and 8-9 at home. The Rangers have a 13-2 record in games when they scored at least five runs.
Chicago is 27-13 overall and 9-8 in road games. Cubs hitters are batting a collective .255, which ranks third in the NL.
The matchup Sunday is the third meeting between these teams this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Corey Seager is second on the Rangers with 13 extra base hits (six doubles and seven home runs). Josh Jung is 14 for 42 with a double, a home run and six RBIs over the last 10 games.
Ian Happ leads the Cubs with 16 extra base hits (six doubles, a triple and nine home runs). Seiya Suzuki is 11 for 36 with two doubles, three home runs and eight RBIs over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Rangers: 4-6, .224 batting average, 4.19 ERA, outscored by 12 runs
Cubs: 9-1, .237 batting average, 3.36 ERA, outscored opponents by 16 runs
INJURIES: Rangers: Carter Baumler: 15-Day IL (ribs), Robert Garcia: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Josh Smith: 10-Day IL (glute), Wyatt Langford: 10-Day IL (forearm), Cody Freeman: 10-Day IL (back ), Chris Martin: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Cody Bradford: 60-Day IL (elbow), Luis Curvelo: 15-Day IL (biceps), Jordan Montgomery: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Cubs: Matthew Boyd: 15-Day IL (knee), Jordan Wicks: 15-Day IL (forearm), Riley Martin: 15-Day IL (elbow), Hunter Harvey: 15-Day IL (tricep), Porter Hodge: 60-Day IL (elbow), Caleb Thielbar: 15-Day IL (hamstring), Shelby Miller: 60-Day IL (elbow), Justin Steele: 60-Day IL (elbow), Christopher Austin: 60-Day IL (knee), Cade Horton: 60-Day IL (forearm)
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Detroit Tigers (18-22, fourth in the AL Central) vs. Kansas City Royals (19-21, second in the AL Central)
Kansas City, Missouri; Sunday, 7:20 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Tigers: Brenan Hanifee (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, four strikeouts); Royals: Noah Cameron (2-2, 5.40 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, 28 strikeouts)
LINE: Royals -132, Tigers +110; over/under is 8 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Detroit Tigers head into the matchup against the Kansas City Royals after losing five straight games.
Kansas City is 19-21 overall and 13-9 in home games. The Royals have the ninth-ranked team ERA in the AL at 4.24.
Detroit is 6-16 on the road and 18-22 overall. The Tigers have the sixth-ranked team on-base percentage in the AL at .323.
The matchup Sunday is the sixth time these teams match up this season. The Tigers hold a 3-2 advantage in the season series.
TOP PERFORMERS: Carter Jensen leads the Royals with six home runs while slugging .402. Maikel Garcia is 12 for 40 with five doubles, a home run and five RBIs over the past 10 games.
Kevin McGonigle has two home runs, 22 walks and 16 RBIs while hitting .294 for the Tigers. Riley Greene is 13 for 36 with four doubles, a home run and three RBIs over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Royals: 7-3, .246 batting average, 3.40 ERA, outscored opponents by eight runs
Tigers: 3-7, .213 batting average, 3.72 ERA, outscored by six runs
INJURIES: Royals: Cole Ragans: 15-Day IL (elbow), Carlos Estevez: 15-Day IL (foot), Bailey Falter: 15-Day IL (elbow), Jonathan India: 10-Day IL (shoulder), James McArthur: 60-Day IL (elbow), Alec Marsh: 60-Day IL (shoulder)
Tigers: Kerry Carpenter: day-to-day (undisclosed), Gleyber Torres: 10-Day IL (oblique), Will Vest: 15-Day IL (forearm), Tarik Skubal: 15-Day IL (elbow), Javier Baez: 10-Day IL (ankle), Casey Mize: 15-Day IL (groin), Justin Verlander: 15-Day IL (hip), Connor Seabold: 15-Day IL (ankle), Bailey Horn: 60-Day IL (elbow), Trey Sweeney: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Reese Olson: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Parker Meadows: 60-Day IL (head/arm), Jackson Jobe: 60-Day IL (elbow), Troy Melton: 60-Day IL (elbow), Beau Brieske: 60-Day IL (groin)
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Seattle Mariners (19-21, second in the AL West) vs. Chicago White Sox (18-21, third in the AL Central)
Chicago; Sunday, 2:10 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Mariners: Logan Gilbert (2-3, 4.30 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 43 strikeouts); White Sox: Davis Martin (5-1, 1.64 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 43 strikeouts)
LINE: Mariners -130, White Sox +109; over/under is 8 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Chicago White Sox and Seattle Mariners meet on Sunday with the three-game series tied 1-1.
Chicago is 8-9 in home games and 18-21 overall. The White Sox have a 13-5 record in games when they scored at least five runs.
Seattle has a 19-21 record overall and a 7-10 record in road games. The Mariners rank fifth in the AL with 46 total home runs, averaging 1.2 per game.
The matchup Sunday is the third time these teams meet this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Miguel Vargas has four doubles, a triple and nine home runs while hitting .228 for the White Sox. Colson Montgomery is 9 for 39 with three doubles and three home runs over the past 10 games.
Randy Arozarena has nine doubles, a triple and three home runs while hitting .278 for the Mariners. Julio Rodriguez is 15 for 42 with four doubles and four home runs over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: White Sox: 6-4, .256 batting average, 3.27 ERA, outscored opponents by 13 runs
Mariners: 5-5, .224 batting average, 3.90 ERA, outscored opponents by four runs
INJURIES: White Sox: Andrew Benintendi: day-to-day (neck), Drew Thorpe: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kyle Teel: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Austin Hays: 10-Day IL (calf), Tanner Murray: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Everson Pereira: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Ky Bush: 60-Day IL (elbow), Brooks Baldwin: 60-Day IL (elbow), Mike Vasil: 60-Day IL (elbow), Prelander Berroa: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Mariners: Will Wilson: 10-Day IL (thumb), Victor Robles: 10-Day IL (pectoral), Gabe Speier: 15-Day IL (shoulder inflammation), Cal Raleigh: day-to-day (undisclosed), Patrick Wisdom: 10-Day IL (oblique), Matt Brash: 15-Day IL (lat), Bryce Miller: 15-Day IL (oblique), Logan Evans: 60-Day IL (arm), Carlos Vargas: 60-Day IL (lat), Miles Mastrobuoni: 60-Day IL (calf)
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Minnesota Twins (17-23, fifth in the AL Central) vs. Cleveland Guardians (21-20, first in the AL Central)
Cleveland; Sunday, 1:40 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Twins: Andrew Morris (1-1, 4.96 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 15 strikeouts); Guardians: Gavin Williams (5-2, 3.28 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 60 strikeouts)
LINE: Guardians -148, Twins +124; over/under is 7 1/2 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Cleveland Guardians and Minnesota Twins play on Sunday with the three-game series tied 1-1.
Cleveland has a 10-8 record in home games and a 21-20 record overall. The Guardians have a 17-7 record in games when they record at least eight hits.
Minnesota has a 17-23 record overall and a 7-13 record on the road. The Twins are 7-4 in games when they hit two or more home runs.
Sunday's game is the third time these teams square off this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Chase DeLauter has a .295 batting average to lead the Guardians, and has 10 doubles, a triple and six home runs. Jose Ramirez is 8 for 36 with three RBIs over the past 10 games.
Byron Buxton leads the Twins with 13 home runs while slugging .563. Brooks Lee is 13 for 40 with three doubles and eight RBIs over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Guardians: 6-4, .228 batting average, 3.94 ERA, outscored opponents by seven runs
Twins: 4-6, .246 batting average, 5.36 ERA, outscored by 14 runs
INJURIES: Guardians: Shawn Armstrong: 15-Day IL (groin), Gabriel Arias: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Andrew Walters: 15-Day IL (lat)
Twins: Taj Bradley: 15-Day IL (pectoral), Cody Laweryson: 15-Day IL (forearm), Cole Sands: 15-Day IL (forearm), Garrett Acton: 15-Day IL (shoulder), David Festa: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Mick Abel: 15-Day IL (elbow), Pablo Lopez: 60-Day IL (elbow)
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Athletics (21-18, first in the AL West) vs. Baltimore Orioles (17-23, fifth in the AL East)
Baltimore; Sunday, 1:35 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Athletics: Luis Severino (2-3, 4.15 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 43 strikeouts); Orioles: Chris Bassitt (2-2, 5.91 ERA, 1.91 WHIP, 20 strikeouts)
LINE: Orioles -110, Athletics -110; over/under is 9 1/2 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Baltimore Orioles aim to break their three-game home slide with a victory over the Athletics.
Baltimore has a 9-11 record at home and a 17-23 record overall. Orioles hitters are batting a collective .233, which ranks 10th in the AL.
The Athletics have a 21-18 record overall and a 13-10 record on the road. The Athletics have an 8-4 record in games decided by one run.
The teams meet Sunday for the third time this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Gunnar Henderson leads the Orioles with nine home runs while slugging .419. Adley Rutschman is 11 for 37 with three doubles, two home runs and 10 RBIs over the past 10 games.
Shea Langeliers has 11 home runs, 13 walks and 22 RBIs while hitting .340 for the Athletics. Nick Kurtz is 14 for 41 with four doubles, a triple and eight RBIs over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Orioles: 2-8, .215 batting average, 6.97 ERA, outscored by 36 runs
Athletics: 6-4, .284 batting average, 4.81 ERA, outscored opponents by six runs
INJURIES: Orioles: Blaze Alexander: day-to-day (calf), Cade Povich: 15-Day IL (elbow), Jordan Westburg: 60-Day IL (ucl), Heston Kjerstad: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Jackson Holliday: 10-Day IL (finger), Ryan Helsley: 15-Day IL (elbow), Trevor Rogers: 15-Day IL (illness), Dean Kremer: 15-Day IL (quadricep), Felix Bautista: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Colin Selby: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Zach Eflin: 60-Day IL (elbow), Yaramil Hiraldo: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Ryan Mountcastle: 60-Day IL (foot)
Athletics: Denzel Clarke: 10-Day IL (foot), Max Muncy: 10-Day IL (hand), Gunnar Hoglund: 60-Day IL (knee)
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Los Angeles Angels (15-25, fifth in the AL West) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (18-21, third in the AL East)
Toronto; Sunday, 1:37 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Angels: Jose Soriano (5-2, 1.74 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 54 strikeouts); Blue Jays: Spencer Miles (1-0, 3.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 16 strikeouts)
LINE: Angels -119, Blue Jays -101; over/under is 8 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Toronto Blue Jays play the Los Angeles Angels after Ernie Clement's five-hit game on Saturday.
Toronto is 18-21 overall and 12-8 in home games. The Blue Jays are 7-3 in games when they hit two or more home runs.
Los Angeles has a 7-15 record on the road and a 15-25 record overall. The Angels have a 7-15 record in games when they have allowed a home run.
Sunday's game is the sixth time these teams meet this season. The Blue Jays have a 4-1 advantage in the season series.
TOP PERFORMERS: Kazuma Okamoto leads the Blue Jays with 10 home runs while slugging .482. Brandon Valenzuela is 9 for 26 with three home runs and eight RBIs over the past 10 games.
Jo Adell leads the Angels with a .261 batting average, and has three doubles, four home runs, four walks and 21 RBIs. Nolan Schanuel is 12 for 37 with an RBI over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Blue Jays: 5-5, .266 batting average, 3.18 ERA, outscored opponents by 18 runs
Angels: 3-7, .220 batting average, 4.70 ERA, outscored by 22 runs
INJURIES: Blue Jays: Nathan Lukes: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Lazaro Estrada: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Jose Berrios: 15-Day IL (elbow), Max Scherzer: 15-Day IL (forearm), Yimi Garcia: 60-Day IL (elbow), Cody Ponce: 60-Day IL (knee), Anthony Santander: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Alejandro Kirk: 10-Day IL (hand), Shane Bieber: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bowden Francis: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Angels: Travis d'Arnaud: 10-Day IL (foot), Logan O'Hoppe: 10-Day IL (wrist), Grayson Rodriguez: 15-Day IL (arm), Ryan Johnson: 15-Day IL (illness), Yusei Kikuchi: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Robert Stephenson: 60-Day IL (elbow), Ben Joyce: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Anthony Rendon: 60-Day IL (hip)
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Real Madrid visit Barcelona in the midst of an institutional crisis. Los Blancos are 11 points behind Barça and Flick’s team could clinch the title with a victory tonight.
Barcelona predicted XI: Joan García; Koundé, Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Cancelo; Pedri, Gavi; Rashford, Olmo, Fermín and Lewandowski.
Real Madrid predicted XI: Courtois; Trent, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Fran García; Tchouaméni, Thiago Pitarch; Brahim, Bellingham, Vinicius and Mbappé.
Mbappé is expected to return to the lineup having recovered from the mild injury he suffered against Betis. Courtois will also be back as Madrid try to stay alive in the race for the title.
HOW TO WATCH, STREAM EL CLASICO
Date: 05/10/2026
Time: 21:00 CET, 03:00pm EST.
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain.
Available TV: DAZN La Liga (Spain), ESPN Deportes (USA).
Available Streaming: ESPN+ (USA)
Managing Madrid has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.
Tampa Bay Rays (25-13, first in the AL East) vs. Boston Red Sox (17-22, fourth in the AL East)
Boston; Sunday, 1:35 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Rays: Nick Martinez (3-1, 1.71 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 28 strikeouts); Red Sox: Payton Tolle (1-1, 2.04 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, 23 strikeouts)
LINE: Red Sox -129, Rays +109; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays play on Sunday with the winner claiming the three-game series.
Boston has a 7-11 record at home and a 17-22 record overall. The Red Sox have an 11-4 record in games when they scored five or more runs.
Tampa Bay is 11-9 in road games and 25-13 overall. The Rays have an 8-1 record in games decided by one run.
The teams meet Sunday for the third time this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Willson Contreras has four doubles, eight home runs and 23 RBIs while hitting .259 for the Red Sox. Ceddanne Rafaela is 11 for 39 with two home runs over the past 10 games.
Junior Caminero leads the Rays with 13 extra base hits (three doubles and 10 home runs). Yandy Diaz is 9 for 35 with a double, two home runs and five RBIs over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Red Sox: 5-5, .237 batting average, 3.34 ERA, outscored by three runs
Rays: 8-2, .248 batting average, 1.31 ERA, outscored opponents by 17 runs
INJURIES: Red Sox: Roman Anthony: 10-Day IL (wrist), Danny Coulombe: 15-Day IL (cervical spasms), Patrick Sandoval: 60-Day IL (elbow), Ranger Suarez: day-to-day (hamstring), Garrett Crochet: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Kutter Crawford: 15-Day IL (wrist), Triston Casas: 60-Day IL (knee), Johan Oviedo: 60-Day IL (elbow), Romy Gonzalez: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Tanner Houck: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Rays: Joe Boyle: 15-Day IL (elbow), Steven Matz: 15-Day IL (elbow), Gavin Lux: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Ryan Pepiot: 60-Day IL (hip), Edwin Uceta: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Steven Wilson: 60-Day IL (back), Manuel Rodriguez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Michael Grove: 60-Day IL (shoulder)
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Washington Nationals (19-21, second in the NL East) vs. Miami Marlins (18-22, fourth in the NL East)
Miami; Sunday, 12:15 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Nationals: Cade Cavalli (1-2, 4.15 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, 40 strikeouts); Marlins: Sandy Alcantara (3-2, 4.01 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 36 strikeouts)
LINE: Marlins -136, Nationals +115; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
BOTTOM LINE: Both the Miami Marlins and the Washington Nationals are looking for a series win with a victory on Sunday.
Miami has gone 13-12 in home games and 18-22 overall. Marlins hitters have a collective .327 on-base percentage, the eighth-best percentage in the majors.
Washington has a 13-8 record in road games and a 19-21 record overall. The Nationals have the seventh-ranked team batting average in the NL at .243.
The teams play Sunday for the third time this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Liam Hicks is third on the Marlins with 12 extra base hits (three doubles and nine home runs). Xavier Edwards is 10 for 36 with a double, three home runs and five RBIs over the last 10 games.
C.J. Abrams leads the Nationals with a .295 batting average, and has six doubles, a triple, nine home runs, 18 walks and 36 RBIs. James Wood is 10 for 38 with a home run and seven RBIs over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Marlins: 4-6, .238 batting average, 4.50 ERA, outscored by six runs
Nationals: 6-4, .255 batting average, 3.54 ERA, outscored opponents by 13 runs
INJURIES: Marlins: Pete Fairbanks: 15-Day IL (thumb), Ronny Henriquez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Adam Mazur: 60-Day IL (elbow), Griffin Conine: 10-Day IL (hamstring)
Nationals: Cole Henry: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Max Kranick: 15-Day IL (elbow), Clayton Beeter: 15-Day IL (forearm), Trevor Williams: 60-Day IL (elbow), Ken Waldichuk: 60-Day IL (forearm), Josiah Gray: 60-Day IL (elbow), DJ Herz: 60-Day IL (elbow)
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Colorado Rockies (16-24, fourth in the NL West) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (18-22, third in the NL East)
Philadelphia; Sunday, 1:35 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Rockies: Tomoyuki Sugano (3-2, 3.41 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 22 strikeouts); Phillies: Cristopher Sanchez (3-2, 2.42 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 60 strikeouts)
LINE: Phillies -305, Rockies +243; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Phillies play the Colorado Rockies after Trea Turner had four hits on Saturday in a 9-3 win over the Rockies.
Philadelphia is 18-22 overall and 11-12 in home games. The Phillies have gone 9-5 in games when they hit two or more home runs.
Colorado has a 16-24 record overall and an 8-13 record in road games. The Rockies have hit 41 total home runs to rank ninth in the NL.
The teams meet Sunday for the sixth time this season. The Phillies lead the season series 3-2.
TOP PERFORMERS: Kyle Schwarber leads the Phillies with 14 home runs while slugging .553. Brandon Marsh is 15 for 35 with three doubles, a triple and four RBIs over the last 10 games.
Mickey Moniak has seven doubles, a triple and 11 home runs for the Rockies. T.J. Rumfield is 13 for 43 with a double and two home runs over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Phillies: 7-3, .263 batting average, 4.21 ERA, outscored opponents by eight runs
Rockies: 3-7, .260 batting average, 6.60 ERA, outscored by 13 runs
INJURIES: Phillies: Bryce Harper: day-to-day (migraine), Zach Pop: 15-Day IL (calf), Kyle Backhus: 15-Day IL (elbow), Max Lazar: 60-Day IL (oblique)
Rockies: McCade Brown: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Ryan Feltner: 15-Day IL (tricep), Kris Bryant: 60-Day IL (back), Pierson Ohl: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jeff Criswell: 60-Day IL (elbow), RJ Petit: 60-Day IL (elbow)
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Last weekend, in a slender 2-1 win over FC Metz, Paul Pogba made his first start in three years. As AS Monaco prepare to face Lille OSC at the Stade Louis II on Sunday night, the former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder is expected to drop back to the bench. Aladji Bamba may take his place.
There are no fresh injury concerns for Sébastien Pocognoli to contend with, although Caio Henrique has suffered a setback in his return from a muscular injury. While he awaits the results of tests on the setback, he is out of this game. The defence-minded Christian Mawissa may start in his position.
The likes of Kassoum Ouattara, Vanderson, Stanis Idumbo, Mohammed Salisu, and Takumi Minamino, all remain sidelined for the Principality club.
Lukas Hradecky; Wout Faes, Denis Zakaria, Thilo Kehrer; Christian Mawissa, Lamine Camara, Aladji Bamba, Jordan Teze; Aleksandr Golovin, Folarin Balogun, Maghnes Akliouche. (L’Éq)
Liverpool’s recruitment team have rarely hidden their admiration for technically gifted forwards capable of altering the rhythm of a match in a single movement. Now, according to a report from L’Équipe, the club are considering a summer move for Maghnes Akliouche as they prepare for another significant transfer window.
The 24-year-old has become one of the most coveted attacking players in Europe after a season of composure, invention and maturity with AS Monaco. Liverpool are believed to be weighing up an offer worth around €50m, although Monaco’s valuation has previously climbed as high as €70m.
Interest in Akliouche is nothing new. Last summer, several Premier League sides tracked him closely, while Paris Saint-Germain also maintained contact. The player resisted a move to Tottenham Hotspur and remained in the Principality, a decision that now looks increasingly shrewd given the rise in his reputation across Europe.
Original reporting from Get French Football News, citing L’Équipe, states that Liverpool have now formally entered the race alongside PSG as Monaco prepare for a potentially turbulent summer.
PSG’s long-standing admiration for Akliouche gives this transfer saga an added layer of intrigue. The French champions have made a habit of targeting the most gifted domestic talent, and Akliouche fits that profile precisely. Elegant in possession, calm under pressure and capable of drifting between midfield and attack, he carries the kind of technical assurance PSG value highly.
Yet Liverpool’s interest may appeal to different ambitions. At Anfield, Akliouche would likely be offered a central role in a rebuilding attacking structure rather than becoming another luxury addition in Paris. Liverpool’s recent recruitment has focused on energy, tactical intelligence and versatility, all qualities Akliouche has demonstrated consistently in Ligue 1 and European competition.
The report from L’Équipe suggests Monaco are now prepared to sanction a sale this summer after resisting bids previously. That shift is significant. Clubs rarely soften their position unless a player’s departure feels increasingly inevitable.
For Liverpool, the attraction is obvious. Akliouche is capable of operating wide on the right, drifting into central pockets or linking play between midfield and the forward line. He is not merely a winger chasing statistics. He is a footballer who manipulates tempo and space.
Monaco’s stance last summer discouraged several suitors. Their €70m asking price was considered excessive by some Premier League clubs, especially given Akliouche was still developing consistency at elite level.
That perception has changed.
His performances in the Champions League and Ligue 1 have strengthened Monaco’s negotiating position even if Liverpool hope a fee closer to €50m may now be enough to open serious discussions. Modern transfer markets are driven as much by scarcity as talent, and there are few young attacking players available with Akliouche’s technical profile and ceiling.
Liverpool also face competition beyond PSG. Elite European clubs have monitored the France international for months, aware that his value could soar further if another strong campaign follows.
Monaco, meanwhile, understand timing matters. Selling at peak value is part of their model. Akliouche increasingly looks like the next major departure from the Stade Louis II.
What makes Akliouche particularly attractive to Liverpool is the subtlety of his game. He does not rely solely on pace or power. Instead, he plays with balance and awareness, constantly scanning for overloads and openings. There is a measured quality to his football that suits high-pressure environments.
Liverpool’s attack at times this season has lacked unpredictability in tighter matches. Akliouche offers exactly that. He can receive under pressure, escape challenges in confined spaces and create numerical superiority with quick combinations.
The prospect of PSG entering a full-scale bidding war may complicate matters financially, but Liverpool’s interest signals intent. They are searching for players capable not only of refreshing the squad but elevating it technically.
As reported by Get French Football News through L’Équipe, the expectation now is that Akliouche will finally leave Monaco this summer. Whether his next destination is Anfield or Paris could become one of the defining transfer stories of the window.
Despite TSV 1860 Munich’s 1-2 defeat to FC Ingolstadt 04 yesterday, the Lions’ fans were apparently in excellent spirits.
While their team lost on Grünwalder Straße, some home fans seemed mainly preoccupied with eternal rivals Bayern Munich.
The supporters chanted “Champions League losers,” alluding to Bayern’s recent CL exit against PSG.
Bayern fans, whose team managed to win in Wolfsburg yesterday, probably won’t like that. On the other hand, given the current gap in class between the clubs, they can probably live with it.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.
Jim Magilton pulled no punches as Cliftonville's European hopes were ended by Dungannon Swifts on Saturday.
The Reds had hoped to end what Magilton labelled as a "really poor season" by earning a place in the Uefa Conference League qualifiers.
But the Cliftonville boss was left disappointed as his side couldn't kick on after Luke Conlan had cancelled out Adam Glenny's opener for the Swifts with Kealan Dillon's 74th minute winner condemning the Solitude outfit to more big game heartache.
"We let so many people down. Players let themselves down, we let the fans down," said Magilton.
"We commend Dungannon, we were there last year [bouncing back after losing an Irish Cup final] so we know what it's like. They had to put together a team and they did that and they deserved to win the game.
"But in terms of us, we were nowhere near the levels. Both teams conceded poor goals from set plays. We settled down in the second half, and we expected an onslaught, but we didn't get that.
"We didn't test the goalkeeper enough, we didn't ask enough questions, and it's probably typical of the big games. We've let ourselves down badly in the big games and didn't have enough."
Cliftonville finished fifth in the Irish Premiership and faced penalty shootout disappointment in the County Antrim Shield final, the BetMcLean Cup quarter-final and the Irish Cup semi-final with Magilton frustrated that they ended the campaign with "a lot of what ifs".
"There weren't enough leaders in the team. There weren't enough people smelling blood. Dungannon were fighting for their very lives, which you do, which you have to do, and again showed their qualities," he added.
"But from our point of view, it's so disappointing. It's a really poor end to what has probably been a really poor season. It was a lot of what-ifs.
"Losing on penalties, yeah, you can look to that. You can look to semi-final losses, County Antrim Shield losses, quarter-final losses, whatever it is.
"It was an opportunity for the players to really stand up and be counted and we didn't. We have to accept that it was an unacceptable performance."
Without the additional funds from competing in European competition, Magilton accepts Cliftonville will face another battle to compete next season.
"It's going to make it harder because European money means budgets will be sliced and you have to cut your cloth accordingly," explained the Reds boss.
"Even when we had European money, we still had to cut our cloth accordingly. You only have to look at the standard and quality of players that are being brought into the clubs that finished above us. So, it's going to be even harder for us."
As Liverpool prepare for a rebuild this summer, the Merseyside club are paying particular attention to AS Monaco. As well as taking an interest in France international Maghnes Akliouche (24), they may also table a bid for midfielder Lamine Camara (22) this summer, as per a report from L’Équipe.
Since joining Monaco from FC Metz two years ago, the Senegal international has excelled at Monaco and was one of the key players for Senegal at the recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Like Akliouche, Camara is one of the players that will be allowed to leave the club in the event that the Principality club’s valuation is met this summer.
There is interest from Liverpool, L’Équipe understands, whilst Newcastle United, a more long-term admirer, remain in the race as the summer transfer window approaches. He features particularly highly on the Tyneside club’s shortlist. The midfielder’s contract at Monaco runs until 2029.
>> READ MORE: An exclusive interview with Monaco’s Camara from December
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
A lot has changed in the past two years for Scott Bemand and his youthful Ireland squad.
When Ireland last hosted Wales, Bemand was on the search for his first victory as head coach after taking over at the helm of an Ireland team who had recently finished bottom of the Six Nations table.
Now, two years later, the side were the comfortable victors against Wales and have breathing space in third position.
"We said at the very beginning [when he became head coach], it was about belief," Bemand said.
"So, when I first came in, the first season was just about getting the girls to believe they could actually be quite good, and giving themselves permission to go and be brave, knowing they can perform under pressure.
"Where that's changed over the two years is now, they know they can be good. So now it's about executing when pressure dials up and dials down."
France and England will battle it out for the Six Nations title in the final match next weekend and, even though Ireland aren't pushing those heavyweights, they now established themselves as a young, upcoming squad.
Their victory over Wales is their second of this campaign after an impressive 57-20 win over Italy, who occupy fourth spot.
"We're starting to handle bigger occasions and bigger pressure more, and with that comes more expectation. But that's the cool thing, that's where we want to be," he continued.
"Our next thing now is we're going to start converting that belief, that confidence, that understanding and that we're quite good into results.
"We'll get there, the trajectory is still up and we're still hungry to get better. So no doubt we'll get there and as quick as we can get there, the quicker the better.
Despite their progress, Bemand also acknowledged they still have room to improve.
Ireland have never beaten France nor England with the head coach adding that this must be an aim of the side.
"We do want to be in games where we're in a position to beat an England and a France.
"Are we getting there? Well, with this competition, we've proved that we haven't as yet.
"So, we'll take that, but unfortunately it means we have to sit on it for 12 months before we get another crack at them, a top four team.
"Our job now is to get as good as we can in the next year so that when we get them over here, we can condense that scoreline even further."
Ireland finish their Six Nations campaign with a home match against Scotland on 17 May at the Aviva Stadium.
Real Madrid’s internal crisis is currently one of the most talked about topics in world football, and it is clear that the club is being seen as in downfall from the outside.
For starters, Los Blancos are now on their second straight season without major silverware which comes as a massive blow to their image.
Further, news of internal fights leading up to even hospitalisations, a lack of respect for the manager, and a player-centric dressing room atmosphere are all ruining the image of Real Madrid.
Florentino Perez and Co., needless to say, are worried by the direction the club is headed in both a sporting and a cultural sense. Their priority seemed to be to get the sporting project back in line, but that appears to have changed now.
According to reports from Diario AS, Los Blancos’ primary mission is no longer about winning titles but about restoring the lost prestige and values within the club.
Real Madrid are worried about the damage to the club’s image. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
There is an internal belief that the current crisis is far more than a sporting block and that there is a loss of discipline, respect, and leadership within the dressing room.
This has led the management to believe that ‘rebuilding the character’ of the broken dressing room is more important than making massive summer signings.
Only nine players from the current Real Madrid squad have remained free from controversy and internal tussles and the management understands how much damage is being done to the club’s image.
They are thus not only focusing on ensuring that there is better harmony internally but also that there are no leaks of any internal tussles in the future. Signings and sporting moves will now take a back step.
Liverpool are expected to spend big once again this summer as they seek to bounce back following an underwhelming season. One of their targets is thought to be AS Monaco forward Maghnes Akliouche (24), as per a report from L’Équipe.
Akliouche was expected to leave formative club Monaco last summer, amid interest from the Premier League, as well as European champions Paris Saint-Germain. That interest from England came in the form of Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur; Akliouche was opposed to a move to the latter, and, with clubs put off by Monaco’s €70m valuation, the playmaker remained at the Stade Louis II.
However, he will be allowed to leave the Principality club this summer, and the suitors are already lining up. PSG retain their interest in the France international, and Liverpool have now joined the race. The Merseyside club could table a bid of around €50m this coming summer.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
Michael Edwards could be lining up an insane swap deal for Alisson Becker.
There is a growing feeling that this summer could mark the end of an era for Liverpool with the Brazilian increasingly likely to leave the club.
Alisson is entering the final year of his contract, and that situation naturally puts Liverpool in a difficult position. While nobody inside Anfield will want to lose one of the best goalkeepers in the world, the club also know they cannot afford to let such a valuable player walk away for free next summer.
That is where the thinking of FSG comes into play. FSG have always been strategic when it comes to contracts and player sales, and from a business perspective, cashing in on Alisson now rather than losing him for nothing would fit perfectly with their approach.
There is already strong interest from Juventus, who are believed to be seriously exploring a move. At the same time, Liverpool have quietly prepared for this possibility over the last year by moving for Giorgi Mamardashvili, a goalkeeper viewed by many as one of the best young shot-stoppers in Europe.
In many ways, the transition already feels planned out. Mamardashvili looks like the long-term successor, while Alisson’s potential departure would allow Liverpool to bring in a significant fee before his contract expires.
Still, even if it makes sense financially, it would be an emotional exit for supporters. Alisson has been one of the defining players of Liverpool’s modern success and replacing his presence, leadership and reliability will never truly be easy.
Having already lost Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah - not to mention a myriad of other big names over the course of the last few years - this is now truly a transitional period in the club.
Liverpool's goalkeeping department are in a strong situation thankfully. Mamardashvili is an astute replacement - he is one of the best young goalkeepers in Europe right now.
There's Freddie Woodman, who proved himself in a moment of need and had a strong couple of games while deputising for Alisson and Mamardashvili.
Behind him Armin Pecsi is developing well in the club's academy and there are high hopes for Vitezslav Jaros, who had done well on loan at Ajax up until his injury.
Not to mention Kornel Misciur and DJ Bernard are also both regarded as excellent goalkeepers within the academy.
So, Liverpool are in a good place when it comes to their goalkeepers. However, if Alisson goes, they will still probably need to bring in one more player.
Pecsi is likely to leave on loan, Jaros is also expected to go on another loan. Liverpool will need someone else to come in.
Sean Strickland upset Khamzat Chimaev to win by split decision and take the middleweight title at UFC 328 in Newark, New Jersey.
After surviving the first round on the ground, American Strickland fought back to claim a gritty victory. Two judges scored it 48-47 in his favour and one opted for Chimaev by the same scoreline.
Victory makes Strickland, 35, a two-time UFC middleweight champion and delivers the first defeat of Russian-Emirati Chimaev's 16-fight professional career.
Build-up to the contest had been marred by a series of derogatory and racist comments from Strickland, but the pair appeared to reconcile as Chimaev wrapped the belt around the American's waist in a show of respect.
"I want to apologise to my American fans, Christian fans and Muslim fans. I went too hard, I admit it," said Strickland.
"I respect all you guys. I should be a better example but I try and sell these fights."
An unsavoury build-up involved both fighters engaging in a bitter verbal back-and-forth.
Strickland had been the antagonist, launching comments towards Chimaev which attacked his religion and heritage.
In response, Chimaev goaded Strickland with comments about childhood trauma which the American has spoken about in the past.
The UFC hired extra security to protect each fighter during fight week and this was on display as rows of officers separated the pair as they waited for the opening bell to ring in the octagon.
Despite the animosity, both fighters touched gloves in a sign of respect before the contest, before Chimaev secured a signature early takedown.
Just as he did in defeating Dricus du Plessis for the title in August, Chimaev controlled the action on the ground, but Strickland found success in defending takedowns in the second round.
Fighters have struggled to keep fights with Chimaev on the feet, but Strickland's takedown defence forced him to strike, which is where the American excels.
As Chimaev pushed forward, Strickland edged the contest by using his jab consistently from the back foot to keep his nose in front on the scorecards.
With both fighters sporting bloodied faces, Strickland continued to defy takedowns in the last round before raising his arm at the final bell, confident he had done enough to convince the judges of victory.
"He would not go back. I hit him with everything but he keeps coming forward. Crazy," said Strickland.
"He may have broken my nose, but I love my fans, I would not be here today without you guys."
The respect between the pair during and after the bout suggests the bitter build-up may been in the name of building hype around the contest, but it raises serious questions over whether promoting fights via deeply personal and offensive comments crosses a line.
UFC president Dana White described it as a "top-three" heated rivalry of all time and has said previously fighters would not be punished for offensive comments because he is a supporter of "free speech".
Strickland has a history of racist, homophobic and misogynistic comments, and his platform as a champion shines a brighter spotlight on his actions, but it is unlikely the UFC will take disciplinary action.
The co-headline bout featured Burmese-American flyweight Joshua Van stopping Japan's Tatsuro Taira in the fifth round to retain his flyweight title.
Taira, 26, had success with his takedowns in the early rounds, but Van took control midway through before finding the finish with a flurry of punches to the body and face.
Victory marked 24-year-old Van's first championship defence in the first title fight to take place between two Asian men in UFC history.
After the win, Van called out former flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja for a rematch after taking the title off him in December when the Brazilian injured his arm in the first round.
A couple of years ago, Arne Slot could savour the sound of Anfield in May. It was Jurgen Klopp, chorusing his successor’s name in a gesture of generosity. Two years on, the noise was less welcome, if unsurprising to the only other title-winning Liverpool manager of the last three decades. There were boos twice: first and loudest when Slot substituted Rio Ngumoha, then at the final whistle as his side had laboured to a 1-1 draw that ended Chelsea’s six-game losing streak.
Individual incidents form part of a wider pattern, and the broader picture of discontent, the readiness of the Liverpool faithful to make their unhappiness audible, should concern Slot more. Ngumoha had cramp, the Dutchman reported, and the fans were not to know that. But his removal should have been no surprise, given that the 17-year-old is yet to complete a game in his senior career, and a crowd-pleaser has become a lightning rod. Slot expected the boos because they tend to come with Ngumoha’s withdrawal.
What has been rather overlooked is that his replacement was an afterthought, belatedly applauded. That is damning of Alexander Isak, the £125m man, that the supporters would rather have seen more of an untried teenager than the British record buy.
The soundtrack at full-time was quieter but notable. Both reaction and result were a replay. A hideously out-of-form Chelsea came from behind to get just Calum McFarlane’s second point as a Premier League manager. Seven weeks earlier, Tottenham’s lone point under Igor Tudor came at Anfield. Liverpool were booed off then, too.
Neither game was lost; but there is the risk that a critical mass of the Liverpool support have been. In the short term, Slot knows he cannot win them back. He nevertheless has confidence he will in time. “Yeah, I do,” he said. “Not this season, by the way. This season they will have their opinion and it will not change but if we can have the summer that we are planning to have, I am 100 per cent convinced we will be a different team next season than we are now. Different in terms of results, different in how things look.”
That does mean there will be a minimum of three months before he can change minds. Time can be a healer, or it can mean views become entrenched.
Slot may hope that fans’ frustration is diminished by a summer off; that a new season brings a new start with new players. Certainly a fully-fit team, with a side given balance by fine recruitment, would help him; maybe that would provide a solution to many of this season’s other failings, from a lack of urgency or a clinical streak to a habit of conceding at set-pieces, though he does not fully explain why he is so sure next season will be better.
The sense, though, is that some made up their minds about Slot during Liverpool's autumn run of nine defeats in 12 games. Anfield has expressed its discontent more of late; the opposition that was initially apparent online – and is certainly more vituperative there – has started to be reflected in the stadium.
There is the issue, too, of whether he can alter the trajectory of his reign. The up has been followed by the down. Many another has discovered problems do not disappear in a summer. There are plenty of precedents of managers who have limped to the end of one season, discovered they do not have a clean slate in the next and departed in October or November.
For now, Slot has retained the faith of the Liverpool powerbrokers, if not the supporters. He rarely looks beleaguered or beaten. Nor does he ignore the issues. But he is aware he can be blamed for much, regardless of his culpability. “The last time I checked, the Strait of Hormuz being closed is not my fault, is it?” he asked last week.
Not everything is, but the imminent end of a troubled campaign could offer a little respite. Liverpool have played 55 games. They only have two remaining, one at Anfield. That that will be a send-off to, and a celebration of, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson. When Brentford visit on 24 May, Slot should be overshadowed by two of Liverpool’s modern greats. There will presumably be a lap of appreciation; maybe in the context of this season, it will be more of a lap of frustration. Slot probably knows that, if some get their way, it will be his last outing at Anfield. Perhaps there is a silent majority who feel his exploits in his debut year mean he merits the chance to carry on. It feels as if his employers do.
But his task involves doing something that became a mission statement for Klopp. At his unveiling at Anfield, he said he had to turn doubters into believers. Now Slot needs to find a way of persuading his doubters and restoring belief.
Czech First League
Slavia Prague 3 - 2 Sparta Prague FT
Slavia Prague chairman Jaroslav Tvrdik says the club will impose lifetime bans on fans who invaded the pitch when they were minutes from defeating city rivals Sparta and winning the league.
They were leading 3-2 in the seventh minute of stoppage time on Saturday when hundreds of home fans stormed the pitch at the Fortuna Arena.
With the match abandoned, videos on social media showed players from both teams attempting to leave the pitch as supporters carrying lit flares ran towards the Sparta section and pyrotechnics were thrown into the stands.
Sparta goalkeeper Jakub Surovcik appeared to be hit in the face by a flare.
The Czech Republic's League Football Association (LFA) has condemned the "absolutely unacceptable incident" and said its disciplinary committee will meet on Sunday.
In a statement on social media on Sunday morning, Tvrdik apologised to "Sparta Praha, the visiting fans, the referees, the football public, and all decent Slavia supporters who left the stadium yesterday with broken hearts".
"The values of Slavia are not hatred and violence. We accept responsibility and draw consequences," he said.
"What took place at the end of yesterday's derby at Fortuna Arena is the most difficult moment in the modern history of the club.
"This is not football. This is not Slavia. It is a disgrace that we all bear."
He announced the immediate closure of the stadium's North Stand - which he insisted would not reopen until all perpetrators are brought to justice - and said the club will provide "maximum co-operation" with police and other relevant authorities.
"We will hand over all camera footage, results of the evaluation by the organizing service, and identification data of ticket and season ticket holders from the North Stand," he said.
"Identified perpetrators will receive a lifetime ban from entering Fortuna Arena in accordance with the Visitor Rules.
"Slavia will at the same time demand full compensation for damages, including sanctions imposed on the club by football authorities."
Writing on social media, goalkeeper Surovcik said: "For someone to run up and threaten me to my face during the match, accompanied by an assault, is absolutely unacceptable, and I will be pursuing this through legal channels."
The LFA said: "Such behaviour will not be tolerated by the LFA under any circumstances.
"An emotionally tense atmosphere or sporting rivalry can never serve as an excuse for such behaviour.
"Professional football must remain a safe environment for all participants in the match and stadium visitors.
"The League Football Association is ready to provide the police of the Czech Republic with maximum cooperation in identifying the persons who participated in the attack on the players and supports the consistent imposition of responsibility against all perpetrators."
Slavia Prague are next set to play on Wednesday, at home to FK Jablonec.
Slavia Prague chairman Jaroslav Tvrdik says the club will impose lifetime bans on fans who invaded the pitch when they were minutes from defeating city rivals Sparta and winning the league.
They were leading 3-2 in the seventh minute of stoppage time on Saturday when hundreds of home fans stormed the pitch at the Fortuna Arena.
With the match abandoned, videos on social media showed players from both teams attempting to leave the pitch as supporters carrying lit flares ran towards the Sparta section and pyrotechnics were thrown into the stands.
Sparta goalkeeper Jakub Surovcik appeared to be hit in the face by a flare.
The Czech Republic's League Football Association (LFA) has condemned the "absolutely unacceptable incident" and said its disciplinary committee will meet on Sunday.
In a statement on social media on Sunday morning, Tvrdik apologised to "Sparta Praha, the visiting fans, the referees, the football public, and all decent Slavia supporters who left the stadium yesterday with broken hearts".
"The values of Slavia are not hatred and violence. We accept responsibility and draw consequences," he said.
"What took place at the end of yesterday's derby at Fortuna Arena is the most difficult moment in the modern history of the club.
"This is not football. This is not Slavia. It is a disgrace that we all bear."
He announced the immediate closure of the stadium's North Stand - which he insisted would not reopen until all perpetrators are brought to justice - and said the club will provide "maximum co-operation" with police and other relevant authorities.
"We will hand over all camera footage, results of the evaluation by the organizing service, and identification data of ticket and season ticket holders from the North Stand," he said.
"Identified perpetrators will receive a lifetime ban from entering Fortuna Arena in accordance with the Visitor Rules.
"Slavia will at the same time demand full compensation for damages, including sanctions imposed on the club by football authorities."
Writing on social media, goalkeeper Surovcik said: "For someone to run up and threaten me to my face during the match, accompanied by an assault, is absolutely unacceptable, and I will be pursuing this through legal channels."
The LFA said: "Such behaviour will not be tolerated by the LFA under any circumstances.
"An emotionally tense atmosphere or sporting rivalry can never serve as an excuse for such behaviour.
"Professional football must remain a safe environment for all participants in the match and stadium visitors.
"The League Football Association is ready to provide the police of the Czech Republic with maximum cooperation in identifying the persons who participated in the attack on the players and supports the consistent imposition of responsibility against all perpetrators."
Slavia Prague are next set to play on Wednesday, at home to FK Jablonec.
The 13th edition of Redneck Brawl, arguably the greatest show in the boxing-adjacent universe, delivered big once again in the latest visit to Knoxville, Tennessee. Thirty fights were scheduled, with some scrubbed due to a nervous stomach, a swollen and droopy leg, and a no-show, but even those disappointments ultimately led to a surprise bonus fight. But, more on that happy addition to the card later…
Headlining this edition was a grudge match between The A-hole and High Testosterone, with the online promotional hook being that High Testosterone is married to The A-hole’s ex-wife, by whom each man has two children, though not in the order their weddings might suggest.
High Testosterone’s online presence made him into an overnight Brawl folk hero, with the most ironically prescient video featuring him insisting a fighter should stand still. No need to move unless their opponent moves. No need “to do the jiggy-jiggy-jiggy wiggy-wiggy-wiggy dance.”
Unfortunately, High Testosterone didn’t follow his own tutelage, moving plenty and seemingly gassing out in the first 20 seconds of the fight, then going down in the first five seconds of the 2nd round with a very unpleasant leg injury.
It looked like a broken leg in real time, but upon closer evaluation appeared instead to be a torn ACL or other essential knee ligament. Whatever went wrong with High Testosterone’s leg, it left him in agony. The agony of defeat. And the knee.
Another spotlight fight didn’t involve any marital or parental disputes, but did feature gallons of bad blood between Shizzat da Rizzat and 606 Gamecock. Both have won at the Brawl before, with Shizzat memorably bringing his Nana to the ring after winning the co-feature the last time the Brawl was in Knoxville.
This was a far less wholesome affair, with Shizzat and Gamecock exchanging increasingly vile and heated words in the buildup to fight night. Gamecock won by decision after knocking Shizzat down in the 2nd round, and the win obviously meant a lot to him.
For Shizzat, who lost for the first time in a Redneck Brawl ring, the night was a powerful lesson. Specifically: You can’t call a man a pedophile to his face in front of crowd and cameras without expecting him to try and punish you for it later.
Here’s the rundown of the Best, Worst, Ugliest, Saddest, Most Inspiring, and all things in between from the rest of the show:
Back when I was in school, there was an odd kid who liked to constantly sing a metal-type song lyric that went: “It’s perfectly normal that your ears are bleeding… It’s perfectly normal, someone bludgeoned you!” – **
It’s a song that might bring comfort to Hollywood Hart, assuming he can still hear after Bounty Hunter bludgeoned him to the point that blood was leaking from Hart’s left ear. Arguably less awful than a shredded leg, but still in the Top 10 list of worst Brawl injuries that I’ve ever seen.
** – Side Note: If anyone knows what song that kid was singing all the time, please tell me what it is! I haven’t been able to figure it out for over 30 years. And I can’t ask the guy, because he died of a drug overdose before we cleared high school.
Red River Redneck said in a callout video that his opponent, Tennessee Whiskey, would “enter the ring on [his] legs, but leave on [his] back.” Turns out he made a liar of himself, but only in the most quibbling way, as he landed one of the best one-shot knockout punches you’ll ever see in any sort of fight, leaving Tennessee Whiskey splayed out flat on his face.
Somehow, I doubt Red River regrets predicting the orientation of his explosive knockout incorrectly. The crowd still went nuts, and the check will still clear.
Redneck Brawl 10 saw twin brothers Lil Fire and Lil Smokey lose close but generally accepted decisions to the Doner Twins, Larry and Terry. Tonight saw all parties rematched, with Lil Fire and Doner Twin Larry first to appear in the ring.
It only took about 10 seconds to settle things, and the judges were not needed. Lil Fire feinted and timed a magnificent one-shot counter that caught Larry clean and hard, leaving him disoriented on the canvas for a full ten-count and beyond. It was a thrilling triumph for Fire, a young man who generally functions as the Takuma Inoue to his twin brother’s Naoya, because of Lil Smokey’s earlier start at the Brawl and superior mic skills.
Not only did Lil Smokey lose by decision in his rematch, but their cousin Big Daddy T also lost a fantastic fight against returning Brawl legend Jug. So, Lil Fire is the only Campbell going home with a crown and a winner’s check from this edition of the Brawl. I hope he at least bought the rest of the family’s pizza when they got back to the hotel.
Taylor from the Trailer has booked three fights against Playboy. The first one ended with Taylor knocked out in 13 seconds at Redneck Brawl #6. The next attempt came at Brawl #10, where Taylor didn’t make it to the ring, either because he was suffering from a broken heart and couldn’t bring himself to fight, or because he’d been out too late drinking with Walker Dog (more on him later). Whatever actually happened, Taylor had to feel fortunate to get a third attempt at Playboy, given how the first two bookings went.
Taylor was certainly amped up for the chance, coming in at the best shape of his Brawl career and racing to the ring when his fight was called… Where he immediately face planted after unsuccessfully trying to jump over the top rope on his ring entrance.
We did get most of a round of high quality brawling both ways, but then Playboy suffered a shoulder injury that forced him to retire. Not as satisfying or conclusive as Lil Fire’s revenge, but you wouldn’t know it from the way Taylor celebrated.
Still, a win is a win when they write it down in the record books. Enjoy your crown and your spotlight, Taylor!
Sasquatch has one move: Charge straight ahead like a sumo striking a Heisman pose, try to stiff-arm his opponent into (or over) the ropes, and use his size to smother them so they can’t move even if they stay in the ring. He’s also had a tendency to use his free hand to slap and hit at his opponents until he’s yanked off of them by the referee.
But, tonight against Big R, Sasquatch found himself faced with a man tall and hefty enough to not only neutralize his defining style, but turn it against him. Instead of bullying the action in his usual way, Sasquatch found himself dumped over the near side ropes right along with Big R.
…and then, Sasquatch went over the far side ropes, too!
Big R didn’t let him off the hook, swinging at Sasquatch until he was pulled away, just as Sasquatch has done to his own opponents on multiple occasions. But, it cost Big R this fight, with the referee ruling Sasquatch couldn’t continue due to a late punch on the break, and officially ruling a No Contest.
By all known accounts of those involved with the Redneck Brawl, Sasquatch is a wonderful guy, and truly passionate about this promotion. But… We’re 13 Brawls in, and it’s the same thing every time from him. It’s bizarrely interesting to see one time, tedious to see a second time, and odious to have to watch a 5th, 6th, 7th, or More-th time.
Granted, it was tremendously satisfying to see the man get thrown around and laid out on the mat by the exact same process he usually applies to others. But, even if we could guarantee it every time out, I suspect the returns would prove diminishing on that as well. Perhaps ’Squatch can just work the corner, or at least fight at the top of the card instead?
Newcomer Cake Paul made his argument for the Redneck Brawl equivalent of prime Andy Ruiz. Catfish Cooley fired off one of his best lines of the night when he said of Cake: “He looks like Kung Fu Panda!” But, shockingly fast hands and exceptional stamina for such a big fellow gave us a fun fight, and left Cake with his arm raised in victory.
It’s a performance that demands another appearance at a future Brawl. Is Cake ready for Jug? Big Daddy T? Big R, perhaps? Let’s see how high this beefy lad can fly!
Chicken man Walker Dog won the hearts of the audience back at Redneck Brawl 9 through his distinctive 33 rpm drawl and his shocking comeback TKO win over Sudafed Crashout. He was immediately booked to appear at Brawl #10, but didn’t appear on that show because he was described at the time as having arrived too drunk to pass the medical evaluation.
Tonight, Walker at least made it to the ring, but the way he looked getting there sparked an immediate discussion between fight officials and medical staff. While the commentary team debated amongst themselves whether Walker looked “sober-ish” or instead looked like he was suffering from “them kidneys-ain’t-workin’-right legs,” the decision was made that Walker, with a visibly swollen leg and a jaundiced tint to his appearance, was not fit to fight scheduled opponent Redneck Jim.
The decision was promptly affirmed by Walker’s struggle to lift his leg high enough to clear the ropes and exit the ring. It’s an unfortunate departure for a colorful character, but hopefully Walker can get healthy, and spend many more years in the company of his beloved fighting gray roosters.
Harley the Stripper was amped up and ready to go, but had to settle for a TKO win when her opponent, Wild Wood, started dry heaving in the ring before the bell could even ring from a mix of adrenaline, nerves, and an oversized mouthpiece. Harley was there for a fight, not a check, though, and made it clear she’d fight anyone if an opportunity presented itself before the end of the night.
Three fights later, the equally brawl-hungry Peter Beater found herself the winner of an unsatisfying DQ win when scheduled opponent Blue Hair Ally Daddy didn’t bother to show up.
After a brief consultation with the licensing commission, the ladies were given the option to fight each other later on the card. They both accepted immediately, and we got ourselves a surprise bonus fight!
Perhaps no fight could have lived up to the audience’s excitement as it became clear these women would get a second chance for violence against each other… But, they did give us a solid show. And, in the end, it was Harley the Stripper with her hand raised.
Someday, when the Final Jeopardy answer is: “This Redneck Brawler is the first and only person to win two official fights on the same night,” you’ll know the answer: Harley the Stripper. Bravo, Harley, and way to make history!
The whole situation is Redneck Brawl in miniature. Whatever obstacles may come, whatever challenges may arise… You can’t stop the people from Brawling. They will overcome, persevere, and find a way to wildly throw hands so they can beat the hell out of each other.
May it ever be so, for many, many Brawls still to come.
Until next time, here’s the complete rundown of results, with winners highlighted in BOLD and all wins by decision unless otherwise specified. And if you missed it, here’s the link to our complete live coverage of all fights, including just under 4,500 words of fight capsules and previews.
The Daily Merengue is a place where you can feel free to discuss all things football. Do not be alarmed by the overt RMCF bias. It’s in the name! Shoutout to the mods who do a fantastic job Kung_Fu_Zizou, Juninho, NeRObutBlanco, Felipejack, Ezek Ix and yours truly, Valyrian Steel.
Its been 3 years.
✅ Final training session before El Clásico. pic.twitter.com/TNsKqOvG9f
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 9, 2026
Real Madrid and José Mourinho have reached an agreement in principle, according to AS.
— Lucas Navarrete (@LucasNavarreteM) May 9, 2026
Mourinho's return is getting closer… pic.twitter.com/OFNjWDcos9
I thought Valverde would be that leader after Benzema because he bleeds white, but I was so wrong. The only player who can lead this team is Courtois pic.twitter.com/TkVz5js7wq
— Dr Yash (@YashRMFC) May 9, 2026
UFC 328 gave us one massive title upset and one all-time great championship battle. Here are the top takeaways from Saturday night’s event in Newark, New Jersey.
1. Who would’ve ever thought we’d see another Sean Strickland title reign at middleweight? Definitely not the oddsmakers. Not most of us in the media, either. On paper, this looked like another opportunity for Khamzat Chimaev to go out and do his thing. And, for exactly one round, that’s what we got.
Chimaev took Strickland down 15 seconds into the fight and then kept him there for the entire first frame. Strickland did not even get credit for a single attempted significant strike in Round 1. All he did was avoid getting choked. Somehow, that turned out to be a brilliant strategy, since Chimaev fell completely apart in the second round and then had to gradually rally himself back into the fight down the stretch. This allowed Strickland to have exactly the kind of fight he wanted: A battle of jabs contested at a comfortable distance. And he won it. By the skin of his teeth.
Strickland’s best UFC performances have all come in fights where he was greater than a 2-to-1 betting underdog. In fact, he’s only lost one UFC fight where he closed at greater than 2-to-1. That was against Kamaru Usman in 2017. Of his seven UFC losses, he opened as the betting favorite in four of them. Something about being counted out and having his back against the wall seems to bring out the best in him. So now maybe the trick is figuring out how to tap into whatever that is, even when he’s the defending champ and not the misfit toy everyone is ready to throw away for good.
2. So much for Chimaev the boogeyman. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a more dramatic drop off between the first and second round. He steamrolled Strickland for the first five minutes, then came out the next round and looked like an out-of-shape cyclist pedaling uphill. Chimaev, the unstoppable wrestler, actually pulled guard! Twice! How did the fabric of the universe not tear immediately apart?
I’m sure we’ll get plenty of theories to sort through. Maybe it was the weight cut. Maybe he came in hurt. Maybe he just spent too much of what he had trying to get a first-round finish. The really weird part is that when he had only just enough gas to stand and trade with Strickland, he did surprisingly well. He arguably landed the more significant punches, and had a chance to win the decision just on striking alone.
But now the blueprint is out here. The guy who seemed unbeatable last week now seems troublingly vulnerable. He also seems a lot less ferocious. All it took was a little bit of fatigue to turn him into Strickland’s high-fiving sparring buddy. Suddenly those vows of destruction and dismemberment were but a distant dream.
Really, that’s one of the big takeaways from this fight. Once again, we were promised an epic blood feud and instead got a very strategic battle for points and positioning. Maybe that, too, was Chimaev letting himself get sucked into what Strickland does best.
3. Can you believe the UFC once thought about getting rid of the flyweight division? Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira gave us an all-time classic to remind us of how dumb that idea was. This was a fight that had everything. High-level grappling. Devastating striking. Wild swings in momentum. Unbelievable grit and heart. In the end we even got a stoppage we can argue over, and you know how much MMA fans love those.
Van proved yet again that he’s an incredible young talent, and in a way that should make his rematch with Alexandre Pantoja even more hotly anticipated. But I can’t say that Taira’s stock plunged with the loss either. He proved his toughness and his determination beyond all question. There’s every reason to think he’ll be back with a vengeance soon. Maybe the fun at flyweight is just beginning.
4. What are we supposed to do with you, Alexander Volkov? According to the UFC’s own rankings, he’s the No. 2 guy on the list of heavyweight contenders. But for the life of me I can’t remember the last time I saw him in a fight that was a clear victory for him and also an enjoyable experience to watch. He got a debatable decision win over Waldo Cortes Acosta here, and he did it in part by shutting down any threat that a fun fight might break out. Mainly what he did was shut down the possibility of a new heavyweight title contender without solidifying himself as one.
It’s painful, is what it is. And there’s no reason to think it’ll end soon.
5. Jim Miller has had one of the greatest careers in UFC history and you can’t convince me otherwise. No, he’s never won a UFC title. Never even got a shot at one. Most of the big-name opponents he fought, he came away as the loser. He’s spent the bulk of his career on the undercard. Always a supporting cast-member. Never a starring role.
But at age 42, he’s still out here racking up submission wins in the UFC, and no one has more UFC victories than him. He’s also never missed weight, never been anything less than a total professional, never embarrassed the organization or himself. In this sport that’s practically a miracle, especially after 21 years of uninterrupted competition.
Miller is a reminder that you don’t need to win them all to be a legendary fighter. He’s gone through Lyme disease and losing streaks and, most recently, his son’s battle with cancer. Through it all he’s kept showing up and giving us everything he’s got, but without ever making too big a deal out of it. That’s why we owe it to him to make a big deal out of it ourselves. It’s not just an uncommonly special career. It’s something we may never see again.
Kasimpasa defender Adem Arous (21) is a target for AS Monaco and Stade Rennais, as per a report from Foot Mercato.
Arous has had a breakthrough season at Turkish Super Lig side Kasimpasa, to the extent that, in March, he made his debut for the Tunisia national team. He is now being heavily linked with an exit as the summer transfer window approaches.
There are several clubs interested in the 21-year-old centre-back. Turkish giants Galatasaray are among them, and they had already shown an interest in recruiting the player back in January. However, a move to Ligue 1 could also be on the cards this summer.
Monaco and Rennes, both of whom are in the race to secure UEFA Champions League football for next season, are also in the race to sign Arous. They may also have to contend with interest from La Liga side Villarreal, who are guaranteed to be competing in next season’s UCL. The defender is valued between €5-6m.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
UFC has been patiently waiting for the return of its all-time biggest superstar, Conor McGregor. But plenty has changed since the former two-division champion last fought nearly five years ago, including the promotion’s longtime pay-per-view model.
The UFC kicked off 2026 by starting its new $7.7 billion broadcast deal with Paramount, which effectively removed the additional pay-per-view purchase for all of the organization’s numbered events. Those events are now included with a Paramount+ subscription at no extra charge — and fighters like McGregor, who previously earned an extra percentage of their pay-per-view points per fight, were arguably the most affected.
Although McGregor has yet to return since his gruesome leg break in July 2021, others are being compensated in a new way. UFC CEO Dana White said Saturday that there’s a new system in place based on what big-name superstars previously made in the past era.
"There's a formula to it. McGregor's going to do just fine," White said at UFC 328’s post-fight press conference. "It's based on if you take the average of his pay-per-view buys, and what they do, there's an equation for that that you can — we've done it with a lot more guys than just McGregor."
McGregor, 37, last fought in his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. The rivals competed back-to-back after Poirier knocked out “The Notorious” in the rematch and then scored a first-round TKO in their final clash, with McGregor breaking his lower leg.
McGregor has since recovered and occupied his time elsewhere. The Irishman has had only one fight booked in the past five years, which was supposed to be against Michael Chandler in June 2024, though a broken toe ultimately led McGregor to withdraw just weeks before the bout.
White remains confident that McGregor will finally return this year, but still reiterated that no deal has been made official as of yet.
"There's no deal done with Conor. I was just saying I'm confident,” White said. “I was confident last year, too, but I'm way more confident this year.”
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 09: Khamzat Chimaev of Russia prepares to face Sean Strickland in the UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 328 event at Prudential Center on May 09, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Zuffa LLCKhamzat Chimaev has had enough of the weight cut to get to 185 pounds. Moments after he lost his UFC middleweight championship to Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328 in New Jersey, Chimaev told UFC President Dana White, "I want to move up. I don’t want to fight in this weight class anymore."
White obliged and told the media on hand of Chimaev's intentions. It all seems to make sense considering Chimaev's struggles with weight cuts and the way he seemed to tire in the second and third rounds of his loss to Strickland on Saturday.
Chimaev is said to have cut upwards of 45 pounds to make it to 185 pounds at the weigh-in on Friday. He looked worse for wear and some even suggested he cheated to make weight. That's a conspiracy White seemed to downplay at the post-event presser.
The cardio fallout was visible from Round 2 forward. Chimaev failed to attempt a single takedown in the third round despite controlling Round 1 with his wrestling, and Strickland out-landed him 43-29 in significant strikes in that frame. Per Bloody Elbow, White said Chimaev "literally walked up to me after the fight" to declare he was done at the weight class — a reaction tied directly to the toll of the cut, not the loss itself.
You could make the argument Chimaev could get an immediate crack at the light heavyweight title. However, newly crown champion Carlos Ulberg is out with a torn ACL. That leaves Magomed Ankalaev and perhaps Khalil Rountree or Dominick Reyes perhaps fighting for an interim title. Perhaps Chimaev faces Jiri Prochazka with the winner getting a title shot. In any case, Chimaev won't be too far out of the title picture at 205.
White's framing at the presser was that there's no immediate title shot, but a "huge fight" coming for Chimaev given his stature. Heavy.com listed the obvious top-15 candidates: Procházka, Ankalaev, Paulo Costa, Jamahal Hill, Reyes, Volkan Oezdemir, and Rountree all fit the "big debut" criteria. Procházka is the cleanest narrative play given he's coming off the brutal UFC 327 loss to Ulberg and would carry rematch energy regardless of who wins next.
Superior grappling usually translates well when moving up a weight class. Chimaev's striking is also a bit better than he gets credit for in most circles. With a proper camp to strengthen himself, he shouldn't have a problem using very similar skills at 205.
Without the brutal cut, the version of Chimaev that walks into 205 should arrive with a fuller gas tank than fans have ever seen. That alone changes the math — his cardio dropoff against Strickland was directly tied to the weight cut, and removing that variable fixes one of the only real holes in his game. The bigger question is durability against natural light heavyweight power, but Rountree has publicly called Chimaev "one of the best in the world" regardless of weight class. The respect from inside the division is real.
Nassourdine Imavov seems like the logical next man up at middleweight. Unfortunately, there aren't a ton of exciting up-and-comers in the division. As for 205, Chimaev injects some much-needed new blood in the division.
Imavov tweeted "I'm gonna put your lights out, Sean Strickland" right after the result, and his five-fight win streak (including high-profile wins over Israel Adesanya and Brendan Allen) makes him the obvious next challenger.
Light heavyweight, meanwhile, has been waiting for a star injection since Alex Pereira moved up to heavyweight, and Ulberg's recovery timeline through 2027 means the division needed a top-of-card story to build around in the meantime. Chimaev fills that gap overnight.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
With the Chennai Super Kings set to host Lucknow Super Giants at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday afternoon, the pre-match buzz is all about the potential return of their legendary former captain, MS Dhoni.
Dhoni, who has led Chennai Super Kings to five IPL titles in the past, was sidelined with a calf injury right before the start of the new season. However, the CSK icon has now regained fitness and is expected to play against LSG.
The franchise has shared several posts on social media showing Dhoni batting in the nets, but there has been no official confirmation.
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CSK has remained tight-lipped on MS Dhoni's condition so far and it remains to be seen if the veteran star takes the field for CSK this afternoon.
Signed & smiled with yellove 💛🥹#WhistlePodu#Yellovepic.twitter.com/3KCxFWcMfX
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) May 9, 2026
| Year | Mat | No | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 278 | 100 | 5439 | 84* | 38.30 | 3957 | 137.45 | 0 | 24 | 375 | 264 |
Dani Carvajal is enduring a testing time under Alvaro Arbeloa and has not enjoyed much prominence on the field this season.
The Spanish veteran, who has been a mainstay in the team for a long time, has now seen his place in the starting XI taken over by Trent Alexander-Arnold and all signs point to a likely departure in June.
Despite not having a strong on-field role, however, he does remain an important part of the dressing room as the longest-serving player and the only remaining link with the previous golden generation.
As reported by Diario AS in a recent report, Dani Carvajal’s response to the fight between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni recently is raising questions about his leadership.
The Spanish veteran, who is the team’s first captain, was among the first players to depart the club facilities after the brawl between the two midfielders and was on his way out immediately after the incident.
Questions are being asked of Real Madrid captains. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
As a captain, there is a general sense of expectation that he would be one to stay and douse the fire in the dressing room, but Carvajal reportedly had no such intention as he turned a blind eye and left the facilities.
The club then had to call him back and force him to return immediately for an emergency meeting held by Jose Angel Sanchez. As the first captain, his presence was needed and he thus had to be recalled to the facilities.
It is appalling that the team is suffering from such a dire lack of leadership that even the senior players are not taking up responsibility after an internal divide. The call for a new method of selecting captains, needless to say, is not surprising.
On Saturday, during Inter Miami’s trip to Toronto, Lionel Messi once again put on a show. The Argentine legend scored once and provided two assists to lead his team to a 2-4 victory.
A performance that takes him to 100 goal contributions in MLS. He is also the fastest player in North American league history to reach that mark. It took him just 64 matches to achieve the feat... 31 fewer than Sebastian Giovinco, the previous record holder.
You can find the match highlights below, including a very nice goal from Rodrigo De Paul.
As reported by ABC News, FIFA has reportedly decided to triple the price of Category 1 tickets for the World Cup final. They would therefore rise from 10,990 to 32,970 dollars.
A decision that is likely to spark more debate, while the cost of this World Cup for supporters is already at the center of all discussions.
📸 Alex Wong - 2026 Getty Images
Speaking at a press conference a few days after PSG qualified for the Champions League final, Luis Enrique delivered a touching message as he praised the mentality of Dayot Upamencao and Ousmane Dembélé.
- A bizarre situation in Ligue 2, Le Mans’ promotion still not officially confirmed.
- Grégory Lorenzi is Marseille’s new sporting director, it’s done!
- OFFICIAL: Galatasaray crowned Turkish champions!
3:00 PM: Crystal Palace - Everton (Canal+ Live 3)
3:00 PM: Burnley - Crystal Palace (Canal+ Live 2)
3:00 PM: Nottingham - Newcastle (Canal+ Foot)
3:00 PM: Fiorentina - Genoa (DAZN)
3:30 PM: PSG Women - OL Lyonnes (beIN Sports 1 / France 2)
5:30 PM: West Ham - Arsenal (Canal+)
6:00 PM: Parma - AS Roma (DAZN)
8:45 PM: Milan - Atalanta (DAZN)
9:00 PM: Ligue 1 multiplex (L1+)
9:00 PM: Monaco - Lille (beIN Sports 2)
9:00 PM: FC Barcelona - Real Madrid (beIN Sports 1)
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.
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British Airways joins KLM, Lufthansa, Air Canada, and United Airlines to Repatriate Hundreds of Passengers Amid Hantavirus Crisis on MV...
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Travel Troubles Ahead: UK Rail Services Affected by Essential Weekend Track Replacements – What You Need to KnowWeekend travel disruption...
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Beyond the Asphalt: How Malaysia’s Off-Road Revolution is Redefining Sustainable Borneo Ecotourism for 2026Experience how Malaysia transforms the wild terrain...
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South Korea Joins China, Russia, Japan, Cambodia, India, Malaysia, and More Countries in Unleashing Vietnam’s Record-Breaking Tourism Growth, National Pride,...
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The post Privacy Protocol Users Are Looking for Safer, More Reliable Alternatives appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
Recent attention around Houdini Swap has pushed the conversation around privacy protocols back into focus across the cryptocurrency market.
The discussion gained momentum after the acquisition announcement of the privacy-focused cross-chain swap aggregator. This was followed by a debate around Houdini’s reliability, transparency, token-holder alignment, operational trust, and the broader direction of privacy infrastructure, including questions about whether platforms claiming to be non-custodial actually route transactions through centralized exchanges.
The crypto community discussed not only the technical capabilities of privacy tools but also questioned whether existing privacy platforms are even aligned with the expectations of everyday users.
This shift in attention towards trust and usability is why platforms like SilentSwap are starting to gain more visibility in the dialogue surrounding privacy in crypto.
As users reevaluate what they actually want from today’s privacy tools, the focus is now moving towards those that are more convenient and practical. This marks a shift away from complicated infrastructure narratives, which used to dominate the crypto space, towards platforms that focus on offering users simplicity, accessibility, and a cleaner experience.
And this is where SilentSwap’s appeal comes from; it actually delivers non-custodial privacy without relying on hidden centralized infrastructure.
The platform is designed to be non-custodial, with users maintaining full ownership of their assets and no hidden routing through centralized exchanges. At no point during the transaction process do they give up custody or hand it to an intermediary.
At the same time, the platform offers an onboarding experience that has been kept intentionally light and simple to avoid the friction that prevents privacy-focused tools from gaining widespread adoption. There are no lengthy registration flows, mandatory identity checks, or unnecessarily complicated routing processes sitting on top of the core transaction experience.
So, by having a straightforward transaction flow and giving users full control over their funds, SilentSwap allows more users, especially mainstream consumers, to enjoy privacy while being true to the foundational ethos of crypto.
In the current environment, this practical privacy matters a lot. Because historically, privacy protocols mainly, if not only, appealed to highly technical crypto users who were willing to deal with the complex and buggy interfaces in exchange for anonymity or control.
But crypto isn’t that niche anymore, the adoption dynamics are changing as stablecoins get integrated into traditional finance. Users now increasingly want privacy tools that they can actually understand, feel stable, and make part of their financial routine easily. So, the transaction flows need to be predictable, and the interface needs to be intuitive.
In practice, privacy infrastructure is not judged by how decentralised it is, nor is it evaluated based only on security. It is actually adopted based on just how dependable the experience is for everyday activity.
SilentSwap fits into this emerging category perfectly by offering privacy without excessive friction.
The broader privacy protocol sector is now actually entering a period where user expectations only become more demanding and not less.
As crypto adoption goes mainstream, aided by regulatory clarity and institutional acceptance, user trust becomes the differentiator. Platforms must combine non-custodial design with operational consistency, smooth onboarding, and trustworthiness that goes beyond just marketing.
And those that are able to offer these features are most likely to succeed over the next phase of adoption.
As the conversation around privacy protocols evolves, the attention surrounding Houdini Swap may help the sector build privacy infrastructure that is practical, reliable, and sustainable for everyday use. Already, users have been pushed to think about these elements more critically. In that environment, platforms like SilentSwap are benefiting from growing demand for privacy tools that prioritize simplicity, accessibility, and non-custodial control without overwhelming users in the process.
The post DOGE Whale Accumulation Builds as Dogecoin News Traders Watch AlphaPepe Near $1.2M Raised appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
DOGE whales spent April quietly stacking. Now the chart is starting to show what they were already buying. The latest DOGE whale accumulation data shows the largest wallets now hold a record level of DOGE, with single-day large transactions hitting their highest level in six months. DOGE has rallied off the base, broken above its main moving averages, and spot DOGE ETFs just snapped a two-week dry spell with fresh inflows.
The setup is the strongest it has shown in months, with analysts pointing toward roughly 4x potential over the rest of 2026. The catch is the math from here. Even hitting that upper target is a respectable trade for buyers already in DOGE, just not the kind of move that changes a small bag into something life-changing. Buyers chasing wealth-changing returns are looking earlier in the curve, where AlphaPepe is approaching $1.2 million raised at stage 16, with thousands of users already active on its AI exchange before the token even lists.
Whale wallets do not stack 108 billion tokens by accident. The pattern through February to April was a textbook accumulation base: large holders quietly absorbing DOGE through the chop while retail attention was elsewhere. The May breakout was not random. It was the trigger whales had already been positioned for over the prior two months.
For long-term DOGE holders, this is genuinely good news. Whale concentration historically reduces available supply and supports price discovery on the way up. ETF inflows returning, the SEC commodity classification, and ongoing speculation around X payments integration and the SpaceX IPO all build a real demand picture for the coin. None of that is bearish for DOGE.
The math is just less explosive than it looks at first glance. DOGE at current levels reaching the upper analyst targets would be a 4x trade across the rest of the year. That’s solid for a top-ten asset, but not the kind of multiple retail buyers are scanning for when they ask which presale to back next.
While DOGE traders watch the breakout play out, AlphaPepe’s presale has quietly been doing the work that actually moves a project forward. AlphaPepe’s stage 16 round has pulled over 8,400 holders inside as the raise approaches $1.2 million. The project is currently adding more than 100 new wallets every day, with growth continuing through volatile weeks where most presale flows dried up across the sector.
The product underneath the meme is what’s making the difference. AlphaSwap, the project’s AI-powered exchange, is already running with 3,000+ active users on it before the token has even listed. The platform addresses three problems that hurt retail traders the most: getting rugged on copy-paste contracts, missing whale moves until the chart has already run, and chasing trends after they’ve peaked. Take the rug example.
A trader sees a token pumping on Twitter, apes in, and only afterward learns the contract has a hidden function blocking sells. AlphaSwap scans the contract before the swap and flags exactly those traps, which for someone who can’t read Solidity is the difference between losing the bag and walking away clean. The same engine watches large wallets in real time and flags trending tokens with sentiment scoring before they hit any major outlet. That’s the kind of utility most presales talk about but rarely ship.
The team is the other piece. The lead dev came from the ShibaSwap team and helped scale Shibarium, the same group behind one of the biggest meme ecosystems in crypto. The contract is fully audited and cleared. The Q2 listing window will close the $0.01666 entry once it opens.
DOGE holders watching whales stack are betting on a meme coin with real utility narratives building behind it, but at a $16 billion market cap the move from here is measured in percentages rather than multiples. AlphaPepe holders are betting on a presale that’s still in the price discovery zone, with shipped product, a credentialed team, and a demand curve that has continued running uphill while the rest of the sector stalled. The trade in front of buyers right now is whether to wait for established names to play out cycles or take a presale entry where the math has serious room left in it.
VISIT ALPHAPEPE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Why are DOGE whales accumulating right now?
Whale wallets hold a record 108.52 billion DOGE as ETF inflows return and analysts target $0.20 to $0.47 for the rest of 2026.
What is the AlphaPepe presale price right now?
AlphaPepe stage 16 is open at $0.01666, with the round approaching $1.2 million raised and over 8,400 holders inside.
What is AlphaSwap?
A live AI exchange that scans contracts and tracks whale wallets, with 3,000+ users active before the AlphaPepe token even lists.
Crypto Press Release Distribution by CoinFunnel.
Google is hosting the Android Show I/O Edition next week, and we may get new information about One UI 9.0 at the same time.
For starters, The Android Show: I/O Edition is a special Google Android live event, which highlights the upcoming Android update before a full release at the Google I/O conference. This year’s Android Show will air on Tuesday, May 12.
Google has announced that Android is about to get a redesign, which many of the users anticipated, highly inspired by Apple’s Liquid Glass design for iOS devices. That made many from the Samsung community speculate the same for One UI 9.0, which will be based on Android 17.
However, Google’s President of Android Ecosystem has denied these rumors, saying that the new update won’t follow any other operating system. Since Android 17’s liquid glass is out of question, we’ll have to move to another topic.
Last year, Minseok Kang, VP and Head of Smartphone Planning at Samsung Electronics, appeared in a dedicated clip to talk about collaboration with Google. He also teased the Android 16 update for Galaxy devices for the first time at the showcase.
Since Samsung is Google’s biggest Android ecosystem partner, it is likely to participate in Google’s 2026 version of I/O showcase. That said, we’ll be getting a confirmation about the Android 17-based One UI 9.0 update announcement.
However, we aren’t keeping our hopes too high because the Samsung official may limit words to Android 17 and Gemini AI features in the pre-recorded clip.
On the other hand, test builds of the One UI 9.0 beta have already surfaced on the Samsung firmware server. It indicates that the company is ready to initiate the beta program for the Galaxy Sw6 series. However, Samsung has yet to announce the beta campaign launch.
The post A big week ahead for Samsung One UI 9.0 appeared first on Sammy Fans.
While this year the big news in the Motorola Razr family is the launch of the first book-style foldable, the Razr brand is still very much associated with flip foldables. The company refreshed its offerings with three new models: the Razr 70, Razr 70+ and Razr 70 Ultra. As usual, these will have slightly different names in the US: Razr 2026, Razr+ 2026 and Razr Ultra 2026. Let’s start with the top model. The Motorola Razr 70 Ultra (aka Razr Ultra 2026) is an iterative update – it uses the same Snapdragon 8 Elite silicon, although it does have the overclocked version (4.47GHz CPU...
| WHO | Celtic vs Rangers |
| WHAT | Scottish Premiership |
| WHEN | 7:00am ET / 4:00am PT • Saturday, May 10, 2026 |
| WHERE | Fubo, DirecTV Stream, and CBS Sports Network |
| STREAM | WATCH NOW |
Heart of Midlothian may have cracked the door wide open in the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership title race after settling for a draw against Motherwell, leaving Hearts on 77 points and just four clear of defending champions Celtic.
Now, all eyes shift to the latest edition of the Old Firm rivalry, where Celtic has a golden opportunity to tighten the race with a massive result in this game. Rangers, meanwhile, remain long shots in the championship picture, the stakes are still enormous at Ibrox, with pride, bragging rights, and the chance to derail Celtic’s title push fueling one of soccer’s fiercest rivalries.
Daniel Dubois survived the ultimate test against Fabio Wardley, recovering from two knockdowns to become heavyweight world champion again. The heavyweight fight – branded by Frank Warren as the best he has ever promoted – was a thriller from the start. Dubois hit the deck around ten seconds in, and then again in the third […]
The post Daniel Dubois sums up Fabio Wardley’s power and chin after winning heavyweight war appeared first on Boxing News.
The increase in bullish versus bearish crypto commentary on social media has Santiment warning that the recent crypto market rally may be short-lived.
“Sabah”ın futbolçusu Aaron Maluda Avropa klublarının diqqət mərkəzindədir.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, İtaliyanın “Sampdoriya” və Şotlandiyanın “Seltik” klubu fransalı vingerlə maraqlanır. Bu barədə Fransanın “Lequipe” nəşri məlumat yayıb. Klubların Maluda ilə danışıqlara başladığı bildirilib.
20 yaşlı futbolçu bu mövsüm 27 oyunda 8 qol vurub, 4 məhsuldar ötürmə edib.
“Qalatasaray” Türkiyə Super Liqasında 2026/26 mövsümünün çempionu olub.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, İstanbul təmsilçisi “Antalyaspor”u 3:2 hesabıyla məğlub edərək, sona bir tur qalmış qızıl medalları rəsmiləşdirib.
Matçdan sonra komandanın baş məşqçisi Okan Buruk fikirlərini bölüşüb:
“Bura “Qalatasaray”a xidmət etmək üçün gəlmişəm. Çətin dönəm idi və ardıcıl dörd çempionluq qazandıq. Bu klubda olmağın verdiyi dəyəri çox yaxşı bilirəm. Buna qədər klub ardıcıl dörd dəfə çempionluq yaşamışdı, amma sonrası olmamışdı. Hədəfimiz artıq beşinci çempionluqdur”.
UFC-də titul döyüşü keçirilib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, Həmzət Çimayevlə Şon Ştriklend üz-üzə gəlib. Döyüş Ştriklendin qələbəsiylə başa çatıb – 2:1 (48:47, 48:47, 47:48).
Çimayev bununla da peşəkar karyerasında ilk məğlubiyyətini yaşayıb.
Lionel Messinin formasını geyindiyi “İnter Mayami” MLS-də növbəti oyuna çıxıb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komanda səfərdə “Toronto” ilə qarşılaşıb. Matç “İnter Mayami”nin qələbəsiylə başa çatıb – 4:2.
Messi bu görüşün iştirakçısı olub. Argentinalı hücumçu iki məhsuldar ötürmə edib, bir qol vurub.
“İnter Mayami” 12 turdan sonra 22 xalla 2-ci sıradadır.
Manchester United are interested in acquiring the services of Leicester City attacking sensation Jeremy Monga.
The English youth international, who made his Premier League debut at the age of 15 years and 271 days, could be on the move this summer, as Leicester City have now been relegated to League One. A number of top clubs see this as a great opportunity to sign the teenage attacking sensation.
Monga has been hailed as an “excellent” talent.
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According to a report from Spain, Manchester United are one of the clubs that are interested in Jeremy Monga’s services. The Red Devils have been keeping tabs on him for some time and consider him a rare profile.
The 16-year-old has racked up over 1,000 minutes of first-team action in the ongoing campaign, and he has even contributed towards three goals. While he has massive potential and a bright future ahead of him, the Leicester graduate might not continue at the club, as they were relegated to the third division of English football.
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The Red Devils see this as a great opportunity to snap up a top talent with massive potential. They want to build for the long run, and the teenager could be just the perfect fit for their project. He can feature on either flank and has the knack of taking on defenders.
Monga could be available for around €6 million, a fee that will hardly trouble a Premier League giant. However, securing his services won’t be straightforward, as other top clubs are also after him. In the end, the English youth international might make his decision depending on what’s best for his development as a player.
The post Manchester United plot raid on English club for “excellent” teen attacker appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Tottenham will have to fork out €70 million to sign Real Madrid attacking sensation Franco Mastantuono this summer.
The Argentine international had an impressive start to life at Real Madrid, but wasn’t able to maintain the desired levels and eventually ended up going down the pecking order. The Spanish giants are now ready to negotiate his departure amidst interest from Tottenham, but want to maintain significant control over his future.
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According to reports from Spain, the North London club are interested in acquiring Franco Mastantuono’s services. They have already tabled an offer of €45 million, which the Spanish giants turned down without much deliberation.
With the 18-year-old racking up just over 1,300 minutes of first-team action in his debut campaign, Real Madrid are ready to sanction his departure. But they prefer a formula that gives them enough control over his future.
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Los Blancos would be open to a loan move with a €70 million buy option, which will be triggered if they qualify for Europe next season. It will help the Spanish club protect their investment in the youngster.
If Spurs fail to secure European football, Mastantuono will return to Madrid with valuable Premier League experience. The North London club do seek more quality in the final third, and the Argentine international could prove to be a very valuable addition to their squad.
His pace, ability to take on defenders, and clinical finishing could prove invaluable. While the €70 million fee represents a significant financial risk, it also comes with immense potential.
The post Tottenham submit offer to sign €70 million-rated South American forward appeared first on CaughtOffside.
João Gomes has become one of the standout names of the 2026 summer transfer window following Wolverhampton Wanderers’ relegation from the Premier League.
The financial strain of dropping into the Championship has made the sale of their most valuable asset almost inevitable. Gomes, a Brazilian midfielder renowned for his “all-action” style, has continued to impress despite Wolves’ poor season, drawing the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs.
At 25, Gomes is determined to secure his place in Brazil’s national team ahead of the World Cup and has no intention of playing in the second tier. His departure is now seen as a certainty.
Sources have informed Caughtoffside that Atletico Madrid have already initiated contact, while Liverpool, Manchester United, and surprisingly Crystal Palace are monitoring developments closely.
Initially, Wolves valued Gomes at around £60 million, but relegation has forced them to lower expectations. Current market dynamics suggest a fee in the region of €45–50 million is more realistic. While this represents a financial loss compared to their original valuation, it would provide a crucial injection of funds for a Championship-level budget.
Manchester United view Gomes as a cost-effective replacement for Casemiro, bringing energy and aggression to their midfield. Liverpool admire his pressing ability and dynamism, with reports suggesting Gomes himself is open to a move to Anfield.
Atletico Madrid see him as a perfect fit for Diego Simeone’s combative midfield philosophy, while Crystal Palace are attempting to lure him with the promise of guaranteed playing time and the chance to remain in the Premier League.
Gomes is under contract with Wolves until 2030, but relegation has weakened the club’s negotiating position. He currently earns £105,000 per week and is expected to seek a salary increase, along with assurances of regular football at his next destination. No formal bids have yet been submitted, but once the transfer window opens, Wolves are expected to face a flurry of offers.
The most likely scenario is that Gomes remains in the Premier League, with United or Liverpool leading the chase at around £40 million. Atletico Madrid remains a strong alternative, while a loan deal with an option to buy is considered unlikely.
In summary, João Gomes is set to be one of the most profitable “opportunity transfers” of the summer. Wolves’ relegation has opened the door for Europe’s giants to secure a reliable midfield enforcer at a reduced price, making him one of the most sought-after names in the market.
The post Sources: Liverpool and Man United lead chase for £40m-rated “all-action” Brazilian appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Aurelien Tchouameni wants to stay at Real Madrid, despite his bust-up in training with teammate Federico Valverde. The well-known and well-respected Italian journalist, though, has said that Manchester United would love to sign the France international defensive midfielder. Romano said about Tchouameni on his YouTube channel on Friday: “For sure, […]
The post Aurelien Tchouameni wants to stay at Real Madrid appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Aurelien Tchouameni wants to stay at Real Madrid appeared first on Soccer News.
Jose Mourinho is ready to take charge of Real Madrid despite the bust-up in training between Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde, according to Fabrizio Romano. The well-known and well-respected Italian journalist has reported that Mourinho, who is in charge of Benfica at the moment, is ready to return to Estadio Bernabeu this summer. Romano said […]
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The post Jose Mourinho willing to become Real Madrid manager appeared first on Soccer News.
Barcelona are not in talks to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United in the summer transfer window because the winger is too expensive for the Spanish giants, according to Fabrizio Romano. The well-known and well-respected journalist has said on his YouTube channel: “I am not aware of Barcelona actively working on a deal for Anthony Gordon, […]
The post Anthony Gordon too expensive for Barcelona appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Anthony Gordon too expensive for Barcelona appeared first on Soccer News.
Liverpool are interested in signing France international striker Kylian Mbappe from Real Madrid in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said on the Transfer Insider podcast: “I’m sure they would love the chance to try and Kylian Mbappe, undoubtedly one of the world’s best players. “Obviously, there’s been a bit […]
The post Kylian Mbappe linked with Liverpool appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Kylian Mbappe linked with Liverpool appeared first on Soccer News.
Barcelona are not in talks to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United in the summer transfer window because the winger is too expensive for the Spanish giants, according to Fabrizio Romano. The well-known and well-respected journalist has said on his YouTube channel: “I am not aware of Barcelona actively working on a deal for Anthony Gordon, […]
The post Anthony Gordon too expensive for Barcelona appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Anthony Gordon too expensive for Barcelona appeared first on Soccer News.
Liverpool are interested in signing France international striker Kylian Mbappe from Real Madrid in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said on the Transfer Insider podcast: “I’m sure they would love the chance to try and Kylian Mbappe, undoubtedly one of the world’s best players. “Obviously, there’s been a bit […]
The post Kylian Mbappe linked with Liverpool appeared first on Soccer News.
The post Kylian Mbappe linked with Liverpool appeared first on Soccer News.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 01: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks reacts during the first quarter of the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on March 01, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesThe New York Knicks haven’t slowed down since dispatching of the Toronto Raptors in a tough seven-game first-round series. Jalen Brunson and co. have gone on to take the first three games of the semifinal-round clash with the 76ers, putting them on the precipice of a sweep.
With the 76ers trying to stave off elimination in Sunday’s matinee battle, we dive into a three-leg same-game parlay that could deliver handsome returns on investment:
(Odds listed are best at time of publishing)
As already alluded to, the Knicks will come into Sunday’s potential series-ending battle with plenty of steam. New York has prevailed in the first three games of the series against the 76ers by margins of 39, six and 14 points, underscoring their ability to come out on top in a variety of different game scenarios.
The Knicks’ most recent victory in Game 3 on Friday night was particularly noteworthy in that it came without the services of star forward OG Anunoby, who sat out due to a hamstring injury that also has him listed as questionable for Sunday’s Game 4.
Anunoby was averaging 21.4 points (on 61.9% shooting, including 53.8% from long distance), 7.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.1 blocks across 35.3 minutes per contest in the first eight postseason games, so his absence certainly had the potential to disrupt New York’s attempt to match the intensity of the 76ers on the road.
What ultimately turned out to be a relatively comfortable victory naturally should give Mike Brown’s squad plenty of confidence coming into Sunday, but the 76ers are even more desperate than they were Friday. Oddsmakers are acknowledging as much by making the Knicks a slim 1.5-point favorite.
Consequently, we’re going to take advantage of FanDuel’s Alt. Spread feature to afford ourselves a bit more safety and actually give New York four points to work with for our first leg.
Per Team Rankings, the Knicks have a +4.4-point average scoring margin on the road and the Sixers have a -1.6-point figure at home since the start of the regular season, a revised spread of Knicks +4.5 feels comfortable enough, even if Anunoby misses.
Our second leg focuses on the visitors’ most dynamic offensive weapon, that being Brunson. The three-time All-Star has been outstanding over the first three games, averaging 39.6 points + rebounds + assists while shooting 52.5%.
Brunson had also averaged 36.6 points + rebounds + assists over 36.0 minutes per contest in the first five games of the first-round series against the Hawks, so his current run is certainly legitimate.
Brunson’s body of work thus far in the playoffs and the fact he also put up 39.3 points + rebounds + assists while shooting 39.1% from long distance over his first three regular-season meetings with Philadelphia are certainly also encouraging.
Therefore, the Alt. figure of 31.5 points + rebounds + assists a very reasonable one for him to surpass while facing a Sixers squad that’s allowing 54.8% shooting over the last three games, per Team Rankings.
For our third and final leg, we’ll turn to the other side and Brunson’s counterpart, Maxey.
The 2020 first-round pick has had an uneven first three games after a stellar first-round series against the Celtics, when he furnished 38.4 points + rebounds + assists across 41.0 minutes per contest while shooting 41.8% from long distance. The efficiency, especially from downtown, has admittedly taken a hit against the Knicks, shooting only 16.7% from three-point range.
Nevertheless, Maxey should see his usage skyrocket with the 76ers’ season hanging in the balance. He’s averaging a relatively modest 14.7 shots per game over the first three contests against New York, but he’d put up 21.6 per contest in the first round versus Boston.
Additionally, Maxey thrived against the Knicks during the regular season, averaging 39.1 points + rebounds + assists across 36.3 minutes per contest in four games. Maxey shot 51.2%, including 50.0% from three-point range, in that four-game regular-season sample, so the potential for improvement over his current form is certainly there.
Maxey was one point, assist or rebound short from going 4-0 to the Alt. Total of 31.5 points + rebounds + assists prop during the campaign and also easily surpassed it in Game 2 of this series, so the Over on that figure puts a bow on our parlay.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
It has been a big week for Jeremy Doku. It was Doku’s brace and late equalizer that saw Manchester City pick up a point in a 3-3 draw with Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium last Monday. That point could prove to be pivotal in this season’s title race depending on how the 2025-26 season ends. For an hour against Brentford yesterday, Pep Guardiola’s side was frustrated by a stubborn defensive display from Keith Andrews’ side. However, Jeremy Doku was a constant threat to the Brentford defence throughout yesterday’s match, and he broke the deadlock with a superb goal in the 60th minute. Doku broke open the game, and Manchester City picked up a crucial 3-0 win over Brentford yesterday.
Jeremy Doku was once again the game-breaker for City, as his performance yesterday continued to show how far he has come as a player. Doku’s display yesterday showed that he is now Manchester City’s next match-winner, who can break open a game in an instant.
Entering yesterday’s match against Brentford, Manchester City simply had to pick up all three points. The draw that City played out against Everton had seen City give the initiative to Arsenal in this season’s title race. For an hour yesterday, City were frustrated by Brentford and their stubborn defensive display. Throughout the opening hour of yesterday’s match, Jeremy Doku always seemed the player most likely to break open yesterday’s match for his team. Doku gave Brentford right-back Michael Kayode a torrid time throughout yesterday’s match. He also played in a plethora of teasing crosses that his teammates failed to get on the end of.
What Jeremy Doku has added to his game recently is game-breaking and spectacular goals. The Belgian winger scored two cracking goals against Everton. He added another yesterday. With yesterday’s match level at nil-all, Manchester City needed someone to step up. It was Doku that did it again. Jeremy Doku curled an unstoppable shot into the far top corner from the left of the Brentford penalty area that left Caoimhin Kelleher with no chance of saving the shot. Doku’s goal set City on their way and when his team needed someone to light the fire, Doku stepped up once again.
Speaking after his team picked up a massive three points, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was asked if Jeremy Doku can now be considered one of the most dangerous attacking players in football. Guardiola believes that Doku now is, and the Belgian winger deserves credit for taking the game on. Guardiola explained: “Yes absolutely I completely agree. Always he had this ability when he has the ball, to drop the team with the dribbles but we miss maybe the last pass or the goals. But this season he made an incredible step forward, which players must do. To try to get better and better.It belongs absolutely to him the confidence to try it.”
Jeremy Doku has now firmly established himself as Manchester City’s newest game-breaker. He has scored three spectacular and important goals over the past week. Doku tormented Brentford yesterday with a performance that was the very definition of a match-winning display. Jeremy Doku has lifted for the run-in, and he is now one of Manchester City’s most important players with the potential to take his game to a whole new level.
Toni Kroos’ move from Bayern Munich to Real Madrid is widely regarded as one of the greatest transfers in football history.
Having joined for a figure of just €25 million, Kroos went on to become one of the finest midfielders in the recent memory.
It was a transfer that Bayern Munich would rue even to this day. However, in a recent interview, Bayern Munich’s honorary president explained exactly how the move unfolded, making no apologies for the club’s stance.
“Michael Ballack went to England, Toni Kroos to Spain, but even then, we were in control,” he said (h/t Defensa Central), defending Bayern’s model of financial discipline.
Kroos is a Real Madrid legend. (Photo by Pablo Cuadra/Getty Images for Laureus)
On the specifics of Kroos’ departure, Hoeness was remarkably candid. “I met Toni once and told him that he would never earn 10 million and one euro at Bayern, so he left.”
The offer on the table at the time was precisely €10 million, and Bayern refused to go beyond it.
The account given by Kroos’ agent largely lines up with Hoeness’ version of events.
“I met with Bayern in Munich and Rummenigge told me that because of the high regard we have for Toni, we would go up to 6.5 million. I replied that we wouldn’t accept less than 10 million and the conversation ended,” the agent explained.
Hoeness then took matters into his own hands. “I entered the dressing room and shouted at Toni: ‘Call your agent! You’ll never earn 10 million here!’ Toni replied: ‘I don’t need to call him, we have the same opinion.'”
Kroos ended up joining Real Madrid for just €25 million, winning five Champions League in the process and making almost 450 competitive appearances, before retiring in 2024.
Kroos’ chapter at Real Madrid might not be over, though, as recent reports have linked to a potential return to the touchline.
The UFC handed out four bonuses after Saturday's card in New Jersey, including a pair to two of the four title fighters on the show.
After UFC 328, four fighters picked up an extra $100,000 for their performances at Prudential Center in Newark. Additionally, four fighters got $25,000 extra checks for finishes that weren’t bonus-winners.
Check out the list of winners below.
There was little doubt by the time Joshua Van (17-2 MMA, 10-1 UFC) got his hand raised against Tatsuro Taira (18-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) that the two had turned in a legendary title fight. Van survived early trouble from Taira to knock him out in the fifth round to retain the flyweight belt. Van was one of few champions in UFC title fight history who was an underdog, but after a back-and-forth war in the co-main event, he put Taira away.
After the longest layoff of his career, which included a surgery plus a frightening time with his son’s cancer treatment, Jim Miller (39-19 MMA, 28-18 UFC) crushed Jared Gordon (21-9 MMA, 9-8 UFC) with a first-round arm-triangle choke.
Yaroslav Amosov (30-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) did something few former Bellator standouts have done lately, and that’s win in the UFC. The former Bellator welterweight champion submitted Joel Alvarez (23-4 MMA, 8-3 UFC) in the second round.
Baisangur Susurkaev (12-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) didn't get a tap from Djorden Santos (11-3 MMA, 1-2 UFC) with his rear-naked choke. It was because Santos went to sleep and had no choice. Susurkaev kept his undefeated record intact.
Grant Dawson (24-3-1 MMA, 12-2-1 UFC) had to rally for a comeback rear-naked choke over Mateusz Rebecki (20-5 MMA, 4-4 UFC) with just 18 seconds left in the third round. Dawson suffered a second-round knockdown, but rallied to dominate the final frame and got his 14th career submission win.
Ateba Gautier (11-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) was a massive betting favorite, but didn't necessarily look like one in the first round. He was patient in the first five minutes. But in the second, he knocked out Ozzy Diaz (10-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC) with a big overhand right, which gave him five straight wins. He used his post-fight interview to go big with a callout of former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
King Green (35-17-1 MMA, 16-12-1 UFC) gave Jeremy Stephens (29-23 MMA, 15-20 UFC) his just desserts with a dominant win and a rear-naked choke with 40 seconds left in the opening round. Green hit a takedown, then punished Stephens with heavy ground-and-pound before he locked in a rear-naked choke to open the main card. It was Green's third straight win – and made Stephens the first fighter in UFC history to have 20 losses in the promotion. To make matters worse for Stephens, maybe desserts actually were an issue: He missed weight by 4 pounds, meaning 30 percent of his purse is going to Green on top of Green’s $25K for the finish.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 328 bonuses: Van, Taira, Amosov, Miller cash $100,000 checks
WWE picked up the pieces from WrestleMania on Saturday night with WWE Backlash 2026 from inside the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa. Roman Reigns eked out a win over Jacob Fatu to retain his World Heavyweight Championship, Asuka appeared to say goodbye to the WWE, and Bron Breakker showed he’s ready for the main event.
As we shift into the eventual build toward SummerSlam, here’s six big takeaways from Backlash.
Throughout Roman Reigns’ run across the top of WWE, he’s never looked quite as powerless as he has against Jacob Fatu.
Even during his rivalry against Brock Lesnar, there always appeared to be a healthy tension between the two. But with Fatu, there’s something different and unpredictable.
.@jacobfatu_wwe isn't holding back 😤 pic.twitter.com/Zu2SOReBS4
— WWE (@WWE) May 10, 2026
Their match Saturday night was physical, and had layers of familial history and the Tongan Death Grip blended into their ongoing Bloodline drama. Fatu was dominant and appeared in control for pockets of the match, but Reigns used an exposed turnbuckle and a referee distraction to ultimately help him earn the pinfall victory.
Originally, I would have preferred Fatu continue on his original route and go after Cody Rhodes. But there’s something captivating with this new family drama between Fatu, Reigns, the Usos and Solo Sikoa. It doesn’t feel like we’re even through Chapter 1 of this new Bloodline rivalry and I’m already incredibly intrigued with where WWE goes from here, especially considering the deeper involvement of the Usos that’s certainly around the corner. After a relatively disappointing year from a storyline perspective, it feels like WWE’s going right back to what worked in the past. I can’t say I blame them.
"This is your last night here."@WWERomanReigns is FED UP with @jacobfatu_wwe 😤 pic.twitter.com/Thu2zIzWqg
— WWE (@WWE) May 10, 2026
As messy as last year was, with The Vision’s quick build and uneven 2025, there’s still some semblance of success with what the faction has managed to pull off. Two injuries to Seth Rollins — one part of a storyline, the other legitimate — meant “The Visionary” missed chunks of a year which was intended to elevate rising stars in Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. But his absence provided space for Breakker and Reed to step into their own — and the finished product from that space is what we got Saturday night.
Breakker has perhaps never looked as ready-made for the main-event scene as he did against Rollins. A legitimate genetic freak, Breakker was outstanding, showcasing athleticism but also great ring awareness as the duo paced their match perfectly for the show’s opener. Breakker needed a distraction from Paul Heyman and The Vision to save him from a pinfall, eventually earning his own finish with a series of spears.
Even with the loss, Rollins remains in his element as one of the best bell-to-bell guys in WWE right now, and Breakker looks ready to pull up a seat directly in WWE’s spotlight. This rivalry has the legs to carry on, with Breakker continuing his ascent. The real question is whether or not the rest of The Vision can elevate alongside them.
After both former champions somehow missed out on WrestleMania, Asuka and Iyo Sky felt like they were out to prove something Saturday evening.
It was brutal, technically sound, and unquestionably the match of the night. Sky’s win and subsequent emotional embrace with Asuka already felt like a turning point in the moment. But then Big E’s comments later in the night, questioning if it was the last time we saw Asuka in a WWE ring, added more intrigue to her immediate future.
If this is it in WWE for Asuka, what a run. More than 10 years in the company, one of the most dominant women across NXT and WWE — she leaves with quite the legacy. The real question then becomes what’s next. At age 44, is there more to prove, or does she follow what appeared to be Brock Lesnar’s lead and become the latest to hang up her boots?
Sami Zayn couldn’t get the job done against Trick Williams yet again, letting his focus continue to deviate over to Lil Yachty at ringside.
Zayn and Williams had a fine match, with the U.S. Champion once again stealing the spotlight as he continues his quick rise up the main roster. But the focal point of this match felt like the escalation of tensions between Zayn and Yachty.
It was Yachty’s distraction that allowed Zayn to use the kendo stick on Williams, Zayn to pepper Yachty on the outside with a kendo stick, and eventually hit him with a Helluva Kick on the outside. That kick opened the door for Williams to land the Trick Shot and the victory. At this point, Zayn’s loss feels less important to the title picture and more like a direct connection to an eventual showdown with Yachty.
John Cena returned to the squared circle Saturday night, just one month after hosting WrestleMania, to announce the John Cena Classic — an evening where NXT talent will wrestle more established WWE talent for the chance to win a new championship.
He announced the audience will vote that night to crown the champion of what Cena hopes becomes an annual event.
.@JohnCena just announced the John Cena Classic! 👏
— WWE (@WWE) May 10, 2026
Stream WWE Backlash LIVE RIGHT NOW on the @espn App with ESPN Unlimited!
▶️ https://t.co/kzS0cxoAzDpic.twitter.com/4z08kgZmPm
It’s an incredible gesture and fitting for what Cena’s final night actually became — a showcase for young talent to make the leap and get noticed in ways many of them likely hadn’t before. I’m curious to see what this championship means, if anything, to the current landscape of the WWE. It feels odd to introduce a new title with so many already floating around, and this one in particular feels a bit meaningless. A trophy, à la the Andre the Giant Battle Royale or the Dusty Classic, would likely be a bit more fitting.
Danhausen is one of the best things going in WWE right now, and that’s not to discredit anything else that’s happening. He’s just that entertaining. I was bullish on him upon his arrival, and he’s been used to near perfection in the months that followed. I love that his “curse” has real impact in the ring, starting with Dominik Mysterio and leading to Saturday’s result.
His ongoing feud with The Miz and Kit Wilson has been exceptionally entertaining and I’m fascinated to see how WWE navigates keeping this gimmick fresh. Miz has shown real chameleon-like abilities to make anything work, and it’s refreshing to see Wilson get a well-deserved PLE match.
I can’t quite tell if this rivalry has run its course yet, but their showdown — and Wilson’s introduction of a mirror to counter the curse — were a ton of fun for at least one more night.
Ten thousand feet are set to pound the streets of Leeds as runners take part in the Rob Burrow Marathon and Half Marathon later, but what drives some of those to tackle the 26.2-mile (42km) run?
"People have said to my face, 'Daniel took the coward's way out'. This is why we need to keep raising awareness," Emma Oliver says.
After the death of her teenage son, she set up a charity to support young people's mental health.
Emma runs on Sunday for Team Daniel.
"I knew he was getting stressed, obviously I did not realise how stressed," she explains.
Daniel took his own life in February 2017. The 15-year-old was in the middle of studying for his GCSE exams.
"It just got too much for him," remembers Emma.
"I did everything. I approached the school, I paid for a maths tutor to come in three days before he took his own life.
"I remember the tutor saying, 'you are going to smash it', but, even then, Daniel just was not confident."
The heartbroken mum set up Team Daniel in the months following her son's death.
The charity supports teenagers through exam stress with their revision hub and offers mental health support.
Workshops helping young people identify signs of bullying have also been created.
Sunday's marathon in which Emma will be running starts at Headingley Stadium, the site of some of Rob Burrow's greatest triumphs with Leeds Rhinos, before snaking through Woodhouse Moor, Adel and Otley and finishing back at the ground.
Emma took up running before Daniel's death, but in the months afterwards she found moments of solace in the sprints.
"It helps my mental health, just to get out with earphones and music," she explains.
"Sometimes the intention is to go for four miles, but by the time I have lost myself I have done six or seven."
Emma aims to raise money for the charity with her run: "It is important to share Daniel's story, because even today there is still stigma attached.
"I talk about Daniel all the time - the support has been amazing."
This year marks the fourth time the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon has taken place.
It is the second since the death of the rugby league legend in June 2024.
Craig Whiteley, who has completed marathons in Berlin, Tokyo and New York, believes the event is among the best in the world.
"The best one in the world is Boston and then Leeds is underneath," the 65-year-old says.
"The crowd of Leeds just help you around it, even if it is your first time running, the crowd is amazing."
About 45,000 people have taken part across both the marathon and half marathon since its inception.
The marathon will get under way at 09:00 BST on Sunday, with competitors in the half marathon setting off at 10:00 BST.
Alex Reeves will be among the racers taking part in the shorter - but still not short - half marathon.
The 28-year-old is fundraising for the Bradford charity Gig Buddies which supports adults with learning disabilities and autism in the district to have a full and varied social life.
"I am feeling a bit nervous, but excited at the same time. I did it last year and I was a lot less prepared," he admits.
"I got inspired by Jamie Jones Buchanan from Leeds Rhinos.
"He was speaking at a work thing, basically saying you should always be trying to make a difference and I was like, 'yes that is right, I am going to do that and I am going to try and raise some money'."
As part of his volunteer role, Alex has buddied up with Harry Bowness.
Together, the pair go running, cycling, visiting the cinema or bowling.
"It gives you a chance to meet new people and go out and and explore different things," Harry says.
The 25-year-old will cheering on his buddy Alex from the roadside during the race.
"I think he will smash it - I am chuffed," he says.
"The more fundraising we can get, the more it expands the activities for other people who struggle with day-to-day lives."
This year, the event will be held in support of the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal as well as the MND Association.
Burrow and his family successfully raised funds and campaigned for an MND centre to be built in the city where he spent his sporting career.
Sean Davies is among the runners to have been directly helped by Burrow's campaigning.
"The funding that was given in the past has enabled the drug that I am on to exist," he explains.
Like Burrow, Sean has been diagnosed with MND. He is raising money for the MND Association.
His strain is familial and has been passed down through generations of his family - his children now have a 50% chance of getting a diagnosis.
"You know how you are going to die and it is not a nice death," he says.
"That is why we came together - you have got such a wonderful group of people there it is almost like a second family."
Sean says he will be running the race as a relay with his family and MND Association campaigners.
"I would love to run the whole thing but I am not up to it anymore," he says.
"My father took less than a year from diagnosis to pass away and I have been three years now and I am still running - that tells you the impact of the drug.
"[Running] is what is helping people to do research for people like me, people with this family in it."
Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
There was a painful irony in seeing Manchester United winger Amad Diallo trudge around the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon, anonymous and ineffective against the very club that once transformed his career.
Four years ago, the Ivorian lit up this ground week after week, scoring 14 goals, winning the hearts of an entire fanbase, and establishing himself as one of the country’s most exciting young wingers.
On his return, he was barely noticeable in a drab 0-0 draw, raising fresh questions about his long-term future at Old Trafford.
United were held to their first goalless draw of the season by Sunderland, with their first shot on target not arriving until added time—a Matheus Cunha effort denied by Robin Roefs—in a performance as toothless as any they have produced this term.
Amad did little to convince that he deserves to remain part of Michael Carrick’s plans beyond this summer.
He created no chances, completed just one of his three dribbles and lost possession 12 times.
The 23-year-old has also yet to register a goal or assist in 2026 and was equally ineffective off the bench against Liverpool last weekend.
Considering he has managed just two goals and two assists all season—for a player once considered one of United’s most potent attacking threats—the scale of his decline is hard to ignore.
The reasons are well-documented: a disruptive AFCON campaign, loss of confidence, and the rise of stronger competition have all played a part.
Key figures in Sunderland’s recruitment department regard Amad as a dream signing, and Manchester United should be ready to negotiate this summer.
Saturday’s visit to the Stadium of Light was a chance for Amad to recapture his best form. Instead, it served only as a reminder of how far he has fallen. Now is the time for United to sell.
Premier League European places: State of play for teams chasing Champions League, Europa, Conference League originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Thanks to skyrocketing financial might over the past two decades, the Premier League has emerged as a behemoth among European competitions.
While the best teams in England must still battle tooth and nail for European silverware, the Premier League has proven its superiority in terms of depth.
The likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and England's other top clubs have largely met their match against other European giants across UEFA's top leagues, but the league's ability to place its other clubs in European competitions and perform at every level makes it a titan among the forest.
As more English clubs enjoy success on the European stage, the league continues to gain more qualifying places across UEFA competitions, and 2025/26 is no different.
The Sporting News takes a look at which clubs are in the hunt for Champions League, Europa League and Conference League qualification, and what potential scenarios could play out to help the most English clubs find themselves among European tournament fields next season.
As things stand, the following teams are in a position in the Premier League to qualify for European football in 2026/27:
*Teams in bold are guaranteed a place in that competition
Arsenal
Manchester City
Manchester United
Liverpool
Aston Villa
Arsenal and Manchester City have long been certain of finishing in the top five and are therefore guaranteed to be playing in next season's Champions League. Manchester United confirmed a place as well with a win over Liverpool in early May.
Arne Slot's side need one win from their final two games to be certain of a place. Four more points will be enough mathematically for Aston Villa.
Bournemouth
2026 FA Cup winners (Manchester City or Chelsea)
Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton and Hove Albion can technically still qualify for the Champions League, but it seems a longshot at best for all three clubs. The Cherries sit sixth, with Brighton two points back and Brentford another two adrift but with a game in and. This race will likely go to the wire.
Brighton
The Seagulls remain seventh after Brentford's defeat to Man City. Chelsea, Fulham, Everton and Sunderland might still harbour hopes of snatching a Conference League spot.
Here is a breakdown of the Premier League teams seeking to qualify for Europe in 2025/26.
Rankings and places updated after Brentford vs. Man City on May 9
| Pos | Club | GP | Pts | W-D-L | GD |
| 1. | Arsenal | 35 | 76 | 23-7-5 | +41 |
| 2. | Man City | 35 | 74 | 22-8-5 | +40 |
| 3. | Man United | 36 | 65 | 18-11-7 | +15 |
| 4. | Liverpool | 36 | 59 | 17-8-11 | +12 |
| 5. | Aston Villa | 35 | 58 | 17-7-11 | +4 |
| Pos | Club | GP | Pts | W-D-L | GD |
| 6. | Bournemouth | 36 | 55 | 13-16-7 | +4 |
| Pos | Club | GP | Pts | W-D-L | GD |
| 7. | Brighton | 36 | 53 | 14-11-11 | +10 |
| Pos | Club | GP | Pts | W-D-L | GD |
| 8. | Brentford | 36 | 50 | 13-11-12 | +4 |
| 9. | Chelsea | 36 | 48 | 13-10-13 | +6 |
| 10. | Everton | 35 | 48 | 13-9-13 | 0 |
| 11. | Fulham | 36 | 48 | 14-6-16 | -6 |
| 12. | Sunderland | 36 | 48 | 12-12-12 | -9 |
Throughout the course of the season, many things can affect how the Premier League hands out its various European qualifying places.
So far, with two full matchweeks remaining to be played and still the FA Cup final to be contested, a number of things can change moving forward.
Here is a look at what has already been decided up to this point, and what can still be determined moving forward.
With the reorganisation of the Champions League to the Swiss Model, UEFA has earmarked two places in the Champions League group stage to be given to teams from the two best-performing associations across European competition the previous season. This is known as the European Performance Spot
The Premier League has already mathematically confirmed a fifth spot in next year's Champions League competition, one of two leagues to be given an extra slot.
You can read more about how this took place by clicking here.
The winner of each European competition in 2025/26 will earn an automatic berth in the competition above the one they won. If a Premier League club wins a European competition and has already qualified via the table, its place will fall to the next club that has not already qualified for the indicated competition.
A total of six Premier League clubs theoretically could qualify for the Champions League, with the additional fifth-place slot plus Aston Villa potentially winning the Europa League after failing to secure a Champions League berth through table finish.
If a Premier League team wins the Champions League or Europa League title while having qualified already via table position (namely, Arsenal win the Champions League or Aston Villa win the Europa League while finishing in the top four domestically), it would not affect the European qualifying places for England next season.
However, if Villa finish in fifth place and beat Freiburg in Europa League on May 20, the team finishing sixth WOULD qualify for the Champions League.
This is because fifth is not a designated Champions League place, but awarded as the European Performance Spot. If Villa finish fifth having alreadt qualified for the Champions League through winning the Europa League, then the EPS will be passed down to sixth
This is because if one of these two European winners have already qualified via table position in their respective domestic league, the extra slot does not fall to another team in their association. Instead, their place in the league phase falls to the reigning European domestic champion with the highest individual club coefficient that has not already qualified directly to the league phase. If the team in sixth ends up in the Champions League, that Europa League spot will not drop down to seventh position. It will instead be passed on to another country.
A similar situation will occur in relation to a Champions League spot if Villa win the Europa League but finish above Liverpool in fouth. In this instance, the highest-ranked club from outside the top-10 Euopean leagues (currently Shakhtar Donetsk from Ukraine) would be upgraded to guaranteed league-phase qualification. From there, the upgrades trickle all the way down, qualifying until an extra team is added to the early stages of qualification that would otherwise not have been included.
The winners of the 2025/26 FA Cup will qualify automatically for the Europa League league phase.
IF the winner of the FA Cup has already qualified for the Champions League or Europa League via table position, this qualifying position will fall to the next-highest team in the table not to have qualified for the Europa League.
Thus, if Man City win the FA Cup, seventh place would become a Europa League position. Meanwhile, if Chelsea win the FA Cup, they would qualify directly for next year's Europa League, assuming they do not also finish in sixth place or higher.
Manchester City won the 2025/26 EFL Cup meaning they would have an automatic route into the Conference League playoff round.
However, since City have already mathematically confirmed a place in next year's Champions League, 7th place in the Premier League table now becomes a Conference League qualifying spot.
This spot could be potentially moved further down the standings by other circumstances listed above.
Given all the circumstances above, a significant number of English clubs could potentially be playing in Europe next season.
At minimum, the Premier League will see eight teams qualify for Europe. The base number each season is seven, with the additional Champions League place they have already earned added to the mix.
Across all three European competitions, the maximum number of clubs that could potentially qualify is 10. This would happen IF all of the following occur:
If both of these occur, the following European places would be handed out:
The maximum number of Premier League teams that could be playing in next season's Champions League is six, with the five qualifying through the table plus a sixth should Aston Villa finish below fourth.
At this point, it would be a major surprise if Arizona gets to play in Surprise later this month.
The Wildcats lost 7-5 to Houston in 13 innings on Saturday night at Hi Corbett Field, their seventh consecutive conference loss and eighth overall in the last nine games. With four games left in the regular season the UA (17-32, 7-19) is two games out of the last spot in the Big 12 Conference Tournament, set for May 18-23 in Surprise.
A game that featured the bottom two teams in the league fittingly featured a lot of disappointment for both teams. Despite combining for 35 hits—23 by the Cougars—the teams left 31 on base (20 by Houston) and were 6 of 33 with runners in scoring position.
Three of those hits for Houston (22-28, 6-20) came in the 12th and 13th innings, while both of those for Arizona were during a 4-run 5th to take a 4-1 lead. An RBI single by Cash Brennan and a Mathis Meurant safety squeeze bunt were followed by a 2-run home run from Carson McEntire.
The UA’s other run came in the bottom of the 12th when, after Beau Sylvester singled with 1 out he scored on an RBI triple from Maddox Mihalakis, one of 11 players honored during Senior Night pregame festivities. But what followed were the kind of at-bats Arizona had most of the time with runners in scoring position.
Caleb Danzeisen was called out on strikes, one of four strikeouts looking for the UA with two by the true freshman, then Brennan grounded out.
After Houston tied it in the 7th on a 3-run home run by Cade Climie the Wildcats stranded the winning run on third base in the 8th, 10th, 11th and 12th, and three of those got there with less than two out. It also had Brennan tagged out at home on a fielder’s choice in the 11th.
Houston then scored twice in the 13th off Collin McKinney, who was scheduled to start Sunday’s finale but ended up throwing the final three innings, and Arizona went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning.
Arizona will play its final home game Sunday at 11 a.m. PT.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 05: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the third quarter of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 05, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES – With a stoic expression and subdued tone, LeBron James showcased the conflicting feelings that surround the Lakers’ current circumstances.
They labored through a 131-108 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals on Saturday because of the defending NBA champion’s superior depth. They still made the game competitive because of their unyielding fight.
That left the Lakers’ star and the entire organization nursing conflicting feelings about the state of the franchise.
“I’m not angry or disappointed,” James said. “Obviously, you’re disappointed with the simple fact that you’re down 3-0. But we still got life. That’s all you can ask for. We have to be much better on Monday.”
Then, the Lakers will host Game 4 against the Thunder at Crypto.com Arena. Never in NBA history has any team ever overcome a 3-0 series deficit. The Lakers became the latest team to avoid such a scenario by beating the Houston Rockets in six games after initially holding a 3-0 first-round series lead. The Lakers have experienced the vast difference in playing without Luka Dončić against the Rockets and the Thunder.
Against the Rockets: the Lakers took advantage of a young team that struggled with inconsistent play and decision making while nursing various injuries with Kevin Durant. Against the Thunder: the Lakers have realized that hustle and adjustments do little against a team that virtually lacks any weaknesses.
“The situation sucks. But that doesn’t give us a license to quit,” Lakers guard Austin Reaves said. “We got to come in here and compete. We owe the organization that. we owe the fans that. we’ll come in Monday and play as hard as we can.”
The Lakers deserve credit for playing as hard as they can. For three games, they have fought without their star player. They have competed even through shooting slumps. They have played through frustration with the officiating. But for every improvement, another issue arises.
The Lakers earned more free-throws in Game 3 (25) than Game 2 (21), while the Thunder only had 10 attempts. But James only had four free-throw attempts, and he took his first trip to the line in the fourth quarter. The Lakers sent enough double teams to limit
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to 23 points on 7-for-20 shooting. But Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell responded with a career-high 24 points on a 10-for-14 clip.
The Lakers shot 14-for-30 from 3-point range, but Reaves struggled with his efficiency for the second time in three games with only 17 points while shooting 5-for-13 from the field and 1-for-5 from deep.
The Lakers held a 59-57 half-time lead by leaning on their ball movement, improved shooting and hustle. But then the Thunder put on an unstoppable clinic in the third quarter (33-20) and fourth quarter (41-29) by tapping into their offensive depth and defensive versatility. Once again, the Lakers struggled against the Thunder on the boards (43-37) and with their ball handling (16 points).
“They’ve kicked our ass for three straight games. They’re an incredible basketball team, ,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “We’ve got to be better. But I’m not giving up on the series. We’re going to try to win on Monday. We’re going to try to extend the series. We’re going to try to take this thing back at OKC.”
How do the Lakers do that?
Lakers guard Luke Kennard suggested the team will address solutions over practice and film on Sunday and can reconvene better at halftimes. Yet, the Thunder have proven that they can dismantle most plans. James observed the team lacked the necessary “energy” and “effort” to open the third quarter. Yet, the Thunder have executed better even when the Lakers have played out their best. The Lakers concede they would love to welcome Dončić’s return, but he told reporters this week that doctors projected an eight-week return when he suffered a Grade 2 strained left hamstring five weeks ago. Besides, the Lakers still trailed by 31 points before Dončić’ suffered the injury against OKC on April 2.
“Luka is over there. We hear him. He’s talking to us a little bit, ” Kennard said. “When you have the league’s leading scorer out there, if he was, it definitely changes the dynamic of a team. We know that. Obviously we miss him. And we know that he’s working his butt off right now. That’s all that he’s been putting the time in. We that he’s trying really hard. He would definitely change it for us. But right now he wasn’t out there.”
All of which gives the 41-year-old James the biggest challenge of his 23-year NBA career. Even more than when he helped the Cleveland Cavaliers overcome a 3-1 Finals deficit against the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 Finals. Even when he faced a Warriors team with Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala in 2017 and 2018. Even when he helped the Lakers win the 2020 NBA title in a campus bubble during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Pretty damn good from top to bottom,” James said of the Thunder. “They don’t let their foot off the gas.”
James declined to say how the Thunder compare to those Warriors teams or even the ‘90s Chicago Bulls as Redick did recently. Still, James’ body language appeared self-explanatory as he sat by his locker and processed what awaits.
“Everything and more to beat a team like this,” James said. “We have to be at our best on Monday.”
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
The best football posts from social media this week as chaos descended on Real Madrid, Marseille and Prague, while another Spygate scandal hit the Championship.
Real dominated the news cycle this week when it emerged that Jose Mourinho is the favourite to become their next manager at the same time as Kylian Mbappe caused a stir when he was photographed on holiday with his girlfriend. Fans didn’t take too kindly to the French superstar jetting off in the middle of a disappointing campaign.
But that wasn’t even the biggest story of the week, as Aurelien Tchouameni knocked out Fede Valverde after the pair got into a dressing room tussle.
Although this happened behind closed doors, El Chiringuito has done everyone a massive favour by recreating it using AI. This is the one time I can get behind artificially generated slop.
The Madrid Zone, an aggregator account covering everything Real, has been on a generational heater this week. Their use of block capitals is a sight to behold.
I think Alvaro Arbeloa might have lost the dressing room. Just a hunch.
All of it makes the Madrid boss VERY SAD.
With all of this going on, it’s possible you missed the utter anarchy at Marseille, where a team retreat turned into something resembling a reformatory for delinquent teens. Former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reportedly unloaded a fire extinguisher into the room of a team official.
If that wasn’t chaotic enough for you, then check out what happened in Prague on Saturday.
Slavia supporters stormed the pitch, lobbing flares at the Sparta players and fans. They got their own title-winning game abandoned with less than four minutes of stoppage time remaining.
Southampton have been accused of cheating by Middlesbrough after one of their employees was caught spying on a training session ahead of the play-off semi-finals. Boro fans made hay while the sun shone.
Saints manager Tonda Eckert got tired of all the questions about Spygate 2.0 and walked out of his press conference after Saturday’s goalless draw with Boro.
Meanwhile, a youth match in Brazil got way out of hand and resulted in a player racing from the bench to dropkick an opponent.
Pep Guardiola is hoping for a favour from West Ham United on Sunday.
Probably the most cringeworthy thing we’ve ever seen at a football match.
Read – Power Rankings: Man City stumble, PSG take top spot
Sky Sports have been EXPOSED for their LIES.
This is how you run a football club’s social media account.
Sean Dyche has been a brilliant addition to Instagram.
A lovely moment between Liverpool fan Sean Cox and Mo Salah.
After an uninspiring draw with Chelsea, it’s fair to say Liverpool fans are fed up of Arne Slot.
Read – Slot explains Ngumoha decision as Liverpool fans boo substitution
They are going to great lengths to replace the Dutchman.
Bournemouth are enjoying one hell of a season.
Read – English players with the most goal contributions in Champions League knockouts
See Also – Five spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend
Regionals (Best of 3)
Game 1 (May 13)
Game 2 & 3 (May 14)
Note: Top 8 seeds receive a bye to the Super Regionals on May 13-14: No. 1 Spanish Fork, No. 2 Maple Mountain, No. 3 Pleasant Grove, No. 4 West Field, No. 5 Cyprus, No. 6 West Jordan, No. 7 Fremont, No. 8 Alta.
Regionals (Best of 3)
Game 1 (May 8)
Game 2 & 3 (May 9)
Game 3 (May 9)
Super Regionals (Best of 3)
Game 1 (May 13)
Game 2 & 3 (May 14)
Note: Top 8 seeds receive a bye to the Super Regionals on May 7-8: No. 1 Snow Canyon, No. 2 Desert Hills, No. 3 Timpanogos, No. 4 Ridgeline, No. 5 Provo, No. 6 Bear River, No. 7 Crimson Cliffs, No. 8 Mountain Crest.
Regionals (Best of 3)
Game 1 (May 1)
Game 2 (May 2)
Game 3 (May 2)
Super Regionals (Best of 3)
Game 1 (May 7)
Game 2 (May 8)
Game 3 (May 8)
Bracket play (May 11)
At Kearns High School
Note: No. 1 Union receives a bye into bracket play beginning on May 11 at Lindquist Field.
Super Regionals (Best of 3)
Game 1 (May 7)
Game 2 (May 8)
Game 3 (May 8)
Bracket play (May 11)
At Lindquist Field
First round (May 2)
Second round (May 2)
One-loss bracket (May 2)
One-loss bracket (May 5)
Bracket play (May 7)
Bracket play (May 8)
Championship Day (May 9)
Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee struggled once again in the Premier League.
Since signing for Manchester United in July 2024, Zirkzee has barely made an impact at Old Trafford.
The 24-year-old has only scored a paltry nine goals in 73 appearances for the Red Devils.
His statistics this season do not make for pleasant reading, as he has only managed two goals in 24 games.
The Dutchman was given a rare chance to start with Benjamin Sesko out of the squad due to a shin problem.
Sadly, he could not make any sort of impact on the game, as he often cut an isolated figure in the Manchester United attack.
He played 65 minutes of the match before being substituted for Patrick Dorgu.
Zirkzee had one shot on goal in the first half when he headed over Matheus Cunha’s cross, but the chance was always drifting over the bar.
He could not manage a shot on target in the match and was unable to complete any dribble attempts.
The striker did carry the ball forward three times but did not complete any key passes in the match.
In fact, he could only complete 11 passes in an anemic afternoon.
Zirkzee was also weak in his duels, winning just four out of 11, and was also unable to compete in any tackles as he was frequently bullied by the Sunderland defence.
In his post-match press conference, Carrick defended his striker, but it was objectively a missed opportunity for Zirkzee to show his worth.
The former Bologna forward has been linked with a summer exit from Old Trafford and, on this performance, it is hard to argue that this would not be the best course of action for everyone involved.
Featured image George Wood via Getty Images
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Oklahoma City Thunder (64-18, first in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (53-29, fourth in the Western Conference)
Los Angeles; Monday, 10:30 p.m. EDT
LINE: Thunder -10.5; over/under is 213.5
WESTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ROUND: Thunder lead series 3-0
BOTTOM LINE: The Oklahoma City Thunder look to clinch the series over the Los Angeles Lakers in game four of the Western Conference second round. The Thunder defeated the Lakers 131-108 in the last meeting on Sunday. Ajay Mitchell led the Thunder with 24 points, and Rui Hachimura led the Lakers with 21.
The Lakers are 33-19 against Western Conference opponents. Los Angeles is 8-3 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Thunder are 41-11 in Western Conference play. Oklahoma City is third in the Western Conference scoring 119.0 points per game and is shooting 48.4%.
The Lakers average 11.8 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.5 fewer makes per game than the Thunder give up (14.3). The Thunder are shooting 48.4% from the field, 0.1% higher than the 48.3% the Lakers' opponents have shot this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: LeBron James is shooting 51.5% and averaging 20.9 points for the Lakers. Hachimura is averaging 3.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Chet Holmgren is scoring 17.1 points per game and averaging 8.9 rebounds for the Thunder. Luguentz Dort is averaging 1.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Lakers: 5-5, averaging 104.3 points, 40.6 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 7.8 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 47.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.3 points per game.
Thunder: 8-2, averaging 119.3 points, 42.1 rebounds, 27.5 assists, 9.9 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 49.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.9 points.
INJURIES: Lakers: Luka Doncic: out (hamstring).
Thunder: Jalen Williams: out (hamstring), Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Detroit Pistons (60-22, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30, fourth in the Eastern Conference)
Cleveland; Monday, 8 p.m. EDT
LINE: Cavaliers -3.5; over/under is 212.5
EASTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ROUND: Pistons lead series 2-1
BOTTOM LINE: The Detroit Pistons visit the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference second round with a 2-1 lead in the series. The Cavaliers won the last matchup 116-109 on Saturday, led by 35 points from Donovan Mitchell. Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 27.
The Cavaliers are 33-19 in conference play. Cleveland is 2-5 in games decided by less than 4 points.
The Pistons have gone 39-13 against Eastern Conference opponents. Detroit is fourth in the Eastern Conference scoring 117.8 points per game and is shooting 48.5%.
The 119.5 points per game the Cavaliers average are 9.9 more points than the Pistons allow (109.6). The Pistons average 117.8 points per game, 2.4 more than the 115.4 the Cavaliers give up to opponents.
TOP PERFORMERS: Mitchell is shooting 48.3% and averaging 27.9 points for the Cavaliers. James Harden is averaging 2.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Jalen Duren is scoring 19.5 points per game and averaging 10.5 rebounds for the Pistons. Duncan Robinson is averaging 3.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Cavaliers: 5-5, averaging 109.7 points, 42.3 rebounds, 21.5 assists, 7.5 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 47.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.8 points per game.
Pistons: 6-4, averaging 104.4 points, 45.6 rebounds, 21.6 assists, 8.6 steals and 7.8 blocks per game while shooting 44.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 99.8 points.
INJURIES: Cavaliers: None listed.
Pistons: Kevin Huerter: day to day (adductor).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
LOS ANGELES — The lights, the bobbleheads, the sold-out crowd and the anticipation all pointed toward a Hollywood return for Blake Snell on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium.
Instead, the Dodgers were reminded that even for a two-time Cy Young winner, there is no substitute for real game action.
Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell (7) throws to the plate during the second inning against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers dropped a 7-2 game to the Atlanta Braves before 50,209 fans on Saturday night as Snell’s long-awaited season debut unraveled early against one of baseball’s top lineups.
For the first time since Game 7 of last year’s World Series in Toronto, Snell took a major league mound in a meaningful game. The rust showed immediately.
By the end of the second inning, the Braves had already built a 5-0 lead and turned what was supposed to be a celebratory return into a grind. Snell needed 58 pitches just to survive the first two innings, allowing six hits, five runs and two walks while fighting his command throughout the night.
“It was frustrating,” Snell said afterward. “The goal is to give up no runs, so giving up five is pretty frustrating.”
The night spiraled in the second inning.
Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell (7) talks with manager Dave Roberts (30) in the dugout in the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium.
After Eli White reached on an infield single and Jorge Mateo followed with a base hit, Snell walked Drake Baldwin to load the bases with two outs. Ozzie Albies lined a two-run single to center before Matt Olson followed with another two-run hit that blew the game open.
It was the kind of inning that exposed exactly what the Dodgers knew they were risking by accelerating Snell’s timeline.
Two days earlier, Snell had expected to face Single-A hitters as part of what was still considered a rehab progression. Instead, with Tyler Glasnow landing on the injured list Friday, manager Dave Roberts and the Dodgers decided to activate Snell rather than continue his buildup assignment with Ontario.
The Dodgers hoped to get five innings out of the left-hander. They got three.
Still, there were flashes.
Snell settled down in the third inning, striking out Mateo to finish his outing after an error by Hyeseong Kim briefly extended the inning. His fastball had life. His breaking stuff still generated swings and misses. He struck out five batters in three innings and, perhaps most importantly for the Dodgers, walked away healthy.
“I feel really good. Stuff is really good,” Snell said. “Got a lot of work to do.”
That may ultimately be the only thing that matters to the Dodgers right now.
This organization has spent the entire season operating with October in mind. The phrase “three-peat” has hovered over the clubhouse since spring training opened. The Dodgers are not chasing April headlines. They are trying to arrive in October with their stars healthy and fully operational.
That philosophy is precisely why Snell did not rush through a traditional spring buildup. The Dodgers were cautious after his heavy workload last postseason, choosing patience over urgency.
Saturday was the consequence of that patience colliding with reality. The Braves are not a rehab assignment.
Facing major league hitters for the first time in nearly seven months was always going to be difficult, especially against one of baseball’s deepest lineups. Roberts understood that context afterward.
“It was his first outing back,” Roberts said. “Something to build off of.”
The Dodgers offense never gave Snell much of a chance to recover.
After Will Smith delivered a two-out single in the first inning, the Dodgers did not record another hit until Andy Pages singled in the seventh. The offense looked lifeless for most of the night before Pages provided the lone late spark in the ninth.
After Alex Call doubled with one out, Pages crushed a two-run homer to left-center for his ninth home run of the season. It continued a torrid stretch for the young outfielder, who already turned heads earlier this week with a three-homer game in Houston.
Ya son 9 jonrones en el 2026 para Andy Pagés. pic.twitter.com/BFgzioN57E
— MLB Español (@mlbespanol) May 10, 2026
By then, though, the game had long since slipped away.
Snell’s final line, three innings, six hits, five runs, two walks, five strikeouts on 77 pitches, was far from what the Dodgers envisioned. Yet inside the organization, the bigger picture remains unchanged.
The Dodgers believe a healthy Snell in October matters far more than a polished outing in May.
That long-term approach has even altered Snell’s off-field routine. Now 33 years old and more aware of the physical demands of pitching deep into his career, Snell spent the offseason rethinking how he prepares his body.
“A lot of my injuries have been inflammation based,” Snell said. “I’m getting older, I gotta be a little more wiser. I got a nutritionist, a chef, and pilates has helped me a lot.”
Saturday was not the return anybody envisioned on Blake Snell Bobblehead Night. It was messy, uneven and occasionally ugly.
But it was also a beginning.
For the Dodgers, the most important development was simple: Snell is back on a major league mound again. Now comes the process of sharpening him for the games they truly care about.
Encouraged by a record points haul against England last time out, Wales headed to Ireland looking to build on recent peformances in the Women's Six Nations.
But the tournament's two-week break appeared to have done more harm than good as Wales look uninspired in their 33-12 defeat.
Like they had against Scotland and France, Wales were in the contest up until half-time but Ireland's third try proved the hammer blow.
Wales should have headed down the tunnel trailing 12-7 but a failure to get the ball off the park when the clock had been in the red gifted Ireland one last attack.
"We speak about championship moments and that is one of them," said Wales captain Bethan Lewis.
"Putting ourselves on the back foot going into half-time, it's frustrating. We need to tighten up with things like that."
Compared to their second-half showing against England, where they bagged two late tries for a bonus-point, Wales could muster very little after the break in Belfast.
Ireland were utterly dominant with possession and territory, with last year's player of the championship Aoife Wafer leading the charge.
Travelling fans' only consolation was a 78th minute Jasmine Joyce try but it was not enough to prevent Wales from leaving empty handed.
"We're ranked 12th in the world, we played the team ranked fifth in the world and you can clearly see when you're away from home, you've got to be a lot more clinical," said Wales head coach Sean Lynn.
"We said in the huddle at the end of the game, we've got to be better with our composure and accuracy.
"I wouldn't have said the girls dropped their heads. They stuck at it, stuck to their processes, but Ireland kept the ball really well.
"The girls give everything out there and when you see them upset after the game it's because they care, they want to be winning, so it is tough."
Wales are now on a nine-game losing streak and have one last chance next Sunday to prevent a third consecutive wooden spoon in the Six Nations.
And while Italy at home would be a targeted win for Lynn's side, the Azzurri are full of confidence having backed up a convincing victory over Scotland by scoring five tries in their defeat by England.
"We will come out firing. We're hurting. We do have more to give. There is a lot of learnings and hopefully we can put on a good show next week," said Lewis.
"The first two games at home were incredible. The support was incredible and having that red wall in the stand will give us energy."
The Oklahoma City Thunder were once again better than the Los Angeles Lakers with a 131-108 Game 3 win on Saturday. They've built up an ironclad 3-0 series lead in their Round 2 matchup of the 2026 NBA playoffs.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looked better with 23 points and nine assists. Chet Holmgren had 18 points and nine rebounds. Ajay Mitchell was awesome with 24 points and 10 assists. Cason Wallace had 16 points off the bench.
Meanwhile, LeBron James was quiet with 19 points and eight assists. Austin Reaves struggled with 17 points and nine assists. Rui Hachimura had 21 points and five rebounds.
Let's look at some of the best photos from the Thunder's 23-point Game 3 win over the Lakers:
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Photos: Best images from Thunder's 131-108 Game 3 win over Lakers
Phoenix Mercury (1-0, 1-0 Western Conference) at Golden State Valkyries (1-0, 1-0 Western Conference)
San Francisco; Sunday, 8:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Phoenix Mercury visits the Golden State Valkyries after Alyssa Thomas scored 20 points in the Mercury's 99-66 win over the Las Vegas Aces.
Golden State finished 14-8 at home and 9-15 in Western Conference play during the 2025-26 season. The Valkyries allowed opponents to score 76.3 points per game and shoot 40.5% from the field last season.
Phoenix went 27-17 overall last season while going 13-11 in Western Conference play. The Mercury gave up 80.1 points per game while committing 17.8 fouls last season.
INJURIES: Valkyries: Iliana Rupert: out (pregnancy), Juste Jocyte: out (not injury related ).
Mercury: Sami Whitcomb: out (knee), Valeriane Ayayi: out (not injury related), Monique Akoa Makani: out (not injury related).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Las Vegas Aces at Los Angeles Sparks
Los Angeles; Sunday, 6 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Western Conference foes Los Angeles Sparks and Las Vegas Aces square off on Sunday.
Los Angeles went 21-23 overall and 10-14 in Western Conference action last season. The Sparks averaged 7.3 steals, 3.1 blocks and 14.1 turnovers per game last season.
Las Vegas went 30-14 overall and 16-8 in Western Conference action during the 2025-26 season. The Aces allowed opponents to score 80.7 points per game and shoot 43.6% from the field last season.
INJURIES: Sparks: None listed.
Aces: Dana Evans: out (leg).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
How to Watch Boston Fleet vs. Ottawa Charge Game 4: Channel, Live Stream & Start Time for PWHL Playoffs originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Fleet will look to avoid elimination when they face the Ottawa Charge in Game 4 of their playoff series on Sunday afternoon.
Ottawa took a 2-1 series lead with a Game 3 win behind another strong performance from goaltender Gwyneth Philips, who stopped 36 of the 37 shot attempts she faced on Friday night. Ronja Savolainen scored the game-winning goal for the Charge with a shot that bounced off the boards and Fleet goaltender Aerin Frankel on its way to the back of the net.
Despite holding a significant advantage in shots on goal in each matchup, Boston has struggled to score. Can the Fleet beat Philips in Game 4 and extend the series?
Here is everything you need to know about Fleet vs. Charge, including TV and streaming options for Game 4.
Fleet vs. Charge will air locally on NESN. The game will also be available to stream on NESN 360 and fubo.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100-plus top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
Fleet vs. Charge is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 10. The game will be played at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa.
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| April 30 | Game 1: Fleet 2, Charge 1 | — | — |
| May 2 | Game 2: Charge 3, Fleet 1 | — | — |
| May 8 | Game 3: Charge 2, Fleet 1 | — | — |
| May 10 | Game 4: Fleet vs. Charge | 3 p.m. | NESN, NESN 360, fubo |
| May 12 | Game 5: Charge vs. Fleet* | 7 p.m. | NESN, NESN 360, fubo |
*If necessary
Chelsea are apparently taking their time on the hunt to find a new permanent manager at Stamford Bridge.
Nobody has been expecting anything to be announced just yet, and fans are expecting to hear something concrete come the end of the season, as it was has always been reported.
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But fans are also not stupid, and they know that Chelsea will now be working hard behind the scenes to find a new manager, and talks will be happening.
We also know that Chelsea would not get stuck chasing just one candidate and will speak to a number of them at the same time and also have backup plans. So there will be lots going on, and yes, we will have to be patient in terms of seeing who the next manager will be.
Andoni Iraola working for Bournemouth. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
According to a sourced article from Caught Offside, Chelsea sources insist they haven’t identified a favoured candidate yet, and have sounded out multiple options, with talks ongoing and no hurry to come to a final decision yet.
The report also says that Andoni Iraola was open to speaking with Chelsea, but he had concerns about the project, as have numerous other managers approached by the Blues, including Xabi Alonso.
Former Blues winger Joe Cole has suggested some pretty spicy moves from Chelsea to get their team back on track after a bad year. He did an interview with The Sun over the weekend.
Levi Colwill has spoken of his relief after making his first appearance of the season having recovered from a serious injury. He helped Chelsea get a point at Anfield yesterday.
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Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
Manchester United are the front-runners in the race to sign Elche defensive mainstay David Affengruber.
The Austrian international’s consistent performances for Elche haven’t gone unnoticed. Quite a few top clubs from across Europe are keeping tabs on him, and there could be a bidding war for his signature in the summer.
According to reports from Spanish sources, Manchester United are leading the race for the signature of David Affengruber. The Red Devils have a significant advantage over other clubs in their pursuit of the 25-year-old centre-back.
Affengruber has taken his game to the next level since joining the Spanish club in 2024 from Sturm Graz on a free transfer. His consistent performances recently earned him an Austrian debut, and his value has risen to €20 million.
Clubs like Juventus, AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, and Manchester United are all keeping a close eye on the 25-year-old, who has 36 appearances and three goal contributions in the ongoing campaign.
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His camp believes he is ready to make the jump to a bigger club, and there is certainly no shortage of interest. The Red Devils are leading the race at this point despite interest from some top clubs in Italy and Spain. The English club seems to be the most attractive destination from a sporting perspective.
While they have handed Harry Maguire a new deal, Manchester United are still looking for more quality and depth in the heart of the defence. They consider Affengruber a perfect fit for their setup, as he has a strong physical presence, great anticipation, and ball distribution, which are key in English football at this point.
The price tag will not be a problem for the Red Devils, and with only a year left on his deal at Elche, the Spanish club could be open to a potential departure. However, it will be interesting to see whether the Manchester-based giants can fend off the competition for his signature.
“His head in his hands” – Disgruntled Bruno Fernandes was spotted moaning at two Man Utd teammates
Raphinha is set to return for Sunday’s El Clasico at the Camp Nou, and ahead of the highly-anticipated clash, the Brazilian has sat down with Movistar for a wide-ranging interview.
Heading into this game, the Brazilian talked about his injury, his future at the club and his thoughts on Lamine Yamal.
The winger suffered a blow when he picked up an injury during a friendly with Brazil in the United States, ruling him out of the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid. He subsequently spent time recovering in Brazil before returning to Barcelona to prepare for the Clasico.
Raphinha was characteristically direct when assessing what lies ahead.
“The rival suits me, maybe. I am looking for my best version again. I’m still a little short. We expect it to be a quite complicated match, they still have mathematical possibilities of winning the league, so they are not going to give us anything. If we win, let’s celebrate the league,” he said (h/t Diario SPORT).
All eyes on Raphinha ahead of Real Madrid clash (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Asked about filling in on the right flank in Lamine Yamal’s absence, Raphinha was quick to manage expectations with a touch of humility.
“If I play on the right wing, don’t expect anything special because I am not Lamine. Lamine is a star and the things he does,” he said.
On the subject of his long-term future at Barcelona, amid recent speculation linking him with a departure, Raphinha was open and straightforward, doubling down on his desire to stay at the club.
“I see myself here for many years. I have a contract until 2028 and if the club wants to talk to me, I am open,” he concluded.
Hansi Flick opted for caution in the last game against Osasuna, but the Brazilian is expected to play a key role as Barcelona as they lock horns against Los Blancos tonight.
LOS ANGELES -- For the first time in weeks, Angel City FC delivered the fast, aggressive start head coach Alex Straus had been demanding. But despite matching San Diego Wave FC blow for blow in a physical rivalry match at BMO Stadium, Angel City could not overcome another defensive lapse late in the match, falling 2-1 Saturday night for its fourth consecutive loss.
After a scoreless first half in which both teams searched for a breakthrough, San Diego struck first. Brazilian forward Dudinha fired a strong right-footed shot from the left side of the box that found the center of the net to give the Wave a 1-0 lead. According to Angel City defender Sarah Gorden, San Diego capitalized on transition opportunities throughout the match.
Angel City answered with an equalizer from defender Emily Sams. The sequence began with an Angel City corner kick that was initially cleared out of danger. The ball fell to Gorden, who stayed back on the play and quickly sent it back toward goal. Sams found space near the left side of the six-yard box and redirected the ball into the net with her left foot to tie the match 1-1.
“I think that being in that position on corner kicks where you're just the last one back and everyone's just running at you and the ball is coming, you have like a millisecond to make a choice,” Gorden said. “I was just like, ‘OK, just gonna kick it back,’ and Emily was there.”
The equalizer energized the home crowd and briefly shifted momentum in Angel City’s favor.
“The goal was a bright spot,” Gorden said. “Obviously it’s a disappointing result, but coming back after being one down and being able to tie it up like that was meaningful.”
San Diego regained the lead on a decisive moment from rookie defender Amelia Van Zanten, who goes by Mimi. Van Zanten delivered an aggressive header into the bottom-right corner for the game-winning goal — the first of her NWSL career.
Though the Wave secured the victory, Angel City remained competitive throughout and threatened to change the outcome until the final whistle. After the match, Van Zanten praised Angel City’s athleticism and physicality.
“They have a lot of speedy players that are big and strong,” Van Zanten said. “Getting to play against players like that really continues to push us in different ways and we can continue to grow defensively. When they’re pressing us and coming at us pretty fast, it puts us under a lot of pressure. So we need to figure out ways to play around them and continue to grow in those aspects.”
The loss marked Angel City’s fourth straight defeat. Following the match, Straus kept his assessment simple.
“We need to execute better,” he said.
A footballer is cuddling up with his girlfriend on a boat, enjoying life, dangling their feet in the water. Innocent enough pictures, the kind you’ve seen in thousands of Insta posts from pros, almost triggered a state crisis at Real Madrid. Some fans are even calling for Kylian Mbappé to be sold.
The forward is the biggest superstar of the new Galácticos. This season, he has scored 41 goals in 41 competitive matches, found the net in both Champions League quarter-final games against Bayern, scored in the Clásico league win over Barcelona, and still has a chance of winning this year’s Ballon d'Or. Even so, 'TNT Sports' reported last Thursday on a fan petition demanding his sale. The alleged number of signatures at the time? 30 million.
Even if the reliability of that figure is highly questionable, Mbappé has once again stirred up the fans. The latest uproar was sparked by a vacation in Italy that he treated himself to around a week ago.
The reports came thick and fast, because the 27-year-old chose to go on the trip even though he was injured. The criticism was that he was not focused enough on getting fit again. 'El Mundo' and 'AS' wrote that Real Madrid were surprised by this behavior, and teammates had reacted with disbelief, especially since this is currently a difficult time for Los Blancos and Barça are on the verge of winning the title. In today’s Clásico against the Catalans, the title could already be decided.
Mbappé is said to have responded only with the following statement: "My body, my decision." Journalist Jorge Picon then added fuel to the fire on Tuesday, because not everyone believes Mbappé was actually injured. It also would not be the first time this season that the striker has taken such a break.
But all the uproar was also a sign of how frantically every little thing involving him is being reacted to. Picon at one point said there was a real crisis between club and player, and 'L'Equipe' added that Mbappé was becoming increasingly isolated within the squad. He does not track back enough, and teammates supposedly feel he is too privileged. Fittingly, 'The Athletic' wrote that there had been an altercation with a member of the coaching staff in which he was disrespectful after an offside decision was given during a training drill.
On the other hand, 'AS' pushes back and says there are no doubts about Mbappé at Real and that he simply needs to be integrated better into the tactical system. The player also knows that he has to adapt more and is willing to do so. Fabrizio Romano said that there are no discussions at Real about letting their biggest star go. The situation is not easy, but the relationship between player and club is by no means broken.
What is truth and what is fiction in all of this is hard for outsiders to judge. But the fact is that Mbappé has not won a major title since arriving in Madrid two years ago. Critics also keep pointing toward Paris, where PSG won the Champions League for the first time after his departure and are now already back in the final of Europe’s top competition. So does Mbappé actually make his teams worse despite his goals? Is he too dominant? Too much of a diva? Does he not work hard enough defensively?
📸 CRISTINA QUICLER - AFP or licensors
Romano then added one important sentence that may provide the answers to those questions: "It’s a complicated moment for Real Madrid, but it’s not just Mbappé."
And this is probably the heart of the problem. There is constant unrest throughout the entire club right now. The public clashes between then-coach Xabi Alonso and Vinícius Júnior, a fierce dressing-room bust-up between Antonio Rüdiger and Álvaro Carreras a few weeks ago, or a training-ground row between Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde that even ended with a hospital visit and caused the vice-captain to miss the Clásico with a traumatic brain injury. According to 'Marca', six players are no longer speaking to the current coach. There is constant tension at Real.
On top of that came ongoing injury problems in defense and, in the Champions League quarter-final against Bayern, also a bit of bad luck with Eduardo Camavinga’s red card. Progressing was certainly possible.
So it is too simplistic to pin Real’s lack of titles solely on Mbappé. Rather, there seem to be too many players throughout the team who see themselves as more important than the team’s success.
Here too there is a parallel with PSG. The French side once also tried to build a super team with Mbappé, Neymar and Lionel Messi. That attempt failed for the same reason: the megastars’ egos clashed. Only after all three had left and been replaced by more team-oriented players did success come. The conclusion would be that no team can afford more than one all-dominating superstar.
Real still remembers the Cristiano Ronaldo era, when he had a special role on the pitch, but the rest of the team accepted it and titles were won.
Madrid therefore have to decide: either they build a team that supports Mbappé optimally and accepts his antics, or they focus on a different centerpiece. Right now, though, it looks more like Real will try a third way once again. They would rather look for another coach who can perform the miracle that neither Carlo Ancelotti nor Xabi Alonso nor Álvaro Arbeloa managed to pull off: turning all of these Real individualists into a functioning collective.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.
The 'Don't Blink' tagline was never meant to be taken quite so literally.
When Daniel Dubois crashed to the canvas within 10 seconds of the opening bell in Manchester - and again in the third round - suddenly every soul inside the Co-op Live Arena was paying very close attention.
For years, Dubois has carried the label of a fighter who folds when things become uncomfortable. Opponents and fans alike have questioned his heart, mentality, and toughness.
During fight week, Fabio Wardley even joked that if Dubois was not a boxer, he would be a "bin man".
By the end of Saturday night, though, Dubois had produced the most brutal clean-up operation of his career. He roared back to stop Wardley in the 11th round of a British heavyweight classic and become a two-time world champion.
Perhaps the most revealing moment came between the knockdowns.
After being dropped early, Dubois looked towards his corner and gave a little wink to show he was fine - he did not panic or unravel. Even the tactical knee he took later in the third felt calculated rather than desperate.
Much of the 18,000-strong crowd had come to see the Wardley fairytale continue, but Dubois blocked out the noise and stayed composed.
The win once again silenced critics who have spent years dissecting the character of Dubois as much as his boxing ability.
"No human being on this planet could ever question this kid - certainly don't do that in front of me," trainer Don Charles said afterwards.
"Tonight he erased any doubt of all the negative talk. I'm glad the fight went that way so he could demonstrate this quitting narrative is not right."
Heavyweights exist under a uniquely harsh spotlight and Dubois has absorbed more than his fair share of scrutiny. One defeat by Joe Joyce and two by Oleksandr Usyk shaped much of the public perception around him, as did persistent questions about his discipline.
Those doubts feel badly outdated now. At 28, Dubois is already a two-time heavyweight world champion - younger than both Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury were when they achieved the same feat.
Throughout fight week, the contrast between the two men was stark.
Wardley carried himself with the ease of a man born for the camera. Articulate, witty, and relaxed, the Ipswich man was seen strolling through Manchester city centre. Dubois, meanwhile, walked out of two interviews.
In one, he visibly bristled when the Joyce defeat was raised. In another, he appeared irritated by what he felt was mocking "quick-fire" questioning.
It raises a broader question about double standards; would Joshua or Fury be criticised quite so heavily if they chose not to engage with pre-fight promotional content?
When Dubois answers awkwardly or offers clipped responses, he is often ridiculed online. But boxing is virtually the only world Dubois has ever known.
The home-schooled heavyweight has never looked entirely comfortable under the glare of cameras. He is not a natural salesman and has little interest in manufactured theatre.
Interestingly, moments after the biggest win of his career, Dubois appeared transformed.
In the post-fight interview he spoke calmly, clearly and with genuine warmth. He paid tribute to Wardley, and credited his opponent for the punishment he had absorbed.
Gone was the guarded, uneasy figure seen earlier in the week - Dubois looked entirely comfortable in his own skin.
Choosing Wardley was itself a statement of intent. After his second defeat by Usyk, Dubois could easily have taken a soft comeback fight to rebuild confidence.
The gamble paid off emphatically, but the story may not be over. A rematch clause exists and, given the back-and-forth nature of those 11 rounds, it is a path both men may feel compelled to take.
It would be a mistake to write off Wardley if they run it again; his display of pure, unadulterated grit - refusing to let his knees touch the canvas despite a heavily damaged nose and shuttered eye - will earn him a new legion of fans.
However, the heavyweight division is now entering a transitional phase and Dubois sits firmly at the centre of it. A third meeting with Usyk feels unlikely in the immediate future; the Ukrainian appears to have his number stylistically and there is limited appetite for a trilogy already settled twice.
But timing changes everything. Usyk will fight novice Rico Verhoeven later this month and has spoken openly about having only a handful of fights remaining. Dubois may decide patience is the smarter play - waiting for the right moment rather than forcing a third meeting too early.
Future opponents aside, Dubois has silenced the ghosts of his past and answered questions about his mentality.
But where is his ceiling? Having matched the milestones of Joshua and Fury while still arguably in his prime, he has another eight years to try to eclipse their achievements.
If his career so far is anything to go by, it is going to be some ride.
Lionel Messi set a new MLS record in Inter Miami’s 4-2 victory against Toronto FC on Saturday.
The Argentina international scored a goal and added two assists, smashing Sebastian Giovinco’s record by becoming the fastest player in MLS history to reach 100 goal contributions.
The 38-year-old achieved the feat in just 64 matches, which is 31 fewer than Giovinco.
Messi was at the peak of his powers on Saturday, as he delivered a standout performance to lead his side to success at the BMO Field.
Rodrigo De Paul opened the scoring in the 44th minute, before Messi set up Luis Suarez and Sergio Reguilon to put the visitors 3-0 ahead.
The experienced forward then got in on the action himself, finishing clinically past the goalkeeper after exchanging possession with De Paul.
Emilio Aristizábal left the bench to bag a brilliant brace, but Miami went on to win comfortably.
The Herons came into the fixture on the back of a disappointing 4-3 home loss to Orlando City last weekend.
But they bounced back to pick an excellent victory that leaves them third in the Eastern Conference.
Messi will turn 39 in June, but it seems age doesn’t have an effect on the Argentine.
He has already scored 10 goals and set up three in 13 appearances across all competitions this season.
His overall goals tally for Miami has now reached 87 in 101 matches.
Sean Strickland became a two-time middleweight champion on Saturday handing Khamzat Chimaev his first career loss in the UFC 328 main event.
Chimaev was heavily favored heading into the fight but Strickland didn't care what oddsmakers had to say. Leading up to the event, Strickland maintained that he had the style to hand "Borz" his first career defeat. It turned out he was right.
Most scoring the UFC 328 middleweight championship headliner had the bout even with each fighter winning two rounds heading into the final frame. The three cage-side judges had it scored the same after four rounds.
Two of the judges scored the fight for Strickland while one scored the bout for Chimaev resulting in a split decision win for the American. How did you have it scored?
In March and April, as the Los Angeles Lakers rolled off 16 wins in 18 games and seemed to be turning into the best version of themselves, it looked like perhaps LeBron James was going to end up remaining a member of their roster past this season. But now, the Lakers trail the Oklahoma City Thunder 3-0 in the second round of the playoffs, and James' impending free agency is looming.
But first things first — the Lakers need to avoid a sweep by winning Game 4, which will take place on Monday. James hasn't played up to his standards for much of the series, but even though he shot 7-of-19 in the team's 131-108 loss in Game 3, he hasn't been terrible overall either.
He said after Game 3 that he isn't necessarily hanging his head despite the situation his team is currently in.
"I wouldn't say I'm angry or disappointed," James said. "I mean, obviously you're disappointed in the simple fact of being down 3-0 obviously. But I mean, we still got life and that's all you can ask for. And we gotta be much better on Monday. See what happens."
The Lakers might need a monster performance from James on Monday in order to stay alive in this series. He hasn't asserted himself a lot offensively thus far against Oklahoma City, but perhaps his pride will kick in on Monday and he will be able to avoid the fourth postseason sweep of his career.
He finished Game 3 with 19 points, eight assists, six rebounds and one steal.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: LeBron James on his mood after Lakers' Game 3 loss to Thunder
The math was pretty simple for Enterprise after scoring just one run in a 2A quarterfinal loss to South Sevier on Thursday afternoon.
The Wolves’ only hope of a state championship from that point forward was winning seven straight games over three days, something they hadn’t done all year.
Despite the long odds, coach Katye Jones believed her team was capable of such a streak. First, she’d seen her players hit all season and knew they were cable of a bounce back, and secondly her young team likely was due to have a game like that.
“I think the first game, our nerves got the best of us. Most of them haven’t played in a key role in a state tournament,” said Jones, who after that game stressed with the team the need to be more disciplined in all facets of the game.
The message resonated, because Enterprise’s bats came alive after that.
The Wolves won their next two games Thursday, three more on Friday by scoring double-digit runs in each game and then beat San Juan twice on Saturday at BYU’s Gail Miller Field to win the 2A state championship despite the unlikely odds.
Senior leader Mylee Platt said everything changed after that 9-1 quarterfinal loss to South Sevier.
“It lit a fire underneath us and we knew we had to work hard, so every at-bat we’re like ‘We got it, we got it, we got it,’ and we just encouraged each other,” said Platt.
Enterprise arrived at BYU on Saturday knowing it needed to beat top seed San Juan twice to win the championship, which was no small task, as the Broncos were the only undefeated team left in the double-elimination tournament.
For the Wolves, they never trailed in 14 innings against San Juan. They won the first game 11-6 thanks to an eight-spot in the decisive sixth inning. Then in the second game, they jumped out quick with two runs in the top of the first inning and never trailed en route to a 7-4 win.
During the seven-game winning streak that led Enterprise to its third state title in the past four years, the approaches in the batter’s box were the best they were all year.
“We talked about when you go up in the box, have the right mindset, and they just have done that for the last probably, I don’t know, mid-April they started doing that, just a different frame of mind when they stepped in the box and just knew that they could hit it rather than afraid of what the pitcher’s going to throw them,” said Jones.
In two of Enterprise’s wins on Friday to advance to the championship game, it had to rally late to beat both Duchesne and South Sevier.
Every inning was due or die on Friday, which actually helped calm the players’ nerves in the tense championship game setting at BYU a day later.
In Game 1, Enterprise led 3-1 heading into the fifth inning, but it brought 12 batters to the plate that inning, with Macee Staheli, Platt, Taryne Rupp and Lauren Ramos all delivering big base hits in the eight-run frame to put the game away.
After the game, while Enterprise awaited the outcome of the second 1A championship game, the team grabbed an early dinner at Raising Cane’s, their go-to spot when playing up north.
The energy and camaraderie was palpable as everyone could sense the end goal wasn’t far away, and they knew what it would take to get one more win.
“Our theme was ‘Family: Forget About Me I Love You,’ and that’s what they’ve done. They all forgot about themselves and they all fought for each other. It wasn’t just about themselves,” Jones said.
Enterprise jumped out quick in the second game with two runs in the top of the first inning as it took advantage of a pair of errors from San Juan.
The Broncos cut the deficit to 2-1 in the bottom of the first inning on a sac fly from Ella Stearns, but in the third, Staheli singled home another run to push the lead to 3-1, and then scored one batter later on another error.
San Juan responded again on an RBI double from Kheirra Keith to cut the lead to 4-2. In reality, it should’ve been a two-run double, but the second runner fell down rounding third base and had to return to the bag.
The next batter grounded out to end the inning.
Aided by another San Juan error, and then four straight singles by Brynlon Nelson, Hadlee Holt, Nancy Platt and Alexi Walker, Enterprise scored three more runs in the top of the fourth to push the lead to 7-2.
Once again, San Juan had an immediate response, as back-to-back extra base hits by Miley Harrison and Keegan Palmer helped it score a pair of runs to cut the deficit to 7-4, but it stranded a couple of runners as a big inning was certainly possible.
Jones sensed San Juan’s hitters were starting to get a bead on starting pitcher Mylee Platt, so she brought in Ramos to pitch the final three innings and the fiery junior allowed only two hits and zero runs over those final at bats.
“They were catching on to Mylee. When we played them earlier in the season Mylee pitched both games against them and so we just knew that they were onto Mylee, and so we knew we had to make a change so that it would be a little harder for them,” said Jones.
Over the last three days and that seven-game winning streak, Jones pushed all the right buttons and her players responded with the fifth state championship in school history, all in the past eight years.
UFC 328 results: Sean Strickland does the unthinkable, reclaims title originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
All week long, Sean Strickland talked the talk. On Saturday night at UFC 328, he backed it up.
Strickland won back the UFC middleweight championship in the main event from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, dealing Khamzat Chimaev his first professional loss. The entire card, including the main event, streamed live on Paramount+.
The decision was as controversial as Strickland is, with two judges awarding the former champion the fight by matching scores of 48-47. The third ruled in favor of Chimaev by the same final.
Strickland out-landed Chimaev, 160-137, including a huge advantage in shots to the head. He denied four of the 13 takedown attempts thrown at him by heavy favorite entering the bout.
The co-main event also featured a championship in the line, but this time, the champ retained.
Joshua Van finished off Tatsuro Taira early in the fifth round to remain UFC flyweight champion. The two put on an exciting exchange throughout, combining for nearly 300 strikes landed. Taira also connected on eight takedowns, but Van recorded a pair of knockdowns, including the final blow.
Alexander Volkov, Sean Brady and King Green earned wins to complete the main card. Volkov and Brady were decision winners, as Green submitted fellow veteran Jeremy Stephens to open the main card.
On the prelims, four straight fights were finishes, highlighted by a stoppage for Ateba Gautier in the featured attraction. Yaroslav Amosov, Grant Dawson and Jim Miller all picked up submissions.
What’s next in WWE? Backlash provided the answers.
The next chapter in wrestling kicked off with Backlash 2026, with WWE turning the page on its calendar while also dealing with the fallout of WrestleMania 42.
Newly crowned World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns had his first title defense, and it was a family affair with Jacob Fatu challenging his cousin for the title in a thriller that had a wild ending. Four other matches took place and most of them were great performances. Asuka and Iyo Sky delivered, while Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker stole the show. But the question is, who won, and how will it carry the momentum forward?
USA TODAY Sports has all of the results, highlights and analysis from Backlash 2026:
Reigns learned very early on Fatu isn't easy to take down, absorbing the early hits and knocking the champion down. He would be able to bounce back with some of his own hits, just for Fatu to get right back to unleashing his punishing arsenal. The champion landed his patented Superman punch that has taken out so many stars before, but when he went for the pin, Fatu kicked out before the count could begin and immediately got up, shocking his cousin. A second Superman punch still wasn't enough.
.@jacobfatu_wwe is unfazed 😳
— WWE (@WWE) May 10, 2026
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The announcer's table was cleared off by Reigns, just for Fatu to use it, sending the champion through with a powerbomb. He drags Reigns back in the ring, and gets greeted with a spear. Still, Fatu kicks right out of the pin attempt. Reigns tries another, just to get a Samoan Drop and then moonsault from Fatu, which nearly gets him the win. The unhinged Fatu delivers several headbutts and climbs the rope again for a Swanton, but Reigns gets the knees up.
.@jacobfatu_wwe just keeps going 😮💨
— WWE (@WWE) May 10, 2026
Stream WWE Backlash LIVE RIGHT NOW on the @espn App with ESPN Unlimited!
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When both stars are up, Fatu locks in the Tongan Death Grip. Reigns starts to fade, but can keep himself alive. He gets out by pushing Fatu into the referee, who gets taken down. Three Superman punches are landed, followed by a spear, and it's still not enough to beat Fatu.
Fatu pops up to get the Tongan Death Grip in, and Reigns is grasping to get out. He actually takes off the turnbuckle and pushes Fatu into the exposed part. It knocks him down, and Reigns lands the spear. This one finally does it, Reigns getting the pin to retain the title.
Fatu is frustrated with the loss and continues to attack Reigns with the submission, attacking the referee and any official that comes out to try and break it up. The "Samoan Werewolf" eventually lets go, but comes back to unleash another attack. He stands over Reigns and holds the World Heavyweight Championship over him, letting him know he's still coming after the title.
Things are far from over between @jacobfatu_wwe and @WWERomanReigns... 👀 pic.twitter.com/0pXsNYwWFS
— WWE (@WWE) May 10, 2026
Analysis: Reigns met his match, and he's not done dealing with his crazed cousin.
The match was thriller; you couldn't keep your eyes away from it. The intensity was incredible and the match didn't have any lulls, with both Reigns and Fatu on their A-game.
The family affair turned out to be a stunner, with someone able to not only stand up to Reigns, but completely overpower him. Fatu made the most of his opportunity, and the match did a great job to show the "Samoan Werewolf" is still a deadly force to handle. It would have been a bold decision to strip the title off Reigns so early, but it's a smart move to instead keep this rivalry going because Fatu is worthy of being in the main event.
The Champ is here.
Cena was so happy with how his last match went, reflecting on how it allowed younger stars the chance in the spotlight. He said he wants to do it again, and he announces the John Cena Classic, "an entire evening of the best of today competing with the best of tomorrow."
It's an event where main roster stars will go against NXT stars for the chance to become a champion, meaning it will be a new championship.
"This is an event and this is a championship I am personally putting my name on," Cena said.
He adds the fans' voices will be heard, and the fans will be the ones voting for the winner of the John Cena Classic. So, a superstar doesn't need to win a match to become the John Cena Classic winner.
.@JohnCena just announced the John Cena Classic! 👏
— WWE (@WWE) May 10, 2026
Stream WWE Backlash LIVE RIGHT NOW on the @espn App with ESPN Unlimited!
▶️ https://t.co/kzS0cxoAzDpic.twitter.com/4z08kgZmPm
"The sky is the limit on this one," he said.
It was hard to ignore the "we want Kairi" chants from the crowd as the two stars locked up to start the match. Sky was the one to get the first advantage with her acrobatics helping her get ahead, but the technical skills came out of Asuka to lay some punishment.
Some taunting from Asuka gives Sky a chance to get back in the fight, and she does twist and turn her way toward the attack, giving her signature emote in the process. Afterward, it's a quick tempo that keeps both stars' head on a swivel, with momentum changing nearly every second. Asuka gets some version of the Asuka Lock in, and while Sky can get out of it, the move does some damage on the shoulder. After the flurry, they both lay on the mat in exhaustion.
.@Iyo_SkyWWE is taking it @WWEAsuka! 👊
— WWE (@WWE) May 9, 2026
Stream WWE Backlash LIVE RIGHT NOW on the @espn App with ESPN Unlimited!
▶️ https://t.co/kzS0cxoAzDpic.twitter.com/VobCqHelp4
When they get back on their feet, Asuka tries the submission and Sky maneuvers out of several holds before landing her own version of the Asuka Lock. The "Empress of Tomorrow" drags herself and gets her foot on the rope to force a breakup.
Things lead to both stars on the announcer's table, and Asuka tries to mist Sky, but she grabs a notebook to block it. Asuka is stunned and Sky smiles, then gains all the momentum back. She jumps off the ropes for a moonsault out of the ring. She then goes for her finisher, but Asuka moves out of the way and when Sky lands, the Asuka Lock gets in. Asuka nearly gets the win before Sky can get herself out of it.
.@Iyo_SkyWWE BLOCKED THE MIST! 😱
— WWE (@WWE) May 9, 2026
Stream WWE Backlash LIVE RIGHT NOW on the @espn App with ESPN Unlimited!
▶️ https://t.co/kzS0cxoAzDpic.twitter.com/o2qDrIbZ1E
Sky can feel the momentum back on her side, and she puts Asuka in place for the Over the Moonsault. Sky is able to land it cleanly and wins over her former mentor.
.@Iyo_SkyWWE made that look effortless! 💪
— WWE (@WWE) May 9, 2026
Stream WWE Backlash LIVE RIGHT NOW on the @espn App with ESPN Unlimited!
▶️ https://t.co/kzS0cxoAzDpic.twitter.com/Jb43potCJm
After the match, Sky bows to Asuka. She starts crying and then hugs Sky, showing the relationship has been mended and they get to celebrate together.
IYO SKY gets emotional and shows respect to Asuka after the match.
— EliteRockerz 𝕏 (@EliteClubS0B) May 9, 2026
Asuka also got emotional, started tearing up, hugged IYO SKY, and thanked the crowd. ❤️
WOW.#WWEBacklashpic.twitter.com/DxSA5Z2SDb
Analysis: When two of the best wrestlers get in the ring, what do you expect? Sky and Asuka are so incredibly gifted with their own style, and they blended perfectly in this one. The chemistry was top notch and made for a great match from start to finish. This match could've used Kairi Sane, and the fans clearly want her back, but this fight still delivered.
It's Minihausen.
MINI HAUSEN IS DANHAUSEN PARTNER 🔥#WWEBackLashpic.twitter.com/bFq9QTIW3X
— SuplexInsider (@SuplexInsider) May 9, 2026
Wilson gives Minihausen a boot to start, but the partner doesn't show any fear with some impressive acrobatics on both opponents. When The Miz and Wilson are outside of the ring, Minihausen climbs onto Danhausen's shoulders for a big leap. The Hausens get distracted and it allows The Miz and Wilson to land some cheap shots to Minihausen and control the match.
.@KitWilson_PD wasn't ready for Minihausen! 👊
— WWE (@WWE) May 9, 2026
Stream #WWEBacklash LIVE RIGHT NOW on the @espn App with ESPN Unlimited!
▶️ https://t.co/kzS0cxoAzDpic.twitter.com/nk8XHbYhKB
After taking so much punishment, Minihausen avoids a spear from Wilson and lands a moonsault to break up the rhythm. Danhausen gets the tag and he unleashes a full attack on both opponents. He goes for a running knee on The Miz, but Wilson takes the hit, allowing his partner to get a hit in. However, he doesn't catch Minihausen get a tag in, so he sneaks up for a hit. Minihausen chases Wilson up the ramp, but Wilson gets the idea to put him back in the cloning machine. However, it operates and leads to more Minihausens, like at WrestleMania, to chase Wilson. He runs back in the ring and Minihausen picks up Wilson and throws him.
MORE MINIHAUSENS! 🙌
— WWE (@WWE) May 9, 2026
Stream #WWEBacklash LIVE RIGHT NOW on the @espn App with ESPN Unlimited!
▶️ https://t.co/kzS0cxoAzDpic.twitter.com/4wBaSH5t04
The Miz comes in and hits Skull Crushing Finale, and when he goes for the pin, Danhausen breaks it up. He drags Minihausen so he can tag him in, and he goes on full attack.
Out of the ring, The Miz tries to use a fire extinguisher, but the curse clearly is still in place. He tries to use it on Danhausen but it doesn't work, and he turns it to his face when it goes off. He gets Wilson too, setting up for the Finishhausen. Minihausen leaps from the turnbuckle to wipe out Wilson, and Danhausen lands the pump kick on The Miz for the win.
HUGE WIN for @DanhausenAD and the Minihausens 👏
— WWE (@WWE) May 9, 2026
Stream #WWEBacklash LIVE RIGHT NOW on the @espn App with ESPN Unlimited!
▶️ https://t.co/kzS0cxoAzDpic.twitter.com/5sNWwxc4B6
Analysis: An absolute hilarious bout from start to finish, this one reminds you wrestling is supposed to be fun and doesn't need to be serious all the time. There was a lot of speculation on who Danhausen's partner would be, and while it wasn't a big name, Minihausen did great in the ring. It did get a little out of hand with the cloning toward the end, and the finish was as much of a chaotic mess as you'd expect.
There will be divisive opinions on this one. Were there several other matches that would've been better on the card? Yes, but this was still entertaining, and made for a lunatic fight that reminds you of some of the Attitude Era silliness.
Zayn was obviously still frustrated dealing with Williams and Lil' Yachty, trying to attack them before the bell rang. It was a little too much off the jump, allowing the champion to get the advantage once the match was on, and the crowd was only making it worse for Zayn. When it went out of the ring, the challenger was able to get on offense, and was talking to the rapper ringside as he held onto the kendo stick from the Gingerbread Man.
You could see Zayn still confused about the crowd turning on him in favor of Williams. That, mixed with trash talking, was allowing Williams a window to attack, but it didn't last for long. A Blue Thunder Power Bomb almost got the win for Zayn. The challenger indicated he hurt his knee, getting the referee to get Williams to back off, but it was a ruse and Zayn nearly got a roll up pin.
When Lil' Yachty tried to yell at the official, Zayn grabbed the kendo stick to hit Williams. That looked to be the big blow needed but Williams kicked out. He continued the assault on Williams, and when the referee checked up on him, the rapper then hit him with the kendo stick. Williams executed Trick Shot for the win, yet Zayn kicked out.
.@SamiZayn TRICKED @_trickwilliams
— WWE (@WWE) May 9, 2026
Continue watching #WWEBacklash LIVE on the @espn App with ESPN Unlimited!
▶️ https://t.co/kzS0cxoAzDpic.twitter.com/y3rmFAojyY
Outside of the ring, Zayn decided he was tired of Lil' Yachty and landed several punches and a Helluva kick. He got back in the ring and went to do it on his opponent, just for Williams to get out of the way. Zayn turned around and was given a Trick Shot. This one did it, with Williams getting the count to successfully defend the title.
Afterward, Lil' Yachty and Williams made it rain with dollar bills.
Analysis: It's another big showing for Williams, with the match at Backlash a solid encore performance after WrestleMania. This match felt a lot more smoother than the first edition, with more fun twists and turns. Lil' Yachty's involvement gave this feud more flair, and he played a good enough role in this one. You can see Williams is starting to show more growth in the ring.
This should be the end of the battle as Williams now needs a new challenger to keep his momentum going, while it will be intriguing to see where Zayn goes from here, and whether the heat will stay. How he's perceived will dictate his next direction.
Breakker tried to end the match immediately with a spear, but Rollins was ready for it. He jumped out of the way and Breakker hit his face, allowing the former leader of "The Vision" to get out ahead early. Rollins goes flying in and out of the ring to stun Breakker.
Once Breakker is able to catch his breath, his athleticism comes out and it's clear he's one step ahead of his opponent. He essentially throws him around the ring, talking trash through it all. Rollins tries to break up the momentum but he can't turn it into anything significant. A Frankensteiner lands but Rollins kicks out of the pin attempt.
.@bronbreakkerwwe is moving at the speed of light! 😮💨
— WWE (@WWE) May 9, 2026
The FIRST HOUR of WWE Backlash is LIVE RIGHT NOW on ESPN2!
▶️ https://t.co/kzS0cxoAzDpic.twitter.com/F37ZuRTfde
Seeming to get agitated, Breakker throws Rollins out of the ring and is locked in on the running spear. When he goes for it, Rollins gets the boot up and both stars are on the ground, just able to avoid the 10-count. When they get back in the ring, the "Visionary" is the one out front, even delivering a running knee that lands with a big blow, yet isn't enough for a win.
He blows a kiss to Paul Heyman and readies the stomp, just for Breakker to catch it and deliver a military press. Rollins tries to counter another hit but he awkwardly gets tangled with Breakker and ends up landing on his head. Eventually Rollins gets out of the ring, and licking his lips, Breakker leaps for a flying clothesline on the announcer's table. Back in the ring, Rollins gets up for a superplex and tries to lead it into a Falcon's Arrow, just for Breakker to turn it into his own slam in a stunning counter that nearly gets the win.
HOW DID @bronbreakkerwwe DO THAT?!
— WWE (@WWE) May 9, 2026
The FIRST HOUR of WWE Backlash is LIVE RIGHT NOW on ESPN2!
▶️ https://t.co/kzS0cxoAzDpic.twitter.com/YwELCWKRbj
When Breakker tries another Frankensteiner, Rollins lands on his feet, shocking Breakker. It leads to a Pedigree and he stomps Breakker. Heyman tries to interfere to draw attention to him, so he goes out to grab a chair. Logan Paul and Austin Theory get attacked and chased out when they try to help, but it gives Breakker time to recover. Rollins gets back in the ring and Breakker lands a spear. That looks to be it, but Rollins kicks out.
Breakker tries another super spear, and Rollins counters it with a mid-air Pedigree. He goes on the top rope for a super stomp, and when he does, Breakker catches him for the spear. With Rollins slow to get up, Breakker bounces off the ropes once more for the punishing spear, and that does the job to get the win.
Analysis: An absolute banger to start the night, Breakker and Rollins put on a show.
The animosity built up in this was palpable and it set the stage for both of these stars to really dig deep in laying the punishment. Rollins showed off his veteran skillset while Breakker's insane athleticism was on full display. It would have been easy to just let Breakker fully control this match, but allowing this one to develop was the right way to tell this story. What helped was The Vision interference was a given, but it wasn't over the top and didn't steal the spotlight to let Breakker win. The match was able to continue in a normal fashion, and the ending sequence was beautifully executed.
The rocket stays strapped on Breakker's back since this was the biggest win of his career. He and The Vision likely aren't done with Rollins just yet, but if this is it, what a way to cap off the heat.
Retired Air Force sergeant and longtime Tampa Bay Lightning anthem singer Sonya Bryson-Kirksey sings the “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Backlash is on Saturday, May 9.
WWE Backlash 2026 starts at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT. Coverage begins at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. ET.
The first hour of Backlash 2026 will air on ESPN2 and ESPN's streaming service.
Afterward, Backlash will stream exclusively on ESPN's streaming service. Viewers can sign up for a subscription to the site here, which starts at $29.99 a month.
ESPN's service is available through select cable and TV packages, including:
If your cable or TV package includes the ESPN streaming service, you can figure out how to activate it here.
Not in the U.S. Internationally, Backlash will be available on Netflix in most markets.
Backlash is at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida.
Matches not in order
Backlash 2026 preshow begins at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.
The preshow will be available to stream for free on YouTube and WWE's social media channels. It will also be available to stream on ESPN's streaming service, and the final hour of the show (5-6 p.m. ET) will air on ESPN2.
There is no hard end time for Backlash, but it likely will end around 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
What happens at Backlash? See the full predictions here.
Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker
Iyo Sky vs. Asuka
Danhausen and mystery partner vs. The Miz and Kit Wilson
United States Championship match: Trick Williams (c) vs. Sami Zayn
World Heavyweight Championship match: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu
Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker will be the first match of the night.
The match card order for #WWEBacklash 2026 tonight:
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) May 9, 2026
• Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker
• Trick Williams vs. Sami Zayn
• Danhausen and myster partner vs. The Miz and Kit Wilson
• Asuka vs. IYO SKY
• John Cena Announcement
• Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu
(@BodyslamNet)
A new year has started in WWE after WrestleMania, with Backlash as the first premium live event to take place after the company's flagship event. The full calendar hasn't been released yet, but here's what to know about the PPV schedule so far in 2026:
Who is the partnerhausen?
After getting into shenanigans with The Miz and Kit Wilson, Danhausen will finally face them in a match. However, he needs a partner, and SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis said he needs to find his own partner, making it a mystery who will join forces.
There have been a wide range of predictions from Oba Femi and CM Punk, to wild suggestions like Jelly Roll, Mr. Iguana and Stephen A. Smith. Regardless, it will be revealed at the match.
The 17-time WWE champion is back.
After hosting WrestleMania, Cena returns to WWE screens. No, he’s not coming out of retirement, but instead he will be there “excited to break some history-making news!” It’s unknown what the news will be.
Here are the current champions heading into Backlash:
Backlash will be the first premium live event since WWE made significant roster moves, with several big names gone. They've caused some uproar as fans have voiced their displeasure. Here are some notable names that are no longer with WWE:
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WWE Backlash 2026 results: Roman Reigns attacked; winners, highlights
It has been quite the whirlwind as of late for Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker.
It was early Friday morning, just a few hours after the Carolina Hurricanes had taken a 3-0 series lead over the Philadelphia Flyers, when the 31-year-old defenseman received a FaceTime from his wife, Taylor.
Her water had broke.
Walker knew that his wife was expecting anytime now, but thought that he might have had a bit more time before the inevitable.
"She had an appointment on Thursday, and they said things are kind of getting going but weren't too worried about it," Walker said.
However, nature was ready to take its course and so the Hurricanes defenseman had only one goal in mind: making it for the birth.
Hurricanes Head of Team Service Mike Brown was able to hook Walker up with a 6 a.m. flight that same morning.
He stayed on the FaceTime with his wife the whole morning as he waited for the hours to count down, something he said was "really tough."
Luckily enough for him though, he made it in time to be with Taylor for the birth of his daughter.
"Thankfully we were able to get there in time," Walker said. "And I was there for everything. The baby gods were on my side on that one, and I got to experience it all. It was amazing — really an amazing experience.
"Mom and baby are doing amazing. I can't put into words how proud I am of her. She had to go through it for a little bit without me there. I did make it, but she was amazing. And just, it's funny, you know already how much you love your new daughter. And again, my wife is a rock star, the way she killed it, and just so proud of her. And I love them both."
Walker was able to spend the rest of the day with mom and baby, but knew that he had to get back to his team the next day for a potential series clinching Game 4.
That's where team owner Tom Dundon came in, chartering a private jet to get one of his team's top blueliners back for the action and by 2 p.m., Walker was back in Philadelphia, ready to roll for the 6 p.m. puck drop.
"Unbelievable," said Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour. "We talked about that before the game. These guys are having the time of their lives right now, and you’ve got to enjoy it. I love that he has that memory, for sure. That's special."
"It's awesome to see," said teammate Taylor Hall. "A life changing moment. I think he was a little bit stressed in the last couple weeks just on when it was gonna happen, if it was gonna be a game day or if he was gonna miss a game because when you looked at the due date, it was right around the second round of the playoffs. I think he was happy that it happened the way it did. You just have so much energy after seeing your kid born, so I wasn't worried about him in the least."
And despite all the craziness, he didn't seem to have missed a beat, logging 23:13 in the 3-2 overtime victory.
"It was weird," Walker said on the game. "It was kind of like one of the easiest and hardest games I've maybe ever played, if that makes sense. You just kind of live in the moment, running on no sleep. I ate my pregame meal in the hospital cafeteria. Yeah, it's just crazy, but you just show up. The guys were amazing, everybody: team services, the whole organization, from the owner down, really made it possible for me to be there and get back in time. And, yeah, I just was happy to contribute."
Walker isn't the only player who's recently become a first-time father either, as funny enough, his defensive partner K'Andre Miller welcomed in a baby literally just one week earlier too.
And with the Canes sweeping the Flyers in four games, they're going to have plenty of time to spend with their newly expanded families.
"I didn't want to get on the boys and tell them we better win tonight, but I'm really appreciative everybody dug in," Walker joked. "The sweeps huge for everybody, but to take this time to just be with my family is going to be really special."
"It's awesome for him," said teammate Jaccob Slavin. "Obviously hockey is amazing, to get the win is amazing, but for him to welcome a baby into the world, there's so much more to life than hockey and so happy for him, happy for his family. He came and played amazing today. Dad strength."
'We Get In There': Hurricanes Ready To Stand Up For Each Other; Unafraid Of Physical Pushback
Despite Toughening Matchups, Hurricanes' Second Line Continues To Dominate
NHL Announces Second Round Schedule
Hurricanes Top Line Confident Heading Into Second Round Despite Lack Of Scoring
Former Flyers Excited To Take On Old Team
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Sean Strickland did the impossible. Twice.
For the second time in three years, Strickland waltzed into a UFC title fight as a massive underdog and waltzed out of the cage with the middleweight title wrapped around his waist. In 2023, Israel Adesanya was the dominant champion whom Strickland toppled in a result few saw coming, and on Saturday night at UFC 328, it was Khamzat Chimaev’s turn to suffer the wrath of the division’s ultimate spoiler.
Using a mix of his relentless Philly Shell-esque striking and a masterful command of defensive wrestling, Strickland eked out a split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) to hand Chimaev the first defeat of the Chechen’s otherwise flawless MMA career.
Not surprisingly, given how competitive the back-and-forth affair was, Strickland’s fellow fighters were split on UFC 328’s result, with some singing Strickland’s praises and others casting doubt on the judges’ decision. Two of middleweight’s top contenders, Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho, also wasted little time calling for their first shots at the belt.
Check out the reaction to Strickland vs. Chimaev below.
Man what a fight!! I think it’s gonna go 3-2 Strickland but could see either way
— Funky 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@Benaskren) May 10, 2026
This wolf is a 🐩 poodle . Give me him asap
— Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) May 10, 2026
Just wonder what happened to Khamzat there in rd 2 just falling to his back like demian maia in there. Weight cut? Too much emotion?
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) May 10, 2026
3-2 STRICKLAND!!!
— Corey 'Overtime' Anderson (@CoreyA_MMA) May 10, 2026
AND NEW!!!!#andnew#ufc328
Draw? #ufc328
— Boston Salmon (@bostonboomboom) May 10, 2026
whatever was decided, it was already before the match.
— Jiri BJP Prochazka (@jiri_bjp) May 10, 2026
You can show the world anything, but you have to live this role to the fullest.
Big congrats to Sean, to show strength and handle this pressure.
On the other side, pure hate in pressconference and smile in the cage ?
No, we…
And new 🤯🤯🤯 congrats @SStricklandMMA
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) May 10, 2026
America! 🇺🇸 @SStricklandMMA
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) May 10, 2026
Thought they hated each other
— David Michaud (@bulldawg_170) May 10, 2026
Hahahaha pic.twitter.com/yMzkqP12gt
— Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) May 10, 2026
Im next
— Caio Borralho (@BorralhoCaio) May 10, 2026
I’m gonna put your lights out @SStricklandMMA
— Imavov Nassourdine (@imavov1) May 10, 2026
Holy shit!!! Sean pulled it off. That was a coin flip fight, it came down to the wire and in the end, I believe it was Sean’s volume that won him the fight. There’s nothing controversial about the result, Sean earned it. #UFC328
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) May 10, 2026
Strickland still sucks
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) May 10, 2026
Weight cut must’ve been aweful
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) May 10, 2026
Wow that decision 🤷🏿♂️👊🏿
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) May 10, 2026
Strickland the king of the upsets 👏👏👏
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) May 10, 2026
Khamzat Chimaev you absolutely suck.
— Dillon Danis (@dillondanis) May 10, 2026
The final El Clasico match-up of the season takes place on Sunday, as Barcelona and Real Madrid prepare to do battle at the Spotify Camp Nou for the first time since it re-opened in November.
It’s a big match for both clubs, but for different reasons. Barcelona will secure their second La Liga title in a row if they avoid defeat, while Real Madrid will be keen to get the victory their need to avoid handing the trophy to their bitter rivals.
As far as team news goes, Barcelona are unlikely to make sweeping changes to last weekend’s victory at Osasuna. Diario AS say there will be one, with Jules Kounde replacing Gerard Martin – this would see Eric Garcia moved into the centre of defence, and the Frenchman in his usual right-back spot. On the other hand, Sport foresee Eric being the one to drop out for Kounde, while both outlets see Raphinha remaining on the bench, as would also be the case for Marcus Rashford despite recent impressive cameos.
As for Real Madrid, they will be forced into at least two changes, given that Ferland Mendy and Fede Valverde are both injured. Diario AS have them being replaced by Fran Garcia and Kylian Mbappe respectively, with the latter poised to make his return to the line-up for the first time in a couple of weeks.
Thibaut Courtois will be back in between the sticks for Real Madrid, as he has fully recovered from the hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since mid-March. Andriy Lunin will drop to the bench, and this could also be the fate for Aurelien Tchouameni after his bust-up with Valverde earlier in the week, although Marca believe he will be given the nod over Eduardo Camavinga.
Barcelona start this one as firm favourites, and rightfully so. They have been imperious on home soil since returning to the Spotify Camp Nou, and they will fancy their chances of sealing the La Liga title in style. However, Real Madrid cannot be counted out, even if their preparations have been far from ideal.
NEWARK, NJ -- The UFC returned to the Garden State on Saturday night with a stacked card of contenders vying to make their presence felt, in addition to two championship bouts. UFC 328 had already produced highlight knockouts, submissions, and a reminder that veteran experience still matters before the main card was underway.
UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev entered the night undefeated and carried enormous hostility into his first title defense against former champion Sean Strickland. The buildup between the two had been fierce all week, with both fighters exchanging personal shots during media appearances.
The fight began as expected, with the Chechen wrestler taking Strickland (30-7) down with ease and controlling the pace. In the second round, the champ appeared to lose steam, and the tides turned. Strickland defended a takedown and remained on top for over three minutes.
An uncharacteristically tired Chimaev (15-1) struggled to regain form throughout the contest as Strickland fought back with his patent jab. Both men stood and exchanged during the middle rounds, blooding each other’s faces. In the fifth and final round each had moments of glory before the horn rang.
The judges' scorecards were 48-47 (x2) Strickland to 48-47 Chimaev, crowning the American middleweight champion for the second time. Both showed admiration for one another as the crowd erupted for their countryman.
STRICKLAND IS ONCE AGAIN A CHAMPION 🏆🏆#UFC328 | Stream TNT Sports on HBO Max pic.twitter.com/atBeCjCMVu
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) May 10, 2026
In the co-main event, flyweight champion Joshua Van (17-2) defended his title against Japanese grappling specialist Tatsuro Taira in a barn burner of a contest. The challenger landed early takedowns and looked primed to become the first ever Japanese born UFC titleholder.
In the second round Van turned the tables with a vicious right hand, putting Taira (18-2) on the ground. From there he followed up with strikes to the body and head. To his credit, Taira never gave up and continued to wrestle into the championship rounds. However, early in the fifth round Van threw punishing shots forcing a bloody Taira against the cage. The referee had seen enough and stopped the contest as Van celebrated his first defense.
AND STILL 🏆
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 10, 2026
Joshua Van beats Tatsuro Taira with a 5th round finish in an epic fight at #UFC328 👏 pic.twitter.com/C67T47UPux
Inside a packed Prudential Center, the energy escalated quickly during the prelims as rising stars and longtime fan favorites turned the card into a sprint instead of a slow burn.
Former Bellator welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov delivered the biggest statement early on, overpowering Joel Alvarez with a second-round arm-triangle submission. Amosov looked composed delivering a high-level mat return, slamming his opponent, flattening him out and securing the tap out.
YAROSLAV AMOSOV WITH THE SLAM, THE CHOKE, AND THE BREAKDANCE CELEBRATION 👏
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) May 10, 2026
📺 @paramountpluspic.twitter.com/JVQXclLb0s
Heavyweights Alexander Volkov and Waldo Cortes-Acosta battled in a slugfest with Volkov getting the close judge's decision. Also on the main card, Sean Brady dominated Joaquin Buckley on the ground, earning a unanimous decision win.
At 42 years old, Jim Miller walked into the octagon once again and reminded everyone why he is a future Hall of Famer. Fighting 45-minutes away from his hometown of Sparta, New Jersey, the boisterous crowd was vocally in his corner. It didn’t take long for Miller to impose his will and submit Jared Gordon with a first-round guillotine choke, sending the arena into a frenzy.
Among his many accolades, Miller holds a handful of impressive UFC records:
2026 UFC Hall of Fame inductee
During the broadcast it was announced that former middleweight champion Chris “The All-American' Weidman was elected into the UFC Hall of Fame and received a standing ovation.
FROM LONG ISLAND TO THE HoF 🇺🇸
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2026
Former middleweight champion @ChrisWeidman joins the UFC Hall of Fame in the Modern Wing!! pic.twitter.com/BDupgbwnrY
Elsewhere on the card, King Green defeated Jeremy Stephens via rear naked choke in the first round and Roman Kopylov earned a unanimous decision victory over Marco Tulio. Jose Ochoa also impressed early, controlling Clayton Carpenter over three rounds to earn a unanimous decision victory in the flyweight division.
Bouts on the calendar
Fight Night: Song vs. Figueiredo – May 30 (Macau, China)
Fight Night: Muhammad vs. Bonfim - June 6 (Las Vegas, NV)
UFC Freedom 250: Topuria vs. Gaethje – June 14 (Washington, D.C.)
Jacksonville Jaguars Travon Walker continues giving back with annual youth football camp in hometown originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Travon Walker continues to make a major impact both on and off the field as the Jacksonville Jaguars star recently hosted the 4th Annual Free Youth Football Camp through the Travon Walker Foundation on May 9, 2026, in his hometown of Thomaston.
The event once again highlighted Walker’s commitment to empowering youth and giving back to the community that helped shape his journey to the NFL. Since launching his foundation in 2022, Walker has made young people the center of his mission through sports, mentorship and community outreach initiatives.
The annual football camp provides local children an opportunity to learn football fundamentals, improve their skills and interact with positive role models in a welcoming environment. For Walker, returning to Thomaston each year remains deeply personal.
“This town definitely shaped me,” Walker said, adding with a smile: “It’s home to me, but a lot of people … even if I try to explain it to them, they still wouldn’t know what it is, where it is.”
Walker’s impact extends far beyond hosting camps. The former No. 1 overall draft pick has donated more than $176,000 to his alma mater to support athletic programs and student-athletes. He also contributed $44,000 to the University of Georgia Athletic Association for sports medicine equipment, helping provide resources for future athletes.
In addition, Walker has organized holiday turkey drives and several outreach programs throughout both Georgia and Jacksonville. His #BlessUp44 campaign further demonstrates his dedication to community development. Through the initiative, Walker pledged to donate $4,400 to organizations 44 times each year, with a focus on youth sports, facility improvements and local community projects.
Walker’s offseason community work comes during a major moment in his professional career. The Jaguars recently rewarded the standout defensive end with a four-year, $110 million contract extension, solidifying him as one of the franchise’s cornerstone players moving forward.
Even with his growing NFL success, Walker continues to prioritize giving back to the people and communities that supported him long before he became a professional athlete.
LOS ANGELES — After Ajay Mitchell drilled a tough mid-range jumper in front of a defender's face, Austin Reaves tried to barrel to the rim. Instead, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander denied his drive attempt. After the stop, Alex Caruso lifted off for the one-handed jam. The three-play sequence was enough for Los Angeles fans to exit.
The Oklahoma City Thunder cruised to a 131-108 Game 3 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. They now hold an insurmountable 3-0 series lead in their Round 2 matchup of the 2026 NBA playoffs
Different game. Same script. The Thunder continued to dissect the Lakers' defense. They went back to regular-season levels as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leveraged his gravity. While the double-teams eased off, they still ping-ponged the ball around for open looks.
This time, it was Cason Wallace's turn to enjoy some scoring fun. He had 11 points in the first quarter. The Thunder had a 31-25 lead at the end of the opening frame. With their season on the line, the Lakers delivered their deadliest punch yet to OKC.
Completely flipping things, the Lakers went on a 20-7 run in the second frame. Rui Hachiimura was on a heater from the outside. Other role players added fuel to the fire. It was the best Los Angeles has looked in all playoff series. Even when Gilgeous-Alexander created a semi-decent look, the shot kept hitting at the front of the rim. They only put up 26 points in the second frame. That put them in a 59-57 halftime hole.
Looks like the 15-minute break is all the Thunder needed to lock back in. They completely retook control of this game and booted the Lakers to the passenger's seat. It was OKC's turn to go on a massive run with 20-8. Gilgeous-Alexander snapped out of his funk. Chet Holmgren was an efficient play-finisher. They tallied 33 points in the third quarter.
At that point, the Thunder built up a 90-79 lead. Up by double-digit points, they were a solid finish away from basically putting the Lakers in their grave. Swinging momentum even more on OKC's side, a successful challenge flipped Lu Dort's costly fifth foul into an offensive foul for an illegal screen by Hachimura.
Stiff-arming the Lakers on the scoreboard, the Thunder ballooned their lead past double-digit points. Los Angeles just had zero offensive firepower to mount any sorta comeback. OKC scored an unreal 41 points in the final frame. They were able to clear their bench once again. The Los Angeles crowd slowly filed out.
The Thunder shot 56% from the field and went 17-of-38 (44.7%) from 3. They shot 8-of-10 on free throws. They had 30 assists on 53 baskets. Seven Thunder players scored double-digit points.
Gilgeous-Alexander had a modest 23 points and nine assists. Holmgren finished with 18 points and nine rebounds. Mitchell was once again a budding star with 24 points and 10 assists. Isaiah Hartenstein had 10 points and nine rebounds. Wallace scored 16 points. Isaiah Joe finished with 12 points. Dort had 10 points.
Meanwhile, the Lakers shot 47% from the field and went 14-of-30 (46.7%) from 3. They shot 18-of-25 on free throws. They had 31 assists on 38 baskets. Six Lakers players scored double-digit points.
James had 19 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Hachimura finished with 21 points and five rebounds. Reaves tallied 17 points and nine assists. Luke Kennard had 18 points and two assists. Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton each put up 10 points apiece.
Business as usual for the Thunder. They remain an NBA win machine. After struggling in last year's playoffs, they've barely broken a sweat through seven wins in this postseason. Just unreal. You're seeing one of the greatest teams in NBA history make the playoffs look boring. To add to the impressiveness, they're doing it with a meh series by Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams being sidelined for most of the journey.
Now up 3-0, the Thunder are a win away from punching their ticket to the 2026 Western Conference Finals. The Lakers have looked leagues behind OKC at every step of the way. Feels like we're on a collision course to a heavyweight matchup with the San Antonio Spurs. That could determine who brings home the Larry O'Brien trophy.
Let's look at Thunder player grades:
Getting a rare one-on-one look with Smart, Gilgeous-Alexander didn't need too many dribbles to decide his next move. Swaying back and forth, he went for the daring pull-up 3-pointer. The ball finally swished through for him as he put OKC ahead by over 20 points with under five minutes to go.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 23 points on 7-of-20 shooting, nine assists and four rebounds. He shot 3-of-7 from 3 and went 6-of-7 on free throws. He also had two blocks and one steal.
Little by little, Gilgeous-Alexander is figuring the Lakers out. The double-teams worked at first, but the shock value his dissipated. And getting one-for-one situations has been welcomed with a warm hug. The jumper is still out of whack for whatever reason, but he started to see the desired results as the game wore on.
Helping put this game away, Gilgeous-Alexander scored nine points in the second half. While his mid-range and outside jumpers were ice-cold, his drive-heavy approach bailed him out. Nobody on the Lakers could stay in front of him. So many resorted to fouling him to make him earn his points at the free-throw line.
Ultimately, the Thunder need Gilgeous-Alexander to play better. Maybe not against the Lakers. But definitely against the Spurs when that inevitably becomes official. That's probably the biggest difference between this year's and last year's squad — the supporting cast has basically put OKC up 3-0. All while the reigning MVP has looked anything but the part.
It's been a mixed bag of results for Gilgeous-Alexander. That should surely get fixed soon. Eventually, math will be on his side and his jumper should return to being invincible. But for right now, it just hasn't mattered. He's enjoyed the cushion of being backed by the NBA's deepest team who've looked primed to go back-to-back for the NBA championship.
Smooth middy 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/7TtVnGArb4
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 10, 2026
High energy to start the second half 💪 pic.twitter.com/CsSMtQPpdL
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 10, 2026
Drained it from the top of the 🔑 pic.twitter.com/2YWEAvStx5
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 10, 2026
Cashed it 🤑 pic.twitter.com/s9LCk8I2hx
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 10, 2026
Rolling to the dunker spot, Holmgren mistimed his jump on Hartenstein's alley-oop pass. No problem. The All-Star one-handed the ball before he nonchalantly went up for the easy two-handed dunk. Once again, he had a superb-efficient scoring night against Los Angeles' faux frontcourt.
Holmgren finished with 18 points on 9-of-14 shooting, nine rebounds and one assist. He shot 0-of-4 from 3. He also had one block.
Playing in the house that Shaq partially built, Holmgren feasted inside the paint. The seven-footer was fed a handful of dunks and putbacks. Ramping up his scoring volume, those are the shot attempts that have been added to his usual diet. It's a smart game plan if the Lakers are willing to live life on the edge by constantly being at a numbers disadvantage.
With 12 points at halftime, Holmgren helped the Thunder put up video-game numbers. JJ Redick's smoke-and-mirrors defense is starting to wear off. With that, the seven-footer has been a constant scoring presence. That's not something you could've said for most of his career as OKC's third-fiddle option.
On defense, it was the same old story. The Lakers couldn't really pummel the paint. Of course, Holmgren played a huge role in that. Carrying over their regular-season dominance, you're seeing teams struggle to crack 100 points against OKC in these NBA playoffs.
Even considering last year's run that ended with a ring, Holmgren is at his apex right now. His scoring numbers have been consistently there all NBA playoffs. Mostly out of necessity. This was the closest he's looked to his Utah Summer League debut — with the stage obviously being a hundred times more consequential. We're seeing OKC's lone top-five pick on its roster grow up in front of our eyes.
Rattling the rim early 🫨 pic.twitter.com/YnCzR2kXCm
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 10, 2026
Someone call the SWAT team 📞 pic.twitter.com/r0hbqJMK74
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 10, 2026
Big man SLAM 💥 pic.twitter.com/bN9eDMxjam
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 10, 2026
What a tuff shot 🤯 pic.twitter.com/QkOkX3NvXM
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 10, 2026
Grabbing Holmgren's miss, Mitchell rolled it back to the perimeter. He curled his way downhill. A driving lane opened up as several Lakers players looked at each other in confusion. The 23-year-old galloped to the rim for the and-one layup after Ayton shoved him from behind.
Mitchell finished with 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting, 10 assists and four rebounds. He shot 2-of-4 from 3 and went 2-of-3 on free throws. He also had three steals.
At this point, Mitchell has become a household name. Jettisoned to the starting lineup out of necessity with Williams' injury, he's been a seamless fit as Gilgeous-Alexander's Robin. He one-upped his momentum on the road as the Thunder faced the hardest version of Los Angeles it'll see this series.
Slicing through their defense, Mitchell had 18 points in the second half. That included nine in the final frame as the Thunder followed the same script where the second-unit offense turned this lopsided. Nobody could stay in front of the drive-heavy guard. Once he had a few blue-collar finishes, his confidence oozed over to his pull-up jumper — even if the Lakers had textbook contests.
The playmaking was also next level. That's not really Mitchell's strong suit, per se. But against the Lakers' dissolving defense, it was too easy for him. He found teammates hanging around the rim. And he also sprayed it out to the perimeter. Everything is going right for the 23-year-old. It's amazing just how quickly he's ascended as one of OKC's best players. It's completely changed their dynamics as a team.
The Thunder have had Gilgeous-Alexander turn in a subpar series and have received zero contributions from Williams. Both were OKC's best two players in their playoff run last year. It hasn't mattered one bit. Running it back with mostly the same group, Mitchell has shown that he's ready for the bright lights — even with minimal experience heading into the NBA playoffs.
Ajay turns on the afterburners 🔥 pic.twitter.com/IrWzxsbDOq
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 10, 2026
That's money 💰 pic.twitter.com/BKwB11H1wL
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 10, 2026
Sensational 😎 pic.twitter.com/mArPWwQNKi
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 10, 2026
Salvaging an impromptu possession, Wallace calmly walked into a pull-up outside jumper. Swish. The 22-year-old added to his hot outside shooting night as he pushed the Thunder's lead beyond 20 points in the final five minutes of the game.
Wallace finished with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, one assist and one rebound. He shot 4-of-6 from 3. He also had one steal.
Of all OKC's role players who could've exploded in the scoring column, it's a little surprising to see Wallace pop off. He's had back-to-back double-digit scoring points. He had 11 points in the first quarter alone as the Thunder dismantled the Lakers' makeshift defense from the jump.
Just been that type of Round 2 series for the Thunder. Everything is going their way with three straight blowout wins. Even Wallace has made the Lakers pay for their below-average defensive talent. And on that end for himself, he returned to making Reaves look pedestrian. That's been an individual matchup that OKC has embraced over the years.
Wallace hasn't really received the same type of love as others on the Thunder for his playoff performance, but he's really stepped it up. The outside shooting has gradually declined over the years. But he's turned it up in these first two rounds of the 2026 NBA playoffs.
From the c🎯rner pic.twitter.com/BltHnHyiwc
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 10, 2026
Found Caso down low ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/TnzSkfOsdb
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 10, 2026
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Player grades: Thunder once again beat Lakers with 131-108 Game 3 win
The Tennessee high school boys soccer playoffs in the Jackson area have kicked off.
Follow the TSSAA boys soccer region tournaments here with scores and schedules, which are subject to change.
Region tournaments and sectionals will be updated with schedules and scores as more information becomes available. Submit your school's results and Top Performers to: cvantuyl@usatodayco.com
Semifinals
Tuesday, May 12
Haywood at Crockett County
South Gibson at Lakeland Prep
Final
Thursday, May 14
Haywood/Crockett County winner at South Gibson/Lakeland Prep winner
Semifinals
Tuesday, May 12
Sycamore at North Side
Lexington at Fairview
Final
Thursday, May 14
Lexington/Fairview winner at Sycamore/North Side winner
More: Jackson area spring sports top performers for Week 9 of the 2026 season
Semifinals
Tuesday, May 12
JCM at Riverside
Adamsville at Madison
Final
Thursday, May 14
JCM/Riverside winner at Adamsville/Madison winner
Semifinals
Tuesday, May 12
Hickman County at Westview
Huntingdon at Cheatham County
Final
Thursday, May 14
Huntingdon/Cheatham County winner at Hickman County/Westview winner
This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: 2026 TSSAA boys soccer region tournament brackets, scores for Jackson
Manchester United played out a goalless draw with Sunderland in what was a forgettable encounter at the Stadium of Light.
The Red Devils lacked a cutting edge away from home, managing just two shots on target. Fortunately for Michael Carrick, the stalemate is unlikely to have any bearing on where United finish.
However, ahead of next season, United are actively looking to strengthen their attacking options by bringing in proven stars as well as promising young talent for the future.
On Friday, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming Manchester United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, recently met with club officials from Leicester City.
It is believed United hold a firm interest in Leicester’s record-breaking winger Jeremy Monga, who made history as his club’s youngest Premier League player at 15 years and 271 days old last year.
Interestingly, it was United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy who gave Monga his first taste of senior football.
Last year, the former Leicester boss hailed Monga, stating: “He’s a great winger and has speed. He’s a fantastic talent, a great boy. He deserved these minutes and hopefully, more to come.”
According to the Daily Mirror (via Leicester Mercury), United are currently leading the race to sign the 16-year-old electric winger, having opened talks with Leicester over a summer move.
Monga, who has impressed with his astute decision-making and sharp movement in the final third, made 30 appearances across all competitions last term.
Monga agreed a new deal at the King Power Stadium last summer that will turn into a professional contract when he turns 17 in July. However, with the Foxes heading to League One, the England U19 international is unlikely to favour continuing at the club.
The report claims that Leicester could be in line to receive close to £6 million for Monga. That fee would be the highest the club has received for a teenager.
Manchester United remain keen on signing a first-team ready winger as well, having set their sights on Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers.
It is understood Villa are open to parting ways with Rogers, who is valued at around £80m.
The 23-year-old dribbling wizard, who played under Michael Carrick at Middlesbrough, has been directly involved in 14 Premier League goals this term.
Featured image Jack Thomas via Getty Images
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will host the ninth-placed Mumbai Indians side in IPL 2026 on Sunday.
RCB's base shifts to Raipur at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium for their last two home games of the season, with the final two matches of their league campaign set to be on the road.
The defending champions have lost their last two games against Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants and will be eager to bounce back.
Meanwhile, MI registered a much-needed six-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants. However, they need to build on that momentum as another slip could sideline them out of playoff contention.
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The pitch in Raipur behaves differently at various points of the match. At the early stages, the surface offers enough bounce and carry for batters to trust their timing, but it quickly fades away as the pitch begins to wear out.
Finger spinners extract natural hold as the game progresses, while wrist spinners like Krunal Pandya can threaten with drift and late turn.
There are chances of dew in Raipur despite the peak summer months of April and May. Hence, batting second might be preferred.
MORE: Visit Cricket News for all the latest cricket coverage and opinion
Delhi Daredevils hold the record for the highest team score on the ground as they put up 164/5 on the board against Pune Warriors (RR) in 2013.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were stifled to just 119/6 on May 12, 2015, after a stellar bowling display by DD.
The average first innings score at the stadium is around 160, whereas the average first innings winning score is about 165.
Karun Nair owns the record of the highest-ever individual score in an IPL match at the Raipur Stadium with 83* (59 balls) for DD v SRH in 2016.
David Warner leads the charts with 207 runs at the venue. Following him are:
Zaheer Khan and Umesh Yadav have taken the most number of wickets in IPL at Raipur Stadium with a total of 4 scalps each.
| Date | Match | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| May 10, 2026 (Sunday) | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians | 7:30 PM |
| May 13, 2026 (Wednesday) | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight Riders | 7:30 PM |
Sean Strickland won over most of his peers with another outstanding performance at UFC 328.
The former UFC middleweight champion Strickland regained his belt with an upset of the previously undefeated Khazmat Chimaev at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on Saturday night.
The razor-thin fight was decided by the judges. Two of the three judges awarded the fight to Strickland. UFC CEO Dana White also said Strickland earned the decision in the post-fight press conference.
Check out how the pros reacted below:
Strickland still sucks
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) May 10, 2026
Holy shit!!! Sean pulled it off. That was a coin flip fight, it came down to the wire and in the end, I believe it was Sean’s volume that won him the fight. There’s nothing controversial about the result, Sean earned it. #UFC328
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) May 10, 2026
I’m gonna put your lights out @SStricklandMMA
— Imavov Nassourdine (@imavov1) May 10, 2026
ISTRIQUI, YOU'RE A FUCKING LEGEND! 🔥#seanstrickland#ufc328pic.twitter.com/5bX4YUut6F
— Michel “Demolidor” Pereira (@UfcPereira) May 10, 2026
Im next
— Caio Borralho (@BorralhoCaio) May 10, 2026
Holy shit !!! Wow and new
— Sean O'Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) May 10, 2026
Weight cut must’ve been aweful
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) May 10, 2026
Sean Strickland and NEWWWW iight
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) May 10, 2026
Hahahaha pic.twitter.com/yMzkqP12gt
— Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) May 10, 2026
Strickland the king of the upsets 👏👏👏
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) May 10, 2026
Wow that decision 🤷🏿♂️👊🏿
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) May 10, 2026
I had Chimaev 3-2, wow! 🤯 Strickland did it! 👏
— Herbert Burns (@HerbertBurnsMMA) May 10, 2026
What a performance by Strickland and an amazing fight. 48-47 Sean was the correct score. Had it tied going into the final round and Strickland did enough to pull off the final round 👏 #UFC328
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) May 10, 2026
Somebody lost a lot of money!
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) May 10, 2026
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Everybody knows the Oklahoma City Thunder's depth is the envy of the league and the backbone of their aspirations for a second straight NBA championship.
The next impressive player to rise from the Thunder's bottomless depth and onto the national stage is Ajay Mitchell, who has seized the spotlight while replacing injured teammate Jalen Williams during these playoffs.
After delivering career playoff highs of 24 points and 10 assists with no turnovers in the Thunder’s 131-108 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night, the Belgian guard is the latest cog in general manager Sam Presti's formidable machine to prove he's ready to contribute to Oklahoma City's aspiring dynasty.
Perhaps only his teammates aren't surprised.
“Yeah, he’s a gamer,” MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Works super hard. He’s never shaken by the moment. It might be a shock to the world, but it’s no shock to us. We knew who Ajay Mitchell was the day he stepped foot in our building, and he’s just showing it to the world.”
The Thunder are unbeaten in the postseason after taking a 3-0 series lead in the second round, seemingly making their advancement to the Western Conference finals a mere formality.
That's largely thanks to Mitchell, who swiftly stepped up to shoulder an increased offensive load five games ago following Williams' hamstring injury. In the second round, Mitchell has also stepped up to make up for the Lakers' strong defensive effort against Gilgeous-Alexander, who has been limited and erratic by his formidable standard.
“I know what I can do, and when I go out there, I just want to compete and help this team win and play freely,” Mitchell said. “Every time I step on the court, I want to be a winning player and help my team. That’s really what’s been on my mind every time I play.”
Mitchell did that impressively in the second half of Game 3, with 18 points and seven assists in the half while largely taking charge of the game at the start of both quarters. He led the Thunder's 21-6 run out of halftime on the way to a third straight blowout.
Mitchell is averaging 20.7 points per game against the Lakers while hitting 53.3% of his shots and committing only three total turnovers. He has 20 assists while also playing strong defense.
After Williams went down in Game 2 of the first round against Phoenix, Mitchell moved into the starting lineup for Game 3 and promptly went 5 for 20. His teammates remained solidly behind him — and Mitchell has been outstanding ever since.
“He’s just finding his footing,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. "It’s his first run in the playoffs, and it’s obviously a different ballgame. He’s just getting more and more comfortable as the game goes on, as the series goes on. ... I was never worried that he wasn’t going to figure it out, and he’s shown that.”
After growing up in Europe, Mitchell spent three collegiate seasons about an hour away from downtown Los Angeles at UC Santa Barbara, and he was a second-round pick in 2024.
Mitchell played as a rookie last season, albeit sparingly: He contributed 6.5 points per game in 36 regular-season contests, earning an early role in the Thunder's rotation before missing nearly the entire second half of the regular season with turf toe.
He averaged just 8 minutes per game during the postseason title run, but Presti and coach Mark Daigneault saw enough to re-sign Mitchell to a three-year, $9 million contract — a deal that looked like a ridiculous steal even before this playoff emergence.
Mitchell has proved he can be a creator and a scorer, but he earned Daigneault's trust by contributing on defense. Daigneault recognizes Mitchell's inexperience in the postseason, but it hasn't stopped the coach from putting Mitchell at the center of their effort.
“He doesn't have a ton of basketball (playing time) in the NBA,” Daigneault said. “The growth curve of players young in their career is steep, and he’s a guy that’s hungry, (but) he’s also humble. So he grows from all of his experiences. He's been great in the postseason so far, but he hasn't been wholly efficient yet. I think that's a little bit the intensity of the games, the physicality, the length. ... And yet he stays aggressive and he just keeps playing.”
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Sean Strickland once again shocked the combat sports world last night (Sat., May 9, 2026) at UFC 328 LIVE on Paramount+ from inside Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, outpointing previously undefeated UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev with a main event split-decision win. In co-main event action, Joshua Van successfully defended his UFC flyweight title with a bloody TKO finish over Tatsuro Taira in one of the best flyweight fights of all time (watch HERE).
In addition to the two title fights, UFC 328 played host to a long list of top-flight matchups and fan-friendly wars. Check out some of the key performances below and let us know which fighters stood out the most!
Grant Dawson gets it done late in the 3rd RD!!
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) May 10, 2026
📺 @paramountpluspic.twitter.com/zEBD46OTXI
Now that UFC 328 has come to a close, let’s take a closer look at the official post-fight bonus winners. Remember, each winner gets an extra $100,000, while every fighter leftover who earned a finish gets $25,000.
Fight of the Night: Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira
Performance of the Night: Jim Miller
Performance of the Night: Yaroslav Amosov
$25K Winners: King Green, Ateba Gautier, Grant Dawson, and Baisangur Susurkaev
For complete UFC 328 results, coverage and highlights click HERE.
As known for quite some time now, the DFB is in the last year of their partnership with Adidas to outfit the German national team. A decision that has been met with extreme scrutiny as both parties have been synonymous together for what seems like an eternity, and for good reason.
While it is enevitable that this partnership will end, at least for now, Adidas seems determined on ending on a high note as a third kit for 2026 has now been leaked, by Kamil Berberler, as captured by @iMiaSanMia.
📸🇩🇪 Germany 2026 third kit, which will be the last Germany kit made by adidas before the switch to Nike next year [@KamilBerberler] pic.twitter.com/CT8IXgLM1S
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) May 3, 2026
While the kit is different than previously leaked, it appears the kit will look absolutely stunning. Adidas will be going with a sharp black theme with some beautiful white and gold accents to make the shirt pop. Perhaps paying homeage to the trophies that Germany have accumulated while wearing the Adidas outfit over their long partnership.
It looks to pay a beautiful homage to their long history and a sharp but modern kit that will almost certainly go down as a fan favorite. What are your thoughts on the leaked kit? Let us know in the comments!
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
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Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney has give his thoughts on the Liverpool versus Chelsea game yesterday.
The game ended in a 1-1 draw at Anfield and saw two teams who have been really struggling lately match up against each other. It was a game that was impossible to call and has very frustrated fans on both sides. There was boos and rants from both fan bases during the game. From the Chelsea side they were frustrated after they saw their team concede yet another goal within the first 5 minutes of the game. But it was Liverpool fans who were booing their side off come full time as Chelsea were actually the better side.
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Rooney was speaking about the game and highlighted that overall, Chelsea were slightly better than Liverpool yesterday.
Marc Cucurella wins a ball in the air. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
‘I thought Liverpool actually started quite well, got the goal, and then from there Chelsea were the better team,’ Rooney said in quotes relayed by The Metro.
‘They caused Liverpool big problems, especially Marc Cucurella running behind.
‘The crowd were obviously a bit edgy, which you very rarely get from Liverpool fans. You never like to see that, but it comes from not having the season they hoped for, and after spending a lot of money.’
Former Blues winger Joe Cole has suggested some pretty spicy moves from Chelsea to get their team back on track after a bad year. He did an interview with The Sun over the weekend.
Levi Colwill has spoken of his relief after making his first appearance of the season having recovered from a serious injury. He helped Chelsea get a point at Anfield yesterday.
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Ajman Sees Four Major International Awards and Eighty-Eight Thousand Visitors in First Quarter of 2026, Setting New Standards for Tourism...
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Vietnam Joins South Korea, Malaysia, China, Singapore, Australia, Japan, and More Asian Nations in Struggling with Escalating Jet Fuel Prices...
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UAE’s 2026 Eid Al Adha Break, Dubai and Abu Dhabi Prepare for Record-Breaking 6-Day Holiday Bonanza, Fueling Tourism SurgeUAE residents are set...
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“Qəbələ” Misli premyer Liqasının XXXI turunda azarkeşləri önündə “Qarabağ”la heç-heçə edib. Bölgə təmsilçisi ilk hissəni geridə tamamlasa da, fasilədən sonra hesaba tarazlıq gətirib və yekunda meydanı bərabərliklə tərk edib – 1:1.
Turnir cədvəlinin 11-ci pilləsində qərarlaşan “Qəbələ” aktivinə bir xal yazdırmaqla böyük ölçüdə sonuncu olmayacağını dəqiqləşdirdi. Nəticə “Qarabağ”la “Qəbələ”dən daha çox “Kəpəz”in işinə yaradı. Bu turda çempion “Sabah”ı məğlub edən Gəncə təmsilçisi liqadakı yerini təmin etdi.
Sonuncu “Karvan-Yevlax” bu gün Tovuzda məğlub olacağı halda, I Liqaya yuvarlanacaq. “Qəbələ” isə elitada qalmaq uğrunda pley-off oynayacaq. Rəqib də böyük ehtimalla “Səbail” olacaq. Komandaların durumuna nəzər salsaq, “Qəbələ” elitada qalmağa daha yaxın tərəfdir. Həm heyət, həm də sərgilənən oyun “qırmızı-qaralar”ı üstün göstərir.
“Qəbələ” ümumiyyətlə, bu mövsüm çempionatda ən çox qol epizodu yaradan komandadır. Bölgə klubunun bu mövqedə olmasının başlıca səbəbi keyfiyyət və təcrübə çatışmazlığıdır.
“Qarabağ”da isə hər kəs mövsümün başa çatmasını arzulayır. Fiziki və psixoloji yorğunluq özünü göstərir. Çempionlar Liqasında tarixi mövsüm keçirən “atlılar” artıq gücdən düşüb və komandanın yaxşı istirahətə ehtiyacı var.
Şahin Cəfərov
Bu gün Misli Premyer Liqasında XXXI tura yekun vurulacaq.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, günün ilk matçında autsayder “Karvan-Yevlax” səfərdə “Turan Tovuz”la qarşılaşacaq. Yevlax təmsilçisi bu görüşdə məğlub olsa, sona bir tur qalmış liqanı tərk edəcəyi dəqiqləşəcək.
Tura “Neftçi” – “Şamaxı” oyunu ilə yekun vurulacaq.
Misli Premyer Liqası
XXXI tur
10 may
17:00 Turan Tovuz – Karvan-Yevlax
Baş hakim: Əkbər Əhmədov
Tovuz şəhər stadionu
19:30 Neftçi – Şamaxı
Baş hakim: Tural Qurbanov
“Palms Sports Arena”
Sanju Samson snubs R Ashwin’s prediction: Why the CSK star refuses to challenge Ruturaj Gaikwad for captaincy originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
When Chennai Super Kings acquired Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2026 in a deal valued at Rs 18 crore, the speculation machine went into overdrive.
A wicketkeeper-batter of his stature joining a side that already had an established captain seemed, to many, like the first move in a longer game. The question doing the rounds was straightforward: was Ruturaj Gaikwad's time as CSK skipper running out?
Ravichandran Ashwin did little to dampen those theories when he suggested that Samson would one day lead the five-time champions. The former spinner stopped short of naming a timeline but was clear in his conviction.
“I’m no astrologer, but I do see Sanju captaining CSK at some stage. I don’t know when, but I feel it could happen," said Ashwin.
Coming from someone with deep knowledge of the franchise and the game, it was the kind of remark that tends to stick.
MORE: CSK vs LSG Dream11: Lineups, pitch report and score predictions for IPL 2026 match
Now Samson has spoken for himself, and he kept it simple. In a promotional clip for the Super Kings podcast, speaking alongside former India opener Abhinav Mukund, Samson addressed the captaincy whispers without making them a bigger deal than he felt they were.
"When you're trying to get in a new home, You don't go there with demands is what I have learned to be very honest," said Samson.
The franchise itself had already made its position clear before the season began. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan said the team had every reason to continue backing Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain.
"Of course, we have Ruturaj, who is also capable of taking the team to higher levels, and his captaincy is one which definitely will lift the team," Vishwanathan said.
On Samson specifically, Viswanathan was careful, saying the priority was to let him settle in and perform without unnecessary pressure.
"As far as Sanju is concerned, we don’t want to put any pressure on him because we know his capabilities," he added.
The message from the top was unambiguous: this is Ruturaj's team, and Samson is here to strengthen it, not replace its leader.
MORE: Most watched IPL teams in 2026: TV and digital viewership rankings
Samson has been so good with the bat that the captaincy debate feels secondary. Across ten matches, he has scored 402 runs, including two centuries and a fifty, making him one of the most consistent performers of the tournament.
Regarding the CSK captaincy debate, his response was calibrated with precision because it was not defensive. He did not dismiss the possibility or get drawn into a political answer. He simply explained his outlook, and that outlook, backed by his performances, tells you more about his character.
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On a beautiful day at Benedetti Stadium, the home of the San Francisco Dons (22-26, 13-10 WCC), the Gonzaga Bulldogs (31-17, 18-5 WCC) clinched the West Coast Conference regular-season title and the No. 1 seed for the upcoming West Coast Conference Tournament in Scottsdale, Arizona. This was Gonzaga’s first regular-season conference title since 2022.
It wasn’t pretty for the Dons on the Hilltop from the first inning. In fact, it turned into a bloodbath after the first two innings, making a 12-0 statement. The sealing win for the Zags came in a rout fashion, 13-0.
Scenes from the Hilltop as the Zags celebrate being on top of the West Coast Conference one final time. @ZagBaseballpic.twitter.com/l0Ma3btPDG
— The Slipper Still Fits (@slipperstillfit) May 9, 2026
Gonzaga’s offensive firepower has lived up to the hype throughout the season and more, behind coach Mark Machtolf’s top-half of the lineup. Graduate Ricky Sanchez (Brooks Wallace Award candidate, given to the best shortstop in college baseball), redshirt junior third baseman Mikey Bell (reigning West Coast Conference Player of the Year), junior left fielder Ryder Young, junior designated hitter Maddox Haley, and redshirt senior right fielder Noah Meffert. It’s a cycle of fierce competitors and diverse personalities in the dugout, with extreme confidence to go along.
Sanchez, who went 1-for-2 with three walks in that leadoff spot for the Zags, spoke with the Slipper Still Fits about the patience at the plate he demonstrated today. As long as the Mexico City, Mexico native can get on first base, Sanchez knows the guys behind will bring him home.
“Just waiting for my pitch. They didn’t give it to me. Happy for Mikey (Bell), Ryder (Young), all those guys behind me. They’ll put me in… Pretty happy with all the guys, but we’re not done yet. Just gotta keep playing hard, show up every day, keep practicing the way we have done.”
There were multiple storylines to focus in on, but none more than sophomore left-handed pitcher Karsten Sweum’s no-hitter. A masterclass of an outing with the sixth recorded no-hitter in Gonzaga baseball history. No runs allowed and 15 strikeouts through 93 pitches thrown.
The game may have been mercy-ruled after the seventh inning, but still. Utterly ridiculous stuff from a cool, calm, collected Sweum. Backed by his offensive barrage, of course.
KARSTEN SWEUM TOSSED A 7 INNING NO NO 🔥🔥🔥
— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7) May 10, 2026
Gonzaga clinched the West Coast regular season title with the win pic.twitter.com/AcLD0NAIuS
The “issue” for a college baseball program in Spokane, Washington, is the snowfall that comes in February and mid-March. Despite having to be on the road for the first 21 games of the regular season, Gonzaga has now collected 19 road wins. That’s the most in all of college baseball. Talk about a group that is well-connected and feeds off its chemistry in opposing clubhouses. Couldn’t be more noticeable during the celebration out in the Bay Area.
How the Zags fare in sunny Scottsdale at a chance for an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament, that’s yet to be seen. As the top seed, Gonzaga will wait for the lowest advancing seed out of the first round on Thursday, March 21.
Before then, the seniors will be honored at the conclusion of the final regular-season series against the Seattle U Redhawks at Patterson Baseball Complex and Coach Steve Hertz Field, May 14 through 16.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
Where to watch NCAA softball tournament selection show: Time, TV channel, live stream for road to WCWS bracket reveal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 2026 NCAA softball season is one step closer to wrapping up — the D1 tournament selection show takes place Sunday.
The biggest tournament at the collegiate level will soon be underway, with games getting started at 16 regional sites on Friday. Once regional and super regional play concludes, the remaining eight teams with make the trip to Oklahoma City for the Women's College World Series.
The SEC and Big 12 typically send the most programs to the Women's College World Series, but the Big Ten is also strong this year. Last year, Texas beat out in-state rivals Texas Tech to claim the program's first-ever national championship.
Who will go all the way this year?
Here's everything you need to know about the NCAA softball tournament selection show, including TV channel and streaming options for the 2026 bracket reveal.
The 2026 NCAA Softball selection show will take place on Sunday, May 10, with the bracket scheduled to be unveiled beginning at 7 p.m. ET.
This year's NCAA softball selection show will air on ESPN2. Cord-cutters and those without cable can stream the event on the ESPN app and fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
While the bracket is still being completed, here are the top 16 teams in the most recent college softball RPI rankings, courtesy of the NCAA:
The 2026 NCAA Division I softball tournament will consist of 64 teams, which includes 32 automatic bids and 32 at-large. The selection committee will seed the top teams, 1-16, to host regional sites.
Each of the 16 regions will include four teams facing off in a double-elimination format. Only one team from each region — 16 in total — will advance to the super regionals.
The super regionals will feature two teams facing off in a best-of-three series. The winner of the 1-seed region will face off against the winner of the 16-seed region; the 2-seed will face the 15-seed, and so on. The higher-seeded team in the series will host.
In the event that two non-seeded teams face off in the super regionals, the team that won the higher-seeded regional will host.
The final eight after the regional and super regional rounds will play in the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla. The tournament will revert back to a double-elimination format, with the final two teams advancing to play a best-of-three series for the national championship.
The 2026 regional round will begin on the Friday after the softball tournament selection show and end the following Sunday. The super regionals will start Thursday, May 21, and end Sunday, May 24.
The Women's College World Series will begin on May 28 and end on June 4 or 5, depending on whether a Game 3 is needed among the final two teams.
| Round | Dates |
| Selection show | May 10 |
| Regionals | May 15-17 |
| Super regionals | May 21-24 |
| Women's World College Series | May 28-June 4/5 |
| WCWS finals (Best of 3) | June 3-4/5 |
The double-elimination portion of the Women's College World Series will take place May 28-June 2.
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV |
| Thursday, May 28 | Game 1 | 12 p.m. | ESPN, fubo |
| Game 2 | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN, fubo | |
| Game 3 | 7 p.m. | ESPN2, fubo | |
| Game 4 | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2, fubo | |
| Friday, May 29 | Game 5 | 7 p.m. | ESPN2, fubo |
| Game 6 | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2, fubo | |
| Saturday, May 30 | Game 7 | 3 p.m. | ABC, fubo |
| Game 8 | 7 p.m. | ESPN, fubo | |
| Sunday, May 31 | Game 9 | 3 p.m. | ABC, fubo |
| Game 10 | 7 p.m. | ESPN2, fubo | |
| Monday, June 2 | Game 11 | 12 p.m. | ESPN, fubo |
| Game 12* | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN, fubo | |
| Game 13 | 7 p.m. | ESPN2, fubo | |
| Game 14* | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2, fubo |
* If necessary
The last two teams standing at the conclusion of the double-elimination portion of the WCWS will play in a best-of-three series to determine the national champion, starting on Wednesday, June 3. If necessary, Game 3 will take place on Friday, June 5.
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV |
| Wednesday, June 3 | Game 1 | 8 p.m. | ESPN, fubo |
| Thursday, June 4 | Game 2 | 8 p.m. | ESPN, fubo |
| Friday, June 5 | Game 3* | 8 p.m. | ESPN, fubo |
* If necessary
On a sad day overall for Braves Country, due to the passing of the legendary Bobby Cox, Spencer Strider gave Atlanta fans something to be happy and hopeful about with a stellar outing, shutting down the Dodgers potent offense for 6.0 innings with 8 strikeouts and 15 whiffs. He looked as good as he has in a long time. His fastball averaged 96.4 MPH, with 17 inches of induced vertical break and he had four pitches working nicely together. Even if Strider doesn’t quite return to his Jacob deGrom levels of dominance, having him as a true #1 or #2 quality starter would make a huge difference for this Braves team to pair with Chris Sale. Bryce Elder has been great this season, but shouldn’t be the second best starter in the rotation of a World Series contender. If Strider can keep something like Saturday night’s version of himself moving forward, that’s a huge development for him and this team.
Braves Country and the baseball world at large lost Hall of Famer Bobby Cox on Saturday. We remembered Bobby’s life and legacy here onsite.
Spencer Strider had a strong outing against the formidable Dodgers’ lineup and the offense got the job done in a win on a night in Bobby Cox’ shadow.
The Giants traded Gold Glove catcher Patrick Bailey to the Guardians for the 29th pick in the upcoming draft and a pitching prospect with the “Tugboat” nickname, as Bailey has been struggling at the plate this season.
The Orioles are giving former top prospect Jackson Holliday some time at third base during his rehab assignment, as he returns from a hamate bone fracture, but has also never fully settled in at the major league level.
Giants star Logan Webb is going on the IL with knee bursitis and is expected to return once the 10-day period ends.
The Rays DFA’d former Braves prospect Justyn-Henry Malloy, as they shuffled the back of their roster.
The New England Revolution had a comeback victory against Philadelphia Union Saturday night at Gillette Stadium. The Revs allowed an own goal in the first half as Philadelphia took a 1-0 leading into the half. The Revolution made mistakes and were sloppy in times during the first half.
Carles Gil scores two late goals as Revolution extend unbeaten run to 7 with 2-1 victory over Union
The second half was a different story. Luca Langoni scored a goal in the 61′ with a wonderful strike into the back of the net. The game was tied 1-1.
New England had life. They kept the pressure on their opponent. In the 87′ some geta passing in the Philadelphia box led to a Carles Gil goal and the Revs took the lead late, 2-1. It was the team captain’s third straight game with a goal.
The Revolution held on to win and improved to 6-0-0 at Gillette Stadium this season. This is their best home start in club history, which was previously 5-0-0.
“I love that. We cannot ignore it,” Head Coach Marko Mitrovic said about the home start. “It’s amazing writing history, but we will get there one day to think about that.”
“It’s a very competitive group we want to win. The past few games I’ve seen the winning mentality. It doesn’t matter if we are up a goal or down a goal,” Midfielder Brooklyn Raines said.
The Revolution haven’t lost a Major League Soccer match since March. They have climbed up to the second spot in the Eastern Conference standings after starting the season 0-2.
New England has a big rematch with Nashville SC on Wednesday night at Gillette Stadium. Nashville beat New England 4-1 in the opening match of the year back in February. Nashville is currently the top team in the east.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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On Saturday night (9), Brazil’s Women’s U-17 National Team defeated Argentina 3-2 and won the South American title. In the match played at Defensores del Chaco Stadium in Asunción (PAR), Gamonal, Helena, and Nicolly scored the goals.
From the start, Brazil were the better side and imposed their style of play. This is the first time the Canarinha has won the title under coach Rilany Silva.
Brazil celebrates Gamonal’s goalCredits: Staff Images/CBF
Brazil started by keeping possession, but after a defensive mistake, Argentina opened the scoring in the 4th minute.
The Canarinha kept controlling the game, while the Argentines only defended and tried to counterattack. After a few good chances, Brazil equalized with a goal from Gamonal in the 28th minute.
The team coached by Rilany Silva maintained its attacking style. Deep into stoppage time, Nicolly found herself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but was brought down for a penalty. Helena converted the spot kick: ball one way, goalkeeper the other.
Gamonal scored the opening goal of the matchCredits: Staff Images/CBF
Right after that, Brazil made the most of their last chance before halftime, and Nicolly Manuel found the net to extend the lead.
The second half followed the same pattern. At times Argentina managed to gain the upper hand and scored their second goal, but it was not enough to take the title away from Brazil.
Final score: Brazil 3-2 Argentina
Brazil’s starting lineup in the Women’s South American U-17 finalCredits: Staff Images/CBF
BRAZIL: Nathy; Elo, Andreyna and Yasmin Q. (Rech); Sarah C., Gigi (Mari Gigante), Melo and Helena; Gamonal, Pinho (Marcela B.) and Nicolly M.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers pulled out a 116-109 Game 3 win over the Detroit Pistons thanks to 35 points from Donovan Mitchell and clutch shotmaking from James Harden.
The stats in the table below are taken from Cleaning the Glass. As a note, the percentiles are compared to other playoff games, which affects the sample size.
| Offensive Rating | Effective Field Goal Percentage | Offensive Turnover Percentage | Offensive Rebounding Percentage | Free Throw Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cavs | 122.1, 70th percentile | 66.2%, 95th percentile | 15.8%, 37th percentile | 25.3%, 25th percentile | 24.3, 69th percentile |
| Pistons | 114.7, 48th percentile | 50%, 24th percentile | 16.8%, 28th percentile | 40.4%, 93rd percentile | 19.8, 47th percentile |
Now, let’s dive into the numbers.
Austin Reaves’ defensive struggles becoming major problem for Lakers against Thunder originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers continue searching for answers against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and one growing concern in the playoff series has been the defensive struggles of Austin Reaves. Through Games 2 and 3, Reaves has repeatedly been targeted by Oklahoma City’s offense, with the Thunder exploiting favorable matchups and attacking him in isolation and pick-and-roll situations. According to matchup tracking data, opponents scored 58 total points while Reaves served as the primary defender across the two games.
The numbers become even more troubling when examining shooting efficiency. Opponents shot 22-for-29 from the field against Reaves in those matchups, an eye-opening 75.9 percent shooting clip. For a Lakers team already struggling to contain Oklahoma City’s high-powered offense, that level of defensive efficiency has made it difficult to slow momentum swings or generate key stops.
Oklahoma City’s speed and ball movement have consistently placed Reaves in difficult defensive situations. Whether defending on the perimeter or switching onto quicker guards, he has struggled to stay in front of attackers. The Thunder have taken advantage by forcing rotations and creating open lanes to the basket, exposing a weak point in the Lakers’ defensive scheme.
While Reaves remains a valuable offensive contributor because of his shooting, playmaking, and chemistry with LeBron James's, playoff basketball often magnifies defensive weaknesses. Opponents relentlessly hunt mismatches during postseason series, and Oklahoma City has clearly identified Reaves as a player they can attack consistently.
The challenge for the Lakers coaching staff is finding ways to protect Reaves defensively without sacrificing offensive production. That could mean altering matchups, providing quicker help defense, or reducing his time guarding Oklahoma City’s primary scorers. However, each adjustment comes with trade-offs, especially against a Thunder team loaded with versatile scorers and athletic perimeter players.
If the Lakers hope to regain control of the series, defensive improvement will be essential. Reaves’ offensive contributions are important, but allowing opponents to shoot nearly 76 percent as the primary defender is a major issue that could ultimately define the outcome of the matchup.
After a long week off the Colorado Avalanche began the away portion of their second round series in Minnesota. The Wild were energized in their home building and with some help on special teams built a lead and never looked back to take this game 5-1 and cut Colorado’s lead in the series to 2-1.
The Game
It was a fairly even start to the game with Colorado receiving the game’s first power play but the visitors came up empty. It took a four-on-four for the game’s first score as Kirill Kaprizov took advantage of some soft defending and beat Scott Wedgewood who went down too early. Devon Toews took a penalty soon after and while it was four-on-three Quinn Hughes found room above Wedgewood after he dropped his stick to put the Wild up by two.
The second period didn’t start any better for Colorado after the Wild converted on yet another power play. This time Toews tipped the puck and Ryan Hartman batted the rebound in. At this point Jared Bednar opted for Mackenzie Blackwood to enter the game for his first taste of action in 25 days. Wedgewood wasn’t the primary culprit for the 3-0 deficit but clearly a change of momentum was needed.
After investing in future power plays by regularly going to the penalty box the Avalanche were awarded a late period man advantage and Nathan MacKinnon cashed in. It took a Wild player shoving Gabe Landeskog on top of their own goaltender for MacKinnon to have a free look at the open net. The Wild knew this, too, and didn’t challenge the play. Just 20 seconds later, though, Minnesota responded on a delayed penalty from Brock Faber who took advantage of Blackwood misplaying the puck off of his glove and left the back door vacated for an easy rebound score. With a score of 4-1 at the second intermission, the Avalanche certainly had a tough task to get back in the game.
Both teams tried to buckle down in the third period but the Avalanche couldn’t get much going. Two shifts in particular were prolonged stretches in the Avalanche defensive zone. Colorado pulled Blackwood for the extra attacker with over three minutes to go and couldn’t score much less keep possession for very long. Still, Minnesota didn’t score into the empty net until there were three seconds left when Matt Boldy made the score 5-1 and that’s how this game would end.
Takeaways
Special teams was the early story but neither team had much luck scoring five-on five. Colorado ended with 35 shots on goal to Minnesota’s 26 but few were dangerous. The Avalanche second and third lines had some ugly numbers in the advanced stats getting caught out on some long shift and exposed their lack of speed. They will have opportunities to score and make the difference in following games.
Now with a loss it will be interesting to see who Bednar turns to in net for Game 4. Blackwood generally did fine but the loss wasn’t really on Wedgewood so this should really tip their hand as to which goaltender Colorado really wants in net moving forward.
Upcoming
Game 4 in Minnesota on Monday, May 11th at 6 p.m. MT on ESPN.
CLEVELAND (AP) — The pause button has been pressed on Twins right-hander Taj Bradley’s comeback season.
Bradley was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with right pectoral inflammation, retroactive to Wednesday. He had an MRI in Minneapolis that revealed no significant damage and is slated to consult with Dr. Keith Meister.
“Any time we get an MRI that comes back clean, that’s the best-case scenario,” Twins manager Derek Shelton said before a 2-1, 11-inning victory over the Cleveland Guardians. “Once we get through the second opinion, we can start a course of action.”
Bradley has been the anchor of the staff, posting a 4-1 record and 2.87 ERA in eight starts in his first full year with Minnesota. Once a top prospect with the Rays, the three-year veteran also leads the team with 52 strikeouts and 47 innings.
Minnesota now has three-fifths of its rotation on the IL. Pablo López is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery and rookie Mick Abel is battling right elbow inflammation.
The Twins acquired Bradley from Tampa Bay in exchange for Griffin Jax on July 31, limiting him to six starts over the final two months of the season. He stumbled to a 6-8 record and 5.05 ERA between the clubs.
Right-hander Travis Adams was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul to replace Bradley, who was scheduled to pitch the series finale Sunday in Cleveland. Instead, Minnesota will go with right-handed reliever Andrew Morris in a bullpen game.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb
What channel is NASCAR on today? TV schedule, start time, live stream for 2026 Watkins Glen race originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It's time for another road race — the NASCAR Cup Series is headed to Watkins Glen International this weekend for the annual Go Bowling at the Glen.
It's been over two months since the Cup Series last road raced at Circuit of the Americas in March. The Glen circuit is a 2.5 mile race with 11 turns, many long straights and winding corners. This weekend's event will be 100 laps, divided into stages of 20, 30 and 50 laps.
Although Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott lead the group with wins in this race, Shane van Gisbergen is the biggest threat. Van Gisbergen boasts six career road and street course wins in only 13 starts, and he also took the checkered flag at the Glen last year.
Who will excel in this iconic race?
Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 Go Bowling at the Glen, including TV channel and streaming options for the annual race at Watkins Glen.
The 2026 Go Bowling at the Glen will be broadcast nationally on FS1. Cord-cutters and fans without cable can also stream the action live on fubo, which offers a free trial.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
The 2026 Go Bowling at the Glen will get started at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 10. The race will take place at Watkins Glen International in Schuyler County, N.Y.
| Starting pos. | Driver | Car No. | Team |
| 1. | Shane van Gisbergen | 97 | Chevrolet |
| 2. | Michael McDowell | 71 | Chevrolet |
| 3. | Austin Cindric | 2 | Ford |
| 4. | Ross Chastain | 1 | Chevrolet |
| 5. | Connor Zilisch | 88 | Chevrolet |
| 6. | Joey Logano | 22 | Ford |
| 7. | Ryan Blaney | 12 | Ford |
| 8. | Christopher Bell | 20 | Toyota |
| 9. | Chase Briscoe | 19 | Toyota |
| 10. | Ty Gibbs | 54 | Toyota |
| 11. | Carson Hocevar | 77 | Chevrolet |
| 12. | AJ Allmendinger | 16 | Chevrolet |
| 13. | William Byron | 24 | Chevrolet |
| 14. | Chris Buescher | 17 | Ford |
| 15. | Tyler Reddick | 45 | Toyota |
| 16. | Daniel Suarez | 7 | Chevrolet |
| 17. | John Hunter Nemechek | 42 | Toyota |
| 18. | Bubba Wallace | 23 | Toyota |
| 19. | Cole Custer | 41 | Chevrolet |
| 20. | Denny Hamlin | 11 | Toyota |
| 21. | Kyle Busch | 8 | Chevrolet |
| 22. | Todd Gilliland | 34 | Ford |
| 23. | Kyle Larson | 5 | Chevrolet |
| 24. | Erik Jones | 43 | Toyota |
| 25. | Austin Dillon | 3 | Chevrolet |
| 26. | Brad Keselowski | 6 | Ford |
| 27. | Chase Elliott | 9 | Chevrolet |
| 28. | Alex Bowman | 48 | Chevrolet |
| 29. | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 47 | Chevrolet |
| 30. | Ryan Preece | 60 | Ford |
| 31. | Ty Dillon | 10 | Chevrolet |
| 32. | Riley Herbst | 35 | Toyota |
| 33. | Zane Smith | 38 | Ford |
| 34. | Josh Berry | 21 | Ford |
| 35. | Noah Gragson | 4 | Ford |
| 36. | Cody Ware | 51 | Chevrolet |
| 37. | Josh Bilicki | 66 | Ford |
| 38. | Katherine Legge | 78 | Chevrolet |
Oh No He Didn't: LeBron on if this Thunder team ranks up there with the 17/18 Warriors and 90s Bulls teams: "They're pretty damn good from top to bottom. They don't let their foot off the gas"
LeBron on if this Thunder team ranks up there with the 17/18 Warriors and 90s Bulls teams:
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) May 10, 2026
"They're pretty damn good from top to bottom. They don't let their foot off the gas" pic.twitter.com/tvPp9xEHLF
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: LeBron James on Thunder: They're pretty damn good from top to bottom
Benjamin Royer: Luke Kennard, when a reporter asked if there’s a bit of “how would the series go” when it comes to Luka Doncic being out: “When you have the league’s leading scorer out there, if he was, it definitely changes the dynamic of a team. And we know that, and obviously, we miss him.”
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: “When you have the league’s leading scorer out there, …
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Ajay Mitchell becomes the first player in Thunder (OKC …
Thunder Film Room: Shai on Ajay Mitchell: “It may be a shock to the world, but this is no shock to us. We knew who Ajay Mitchell was the day he stepped foot in our building, and he’s just showing it to the world.”
Shai on Ajay Mitchell:
— Thunder Film Room (@ThunderFilmRoom) May 10, 2026
“It may be a shock to the world, but this is no shock to us. We knew who Ajay Mitchell was the day he stepped foot in our building, and he’s just showing it to the world.” pic.twitter.com/DAA0R6JoXz
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Shai on Ajay Mitchell: “It may be a shock to the …
Nick Gallo: Daigneault on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, not forcing anything and staying even-keeled: "His poise and confidence is contagious. It's only been more contagious as his gravity has grown over time. I give him a lot of credit for the way that he has not fought the game in this series."
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: "His poise and confidence is contagious. It's only …
OptaSTATS: The Lakers are the first team in NBA history to lead at the half in back-to-back playoff games but lose both by a combined 40+ points.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Lakers are the first team in NBA history to lead at …
LeBron James still believes in the Lakers despite being 3-0 down against the Thunder originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are down 3-0 in the Oklahoma City Thunder. That is essentially a series that is done and dusted, but the Lakers are not giving up until they have four losses on the board.
It has been dominance from the defending champions, but the Lakers have shown some promising signs. They have been defending reigning MVP and Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander well, but they must do better at playing against the rest of the Thunder.
As one of the most successful players in NBA history, LeBron is always ready to prove the doubters wrong. He was the best player on a team that came back from 3-1 in the NBA Finals, so he has experience with coming back from big deficits.
Now, they are 3-0 down against the Thunder, which is a nearly insurmountable task. Despite no team ever coming back from 3-0 down, it seems LeBron and the Lakers are willing to try to mount a comeback.
MORE: JJ Redick is still not ready to give up on the Lakers in the series against the Thunder
Lakers head coach JJ Redick has said that he still believes in his team, so he will not concede until they are truly eliminated. The same goes for James, who is ready to make history despite saying it in a more somber tone.
"I'm not angry or disappointed. Obviously, you're disappointed at the simple fact of being down 3-0, obviously. But we still got life, and that's all you can ask for," LeBron said after the Game 3 loss.
As long as the Lakers continue the impressive defensive schemes against SGA, they could surprise the Thunder. Unfortunately, the rest of the Thunder have stepped up as Gilgeous-Alexander knows he can trust his teammates.
It was Blake Snell bobblehead night Saturday at Dodger Stadium but the Atlanta Braves spoiled the left-hander’s season debut with a 7-2 win.
Making his first appearance since the eighth inning of Game 7 of the World Series, Snell showed rust early, giving up a leadoff single to Mauricio Dubón and walking Drake Baldwin. Ozzie Albies’ bunt single loaded the bases and after Matt Olson struck out, Dubon scored from third on Austin Riley’s fielder’s choice to shortstop. Snell struck out Michael Harris II to end the inning on his 25th pitch.
Atlanta loaded the bases again in the second and Albies poked a two-run single to left. Two more runs scored on Olson’s single to right and after an inning and a half the Dodgers trailed 5-0. In the bottom of the inning, Eli White made a sprinting catch on the warning track in right field to rob Max Muncy of extra bases.
Snell started the season on the injured list with left shoulder fatigue and was brought back from his rehab assignment early to replace Tyler Glasnow, who was placed on the injured list Friday with back spasms. Snell gave up four earned runs on six hits, with two walks and five strikeouts over three innings and 77 pitches.
Read more:Emmet Sheehan shows progress, bullpen thrives in Dodgers' win over Braves
While Snell struggled, Atlanta's Spencer Strider was locked in from the start, giving up one hit and striking out eight batters in six innings before being relieved by Dylan Lee.
National League East front-runner Atlanta (27-13) widened its gap to eight games over Washington while the Dodgers dropped to 24-15 and saw their National League West lead narrowed to one game over San Diego, which beat St. Louis 4-2 earlier in the day.
Jack Dreyer, who relieved Snell, gave up one hit in 1⅓ innings before being relieved by Edgardo Henriquez, who walked Riley and gave up an RBI double to Harris — the fifth hit in two days for the 2022 NL rookie of the year. Henriquez went 1⅔ innings before Paul Gervase yielded an RBI single to Baldwin.
One night after dealing Braves ace Chris Sale his second loss of the season, the Dodgers’ offense did not wake up until the ninth inning.
Shohei Ohtani went one for four with a single and two strikeouts. Freddie Freeman had two fly outs and a groundout before Dalton Rushing took his place at first in the seventh.
The Dodgers avoided their second shutout loss of the season and finally gave the crowd of 50,209 reason to cheer in the ninth when Andy Pages belted a two-run home run — his ninth of the season — off reliever Reynaldo Lopez.
Read more:Will work for free? Trevor Bauer hypothetically offers to sign a '$0 salary' deal with any MLB club
Players on both teams played with heavy hearts following the death of former Braves manager Bobby Cox at the age of 84 on Saturday.
Freeman, in his fifth season of a six-year, $162-million deal with the Dodgers, talked about Cox before the game.
“I woke up to the news this morning,” he said. “It’s a sad day in Braves country and all of baseball. My favorite memory of Bobby is seeing joy on his face when he saw my 6-year-old. He had our backs. He wanted to win as much as you do. What stands out is the genuine care he had for every person in that clubhouse.
"My first day of spring training I walk in and he joked ‘Why did it take you so long to get to the big leagues?’ He cared about the 19-year-old and 40-year-old the same way. I have an autographed Bobby Cox jersey at home.”
Cox's death came just four days after the death of Ted Turner, who owned the Braves from 1976 to 2007.
Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Joshua Van just defended his flyweight title for the first time at UFC 328, but it wasn’t without controversy.
The Burmese-American champ took the fight to Tatsuro Taira in a wild scrap that saw Van nearly finish things in a violent third round. Taira would survive and then nearly finish the fight with a lightning fast triangle in the fourth. In the fifth, Van went back to punishing Taira with shots to the body and face, putting it on the Japanese challenger to the point where the referee stepped in and waved things off (watch the highlights here).
Taira wasn’t out, but he was getting brutalized. Immediately after the stoppage he pulled his mouthguard out and threw it in anger. And he wasn’t the only one upset with the referee’s decision to stop things. After surviving what he survived in the third round, many fighters and fans online felt like “The Best” deserved the right to keep going.
To add to the controversy, two judges had the fight 2-2 going into the fifth. This wasn’t a one sided beating the referee saved Taira from … it was a fight he still had three and a half minutes to potentially win, or at least earn a split draw on the scorecards.
Take a look at the reactions below.
Do the refs have the power in a fight ?…or do the fighters?
— Dominick Cruz (@DominickCruz) May 10, 2026
Listen, incredible fight, but Tatsuro Taira fought his fuckin balls off for 20+ minutes and you’re going to stop the fight like that?! F’n b/s man. Congrats to both warriors! Helluva fight! #UFC328
— Dustin Jacoby 🇺🇸 (@thehanyakdj) May 10, 2026
Yup good stoppage bruh was getting battered 🔥🔥🔥gotta respect van now 👌
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) May 10, 2026
Taira recovered from the third u gotta let him try to recover there
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) May 10, 2026
Two judges had it tied heading into R5, whch I agree with. Very close fight though. Came down to the last round and Van proved he's the best in the world at 125 lbs. https://t.co/eRYIjdf12z
— Adam Martin (@MMAdamMartin) May 10, 2026
I thought it was too soon.
— Carbazel MMA 🥋 (@Carbazel) May 10, 2026
Sounds like Anik did too. https://t.co/TvoinlwihT
I really don’t understand why the ref stopped the fight, because if anything, a stoppage in the third round would’ve been more justified than this.#UFC328
— Giorgi Kokiashvili 🇬🇪 (@iHeartGeorgius1) May 10, 2026
In a title fight I don’t think you should stop it there but it was only going to get worse for Taira
— Super Fan🇮🇪 (@McGregorRousey2) May 10, 2026
Would have liked to have seen Taira get to fight a little longer he showed how tough he was in the third so somewhat of a anti climatic finish but Van looked amazing #UFC328
— Benny P 🇦🇺 (@Bendaman2001) May 10, 2026
These guys are going to meet again in the future I believe that
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) May 10, 2026
For complete UFC 328 results, coverage and highlights click HERE.
Braxton Ashcraft pitched another gem and everyone contributed offensively for the Pittsburgh Pirates in a dominant 13-3 win over the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Saturday night.
Top 5th, 2-0 PIT: Joey Bart led off the inning with an infield single, which knocked Landen Roupp (5-3) out of the game. In came Ryan Borucki, who gave up a Brandon Lowe sac fly and a Bryan Reynolds RBI single to left.
Bottom 5th, 2-1 PIT: Bryce Eldridge ambushed the first pitch of the inning from Braxton Ashcraft (2-2) for his first-career home run, a solo shot to right field.
Top 6th, 4-1 PIT: Konnor Griffin looped an RBI single into center field against Ryan Walker and scored from second base on a Bart base hit to right to put the Pirates (22-18) up by three.
Top 7th, 10-1 PIT: Spencer Horwitz was credited with an RBI double after it looked like Giants left fielder Heliot Ramos lost a ball in the lights. Griffin followed with a sac fly and Bart knocked JT Brubaker out of the game with an RBI single. Later in the inning, Lowe hit a two-run triple to right-center off Gregory Santos and scored on O’Hearn’s infield single.
Top 9th, 13-1 PIT: The Pirates tacked on three more against position player Christian Koss in the ninth. Lowe doubled to left to score a run, Jared Triolo recorded an RBI single and O’Hearn bounced into a double-play with a man on third.
Bottom 9th, 13-3 PIT: Cam Sanders struggled with command and walked home a run and Eric Haase delivered a two-out RBI single.
The Giants (15-24) had runners on the corners with one out against Braxton Ashcraft in the sixth inning but the right-hander struck out Rafael Devers and got Bryce Eldridge to fly out to the track in left field.
Braxton Ashcraft completed seven innings for the third time in his last four starts. He had not pitched seven innings in his career prior to doing so for the first time on April 22.
The Pirates have won at least 22 of their first 40 games for only the seventh time since 1990 and the first time since 2018 (23-17).
RHP Bubba Chandler (1-4, 4.76 ERA) starts for the Pirates in Sunday’s finale. The Giants will send out RHP Tyler Mahle (1-4, 5.00 ERA). First pitch: 4:05 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh/93.7 The Fan.
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The post Ashcraft Tosses Another Gem, Pirates Record 20 Hits in Rout of Giants appeared first on Pittsburgh Baseball Now.
Why Federico Valverde will miss El Clasico with head injury from fight with Real Madrid teammate originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
When Real Madrid takes the pitch against Barcelona during El Clasico on Sunday, it will do so without one of its senior-most players.
Midfielder Federico Valverde was ruled out of the contest with a head injury. The malady came from an unlikely source:
His midfield mate, Aurelien Tchouameni.
The Uruguayan and Frenchman clashed during a dustup at Valdedebas -- Real Madrid's training ground -- on Thursday. The incident reportedly left Valverde bloodied and unconscious, with his injury so severe that it could jeopardize his status for the remainder of Los Blancos' campaign.
Here's hat you need to know about Valverde's stunning absence from the biggest derby in world football.
MORE: What we know about Federico Valverde vs. Aurelien Tchouameni fight
Valverde suffered a head injury after coming to blows with Tchouameni during a Thursday training session at Valdebebas.
Spanish outlet AS reported that Valverde suffered a facial laceration as a result of the dust-up. He was taken to a local hospital for examination. He also received stitches for his wounds.
French publication RMC reported that a scuffle between Valverde and Tchouameni took place in the dressing room after training. During the altercation, Valverde fell, splitting his head open and resulting in him losing consciousness.
The club later confirmed that the Uruguayan midfielder was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury as a result of the incident. He'll miss 10-14 days with the ailment, ensuring that Los Blancos will be without their vice captain during Sunday's match against Barcelona. There's a chance Valverde could miss out on each of Real Madrid's final three matches, too -- depending on if he's able to pass concussion protocols.
MORE:Why Kylian Mbappe is being criticized by Real Madrid fans
Valverde and Tchouameni traded blows during a "very serious" altercation at training on Thursday afternoon, according to multiple reports. The Uruguayan midfielder ended the day in the hospital, receiving stitches after suffering a laceration on his head.
Details on the incident from Spanish outlet Marca, which were corroborated by The Athletic, claim that Valverde
Spanish publications Marca and AS reported that Valverde and Tchouameni's spat actually began on Wednesday. The two locked horns after a Tchouameni caught Valverde with a late tackle.
Valverde was left incensed as a result of the collision. His frustrations boiled over into Thursday's session, with the Madrid vice-captain refusing to shake his French counterpart's hand at the start of practice.
MORE: What to know about Real Madrid's lengthy injury list
Valverde allegedly put in a strong tackle on Tchouameni, prompting manager Alvaro Arbeloa to put the two midfielders on the same team. His efforts didn't work -- the two fired off verbal insults into one another as training wore on.
When they disappeared into the dressing room after training concluded, things escalated. Valverde and Tchouameni got handsy with one another. During the flashpoint, Valverde lost balance, hitting his head on a table. He sustained a laceration and lost consciousness as a result of the collision.
He received stitches for his injury at a local hospital.
MORE: Explaining the 30-million-signature petition to remove Kylian Mbappe from Real Madrid
Real Madrid confirmed that Valverde was officially diagnosed with "cranioencephalic trauma." The term is a broad one, encompassing any traumatic injury involving the skull or anatomy within the skull, including the brain, cranial nerves and meninges, according to NIH.
Valverde is slated to miss at least 10 days as a result of his injury. Real Madrid's concussion protocols require that he rest for 10-14 days before returning to the field. He'll likely miss between two and three matches as a result. He could possibly return to action for Real Madrid's final fixture, the season finale against Athletic Bilbao, although that remains to be seen.
MORE: Have Barcelona or Real Madrid won more trophies?
Both Tchouameni and Valverde were disciplined for their roles in Thursday's confrontation. Fabrizio Romano reported that the Madridistas were fined €500,000 each for their offenses on Friday.
🚨 BREAKING: Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde have been FINED for €1M total by Real Madrid, €500k each.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 8, 2026
NO sporting measures against the two players after they apologised. 🫱🏻🫲🏼 pic.twitter.com/jUudpjoZOH
The club had previously announced that it had launched disciplinary proceedings against Tchouameni and Valverde.
MORE: Record of Champions League defending title winners as PSG bid for repeat
Thursday's incident was the culmination of a feud that started one day earlier. Valverde and Tchouameni clashed with one another on Wednesday after Tchouameni took Valverde out with a bad tackle. According to multiple reports, the collision led to a tense atmosphere in the dressing room -- a premonition of what was to come on Thursday.
MORE: Who has qualified for the Champions League next season?
The Carolina Hurricanes had a full plate as they prepared for a tough game against a Philadelphia Flyers team with their backs against the wall and a chance to stamp their ticket for the Eastern Conference Finals. However, for one player, there was something else on his mind and an incredibly important place he needed to be.
Sean Walker, the Hurricanes’ second-pairing defenseman, was far from Philadelphia the morning of Game 4. Instead, he was in the air on his way back to Raleigh.
His wife, Taylor, was expecting. And it just so happened that their firstborn child was soon to arrive.
“She called me at, like, 1:00 AM – I was still up, and she said her water broke,” Walker told the media after the game. “So, I called ‘Brownie’ right away, and thankfully, there was a 6:00 AM flight.”
‘Brownie’, or rather, Michael Brown, is the Hurricanes’ Manager of Team Services: the man behind the team’s travel and logistics. Walker arrived in time for the birth of his daughter, with airplane wheels touching back down in Philadelphia at 2:00 PM. The Hurricanes’ owner, Tom Dundon, had chartered a private jet back so he wouldn’t miss the game.
New dad energy! 👶
— Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) May 9, 2026
Sean Walker returned to Raleigh to be with his wife as they welcome a baby, and Hurricanes owner @TDCanes chartered him a flight back so he could play Game 4#SoundTheSiren#IgniteTheOrange#NHL#StanleyCuppic.twitter.com/p4Bj3RnuOn
“It was kind of like one of the easiest and hardest games I’ve maybe ever played, if that makes sense,” Walker said. “You know, you just kind of live in the moment – running on no sleep, I ate my pregame meal in the hospital cafeteria.
“Yeah, it’s just crazy. But you just show up, and the guys were amazing. Everybody, team services, the whole organization, from the owner down, really made it possible for me to be there and get back in time.”
In Game 4, Walker had the second-most minutes among Hurricanes skaters, with 23:13 of ice time, and was tied first for the Hurricanes in hits, with three. He also registered two shots on net and a takeaway.
Of course, being able to close out the series sooner rather than later was a joy he met with gratitude as he looks toward reuniting with his family.
“I didn’t want to get on the boys and tell them we better win tonight,” he said through laughter. “I’m really appreciative everybody dug in – and the sweep’s huge for everybody, but to take this time to just be with my family is going to be really special.”
Congratulations to both Sean and Taylor!
Also Read:: ‘Just Pure Joy’: Jaccob, Josiah, and Slavin Family Reflect on Brothers’ First Game Together
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Missed opportunities led to Texas A&M baseball dropping its second consecutive SEC series, losing 6-5 to Ole Miss in the rubber match at Swayze Field.
The Aggies started Saturday's doubleheader on the right foot with a dominant 18-5 run-rule win over the Rebels to even the series. After a disappointing performance in the opener, Texas A&M's lineup gathered its composure to record seven home runs and 17 RBIs. Four of the home runs came from Chris Hacopian and Ben Royo, who secured two each in the win.
Royo had no home runs in his minimal playing time this season, but he exploded onto the scene when the Aggies needed him most. The junior infielder replaced shortstop Boston Kellner, who is believed to have a broken orbital bone from being hit by a fastball in his at-bat on Friday night. Royo recorded three home runs and five RBIs on Saturday and will likely see more playing time moving forward due to the plethora of injuries Texas A&M is dealing with entering the regular-season finale this week.
Next up, Texas A&M returns to Blue Bell Park for the regular-season finale against Mississippi State. The series opener is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT on Thursday, followed by Game 2 on Friday at 6 p.m. CT. Game 3 was moved from its original start time to 11 a.m. CT in Bryan-College Station.
Here are some of the best social media reactions from the series loss to Ole Miss on Saturday:
Aggies drop a nail-biter in the finale.
— Ryan Brauninger (@R_Brauninger) May 10, 2026
Overall, a pretty gutsy 18 innings today for a team dealing with significant injuries.
The regular season wraps up next weekend at Blue Bell Park, and A&M needs a series win over Mississippi State at a minimum to wrap up a national seed. https://t.co/vkJzokZx5H
WALKER HOOKS SLAMS THE DOOR 🔥🔥
— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7) May 10, 2026
OLE MISS TAKES THE SERIES OVER TEXAS A&M. HOTTY TODDY pic.twitter.com/TKAem8mIJ1
Turned two with a 6-4-3 👏 pic.twitter.com/PqXrxXb7kD
— Texas A&M Baseball (@AggieBaseball) May 10, 2026
BEN ROYO DOES IT AGAIN 😤 @BenjaminRoyo15pic.twitter.com/NFoq6k5u3T
— Texas A&M Baseball (@AggieBaseball) May 10, 2026
404 feet later! We have a one run game‼️💥 @BinderupBlakepic.twitter.com/Wj5Vzt1TfD
— Texas A&M Baseball (@AggieBaseball) May 10, 2026
HACOPIAN WITH HIS 8TH 😤
— Texas A&M Baseball (@AggieBaseball) May 9, 2026
SEVENTH LONG BALL FOR THE AGGIES MATCHES A PROGRAM RECORD ‼️ pic.twitter.com/3i1WzQLIHP
INCOMING: BEAR BOMB @bearharrison32pic.twitter.com/YwLwoKKczd
— Texas A&M Baseball (@AggieBaseball) May 9, 2026
Sorrell blasts his 22nd homer, moving into sole possession of sixth all time at A&M 🔥 @CadenSorrellpic.twitter.com/oK5uZYJeHc
— Texas A&M Baseball (@AggieBaseball) May 9, 2026
HIS SECOND TODAY 👏 @BenjaminRoyo15pic.twitter.com/2wzvNRjxhU
— Texas A&M Baseball (@AggieBaseball) May 9, 2026
Turbulence reported in the third inning ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/uxaRJ0D31w
— Texas A&M Baseball (@AggieBaseball) May 9, 2026
First HR of the szn ✅ @BenjaminRoyo15pic.twitter.com/os4k4uznhn
— Texas A&M Baseball (@AggieBaseball) May 9, 2026
Offense failed to produce in two games the bullpen held it down really well. Probably does it for our national seed hopes. No midweek this week ahead of Mississippi State coming to town.
— Sidelines - Texas A&M (@SSN_TAMU) May 10, 2026
Ben Royo was a bright spot, going 7-7 after Kellner suffered an orbital fracture with three…
Texas A&M falls at Ole Miss, 6-5, and drops its second straight series after losing two out of three. A&M tallied five runs in the fourth, and Royo and Binderup came up big again, but a shaky start from Moss and the rest of the Aggie offense struggling was too much to overcome. pic.twitter.com/MkIUZMP0S6
— Carter Karels (@CarterKarels) May 10, 2026
Royo finished 7-7 today with 3 homers. Incredible for a guy that hasn't played all season.
— WaffleHouseAG (@JimboFeacher) May 10, 2026
Texas lost to Tennessee.
— Jon Tweets Sports (@jontweetssports) May 10, 2026
Texas A&M lost to Ole Miss.
Georgia on the verge of winning the SEC regular season baseball title for the first time since 2008.
College Baseball
— RPI Update (@RpiUpdate) May 10, 2026
Southeastern Conference
Oxford, MS, Oxford-University Stadium/ Swayze Field
Final
(rpi: 11) Texas A&M 5
(rpi: 13) Ole Miss 6
Texas A&M baseball loses the series at Ole Miss with a 6-5 loss in Game 3. Tough end for the Aggies after a dominant win in Game 2.
— Alex Miller (@AlexMill20) May 10, 2026
Didn’t get to watch much A&M baseball today but honestly not even mad. Battling a lot of adversity and almost got a series on the road against a good team. Still in great position to host a regional. They’ll be alright
— John Patterson (@johnpaulp) May 10, 2026
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Best social media reactions from Texas A&M's series loss to Ole Miss
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jackson Blake scored 5:28 into overtime for his second of the game, Logan Stankoven also scored in regulation and the Carolina Hurricanes finished a four-game sweep with a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers to advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the second straight season.
Frederik Andersen made 15 saves for Carolina, which has not lost in eight playoff games.
Alex Bump and Tyson Foerster scored for the Flyers.
Taylor Hall and Jaccob Slavin assisted the winning goal.
Dan Vladar stopped 37 shots for Philadelphia.
Carolina will play the winner of Buffalo and Montreal in the Eastern Conference finals after the NHL’s first 8-0 start in the playoffs since 1985.
The Hurricanes, who reached the Eastern Conference finals for the third time in four years, are looking for their first Stanley Cup since 2006. Carolina is the 24th team in league history to win eight or more consecutive games during a playoff run. Eighteen of them have won the Stanley Cup.
WILD 5, AVALANCHE 1
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Kirill Kaprizov scored first and assisted on the next two goals as Minnesota forced a goalie change and handed Colorado its first loss in this postseason with a victory in Game 3 of their second-round NHL playoff series.
Quinn Hughes followed Kaprizov’s four-on-four score late in the first period with a four-on-three goal less than two minutes later. Ryan Hartman batted in a deflected power-play shot with 4:23 elapsed in the second period to prompt an early departure for Avalanche goalie Scott Wedgewood, who was replaced by Mackenzie Blackwood.
Nathan MacKinnon got the Avalanche on the board on a power play later in the second period before Brock Faber answered just 20 seconds later by deflecting a puck past Blackwood.
Matt Boldy added an empty-net goal and Jesper Wallstedt made 34 saves in his return to the net for the Wild after a 9-6 loss in the unhinged series opener prompted a start for Filip Gustavsson in Game 2.
The Avalanche will take a 2-1 lead into Game 4 in Minnesota on Monday, before the teams return to Colorado for Game 5 on Wednesday.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have given fans another name to add to their discussions around the quarterback drama: Drew Allar. Drafting him confirmed for them that the team is building deep into the future at the position, especially when they haven’t had success at this position. Head coach Mike McCarthy revealed his plans for this young talent in the reserves.
He’s physically gifted,” he said after the rookie minicamp. “He’s a gifted thrower of the football, but he’s no different than any other young quarterback that I’ve had the opportunity to work with.
“There’s a lot of work, and we’re able to adjust some fundamentals that we think will help him.”
Drew Allar is one of the more intriguing quarterback names from this year’s draft class. A former five-star recruit out of Medina High School in Ohio, Allar was a three-year starter at Penn State. During that span, he compiled an impressive 26-9 record while throwing for 7,402 yards at a 63.2% completion percentage. He also threw for an impressive 61 touchdowns to just 13 interceptions. But Allar comes to the NFL after a disappointing 2025 season, which was cut short by a nasty ankle injury.
On quarterback big boards, Allar mostly featured in the middle of the Top 10, usually swapping places with Carson Beck. His measurables scream prototypical NFL quarterback, standing at 6-foot-5¼ and weighing 228 pounds. Allar also has a terrific arm and was known for his gunslinging throws at Penn State. But they took a hit in the 2025 season. But his biggest red flag was poor footwork. It was also a telling fact that he struggled with his decision-making. But with a QB guru like McCarthy, Drew Allar is in for a lot of good.
According to ESPN insider Missi Mathews, he has been getting “one-on-one” instructions from McCarthy and QB coach Tom Arth. The rookie is prioritizing working on his lower body and footwork. However, the head coach specified that for his quarterback formula to work, he would need three QBs. Drew Allar is undoubtedly one of them. Then there’s Year 2 QB Will Howard, who will be Allar’s main competitor this season.
And lastly, there’s Aaron Rodgers.
We are now four months into the Steelers’ offseason, and Rodgers has yet to sign with the team. The situation follows the same pattern that both the team and Rodgers went through during last offseason. After McCarthy’s comment on having three QBs in play, Matthews teased the idea of the veteran also being in the mix. The head coach smiled and said, “Three is normal, four would be awesome.” But Aaron Rodgers is still a no-show for the team.
However, it seems like he’ll be putting the pen to the paper soon.
Rodgers has been in Pittsburgh over the past couple of days, but he has yet to formally meet with the team’s brass to officially sign a contract. At this point, it seems more a matter of when he signs rather than if. Even though he has delayed signing the contract, the Steelers have confirmed they have been in consistent contact with the QB.
Rodgers put together a solid 2025 campaign. He started for 16 games while throwing for 24 touchdowns to just seven interceptions. He helped lead the Steelers to a 10-6 record and a division title in that process. Since the postseason is a realistic scenario for the team with the veteran in play, the team is hoping to use his services for one more season. This one might very well be his last.
Rodgers would also reunite with McCarthy. He previously coached Rodgers for 13 seasons with the Green Bay Packers. They compiled an outstanding record of 125-77-2, including winning Super Bowl XLV. But the bigger responsibility on him will be that of mentoring the next franchise quarterback of the Steelers. They’ve clearly done their homework before tabbing Drew Allar as the man for the job. But the rookie still needs to learn the tools of the trade from the senior who’s been here for a long time now.
The post “He’s No Different”: Mike McCarthy Addresses Drew Allar Amid Steelers’ QB Uncertainty appeared first on EssentiallySports. Add EssentiallySports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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The Kansas City Chiefs took R Mason Thomas in the second round after every team passed on him for his size and arm length.
R Mason Thomas could be the draft pick from the 2026 NFL Draft that surprises this fan base the most. Sure, he was a second-round pick, so it's not like he will be a player who comes out of nowhere. However, his work ethic will elevate him beyond what most expect of him.
He's already showing some of that, and he's not even played a game with the Chiefs yet. In fact, he just finished his first weekend of rookie minicamp, and he already got right back to work, perfecting his craft and honing in on his pass rush moves. Thomas' mentality and work ethic are qualities you just don't often see in players in his position.
#Chiefs rookie R Mason Thomas in the lab 👀
— SleeperChiefs (@SleeperChiefsKC) May 9, 2026
Via IG @thomss_rpic.twitter.com/txbKPnbsed
The Chiefs needed some help on the edge with getting to the passer. This draft pick is a little against what Steve Spagnuolo usually likes. Thomas is a bit smaller than the usual build KC goes for. However, his speed-to-power, bend, and hand usage while rushing the passer are pretty good, too. Thomas is twitchy, uses natural leverage to get underneath blockers, and is very instinctive.
There are some downsides to Thomas, though. He's prone to jump offsides, as he had three of those calls in 2025. His lack of length does show, as sometimes he's forced inside the tackle. If he's double-teamed, even if it's with a tackle and tight end, he's got almost no shot to beat that double team.
But, once again, he has an insane motor; just watch another play from that same game as he chased down an RB on a 44-yard run.
There's no real way to say this other than the fact that Thomas is a dog. He calls his shot, and he closes out games. That's why his nickname in college was "The Closer."
With the game on the line for the Tigers in Norman, Oklahoma, Auburn found themselves on their own one-yard line. Thomas had been dominating what was a pretty decent offensive line unit all game long. He then told his teammates not to even rush the passer, but that he would do it himself, one-on-five, and get the sack for a safety against Jackson Arnold, his former teammate.
"[R Mason Thomas] was just like, ‘Let me go get him.' And that's why we backed off and let him do his thing," defensive tackle Gracen Halton told On3's Parker Thune after that game.
Connor Zilisch may be experiencing a disappointing rookie season in NASCAR’s Cup Series, but when it comes to NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, the 19-year-old remains undefeated at Watkins Glen International.
This year, Zilisch had to charge through the field, overcome some front-end damage that his JR Motorsports Chevrolet incurred with six laps remaining as he chased leader Jesse Love, and then pass his best friend on the final turn of the last lap to secure his 13th career O’Reilly victory and his second this season. He is now tied with Marcos Ambrose and Terry Labonte for three consecutive victories at Watkins Glen.
Zilisch said that on the final lap he didn’t plan to do anything “egregious” to move Love out of his way.
“I just wanted to show a nose and try and force him into making a mistake,” Zilisch said. “I made a mistake that took me out of contention for a little bit there. I wasn’t going to put him at cost because of it. I’ll do anything to win, but I’m not just going to ship the guy in the last corner to do it. I showed a nose and it was enough for him to lock his right front and wash up.”
Zilisch staked his claim on the 2.45-mile Watkins Glen road course in 2024 when he made his debut in the series then known as Xfinity shortly after turning 18 years old. That year he earned the pole as well as the victory. Last year, after winning the race, Zilisch fell off his car during his victory lane celebration and broke his collarbone. It was an accident that went viral on social media and will follow him for the rest of his career.
“I feel like I have memes on X (Twitter) every week about me falling,” Zilisch said with a chuckle. “After (Carson) Hocevar did what he did (at Talladega), I got tagged in so many things saying, ‘Don’t let Connor do this.’ I’m certainly never going to live that one down. I definitely get some comedic relief out of it.”
This year, Zilisch flattened his car’s rear tires during his victory burnout, and a wrecker had to tow him off the track. His crew then replaced the flat tires with new ones so he could drive to victory lane. In an effort to make sure he didn’t break his collarbone this year, Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks obtained a couch pillow from Zilisch’s RV and placed it beside the driver’s door before he exited the car through its roof hatch. He then slid down the car’s windshield and off the front of the car.
“I didn’t know what to do,” Zilisch said when asked if his exit through the car’s roof hatch was planned. “I was debating whether I wanted to climb out the roof, get out of the window and just maybe throw the ground a bird. I felt good to be back in that victory lane, and we’re now 2-to-1 against each other. I think I’ve got the upper hand.”
While Zilisch celebrated, Love couldn’t hide his disappointment at letting the victory slip through his fingers. The dejected Love, who defeated Zilisch for the series championship last year, said there were “a hundred small mistakes” that allowed Zilisch to get close to him.
“At the end of the day, the glaring piece of it is I had a bad corner,” the dejected Love said. “I had a bad corner. All I want to do is beat Connor here (Watkins Glen). We’re best friends and we’ve caused each other a lot of pain. I didn’t execute when I needed to, and I think the reason I’m so quiet is I’m just embarrassed. As a driver, you can’t make those mistakes, and it was such a bad mistake, it’s just embarrassing. I know that I’ll learn from this and be better because of it, but I let down a lot of people, including myself… maybe it’s probably a good idea for me to feel this pain right now.”
Zilisch’s mother was the first person to Love after the race, consoling him with a hug before going to her son’s celebration in victory lane.
“Jesse’s parents treat me like family and… my parents do their best to do the same,” Zilisch said. “It means a lot to be able to race against one of my best friends pretty often. He’s gonna make his way to the Cup Series here soon. I’ll look forward to making more enemy friendship, whatever you call it, on the race track. We always respect each other and push each other to be better off the track.”
Rangers meet Celtic at Celtic Park on Sunday afternoon in a big Scottish Premiership clash.
Celtic are second in the table with 73 points from 35 games, while Rangers are third with 69 points from the same number of matches.
Rangers’ hopes of winning the title have taken a serious hit after losing their last two games. They were beaten 2-1 by Hearts on May 4, following a 3-2 home defeat to Motherwell. Those results have left them in third and effectively out of the title race. However, they had been scoring freely before this dip, including a 6-3 win over Falkirk, and they are unbeaten in their last five league matches against Celtic.
Manager Danny Rohl is likely to make some changes to his lineup after the recent poor results.
One of his main concerns is in defence, where John Souttar is still doubtful due to injury. If he misses out again, Nasser Djiga and Emmanuel Fernandez are expected to continue at the back.
There is some good news, though, as Tuur Rommens could start at left-back after coming off the bench against Hearts.
In midfield, Connor Barron is available despite an upcoming cup suspension and could come into the team alongside Nicolas Raskin, possibly replacing Tochi Chukwuani.
Bailey Rice remains sidelined with a muscle problem, but Rohl still has plenty of attacking options.
Youssef Chermiti is likely to start up front, while Ryan Don Naderi could come in for Andreas Skov Olsen.
Possible Rangers starting XI: Butland; Tavernier, Djiga, Fernandez, Rommens; Barron, Raskin; Gassama, Naderi, Aasgaard; Chermiti
The match will kick off at 12pm BST on Sunday, 10th May.
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Read Also – Chelsea boss salutes ‘leader’ Colwill following Liverpool draw
See More – Slot explains Ngumoha decision as Liverpool fans boo substitution
Crystal Palace look to carry the momentum of their historic European run into Sunday’s Premier League clash with Everton at Selhurst Park.
The Eagles reached the Conference League final after defeating Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday and face Rayo Vallecano later this month. Domestically, however, Glasner’s men have struggled. Three league games without a win have dampened the mood somewhat, despite the continental heroics.
Everton arrive in South London equally desperate for a result. David Moyes wants to keep his side’s European dream alive, and with the Toffees sitting just four points off the top six, the stakes are high on both sides.
The head-to-head record heavily favours the visitors. Palace have won just one of their last 22 league meetings against Everton. Moyes’ side have also lost only twice in 16 away matches at Selhurst Park — a remarkable record at this ground.
That said, Palace carry their own momentum into the fixture, remaining unbeaten in eight home games and conceding just twice in that run. Everton must overcome a historic curse of late goals. They have conceded result-altering goals in the 90th minute in three straight games.
Oliver Glasner reported no fresh injury concerns after the midweek semi-final win. However, squad rotation is expected due to a punishing schedule. Key players like Adam Wharton and Jean-Philippe Mateta may receive a rest. Eddie Nketiah, Evann Guessand, and Cheick Doucoure remain unavailable for the hosts. Glasner will assess medical data before naming his side on Saturday.
Idrissa Gana Gueye will miss the trip after failing to recover from a minor knock. Jack Grealish and Jarrad Branthwaite are longer-term absentees with foot and hamstring injuries. Tim Iroegbunam and Merlin Röhl are pushing to keep their places in midfield. Thierno Barry is a strong candidate to start up front. He scored twice as a substitute against Manchester City last Monday.
Crystal Palace are prioritising their European campaign as the season reaches its climax. They secured a 5–2 aggregate win over Shakhtar Donetsk to reach the Conference League final. Despite this, their Premier League form has dipped significantly. Back-to-back defeats to Bournemouth and Liverpool have left them in 15th place. Palace rank 19th for shots since Glasner’s departure was announced in January. They have struggled to find the net before half-time in five straight matches.
Everton approach this game after a dramatic 3–3 draw with Manchester City. They twice let leads slip against the Citizens to extend their winless run. Late goals have become a recurring nightmare for David Moyes this month. The Toffees have conceded exactly two goals in four straight away matches. However, they have gone 29 away games without conceding more than twice. Everton won the reverse fixture 2–1 thanks to a late Jack Grealish winner.
Crystal Palace Predicted XI: Henderson; Canvot, Richards, Riad; Munoz, Lerma, Hughes, Cardines; Johnson, Devenny; Strand Larsen
Everton Predicted XI: Pickford; O’Brien, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Garner, Iroegbunam; Rohl, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Barry
The match is live in the UK on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Coverage begins before the 14:00 BST kick-off. Subscribers can also stream the action via the Sky Sports app or NOW.
Read more- Brentford boss Andrews ‘really disappointed’ with Man City penalty decision
See Also- ‘It’s okay’ – Haaland unimpressed by goal tally for Man City this season
Crystal Palace host Everton on Sunday afternoon, looking to secure their top-flight safety.
The Eagles sit seven points clear of the relegation zone with three matches remaining. A victory at Selhurst Park would mathematically confirm their Premier League status for next season. That task, however, comes with complications. Glasner must manage a squad fatigued by European commitments after Palace reached the Conference League final on Thursday night. A final domestic push is now required.
Palace have been exceptionally tough to beat at home recently, going unbeaten in eight matches at Selhurst Park. The head-to-head record tells a different story, however. They have won just one of their last 22 league meetings against Everton, with Glasner’s side having lost three straight encounters against today’s visitors. Offensively, there is also room for concern — Palace rank 19th for shots since January and must sharpen their attacking output to get the job done.
Glasner is expected to rotate heavily following Thursday’s win over Shakhtar Donetsk. Adam Wharton, Tyrick Mitchell and Jean-Philippe Mateta are all candidates for a rest, with Yeremy Pino and Ismaila Sarr also potentially dropping to the bench. Fringe players and younger options could get an opportunity as a result. Eddie Nketiah, Evann Guessand and Cheick Doucouré remain sidelined through injury.
Glasner confirmed he will use medical data to determine his best XI on Saturday. That decision carries real weight — Palace have drawn five home games goalless this season, and only Burnley and Wolves have scored fewer league goals. The manager is determined to secure the three points that would confirm survival, allowing him to focus entirely on the Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig.
Crystal Palace predicted XI: Henderson; Canvot, Richards, Riad; Munoz, Lerma, Hughes, Cardines; Johnson, Devenny; Strand Larsen
The match at Selhurst Park kicks off at 14:00 BST on Sunday, 10 May 2026.
UK fans can watch the action live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Streaming is available via the Sky Sports app.
Read more- Brentford boss Andrews ‘really disappointed’ with Man City penalty decision
See Also- ‘It’s okay’ – Haaland unimpressed by goal tally for Man City this season
Aston Villa visit Turf Moor on Sunday, aiming to secure their place in the Champions League with a win over already relegated Burnley.
Unai Emery’s side reached the Europa League final on Thursday night. They demolished Nottingham Forest 4–0 to book their spot in Istanbul. Now they must turn their attention back to the Premier League. Villa are three points clear of Bournemouth with three matches remaining. A victory against relegated Burnley would officially confirm a top-five finish. That said, the Villans are winless in their last five away league matches.
Villa have won their last three Premier League games against Burnley. They have also lost just one of their nine matches when facing relegated sides. However, that solitary loss came against Burnley back in 2015. Emery will demand a professional performance to avoid any late jitters in the race for fifth. Victory would allow the club to enjoy their final fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester City.
Unai Emery could hand out rest to John McGinn and Ollie Watkins following their European exertions. Jadon Sancho and Tammy Abraham are available to start in their absence. The visitors remain without long-term absentee Boubacar Kamara and midfielder Amadou Onana. Alysson is also unavailable for selection this weekend. Emery must balance squad fitness with the need to take a huge opportunity.
Emiliano Buendía has been a potent threat as a substitute this season. He has recorded four goals and one assist after coming off the bench. He could surpass Marlon Harewood’s club record if he makes another impact today. Villa will rely on the creativity of Morgan Rogers and Ross Barkley to break Burnley down.
Aston Villa predicted XI: Martinez; Cash, Lindelof, Mings, Maatsen; Bogarde, Tielemans; Sancho, Barkley, Rogers; Abraham.
The Premier League fixture at Turf Moor kicks off at 14:00 BST on Sunday, 10 May 2026.
The game is live in the UK on Sky Sports+. Supporters can also follow the match via the Sky Sports app.
Read more- Carrick says Man Utd won’t ‘overthink’ lacklustre draw with Sunderland
See Also- Slot explains Ngumoha decision as Liverpool fans boo substitution
Aston Villa travel to Turf Moor on Sunday looking to secure Champions League football for next season with a win over Championship-bound Burnley.
Unai Emery’s side demolished Nottingham Forest on Thursday to reach the Europa League final. They must now address a stuttering run of Premier League form. Villa have picked up just seven points from their last eight matches. They remain just three points clear of a rampant Bournemouth side, who beat Fulham on Saturday.
Relegated Burnley enter this fixture in transition following the departure of Scott Parker. Interim boss Mike Jackson aims to restore pride in their final home matches. The Clarets have won just one of their last 26 Premier League matches. They are currently winless in 13 home games at Turf Moor.
That said, Villa have struggled away from home recently. They are winless in their last five matches on the road. Success today would mark Villa’s fourth consecutive victory over Burnley. Victory would also officially guarantee a top-five finish for the West Midlands club. Emery will demand focus to avoid a post-European hangover in Lancashire.
Mike Jackson confirmed that Josh Cullen, Connor Roberts, and Jordan Beyer remain sidelined. Axel Tuanzebe is nearing a return from an Achilles problem but faces a late test. Martin Dúbravka will continue in goal after making a league-high 127 saves this term. Loum Tchaouna should retain his place after scoring against Leeds last weekend. Zian Flemming is chasing his tenth league goal of the campaign.
Unai Emery could rotate his squad following their physical exertions on Thursday night. John McGinn and Ollie Watkins may be rested to avoid potential injury risks. Jadon Sancho and Tammy Abraham are well-placed to lead the line if required. The visitors remain without Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana, and Alysson. Emiliano Buendía provides a potent threat from the bench as he chases a club record.
Burnley have endured a miserable 2026 with only one win and ten defeats. They were second best throughout their 3–1 loss at Leeds last time out. The squad is attempting to reconnect with fans after their relegation was confirmed. They have managed just three goals in their last seven league outings. Jackson is desperate for a motivated performance to halt a five-game losing streak.
Villa arrive buoyed by their historic European semi-final success over Nottingham Forest. John McGinn and Ollie Watkins were instrumental in securing a 4–0 second-leg victory. However, their league consistency has dipped during the final months of the season. They have lost two of their last three Premier League fixtures. That said, Villa usually perform well against teams already relegated from the division.
Burnley Predicted XI: Dubravka; Walker, Ekdal, Esteve, Hartman; Humphreys, Laurent, Ward-Prowse; Tchaouna, Flemming, Anthony
Aston Villa Predicted XI: Martinez; Cash, Lindelof, Mings, Maatsen; Bogarde, Tielemans; Sancho, Barkley, Rogers; Abraham
UK viewers can watch the match live on Sky Sports+. Coverage starts at 14:00 BST on Sunday afternoon. Streaming is also available through the Sky Sports app or NOW.
Read more- Carrick says Man Utd won’t ‘overthink’ lacklustre draw with Sunderland
See Also- Slot explains Ngumoha decision as Liverpool fans boo substitution
Celtic face Rangers in a huge Scottish Premiership clash on Sunday afternoon.
The Hoops are currently second in the table with 73 points from 35 games, while Rangers sit just behind in third on 69 points, having played the same number of matches.
Celtic come into this derby in strong form, winning their last four league games in a row. Their latest result was a hard-fought 2-1 win away at Hibernian on May 3, following earlier victories against Falkirk (3-1) and St Mirren (1-0) at home.
Since Martin O’Neill took interim charge, Celtic have climbed back into second place and are now just four points behind leaders Hearts as they push for the title.
There is some positive news for Celtic, with Daizen Maeda fit again after recovering from a foot injury. Alistair Johnston is also expected to return at right-back.
However, injuries remain a major concern. Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is still out with a shoulder problem, meaning Viljami Sinisalo will continue in goal.
Defender Cameron Carter-Vickers is also unavailable due to an Achilles injury, while Jota is still out long term.
In addition, Tomas Cvancara, Julian Araujo, and Colby Donovan are all ruled out for the rest of the season.
Adam Montgomery (calf) and Callum Osmand (hamstring) are also sidelined, although Osmand is close to returning.
Possible Celtic starting XI: Sinisalo; Johnston, Trusty, Scales, Tierney; McGregor, Engels; Hyun-Jun, Nygren, Tounekti; Maeda
The match will kick off at 12pm BST on Sunday, 10th May.
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom.
Read Also – Chelsea boss salutes ‘leader’ Colwill following Liverpool draw
See More – Slot explains Ngumoha decision as Liverpool fans boo substitution
Everton visit Selhurst Park on Sunday, aiming to keep their European hopes alive.
The Toffees arrive on the back of a four-game winless run in the Premier League. A late Manchester City equaliser denied them a massive victory last Monday, leaving David Moyes’ side seven points behind sixth-placed Bournemouth. Victory in South London could lift them into ninth, though holding onto leads has been a persistent problem. Everton are the first team to concede result-altering 90th-minute goals in three consecutive matches.
Their record at this ground, however, offers genuine encouragement. Everton have lost just two of their 16 Premier League visits to Selhurst Park, with Moyes winning six of his eight away matches at this venue. The Toffees have also won the last three meetings against Palace 2-1 and will look to exploit any fatigue in the home ranks following Thursday’s European fixture.
Moyes heads into the tie without Idrissa Gana Gueye, who is not yet training after picking up a minor injury. Tim Iroegbunam and Merlin Röhl are likely to keep their places in midfield as a result, with Moyes praising both youngsters for their display against Manchester City. Jack Grealish and Jarrad Branthwaite remain unavailable with long-term foot and hamstring issues, respectively.
Thierno Barry is pushing hard for a start after his impact from the bench against City. The striker scored twice as a substitute — only two players have managed more substitute goals for Everton in a single season. Barry could be the only change to an otherwise settled side. Defensively, Everton have conceded exactly two goals in four straight away matches, and Moyes will demand a tighter display to secure three vital points.
Everton predicted XI: Pickford; O’Brien, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Garner, Iroegbunam; Rohl, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Barry
The Premier League fixture at Selhurst Park kicks off at 14:00 BST on Sunday, 10 May 2026.
The game is live in the UK on Sky Sports F1. Subscribers can also follow the match via the Sky Sports app or NOW.
Read more- Brentford boss Andrews ‘really disappointed’ with Man City penalty decision
See Also- ‘It’s okay’ – Haaland unimpressed by goal tally for Man City this season
Celtic go head-to-head against Rangers in a crucial Scottish Premiership match on Sunday afternoon.
Celtic are currently in second place with 73 points from 35 matches, while Rangers sit in third with 69 points from the same number of matches.
Martin O’Neill received a boost with the news of Daizen Maeda being available. The forward has been declared fully fit after recovering from a foot knock, and defender Alistair Johnston is also expected to reclaim his spot at right-back.
However, the Hoops are grappling with a multiple-injury crisis. Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel remains sidelined with a shoulder injury, leaving Viljami Sinisalo to deputise in goal.
Key centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers also remains out with an Achilles issue, while Jota remains a long-term absentee.
The squad is further stretched by season-ending injuries to Tomas Cvancara, Julian Araujo, and Colby Donovan.
Adam Montgomery (calf) and Callum Osmand (hamstring) are also sidelined, though Osmand is nearing a return to fitness.
Rangers manager Danny Rohl is expected to shuffle his pack following a dip in form and back-to-back league defeats.
The biggest selection headache surrounds defender John Souttar, who remains a major doubt after missing recent action due to a knock; his absence could lead to a continued reliance on the duo of Nasser Djiga and Emmanuel Fernandez.
In a more positive development, Tuur Rommens is pushed for a start at left-back after a cameo off the bench against Hearts.
Midfielder Connor Barron is available for this league clash despite an upcoming cup suspension. He might be introduced in the starting lineup in place of Tochi Chukwuani alongside Nicolas Raskin in the centre of the park.
While Bailey Rice remains out with a muscle injury, Rohl has a relatively deep attacking pool to choose from.
Youssef Chermiti is expected to lead the line while Ryan Don Naderi might replace Andreas Skov Olsen today.
Celtic enter today’s derby in exceptional form, having won their last four consecutive Scottish Premiership matches. Most recently, they secured a gritty 2-1 victory away at Hibernian on May 3, building on home wins over Falkirk (3-1) and St Mirren (1-0). Under interim manager Martin O’Neill, the Bhoys have clawed back into second place, trailing league leaders Hearts by just four points as they aim for the title.
Rangers’ title aspirations have suffered a major blow following back-to-back defeats. A damaging 2-1 loss to Hearts on May 4 was preceded by a 3-2 home defeat to Motherwell, leaving them in third place and essentially eliminated from the trophy race. Despite this slump, Danny Röhl’s side previously displayed high-scoring form, including a 6-3 win over Falkirk, and they remain unbeaten in their last five league meetings with Celtic.
Celtic: Sinisalo; Johnston, Trusty, Scales, Tierney; McGregor, Engels; Hyun-Jun, Nygren, Tounekti; Maeda
Rangers: Butland; Tavernier, Djiga, Fernandez, Rommens; Barron, Raskin; Gassama, Naderi, Aasgaard; Chermiti
You can watch the Celtic vs Rangers match live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Read Also – Chelsea boss salutes ‘leader’ Colwill following Liverpool draw
See More – Slot explains Ngumoha decision as Liverpool fans boo substitution
Burnley host Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon, looking to restore pride following their relegation.
The Clarets have little at stake after their return to the Championship was confirmed. Relegation triggered an emotional week following the departure of manager Scott Parker. Interim head coach Mike Jackson now leads the side for the remaining fixtures. He has urged his players to finish the season in a positive way.
Burnley have won just one of their last 26 Premier League matches. Their overall form in 2026 is the worst in the division. That said, Jackson previously drew with Villa at the end of the 2021-22 season. He is desperate for his squad to provide the home crowd with something to react to. The Clarets have lost three straight games to Villa and must improve to halt that trend.
Mike Jackson expects another busy afternoon for Martin Dúbravka against an elite attack. The goalkeeper has made 127 saves this season, over twenty more than any other player. In front of him, Axel Tuanzebe is nearing a return but probably lacks match fitness. Josh Cullen, Connor Roberts, and Jordan Beyer remain on the treatment table. Jackson must find defensive stability after conceding three goals at Leeds last weekend.
The interim boss believes the fans deserve more intensity following a poor home record. Burnley are winless in 13 matches at Turf Moor since October. They could equal their longest-ever home winless run of 14 games this weekend. Zian Flemming is the primary goal threat and needs one more strike to reach ten. However, eight of his nine goals this season have been scored away from home.
Burnley predicted XI: Dubravka; Walker, Ekdal, Esteve, Hartman; Humphreys, Laurent, Ward-Prowse; Tchaouna, Flemming, Anthony.
The match at Turf Moor kicks off at 14:00 BST on Sunday, 10 May 2026.
UK fans can watch the action live on Sky Sports+. Streaming is also available via the Sky Sports app.
Read more- Carrick says Man Utd won’t ‘overthink’ lacklustre draw with Sunderland
See Also- Chelsea boss salutes ‘leader’ Colwill following Liverpool draw
Behind a stellar performance from Spencer Strider and an opportunistic offensive attack early, the Braves shook off their Dodger Stadium demons for at least one night to even up the series with a 7-2 win.
Strider became the story on Saturday night, working six nearly perfect shutout innings. His slider was virtually un-hittable with a 64% whiff rate. The fastball was humming throughout the night and had Shohei Ohtani in a blender. A week after a shaky debut in Coors Field, this was as impressive as Strider has looked in more than two years. He finished the night allowing just one hit and two walks with eight strikeouts.
It goes without saying, but if this is any sign of what the future holds for Strider, the Braves’ ceiling is immensely higher. We’ll see if he’s able to carry it over in his next start, presumably against the Red Sox next weekend at Truist Park.
The Braves didn’t exactly light up Blake Snell in the early innings, but they hit ‘em where they ain’t and scratched across five runs in the first two frames.
Atlanta loaded the bases with no outs in the first but somehow only scored one run — a theme that continued from Friday night’s debacle — but thankfully broke through in a big way in the second inning with a two-run single by way of Ozzie Albies and two-run single from Matt Olson to make it 5-0.
As the score held, the Braves tacked on another run in the fifth with a Michael Harris double that plated a scootin’ Austin Riley. And in the eighth, Drake Baldwin added a little insurance with a two-out single to make it 7-0.
Dylan Lee worked a scoreless seventh inning and gave way to Reynaldo Lopez, who allowed a harmless two-run homer in the 9th to finally get the Dodgers on the board.
The Braves are 27-13.
The series concludes on Sunday afternoon with Bryce Elder set to face lefty Justin Wrobleski, who owns a 5-0 record and 1.25 ERA that is screaming for some regression. First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m. ET.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson each had two RBIs and the Atlanta Braves rocked Blake Snell for five runs in three innings in his season debut for a 7-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night.
Spencer Strider (1-0) threw six scoreless innings, Austin Riley, Michael Harris II and Drake Baldwin each drove in a run, and the Braves snapped an eight-game losing streak at Dodger Stadium.
Snell (0-1) had been dealing with left shoulder fatigue, delaying the start of his season after missing much of 2025 because of a left shoulder injury before contributing in the playoffs to the Dodgers’ second consecutive World Series title. He had been scheduled to make one more rehabilitation start in the minors, but Los Angeles moved him up with the hope Snell would able to throw five innings.
Instead, Snell was pulled after allowing four earned runs, six hits and two walks on 77 pitches with five strikeouts.
Snell immediately found himself in a bases-loaded jam with no outs in the first inning, but he limited the damage to one run.
The Braves again loaded the bases in the second, and they capitalized to take a 5-0 lead when Albies stretched out to connect on a two-run single, followed up by Olson's two-run single.
Andy Pages prevented the shutout with a two-run homer in the ninth for the Dodgers.
There was a pregame moment of silence honoring longtime Braves manager Bobby Cox, who died Saturday, and former Braves owner Ted Turner, the media mogul who died Wednesday.
The Braves will go with Bryce Elder (3-1, 2.02 ERA) in the series finale on Sunday. He has allowed a .136 batting average over 19 2/3 innings in three road starts this season. Justin Wrobleski (5-0, 1.25) has allowed two earned runs in 32 innings during a five-game winning streak for the Dodgers.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
CLEVELAND (AP) — Byron Buxton doubled off the wall in left-center with one out in the 11th inning, scoring automatic runner Matt Wallner, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Cleveland Guardians 2-1 on Saturday night.
Buxton also drove in Minnesota’s first run and had its only other hit, belting his 22nd career leadoff homer on the third pitch of the game from Tanner Bibee. The Twins and Guardians each finished with two hits.
Cleveland loaded the bases with one out in the ninth and 10th, but Eric Orze (1-1) worked his way out of both jams in his 1 2/3 innings. Luis García pitched the 11th for his first save.
Rule 5 Draft selection Peyton Pallette (1-2) allowed one unearned run in two innings as AL Central Division leader Cleveland had its three-game winning streak snapped.
Buxton has 13 homers — all in his last 23 games — and is two behind MLB leaders Aaron Judge of the Yankees and Munetaka Murakami of the White Sox. Minnesota is 20-40 against the Guardians since the start of the 2022 season.
The Guardians tied it at 1-all in the fourth when José Ramírez singled off Joe Ryan, stole second base and scored on Kyle Manzardo’s hit up the middle. Ryan worked six innings, giving up two hits.
Bibee, who has five losses and four no-decisions this season, struck out a season-high nine over six innings.
In the sixth, Bibee collided with catcher Austin Hedges when both were attempting to grab a popup by Brooks Lee. Hedges dropped the ball, Bibee was charged with the error and Lee ran to second base, but was stranded there.
The first pitch was delayed by 2 hours and 6 minutes because of heavy thunderstorms.
Guardians RHP Gavin Williams (5-2, 3.28 ERA) pitches the three-game series finale against Twins RHP Andrew Morris (1-1, 4.96).
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb
JJ Redick refuses to give up on the Lakers' chances of coming back against the Thunder originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers are now 3-0 down against the Oklahoma City Thunder. This was an expected result, but Lakers head coach JJ Redick has done his best to close the gap between the two teams.
While they have not been eliminated, the series is not over yet. Redick believes in his players enough to still believe they have a chance to come back. It might be wishful thinking, but the Lakers are not out yet.
The Thunder have utterly dominated the Lakers in the first three games of this series. It is looking more and more like a second consecutive sweep for the defending champions. However, the Lakers still believe in their chances of coming back.
While no team has ever come back from 3-0 down, Redick and the Lakers are motivated enough to be the first team to do so. It is looking like it's impossible, but Redick is taking his chances.
MORE: LeBron James reveals one of the reasons why he has not retired yet
The Lakers are obviously hobbled without star player Luka Doncic and top defender Jarred Vanderbilt. They still have a talented group out there, but it might not be enough. Despite that, Redick has faith in his tactics and players.
"I'm not giving up on the series. We're gonna go try to win on Monday. We're gonna try and extend the series, and we're trying to take this thing back to OKC," Redick assessed after the Game 3 loss.
As the Lakers look to defend home court in Game 4, they want to be as good as they can be. It has been a tough series on both ends of the floor, but Redick has been shutting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander down with his defensive schemes. It could be the key to stealing at least one game in the series.
Joshua Van showed the heart of a champion.
Van (17-2 MMA, 10-1 UFC) overcame Tatsuro Taira's (18-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) takedowns and battered him on the feet to notch the TKO finish at the 1:32 mark of Round 5. The flyweight title bout was the UFC 328 co-main event at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Taira started Round 1 with two hard leg kicks. He took a deep shot and landed the double leg takedown. He transitioned straight into full mount then side control. As Van tried to get up, Taira grabbed his neck, but Van broke free. Van landed a jab, followed by a nice combination. Taira connected with another hard leg kick, but Van fired back with a left. Taira level changed and landed another takedown. Van managed to get back up with seconds remaining in the first round, and landed a jab.
In Round 2, Taira pressed forward with a couple of jabs, then shot for the takedown. Van used the cage to defend and disengaged. Van landed a couple of big right hands as Taira shot for the takedown and got the mount position. He was unable to do any damage as he continued to hold Van down. Taira attempted a D'Arce choke, but Van was able to escape. A huge right hand by Van knocked down Taira at the end of the round.
Van tried to capitalize on a hurt Taira as he defended the first takedown attempt of Round 3. He had Taira backing up with several hard shots as he defended another telegraphed takedown. Van continued to find a home for the jab. He landed a big knee as Taira shot for the takedown, and followed it up with a combination. Taira was eating big shots. Van dropped a bloody Taira with a left jab and jumped on his back for a rear-naked choke, but Taira somehow survived. Van continued to stalk Taira. Taira landed a takedown, but Van popped back up as the round came to a close.
Taira got Van's attention with a big calf kick, but Van fired back. Taira landed his eighth takedown of the fight, and got the mount once again. Van eventually reversed, but got caught in a triangle choke. Van escaped and landed hard shots. Taira attempted another takedown, but couldn't get Van down. Van ended the round with two jabs.
Heading into the final round, two of the three judges had the fight scored two rounds apiece. Both fighters came out swinging. Van landed a jab and a right as Taira shot for the takedown. Van sprawled and started to attack the body. He swarmed Taira with punches as the referee intervened to stop the fight. An upset Taira protested the stoppage.
JOSHUA VAN FINISHES TATSURO TAIRA IN THE 5TH ROUND!!!
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) May 10, 2026
📺 @paramountpluspic.twitter.com/TxGx7ae1OI
In his post-fight octagon interview with Joe Rogan, UFC flyweight champion Van was asked about Alexandre Pantoja, who was in attendance for the fight.
"Pantoja, you better get your sh*t right," Van said. "We can run it back if you want."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 328 results: Joshua Van batters Tatsuro Taira to retain title
Here are the results and details of every Los Angeles Dodgers game for 2026, from the beginning of the regular season through however long they last in the postseason.
For additional details on each game, click on the game scores below. That will take you to a recap of that particular game. We also have a section on the site dedicated to Dodgers scores and standings where you can also find these stories.
Here are the scores and details of every game in 2026, in reverse chronological order.
Throughout the season, as the Cardinals’ have overwhelmed foes and surprised onlookers, manager Oliver Marmol has reminded that “tiny victories” have often added up for sustained success for MLB’s second-youngest squad.
Getting 23-year-old slugger Jordan Walker to swing at fewer sliders off the plate is one of those “tiny victories” the Cardinals have chalked up at times this season. Having Michael McvGreevy and Matthew Liberatore learn how to get outs without overwhelming velocity has been another.
The Cardinals lost 4-2 to the Padres on Saturday night, but how they made superstar closer Mason Miller work in the eighth and ninth innings might qualify as a tiny victory that could pay dividends in the series finale on Sunday.
JJ turns on the jets and we've got a one-run game! ✈️ pic.twitter.com/PanIGhvqeS
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) May 10, 2026
Miller, who has gained national headlines for how he has dominated hitters this season, came into Saturday 11 for 11 in saves with a 1.04 ERA in 17 appearances. He had allowed just seven hits and two earned runs in 17 1/3 innings while striking out 34 and walking just three. Also, he ranked in MLB’s 100th percentile in average fastball velocity (101.2 mph), chase rate (44 percent), whiff rate (57.8 percent), strikeout rate (55.7 percent) and hard-hit rate (16.7 percent).
Michael McGreevy ignores lack of velocity, relies on mix, movement
The Cardinals did their best to lay off Miller’s slider and drew two walks and Yohel Pozo reached on a wild pitch to load the bases in the ninth inning against the game’s most dominant force out of the bullpen. Cardinals’ rookie JJ Wetherholt, who had a third-inning single and scored in the eighth inning after being hit by a pitch, saw three sliders to open his at bat before getting a 101.8 mph four-seam fastball that he was unable to pull the trigger on for a game-ending strikeout.
Still, the Cardinals made Miller throw 29 pitches – 17 for strikes – meaning he will likely be unavailable to pitch in Sunday’s finale.
Dustin May (3-4) pitched 4 1/3 no-hit innings before allowing a solo home run to Ty France. May was a victim of bad luck later in the inning when Fernando Tatis Jr. looped an end-of-the-bat single into right field to plate two more runs.
Over six innings of work, May surrendered just three hits and two earned runs, while striking out seven and walking two. It was his fifth quality start over his last six appearances.
Another quality start for Dustin May with 7 strikeouts! pic.twitter.com/T8BfmqSLHn
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) May 10, 2026
The Cardinals grabbed a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when Walker and Nolan Gorman singled and Nathan Church doubled in a run.
JJ Wetherholt's 'Little League Grand Slam' exhilarates Cards
Ivan Herrera’s run-scoring double forced Miller into the game in the eighth inning. Then, in the ninth, Gorman and Church walked and Pozo reached on a wild pitch despite being one of four strikeouts in the inning by the fire-balling closer.
Remember to join our CARDINALS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other CARDINALS fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!
Joshua Van cemented himself as flyweight champion after a stunning performance to beat Tatsuro Taira in a potential Fight of the Year at UFC 328.
Again and again, Van had to deal with Taira’s dominant ground game after the Japanese flyweight connected with multiple takedowns. But Van was relentless with his ability to get up again and then he absolutely punished Taira on the feet with fast, powerful hands.
The end came in the final round when Van unleashed another blinding combination that hurt Taira to the body before going back up top to the head. When Taira dropped this time, referee Vitor Ribeiro saw enough and stopped the fight at 1:32 in the fifth round as Van successfully defended his title.
JOSHUA VAN FINISHES TATSURO TAIRA IN THE 5TH ROUND!!!
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) May 10, 2026
📺 @paramountpluspic.twitter.com/TxGx7ae1OI
“It feels damn good to be the champion again,” Van said after the win. “I said I was going to finish him inside three rounds and I almost did but he’s a tough motherf*cker. As soon as I got to the body, it was over. Shout out to Tatsuro, the Japanese fans and we can’t forget the Burmese fans.”
It took less than a minute for Taira to explode forward and land a big slam to bring Van to the ground for the first time. Taira immediately moved into the mount before shifting into side control as he maintained top position on Van.
Van eventually scrambled out of the bad position before defending a potential guillotine choke before getting back to his feet again. A quick jab landed from Van but Taira countered quickly with another takedown against the cage.
Just before the round ended, Taira unloaded with some ground and pound before Van escaped as time ran out.
Taira looked for another takedown but he got shut down this time and Van made him pay for it. With room to work, Van started popping Taira with his lightning quick punches in succession.
Van cracked Taira several times and it appeared he was hurting the top ranked contender but then out of nowhere the Japanese flyweight exploded forward with another takedown. Taira could do much on the ground and when the fighters got up again, Van connected with a brutal right hand that immediately scored a knockdown.
It looked like Van might get the finish but Taira was able to grab onto the flyweight champion until time expired to allow him one-minute to recover.
On the restart, Van was just popping Taira with a lead jab and he blocked a takedown attempt with a huge knee up the middle that landed with thudding force. Van scored another takedown with a jab directly to the chin and it appeared Taira was all but finished.
Van nearly locked up a rear-naked choke but instead returned to the feet with Taira’s face covered in blood from the damage done. Somehow Taira survived and scored a late takedown as the fight moved into the championship rounds.
In round four, Taira opened with a nasty calf kick that immediately affected Van before landing yet another takedown. Taira got to mount again and he was maintaining control while also slamming the champion with some shoulder shrugs on the canvas.
Van finally exploded and nearly got caught in a triangle choke but he escaped and returned to the feet.
With five minutes remaining, Van opened with that same damaging jab that pieced up Taira all night long. Taira kept trying for takedowns but he wasn’t able to grab onto Van, who was firing back with a furious combination of strikes.
That’s when Van connected with another barrage of shots including several to the body and a brutal right hand that put Taira down on the canvas and the referee stepped in to stop it. Van showed resilience and a skill set that proved he deserves to sit atop the flyweight rankings but he also knows he has some unfinished business with Alexandre Pantoja after a freak injury ended their first fight this past December.
“Pantoja, you better get your shit right,” Van shouted after his win. “We can run it back if you want.”
Ann Arbor — Dusty May estimates that every high-major big guy who entered the transfer portal went on Michigan’s list.
With forward Yaxel Lendeborg out of eligibility and with center Aday Mara and forward Morez Johnson Jr. having NBA decisions to make, May and his coaching staff couldn’t sit on their hands. The day after winning the national title, they had to get right to work constructing next season’s roster.
“You have to put yourself in as many positions as you can to be successful,” May said last month. “It happens so fast. I don’t even really remember which ones you talk about first or identify first. It’s just there’s a tidal wave coming at you, and you’re trying to find the best fit for you.”
May explained the “sweet spot” from when the portal opens to when players start making transfer commitments is three to 10 days. Typically, there’s a couple of Zooms, the two sides negotiate and a decision is made, sometimes without a player even visiting campus.
As Michigan narrowed its list of targets and gathered as much information as quickly as possible, it came away from the mad scramble with three frontcourt pieces. The Wolverines won a recruiting battle for Cincinnati center Moustapha Thiam, swiftly added Tennessee forward J.P. Estrella and quietly scooped up LSU forward Jalen Reed.
In the span of two weeks, Michigan landed a transfer class that ranks No. 9 in the nation, per 247Sports, and is headlined by Thiam, who’s widely rated as a top-15 player and one of the best centers in the portal by numerous national outlets.
May and his staff’s track record with bigs certainly attracted Thiam. The way May utilized 7-footers Danny Wolf and Vlad Goldin together two seasons ago caught Mara’s attention. That case was strengthened with the smashing success the Wolverines had with the three-big lineup of Lendeborg, Johnson and Mara this past season.
On top of the individual improvement Wolf, Goldin, Lendeborg, Johnson and Mara made at Michigan is the NBA component. May noted other schools were using his lack of draft picks against him in recruiting — “How many are you supposed to have at FAU or a place like that?” May wondered — until Wolf was selected in the first round last year. In this year’s draft, Lendeborg, Mara and Johnson are projected first-rounders. All of that has helped immensely in the way the Wolverines are received.
“I think there’s a proof of concept. It’s not as if we’re having to sell a vision,” May said. “With Moustapha, this is how we played Aday and Morez, (but) we’re not going to use you exactly like that. We’re going to accentuate your talents and put you in a position to be extremely successful.”
When it comes to how Thiam compares to the other 7-footers May has coached at Michigan like Goldin, Wolf and Mara, the Senegal native is tall and skilled but that’s where the similarities end.
“He’s a lot different. … His game isn’t like theirs,” May said. “It’s exciting to have another player with the talent he has that we can tweak our system to and play through a little bit. He’s got a lot of weapons in this toolbox. He’s going to be fun to coach.”
It’s the opposite coaching against him. May can attest to that. The Wolverines got an up-close look of Thiam and what he’s capable of when they faced the Bearcats in an October exhibition, though Johnson and Mara didn’t suit up in that preseason contest.
Toward the end of the season, Thiam took his play to another level and recorded three straight 20-point games at Kansas, at Texas Tech and against Oklahoma State in late February. He finished the campaign averaging 12.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 27.2 minutes.
“We had no answers for him down low (in the exhibition),” May said. “He’s a guy that we think we’ll be able to identify some matchup advantages for us … on the perimeter, in the low post and in transition. We’re excited because he’s proved he can do it at a high level and in the Big 12.”
Having to previously scout and compete against Thiam was useful for Michigan. So were the conversations Michigan’s staff had with the coaches at Cincinnati and UCF, where Thiam spent his freshman season, before he came to Ann Arbor for visit.
It was a similar situation with Estrella. There was already some familiarity there since the Wolverines squared off against the Volunteers in the Elite Eight. Estrella started that NCAA Tournament game — a 95-62 win by Michigan — and played 25 minutes.
But as Michigan scoured the portal for “the right guys,” it did so with the returning players and their skill sets in mind, namely starting point guard Elliot Cadeau.
“We feel like Elliott, first and foremost, is a cheat code in the pick-and-roll. He needs certain things for him to maximize his ability, so that factored into us targeting certain players,” May said.
Take Estrella’s knack as a physical screener, for example. May called Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn and UConn center Tarris Reed Jr. the two best screeners Michigan faced all season and credited those two with helping their teammates be even more successful because of their screening ability.
Not only can Estrella (6-foot-10) deliver in that department, but he and Thiam (7-2) can serve as lob threats, which was a potent part of Michigan’s offense when Cadeau shared the floor with Johnson and Mara. With Estrella and Thiam also capable of making perimeter shots — Estrella was 4-for-10 on 3-pointers last season and Thiam shot 15-for-52 from deep — that can help with spacing and cutting for others.
The same goes for the 6-10 Reed, a 37.9% career 3-point shooter who’s had to deal with health hurdles the past two seasons. Two years ago, Reed’s season was cut short after eight games due to a torn ACL. Last season, he was limited to six games because of an Achilles tear. Both injuries required surgery.
While there’s a calculated risk that comes with every transfer addition, May felt comfortable taking a gamble on Reed, who made 39 starts in 79 games during his four-year carer at LSU.
“We felt like if he can get back to full strength, he’s a really good basketball player,” May said. “We thought he was a very good take. He could certainly outperform his expectations if he’s healthy.”
May noted he wasn’t as familiar with Reed as some of his staff members. Assistant coach Akeem Miskdeen recruited Reed during his previous stop at Georgia. Others had watched Reed play over the years.
When May turned on Reed’s tape, he saw what everyone else did.
“I went back and watched his games and clips pre-injury, and I was impressed with him,” May said. “He wanted to come for all the right reasons.”
That matters, especially when it comes to the transfer portal whirlwind and the decisive decisions that need to be made on players who will determine next season’s success.
“As soon as you feel like you’re close on a guy, you dive into the intel and try to see if it’s the right fit,” May said. “Luckily, I think the right kind of guys have been attracted to us for the most part.”
jhawkins@detroitnews.com
@jamesbhawkins
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michigan basketball finds 'the right guys' in transfer portal haul
On Saturday night at UFC 328, the flyweight title was on the line when current champion Joshua Van defended his recently won title for the first time against talented Japanese grappler Tatsuro Taira. Early on, it looked like the challenger might dominate with his ground game. However, the champ was patient and let his fists do the talking.
Over fight-hard-fought rounds, Van’s striking wore Taira out, and he eventually scored a technical knockout in the fifth and final round. Following the UFC 328 main event, let’s see where Van and Taira land in our updated UFC flyweight rankings.
Australian Steve Erceg got off to a fast start in the UFC by winning three straight. The 11-fight win streak overall earned him a title shot two years ago against then-champion Alexandre Pantoja. However, “Astroboy” struggled in the deep end of the flyweight pool. Losing to the Brazilian and then in his next two against top-five fighters.
However, he has bounced back with a pair of important wins. The most recent came against top-15 stalwart Tim Elliot in May. The victories have helped earn his way back into our UFC flyweight rankings.
Despite a 3-1 record in the UFC, England’s Lone’er Kavanagh lands a spot in our latest UFC flyweight rankings. The reason is a massive upset win in March over division legend Brandon Moreno. The 26-year-old came in on short notice and had to adjust to the high altitude of Mexico City, yet it didn’t matter as he scored a career-defining win over the former champion in his hometown.
Former M1 and Brave CF star Asu Almabayev entered the UFC having won 13 straight. He extended his hot streak inside the Octagon by winning his first four fights and scored victories over top 15 fighters Matheus Nicolau and Ode Osbourne. Unfortunately, when he took a big step up in competition against Manel Kape in March, he suffered his first loss in eight years.
However, he has bounced back from the setback with a pair of victories, including a big submission win over top-15 stalwart Alex Perez in November.
Brandon Royval has quietly been one of the best 125-pound fighters in the world for quite some time. While he has come up short in some big fights, he owns a few impressive victories, including one over former division king Brandon Moreno.
However, fighting the best constantly comes with risk. At UFC 317, he took on the challenge of rising star Joshua Van and was surprisingly outgunned by the 23-year-old. Then, in December, he headlined a UFC Fight Night card against dangerous striker Manel Kape and was on the wrong end of the first knockout loss of his career.
Few flyweights have been better than Brandon Moreno. He has been in some of the greatest fights in the division’s history and is a two-time champion. However, father time comes for all legends and he has been tapping on the Mexican’s shoulder in recent years.
Moreno was 3-2 heading into a clash in his home country against prospect Lone’er Kavanagh and needed a win to stay on the fringe of the title conversation. Unfortunately, he was on the wrong end of a surprise upset in Mexico City. There is a real possibility that it was the last time fans saw Moreno in the Octagon.
After leaving the UFC nearly a decade ago, Kyoji Horiguchi had a fantastic run outside the company and has long been viewed as the best flyweight not in the UFC. In November of 2025, the former dual Rizin and Bellator champion made his triumphant return to the promotion with an impressive decision win over Tagir Ulanbekov.
The Japanese star returned in February and got a stiff test from Amir Albazi. However, he once again outclassed one of the better flyweights in the world. After his latest victory, Horiguchi may be one win away from a title fight in 2026.
It hasn’t always been easy for Manel Kape in the UFC, but “Starboy” remains one of the division’s most exciting fighters. In his last eight fights, he is 7-1 with five finishes. One of the biggest knocks on his Octagon resume was the lack of marquee wins. Well, he got that in December.
In a UFC Fight Night headlining role, he took on top-five stalwart Brandon Royval, and Kape scored a massive first-round knockout win. He is as close as ever to a title shot in 2026.
It has been a very long time since Japan has had a fighter representing the country at the highest levels of the sport. However, former Shooto champ Tatsuro Taira has emerged as one of the best flyweights in the world by winning eight of his first nine fights in the Octagon.
The impressive run earned him a title opportunity at UFC 328. However, despite landing a bunch of take-downs on Joshua Van, he was badly outmatched on the feet and suffered the first knockout loss of his career in the fifth and final round of a close fight.
Brazil’s Alexandre Pantoja has had a long, hard road to becoming the UFC flyweight king. He toiled away inside the division for years before he was finally able to earn a title fight at UFC 290. In his first chance at being champion, he made good by scoring a second (third unofficial) win over division king Brandon Moreno.
He has been on a roll ever since and is putting himself in the discussion as one of the best 125ers of all time. At UFC 317, he extended his win streak to eight straight with another dominant win, this time over Kai Kara-France. Pantoja has a case as the best flyweight ever, not named Demetrious Johnson.
Joshua Van has become one of the flyweight division’s most exciting and dominant fighters after winning 10 of his 11 fights inside the Octagon. After a surprise loss to Charles Johnson in 2024, “The Fearless” caught fire and has won six straight.
While his title win at UFC 323 was controversial, he quieted many of his doubters in May when he overcame a bunch of takedowns from Tatsuro Taira and scored an impressive fifth-round TKO in his first title defense. Former champ Alexandre Pantoja will surely be next.
Related Headlines
Joshua Van started his flyweight title reign in positive fashion at UFC 328 when he turned back dangerous challenger Tatsuro Taira.
After winning the belt in controversial fashion vs. Alexandre Pantoja in December, Van (16-2 MMA, 10-1 UFC) successfully moved on to new business with a METHOD over Taira (18-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) in Saturday's co-headliner at Kaseya Center in Miami.
Check below for the top X (formerly Twitter) reactions to Van beating Taira at UFC 327.
JAPAN'S OWN 🇯🇵@TatsuroTaira is making his walk to the Octagon!
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2026
[ #UFC328 | LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/ZXuUhBSI6M
To defend his title 🇲🇲
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2026
[ #UFC328 | LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/EWiZ3yAoEv
Pantoja staring down Joshua Van 👀
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) May 10, 2026
📺 @paramountpluspic.twitter.com/S2UPw26GKk
I got Joshua on this one.
— Manel Kape (@ManelKape) May 10, 2026
Locked in on the fights, takin the homie Josh vannnnn let’s gooo
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) May 10, 2026
Prediction: Taira by submission.@ufc#ufc328
— Drew Dober (@DrewDober) May 10, 2026
Takedown early for @TatsuroTaira
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2026
[ #UFC328 | LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/4jCh7E6t7p
1-0 Taira. Going to be interesting to see if Van can keep the fight standing #UFC328
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) May 10, 2026
That 14 year old Japanese girl can really wrestle!!!
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) May 10, 2026
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The Carolina Hurricanes are back to the Eastern Conference Final after sweeping the Philadelphia Flyers thanks to Jackson Blake's overtime winner in Game 4.
The Canes battled back from an early deficit and got the job done in the extra frame, securing back-to-back sweeps for the first time in the modern playoff era.
After the game, Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour along with Blake, Taylor Hall, Frederik Andersen, Logan Stankoven, Sean Walker and Jaccob Slavin spoke with the media in Philadelphia. Here's what they had to say:
On back-to-back sweeps: The impressive part is how we've gone about it. Obviously, we're getting some huge performances. But everybody's doing it. It's how we have to get it done. And go down the list. Every guy had his hands in these two series wins.
On Sean Walker’s hectic 24 hours: Unbelievable. We talked about that before the game. These guys are having the time of their lives right now, and you’ve got to enjoy it. I love that he has that memory, for sure. That's special. Blaker, Hallsy, these guys are obviously playing great, but for me, it's just fun to sit back there and watch it, to be honest.
On the game-winning goal happening because of Jaccob Slavin's gap in the neutral zone: Every goal usually you could probably dissect it that way. But that line in general is scoring some pretty special-looking goals. Everything has a sequence of events, as we like to say, and that's certainly what happened.
On Frederik Andersen's postseason: Well, that's what I kind of mentioned. I'm just sitting back watching that. And I don’t think anybody predicted that. We certainly went into the playoffs thinking, ‘OK, we're probably going to use both. Why not? They both deserve to play.’ There's just been no reason to go any other direction. He’s just playing lights out, and obviously we need that to continue.
On having a long wait now until the Eastern Conference Final: Well, it's a good thing because we're going to be one of four teams left. So however long we’ve got to rest or be off, we'll do it. I think the good part is we just literally had the exact same thing, and we had a plan, and clearly it was okay, so we can follow that and run with it.
On what it means to get to the conference final again and how to get over the hump: It's a huge accomplishment, and you have to, right now, you need to soak that part of it in because it is. The season is so long, and there's that 82-game season we talk about that no one really gives much credit to, and yet, this team's played well for eight months. It didn't just get hot at the end or just started. It’s been night in, night out like this, and to me, that's the biggest takeaway for me. Probably the thing I'm most proud of with this group. And now, here we are. We've got to find a way to get that next step, and that's obviously easier said than done. But I know one thing is they're going to give that same effort, and that's what we have to have.
On Taylor Hall winning a faceoff leading to a goal: You don’t draw those up like that. But like I said, that line has just been incredible, obviously. Hallsy, you’ve got to get him a lot of credit with how he's played. Blaker and Stanks, they’ve just really meshed, and you just saw it tonight. It was obvious. The best guys out there for us, and we needed them.
On the fourth line: They were great too. Tough one on the called back goal, but really, you just look at the shifts, they're just positive. Every shift was like almost, almost. Janks had two or three on his stick. He had the empty net on one. Again, that's what you have to have this time of year. You need everyone contributing.
On players saying that there's still another level to get to: I think they understand that there is. There’s going to need to be when we get to that next stage or whoever we're playing. And one of the things again about this group, they're an honest group. They can assess their game and their team game, and even though we won, they know that we got to get a little better.
On the game-winning goal: A lot went down on that goal. Slavo makes an unbelievable play and then Stanks middle line drives and pushes those D back and then Hallsy makes a play that not a lot of people can make there. Fortunately got the bounce and it went in. A lot of great plays there.
On his celebration: I mean, I blacked out, honestly. Once I saw it go in, just excitement. I was just happy that we could get the win and go home and get a little rest here.
On making it to back-to-back conference finals: I remember Hallsy even told me this last year, he said what you're doing right now isn't normal. You don't always get to go to the conference finals and stuff like that. It being my second year and to already reach it again is pretty special and the culture and the group we have this year, it's another level from even last year. I think last year we had a great group and we were really tight knit, but this year, it just feels a little different, I don't know what it is, but I like the way we're rolling.
On the 8-0 start: Everyone is contributing. Top to bottom. Like we said earlier too, Freddie's been... I don't know if I've ever seen a goalie play so good and handle the puck so well and do what he's doing back there. We have so much trust in him and what he's gonna bring every night. And our PK too has just been off the charts. That builds so much momentum for us. Most teams have good power plays, like the teams we've played so far*, and for them to do what they do is pretty special. Everyone has been so good and it's been a lot of fun coming to the rink every day.
On the team's response after giving up the first goal: Our first period wasn't great tonight, but I just loved the way that Hallsy and Stanks battle and compete every single night. In the second period, we just decided that we were going to play a little more simple and do it the way we know we can. Fortunately, we got a couple there to help the team win, but I think every night... you're not going to score every night, but you're going to do everything you can to help the team win. Tonight, fortunately, we did.
On Frederik Andersen: He's so calm and you're almost just expecting it every night now and that's kind of unfair to him, but he forces them to almost make the perfect shot or the perfect play to score on him. He's a huge reason why our PK is where it is. And then what some people might not notice is how he handles the puck. He's so calm back there and he makes the right play every time and that makes it a lot easier on our D.
On his faceoff win leading to the team's opening goal: I think sometimes for faceoff guys like [Christian] Dvorak, it's hard to go against someone like me. They don't really know what I'm gonna do or how I'm gonna take the faceoff. We had a play kind of drawn up there, but... I don't know. It's just a 50/50 battle at the end of the day. If we can get the puck back and get to our game, which we did as a line in the second period really well, that's how we want to play.
On the faceoff strategy: I'm on my off side and he's on his strong side, so he obviously wants to get in there, but I just tried to let him go first and then swipe at the puck after. I'm not even sure if that's how it went down, but like I said, it's just a puck battle at the end of the day and if you can get your body over the circle, then it gives you an advantage.
On the team's response: At the first intermission, we kind of knew that that wasn't the greatest first period for us. I know us as a line, we just wanted to get to our game and play in their end and forecheck. We know that the strength of our game as a team and as a line is forechecking and disruption and we got to that in the second period and we didn't really look back. Even though the score was tied, we felt like we were in the control.
On how reinvigorating it was for him as a player to join Carolina: It's unreal. It's everything I could ask for. To play on a line with Blakey and Stank and to be a line for 50-60 games, it's a lot of fun to come to work right now. We're winning and it feels like everyone is contributing. I've said this before, we work hard, but we do it with a smile on our face. It's a fun work environment and it's not like this everywhere. There are some places where it's like this, but this is pretty cool.
On Sean Walker making it to the game after going home to be with his wife for the birth of his daughter: It's awesome. He played really well too. He was jumping up in the play and he's just so good at exiting the zone and using his skating to carry the puck up the ice. I think he's getting confidence just more and more when he does that. Him and Key have been a great pair for us, they were tonight as well. But it's awesome to see. A life changing moment. I think he was a little bit stressed in the last couple weeks just on when it was gonna happen, if it was gonna be a game day or if he was gonna miss a game because when you looked at the due date, it was right around the second round of the playoffs. I think he was happy that it happened the way it did. You just have so much energy after seeing your kid born, so I wasn't worried about him in the least.
On the team's consistency: We don't have to change our game or the way we play a lot from the regular season. It's the same way. I think we've upped the physicality a bit and we hammer on the details, but the way we play is the exact same. I know it might look different from game to game, but there doesn't have to be a lot of thinking out there, at least that's how I feel. Consistency, everyone chipping in, everyone doing their job, coaching staff has been awesome, the penalty kill is really the engine of our team right now and it feels good.
On rest versus rust (again): It's probably going to be an even longer break this time. There's positives and negatives to it. I think the big positive is that we're onto the third round relatively unscathed and healthy. You don't want to see injuries per say, but we hope these series go far and you see these teams have battles. That's the advantage that we're gonna have. They're going to be hockey ready if the series goes long, but I think Rod, our strength staff, all of our staff do a good job of making sure we're ready athletically to play and from there, we get our footing pretty quickly.
On closing out the series: There were a lot of different games, but I think they pushed really hard in this game. I don't think we came out the best way into the first period, kind of came tiptoeing into it, but I thought we came back better and better. Stuck with it and obviously got rewarded. Just a great job by everyone just to continue to battle for each other and eventually get that goal.
On the key to the series: When we get to our game, we're hard to play against and I think it wears guys down. We always talk about getting to our game and that's really what makes it hard for them. Spending time in their zone is taxing for the other team and that's what we want to try to do as much as possible.
On the 8-0 start: Every series is a race to four. That's our mindset. You want to win the next one however we have to do that. That's really the focus. Obviously winning quick is beneficial in terms of getting rest and getting ready for the next one. We're happy to do that and put them away. Obviously they fought back, but you really don't want to add extra games if you can avoid it.
On not seeing many shots, but still having to make a few difficult saves: For me, it was just about staying with it. That's the key for me, just expect whatever they got. I don't really look at the chances and quality and all that. I'm just trying to be in the moment and whatever happens. If I save the one before or don't, I just try to make the next one. That's my focus.
On making another conference final: You have to get through the conference final to win it. It takes four series. We're happy with the work we've put in so far. We obviously talk about it a lot. Obviously the first step is to make the playoffs and we've taken big steps toward that, but we've just continued to push and again, we have a lot of experience. It's going to be a good battle in the next series no matter what happens.
On the save on Garnet Hathaway in the third period: He made a good pass over and I just tried to cover as much space as possible. I felt like I got the pad on it, obviously I didn't know where it was after that, but obviously that was huge [for Slavin to clear it right after]. He's so smart defensively. He's not the only guy that thinks to do that, but he definitely is there and tries to be an extra layer.
On getting back on the scoresheet: I thought the first period, I didn't play great, just individually. We talked about it as a line in between periods. We had to be simpler and even if we're not scoring, just try and create some momentum and some O-zone shifts. We did, and we were able to cash in a few times, so it was nice. Great to get back on the board.
On Jaccob Slavin’s gap leading to the game-winning goal: I think just being tight on our guys and we always talk about our forwards reloading hard and backing up the D, so that allows him to pinch there and create a great turnover. And then I think just with our speed, we can attack. A great play by Hallsy, and Blaker just put it in.
On Dan Vladar's game: I thought both goalies were great. For the last period and a bit and most of overtime, I thought we had the better of the chances and just knew if we could stay 5-on-5, we could dominate. I thought we were able to have some Grade-A chances, and like you said, he made some great saves,
On Frederik Andersen: He's just so calm back there, and we have a lot of trust in him. Yeah, he’s fun to watch. He just battles hard, and it's what you need in big games like this.
On back-to-back sweeps: I honestly think we have another level to get to, I still think. Our stat wasn't great again tonight. So I think we are playing well and it's great to get the sweeps, but I think we do have another level to get to. And I'm sure if you could ask any of the guys, they'd agree with me.
On Sean Walker: It's really exciting for him. I can't imagine going through that and just where your head's at. And he came out and battled hard, and he didn't look out of place at all. So really happy for him and his family, and we're going to need him down the stretch here.
On getting scored on for the first time this postseason: It's never fun when you get scored on and you're responsible for it. But it's nice to make up for it. When you get scored on, you want to get it back for your team and at least get even, but we were able to pull ahead and come out on the plus side, which is big.
On Taylor Hall: He just drives play and he's so fun to watch. A lot of people have been saying it's like a blast from the past for him. Even just on a few of those plays, he's just flying down the wing and making plays and using his speed to his advantage. It's great to watch and fun to play with.
On Hall's physicality this postseason: You'd be surprised. He can crush some guys. Definitely keep your head up if he's around. His speed and he's just a pretty thick guy.
On what 24-hour jet lag feels like: Maybe more like 24 hours with just a couple naps. But yeah, it was quite the whirlwind over the last couple days, but it all worked out really well.
On how his wife and daughter are: Mom and baby are doing amazing. I can't put into words how proud I am of her. She had to go through it for a little bit without me there. I did make it, but she was amazing. And just, it's funny, you know already how much you love your new daughter. And again, my wife is a rock star, the way she killed it, and just so proud of her. And I love them both.
On how things unfolded: She had an appointment on Thursday, and they said things are kind of getting going but weren't too worried about it. And after [Game 3], she called me at like 1 a.m. — I was still up — and she said her water broke. So I called [Head of Team Services Mike Brown] right away. Thankfully, there was a 6 a.m. flight, and we were able to get there in time. And I was there for everything. The baby gods were on my side on that one, and I got to experience it all. It was amazing — really an amazing experience.
On waiting to get on the flight Friday morning: She FaceTimed me. I was on FaceTime with her the whole time, then she FaceTimed me again when I was just about to board the plane and things were kind of getting going. So that was really tough. But again, she killed it. And can't say it enough, how proud I am her.
On getting back into game mode: It was weird. It was kind of like one of the easiest and hardest games I've maybe ever played, if that makes sense. You just kind of live in the moment, running on no sleep. I ate my pregame meal in the hospital cafeteria. Yeah, it's just crazy, but you just show up. The guys were amazing, everybody: team services, the whole organization, from the owner down, really made it possible for me to be there and get back in time. And, yeah, I just was happy to contribute.
On getting a couple days off now: I didn't want to get on the boys and tell them we better win tonight, but I'm really appreciative everybody dug in. The sweeps huge for everybody, but to take this time to just be with my family is going to be really special.
On when he got back: I landed at 2, so it was early enough where it was kind of nice. I got a little bit of time to go to the hotel, freshen up, laid down for a little bit and took the bus with the boys. So it was all good.
On if he has anything from the game to bring: I got some things in mind, but she’ll get those eventually.
On if he's getting sick of killing 5-on-3s yet: I mean, it's never fun... actually, I do enjoy it. It's fun to be out there and obviously it's better when we don't get scored on. We gotta make sure we dial in in the later rounds. It's going to be extremely important to not have to kill those off, so we have to do a better job of being disciplined.
On making yet another conference final: You have to take it one step at a time and it's just another step in the process. We got a good group in here who have all been here before and everyone knows what to expect and knows what is expected of us. So we have to make sure we're going in with the right mindset and continue to just chip away and work hard like we do.
On what makes this group different: I mean, familiarity with the way we have to play. We have just about everyone back from last year and a couple of new additions who just make us that much better. All those guys are stepping up and playing big minutes and big roles for us. I think what's different about this group and what's helping us is just the expectations of how we have to play. We're getting success from goaltending, PK, power play, 5v5 hockey. Everything is clicking right now.
On Frederik Andersen: He's been locked in. He's been unbelievable for us. An absolute brick wall back there and when we have had breakdowns, he's been there to shut the door. So that's huge for us and we just need to continue to do that.
On the team still having another level to get to: I think so. I think we're giving up a little bit too much. A couple of breakaways, a couple of 2-on-1s that we don't need to be giving up. So I think as we progress here, we need to make sure we're playing both sides of the puck extremely well, making the right decisions through the neutral zone. I think we still have more.
On back-to-back sweeps: You take the wins, you take the rest. Obviously it's not the goal, so we have to do all eight wins again just to get to the end. It's just another step.
On his gap leading to the game-winning goal: As a D corps, we try to stay tight all around the ice and that was a prime example of what we try to do. We try to suffocate teams and not let them get in our zone and so that's a part of it. Hallsy and Blaker made a great play, I just happened to have a tight gap.
On Sean Walker: It's awesome for him. Obviously hockey is amazing, to get the win is amazing, but for him to welcome a baby into the world, there's so much more to life than hockey and so happy for him, happy for his family. He came and played amazing today. Dad strength.
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Earlier this week, Samsung released One UI 8.5 for Galaxy S25 series users, ending months-long wait created by the beta program, but it is still limited to Korea.
Besides, the S25 series, Fold 7, and Flip 7, alongside TriFold, also received the stable update. In fact, the S25 Edge, which wasn’t included in the beta program, also received the update.
Samsung has been testing the One UI 8.5 update for the S25 lineup since December. The company expanded the program a few times and added top flagships. However, the rollout delay disappointed many users.
The biggest surprise was the zero transparency. Samsung shared no prior information about the stable update schedule. Following the first official release, the company jumped to its Newsroom website and published a press release in all regions.
Despite keeping the release limited to the home market, Samsung finally made a pre-release announcement of the global expansion. Still, it didn’t commit to any specific date, so you, users, keep on wondering when your device will receive the update.
As for the leaks and rumors, Samsung may send One UI 8.5 for all Galaxy S25 series users on Monday, May 11. However, the phone maker has proved all previous rollout dates wrong. So, it’s better to wait for the official release rather than believing in speculations.
You should know that the stable One UI 8.5 will be released as a small downloadable patch for beta participants and a full-size OTA update, weighing nearly 4.5GB for One UI 8.0 users. Those who are looking forward to this update should keep some important things in mind.
The post One UI 8.5 stable released but not for all appeared first on Sammy Fans.
We know that everything has been getting more expensive lately, but the prices of Ultra-class phones have gone too high for many who are interested in getting one. In last week’s poll, there was a lot of interest in the Oppo Find X9 Ultra with two-thirds of voters showing interest in the device – but only half of those thought that they could afford it. And the X9 Ultra isn’t even the most expensive Ultra on the market, although it does cost more than most. People are looking at trade-in bonuses, freebies like the Hasselblad Earth Explorer Kit and other ways to try and justify the...
CLEVELAND — James Harden was the last player on the practice floor after the Cleveland Cavaliers’ lone tune-up between Games 2 and 3 of their first-round series against the Toronto Raptors. Everyone else was hurrying out of the team’s facility to prepare for the flight to Canada later that afternoon.
Harden picked up something while watching film from Game 2 of that series. He noticed that they were defending him a certain way, and he wanted to get as much practice as possible to combat Toronto’s scheme. I couldn’t tell what that specific thing was, only that he was meticulously working on various ways to generate three-point looks when coming off screens on his right.
All players go through individual drills with coaches to varying degrees. That isn’t unique. The level of focus he approached it with was — especially on an off day. Every time Harden missed a shot or didn’t get the footwork how he wanted coming off the screen, he cursed. Some were under his breath that you would only notice if you were watching. Others you could hear from across the gym.
“There’s a cerebral part of the work he does individually,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said then.
Fast forward two and a half weeks to Game 3 of the second-round series against the Detroit Pistons. The Cavs coughed up what was a 17-point lead in the third quarter, and were trailing at times in the fourth. They needed baskets down the stretch to take and maintain the lead.
Instead of calling his own number, Donovan Mitchell deferred despite leading both teams in points with 35. And the reason was simple.
“You see the work,” Mitchell said. “He’s worked really hard on his game, and his resume speaks for itself.”
The resume does speak for itself.
Harden is one of the most accomplished guards in NBA history. He’s achieved nearly every individual accolade out there and has climbed the ladder in both all-time points (9th) and assists (12th). Even at 36 years-old, the skills that have allowed him to reach that point are undeniable.
The one hole in his portfolio is a lack of playoff success. His teams have faltered in the biggest moments, and so has he.
Harden has proved all the stereotypes about himself correct in the three months he’s been in Cleveland.
We saw what has led to his numerous postseason shortcomings during the first two games in Detroit. Turnovers, an inability to hit a big shot when his team needed one, and being picked on defensively were all present at the worst times for the Cavs. His play helped turn two winnable games into losses.
The other stereotype that he’s proven true is that he’s one of the hardest-working players in the league.
A week back, I asked Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković what causes certain players to rise in the playoffs while others fall. He attributed it to their preparation.
“I think that work is the baseline,” Rajaković said. “Players that really know that they put the right work in, they’re ready for this stage. … Those guys, they tend to fight through fatigue, through adversity, through whatever the playoffs bring. … I strongly believe it comes down to work.”
We don’t think of Harden as someone who’s fought through adversity, at least not on the court in the playoffs. We typically reserve that kind of thinking for players who we see overcome the obstacles thrown their way to emerge victorious.
At the same time, Harden has overcome obstacles. He’s bounced back from every collapse and put himself in that position again the next year with the work he’s put in to still be playing at an incredibly high level in his 17th season in the league. Whether that motivation is monetary or for trying to win is unknown, and honestly, it doesn’t matter. The work ethic is the same regardless of the reason.
Sports often present this false binary. Everyone on the victorious team is labeled a winner, while those on the other are losers. There’s no room in between the two opposites.
Yet, if you judged whether someone is a winner by how they respond to challenges and shortcomings, you’d be hard-pressed to find many that meet the bar Harden has set.
“You know the American way is championship or nothing,” Atkinson said before the playoffs. “In our movies, we call the little kid, ‘Hey Champ.’ That’s the thing. Sure, we’d all love to win the championship, but that doesn’t mean you’re not successful.”
Harden isn’t a winner in any way that we would typically define it, and understandably so because he’s fallen short in the playoffs too many times. Making crucial plays late in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals isn’t a big enough stage to alter that, even if his three-straight baskets and game-sealing triple over Tobias Harris after being hip-checked is why the Cavs’ season still has oxygen.
When asked why he wanted the ball in that situation, his answer was simple.
“It’s something that I work on literally every day,” Harden said. “It’s basically repetition, and it’s the confidence to go out there and just do it.”
While this one two-minute stretch won’t change how he’s remembered, this game shows why it’s unfair to label him a loser or someone who will never be a part of a championship. The habits and work ethic that lead to winning have always been there.
And for one night, we saw that pay off in a way it typically hasn’t in the last 17 years.
“I’m not playing this long, at this high a level without putting the work in,” Harden said. “This is 17 years for me, and I work extremely hard, like, extremely hard on my body, especially since the last few years. … The confidence is always going to be there. It’s always there, and just put me in a position to be successful, and good things happen.”
"All In: Lessons On and Off the Mat"
By Mexchele Deuxlemarr with Alberto Crane
$9.99 Kindle, $16.73 paperback, Amazon.com
Please don’t do this, Santa Fe teenager Alberto Crane was advised. It doesn’t make sense.
This urgent counsel came not from cynics or naysayers but from friends and family, those who cared about him the most. And young Alberto was forced to admit they were right; it really didn’t make sense.
He did it anyway.
Regrets, 30 years later? Not even a few.
“There’s that quote … that most people lead lives of quiet desperation,” Crane said in a recent phone interview from his home in Los Angeles, “because they never go for their dreams. You have a choice. You can risk it. You can risk it all.
“… I’m grateful I chose to take that risk, because it didn’t make sense but I followed my heart.”
Today, Crane, 49, is an accomplished martial artist, fighter, businessman and instructor who has lived with multiple sclerosis the past 14 years. He’s the subject of a book, entitled “All In: Lessons On and Off the Mat,” about his life’s journey.
It has been a journey and then some.
Crane, as related by “All In” author Mexhele Deuxlemarr, was introduced to jiujitsu by a fellow employee — Amal Easton, who would become a lifelong friend and mentor — at Santa Fe’s Coyote Cafe.
Quickly, bussing tables became a lot less interesting.
So, at 19, Crane parlayed his savings from the restaurant into a plane ticket to Rio de Janeiro. Thoughts of joining the Navy or following his mother into formal education were left behind.
Brazilian jiujitsu would become his life. His career as a fighter and in the business of martial arts, his marriage to Edit, parenthood, all flowed from that giant leap he’d taken in 1995.
Both in business and athletic competition, he’s far won more than he lost. But in both pursuits, he’s been taken to the mat plenty of times. He’s never given up.
Crane’s many medals and trophies won in jiujitsu are not listed on tapology.com, but his 20 MMA fights are there. He retired with a 15-5 record, the King of the Cage title he won at Santa Ana Star Casino in 2003 and an 0-2 mark in the UFC.
Of the UFC losses to Roger Huerta and Kurt Pellegrino in 2007-08, Crane said he viewed those fights in the entire context of his career.
“Who knows what’s good and what’s bad?” he said. “Maybe it was for the best. You know, I had a full career.”
In 1999, after two stints in Brazil, Crane had come home to Santa Fe and set up shop as a BJJ instructor. Making a living thus, he found, was going to be a challenge — whether in New Mexico or, later, in Southern California.
“Business is never easy,” he said. “But I was able to have the right tools in my toolbox to do well and keep that same mindset, master-minding with the right people.”
None of his success could have happened, he wrote in an acknowledgment at the beginning of “All In,” without the blessing of his mother, Virginia — despite her early misgivings about his career path — and that of his late maternal grandfather, Albert Gonzalez — who lost his eyesight in a freak diving accident in 1929 yet graduated from New Mexico State and became an attorney and a state congressman.
Talk about never giving up.
Crane recently visited his mother in Santa Fe on the occasion of her 80th birthday.
Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2012, Crane continues to teach daily at his gym, Legacy Burbank. He attributes his strength and vigor to TacFit, a fitness system he endorses, and a mind-over-matter approach to life.
“It’s my choice, right?” he said. “I’m not going to be a victim. I’m not, ‘poor me.’ No, I’m going to do my best no matter what life gives me.”
Though he’s traveled the world as a fighter and lived in California for decades, Crane said he’ll always call New Mexico home.
“I love New Mexico,” he said. “I love the 505. It’s my family, my people.”
Aside from Las Cruces’ pitching dominance, there wasn’t much about the opening weekend of the Class 5A baseball playoffs that moved the needle.
The 12th-seeded Bulldawgs shut out No. 5 Centennial for the second consecutive day, and a 2-0 victory Saturday propelled Las Cruces into next week’s quarterfinals in Albuquerque.
The other seven top seeds join the Bulldawgs in the quarters.
The Thursday quarterfinals look like this: No. 1 Rio Rancho versus No. 8 Mayfield at 4 p.m., and No. 2 Cleveland against No. 7 Eldorado at 7 p.m., both at Santa Ana Star Field.
The other two quarters Thursday are at the Riordan Complex on the West Side, with No. 3 La Cueva facing No. 6 Carlsbad at 4 p.m., followed by the Bulldawgs and No. 6 Piedra Vista at 7 p.m.
Armando Gonzalez twirled a three-hitter for Las Cruces in its win over the Hawks. The Bulldawgs scored both their runs in the fifth.
The top-seeded Rams (23-5) spotted Atrisco Heritage the first two runs but won comfortably, 12-2 in five innings. Wyatt Tinker homered and drove in three runs for Rio Rancho.
Down the road at Cleveland, the Storm (25-3) ousted Sandia with an 8-1 victory. Cleveland put up four runs in the top of the first, which was more than enough run support for Treven Polanco who tossed five solid innings. Peyton Noel doubled twice and drove in a pair of runs for the Storm.
No. 3 La Cueva outscored Hobbs 30-2 in two games; the Bears (25-3) romped 13-1 in Game 2 of this series on Saturday morning.
Dylan Blomker drove in four runs for La Cueva, including a bases-clearing, three-RBI double in the first inning, and Everett Burdett struck out 11 in five innings of work. Mikey McMullan had three RBIs for the Bears.
Piedra Vista (24-4) had 20 hits in an 18-8 rout of Clovis. Kyle Murphy went 4-for-4 with five runs to lead the Panther offense, which put the Wildcats away with seven runs in the first.
No. 6 Carlsbad (18-10) is into Week 2 after a tight, come-from-behind 4-3 win over Organ Mountain. In the fourth inning, EZ Lopez and Ricardo Herrera each drove in a run in the fourth to put the Cavemen ahead for good.
Eldorado (24-4) pounded Rio Grande 16-2 to get to Week 2. Sully Wilson belted a pair of home runs for the Eagles, who finished with 20 hits and jumped on Rio Grande early with a six-run first inning.
Eldorado belted four home runs. Sebastian Mestes went deep and had four RBIs, and Maddox Gonzales hit a homer and drove in three.
In Las Cruces, Mayfield (20-7-1) shut out Los Lunas 10-0 as Brad Springer surrendered just one hit and struck out seven in a complete game. Aden Garcia doubled and had four RBIs for the Trojans.
From Class 4A, ninth-seeded St. Pius (15-12) authored another fantastic finish and ousted No. 8 Grants on Saturday, winning Game 2 of their series 7-3. Diego Trujillo’s two-RBI triple was the key blow in the seventh for the Sartans who next play No. 1 Artesia.
No. 5 Albuquerque Academy and No. 6 Hope Christian both won Game 2’s on Saturday and are into the 4A quarterfinals.
The Chargers (20-7) overcame an early 3-0 deficit, and put up four spots in both the second and third innings for a commanding 9-3 lead. Academy eventually eliminated Los Alamos with a 13-6 win.
Joseph Rounds went 4-for-4 for Academy, and Langston Leigh drove in four runs on three hits.
At Santa Ana Star Field, the Huskies (22-6) looked strong in an 11-6 victory over Belen.
Caleb Pena and Hunter Solwick each recorded three RBIs for Hope, which turned a close game (a 4-2 Huskies lead in the fifth) into something larger with seven runs in that inning.
As with 5A, not a single best-of-3 series required a third game. Artesia, Deming and No. 10 Bloomfield joined the other five in the quarterfinals.
Valley, the 14 seed, lost a pair of one-run decisions to No. 3 Santa Teresa. The Desert Warriors won 2-1 on Friday and 7-6 on Saturday. Bernalillo was swept by No. 2-seeded Goddard.
Thursday’s quarterfinals at the Riordan Complex are as follows: Bloomfield-Goddard at 10 a.m., Santa Teresa-Hope at 1 p.m., Academy-Deming at 3:30 p.m. and Artesia-St. Pius at 6:30 p.m.
In 3A, Sandia Prep advanced, blanking Hot Springs 7-0. The Sundevils (18-8) won by shutout in Game on 1 on Friday, as well.
Logan Lemons was magnificent on the bump for Sandia Prep, firing a 1-hitter while striking out 17 batters. He also had three hits.
James Yodice covers prep sports for the Journal. You can reach him at jyodice@abqjournal.com or via X at @JamesDYodice.
Las Cruces High's Zaysha Hawkins drove in two runs in the top of the fifth inning on Saturday to lead No. 10 Las Cruces to a 3-1 road win over No. 2 Alamogordo to complete an upset-heavy first weekend of the Class 5A State Softball Tournament.
No. 1 Mayfield is the only top-four seed to make it to Thursday's 5A winner's bracket quarterfinals, which start at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Cleveland High School — home, coincidentally, to the Trojans' 5th-seeded opponent on Thursday morning.
Most of the first weekend’s Class 5A games were completed on Friday.
The other 5A winner's bracket quarterfinal in the double-elimination tournament will be the Bulldawgs (16-12), who had been swept in three games by Alamogordo in the regular season, playing No. 6 Piedra Vista.
In elimination games on Thursday at Cleveland starting at noon will be No. 4 Los Lunas vs. No. 9 Centennial and No. 2 Alamogordo vs. No. 3 Organ Mountain — two of the state's top teams all season already on the brink of their season ending. (Alamogordo took two of 3 from Organ Mountain in the regular season).
VIEW CLASS 5A BRACKET HERE
Class 4A
In Artesia, the top seeded Bulldogs rolled through their pod and into Thursday's winner's bracket round with an 8-2 win over No. 9 Goddard.
After a brief 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning by the Rockets (14-14), Artesia blew it open with a four-run bottom half of the frame then put an exclamation point on things with a three-run sixth.
The Bulldogs (24-4) play fellow District 4-4A Lovington at Cleveland High School at 9:30 a.m. Thursday.
No. 5 LOVINGTON 9, No. 4 ST. PIUS 6: At St. Pius, the visiting Wildcats won on the road Saturday to get a rematch with Artesia in Thursday's winner's bracket.
Sartans' junior Aubri Hooee went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs in the loss, as St. Pius falls into the loser's bracket vs. Goddard at noon on Thursday at Cleveland.
No. 3 SILVER 20, No. 11 BELEN 0 (3 innings): In Silver, the host Colts made quick work of the visiting Eagles, scoring three runs in each of the first two innings before a monstrous 14 run third brought the game to a halt.
Silver junior catcher Vanesa Lucero was 3-for-4 with a home run, two doubles and four RBIs. Pitcher Azariah Madrid allowed one hit and faced just 10 batters in her three innings of work in the circle.
The Colts (21-7) play either No. 2 Aztec at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday at Cleveland.
No. 2 AZTEC 1, No. 7 KIRTLAND CENTRAL 0: In Aztec, Ayasha Yellow drove in the game’s only run in the bottom of the 8th inning, sending the Tigers (20-5) past fellow District 1-4A power Kirtland Central on Saturday.
While No. 2 Aztec and No. 3 Silver battle it out Thursday in the winner’s bracket quarterfinals, the Broncos (19-9) play No. 9 Belen in an elimination game at noon.
VIEW CLASS 4A BRACKET HERE
Reach Geoff Grammer at ggrammer@abqjournal.com or follow him on Twitter (X) @GeoffGrammer.
Now that UFC 328 is officially in the history books after a stacked night (Sat., May 9, 2026) of fights LIVE on Paramount+ from inside Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, fight fans can check out the post-fight press conference video above for all the best reaction and official bonus winners.
On a night that featured a main event throwdown between undefeated UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev and former titleholder Sean Strickland, a co-headliner pitting UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van against surging Japanese challenger Tatsuro Taira, and a heavyweight clash between contenders Alexander Volkov and Waldo Cortes-Acosta, there will be a lot to discuss when the action concludes.
The post-fight presser is scheduled to go LIVE in the above video player around 12:15 a.m. ET (Sunday). It will feature the biggest winners and losers from the card, as well as UFC CEO, Dana White, if we’re lucky.
For complete UFC 328 results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.
Here we go again.
That was surely the overriding emotion when Ryan Gravenberch shifted the ball onto his right foot and absolutely hammered a shot beyond backup goalkeeper Filip Jörgensen to give Liverpool the lead barely five minutes into the lunchtime proceedings at Anfield. Chelsea have made a habit of conceding early — only bottom side Burnley have let in more in the opening ten minutes of Premier League games this season — and we would usually follow that up by folding and collapsing like a house of very expensive yet very frail cards.
The hosts were surely expecting that to happen as well, judging by their inability to cope with the exact opposite reaction from the Blues. Chelsea threatened almost immediately after going behind (João Pedro getting squeezed out by Liverpool’s two big lumps at the back on Malo Gusto’s ball across), and we would keep that impetus going until finding the equalizer through a perfectly placed free kick from Enzo Fernández. Always aim towards the far post and the corridor of uncertainty!
At times it felt almost unreal that level of control and, dare I say domination from Chelsea we were seeing — the locals certainly weren’t happy judging by their frequent boos — and I suppose the only unfortunate part of it all was that we were not able to kick on and finish the job. We did have a second for a brief moment early in the second half before VAR ruined our party, but at least we managed to hold on to the point and arrest the losing streak at six. The historic seven-match losing streak from the 1950s is now safe for at least another year, and hopefully for ever.
Of course, it’s hard to be too happy about any decent result given the overall vibes and the state of the club at the moment, but considering all the narratives and all the injury issues with our wingers, we do have something solid to lean on as we head into Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City. We might even have a chance?
Calum McFarlane may have his online detractors, but he’s been consistent in his messaging that aligns with modern Chelsea values. This draw certainly isn’t great, and it just about rules us out of finishing sixth, but it is better than much of what we’ve been subjected to over the past couple months.
“I thought the game could have went either way really at certain moments [but] I think we could have won [and] come away with three points. […] This club needs to win games of football, and we haven’t done that today. We’re not happy with the form and some of the recent performances. So, yeah, it’s nice to have a good, complete performance. It would have been better with a win, but when you come to these places, it’s really difficult. So, yeah, it’s positive.”
It’s a thankless task for the interim management team to have to see out the remaining last few games of the season, but McFarlane has shown that even without certain official qualifications, he’s got a solid grasp on tactics and man-management, and his gameplans have proven reasonable and useful (when executed accordingly). He was able to manufacture some width from the team in this one without any recognized wingers available, and expose the weaknesses in Liverpool’s backline that have prevented the defending champions from having any say in this year’s title race.
“I thought it was a really good performance [and] I think we were effective down both sides. [Palmer] and Malo caused them real problems with their rotation on the right [as did] Cucurella running off the ball and finding space with great movement. [He] is not a winger. He has played there before, he told me, but even when he plays left-back or when he rolls into midfield, his movement off the ball is of a real high quality, the timing, the understanding of when to do it. So, it’s something that we knew with him in that position we could maybe expose. I thought he’s unlucky not to get an assist and create a lot of problems for them.”
-Calum McFarlane; source: Football.London
Small victories in a non-victory, to be sure. But some signs of life (and hope?) for the one game left this season that still matters and still would give us European football along with a nice shiny trophy.
Alexander Volkov wants his shot at gold after taking out Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC 328.
Across three rounds, Volkov fought with a smart game plan as he chipped away at Cortes-Acosta from the outside and just never let him get going with his big looping punches. From kicks to the body and legs or landing with his lead jab, Volkov was just connecting with strikes more often and Cortes-Acosta struggled to find a home for his best shots throughout the fight.
When it was over the judges scored the fight 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 with Volkov getting the unanimous decision win.
“I just want to say a very important thing right now, my country is very important holiday,” Volkov said afterwards. “It’s a day of victory of World War II. It’s a big honor for me to fight today and win. I know you don’t like heavyweight fights that don’t come to a finish but Waldo’s a tough motherf*cker. He’s so good. It was a lot of danger.
“Now real talk, [Ciryl] Gane, I beat him before, the judges robbed me. [Alex] Pereira is not a heavyweight. I should fight for this title. Give me the title shot, it doesn’t matter.”
Volkov opened with a series of kicks to the legs and body to use his reach advantage while Cortes-Acosta was tossing out a solid lead jab as he looked to close the distance. As Volkov kept chipping away with kicks, Cortes-Acosta charged forward with a barrage of punches but he couldn’t connect before the Russian circled away again.
With less than a minute remaining in the opening round, Cortes-Acosta finally connected with a slick combination that landed on the chin but Volkov reacted well to avoid any further damage.
Cortes-Acosta started throwing with more confidence as he attacked Volkov with good striking combinations and his right hand landed repeatedly. Volkov was still mostly concentrating on his kicks and rarely throwing a punch in return.
Showing frustration, Cortes-Acosta started demanding that Volkov stand and trade with him and he paid for that decision. Volkov clipped Cortes-Acosta with a slick left hand that rattled “Salsa Boy” and sent him wobbling back towards the cage.
While Volkov wasn’t really able to follow up, he clearly had Cortes-Acosta hurt with arguably the best shot of the fight. A late jab followed by a kick right up the middle that dug into Cortes-Acosta’s body let Volkov really show off the variety of his striking attacks.
With five minutes remaining, Cortes-Acosta started pushing the pace more realizing a finish may be needed to get the win. He landed a couple of thudding shots but Volkov quickly countered with a stiff jab that evened the score.
Cortes-Acosta was finding a home with his punches as Volkov started to slow down but the veteran heavyweight still managed to fire back with another kick to the body. Another flurry from Cortes-Acosta came just before the fight ended, although Volkov avoided anything connecting clean.
While not the emphatic finish he surely wanted, Volkov showed there’s still levels to the top of the heavyweight division by stopping Cortes-Acosta’s three-fight win streak. Volkov is now 6-1 in his past seven fights with his only loss coming in a controversial split decision to Ciryl Gane in 2024.
Thunder vs. Lakers schedule: Dates, times, TV channels, scores for 2026 NBA Playoffs series originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
On Tuesday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers will begin their duel in the Western Conference Semifinals.
The Thunder had no difficulties in their first round against the Phoenix Suns whatsoever, as they won each of the four games by an average of 18 points. MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 33 points (25, 37, 42, 31). Heading into this series, Jalen Williams will be questionable after straining his left hamstring during Game 2.
One of the biggest questions for Los Angeles in this series will be if star Luka Doncic can return. The team stated that he won't be available for the first portion of the series. If the Lakers can win some games to extend the series, there is a chance Doncic can return to greatly aid LeBron James, Austin Reaves and the rest of their squad.
The Thunder won all four of their regular-season games against the Lakers this season. The winner of this semifinal matchup will take on the winner of the San Antonio Spurs vs. Minnesota Timberwolves series.
Here's what you need to know to watch Oklahoma City vs. Los Angeles, including broadcast information and start times.
Oklahoma City leads series 3-0
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 5 | Game 1: Thunder 108, Lakers 90 | — | — |
| May 7 | Game 2: Thunder 125, Lakers 107 | — | — |
| May 9 | Game 3: Thunder 131, Lakers 108 | — | — |
| May 11 | Game 4 at Los Angeles | 10:30 p.m. | Prime Video |
| May 13 | Game 5* at Oklahoma City | TBA | TBA |
| May 16 | Game 6* at Los Angeles | TBA | TBA |
| May 18 | Game 7* at Oklahoma City | TBA | TBA |
* If necessary
The Thunder vs. Lakers series will air across multiple platforms thanks to the NBA's expanded broadcast deal, which will see games split among the ESPN networks, NBC and Peacock, and Prime Video.
Games on ABC, ESPN networks and NBC can be streamed live on DIRECTV, which offers a free trial to new users.
Fans can also turn to the streaming homes for each broadcast partner — Prime Video, Peacock or the ESPN app — for games on those platforms.
Click here for the updated 2026 NBA Playoffs bracket from The Sporting News.
Here are the key dates to know for the NBA Playoffs and offseason.
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Play-In Tournament | April 14-17 |
| First round begins | April 18 |
| Conference semifinals begin | May 4* |
| NBA Draft Lottery | May 10 |
| Eastern Conference finals begin | May 19* |
| Western Conference finals begin | May 20* |
| NBA Finals begin | June 3 |
| NBA Finals Game 7 (if necessary) | June 19 |
| NBA Draft | June 23-24 |
* Can move up depending on earlier series
Justin Martinez: Final: Thunder 131, Lakers 108 Ajay Mitchell: 24 points and 10 assists. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 23 points and 9 assists. Chet Holmgren: 18 points and 9 rebounds. OKC has a 3-0 lead in the series. It can book its ticket to the Western Conference final at 9:30 p.m. CT Monday.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: OKC takes 3-0 lead over Lakers behind Ajay Mitchell double-double
Monte Poole: Steve Kerr's contract with the Warriors will cover the next 2 years. Stephen Curry has 1 year remaining but surely will receive another 1-year extension. Fully expect them to be aligned
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Steve Kerr's contract with the Warriors will cover the …
Sam Vecenie: Have asked a bunch of scouts in Chicago if there was anyone who helped themselves on Day 1 of G League Elite Camp. The two names I got consistently were Trey Kaufman Renn and Jacob Cofie. Aaron Nkrumah 3rd. By and large, not an immense amount of enthusiasm from scouts on event
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Have asked a bunch of scouts in Chicago if there was …
NEWARK, N.J. – UFC 328 takes place Saturday at Prudential Center, and you can watch a live video stream of the post-event news conference here on MMA Junkie.
Expected to take part in the press conference are the winners of the championship fights of Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland and Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira.
UFC CEO Dana White is also expected to answer questions from reporters and recap the event.
You can watch the press conference in the video above, which will go live upon the conclusion of the headlining bout.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Video: UFC 328 post-fight press conference live stream
NCAA women's lacrosse bracket 2026: Schedule, TV channels, live streams, scores for college championship originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The calendar flipping to May means it's NCAA lacrosse time once again.
Every year brings something new but the usual suspects lead the way in the 2026 women's tournament. Northwestern, North Carolina, Maryland or Boston College has won every title but one since 2005 (the exception being James Madison in 2018), and the first three teams also are the top three seeds this time.
The Tar Heels defeated the Wildcats in last year's final, but Northwestern handed UNC its only regular-season loss this year in an overtime thriller in Chapel Hill back in March and earned the No. 1 seed in the bracket. Are those two on a collision course once again or will another team break through?
Here's everything you need to know to watch this year's tournament.
The bracket consists of 29 teams, with 15 automatic and 14 at-large selections. The top eight schools are seeded nationally and the top three receive first-round byes. The eight seeds are as follows; see the full game schedule below.
The 2026 DI Women’s Lacrosse Bracket 🏆🥍
— NCAA Lacrosse (@NCAALAX) May 4, 2026
➡️ https://t.co/E2TYhSdVNB
🎟️ https://t.co/hMJfHSdRTn#NCAAWLAXpic.twitter.com/OUmFmITHcz
The 2026 NCAA women's lacrosse tournament will air on multiple ESPN platforms, including the quarterfinals and semifinals on ESPNU and the championship game on ESPN.
All of those games will also be available to stream via fubo, which offers a free trial. Fans can also stream those games and every first- and second-round game with the ESPN app.
Now you can watch ESPN without cable. Stream live NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, college sports, plus SportsCenter, First Take, and all your favorite ESPN shows—anytime, anywhere—only in the ESPN app.
No. 1 Northwestern, No. 2 North Carolina and No. 3 Maryland have first-round byes. The eight national seeds host first- and second-round games.
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| No. 5 Stony Brook 19, Stonehill 5 | — | — |
| Rutgers 12, Princeton 11 | — | — |
| No. 4 Johns Hopkins 21, UAlbany 7 | — | — |
| No. 6 Navy 17, UMass 16 | — | — |
| No. 7 Michigan 18, Mercer 8 | — | — |
| Boston College 10, Yale 4 | — | — |
| James Madison 13, Notre Dame 12 | — | — |
| Clemson 19, Davidson 6 | — | — |
| No. 8 Colorado 10, Jacksonville 9 | — | — |
| Stanford 7, Penn State 5 | — | — |
| Army 20, Fairfield 8 | — | — |
| Syracuse 8, Loyola Maryland 6 | — | — |
| Denver 16, Florida 8 | — | — |
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| No. 5 Stony Brook vs. Boston College | 12 p.m. | ESPN app |
| No. 3 Maryland vs. Rutgers | 12 p.m. | ESPN app |
| No. 2 North Carolina vs. Clemson | 12 p.m. | ESPN app |
| No. 4 Johns Hopkins vs. Army | 12 p.m. | ESPN app |
| No. 7 Michigan vs. Stanford | 1 p.m. | ESPN app |
| No. 6 Navy vs. Syracuse | 1 p.m. | ESPN app |
| No. 1 Northwestern vs. James Madison | 2 p.m. | ESPN app |
| No. 8 Colorado vs. Denver | 3 p.m. | ESPN app |
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | 12 p.m. | ESPNU, ESPN app, fubo |
| TBD vs. TBD | 2:30 p.m. | ESPNU, ESPN app, fubo |
| TBD vs. TBD | 5 p.m. | ESPNU, ESPN app, fubo |
| TBD vs. TBD | 7:30 p.m. | ESPNU, ESPN app, fubo |
Semifinals and final will be played at Northwestern
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | 3 p.m. | ESPNU, ESPN app, fubo |
| TBD vs. TBD | 5:30 p.m. | ESPNU, ESPN app, fubo |
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Semifinal winners | 12 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN app, fubo |
Here are the last 10 NCAA women's lacrosse champions and runners-up. There was no tournament in 2020 due to COVID-19.
| Year | Champion | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | North Carolina | Northwestern |
| 2024 | Boston College | Northwestern |
| 2023 | Northwestern | Boston College |
| 2022 | North Carolina | Boston College |
| 2021 | Boston College | Syracuse |
| 2019 | Maryland | Boston College |
| 2018 | James Madison | Boston College |
| 2017 | Maryland | Boston College |
| 2016 | North Carolina | Maryland |
| 2015 | Maryland | North Carolina |
Competition/Round: 2025-26 La Liga, Matchday 35
Barcelona Outs & Doubts: Lamine Yamal (out), Andreas Christensen (doubt)
Real Madrid Outs & Doubts: Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo, Arda Güler, Dani Ceballos, Ferland Mendy (out), Kylian Mbappé (doubt)
Barcelona Form Guide: WWWWW
Real Madrid Form Guide: DLWDW
Date/Time: Sunday, May 10, 2026, 9pm CET/WAT (Barcelona), 8pm BST/WAT (UK & Nigeria), 3pm ET, 12pm PT (USA), 12.30am IST (India, Monday)
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández
VAR: Javier Iglesias Villanueva
How to watch on TV: ESPN (USA), Premier Sports 1 (UK), SuperSport (Nigeria), Movistar (Spain), others
How to watch online: ESPN+ (USA), Premier Sports Player (UK), FanCode (India), Movistar+ (Spain), others
Following a tough win away to Osasuna last weekend and a full week to rest, recover and train, Barcelona return to action for the biggest game of the season as the Catalans welcome their biggest rivals Real Madrid for the final El Clásico of the campaign at The Greatest Stadium on Earth on Sunday Night Fútbol.
There’s not much that needs to be said about this one as the scenario is pretty clear: avoid defeat, and Barça will mathematically clinch back-to-back league titles and will get to celebrate in front of the home crowd and in front of their rivals. The La Liga trophy will be in the building, so the Blaugrana have a chance to have a full title party in the Catalan capital if they can finish the job on Sunday.
Barça will be favorites given the recent form of both teams, the massive 11-point gap in the table, the huge injury crisis facing Los Blancos, and a crazy week full of drama at the capital with petitions asking for Kylian Mbappé’s exit and two fights between teammates that sent Fede Valverde to the hospital and resulted in a huge fine for the Uruguayan and his sparring partner Aurélien Tchouaméni.
Madrid are facing an unprecedented crisis that might even result in José Mourinho’s return to try and solve the issues in the dressing room, and all signs point to them being broken as a club ahead of Sunday’s Clásico. But anyone thinking this will be a stroll in the park for Hansi Flick and his troops is sadly mistaken.
There is still a whole lot of talent in this Madrid team and they will look to prove they can put the personal issues aside and put up a fight against Barça, and the possible absence of Mbappé through injury will empower Vinicius Jr. to bring his best in a matchup he is always very motivated for. Winning the league is still virtually impossible even if they do pull off the upset on Sunday, but El Clásico is Madrid’s last chance to save some dignity in a horrible season.
They will be dangerous and highly motivated, and Barça must be ready for a true battle. The Catalans have won five of the six Clásicos under Hansi Flick and are very comfortable in this matchup, but they still can’t take it for granted.
A title is at stake, Madrid are ready to be broken for good, and Camp Nou will be at its very best. It’s up to the players to deliver.
Let’s dance.
Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Joan; Kounde, Cubarsí, Martín, Cancelo; Gavi, Pedri; Roony, Olmo, Fermín; Lewandowski
Real Madrid (4-4-2): Courtois; Trent, Rüdiger, Huijsen, García; Bellingham, Tchouaméni, Pitarch, Camavinga; Brahim, Vinicius
Unlike many Barça fans who want a humiliation of their biggest rivals, the only thing I genuinely care about is watching the players jumping in a circle in the middle of the pitch as Camp Nou celebrates winning La Liga. I don’t care how we get there: 2-2 draw.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Colorado Avalanche made a change in net for the first time this postseason, pulling Scott Wedgewood early in the second period of Game 3 of their second-round NHL playoff series on Saturday night after he allowed three goals to the Minnesota Wild.
Wedgewood made 10 saves before yielding to Mackenzie Blackwood, whose last game action was on April 14. With Wedgewood getting 43 starts and Blackwood making 36 starts, the Avalanche goalies shared the William M. Jennings Trophy given to the team with the best goals against average during the regular season.
Wedgewood, a career backup who took advantage of an early-season injury absence for Blackwood and wound up leading the league with a .921 save percentage and a 2.02 goals against average, entered Game 3 with a 6-0 record and a 2.12 goals against average with a .923 save percentage in the playoffs.
But some defensive breakdowns and undisciplined play in front of him set Wedgewood up for a struggle. Kirill Kaprizov scored on a four-on-four situation after Colorado's Parker Kelly and Minnesota's Ryan Hartman took roughing penalties for their scuffle. Then a hooking penalty on defenseman Devon Toews gave the Wild more than a minute of four-on-three play that Quinn Hughes capped with his goal from the top of the slot.
In the second period with the Wild on another power play after Kelly was called for holding Hughes, Hartman batted in an airborne shot to make it 3-0 and prompt coach Jared Bednar to make the switch.
Blackwood played the whole first-round series for the Avalanche when they lost to the Dallas Stars in seven games last year.
After backstopping the Wild to a six-game win over the Stars in the first round this year, rookie Jesper Wallstedt was the natural pick to start this series against the Avalanche. After the Wild lost the wacky opener 9-6 on Sunday, coach John Hynes went to Filip Gustavsson for Game 2.
Gustavsson, who has been the team's primary goalie for the last three seasons and made 49 starts during the regular season to Wallstedt's 33, didn't look sharp in the 5-2 loss on Tuesday. So the Wild went back to Wallstedt for Game 3.
___
AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
It will be the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals, barring the most shocking comeback in the history of the NBA.
With a 131-108 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, the Thunder took a 3-0 lead on Saturday and remain undefeated through seven postseason games. They are 27-1 since the start of February in games Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has played.
They go for the sweep on Monday in Los Angeles (10:30 p.m. ET, Prime Video). No team has ever come back from a 3-0 series deficit.
AJAY MITCHELL IS HOOPING.
— NBA (@NBA) May 10, 2026
A new postseason career-high in points with 24!
Watch OKC/LAL Game 3 on ABC 🍿 https://t.co/Z8kKpIS1iVpic.twitter.com/hAA44LoFms
The Lakers at least put up a fight for the first half in front of their home crowd, going back-and-forth and entering halftime with a two-point lead. They lost control when OKC opened the third quarter with a 21-6 run, got the deficit back down to five points late in the third, and then the Thunder hit the gear only the Thunder are capable of hitting.
L.A. simply looked gassed by the end, as if they have been playing the best team in the NBA without their most important player for three straight games. They waved the white flag by emptying their bench with 3:38 remaining in the game.
The Thunder outscored them 74-49 in the second half.
Once again, the Lakers succeeded in preventing an otherworldly game from Gilgeous-Alexander (23 points on 7-of-20 shooting), but OKC’s deep supporting cast again made that a non-issue. Six other players scored in double figures, and the team collectively shot 56.4% from the field and 44.7% from deep, with nine total turnovers.
LeBron wasn't happy with this no-call 😯
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 10, 2026
Chet with the easy slam on the other end ‼️ pic.twitter.com/HVxjryqWXN
There’s no telling how this series would have gone down had Luka Dončić been healthy (or Thunder star Jalen Williams for that matter), but the actual result has been as expected. The Lakers have pushed the Thunder at times, but never enough across an entire game. Every loss has been by double-digits.
As Lakers head coach JJ Redick put it with reporters after the game:
“They’ve kicked our ass three straight games.”
Counting the regular season, the Lakers are now 0-7 against the Thunder this season with an average scoring margin of 25.4 points. The closest loss has been by nine points. The only game in which the Lakers were actually healthy at the start of the game was the April 2 date when Dončić and Austin Reaves both got hurt.
Maybe there’s a turnaround still to come. The way the Lakers looked in the fourth quarter didn’t inspire confidence.
This is the UFC 328 live blog for Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira, the flyweight championship co-main event Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Van (16-2) is coming off of a controversial win over Alexandre Pantoja in which Van claimed Pantoja’s 125-pound title and earned a top 20 spot in the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings. Sixteen seconds into their December meeting at UFC 323, the bout was waved off after Pantoja suffered a freak arm injury attempting to post on the mat after being thrown off by Van. Definitive or not, Van officially became the second-youngest champion in UFC history, trailing only Jon Jones.
After suffering his first-ever loss to Brandon Royval, Taira (18-1) rebounded in spectacular fashion, scoring two wins including a second-round knockout of two-time UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno. Taira can become the first Japanese fighter ever to become UFC champion and join Van on the list of youngest champions with both having been born in the early 2000s.
Check out the UFC 328 live blog for Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira below.
Ok, we’re now off two decisions in a row and I must admit Volkov vs. WAC wasn’t the most exciting one. This co-main event should be fire, though — and Alexandre Pantoja is definitely glued to the TV to see who walks away with the UFC flyweight belt in Newark.
Asked to pitch in a high-leverage situation for the first time in a while, Camilo Doval disappointed on Saturday.
With the Yankees up 2-1 with one out in the eighth inning, the flame-thrower relieved Brent Headrick, who surrendered a solo homer to Jake Bauers the previous inning. Doval quickly recorded an out, getting Jackson Chourio to pop up to Austin Wells.
But Doval gave up a single to Brice Turang after that. Never particularly good at controlling the running game, Doval then let Turang steal second before permitting a game-tying single to William Contreras.
The sequence proved costly in what became a 4-3, 10-inning, series-losing defeat for the Yankees in Milwaukee. While Ryan McMahon put the Yankees back in front with a single in the top of the 10th, the Brewers tied the game again in the bottom of the inning when Chourio picked up an infield single against Fernando Cruz.
With runners on first and second and one away, new reliever Tim Hill then made the unwise decision to throw to third after fielding a comebacker. His throw hit Luis Rengifo. With no outs recorded and the bases juiced, Contreras then ended the game with a sac fly.
While Doval wasn’t the only Yankees reliever to allow a run after Cam Schlittler threw six scoreless innings on Saturday, the fact that he has been untrustworthy in high-leverage situations is a problem for the Bombers.
The club was counting on the former Giants closer and 2023 All-Star to be its setup man for David Bednar, but Doval owns a 6.14 ERA and has shown that he has no business being in tight ballgames after a little more than a month of play.
While Doval, acquired from San Francisco at the trade deadline last summer, opened the season with three scoreless outings, he has allowed at least one earned run in seven of his 14 appearances since then.
Doval, erratic throughout his career, has managed to cut back on his free passes; he didn’t allow any on Saturday and entered the game with a 5.0 BB%. That would be a career low over a full season, and yet Doval has remained a liability after making a less-than-stellar first impression last season.
With Doval and company off their games, the Yankees’ bullpen also spoiled a strong offensive night from Paul Goldschmidt. The veteran first baseman opened the game with a home run, his third of the season. At 38 years, 241 days, Goldschmidt became the oldest player in Yankees history with a leadoff long ball.
Goldschmidt wasn’t done there, adding an RBI single off the glove of Rengifo in the fourth frame.
Unfortunately for the Yankees, Goldschmidt’s efforts weren’t enough with the bullpen scuffling and their lineup going 3 for 14 with runners in scoring position.
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Santiago Moreno and Kaick Ferreira scored first-half goals to lead FC Dallas to a 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake on Saturday night.
Moreno staked Dallas to a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute when he used an assist from Petar Musa to score for the first time this season and the 21st time in 138 career appearances. Musa's assist was his second.
Kaick found the net for the first time six minutes later, scoring unassisted for a 2-0 advantage. It was the third goal in 39 career matches for the 20-year-old midfielder.
Real Salt Lake cut it to 2-1 on a goal by Diego Luna in the 85th minute. It was the fourth goal of the campaign for Luna and his 26th in 102 career matches. Rookie Morgan Guilavogui collected his fifth assist in his 10th appearance. Defender Alexandros Katranis notched his first assist after subbing into the match in the 69th minute. Katranis had five assists in each of his first two seasons.
Samuel Sarver subbed into the match in the 75th minute and scored his second goal of the season and career in his 13th appearance to restore a two-goal lead two minutes into stoppage time. Defender Sebastien Ibeagha came up with his career-best second assist after entering the match in the 88th minute.
Michael Collodi saved two shots for Dallas (5-3-4) in his 20th career start.
Rafael Cabral had three saves for Real Salt Lake (6-4-1).
Real Salt Lake falls to 2-15-8 all time in Frisco and hasn't won there since a 3-0 victory on July 13, 2013.
Dallas has won two straight following a 0-2-2 winless run and improves to 3-1-4 at home.
Real Salt Lake falls to 1-3-1 on the road and has lost three of its last four contests.
Real Salt Lake: Hosts the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday.
Dallas: Hosts the Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer
The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey hosts tonight's UFC 328: Chimaev vs. Strickland event. The fight card features two world title bouts.
The event is headlined by a middleweight title fight between undefeated champion Khamzat Chimaev and former titleholder Sean Strickland. ln the co-main event, flyweight champion Joshua Van takes on No. 3 ranked Tatsuro Taira.
MAIN CARD (9 p.m. ET, Paramount+)
PRELIMINARY CARD (7 p.m. ET, Paramount+)
PRELIMINARY CARD (5 p.m. ET, Paramount+)
Heavyweight contenders Alexander Volkov and Waldo Cortes-Acosta collided on Saturday's UFC 328 main card.
Volkov entered the octagon at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey ranked No. 2 in the division and having won five of his last six bouts. He was coming off a win over Jailton Almeida and hoping to build on the momentum.
Cortes-Acosta made the walk to the octagon riding a three-fight winning streak and having won eight of his last nine fights. A win for either fighter would put them on a path to a title shot.
Volkov landed first with leg kicks. Cortes-Acosta walked forward and Volkov kept meeting him with leg kicks. Cortes-Acosta answered back with a leg kick. He pressed forward as Volkov circled on the outside. Cortes-Acosta rushed forward with a flurry but Volkov moved away. Volkov continued to deliver leg kicks. Cortes-Acosta had difficulty getting inside. he connected with a jab. Cortes-Acosta exploded forward with a left hand that landed. He seemed to have found his range in the final minute of the round. Cortes-Acosta landed a right hand. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Volkov but there was a momentum change at the end of the frame.
They met in the middle and Volkov delivered a kick to the body. Cortes-Acosta responded with a right hand. Volkov wasn't circling as much in the second round. Cortes-Acosta landed another right hand. Volkov continued to deliver leg kicks. They exchanged leg kicks and Volkov stepped into the pocket with a combination. Cortes-Acosta pressed forward and connected with a hard right hand. Volkov landed a counter left hand that hurt Cortes-Acosta. He moved in with a combination but Cortes-Acosta covered and circled free. Volkov began landing more often and mixing in body kicks. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Volkov.
Cortes-Acosta came out in the final frame the same as the first two, pressing forward. Volkov circled and delivered a kick to the body. Cortes-Acosta connected with a combination and then accidentally poked Volkov in the eye. The fight was restarted seconds later. Corttex-Acosta landed a combination when the fight restarted. He connected with a right hand. Volkov absorbed it. They exchanged jabs. Volkov began bleeding from the nose. Volkov looked to have slowed. Cortes-Acosta clinched with two minutes remaining. They separated and Volkov went to the body with a kick. Cortes-Acosta landed a stiff jab. Volkov responded with one of his own. Volkov continued to deliver leg kicks. They exchanged and Cortes-Acosta conceded with a right hand. Cortes-Acosta pressed forward with punches. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Cortes-Acosta.
The judges scored the fight for Volkov via unanimous decision. The scorecards read 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28.
ATLANTA -- The LA Galaxy spent most of Saturday night absorbing pressure, trading challenges and waiting for the match to finally open up.
Once it did, Marco Reus changed everything.
The veteran midfielder came off the bench and immediately flipped the rhythm of the game, assisting both Gabriel Pec goals as the Galaxy erased a second-half deficit to defeat Atlanta United 2-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For a team that spent much of the early season searching for identity and resilience away from home, this felt like one of its clearest signs of growth yet.
Not because it was clean. It wasn’t.
But because the Galaxy finally looked comfortable winning an ugly match.
Atlanta controlled long stretches early, and the Galaxy were fortunate to reach halftime level after surviving several dangerous moments around the box. Saba Lobjanidze repeatedly found space down the left side, while JT Marcinkowski was forced into multiple key interventions, including a huge save in the 20th minute after Mauricio Cuevas stumbled defensively and opened the door for Atlanta in transition.
JT “Mr. Fantastic” Marcinkowski 🧤 pic.twitter.com/zVvyGq67UV
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) May 10, 2026
The match quickly turned physical after that.
Atlanta picked up three yellow cards within a five-minute stretch late in the first half, Juan Berrocal’s heavy challenge on Cuevas setting the tone for a choppy, emotional match that never fully settled. Greg Vanney and Atlanta manager Tata Martino were both booked before halftime, while a lengthy delay for a collision involving Jakob Glesnes and Emmanuel Latte Lath only added to the chaos.
Atlanta thought it had found the breakthrough before the break when Berrocal headed home off a corner, but the goal was waved off for interference on Marcinkowski in a decision that immediately sparked debate around the stadium.
The Galaxy escaped.
Still, the warning signs were obvious. The Galaxy back line looked shaky defending crosses and second balls, and Latte Lath in particular started finding dangerous spaces as the second half opened.
Only desperation defending kept the match level.
Emiro Garcés produced a massive recovery intervention in the 47th minute after Atlanta broke down the flank again. Moments later, Glesnes stepped up to catch Latte Lath offside before Marcinkowski came charging off his line to erase another dangerous chance.
The Galaxy were hanging on, but the match was beginning to stretch. And that eventually played directly into Vanney’s plan.
“We knew at some point in the game, and it was probably about 30 minutes left, that we wanted to get Marco out,” Vanney said. “We're going to get out and try to get a little bit more attacking-minded.”
Atlanta finally broke through in the 69th minute when Ajani Fortune was given too much space near the top of the box and buried a long-range strike past Marcinkowski for a deserved 1-0 lead.
For much of the night, that felt inevitable.
What happened next didn’t.
Two minutes after Atlanta nearly doubled the lead off a Galaxy turnover, Vanney turned to Reus and Eric Thommy to fully open the match up. The effect was immediate.
Reus instantly started finding the spaces Atlanta had spent 70 minutes mostly protecting. More importantly, he found Pec running into them.
Vanney has spent much of the season emphasizing that Pec is at his best attacking forward at speed rather than standing on the ball and trying to create everything himself. Saturday became the clearest example yet.
In the 74th minute, Reus split Atlanta’s defense with a perfectly weighted through ball that sent Pec in behind for the equalizer, the Galaxy’s first-ever goal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the extension of the club’s MLS-best 21-match scoring streak.
Pec's equalizer 🔥 pic.twitter.com/AgGQYZEgUe
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) May 10, 2026
Five minutes later, the exact same connection struck again.
Pec's doblete 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/zVmn7zCWSL
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) May 10, 2026
Reus slipped another pass into space. Pec’s first effort was denied, but the rebound fell kindly and the Brazilian buried it to silence a stadium that had been roaring minutes earlier.
Just like that, the Galaxy had completely flipped the match.
“I thought Gabe’s running was smart,” Vanney said. "Now, a guy who makes smart runs has to have a guy who knows exactly where to deliver the ball at what speed to deliver the ball. All those kinds of details that I think Marco came in and he just, he's Marco Reus.”
Pec finished with the third multi-goal MLS match of his career, but the story behind the goals mattered just as much. For one of the first times this season, the Galaxy looked like a team fully understanding how to maximize its attacking pieces instead of relying on isolated moments.
And defensively, they finally closed a match out.
Garcés produced another huge late intervention before carrying the ball nearly the length of the field to ignite a transition chance in the 89th minute. Vanney then shifted into a back five late, a tactical decision that failed in previous weeks but held firm this time as Maya Yoshida entered to help see out stoppage time.
“It wasn’t sexy through the whole game,” Glesnes admitted afterward. “But we did the job.”
More importantly for the Galaxy, they’re starting to look like a team learning exactly what kind of job needs to be done to win on the road.
The newest class of Pittsburgh Steelers got their first taste of life in the black and gold.
The team hosted its rookie minicamp on the South Side.
Channel 11’s Shelby Cassesse was there talking to some of this year’s draft class.
There are days when it starts to feel real for many of these rookies, getting back to football after a whirlwind offseason. Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy says he took things intentionally slow, helping both the newcomers and staff get acclimated.
“It’s awesome to play football again. I’ve been waiting to be part of a team since Jan. 1,” said guard Gennings Dunker.
“It’s crazy, first time putting on the jersey, just going out there on the field doesn’t feel real,” said offensive tackle Max Iheanachor. “Being able to start getting the work in and soaking in the moment and just being grateful to be here.”
Max Iheanachor and Gennings Dunker are two newcomers we’ll be watching closely to see where they fit on this Steelers offensive line.
Iheanachor confirmed to us he’s working exclusively at right tackle.
“They definitely look like Pittsburgh Steelers linemen,” McCarthy said. “I think you look for young men that definitely have the anchor to play the style of football we want to play.”
But much of McCarthy’s attention was on the lone quarterback at rookie camp Saturday.
McCarthy said Drew Allar got 35 snaps in team drills, certainly on the higher end.
The former Penn State quarterback got plenty of one-on-one time with his head coach.
“I feel like I’ve really grown a lot and just understand his philosophy a lot more the last two days,” Allar said. “I know what I need to work on and how to work on it. I just got to be intentional with doing the same routine every day and making sure I’m staying on top of the little things.”
The rookies are using this weekend to learn how they fit into the system — and into Pittsburgh.
“Pittsburgh is awesome. It’s so pretty with how green it is, and the water too. It’s awesome,” Dunker said. “...I had to ask around if I can swim in the rivers. You’re not supposed to do that, so I might go fishing.”
Aaron Rodgers’ whereabouts were the elephant in the room after reports he’d be in town this weekend.
Mike McCarthy downplayed the situation when asked if he’d like to add a fourth quarterback, like Rodgers, by OTAs. He smiled and said three quarterbacks is the norm, four would be awesome.
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Eli Raridon and Quintayvious Hutchins have officially put the pen to the paper for the first time as members of the New England Patriots following the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Patriots announced that Raridon and Hutchins signed their rookie deals on Saturday.
Details of the two Patriots rookies’ contracts have yet to be disclosed. The two contract signings come on the heels of New England signing five of their other draftees — Karon Prunty, Dametrious Crownover, Namdi Obiazor, Behren Morton and Jam Miller — as well as 12 rookie free agents on Friday.
The Patriots selected Raridon with the No. 95 overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He recorded 482 receiving yards on 15.1 yards per reception in 2025 at Notre Dame.
New England took Hutchins with the No. 247 overall pick in the draft. The 23-year-old linebacker went for two sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss last season for Boston College.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots make two more rookie draft pick signings official
MILWAUKEE (AP) — William Contreras singled home the tying run in the eighth inning and hit a game-ending sacrifice fly in the 10th as the Milwaukee Brewers rallied past the New York Yankees 4-3 on Saturday.
The Yankees wasted a brilliant performance from Cam Schlittler and have lost back-to-back games for the first time since they dropped five in a row from April 8-12. On Friday, they got just three hits against Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski and Shane Drohan in a 6-0 defeat.
Paul Goldschmidt hit a leadoff homer and drove in two runs for the Yankees. Jake Bauers went deep for Milwaukee.
Schlittler got struck in the leg by a 108.5 mph liner off the bat of Contreras in the first but stayed in the game and allowed two hits in six scoreless innings, lowing his major league-leading ERA to 1.35.
After Ryan McMahon's two-out RBI single on an 0-2 pitch from Aaron Ashby (7-0) put New York ahead 3-2 in the top of the 10th, Milwaukee scored twice in the bottom half to give Ashby the major league lead in wins.
Jackson Chourio's one-out infield single off Fernando Cruz (3-1) tied it and put runners at first and second.
Tim Hill entered and got a comebacker from Brice Turang. The lefty reliever tried to throw out the lead runner at third, but his throw hit Luis Rengifo in the hand, loading the bases.
Contreras followed with a fly ball to right that easily brought home Rengifo.
Bauers got Milwaukee on the board in the seventh with a 420-foot shot to right-center off Brent Headrick. Turang hit a two-out single off Camilo Doval in the eighth, stole second and slid home on Contreras' single to left.
Yankees right-hander Luis Gil was placed on the injured list Saturday at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with shoulder inflammation. The 2024 AL rookie of the year isn’t expected to throw for three weeks.
Seven months after undergoing elbow surgery, Carlos Rodón makes his season debut for the Yankees on Sunday. Logan Henderson (0-1, 4.50 ERA) starts for the Brewers.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
On Friday night in Milwaukee, the Yankees were shut down by Brewers’ phenom pitcher Jacob Misiorowski to spectacular effect. On Saturday, it was the Yankees’ turn to throw their young star, and he was quite good himself. Cam Schlittler ended up going six innings, for the Yankees, allowing no runs on just two hits. He even came back from taking a line drive off the leg to put in another excellent outing.
It’s just that the rest of the team didn’t pull their collective weight. The Yankees managed just three runs on Saturday, despite seven hits and seven walks. However, they twice held late leads, as they were ahead in both the eighth and tenth innings. The bullpen couldn’t close things out either though, as they dropped a frustrating one to the Brewers, 4-3 in 10 innings.
Before the frustration, the game started on a pretty decent note. It took just one batter for the Yankees to surpass their run total from Friday night. On the second pitch of the game, Paul Goldschmidt took Kyle Harrison deep to give the Yankees a good start.
In the bottom of the first, there was a scary moment as Cam Schlittler took a comeback liner off the calf, causing him to limp around for a bit. After the trainer came out to look at him and some practice pitches, he remained in and struck out Jake Bauers.
The Yankees picked up a second run in the fourth inning, although it was a missed chance at even more. Amed Rosario and Jazz Chisholm Jr. opened the inning with hits, giving the Yankees runners at the corner, with a José Caballero walk then loading the bases. However, Harrison got the next two outs, leaving the inning up to Goldschmidt. The first baseman picked up another RBI after Luis Rengifo couldn’t handle his liner at third, giving Goldschmidt an RBI single. The Yankees couldn’t tack on any more in the inning, though.
After Schlittler left the game, it didn’t take long for Milwaukee to get on the board. On the very first pitch reliever Brent Headrick threw in the seventh inning, Bauers crushed a homer into the second deck in right field, cutting into the Yankees’ lead. Headrick came back after that to get through the seventh and the first out of the eighth. Camilo Doval replaced Headrick and got the second out of the seventh before Brice Turang kept the inning alive with a single. Turang then stole second and you knew what was coming after that. William Contreras dropped a single into left field and Turang just beat Cody Bellinger’s throw home, tying the game up. With little room for error, David Bednar came out and threw a nice 1-2-3 inning on just 12 pitches, sending the game to extras.
It seemed like the Yankees would then go down pretty quickly in order in the 10th. Ben Rice and Bellinger couldn’t do anything with the auto-runner at second, with Aaron Judge getting intentionally walked, as is custom. However, McMahon, having come in earlier for Rosario as a defensive replacement, poked a single up the middle to give the Yankees the lead back. Judge would get caught in a rundown after the run scored and the throw home was cut off to end the inning though, and the Yankees would regret missing out on the chance to get insurance runs.
For the bottom of the 10th, the Yankees turned to Fernando Cruz. He got off to a rocky start, as a wild pitch moved the runner up, and he then issued a walk. While a fly out ended up keeping the runner in place in the next at-bat, a Jackson Chourio grounder left Caballero with no play, tying the game back up.
The Yankees then went to Tim Hill, who immediately got a ground ball. However for whatever reason, Hill tried to go to third to get the lead runner. His throw hit Rengifo, the runner, allowing everyone to be safe. Hill then finally did get the second out, but it was a Contreras fly out to right that was deep enough for Aaron Judge’s throw home to be a couple steps late. You can somewhat chalk up Friday’s loss as just running into a freak of nature. Harrison and the pitchers Milwaukee used on Saturday are all pretty good, but the Yankees wasted this one.
Tomorrow, the Yankees and Brewers will wrap up their series with one final game in Milwaukee. It’s also a notable one for the Yankees especially, as Carlos Rodón will make his return from the injured list, opposite Logan Henderson for the Brewers. First pitch in that one will be at 2:10 pm ET.
Former Braves player and announcer Darrel Chaney says legendary Braves manager, Bobby Cox, will be remembered for his wins, being a world champion and being a Hall of Famer.
Tributes are pouring in for Braves icon Bobby Cox. What one former player remembers the most, LIVE on WSB Tonight at 11 p.m.
Chaney played for the Braves during Cox’s first season managing the team in 1978. Chaney said one of Cox’s earliest managerial victories became one of the most memorable moments of his own career.
“I believe it was the fourth game of the season against the San Diego Padres,” Chaney said. “I went in for defense, and we got to the bottom of the 9th inning, and there were two guys out and a man on first base, and it was my turn to bat. Bobby let me hit, and I hit a walk-off home run in the Fulton County Stadium there in Atlanta for Bobby Cox’s first major league win.”
Chaney said it remains a moment he will never forget: “Big thrill for me. Big thrill.”
But Chaney said his memories of Cox go far beyond baseball.
“He was just a good, good person,” he said.
Chaney described Cox as a manager who fiercely defended his players, recalling one game where Cox was ejected arguing on his behalf.
“I got ejected from a game,” Chaney said. “I slid into home plate, and I was safe by a long shot, but they called me out, and Bobby came out to fight for me. He got kicked out, too. He was so mad. He went into the restroom in the dugout; he took his hand and ran it through the toilet tank and shattered it.”
Chaney also remembered witnessing a major turning point in Cox’s personal life in 1979.
“We were signing autographs at a mall up in the Rome, Georgia, area,” Chaney said. ”We looked across the hallway, and there was this good-looking lady working in this clothing shop, and Bobby said I’m going to go introduce myself to that lady. And it was Pam, and he ended up marrying her.”
The friendship between Chaney and Cox lasted decades after their time together on the field.
“Although it’s a sad day, I remember so many joyous times because I got to know that guy,” Chaney said. “Bobby was one of the best.”
Chaney also reflected on another recent loss for the Braves organization, noting that Ted Turner once managed him for a day after purchasing the team.
Chaney said he also had a close relationship with Turner and called it “a sad week” losing both Braves franchise legends.
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Former Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman, one of the most legendary figures not only in the history of Motor City hockey but in the NHL, celebrates his birthday today.
And it was on this day in 2002 that it was made extra special thanks to a gift served up to him by St. Louis Blues goaltender Brent Johnson.
The Red Wings were in the midst of a second round series against the St. Louis Blues, leading two games to one.
After initially falling behind by a 1-0 score thanks to a power-play goal from Scott Young, Detroit rebounded with three straight goals from Brendan Shanahan, Jiri Fischer, and Tomas Holmstrom.
In the third period, Johnson caught a dump-in attempt and tried the clear the puck himself, unaware that Yzerman was barreling down on him.
The puck deflected off Yzerman and into the net, giving his team a commanding 4-1 lead.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
The Red Wings withstood a late comeback effort from the Blues, winning the game 4-3 and taking a 3-1 series they'd later close out in Detroit in Game 5 at Joe Louis Arena.
The series win set up a date with the rival Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Final.
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The Detroit Tigers are in a rough stretch, and after another sloppy loss, it is getting harder to explain away what fans are seeing on the field.
Injuries have certainly played a role, but the bigger issue right now is how poorly the Tigers are executing the basics. Defensive mistakes, stranded runners, and a general lack of clean baseball have turned what was supposed to be a promising season into a growing source of frustration.
The problems showed up immediately.
In the opening inning, Michael Garcia doubled, and Bobby Witt Jr. followed with a ball down the right field line that should have resulted in extra bases. Instead, Kerry Carpenter misplayed the ball and slammed into the wall, injuring his shoulder and forcing him to leave the game.
It was the kind of sequence that summed up the Tigers’ current stretch. Nothing seems to be going smoothly, and even routine plays have become adventures.
At the plate, Detroit once again failed to capitalize with runners on base. Opportunities came and went, and the offense could not deliver the timely hits needed to keep pace.
If there was one encouraging development, it was the continued strong play of Riley Greene.
Greene drove in the Tigers’ only run and continues to look far more polished at the plate than he did earlier in his career. His approach appears more disciplined, and he has been one of the few hitters providing consistent quality at-bats.
For a team struggling to find answers, Greene’s development is one of the few reasons for optimism.
Coming into the 2026 season, many believed the Tigers had the roster to contend for, and possibly win, the American League Central. Even with injuries, there is enough talent on this team to play competitive baseball.
That is what makes the current stretch so troubling.
The Tigers do not simply look like a team going through a slump. They look disorganized and overwhelmed, making fundamental mistakes in all phases of the game.
There is still plenty of time left in the season, and baseball has a way of turning quickly. But if Detroit hopes to live up to the expectations that surrounded this roster, the turnaround needs to begin soon.
Riley Greene — Greene drove in Detroit’s only run and continues to look like one of the few Tigers hitters locked in at the plate.
Should the Boston Celtics be interested in trading for Milwaukee Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo? To senior Athletic reporter Sam Amick, the answer seems to be that they might be already. The Athletic reporter points to reports of Boston looking into what a trade for the Bucks star might look like last season, and despite reports that this interest was 'cursory,' Amick thinks there might be more there than meets the denial.
"There were signs of interest at the February trade deadline, and it would stand to reason that the postseason finish only increases the odds that the Celtics will consider anything and everything when it comes to star players," suggests the Athletic reporter. "Don’t forget about the random praise that Antetokounmpo heaped upon Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla back in early April while discussing the Bucks’ struggles."
"But (Jaylen) Brown’s comments, not surprisingly, added fuel to this fire around the Association," he added, referring to the Georgia native's recent post-series loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
"It doesn’t take elite detective work to draw certain conclusions from his stance," posits Amick. "Then came the comments from Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady, who said that Brown was experiencing frustration."
The Athletic author notes Antentokounmpo wants to play for a "true contender," which Boston might be with a healthy Giannis. But they might also be one with Brown and the right, less risky adjustments, making one wonder just how many offseasons Celtics fans will have sit through this dance yet again -- even if one can make a case for its merits.
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Should the Celtics be interested in trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Karl-Anthony Towns was in foul trouble early in Game 3. He played just 10 minutes in the first half and 25 minutes overall. But that was more than enough time for Towns to hurt the Sixers with his passing.
The All-Star center finished with seven assists in Game 3 -- six coming in the second half. It was the continuation of a remarkable passing stretch for Towns. The big man is averaging 7.7 assists in the Knicks' six-game winning streak. That's more than double his average in the opening three games against the Hawks (3.3); it's also more than double his regular-season average (3.0).
Some may be surprised by his passing. He is not.
"I feel like I've always had this my whole career," Towns said after Game 3 on Friday. "It's just I never had the opportunity to utilize that skill set. It's being utilized. My teammates have been in great positions for me to find them when they're open."
Mike Brown and the Knicks decided to use Towns as a passer on the perimeter starting in Game 4 against the Hawks. That adjustment is one of the reasons why New York has run off six consecutive wins with a 25.8-point average margin of victory. And it's one of the reasons why the Knicks are one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Knicks trailed the Hawks, 2-1, when they first implemented the changes.
"The real change for us came before Game 4 in Atlanta," Towns said. "That's when we really changed our offense. It's been great. It's been something I’ve talked about for a lot of the season, to feel like we can help our guys (on offense) more. We made the right moves."
Towns knows that the Knicks have more work to do. He and his teammates have talked about staying in the moment as they look to close out Philly. But the Knicks may have missed this moment without those offensive adjustments.
"It was the perfect time for all of us to really get on the same accord," Towns said. "There's no better time to be playing your best basketball than right now. So shout out to Mike and really the whole coaching staff for putting us in the best position to succeed."
The changes were a product of conversations among Brown, his staff and the players.
"I feel like we all had an opinion and we were able to figure out what was best for our team, especially in a spot like that -- down 2-1," Towns said. "I had my opinion. I feel like we've done a great job adjusting to have all of us be our best."
If you go back to Game 4, the Knicks have the No. 1 offense among playoff teams in that span. They also have the second-best defense. In their opening three games, the Knicks ranked sixth in offense and seventh in defense among playoff teams.
Brown calls it an "equal opportunity" offense.
"Anybody can be in any position," he said Friday before Game 3. "Anybody can set screens. Anybody can initiate it, but it's going to take some time to expand on it."
The Knicks are "just scratching the surface" of what they want to implement on offense, Brown said.
They obviously don't have much time left in the season to make significant changes. NBA teams don't practice at this time of year. So maybe the Knicks can make some small changes here or there.
But in a big-picture sense, Brown believes Knicks are just "scratching the surface" on their offensive potential.
"What we're doing now, I think, can have great carryover next year and down the line because we'd be able to expand on it the right way through a training camp," Brown said.
Brown appreciates Mikal Bridges' ability to impact games in ways that may go unnoticed by the casual observer. What does Brown mean by that?
"One of the things is his ability to run, both directions," he said of Bridges. "I mean, he runs like a deer. His game is beautiful, which makes him fast, and it doesn't even look like it. (He) puts a lot of pressure on the defense because of his ability to run. He's got a good feel for what his pace needs to be in half court; he'll sprint into a ball screen and slip out. And when he slips out, he slips with vision.
"And the ball may not go to him for a score or for an assist, but when you generate something like that with pace and you're a threat to slip because you can score from the medium range or get to the rim, the defense has to (adjust). When the defense (adjusts), it opens up other opportunities for your teammates. And then he's always uplifting. He's extremely positive with his teammates.
"Those things are just a few of the things that go unnoticed to others throughout courses of games and throughout the course of year and we appreciate when he brings those to the table."
Josh Hart suffered a sprained left thumb in Game 2 against Philadelphia. He played in Game 3 but will be playing through some discomfort in the thumb for the rest of the season. He said he had an X-ray during Game 2 and he learned he hadn’t broken his thumb. So he returned to the game, finishing out the Knicks' home win.
"It's something I'll revisit in the offseason," Hart said before Game 3. "There's people that played through this."
Hart pointed to Kyle Lowry, Philadelphia's veteran point guard, who did so while leading the Toronto Raptors to a 2019 NBA Finals win.
"They got someone on their team who played through it and won a championship," Hart said. "So it's something that's doable."
Ric Flair just took another shot at Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic.
With the Lakers trying to avoid an 0-3 deficit against the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals, the WWE Hall of Famer took to X yet again to voice his frustration — and direct it towards the injured superstar.
"@lukadoncic, There Is Only One Word That I Can Possibly Say, And That’s DISAPPOINTED," Flair wrote. "46 Million Dollars, And You Can’t Play. OMG, I Would Jump Off The Empire State Building With A Parachute For 46 Million Dollars A Year, And I Don’t Even Know How To Pull The Cord To Open It- But I Would Take My Chances."
.@lukadoncic, There Is Only One Word That I Can Possibly Say, And That’s DISAPPOINTED. 46 Million Dollars, And You Can’t Play. OMG, I Would Jump Off The Empire State Building With A Parachute For 46 Million Dollars A Year, And I Don’t Even Know How To Pull The Cord To Open It-… pic.twitter.com/Q4KsivXySB
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) May 10, 2026
Doncic has been sidelined with a grade 2 left hamstring strain since April 2 and recently revealed that he was originally given an eight-week timeline, which would mean a return isn't likely until the end of the Western Conference finals, should the Lakers get there. Doncic did travel to Spain to undergo platelet-rich plasma injections — a non-surgical treatment that uses a sample of the patient's own blood to accelerate healing in joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles, according to Johns Hopkins medicine — in hopes to accelerate his recovery, though he is proceeding under the original eight-week timeline for the time being.
This is the second time this series that Flair has called out Doncic over social media. He previously wrote, "Luka, Please Get In The Game! Take A Shot Of Cortisone And Deal With The Pain! They Are Paying You 50 Million A Year, And You’re Not There! WTF! I Hope @JeanieBuss Trades You Next Year. Nobody Wants A Lame Duck On Their Team!" during the Lakers' 107-90 loss to OKC in Game 1 on Tuesday.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ric Flair takes another shot at injured Luka Doncic
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — After 24 years, the Fire have returned to Portland.
The expansion Portland Fire took the court at the city's Moda Center, dubbed the “Fire Pit” for the occasion, for the team's WNBA season opener against the Chicago Sky on Saturday night.
The Portland players warmed up wearing T-shirts that said “Legacy Reignited” on the front and “2002 PDX 2026” on the back — paying homage to the original Fire, who played three seasons from 2000-02.
The game was a sellout with an announced attendance of 19,335. Among those in the crowd were Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, Sen. Ron Wyden. “Portlandia” star Carrie Brownstein, and Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday and his wife Lauren Holiday, a former player for the U.S. women's national soccer team.
“This is such a good fit for us, and it's practically in our DNA,” Wyden said. “We had Phil Knight who started with sneakers. We've had terrific players who've ended up at colleges all over America. We're showing that Oregon has lots of good things in sports, and basketball is at the top."
Former Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft who died in 2018, was chairman of the original Fire. The Blazers and the Fire shared the then-Rose Garden.
Among the Fire's original players were Jackie Stiles, Vanessa Nygaard and Sylvia Crawley. They averaged some 8,000 fans per game.
The NBA owned the WNBA teams until 2002, then sold them to affiliated NBA teams or independent owners. Allen declined to buy the Fire and the team folded.
Portland was awarded a WNBA franchise in September 2024. The team is run by Raj Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, who also own the Portland Thorns of the National Women’s Soccer League. They paid $125 million for the Fire.
“This is game-changing for our city, This is cementing the global epicenter of women's sports. Our fan base is going to show up for these players and they're going to show what playing for Portland means. This has been a long time coming and I'm just so excited for the city,” said Karina LeBlanc, executive vice president at Raj Sports for strategic growth and development.
___
Ending their short-lived losing streak, the Chicago White Sox tied the series against the Seattle Mariners with a 6-1 win, and the longball got the job done.
Sam Antonacci led off the ballgame with an opposite-field single to left-center, and his heart-and-hustle nature paved way for a stolen base and an aggressive tag from second to third on a Munetaka Murakami fly to right. With two outs and two strikes, Colson Montgomery faced his Achilles heel of a pitch, but took that up-and-in fastball to the left field bleachers to make it 2-0, Sox. Montgomery entered the double-digit club with his 10th homer, is up to 28 RBIs, and extended his on-base streak to 21 games:
After wreaking havoc on the basepaths, Antonacci kept that same energy in the outfield. With two outs in the second inning, Superman Sam stole a base hit to end the frame:
I cannot overstate how impressive Sam has been in left field. Heading into today’s game, he’s played only 19 MLB games in left field (144 innings) and just 10 extra games in the minors (100 innings). This compares to more than 1,030 innings in the infield throughout his professional career, with the majority at second base. And yet, he’s making routine and not-so-routine plays in left look so easy at the highest level of play.
Mirroring the first inning and in the game of Sam, Antonacci wore a hit-by-pitch to make way for Miguel Vargas to mash the second two-run homer of the ballgame and his eighth of the year:
Although he still hasn’t pitched into the sixth inning since early April, Anthony Kay had the start that he and the Sox needed. Notching a full five innings, Kay gave up just one unearned run via the sacrifice fly after a Murakami error, allowed only three hits, walked two batters and struck out five.
The Good Guys drove Luis Castillo out of the ballgame after four innings. Although he allowed four earned runs and five hits, he did strike out six and walked zero batters. However, the two home run balls plagued what otherwise would have been a bounce-back start.
In the bottom of the fifth with Josh Simpson on the mound, Vargas worked an 11-pitch at-bat ending in his second blast of the ballgame at 112.9 mph and a 5-1 Sox lead!
Grant Taylor took over pitching responsibilities in the sixth and seventh innings. He sat down Seattle’s core —Julio Rodríguez, Josh Naylor and Randy Arozarena — 1-2-3 while notching a couple of strikeouts and a ground out in his second inning of work.
Heading into the eighth, yesterday’s birthday boy Bryan Hudson handled some adversity when Naylor’s foul ball was overturned to fair, which put runners on the corners with two outs. However, Hudson hunkered down to strike out Arozarena at the plate to escape the inning and extend his own scoreless streak to 15 innings.
Looking for an insurance run in their half of the eighth, Chase Meidroth recorded his first hit of the night off the first pitch he saw, a double down the left field line. Jarred Kelenic followed with a walk, and Tristan Peters moved up both runners to second and third with a sacrifice bunt.
Randal Grichuk, once my enemy for his anti-bat flips stance during Tim Anderson’s reign, was hit on his toe to load the bases. To my dismay, after some miscommunication in the outfield, Edgar Quero was looking at an RBI single, but Grichuk, taking only a modest step toward second — even with no one covering the first base bag in case a catch was made — was forced out. Fortunately, the run scored for a 6-1 ballgame, but via a fielder’s choice variety.
Locking down the win was Tyler Schweitzer, recently recalled to fill Jordan Leasure’s spot in the bullpen. The southpaw put up a 1-2-3 ninth to secure the Sox victory, tying the series at one!
The White Sox improve to 18-21 while the Mariners fall to 19-21. Tomorrow’s rubber match begins at 1:10 p.m. CT on CHSN and ESPN 1000 radio.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Sean Brady found himself under a microscope Saturday night ahead of his UFC 328 main card bout against Joaquin Buckley. As it turns out, it was much ado about nothing.
Brady (18-2) used his formidable wrestling to dominate Buckley (21-7) and win a wide unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-27), quelling concerns after a surge of abnormal pre-fight betting movement raised eyebrows and flipped Brady from a sizable favorite to a sizable underdog.
Brady scored takedowns in all three rounds and overwhelmed Buckley with a steady diet of top control and ground-and-pound, rebounding in a major way after suffering a first-round knockout loss to Michael Morales this past November. Brady has now won four of his pasts five bouts and returns to title contention in the UFC’s welterweight division.
Back on track! 👏
— Uncrowned (@uncrownedcombat) May 10, 2026
Sean Brady dominates Joaquin Buckley (30-25x2, 30-27) #UFC328pic.twitter.com/ABGSOd4hkd
“Especially after coming in after getting TKO’d by Morales, I wasn’t mentally in that fight,” a fired-up Brady said post-fight. “But this fight camp, this fight, I was locked the f*** for 15 minutes, and that’s what happens. I didn’t get the finish, but nobody’s ever dominated Buckley that way. [Kamaru] Usman couldn’t hold him down the way I did, no one can hold him down. I deserve to be in the top five. I’m right back in this b****.”
Brady’s win is likely a relief to the UFC and its executives after some worrying signs began appearing early Saturday. The Philadelphia native was tabbed as more than a 2-to-1 betting favorite throughout fight week, until a flood of late money poured in on Buckley less than 24 hours before the opening bell, suddenly pushing Brady to almost a 2-to-1 underdog and forcing some sportsbooks to limit action on the bout.
Abnormal betting patterns from highly monitored accounts on tonights Sean Brady vs Joaquin Buckley UFC 328 bout.
— Dave Mason (@DaveMasonBOL) May 9, 2026
Props are closed. Limits are low on main market.
Buckley is up to a -205 favorite after being a dog the whole time.
Sean Brady line movement today is insanely suspicious.
— Luca Fury (@LucaFury) May 9, 2026
Line more than flipped, 2-1 fav to 2-1 dog. pic.twitter.com/g82vSMnFFV
The situation triggered a concerning sense of deja vu for a sport that’s becoming all too familiar with betting controversies. In November, featherweight Isaac Dulgarian was cut from the UFC following a bizarre first-round loss to Yadier del Valle at UFC Vegas 110 that immediately came under fire for irregular pre-fight betting patterns and Dulgarian’s suspicious performance. The FBI ultimately became involved in Dulgarian’s loss and an investigation into the matter is believed to be ongoing.
Featherweight Darrick Minner was similarly cut by the UFC in 2022 following a suspicious first-round loss to Shayilan Nuerdanbieke that resulted in NAC suspensions for both Minner and his coach James Krause. Prior to that, South Korean lightweight Tae Hyun Bang was sentenced to 10 months in prison alongside three others involved in a scheme to throw a 2015 fight against Leo Kuntz on a UFC event held in South Korea.
Most recently, a lightweight bout between long-time veterans Alexander Hernandez and Michael Johnson was scrapped this past January in the hours before UFC 324 amid suspicious betting movement toward a Johnson win. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed after the event that Hernandez vs. Johnson was canceled due to the irregularities.
"We got called from the gaming integrity service and I said, 'I'm not doing this s*** again,'“ White said in January, “so we pulled the fight.”
Fortunately, Saturday’s bout between Brady and Buckley did not meet the same fate.
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Less than 24 hours after having one of their worst games of the season, the Texas Rangers had one of their best.
Texas shut out the Chicago Cubs 6-0 at Globe Life Field on Saturday. With the win, the Rangers snapped the Cubs' 10-game winning streak, marking the first time Texas has halted an opponent's winning streak of 10-plus games since doing so against the Houston Astros back in 2015.
Entering play on Saturday, the Rangers were 12-3 when they scored first and that is exactly what they did.
Josh Jung drove a solo home run into the Rangers' bullpen in the second inning to open the scoring. In that same inning, Alejandro Osuna came through with a full-count RBI single to double the Texas lead at 2-0.
The fourth inning saw Joc Pederson rip an RBI double into the left0field gap and Osuna produce another RBI single.
However, the big swing of the night came off the bat of Justin Foscue in the fifth inning. He drove his first big-league home run over the left-field wall more than two calendar years after making his Major League debut.
“I’m really excited for him getting his first career home run,” Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said after the game.
“What a special moment, I know they’re celebrating right now for him, and it was a long road to get here for Justin, so for him to do that, it’s a special day, and hopefully he’s enjoying whatever they’re doing for him right now inside that clubhouse.” Schumaker said.
Kyle Higashioka added one more run with an RBI single in the sixth. One day after being shut out on just two hits, the Rangers scored six runs.
Jack Leiter got the start for the Rangers and made it through just 4 2/3 innings after throwing a lot of pitches early. But he was able to keep the Cubs off the scoreboard.
“A little bit of trouble is an understatement; it was a grindy outing,” Leiter said after the game. “Kind of one of those baseball things where it feels like the worst I’ve thrown in terms of execution and where the stuff was tonight and to be able to put up zeros, I’m grateful for that… really happy that the boys got a win, hopefully this can kind of get us going.”
The Rangers will go for the series win with Jacob deGrom on the mound on Sunday afternoon at 1:35 p.m. CST.
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The NBC Sports Philadelphia broadcast booth had a very special guest during Saturday’s Philadelphia Phillies game against the Colorado Rockies.
Sesame Street star Elmo was in attendance at Citizens Bank Park for the “Strike Out the Stigma” event in support of mental health awareness. And Elmo joined Phillies announcers Tom McCarthy and John Kruk in the NBC Sports Philadelphia booth.
“Have you enjoyed your day at the ballpark today?” McCarty asked.
“Oh, it’s been wonderful, yeah,” Elmo responded. “And Elmo loves the Phillies! Go Phillies, baby!”
“Well, that’s because you’re red, they’re red,” McCarthy said.
“That’s true,” Elmo agreed. “That’s very true. Yeah. Uh huh.”
BREAKING: @elmo loves the Phillies pic.twitter.com/n3Cf0OIZvN
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) May 9, 2026
“Did you meet the (Phillie) Phanatic today?” Kruk asked.
“Oh, yes. The Phanatic’s fantastic!” Elmo said. “Talk about as big as Big Bird.”
Elmo
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) May 9, 2026
Elmo made it clear that he wanted to see a home run, and he got his wish. In fact, the Phillies hit two homers for him, with Alec Bohm and Kyle Schwarber coming through.
“Elmo wished for a home run, and he got one!” McCarthy exclaimed on the Bohm home run call.
ELMO WANTS TO SEE SOME HOME RUNS pic.twitter.com/FVPTpEnVRm
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) May 9, 2026
“And we’re playing the Rockies tonight,” McCarthy said. “You like rocks.”
“Well,” Elmo responded. “Well. Not really. You see, there’s a whole thing with a rock called Rocco.”
“Oh, right,” McCarthy said.
“It’s kind of taken the internet by storm,” Elmo explained. “And it drives Elmo crazy! But Elmo likes the Rockies. It’s okay. The team’s okay.”
Elmo’s beef with Rocco doesn’t extend to the Rockies
— MLB (@MLB) May 9, 2026
Elmo asked Kruk at one moment, “Is that right, John?”
“Boy, that’s a lot of thinking, Elmo,” Kruk responded.
“is that right john?”
“boy it’s a lot of thinking elmo”what is going on pic.twitter.com/m3L8zwTHbn
— cam ! (@aokstott) May 9, 2026
You can see more of Elmo’s appearance in the Phillies booth here:
We needed this Sesame-Broad Street crossover
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) May 10, 2026
The post Elmo delivers electric commentary on Phillies broadcast appeared first on Awful Announcing.
Bucks-Nuggets trade pitch sends Giannis Antetokounmpo to Denver for $207 million All-Star, NBA champion originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Milwaukee Bucks’ summer will center on their looming decision regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the 2021 NBA champions.
The Bucks replaced Doc Rivers with former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins in late April, and there’s a chance the move could keep Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee.
However, it’s far more likely that the Bucks will attempt to trade Antetokounmpo for a future-driven haul that would give the franchise much to look forward to.
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey’s trade idea would do just that, as it would send Antetokounmpo and Kyle Kuzma to the Denver Nuggets for a 29-year-old All-Star/NBA champion, Aaron Gordon, and draft capital (a 2026 first-round pick, a 2031 first-round pick swap, and a 2026 second-round pick via Atlanta Hawks).
“Let's get something out of the way right off the bat," Bailey wrote Friday. If the Bucks are intent on a package loaded with draft assets, the Nuggets would almost certainly be out of the running."
“There are plenty of other teams with more picks that could convince themselves they're a Giannis away from contending for a championship. But this deal would give Milwaukee a top two that would instantly put them back in the hunt for a playoff spot.”
“Murray is in the middle of his prime and likely to be announced as an All-NBA selection. Gordon could be a dynamic No. 2 alongside him and is a pretty obvious fit next to Myles Turner's three-point shooting.”
“That's a trio that, along with the still-developing Ryan Rollins, could probably muster a winning record in the East. And while Denver's 2026 first (the 26th pick) isn't super valuable, that swap in 2031 could be huge.”
Acquiring two proven veterans and three future draft picks wouldn’t be a bad return for Antetokounmpo. Murray is arguably the most valuable asset in Bailey’s hypothetical trade concept, as the elite shotmaker and playmaker would provide the Bucks with high-level stability at the point guard position moving forward.
Murray averaged 25.4 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game this season, shooting 48.3% from the field and 43.5% from long range on a Nuggets squad that failed to make it out of the first round of the postseason.
Simply put, the Bucks would be in solid shape in an Antetokounmpo-Murray swap scenario.
More NBA news:
COLUMBIA — Jaiden Kocak’s palms probably have never been sweatier his whole life.
Still, the junior attacker for Dorman lacrosse held on to his stick as if the outcome of his season hinged on it.
Well, it did.
With nine seconds to go in overtime, Kocak caught the ball and hit a 360 spin as he sent the rubber ball into the net.
The goal might’ve just been the most important of his career. Granted, he hit the winning goal in triple overtime on May 5 in the Upper State finals to send his team to the championship game.
But this goal gave Dorman boys lacrosse something they’ve never had before — a state championship victory, as the Cavaliers defeated Wando 9-8 in the Class 5A-D1 title game on May 9 at Irmo High School.
“I saw the ball in the air, I caught it, and my first thought was to just shoot it as quick as possible,” Kocak said. “I was definitely nervous. Even though you practice things like that a million times, and go through these scenarios, you never want to be the one to mess up. And I’m glad I wasn’t.
“Overall, this feels amazing. A literal dream come true.”
Kocak is a newcomer to the Cavaliers. He transferred in this season from Boiling Springs — ironically, the team Dorman defeated by a point in last year’s Upper State Championship.
“I couldn’t be any prouder of Jaiden,” said Jon Cak, Jaiden’s grandfather. “He came into Dorman as the new guy, and all his teammates accepted him. He was allowed to play openly and freely. And guess what? It all paid off.”
Despite the competitiveness and tension throughout the game, the one person who wasn’t nervous was Dorman coach Peter Mezzanotte.
“Nope, not at all,” Mezzanotte said when asked if he felt anxious in the final seconds of the game. “We knew if we kept watering that seed, it was going to grow. That’s exactly what happened at the end of the game for us, and I couldn’t be more excited about it.”
Dorman was privy to the pregame chatter around the Upstate. Last season, the Cavaliers fell to Wando in an 18-1 blowout in the state championship game. Nobody thought they had a real shot to win it all this season.
“After the loss these kids took last year in this game, they surely had to hear about it,” Dorman athletic director Jon Stoehr said. “And not just from the lacrosse world, but from classmates, teammates, friends . . . And coming back here, they certainly heard more about how this probably wasn’t going to be a good game from a lot of people.
“And to see how these kids didn’t let that get to them and stick together, it says a lot about the culture of this team and coaching staff. I’m super proud and elated that they’ve now been rewarded for doing everything the right way.”
MORE: How Spartanburg girls lacrosse won first state championship in program history
Sophomore midfielder Colin Courier scored the goal that sent the game to overtime. He vividly remembers last season’s devastating loss to Wando, and in hindsight, he doesn’t regret the experience.
“I can’t explain how great it feels to prove everyone wrong,” he said. “Last year was a learning experience. And this year, we learned how to win. To all our doubters . . . keep doubting. It’s only going to make our wins that much better.”
Kamryn Jackson covers high school and college sports for the Spartanburg Herald-Journal, Greenville News, Anderson Independent Mail, and the USA TODAY Network. Please email her at KEJackson@gannett.com and follow her on X @KamxJack (formerly Twitter).
This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: SCHSL boys lacrosse, Dorman wins first championship in program history
May 9 (UPI) -- Hall of Fame inductee and Atlanta Braves managing great Bobby Cox has died, Major League Baseball announced Saturday. He was 84.
Cox, who led the Braves to 14 straight division titles, five National League pennants and a World Series victory in 1995, was inaugurated into Cooperstown four years after the completion of a career in which he racked up the fourth-most managerial victories of all time at 2,504.
"Bobby Cox led one of the greatest eras of sustained excellence in baseball history," MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "As manager of the Braves, his clubs became an October fixture, representing consistency, professionalism, and championship-caliber baseball for an entire generation of fans.
"Through his leadership, eye for talent, and commitment to player development, Bobby helped shape the careers of numerous Hall of Famers and guided the Braves to Atlanta's first major professional sports championship in 1995."
The Braves, meanwhile, called him their "treasured skipper," adding, "his Braves managerial legacy will never be matched."
Cox's influence spread beyond Atlanta -- he also played roles with the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays, for all of whom he brought success through his knowledge of player development and the details needed to produce sustained winning records.
Born Robert Joe Cox in Tulsa, Okla., on May 21, 1941, he grew up near Fresno, Calif., and was signed out of high school as an infielder by the Dodgers. After nearly a decade toiling in the minor leagues, he made his MLB debut with the Yankees in 1968.
Two years later with his short playing career over, Yankees general manager Lee MacPhail offered him his first managerial job with New York's Class A team in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
In 1977, he was promoted to be the Yanks' first-base coach, which launched his prodigious big league career in coaching and managing.
Cox is survived by his wife, Pam, children and grandchildren.
At 90.9 mph, Michael McGreevy’s average velocity on his four-seam fastball ranks in MLB’s bottom-five percentile.
However, that’s not as big of an issue to the Cardinals’ standout right-hander as it is to some on the outside who wonder how long he can continue to fool opposing hitters.
McGreevy greeted any concern over the speed of his fastball with a proverbial yawn.
“I’ve only got (six) other pitches to lean on, so that makes pitching a little easier,” said a somewhat sarcastic McGreevy, whose 2.18 ERA ranks sixth in the National League among starting pitchers.
A career-high 9 strikeouts for Michael McGreevy tonight! pic.twitter.com/NWKP0zu1ol
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) May 9, 2026
McGreevy (3-2) showed how velocity can sometimes be overrated, especially when you are getting as much movement on pitches as the 25-year-old right-hander has been of late. On the heels of limiting the Dodgers to three hits over six scoreless innings last week at Busch Stadium, McGreevy pitched one of the best games of his young MLB career on Friday night in San Diego. He surrendered only one hit – a fourth-inning single by Jackson Merrill – over six more innings to extend his scoreless streak to a somewhat staggering 13 innings.
Michael McGreevy dominant in Cardinals' 6-0 win over Padres
Not only was McGreevy pitching 60 miles from where he grew up dreaming of pitching in the big leagues, he also struck out a career-best nine batters and registered a haw-dropping 17 swings and misses. Instead of blowing the Padres away with velocity, McGreevy fooled them with a changeup that got whiffs seven times on the nine that he threw.
“A lot of things were working well last night, but the changeup was definitely one of them, for sure,” McGreevy said during Saturday’s in-game interview on Fox. “We’ve seen a ton of lefties this year and the Guardians stacked nine of them against me. So, to see a bunch of (Padres’) righties, that was nice to see. I was thinking I was going to use my sweeper a lot more, but the changeup was my bread and butter.”
Was it ever? McGreevy’s success with the pitch on Friday dropped hitters’ success against the changeup to 4 of 42 (.095) with 11 strikeouts. Foes have also hit just .103 against his hard-biting sinker and only .176 and .214 against his cutter and four-seam fastball.
JJ Wetherholt's 'Little League Grand Slam' electrifies Cardinals
Pitch metrics showed that McGreevy’s stuff has never been than it was on Friday at San Diego’s Petco Park. The horizontal break on his sinker was 15 inches on Friday – up four innings over his season average. The same went for his changeup with it averaging 16 inches of horizontal break on Friday – four inches greater than during the season. His four-seam fastball and cutter also greater break on Friday than they have over the season.
Michael McGreevy welcome to the Aces Club pic.twitter.com/iSTKQWhWkg
— SleeperSTLCards (@SleeperSTL) May 9, 2026
McGreevy ranks in MLB’s 85th percentile in walk rate and in the 63rd percentile in hard-hit rate, and he’s allowed just 29 hits over 45 1/3 innings worked this season. However, computer models don’t think he can keep up the success that he’s had at the start of this season with an Expected ERA of 5.08 – nearly three runs more than he’s actually allowed thus far per nine innings.
Velocity, McGreevy reminded earlier this season, can be overstated at times.
“Last year, the harder I threw, the harder they hit me,” he said with a smile. “So, I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing.”
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SAN DIEGO (AP) — Manny Machado hit his 375th career homer and 200th in a Padres uniform, Ty France also went deep and San Diego beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 on Saturday.
Fernando Tatis Jr. had a tiebreaking two-run single in the fifth inning to back Randy Vásquez (4-1), who gave up one run and six hits while striking out six in five innings.
Mason Miller got the final out of the eighth but the Padres' closer ran into some uncharacteristic trouble in the ninth, walking two batters before Yahel Pozo reached when he struck out on a slider in the dirt. Miller escaped the jam by setting down JJ Wetherholt looking on a 101 mph fastball for his fourth strikeout of the inning.
The dominant right-hander has been scored on in just one of his 18 outings this season and has a major league-leading 12 saves in as many opportunities.
Machado homered in the eighth off reliever Matt Svanson to make it 4-2. He also hit 162 homers for Baltimore and 13 in half a season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Nathan Church gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead in the fourth with an RBI double.
The Padres tied it in the fifth when France homered to center off Dustin May (3-4). Later in the frame, Tatis blooped a single to right to make it 3-1. May surrendered three runs on three hits and struck out seven in six innings.
In the eighth, Iván Herrera doubled down the left-field line off San Diego reliever Adrian Morejon to score Wetherholt from first.
Cardinals RHP Kyle Leahy (4-3, 4.93 ERA) will start opposite Padres RHP Walker Buehler (2-2, 15.64) on Sunday as San Diego seeks a split of the four-game series.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
No. 23 Virginia baseball leaned on a standout performance from freshman pitcher John Paone to earn a 2-1 victory over Cal on Saturday afternoon at Disharoon Park.
The Cavaliers improved to 33-17 overall and 13-13 in ACC play, while the Golden Bears fell to 26-24 and 9-17 in conference action. The victory allowed Virginia to even the weekend series.
Paone turned in the longest outing by a Virginia pitcher this season, working 7.2 innings while allowing only one run and striking out a season-high nine batters. Tyler Kapa earned the win in relief, improving to 2-0 on the year.
Cal grabbed an early lead after Carl Schmidt connected on a solo home run in the second inning. It proved to be the Bears’ only run of the game, as Paone settled in and surrendered just one more hit for the remainder of his outing.
Virginia’s offense struggled to generate opportunities early against Cal starter Gavin Eddy, who carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning before Antonio Perrotta lined a single up the middle to break it up. Perrotta later finished 2-for-2 with a double to lead the Cavaliers offensively, while Joe Tiroly added a hit.
Paone continued his dominant afternoon in the sixth inning by striking out all three batters he faced.
The Cavaliers finally tied the game in the seventh inning. Kyle Johnson reached on a one-out walk and moved to third on a double by Perrotta before scoring on a dropped third strike that escaped the Cal catcher.
Virginia pushed across the winning run an inning later after Harrison Didawick drew a walk and advanced to third following a Cal defensive error. Jake Weatherspoon then brought Didawick home on a fielder’s choice to give the Cavaliers a 2-1 lead.
Kapa closed out the game despite a late threat from the Bears, who placed two runners on base in the ninth inning before Virginia recorded the final out on a ground ball to third.
Paone’s nine strikeouts were the most by a Virginia freshman pitcher since Tomas Valincius recorded 10 strikeouts against Rice on Feb. 16, 2025, during the Puerto Rico Challenge.
The victory also marked the first time this season Virginia won a game while scoring two runs or fewer. The Cavaliers improved to 31-0 when leading after eight innings, while Kapa remained effective out of the bullpen by recording his 17th scoreless outing in 21 appearances this season.
Saturday additionally marked Antonio Perrotta’s first career start at first base for Virginia.
Saturday night in downtown Los Angeles brought all the stars of stage, screen, music, and sports for Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers.
In a parade of power and influence, actor Leonardo DiCaprio sat along the baseline near the Thunder bench, flanked by friend and fellow actor Lukas Haas. To his left sat longtime actors Don Johnson and Noah Wyle, star of the hit HBO show “The Pitt.”
Leonardo DiCaprio, sporting a new mustache, is sitting courtside for Thunder vs. Lakers Game 3 pic.twitter.com/yTnsrvAKNG
— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) May 10, 2026
Industry executives and producers were well represented as well. Film producer Jeffrey Katzenberg exchanged pleasantries with legendary TV producer Dick Wolf.
Across from them sat record producer Lou Adler, who was not joined by his friend Jack Nicholson, but instead his son, Ray Nicholson, star of the horror sequel “Smile 2.”
Longtime Laker season ticket holders Andy Garcia, Dustin Hoffman, and Dyan Cannon cheered on the purple and gold, as did former Lakers’ owner Jeanie Buss and her husband actor/comedian Jay Mohr.
Speaking of comedians, that artform was also well-represented as Byron Allen and Adam Ray shared laughs during the game.
Academy Award nominee James Franco watched the game undetected, whereas Jaafar Jackson, star of the hit biopic “Michael” about his uncle, pop-star Michael Jackson, wanted all the attention in his courtside seats.
Then there was other sports colliding with the NBA Playoffs, woven into the tapestry of the crowd like they belonged there. Former Laker, Sasha Vujacic, a champion of a different era, chatted up with the referees before the game.
Former Dodgers and Phillies second-baseman Chase Utley, forever tied to October nights, watched with his children. Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, a frequent attendee during the NFL offseason sat one row in front of him. Even Nez Balelo, the CAA super-agent who represents Shohei Ohtani, was in attendance.
Comedian Adam Ray, actor James Franco, Green Bay Packers LB Micah Parsons, former Dodgers/Phillies infielder Chase Utley, and actor/singer Jaafar Jackson are all at Game 3 between the Thunder and Lakers pic.twitter.com/wBoWOtAPUc
— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) May 10, 2026
Rounding out the list was NBA superfan and real estate mogul, James Goldstein, And reality star Corey Gamble, but without his famous girlfriend Kris Jenner.
Meanwhile, on the court the Lakers and Thunder battled for survival in the best-of-seven series.
This story will continue to be updated…
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Binance co-founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao said rival crypto exchanges were concerned a pardon could pave the way for Binance to return to the US market.
Kansas City, Mo. — The losing streak is now five games. The road record is now an MLB-worst 6-16.
The Kansas City Royals prolonged the Tigers’ misery Saturday night with a relatively breezy 5-1 win at Kauffman Stadium.
Oh, and the Tigers might’ve lost another player in the process.
Right fielder Kerry Carpenter left the game in the third inning. He banged his left shoulder running into the side wall chasing Bobby Witt, Jr.’s first-inning, two-run, inside-the-park home run.
Witt, a right-handed hitter, sliced a drive inside the bag at first. Carpenter chased it toward the side wall, but the ball caromed past him. Witt never stopped running.
Carpenter stayed in the game and even rolled an infield single in the second inning. But he was replaced by Wenceel Perez when the Royals came to bat in the third inning.
He was being evaluated during the game.
The two-run homer by Witt ended up being more than the Tigers’ sputtering offense could overcome. But, for good measure, Michael Massey added a three-run home run off Ty Madden in the fourth inning.
Madden ended up being one of the few bright spots in the game for the Tigers. He pitched six innings and allowed just one other hit. He set down the last 11 hitters he faced.
He entered in the third inning after opener Burch Smith and lefty Tyler Holton worked one time through the Royals’ batting order.
Holton made a nifty escape in the first inning. With runners at second and third and one out, and two runs already in, Jac Caglianone hit a hard ground ball to second baseman Zach McKinstry, who was playing in on the grass.
McKinstry got the out at first. The runner at second, Carter Jensen, mistakenly broke for third where Vinnie Pasquantino was holding.
Spencer Torkelson threw to shortstop Kevin McGonigle who threw to catcher Jake Rogers once Pasquantino broke for home – your basic 4-3-6-2 double-play.
Not much else went the Tigers’ way.
Royals right-hander Michael Wacha snuffed out the few scoring opportunities the Tigers’ mustered.
He worked around an error and a McKinstry stolen base in the third innings He got Jake Rogers to pop to shallow right field with runners at first and third and one out, and then got Matt Vierling to ground out with the bases loaded in the fifth.
Wacha allowed two hits in seven innings. The Tigers put 18 balls in play against him with a soft average exit velocity of 84.4 mph.
The Tigers broke through in the eighth against lefty reliever Matt Strahm. And it was left-handed hitters who did the dirty work. Riley Greene, who extended his career-high on-base streak to 20 games, doubled home McGonigle.
This season is a long way from over but Tigers, 18-22, are in serious need a course correction.
@cmccosky
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Tigers lose fifth straight, Kerry Carpenter injured
Lakers vs. Thunder live score, updates, highlights from 2026 NBA playoffs Game 3 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Oklahoma City Thunder head to Los Angeles looking to take full control of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Lakers on Saturday night after grabbing a 2-0 lead.
Oklahoma City rolled to a 125-107 victory in Game 2 on Friday behind 22 points from Chet Holmgren. The top-seeded Thunder have carried that momentum into the playoffs with strong play on both ends of the floor.
The Lakers will try to respond at home after struggling to slow Oklahoma City’s efficient offense. Los Angeles got 31 points from Austin Reaves in the last meeting, but the absence of Luka Doncic has put pressure on LeBron James and the supporting cast.
NBA PLAYOFFS HQ: Live scores | Full schedule | Updated bracket
4th Quarter- 1:15: Thunder up big 131-106.
4th Quarter- 3:38: Lakers on the verge of going down 3-0 in the series. Thunder up 121-97
4th Quarter- 5:09: Luke Kennard hit a 3-pointer 115-97 OKC leads.
4th Quarter- 6:12: TV timeout. Lakers find themselves down big late in the final minutes.
4th Quarter- 6:44: LeBron James splits free throws with OKC up 112-94
4th Quarter- 6:54: Thunder trading buckets with Lakers up 108-93
4thQuarter- 10:08: OKC holds the lead 96-84
End of 3rd Quarter: Thunder 90, Lakers 79.
3rd Quarter- 1:51: Thunder up 84-77. Lakers still hanging around.
3rdQuarter- 4:55: OKC up 80-67
3rd Quarter- 7:07: Thunder on 11-2 run up 74-65
3rd Quarter- 7:44: TV Timeout. Thunder up 72-65
3rd Quarter- 8:35: Both teams are trading buckets with Thunder up 70-65
3rd quarter-10:20: OKC retakes lead 63-61
| Halftime | Thunder | Lakers |
|---|---|---|
| FG | 23-45 | 20-42 |
| Field Goal % | 51 | 48 |
| 3PT | 6-18 | 11-20 |
| Three Point % | 33 | 55 |
| FT | 5-6 | 8-11 |
| Free Throw % | 83 | 73 |
| Rebounds | 20 | 21 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 5 | 7 |
| Defensive Rebounds | 15 | 14 |
| Assists | 11 | 16 |
| Steals | 7 | 4 |
| Blocks | 2 | 0 |
| Total Turnovers | 6 | 9 |
| Points Off Turnovers | 10 | 13 |
| Fast Break Points | 11 | 5 |
| Points in Paint | 30 | 16 |
| Fouls | 9 | 8 |
| Technical Fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant Fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Largest Lead | 10 | 5 |
2nd Quarter- 13.5 seconds: Austin Reaves splits free throws. Lakers back up 59-57
2nd Quarter- 56.0 seconds: SGA gives Thunder 55-54 lead.
2nd Quarter- 1:20: Lakers clinging to a 54-53 lead.
2nd Quarter- 2:59: Luke Kennard hits 3-pointer with Lakers up 54-49.
2nd Quarter- 3:33: Austin Reaves dunk puts Lakers up 51-47
2nd Quarter- 3:47: Lakers take first lead since 12-10. LA up 49-47.
2nd Quarter- 4:07: Austin Reaves ties the game at 47 with 3-point play.
2nd Quarter- 5:17: SGA responds with a triple of his own. 47-44 OKC lead.
2nd Quarter- 5:31: LeBron James ties the game at 44 with a step back 3-pointer.
2nd Quarter- 6:17: TV Timeout. Teams pick up the pace with OKC up by 3, 44-41
2nd Quarter- 8:30: Teams trading empty possessions with Thunder up 40-33.
2nd Quarter- 10:20: Jared McCain hits a 3-pointer to put OKC up 36-31.
2nd Quarter- 10:51: OKC's lead cut to two, 33-31 with an Austin Reaves 3-pointer.
Thunder outscore Lakers in the paint 16-6 in the quarter.
1st Quarter- 1:28: Cason Wallace hits 3-pointer with OKC up by 10. 31-21.
1st Quarter- 3:57: TV timeout. Thunder with a quick 5-0 run up 24-17.
1st Quarter- 4:49: Teams trade buckets with OKC up 17-15
The OKC refs are at it again pic.twitter.com/zX1E8FIQAY
— Lakers Empire (@LakersEmpire) May 10, 2026
1st Quarter- 6:27: Five quick points by OKC give them a 15-12 lead.
1st Quarter- 7:10: LeBron James jumper give LA 12-10 lead.
1st Quarter- 8:02: Every Lakers starter has scored except Austin Reaves.
LeBron James- 2 points
Rui Hachimura 3 points
Deandre Ayton 2 points
Marcus Smart 3 points
1st Quarter- 8:02: Lakers tie the game at 10 with Deandre Ayton alley oop dunk. TV timeout
1st Quarter- 9:20: OKC jumps out to a 8-5 lead in the early minutes.
The Lakers pick up a foul 1 second into Game 3 pic.twitter.com/SWDnHthiK9https://t.co/VQPTSxKS3b
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) May 10, 2026
15 seconds into the game with a foul and turnover. Lakers Deandre Ayton hits Chet Holmgren in the face on the tip. Holmgren travels.
LeBron James is playing in his 301st NBA Playoff game of his 23-year career tonight. Lakers in white uniforms with purple letter and numbers with gold trim. Thunder wearing blue uniforms with white letter and numbers with orange trim.
Tip-off from LA delay due to TV commitments. Approx. 8:43 p.m. ET for start of Game 3.
More from Austin Reaves' talk with the officials after Game 2
Monty McCutchen on the Austin Reaves/Lakers situation with John Goble after Game 2:
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) May 10, 2026
“We teach our officials to go to center court so we’re not leaving at the same time when emotions can run high. Most certainly, we want interactions to be professional there, I do think that had… https://t.co/m8AOrNPvaQ
King James is DIALED for Game 3 vs. OKC 😳👑
— ESPN (@espn) May 9, 2026
The Lakers look to get their first win of the series on ABC and the ESPN App at 8:30 ET 🍿 pic.twitter.com/FwGC2kmU3v
Jarred Vanderbilt is available for Game 3 vs. the Thunder, JJ Redick announced.
— ESPN (@espn) May 9, 2026
Vanderbilt fully dislocated his right pinky in Game 1 on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/RDhWkxQhLm
Game 3 of the NBA Playoffs series between Lakers and Thunder is set to tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
Oklahoma City leads 2-0
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 5 | Game 1: Thunder 108, Lakers 90 | — | — |
| May 7 | Game 2: Thunder 125, Lakers 107 | — | — |
| May 9 | Game 3 at Los Angeles | 8:30 p.m. | ABC, ESPN app, DIRECTV |
| May 11 | Game 4 at Los Angeles | 10:30 p.m. | Prime Video |
| May 13 | Game 5* at Oklahoma City | TBA | TBA |
| May 16 | Game 6* at Los Angeles | TBA | TBA |
| May 18 | Game 7* at Oklahoma City | TBA | TBA |
* If necessary
LAS VEGAS — The 2025 season was proof that the Las Vegas Aces, and this core in particular, know how to flip the switch. The Aces fell to .500 with one month left in the season after a 53-point loss to the Minnesota Lynx and then reeled off 16 consecutive wins en route to a third WNBA title in four seasons.
It’s not a habit coach Becky Hammon and her team would prefer to revert to. But Las Vegas is digging itself a hole to start the season, and the defense is the culprit.
“I don’t want to repeat what we did last year. That was not fun the first half of the season,” Hammon said Saturday. “That’s not how we want to come out. It’s not the standard. It was unacceptable last year. It’s not acceptable this year.”
The Aces worked on their defense for about 90 minutes every day during training camp — Hammon even said pregame she thought they had a good focus in their final preseason practice — and showed no effects of that preparation in their season-opening 99-66 loss to Phoenix, a rematch of last year’s WNBA Finals. Las Vegas gave up 83 points through three quarters, allowing the Mercury to shoot 53 percent before garbage time set in. A’ja Wilson had only four rebounds for the game and was unable to set the tone for her team’s physicality.
It continues a bad stretch of defense that began during the preseason. Through three games, including the exhibitions, the Aces are conceding 31 points per first quarter and playing from behind the rest of the way. They aren’t conditioned well enough to play as hard as they need for a full 40 minutes. They aren’t executing the staples of their pick-and-roll coverages, let alone the details that separate Las Vegas as a contender relative to the rest of the WNBA.
The guards are supposed to go over screens and the bigs are supposed to come up to touch. The Aces did not do that consistently enough. Instead, they allowed the Mercury too much space from beyond the arc, not rotating well enough to shooters. NaLyssa Smith acknowledged that Las Vegas probably wasn’t prepared for Jovana Nogic — who was playing in her first WNBA game — to shoot as well as she did (4 of 5 on 3-pointera), but that didn’t excuse the rest of Las Vegas’ defensive lapses.
Hammon was especially displeased with the lack of ball pressure, as the Aces allowed the Mercury to comfortably get into their offense without meeting any resistance.
“We’re giving 80 percent of the court for free before we touch anybody,” Hammon said. “It’s like trying to stop an intruder to get to your refrigerator, and they’re already in your kitchen. You got to meet them outside the white picket fence and start defending from there.
“We’re giving 75 to 80 percent of the floor for free and thinking we can defend that last 20 percent. It doesn’t work that way.”
Phoenix had four turnovers through the first three quarters, and at least one was a bad pass that had nothing to do with Las Vegas’ defense.
Last season, when the Aces struggled, the coaching staff put the onus on the players to create the scouting reports and take more ownership of game plans. The players do not have those responsibilities for the 2026 campaign, and they would rather not add that burden.
No one on Las Vegas expected to come out Saturday looking like a championship team. Two and a half weeks of training camp isn’t enough to create championship habits or the discipline necessary to win a title. It will take some time to build into the team the Aces are capable of becoming.
But they also didn’t expect to be outclassed. No matter the emotion of the day with the ring ceremony to celebrate their 2025 title or the opponent, the champions should have been better in their own principles and their own standards, which start on defense. The Aces have too much talent and too much continuity, even with the six months off, to look this disengaged, even if it is one game into the season.
The pregame festivities were a reminder of what is at stake for Las Vegas this year. Opponents will come at them trying to take down the champs, and that requires a level of focus the Aces failed to meet Saturday. They can’t expect to course correct later in the season when the target is on their backs from the beginning.
“The hand is getting heavy,” Wilson said after getting her third ring, “but the crown is getting heavier. We gotta continue to make sure that it doesn’t fall off of our heads.”
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Las Vegas Aces, WNBA
2026 The Athletic Media Company
Wisconsin athletics have been in the national spotlight for decades.
Hailing from one of the nation’s northernmost territories, the state has produced such athletes as the Watt Brothers, NFL Hall of Famer Joe Thomas, and Olympian runner Suzy Favor Hamilton.
Legends like that and several more paved the way for today’s modern athletes, who are just now paving their own way in one of the state’s standout high schools.
With that in mind, which high schools in Wisconsin are considered the best for athletes in 2026?
According to a study conducted by Niche, which accounts for survey feedback from students and parents—accounting for "reviews of athletics, number of state championships, student participation in athletics, and the number of sports offered at the school"—and data from the U.S. Department of Education, these are the top 25.
Total number of sports: 23
Total number of sports: 19
Total number of sports: 21
Total number of sports: 22
Total number of sports: 18
Total number of sports: 26
Total number of sports: 17
Total number of sports: 22
Total number of sports: 27
Total number of sports: 23
Total number of sports: 27
Total number of sports: 22
Total number of sports: 23
Total number of sports: 23
Total number of sports: 31
Total number of sports: 22
Total number of sports: 27
Total number of sports: 28
Total number of sports: 27
Total number of sports: 24
Total number of sports: 12
Total number of sports: 29
Total number of sports: 33
Total number of sports: 16
Total number of sports: 28
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wisconsin's best high schools for athletes in 2026 revealed
NBA Playoffs bracket 2026: Updated schedule, TV channels, scores for every round of postseason games originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NBA Playoffs are officially here. After 82 games of grinding through the regular season, the marathon has finally turned into a sprint, as the 2025-26 postseason field is set to narrow through the high-stakes crucible of the Play-In Tournament.
In the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons completed a historic resurgence to claim the top seed but had to rally from a 3-1 deficit to reach the second round alongside the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers.
In the West, the defending NBA champions Oklahoma City Thunder locked up the No. 1 seed and had a far easier time in the opening round, moving on with the San Antonio Spurs right behind them and the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves also still alive.
The margin for error has vanished, and the quest for the Larry O'Brien Trophy is finally underway.
Here's everything you need to know for the 2026 NBA playoffs, from schedule to streaming information.
Click here for the 2026 NBA Playoffs bracket from The Sporting News and see below for series schedules and scores.
SN
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(1) Pistons vs. (4) Cavs - Detroit leads 2-1
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 5 | Game 1: Pistons 111, Cavs 101 | — | — |
| May 7 | Game 2: Pistons 107, Cavs 97 | — | — |
| May 9 | Game 3: Cavs 116, Pistons 109 | — | — |
| May 11 | Game 4 at Cleveland | 8 p.m. | NBC, Peacock, DIRECTV |
| May 13 | Game 5 at Detroit | TBD | TBD |
| May 15 | Game 6 at Cleveland* | TBD | TBD |
| May 17 | Game 7 at Detroit* | TBD | TBD |
* If necessary
(3) Knicks vs. (7) 76ers - New York leads 3-0
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 4 | Game 1: Knicks 137, 76ers 98 | — | — |
| May 6 | Game 2: Knicks 108, 76ers 102 | — | — |
| May 8 | Game 3: Knicks 108, 76ers 94 | — | — |
| May 10 | Game 4 at Philadelphia | 3:30 p.m. | ABC, ESPN app, DIRECTV |
| May 12 | Game 5 at New York* | TBD | TBD |
| May 14 | Game 6 at Philadelphia* | TBD | TBD |
| May 17 | Game 7 at New York* | TBD | TBD |
* If necessary
(1) Thunder vs. (4) Lakers - Oklahoma City leads 3-0
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 5 | Game 1: Thunder 108, Lakers 90 | — | — |
| May 7 | Game 2: Thunder 125, Lakers 107 | — | — |
| May 9 | Game 3: Thunder 131, Lakers 108 | — | — |
| May 11 | Game 4 at Los Angeles | 10:30 p.m. | Prime Video |
| May 13 | Game 5 at Oklahoma City* | TBD | TBD |
| May 16 | Game 6 at Los Angeles* | TBD | TBD |
| May 18 | Game 7 at Oklahoma City* | TBD | TBD |
* If necessary
(2) Spurs vs. Timberwolves - San Antonio leads 2-1
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 4 | Game 1: Timberwolves 104, Spurs 102 | — | — |
| May 6 | Game 2: Spurs 133, Timberwolves 95 | — | — |
| May 8 | Game 3: Spurs 115, Timberwolves 108 | — | — |
| May 10 | Game 4 at Minnesota | 7:30 p.m. | NBC, Peacock, DIRECTV |
| May 12 | Game 5 at San Antonio | TBD | TBD |
| May 15 | Game 6 at Minnesota* | TBD | TBD |
| May 17 | Game 7 at San Antonio* | TBD | TBD |
* If necessary
(1) Pistons vs. (8) Magic - Detroit wins 4-3
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun., April 19 | Game 1: Magic 112, Pistons 101 | — | — |
| Wed., April 22 | Game 2: Pistons 98, Magic 83 | — | — |
| Sat., April 25 | Game 3: Magic 113, Pistons 105 | — | — |
| Mon., April 27 | Game 4: Magic 94, Pistons 88 | — | — |
| Wed., April 29 | Game 5: Pistons 116, Magic 109 | — | — |
| Fri., May 1 | Game 6: Pistons 93, Magic 79 | — | — |
| Sun., May 3 | Game 7: Pistons 116, Magic 94 | — | — |
(2) Celtics vs. (7) Sixers - Philadelphia wins 4-3
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun., April 19 | Game 1: Celtics 123, Sixers 91 | — | — |
| Tue., April 21 | Game 2: Sixers 111, Celtics 97 | — | — |
| Fri., April 24 | Game 3: Celtics 108, Sixers 100 | — | — |
| Sun., April 26 | Game 4: Celtics 128, Sixers 96 | — | — |
| Tue., April 28 | Game 5: Sixers 113, Celtics 97 | — | — |
| Thu., April 30 | Game 6: Sixers 106, Celtics 93 | — | — |
| Sat., May 2 | Game 7: Sixers 109, Celtics 100 | — | — |
(3) Knicks vs. (6) Hawks - New York wins 4-2
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., April 18 | Game 1: Knicks 113, Hawks 102 | — | — |
| Mon., April 20 | Game 2: Hawks 107, Knicks 106 | — | — |
| Thu., April 23 | Game 3: Hawks 109, Knicks 108 | — | — |
| Sat., April 25 | Game 4: Knicks 114, Hawks 98 | — | — |
| Tue., April 28 | Game 5: Knicks 126, Hawks 97 | — | — |
| Thu., April 30 | Game 6: Knicks 140, Hawks 89 | — | — |
(4) Cavaliers vs. (5) Raptors - Cleveland wins 4-3
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., April 18 | Game 1: Cavs 126, Raptors 113 | — | — |
| Mon., April 20 | Game 2: Cavs 115, Raptors 105 | — | — |
| Thu., April 23 | Game 3: Raptors 126, Cavs 104 | — | — |
| Sun., April 26 | Game 4: Raptors 93, Cavs 89 | — | — |
| Wed., April 29 | Game 5: Cavs 125, Raptors 120 | — | — |
| Fri., May 1 | Game 6: Raptors 112, Cavs 110 (OT) | — | — |
| Sun., May 3 | Game 7: Cavs 114, Raptors 102 | — | NBC, Peacock, DIRECTV |
(1) Thunder vs. (8) Suns - Oklahoma City wins 4-0
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun., April 19 | Game 1: Thunder 119, Suns 84 | — | — |
| Wed., April 22 | Game 2: Thunder 120, Suns 107 | — | — |
| Sat., April 25 | Game 3: Thunder 121, Suns 109 | — | — |
| Mon., April 27 | Game 4: Thunder 131, Suns 122 | — | — |
(2) Spurs vs. (7) Trail Blazers - San Antonio wins 4-1
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun., April 19 | Game 1: Spurs 111, Blazers 98 | — | — |
| Tue., April 21 | Game 2: Blazers 106, Spurs 103 | — | — |
| Fri., April 24 | Game 3: Spurs 120, Blazers 108 | — | — |
| Sun., April 26 | Game 4: Spurs 114, Blazers 93 | — | — |
| Tue., April 28 | Game 5: Spurs 114, Blazers 95 | — | — |
(3) Nuggets vs. (6) Timberwolves - Minnesota wins 4-2
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., April 18 | Game 1: Nuggets 116, Timberwolves 105 | — | — |
| Mon., April 20 | Game 2: Timberwolves 119, Nuggets 114 | — | — |
| Thu., April 23 | Game 3: Timberwolves 113, Nuggets 96 | — | — |
| Sat., April 25 | Game 4: Timberwolves 112, Nuggets 96 | — | — |
| Mon., April 27 | Game 5: Nuggets 125, Timberwolves 113 | — | — |
| Thu., April 30 | Game 6: Timberwolves 110, Nuggets 98 | — | — |
(4) Lakers vs. (5) Rockets - Los Angeles wins 4-2
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., April 18 | Game 1: Lakers 107, Rockets 98 | — | — |
| Tue., April 21 | Game 2: Lakers 101, Rockets 94 | — | — |
| Fri., April 24 | Game 3: Lakers 112, Rockets 108 (OT) | — | — |
| Sun., April 26 | Game 4: Rockets 115, Lakers 96 | — | — |
| Wed., April 29 | Game 5: Rockets 99, Lakers 93 | — | — |
| Fri., May 1 | Game 6: Lakers 98, Rockets 78 | — | — |
| Date | Game |
|---|---|
| Tue., April 14 | Hornets 127, Heat 126 (OT) |
| Trail Blazers 114, Suns 110 | |
| Wed., April 15 | Sixers 109, Magic 97 |
| Warriors 126, Clippers 121 | |
| Fri., April 17 | Magic 121, Hornets 90 |
| Suns 111, Warriors 96 |
Dream vs. Lynx live score, updates, highlights from Angel Reese's Atlanta debut originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
JUMP TO:
After an offseason trade that came seemingly out of nowhere, Angel Reese is suiting up for the Atlanta Dream.
The Dream will travel to Minnesota to duke it out with the Lynx at Target Arena. These teams were two of the best last season. Despite neither team making the finals after a few key upsets, they both finished in the top three in regular season standings.
Atlanta brought back their leading scorer from 2026, Allisha Gray, on a three-year max-plus deal. The Olympic Gold Medalist averaged 18.4 points per game last season with 5.3 and 3.5 assists.
She'll be joined once again by 2022 No. 1 overall pick Rhyne Howard, who averaged 17.1 points and 4.6 assists a year ago. Brionna Jones, however, is out to start the season after a right knee surgery in April.
For the Lynx, Napheesa Collier is back on a one-year, max contract. She was ranked No. 2 in the WNBA last season in scoring, only behind A'ja Wilson. Collier also provides elite defense, ranking in the top five of the WNBA in both blocks and steals a year ago.
The concern with Collier is injury. She had a surgery on her left ankle in March and is likely to be out until June, according to a statement from the Lynx.
The Lynx made a few notable additions in the offseason. The first is Olivia Miles, who was taken with the No. 2 overall pick in the WNBA Draft. They also added Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, Natasha Howard and Nia Coffey. Collectively these five made up the starting five in the Lynx final preseason game.
SN's WNBA HQ: Live WNBA scores | Updated WNBA standings | Full WNBA schedule
This section will be updated between quarters.
8:48 p.m. - Since subbing back in, Angel Reese continues to excel defensively and struggle offensively. She has her second block of the game, this time on a Nia Coffey three-point attempt. But after her ninth rebound, she missed a driving layup.
8:42 p.m. - With the deficit growing worse, Atlanta takes a full timeout with 3:54 on the clock in the second quarter. The Lynx lead 43-30, with Courtney Williams' layup putting her at 10 points. She's the first on either side in double-digits.
8:36 p.m. - With the Dream chipping away, now down 35-26, they've got Allisha Gray going. She's up to six points on the night with three rebounds and two assists.
8:34 p.m. - After her fourth turnover of the game, this one a traveling violation, Angel Reese is headed to the bench.
8:23 p.m. - The first quarter is over in Minneapolis, and the Lynx lead 24-12. Nia Coffey and Kayla McBride lead all scorers with five points each.
8:21 p.m. - Olivia Miles officially has her first points in the WNBA. She sinks both from the free throw line.
.@minnesotalynx No. 2 overall pick Olivia Miles sinks a pair of free throws for her first WNBA points! pic.twitter.com/5pwrF3AHCK
— Victory+ (@victoryplustv) May 10, 2026
8:15 p.m. - After averaging 12.9 rebounds per game in her career, Angel Reese already has five and it's still just the first quarter.
8:08 p.m. - The scoring run has been broken by Angel Reese's first bucket with the Atlanta Dream, cutting the lead to five.
8:07 p.m. - The Lynx got out to a 7-0 lead to start the game, including Nia Coffey's first five points with her new squad.
Olivia Miles drops a dime to Nia Coffey for the first basket of the @minnesotalynx season! pic.twitter.com/GxCDZLAhye
— Victory+ (@victoryplustv) May 10, 2026
7:54 p.m. - The Atlanta Dream's starting five is also in and it features Angel Reese front and center. She'll team up with Allisha Gray, who finished fourth in 2025 WNBA MVP voting, as well as Jordin Canada, Rhyne Howard and Naz Hillmon.
Your Atlanta Dream Starting 5 🅰️ pic.twitter.com/9idf6xKDru
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) May 9, 2026
7:49 p.m. - Minnesota's starting five is in for tonight. It features rookie Olivia Miles, and offseason acquisitions Natasha Howard and Nia Coffey, the latter of whom spent the last four seasons in Atlanta.
starting 🖐️ pic.twitter.com/OrWbPZokkp
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) May 9, 2026
7:47 p.m. - The Lynx fit checks are also in for the evening, complete with a slow-motion montage of the Lynx stars.
game one fit check. 😎 pic.twitter.com/lRJQGUEqE8
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) May 9, 2026
7:40 p.m. - The entire Atlanta Dream team has arrived for the opener in Minneapolis, showing off their fits for the nighttime matchup. The contest is set to tip off at the top of the hour.
The Dream are in the building 🙂↕️ pic.twitter.com/KlRlX9SOP5
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) May 9, 2026
6:54 p.m. - The Lynx took Olivia Miles with the No. 2 overall pick in the WNBA Draft. Here she is preparing for her WNBA debut tonight.
Olivia Miles preps for her @WNBA regular-season debut with the @minnesotalynx like ... this 🔥 https://t.co/iqEa3TY4Rvpic.twitter.com/vCDcRpRTv7
— Victory+ (@victoryplustv) May 9, 2026
6:13 p.m. - Angel Reese walks into the facilities ahead of her Atlanta Dream debut. The two-time All Star was traded from Chicago to Atlanta in the offseason.
This is a serve 🤏
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 9, 2026
Angel Reese is ready to make her regular season debut with the @AtlantaDream
📺 League Pass | 8pm/ET I WNBA Tip-Off 2026 | @CarMaxpic.twitter.com/5q9EYHVsUD
The Dream and Lynx are set to begin their season on Saturday night in Minnesota. The Lynx held the No. 1 seed entering last season's playoffs. The Dream were the No. 3 seed before adding Angel Reese in the offseason.
MORE: Angel Reese gets standing ovation in return to Chicago
Coverage for this matchup will be limited to Victory+, which is barrier-free for all to access.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
| May 12 | @ Wings | 8:00 p.m. | Peachtree TV |
| May 17 | vs. Aces | 1:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock |
| May 22 | vs. Wings | 7:30 p.m. | ION |
| May 24 | vs. Mercury | 3:00 p.m. | ANF/Peachtree Sports Network |
| May 27 | @ Lynx | 9:00 p.m. | USA |
| May 29 | @ Fire | 10:00 p.m. | ION |
| June 2 | vs. Sun | 7:30 p.m. | Peachtree TV |
| June 4 | @ Fever | 7:00 p.m. | Prime Video |
| June 6 | vs. Mystics | 6:00 p.m. | ANF/Peachtree Sports Network |
| June 9 | @ Sky | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN/ESPN App |
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
| May 12 | @ Mercury | 10:00 p.m. | Victory+ |
| May 14 | @ Wings | 8:00 p.m. | Prime Video |
| May 17 | vs. Sky | 7:00 p.m. | Victory+ |
| May 21 | vs. Tempo | 8:00 p.m. | Victory+ |
| May 23 | @ Sky | 1:00 p.m. | CBS/Paramount+ |
| May 27 | vs. Dream | 9:00 p.m. | USA |
| May 29 | @ Sky | 7:30 p.m. | ION |
| June 1 | @ Mercury | 10:00 p.m. | NBC Sports/Peacock |
| June 4 | vs. Valkyries | 9:00 p.m. | Prime Video |
| June 6 | vs. Storm | 1:00 p.m. | ABC |
MINFORD — With the top four teams in the SOC III separated by just three games in all, one can guarantee that every game in the league is, indeed, a gauntlet.
That was no different on Friday evening.
Ultimately, the team who proved to limit their mistakes more than any other in the league was able to claim its official stake at the top of the SOC III in 2026.
The Minford Falcons' baseball program ripped off four runs between two RBI-producing doubles by Ty Borland and Carter Frazie to begin the game, then staved off a rally from South Webster by working out of a pivotal bases-loaded, no-out jam in the top of the sixth inning en route to claiming a 6-4 triumph at the Red Monster in Minford.
Friday's win clinched no worse of a share of the SOC III Championship for the Falcons, who improved to 17-2 overall and 8-2 in the league.
And from the getgo, Minford head coach Eli Daniels could see how much the game meant to his team.
"The SOC III is just a gauntlet," Daniels said. "Credit to the boys here — they pulled out a gutsy one (on Friday). They came in locked in from the getgo, and they showed it on the field. Great win. Great day."
South Webster, who rallied back from the 4-0 deficit to close within 6-4 behind a strong relief outing from Jeep senior Benaiah Andrews and good situational hitting at different points, never relented but weren't able to string enough timely hits together in key situations in the setback.
"They're a great team," McClintic said. "Hat's off to Minford. We faced their No. 1 and No. 2, and those guys are tough. They're going to be a tough out in the tournament. You just can't make the mistakes that we made in the field and also not capitalize offensively with runners in scoring position and less than two outs and expect to beat a team like this. We battled back and made it interesting, but you've got to be able to do those little things early. We gave them momentum and that made it hard. They just don't beat themselves."
Getting a big effort on the mound from Borland, who worked out of an early jam after allowing Hunter Barnard and Brycin McClintic to reach scoring position via a single, a sacrifice bunt, a walk and a wild pitch but not allowing either to come across by collecting a strikeout and inducing a pop up to end the inning, Minford wasted no time capitalizing to begin the game.
In fact, each of the first four batters reached for Minford, and after a hit batter and a walk, Borland's RBI double to the left center field gap from the three-hole was followed by a two-RBI double on the very next pitch to cleanup hitter Carter Frazie who banged his hit off of the right field wall, resulting in three runs right off the rip without an out recorded in the bottom half.
The Falcons added in a fourth run on a one-out error, ultimately sending 10 batters to the plate in taking its early lead.
"They were great ABs," Daniels said of Borland's and Frazie's at-bats. "They got their pitch and they made it count. They put the ball in play hard. They were both gap shots to the wall, and it started from there. The boys just kept on rolling from that point forward and we did enough damage early."
Unfazed, South Webster's Benaiah Andrews came in for South Webster starting pitcher Jacob McGraw and worked the second through sixth innings as if the four-run first-inning eruption never happened.
Andrews, a multi-year starter and All-Ohio honoree, allowed just three hits and two earned runs the rest of the way, with both earned runs coming off of Max Lauder's RBI double over the South Webster defense in the bottom of the third inning of work.
No. 15 seemed to get stronger as the game wore on as well, as Andrews retired the last nine Minford batters in order, finishing his five innings of relief with three straight strikeouts in the sixth.
"Jacob's been great for us all year," McClintic said. "Guys are just not going to have their best stuff every night, and some unfortunate events led to Jacob coming out of the game there early. It was good to have Benaiah available (on Friday). He's still working himself back into form, and he looked like the All-Ohio pitcher of last year as of late — he's dealt with some injuries. Benaiah comes in, and we know that in any situation, we can trust Benaiah. He's a senior that's been in a lot of games, and whether that's starting or as a reliever, he's done it all. He did a great job to put up a lot of quick innings and zeros for us on the scoreboard, and gave us the confidence to really keep battling back. That was a tough spot for him to come into, and he did an awesome job."
After adding in a run to initially cut Minford's lead to a 4-1 tally in the bottom of the third inning on an Easton Large sac fly RBI, South Webster — trailing 6-1 after the two-RBI double by Lauder — did additional damage in the fourth.
Following a leadoff single to right field by catcher Sam Murphy, Brayden Barnard walked to put runners on first and second with nobody out. Then, with two gone, McClintic came through with a two-RBI single to center field, scoring Brayden Barnard and courtesy runner Jaheim Froe to cut the Minford lead to 6-3 after four complete.
Keeping the pressure on, the Jeeps attempted to turn up the dial further in the top of the sixth. Murphy again got things going after being hit by a pitch, while Brayden Barnard singled back up the middle of the diamond and Hunter Barnard was also hit by a ball, loading the bases with nobody out.
But as they have done throughout the vast majority of the 2026 season, Minford made the plays it needed to.
On a 1-1 count, a groundball to third led to a 5-2 forceout at home plate. This was then followed by the biggest play of the game, where a hard hit baseball by McClintic was fielded on one hop by Lauder at shortstop.
Recognizing the situation and understanding McClintic's speed down the line, Lauder, instead of making the slower flip to second baseman Colt Donahoe, took it upon himself to sprint to the second base bag, then fired to Frazie at first base for the inning-ending double play.
"Max making the double play with the bases loaded was huge," Daniels said. "That was really a big confidence-booster for us. Big credit to Ty Borland and (Minford reliever) Mason Bradley for coming in and shutting them down. They made the pitches when they needed to make them, and we had the fielding behind them that made the plays when they needed to make them as well."
"This is the best lineup we've had one-through-nine," McClintic said. "It never gets to a spot in the order where we feel like we can't get something going, even with two outs and nobody on. We just got productive at-bats all up and down the lineup. We just didn't capitalize on a couple of things early in the game. We had guys on second and third with one out in the inning and couldn't get anybody in. We had bases loaded one time and favorable counts where we had one out. We did a great job working their pitchers. We just weren't able to cash in on those opportunities that we had. We're going to play South Webster baseball, and we're going to do the little things, and if we do the little things, then we're going to win most of the time. We just left a couple of those on the field (on Friday) early on."
Still trailing 6-3 and down to its final out, South Webster attempted to get a two-out rally going as a two-out walk by Jacob McGraw and a passed ball allowed Pierce Kreischer to drive in McGraw with his RBI single to left, cutting the Minford lead to a 6-4 margin. But the offensive production was simply too late as Bradley was able to induce an innocent three-unassisted groundout to end the game following Kreischer's base knock.
"It seems like it's a dogfight every year with South Webster," Daniels said. "You've got to play seven innings against those guys. They're a well-coached team. (Ryan) McClintic's got them playing good baseball year-in and year-out, so it's always a good win when you can beat Webster."
With the victory and at least a share of the SOC III Championship in hand, Minford now turns its focus onto preparing for postseason play. The Falcons will take on Chillicothe Southeastern Monday in Minford, the first of a four-game nonconference stretch with three of those affairs being played at the Red Monster.
"It's great to grab at least a share of the conference title," Daniels said. "That's something we don't take lightly. However, we're out to win every game. The bigger picture is going into the postseason and making a deep tournament run."
As for South Webster (11-7, 4-5 SOC III), its five-game winning streak may have come to an end, but its progression and the high-level situations the Jeeps faced on Friday most certainly did not. South Webster has a chance to get a new streak started Monday when the Jeeps play Logan Elm.
"We've been doing the little things as of late," McClintic said. "This conference is terrific and we enjoy the competition we get from it. I would much rather play a competitive game every night of the week than not play a strong schedule. We look at playing in this league as a blessing. There's a lot of good teams. Pretty much everybody has a chance at making a long tournament run. I love playing games like these. Like I've said before, I wish we could play three or four games against every team in the league, because it's just good baseball."
NBA Playoffs schedule 2026: Full bracket, dates, times, TV channels, live streams to watch every series originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 2025-26 NBA regular season has reached its conclusion, setting the stage for a postseason defined by high-stakes matchups and a brand-new broadcast landscape.
The journey to the Larry O'Brien Trophy officially began with the Play-In Tournament, and now the main contenders are in the mix. With dominant forces like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons having secured the top seeds and moved on to the second round, the focus is on what other teams can compete for the NBA championship.
This year marks a significant shift in how fans will consume the playoffs, as a landmark media rights deal introduces a three-pronged distribution model featuring ESPN/ABC, NBC/Peacock, and Prime Video. While the NBA Finals remain the exclusive property of ABC, earlier rounds will be split across these platforms, including the entirety of the Play-In Tournament moving to Prime Video.
Whether you are a cord-cutter relying on Peacock and Amazon or a traditional viewer tuned into ESPN and NBC, navigating the 2026 bracket requires a clear roadmap of where and when to find each game. From the opening tip of the play-in games to the final buzzer of the NBA Finals on June 19, every series offers a different path to glory.
Below is the comprehensive guide to the 2026 NBA Playoff schedule, including a full look at the current bracket, confirmed tip-off times, and a breakdown of which streaming services and cable channels you'll need to catch every minute of the action.
NBA Playoff action is spread across ABC, ESPN, NBC and Prime Video, though the NBA Finals remain on ABC. Fans have a wide range of streaming options to catch the postseason, including Prime, the ESPN app, and Peacock, with each service carrying specific games depending on their broadcast rights.
All games airing on ABC, ESPN and NBC are also available via DIRECTV Stream.
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(1) Pistons vs. (4) Cavs - Detroit leads 2-1
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 5 | Game 1: Pistons 111, Cavs 101 | — | — |
| May 7 | Game 2: Pistons 107, Cavs 97 | — | — |
| May 9 | Game 3: Cavs 116, Pistons 109 | — | — |
| May 11 | Game 4 at Cleveland | 8 p.m. | NBC, Peacock, DIRECTV |
| May 13 | Game 5 at Detroit | TBD | TBD |
| May 15 | Game 6 at Cleveland* | TBD | TBD |
| May 17 | Game 7 at Detroit* | TBD | TBD |
* If necessary
(3) Knicks vs. (7) 76ers - New York leads 3-0
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 4 | Game 1: Knicks 137, 76ers 98 | — | — |
| May 6 | Game 2: Knicks 108, 76ers 102 | — | — |
| May 8 | Game 3: Knicks 108, 76ers 94 | — | — |
| May 10 | Game 4 at Philadelphia | 3:30 p.m. | ABC, ESPN app, DIRECTV |
| May 12 | Game 5 at New York* | TBD | TBD |
| May 14 | Game 6 at Philadelphia* | TBD | TBD |
| May 17 | Game 7 at New York* | TBD | TBD |
* If necessary
(1) Thunder vs. (4) Lakers - Oklahoma City leads 3-0
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 5 | Game 1: Thunder 108, Lakers 90 | — | — |
| May 7 | Game 2: Thunder 125, Lakers 107 | — | — |
| May 9 | Game 3: Thunder 131, Lakers 108 | — | — |
| May 11 | Game 4 at Los Angeles | 10:30 p.m. | Prime Video |
| May 13 | Game 5 at Oklahoma City* | TBD | TBD |
| May 16 | Game 6 at Los Angeles* | TBD | TBD |
| May 18 | Game 7 at Oklahoma City* | TBD | TBD |
* If necessary
(2) Spurs vs. Timberwolves - San Antonio leads 2-1
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 4 | Game 1: Timberwolves 104, Spurs 102 | — | — |
| May 6 | Game 2: Spurs 133, Timberwolves 95 | — | — |
| May 8 | Game 3: Spurs 115, Timberwolves 108 | — | — |
| May 10 | Game 4 at Minnesota | 7:30 p.m. | NBC, Peacock, DIRECTV |
| May 12 | Game 5 at San Antonio | TBD | TBD |
| May 15 | Game 6 at Minnesota* | TBD | TBD |
| May 17 | Game 7 at San Antonio* | TBD | TBD |
* If necessary
(1) Pistons vs. (8) Magic - Detroit wins 4-3
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun., April 19 | Game 1: Magic 112, Pistons 101 | — | — |
| Wed., April 22 | Game 2: Pistons 98, Magic 83 | — | — |
| Sat., April 25 | Game 3: Magic 113, Pistons 105 | — | — |
| Mon., April 27 | Game 4: Magic 94, Pistons 88 | — | — |
| Wed., April 29 | Game 5: Pistons 116, Magic 109 | — | — |
| Fri., May 1 | Game 6: Pistons 93, Magic 79 | — | — |
| Sun., May 3 | Game 7: Pistons 116, Magic 94 | — | — |
(2) Celtics vs. (7) Sixers - Philadelphia wins 4-3
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun., April 19 | Game 1: Celtics 123, Sixers 91 | — | — |
| Tue., April 21 | Game 2: Sixers 111, Celtics 97 | — | — |
| Fri., April 24 | Game 3: Celtics 108, Sixers 100 | — | — |
| Sun., April 26 | Game 4: Celtics 128, Sixers 96 | — | — |
| Tue., April 28 | Game 5: Sixers 113, Celtics 97 | — | — |
| Thu., April 30 | Game 6: Sixers 106, Celtics 93 | — | — |
| Sat., May 2 | Game 7: Sixers 109, Celtics 100 | — | — |
(3) Knicks vs. (6) Hawks - New York wins 4-2
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., April 18 | Game 1: Knicks 113, Hawks 102 | — | — |
| Mon., April 20 | Game 2: Hawks 107, Knicks 106 | — | — |
| Thu., April 23 | Game 3: Hawks 109, Knicks 108 | — | — |
| Sat., April 25 | Game 4: Knicks 114, Hawks 98 | — | — |
| Tue., April 28 | Game 5: Knicks 126, Hawks 97 | — | — |
| Thu., April 30 | Game 6: Knicks 140, Hawks 89 | — | — |
(4) Cavaliers vs. (5) Raptors - Cleveland wins 4-3
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., April 18 | Game 1: Cavs 126, Raptors 113 | — | — |
| Mon., April 20 | Game 2: Cavs 115, Raptors 105 | — | — |
| Thu., April 23 | Game 3: Raptors 126, Cavs 104 | — | — |
| Sun., April 26 | Game 4: Raptors 93, Cavs 89 | — | — |
| Wed., April 29 | Game 5: Cavs 125, Raptors 120 | — | — |
| Fri., May 1 | Game 6: Raptors 112, Cavs 110 (OT) | — | — |
| Sun., May 3 | Game 7: Cavs 114, Raptors 102 | — | — |
(1) Thunder vs. (8) Suns - Oklahoma City wins 4-0
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun., April 19 | Game 1: Thunder 119, Suns 84 | — | — |
| Wed., April 22 | Game 2: Thunder 120, Suns 107 | — | — |
| Sat., April 25 | Game 3: Thunder 121, Suns 109 | — | — |
| Mon., April 27 | Game 4: Thunder 131, Suns 122 | — | — |
(2) Spurs vs. (7) Trail Blazers - San Antonio wins 4-1
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun., April 19 | Game 1: Spurs 111, Blazers 98 | — | — |
| Tue., April 21 | Game 2: Blazers 106, Spurs 103 | — | — |
| Fri., April 24 | Game 3: Spurs 120, Blazers 108 | — | — |
| Sun., April 26 | Game 4: Spurs 114, Blazers 93 | — | — |
| Tue., April 28 | Game 5: Spurs 114, Blazers 95 | — | — |
(3) Nuggets vs. (6) Timberwolves - Minnesota wins 4-2
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., April 18 | Game 1: Nuggets 116, Timberwolves 105 | — | — |
| Mon., April 20 | Game 2: Timberwolves 119, Nuggets 114 | — | — |
| Thu., April 23 | Game 3: Timberwolves 113, Nuggets 96 | — | — |
| Sat., April 25 | Game 4: Timberwolves 112, Nuggets 96 | — | — |
| Mon., April 27 | Game 5: Nuggets 125, Timberwolves 113 | — | — |
| Thu., April 30 | Game 6: Timberwolves 110, Nuggets 98 | — | — |
(4) Lakers vs. (5) Rockets - Los Angeles wins 4-2
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., April 18 | Game 1: Lakers 107, Rockets 98 | — | — |
| Tue., April 21 | Game 2: Lakers 101, Rockets 94 | — | — |
| Fri., April 24 | Game 3: Lakers 112, Rockets 108 (OT) | — | — |
| Sun., April 26 | Game 4: Rockets 115, Lakers 96 | — | — |
| Wed., April 29 | Game 5: Rockets 99, Lakers 93 | — | — |
| Fri., May 1 | Game 6: Lakers 98, Rockets 78 | — | — |
| Date | Game |
|---|---|
| Tue., April 14 | Hornets 127, Heat 126 (OT) |
| Trail Blazers 114, Suns 110 | |
| Wed., April 15 | Sixers 109, Magic 97 |
| Warriors 126, Clippers 121 | |
| Fri., April 17 | Magic 121, Hornets 90 |
| Suns 111, Warriors 96 |
Click here for the 2026 NBA Playoffs bracket from The Sporting News, which updates live as series are completed.
SN
OB Osceola was gassed.
Facing a heat index around 100 degrees on a turf that felt like 120 degrees, Osceola was laboring through a left leg cramp that surfaced in the bottom half of the fifth inning during his warmup.
Despite that, the Florida State signee only had one option: to power through it.
Osceola threw 6 1/3 innings against the Cougars, allowing one earned run with nine strikeouts in a 4-2 win in Game 3 of the Class 1A-Region 3 final, marking Neumann’s first return to the Final Four since 2023.
“It was all heart today,” Osceola said. “From the at-bats, to every pitch, to the fellas staying together after losing a close one (last year), it was all heart at the end of the day. I had some cramps here and there, but I battled. We have the best training staff, the best team to keep me there mentally and come out on top.”
Neumann (20-13) rebounded after getting clobbered in Game 2 earlier in the day, where Ashby Piatt threw five innings of one run ball, striking out 10 to help Canterbury win 13-1 in five innings, after the Cougars (26-5) were blown out the day before in Game 1, 15-3.
“Two months ago, we were in a bad spot,” St. John Neumann coach Charlie Maurer said. “They crawled out of it, and I’m proud of the guys. They matured. The mental toughness has been the theme. Coming back after getting your teeth kicked in, that first game, that takes something special.
“Kudos to Canterbury, because they beat our butts. After yesterday, most teams would have folded, and they came back and hurt us just as bad. I think both coaches had a feeling Game 3 would settle in a little bit. It’s two good teams going at it. I’m proud of my guys for staying tough and battling adversity. This new playoff format is tough. It’s completely different. It’s been a hot day, but it’s been a good day.”
After Canterbury starter Ian Long struck out two in the first, the Cougars threatened early on Osceola. After a Noah Kiefer walk and a Brayden Habuda single, Habuda was thrown out at second on a strike ‘em out, throw ‘em out double play by Taylor Reidy with Ever Silvente up at the plate. Piatt struck out looking after that, stranding Kiefer at third in the bottom half of the first.
That would be a microcosm of things to come down the road for the Cougars, which pressured in big spots, but couldn’t get the timely hit. Canterbury was 2 for 9 with RISP in Game 3 after having little problems putting bats on balls in Game 2.
After Canterbury appeared to have thrown out Anthony Rosato at third base, which would’ve been the third out, the inning continued following a safe call. That set the stage for Aiden Miranti to plate a pair off Cougars starter Ian Long, making it 2-0 in the top of the second inning.
Canterbury responded in the bottom half of the second with two-out hitting of their own, sparking a rally after Adams Mejia Reyes doubled down the left field line, moving Michael Magas to third. A passed ball plated Magas, before Maddux Wolff popped out in foul territory to strand another Cougar baserunner in scoring position to make it 2-1.
Long and Osceola both worked 1-2-3 innings in the third, before the Celtics got two more in the fourth. With Luke Parrish and Darien Kester reaching via a walk and a single, Reidy grounded into a double play, before Roman Howery uncorked on the first pitch he saw, homering to center field to make it 4-1.
“The game plan has been, throw it over the white thing and hit it over the black thing,” Maurer said. “The third game, it’s hot out. Bat speed’s down, hand speed’s down, running speed’s down. The game changes a little bit. Coaching summer ball, you get used to that. You’re not going to have the boogie whip you have.
“The mindset today was no free passes, to make them earn everything and then make each at bat the toughest at-bat they’ve ever had. I think that’s why with two outs, we had so much success.”
Osceola would make quick work of Canterbury in the fourth and fifth, retiring nine straight before Kiefer singled in the bottom half of the sixth. After a pair of singles from Silvente and Piatt to put Canterbury in prime position, that evaporated relatively quickly after Anthony Meady popped out on the first pitch he saw, and Tenuto grounding out to Osceola, who flipped it to first base, visibly animated heading into the dugout.
“Our training staff is unbelievable,” Maurer said. “Tyler (Boardway) does a really good job, and I have the best pitching coach in the country in Greg Dombrowski. It was not inning by inning. It was pitch by pitch of how we could get him back out there and see if we could get one, two, or three more outs. We just kept plugging and plugging and plugging. That’s a testament to everybody.”
Relieving Long midway through the sixth inning, Tenuto worked a quick 1-2-3 inning to send the Cougars into the dugout against Osceola, who was rapidly approaching 105 pitches. A Magas single, a Wolff walk, and another Kiefer single sent Habuda up to the plate, which ultimately ended Osceola’s day at 104 pitches.
With Cole Hylemon facing Habuda in the biggest spot of his career, the South Alabama commit delivered, singling up the middle to plate one. After that, Silvente chased what would’ve been ball three, a slider down and away in the dirt to put the Celtics one out away.
It was up to Piatt to try and deliver more magic for the Cougars, but there was none left. Hylemon got Piatt to fly out to left field, where Anthony Kanellos settled under it. Shortly thereafter, the celebration was on just behind the pitcher’s mound, and Neumann was back in the Final Four.
Neumann will take on Orangewood Christian in the state semifinals next week, scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 14. The winner will face St. Johns Country Day or Schoolhouse Prep in the title game on Saturday at 11 a.m.
“For the first time in my career, I know nothing,” Maurer said when asked about Orangewood Christian. “I haven’t looked forward. I fell into that trap too many times. We’ve been there too many times as a staff. It’s time to try and figure out how to win it. We’ll figure out what we can tomorrow or Monday, and then give them everything we’ve got.”
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X at @NP_AlexMartin or via email: amartin@usatodayco.com. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: OB Osceola delivers for St. John Neumann in Game 3 win over Canterbury
The Kansas City Chiefs' pass-rush should take a big step forward next season after general manager Brett Veach selected Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman R Mason Thomas with the No. 40 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Thomas has yet to see live action as a professional, but he has all the makings of an elite sack-master who could turn into a cornerstone of Kansas City's defense.
This week, footage surfaced of Thomas working on his agility during an offseason training session, giving Chiefs fans one of their first looks at the former Sooner since his acquisition by Kansas City in the Annual Player Selection Meeting last month:
#Chiefs rookie R Mason Thomas in the lab 👀
— SleeperChiefs (@SleeperChiefsKC) May 9, 2026
Via IG @thomss_rpic.twitter.com/txbKPnbsed
Usually, the Chiefs' coaching staff is hesitant to utilize rookies in key roles during their first season in the NFL, but Thomas' outstanding athletic profile and raw talent could force veteran coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to consider featuring him early in Kansas City's 2026 campaign.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chiefs rumors: Rising rookie pass-rusher dominates offseason workout
That elusive Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament Championship is coming to The Highest of Seven Hills.
Florida A&M softball defeated Southern in walkoff fashion with a 2-1 victory to hoist the trophy at Saturday, May 9's winner-takes-all game.
Braxtyn Battle singled to left field, advanced Samantha Smith, and scored Kiara Beltre to earn the win at the bottom of the seventh inning.
The run earned the Rattlers their first SWAC Championship title since joining the league in 2021. FAMU had appeared in the last two SWAC Tournament championship rounds, but lost both years to Jackson State.
FAMU outhit Southern 7-2 on Saturday. Beltre led the team with two hits.
Smith pitched the entire seven-inning game and earned the SWAC Tournament Championship win.
Gerald Thomas, III, is a multi-time national award-winning reporter for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU softball beats Southern for SWAC Tournament title, NCAA Tournament next
Chelsea Women have already lifted the Women’s League Cup this season, and they can get a second cup this year as they’re still in the Women’s FA Cup chase. They will have to beat the current Women’s Super League champions to do so which is no easy feat. But we’ve already done so twice this season — who says we can’t do it again this weekend?
Date / Time: Sunday, May 10, 2026, 15.30 BST; 10:30am EDT
Venue: Stamford Bridge, SW6
Referee: Phoebe Cross
Forecast: Cloudy and breezy
On TV: TNT Sports 1 (UK); none (USA); elsewhere
Streaming: HBO Max (UK); none (USA)
Chelsea team news: With a 3-1 win over Leicester City last weekend Chelsea secured a spot in the UEFA Women’s Champions League next season. The only question now is whether we finish the season in second or third in the league table as Arsenal still have a game in hand and are a single point behind us.
We’re sorely missing clean sheets and goalkeeper Livia Peng, who substituted Hannah Hampton last outing, couldn’t keep it for us. Hannah will be back to the fold for this Women’s FA Cup match which is good news for us. We will be missing defender Naomi Girma due to a calf injury.
Manchester City team news: City’s loss to Brighton at the end of last month might have given very few people some hope the Women’s Super League title wasn’t theirs. But they went and secured it anyway in the next game with a 1-0 victory over Liverpool last weekend.
They will need to make do with a squad suffering with several injuries thanks to the tear and wear of the season. Defenders Laura Wienroither and Naomi Layzell have been out of contention since April, whereas midfielders Vivianne Miedema and Sydney Lohmann were added to the injury list last week. The good news for them is that defender Rebecca Knaak might be available depending on a late fitness test.
Previously: Sam Kerr gives us the title with an extra time goal.
INDIANAPOLIS – Tensions flared between Romain Grosjean and Marcus Armstrong following Saturday's Sonsio Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
After getting out of his car, Grosjean — who finished 21st in the race — approached the pit box of Armstrong — who finished 11th. Video captured outside of Armstrong's pit box shows Grosjean making his way to confront Armstrong after initially being held back by members of Armstrong's No. 66 pit crew.
"Get off," Grosjean said to the crew members in a video captured by Racer Magazine. "I was going to talk to him. I was going to say I want to punch you."
Grosjean eventually got face-to-face with Armstrong while crew members stepped between them.
"I have never punched anyone in my life," he proceeded to say.
There’s a reason to hire a crew chief like Jimmy Looper who also serves as head of security for his car and peacekeeper for his driver. Good to see Romain throttle back. #racing#motorsport#indycarpic.twitter.com/9PBBZBaMJr
— Marshall Pruett (@marshallpruett) May 10, 2026
It is unclear what caused the dispute between the two drivers, who finished 10 spots apart in the race and whose pit boxes were 10 spots away from one another.
"He fancied a bit of a fist fight, actually," Armstrong told Fox. "A bit of UFC, a bit of MMA — something I'm not accustomed to. But hey, you know what, I've got like a 350-pound fueler who was like right behind me, so fair play to Romain, he's got some balls for trying to attack me with him behind me."
“He fancied a bit of a fist fight.” Marcus Armstrong tells @KevinLee23 about his post-race "discussion" with Romain Grosjean at Indy. pic.twitter.com/sKGXr0CtB6
— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) May 9, 2026
Grosjean is not believed to have actually struck Armstrong.
Zion Brown is IndyStar's motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar's motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to the YouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Romain Grosjean confronts Marcus Armstrong after IndyCar's Sonsio Grand Prix
INDIANAPOLIS – Tensions flared between Romain Grosjean and Marcus Armstrong following Saturday's Sonsio Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
After getting out of his car, Grosjean — who finished 21st in the race — approached the pit box of Armstrong — who finished 11th. Video captured outside of Armstrong's pit box shows Grosjean making his way to confront Armstrong after initially being held back by members of Armstrong's No. 66 pit crew.
"Get off," Grosjean said to the crew members in a video captured by Racer Magazine. "I was going to talk to him. I was going to say I want to punch you."
Grosjean eventually got face-to-face with Armstrong while crew members stepped between them.
"I have never punched anyone in my life," he proceeded to say.
There’s a reason to hire a crew chief like Jimmy Looper who also serves as head of security for his car and peacekeeper for his driver. Good to see Romain throttle back. #racing#motorsport#indycarpic.twitter.com/9PBBZBaMJr
— Marshall Pruett (@marshallpruett) May 10, 2026
It is unclear what caused the dispute between the two drivers, who finished 10 spots apart in the race and whose pit boxes were 10 spots away from one another.
"He fancied a bit of a fist fight, actually," Armstrong told Fox. "A bit of UFC, a bit of MMA — something I'm not accustomed to. But hey, you know what, I've got like a 350-pound fueler who was like right behind me, so fair play to Romain, he's got some balls for trying to attack me with him behind me."
“He fancied a bit of a fist fight.” Marcus Armstrong tells @KevinLee23 about his post-race "discussion" with Romain Grosjean at Indy. pic.twitter.com/sKGXr0CtB6
— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) May 9, 2026
Grosjean is not believed to have actually struck Armstrong.
Zion Brown is IndyStar's motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar's motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to the YouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Romain Grosjean confronts Marcus Armstrong after IndyCar's Sonsio Grand Prix
Ateba Gautier continued to prove he's an unstoppable force, and now wants to test himself against a former champion.
Gautier (11-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) showed a patient approach against a game Ozzy Diaz (10-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC), before catching him with an overhand right and finishing him with ground strikes at the 1:10 mark of Round 2 on Saturday's UFC 328 featured prelim at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Check out the video of Gautier's finish below (via X):
THE STORM IS COMING 🌩️
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) May 10, 2026
ATEBA GAUTIER KNOCKOUT
📺 @paramountpluspic.twitter.com/aWrwBBplpO
Gautier tied Khamzat Chimaev and Nassourdine Imavov for the longest active UFC middleweight win streak at five. He respectfully called out former champion Israel Adesanya in his post-fight octagon interview.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 328 video: Ateba Gautier calls out Israel Adesanya after KO win
With rookie minicamp taking place this weekend for the Jacksonville Jaguars, head coach Liam Coen is getting his first up-close look at offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon, who the team drafted in the third round.
The pads aren't on, and there is no contact taking place, which makes truly evaluating offensive line play difficult, but Pregnon's size and skill set have caught Coen's attention.
"Large man," Coen said. "Some of that you can't coach, right? And when you have big strong hands and heavy hands as an interior offensive lineman, I think is super helpful to the cause, especially in pass protection to be able to snap things off, and then when you are put in some one-on-one positions up front, being able to not just get stalemates, but potentially move that person the other direction."
Coen continued, "So hard to tell, obviously, physically, you would think he can do it, and based on the film, playing at a high level in college, he did display those things. So very difficult to get a true evaluation, as I said last year around this time, about the offensive line, but care factor, intentionality, communication, learning, that's what this is all about."
Pregnon joins the Jaguars after an impressive 2025 season at left guard for the Oregon Ducks. Out of 101 eligible guards, Pregnon ranked second in PFF's run-blocking grade. He also tied for eighth in pass-blocking efficiency, allowing just one sack and five pressures over 471 pass-blocking snaps.
As a result of his stellar play, Pregnon was named a first-team All-American following his performance last season.
So, in these first few days of having Pregnon in the mix up front, what does Coen want to see from him?
"Just trying to get to know him personally a little bit," Coen said of rookie minicamp. "What makes him tick? The learning curve, how he learns best, whether it's in the meeting room setting or you go into the walkthrough. How does that change or adapt in his learning process?
"And ultimately, when he gets on the grass, how he handles and takes coaching. So I've been impressed with him in a small sample size in terms of care factor and asking and communicating things on the grass and in the huddle, just been impressed by that so far."
The addition of Pregnon brings more size to a Jaguars' offensive line unit that Coen wants to see improve in the run game this season.
Pregnon could find himself competing for playing time as a rookie with Patrick Mekari.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Liam Coen shares first impression of Jaguars' draft pick Emmanuel Pregnon
Tennessee (34-17, 13-13 SEC) and No. 4 Texas (36-12, 15-10 SEC) played Game 2 of a three-game series on Saturday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Rankings reflect the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
The Vols won Game 2, 14-9, and clinched a series victory.
Evan Blanco started for Tennessee and pitched seven innings. He recorded eight strikeouts and 111 pitches, including 71 strikes, against 30 batters. Blanco allowed seven hits, five runs (five earned), three walks and one balk.
Temo Becerra hit a two run home run for the Longhorns in the first inning off Blanco.
Reese Chapman, Blake Grimmer, Trent Grindlinger, Stone Lawless, Manny Marin and Garrett Wright hit home runs for the Vols.
A series finale between the Vols and Longhorns will take place May 10 at noon EDT. Game 3 will be televised by ESPN2. Tennessee won Game 1 on Friday, 5-1.
More: 2026 Tennessee baseball schedule
Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Tennessee baseball defeats Texas in Game 2, wins SEC series
Ateba Gautier was one of the biggest favorites at UFC 328 and he delivered an emphatic knockout over Ozzy Diaz to cap off the prelims on Saturday night.
Despite his dominant run through the UFC thus far, Gautier was somehow criticized for going to a decision last time out but in his return, he showed patience until Diaz threw out a lazy jab and the counter was a devastating overhand right that ended the fight. As soon as Gautier connected, Diaz folded and dropped to the ground with the referee rushing in to stop the fight before any more punishment was dished out.
THE STORM IS COMING 🌩️
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) May 10, 2026
ATEBA GAUTIER KNOCKOUT
📺 @paramountpluspic.twitter.com/aWrwBBplpO
The finish came at 1:10 in the second round.
“I’ve been working a lot so I’m happy,” Gautier said after his latest win. “I’ve been working with my team so I know what I have to do. Exactly what we’ve been doing all this week and I did it.
“To be honest, my dream fight would be against Israel Adesanya. I really want to fight. Since I started MMA, I really admired him.”
While Diaz was displaying solid defense early, Gautier didn’t get frustrated or just immediately start throwing bombs in an attempt to get to his opponent. Instead, Gautier just kept picking his shots and kicking away at Diaz’s lead leg just waiting to unleash his power shots.
That came in the second round when Diaz tossed out his jab and Gautier countered over the top with the right hand that connected clean. It was an impressive answer to Diaz’s offense with Gautier moving to 5-0 in the UFC with the win.
It remains to be seen if the UFC is interested in matching up Gautier against somebody like Adesanya but it could be an interesting matchup between a former champion and a top prospect in the middleweight division.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Christian Lundgaard made all the right moves Saturday.
He waited for the perfect moment to set up a daring outside move with 18 laps to go, then nudged his way past David Malukas through three sweeping turns on Indianapolis Motor Speedway's road course and sped away from the field to win the Indianapolis Grand Prix.
Now he's going to find out if it helps him in the Indianapolis 500.
The Danish driver snapped a 47-race winless streak, beating Malukas to the yard of bricks by 4.763 seconds for the second win of his career and first in nearly three years. It gives the Arrow McLaren team a boost of confidence heading into IndyCar's biggest race of the season.
“At the end of the day, I had nothing to lose,” Lundgaard said. “I had so much unfinished business here. For me, it wasn't that I wanted to win. I have enough second places in the past year and a half, I wanted to win and I was kind of willing to do whatever it took.”
Lundgaard drove like it, though he won't be celebrating long with the Indy 500 looming.
There's still a plenty to fine-tune before Tuesday's first practice session. Each of the 33 drivers will receive an extra boost of horsepower Friday, with four-lap qualifications set for next Saturday and Sunday. The race is May 24, Lundgaard's mother's birthday.
While success on Indy's 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course doesn't usually translate into success on the Brickyard's more famous 2.5-mile oval, Lundgaard thinks this win helped him turn the corner.
“I know I can beat anyone and I'm sure 95% of the field will say the same thing,” he said. “To finally get it, I think we've come close many, many times, and I think we've unlocked the door now and am pretty confident there will be many more.”
Four-time series champ Alex Palou knows exactly what it takes to pull off the May sweep.
The Spaniard won both Indy races last year and despite failing to join seven-time world champ Michael Schumacher as the only drivers in Brickyard history to win the same event four consecutive years, he still managed to extend his points lead over Kyle Kirkwood to 27 points. Schumacher won Formula 1's U.S. Grand Prix each year from 2003-06.
Palou finished fifth, more than 14 seconds behind Lundgaard, because of a poorly timed caution period that prevented him from cycling back up the leaderboard. He's won three of the first six races and finished second at Arlington, Texas.
A handful of other drivers also are looking forward to the 500 after strong results Saturday.
Malukas led a race-high 27 laps and remains third in the standings.
Third-place finisher Graham Rahal reached the podium for the second time in three races as he resumes the quest to join his father, Bobby, in the 500 winners club.
But the biggest moment came as Malukas and Lundgaard ran side by side through the middle of the road course, battling for the lead. The difference came down to a minor hiccup.
“We were having some moments, and I could see him trying to set up the undercut and we ended up having some little issue and he managed to stick it around the outside,” Malukas said. “I probably could have been a little bit more aggressive, but I thought it was fair racing and it was a proper move, a very good move.”
Lundgaard had shown signs he was about to make a move after finishing third at St. Petersburg, seventh at Arlington and second at Alabama. But now the question is whether he can keep it up on the oval when Palou tries to become the seventh driver to claim back-to-back 500 titles.
Palou has been almost untouchable since the start of last season, winning eight of 17 races with four runner-up finishes in 2025. He's continued to dominate this year.
But perhaps that's about to change.
Lundgaard is coming off a career-best seventh in last year's 500, his first with Arrow McLaren, after failing to crack the top 13 in his three previous starts on the oval, all with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. The hopes for Arrow McLaren are soaring after Pato O'Ward, the Mexican who is Lundgaard's current teammate, qualified second for the grand prix.
“In many, many ways, I live to win races,” Lundgaard said. “I don't live to finish second. I don't live just to be in this race, and I think that's how I was always taught, growing up, that I don't just compete to compete. I compete to win.”
___
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
One Caitlin Clark pass reminded everyone why she’s must-watch TV originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The final score will show the Dallas Wings escaped Indianapolis with a 107-104 win over the Indiana Fever on Saturday. It will show Kelsey Mitchell poured in 30 points to keep Indiana alive deep into the fourth quarter. It will show rookie Paige Bueckers scored 20 points in her regular-season debut for Dallas. But one of the biggest moments of the game came on a single pass from Caitlin Clark.
Midway through the third quarter, Clark drove into the lane with Dallas collapsing around her. Most players would have picked up the dribble or forced a difficult shot attempt. Instead, Clark calmly delivered a behind-the-back bounce pass to Myisha Hines-Allen for an easy layup that immediately brought the crowd to its feet.
It was the type of play that looked impossible in real time.
That assist quickly exploded across social media because it perfectly captured why Clark continues to draw so much attention around the league. The numbers matter, of course. Clark finished with 20 points in 30 minutes and once again controlled huge stretches of Indiana’s offense. But the reason fans keep tuning in goes beyond points or box scores. It’s the unpredictability. Every possession feels like it could turn into a highlight.
That’s a rare quality in any sport. Clark plays with a pace and creativity that constantly pressures defenses into making split-second decisions. Once Dallas shifted toward her drive, she instantly recognized Hines-Allen cutting behind the defense and delivered the ball without hesitation. The timing was just as impressive as the pass itself.
ARE Y'ALL SEEING THIS? 🔥
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 9, 2026
Caitlin Clark with the behind the back pass to Myisha Hines-Allen!
DAL-IND | ABC | WNBA Tip-Off 2026 | @carmaxpic.twitter.com/EqR057pKY3
Saturday’s opener also showed how much intrigue surrounds this matchup moving forward. The game featured Clark on one side and the Dallas rookie duo of Bueckers and Azzi Fudd on the other, creating one of the most talent-packed young matchups the league has seen in years. Add in established stars like Arike Ogunbowale and Mitchell, and the atmosphere felt far bigger than a typical early-season game.
MORE: Azzi Fudd’s quiet WNBA debut won’t change the bigger picture for Dallas
Bueckers looked comfortable immediately, scoring 20 points while helping Dallas withstand Indiana’s late pushes. Mitchell answered with an aggressive scoring performance of her own, repeatedly attacking the Wings defense and keeping the Fever within striking distance.
But even with all the scoring, fans kept circling back to Clark’s pass. That says everything about the kind of player she is becoming for the WNBA. Some stars dominate with scoring explosions. Others control games with efficiency. Clark can do those things, but she also creates moments that people immediately want to replay, share and talk about.
And on Saturday afternoon, one pass was enough to remind everyone why she’s become must-watch television.
Brooks Koepka has been searching for something ever since he triumphed at the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill. That week in Rochester, Koepka returned to his major-killing ways. He was fully healthy, his game firing on all cylinders, his confidence at peak levels.
Since that fifth major win, though, Brooks Koepka watched his game dip while on LIV Golf. His major performances in 2024 and 2025 were well below his elite standard. His putting woes became a source of frustration, and Brooks Koepka was unhappy. He was playing poorly and spending a lot of time away from his family due to the global travel of LIV, and he and his wife, Jena Sims, tragically suffered a miscarriage last year. The desire to spend more time with his family was the driving force behind Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour in January.
“Just my family. A lot’s gone on over the past five, six months with my family. That played a big role into coming back,” Koepka said at Torrey Pines in January. Sims and their son, Crew, have been able to be out on the road more with Koepka back on the PGA Tour and Brooks Koepka has been quietly playing good golf. It hasn’t all come together. The putter has remained a sticking point. He hasn’t yet played his way into the Signature Events, but he has been close.
Brooks Koepka has been building back to his old self. Slowly, piece by piece. Finally, on Saturday, at a tournament Koepka probably didn’t have on his radar to start the season, it all finally came together when the five-time major champion shot back-nine 29 to vault into contention at the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic. It was the first 29 Koepka has shot on the PGA Tour since the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges in 2019. And, more importantly, it gave Brooks Koepka the thing he has been missing.
“That’s the most excited I’ve been playing golf in a long, long time,” Koepka said after his round. “I can tell you that much. I would say back until ’23, the PGA. That’s the most — it’s been a long time since I’ve had fun playing golf. I was very frustrated last year. Just wasn’t in a good place, but I think a lot of times when you — it’s like anybody, right? If they’re happy off the golf course, they’re going to play well on the golf course. I think that’s a huge, huge piece of it, and I’ve found that.
“Refound my happiness, my love for the game. All the pieces are connected. It’s just now I’ve got to go out and go play.”
Rory McIlroy has blunt message for LIV players who wouldn’t want to return to PGA TourBy: Josh Schrock
Koepka finished T12 at the Masters while Rory McIlroy went on to defend his title and eclipse Koepka with his sixth major title. The next week saw Koepka sit around at the RBC Heritage as the first alternate, hoping to get a tee time. It didn’t come. He and Shane Lowry missed the cut at the team event Zurich Classic, and then Koepka failed to make it off the alternate list at the Cadillac Championship.
But with the PGA Championship next week at Aronimink, Koepka entered the field in Myrtle Beach to ensure he had a tee time to fine-tune his game. He has been waiting to feel all the way back. His iron play has been superb for the last two months. But he dealt with a driver issue he rectified at the Masters and hasn’t found consistent success with the flatstick.
Koepka has said that “good golf” will take care of everything. It will get him into Signature Events and have him in the right place to win more majors. The kind of golf Koepka has been hunting arrived in Myrtle Beach on Saturday, and it could foreshadow something bigger on the horizon. Finally, everything is starting to gel for Brooks Koepka on the eve of golf’s second major — one he has won three times and that will be hosted at a burly, northeast course that should suit his eye and game.
After his Saturday 65, Koepka stood at the mic in Myrtle Beach, a scene that seemed unfathomable six months ago, and smiled while talking about a much-needed round in an unexpected location. The confidence poured out of golf’s great major hunter while he looked toward the future — both Sunday and next week at Aronimink.
“I’m super excited. It will be something I’ve been looking forward to for a while,” Koepka said. “I feel like I’ve been knocking on the door. It’s very close. It’s one piece here, one piece there.”
On a week where golf’s best are battling in Charlotte, Brooks Koepka went to Myrtle Beach in need of something, and he might have discovered the final piece needed to bring the happy, brash, swaggering major killer of old back to life.
The post Brooks Koepka found something he has been missing - just in time for PGA Championship appeared first on Golf.
The No. 12 Florida State Seminoles lost to the Clemson Tigers 4-3 on Saturday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. The series is now tied, with the two programs set to play the rubber match on Sunday.
FSU (35-15, 16-10 ACC) took a 3-0 lead in the third inning, but Clemson was able to chip away at the lead before taking the lead in the eighth inning, scoring the winning run on a wild pitch by Kevin Mebil with the bases loaded. Cade O'Leary loaded the bases with an intentional walk and a traditional walk before Mebil took over.
The Seminoles came out hot to start the game, with Brayden Dowd hitting a solo home run in the top of the first. Brody DeLamielleur followed it up with a double and scored on a single by Hunter Carns. DeLamielleur made it a 3-0 game in the third with a solo home run of his own.
Clemson got on the board in the fourth inning, hitting a two-run, two-out homer off Trey Beard. They tied the game in the sixth with back-to-back singles when a sacrifice bunt put runners at the corners with one out. Another single made it a 3-3 game and ended Beard's day.
The lefty pitched 5.1 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk. Chris Knier did not allow a run in 1.2 innings before O'Leary took over to start the eighth.
FSU finished the game with eight hits, but did not walk and struckout 12 times. DeLamielleur and Carns both had two hits to lead the offense.
FSU will go for the series win on Sunday, with Game Three set to start at 3 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Follow us @FSUWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida State news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU baseball loses to Clemson in Game Two
Bobby Cox dies at 84 00:19
Longtime Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox, whose teams ruled the National League during the 1990s and won the World Series in 1995, has died. He was 84.
The Atlanta Braves announced Cox's death Saturday; details weren't immediately available. Cox had a stroke in 2019.
"Bobby was the best manager to ever wear a Braves uniform. He led our team to 14 straight division titles, five National League pennants, and the unforgettable World Series title in 1995. His Braves managerial legacy will never be matched," the Braves said in a statement.
Cox took over a last-place team in June 1990 and led the Braves to a worst-to-first finish in 1991, losing the World Series to the Minnesota Twins in seven games. That was the start of what was to be a record 14 consecutive division titles, a feat no professional team in any sport had accomplished.
He managed the Braves for 25 years and led Atlanta to its only World Series title in 1995. He retired after the 2010 season and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.
"Bobby was a favorite among all in the baseball community, especially those who played for him. His wealth of knowledge on player development and the intricacies of managing the game were rewarded with the sport's ultimate prize in 2014 — enshrinement into the Baseball Hall of Fame," the Braves said.
As of Saturday, Cox ranks fourth all-time with 2,504 wins, fifth with 4,508 games, first with 15 division titles including a record 14 in a row, first with 16 playoff appearances and fourth with 67 playoff victories.
Only Connie Mack, John McGraw and Tony La Russa had more regular-season wins than Cox. His 158 regular-season ejections also was the most among managers.
"He is the Atlanta Braves," catcher Brian McCann said in 2019. "He's the best."
McCann described Cox as an "icon" and "one of the best human beings any of us have ever met."
The Braves retired Cox's No. 6 jersey in 2011, when he joined the team's Hall of Fame.
Cox spent 29 seasons as a major league manager, including four with Toronto. He managed 16 postseason teams. He brought an old-school approach to the dugout. He always wore spikes and stirrups, and his fatherly demeanor inspired loyalty from his players.
HARRISON, N.J. — As Emma Hayes wrapped her weeks-long NWSL tour with a final stop in New Jersey on Saturday, the U.S. women’s national team head coach was already looking ahead to the national team’s pre-World Cup trip to Brazil.
“For us as a team, getting the opportunity to go to Brazil prior to the qualification is perfect preparation,” Hayes said from Sports Illustrated Stadium. “You get a sense, culturally, what the country is like — everything from food to hotels to training pitches to fans and feeling the temperature of the Brazilian fans — plus (we get to) play against a very dynamic team.”
Hayes attended multiple NWSL matches around the country in recent weeks and took time to speak with reporters ahead of Gotham FC’s rematch with expansion side Boston Legacy. She called New York her “spiritual home,” as the early days of her coaching career trace back to Long Island.
Gotham features a slew of active U.S. women’s national team players, including Emily Sonnett, Rose Lavelle, Tierna Davidson and Jaedyn Shaw, as well as various players like star rookie Jordynn Dudley who have featured previously for the senior team or for the U-23 and U-17 national teams.
Since being hired as the U.S. head coach in 2023, Hayes has reimagined the development pathways for U.S. women’s soccer players.
She helped revive the Under-23 national team as a link to the senior team, with players seamlessly moving between the two sides. Shaw is one of the biggest examples after she spent time with the U-23 side last year before returning to the senior side as one of its most consistent midfielders.
That change allowed Hayes to fully embrace the entire U.S. women’s player pool in the years leading up to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. After selecting first-time call-ups and young, inexperienced players, Hayes narrowed her selections in recent windows to a core group as they prepare for World Cup qualifiers in the fall.
The U.S. announced in April that it would play two international friendlies in Brazil this June against the Brazilian women’s national team. As Hayes said, competing in a host country the year before a World Cup allows the team to encounter what playing in that environment will be like — especially in Brazil, where locals are soccer-obsessed.
“I’ve said so many times that Brazil is probably the one team in the world where you’re lucky if you get two or three passes in a row because of the intensity of the press and their deliberate intentions, 1-v-1,” Hayes said. “So, to experience that in their home backyard, I think, is important, and we’re very much looking forward to it.”
The two matches will mark the first time the two teams have faced off in Brazil since 2014. They will play in São Paulo on June 6 and in Fortaleza on June 9 at stadiums that will host World Cup matches next summer.
The São Paulo match takes place at the Neo Química Arena, a 49,000-capacity stadium that is home to Corinthians, one of the most storied and beloved clubs in Brazil. That match will be broadcast as a doubleheader on TBS, Max, Telemundo, Universo, and Peacock, airing after the U.S. men’s national team plays a World Cup send-off friendly against Germany.
The second match in Fortaleza, located in the northeastern region of the country, is at the Arena Castelão, a stadium shared by two second-division Brazilian clubs — Fortaleza and Ceará — with a capacity of 57,000.
As part of the trip, the U-23 team will also travel to Brazil to play against professional clubs based in São Paulo.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
US Women's national team, Women's Soccer, FIFA Women's World Cup
2026 The Athletic Media Company
This is the UFC 328 live blog for King Green vs. Jeremy Stephens, the main card 160-pound catchweight bout Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Green and Stephens were initially scheduled to compete at 155 pounds, but Stephens weighed in at 160 pounds, four over the limit for a non-title lightweight bout. The bout remains on the main card with Stephens forfeiting 30 percent of his purse as penalty.
The UFC 328 opener features two of the most veteran fighters on the roster, with Green (34-17-1, 1 NC) and Stephens (29-22, 1 NC) having over 100 pro bouts combined between them.
Green finds himself back on a win streak having scored consecutive victories over Daniel Zellhuber and Lance Gibson Jr. Those victories improved Green’s UFC record to 15-12-1 (1 NC). He now finds himself facing off with Stephens, another lifelong MMA veteran.
Stephens looks to avoid becoming the first UFC fighter ever to suffer 20 losses as his record for the promotion currently stands at 15-19 (1 NC). “Lil Heathen” made his UFC return this past May when he lost a unanimous decision to Mason Jones, then lost to Mike Perry at BKFC 82 the following October. He seeks his first UFC win since scoring a knockout over Josh Emmett in a featherweight bout in February 2018.
Check out the UFC 328 live blog for King Green vs. Jeremy Stephens below.
UFC 328 prelims are in the books and it was capped off by four finishes in a row, and that’s the best way to kick things off with the main card in Newark. Here we go!
Vanderbilt baseball vs. Missouri Game 2 on May 9 has entered a weather delay in the bottom of the sixth inning at Taylor Stadium.
This delay comes after the Game 1 start time on May 8 was delayed by nearly three hours due to weather, then had to be suspended in the ninth inning and resumed May 9.
The Tigers (22-26, 5-20 SEC) led 8-6 at the time of the delay. They had as big as an 8-3 lead after scoring seven runs across the second and third innings, but Vanderbilt (28-23, 10-15) scored three runs in the top of the sixth.
Missouri won Game 1 on a walk-off 8-7.
The weather delay began at 7:48 p.m. CT. The game is being televised on SEC Network+.
Per NCAA rules, if there is lightning in the area, teams must wait until 30 minutes after the most recent lightning strike within eight miles to resume the game.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt vs Missouri baseball enters weather delay
Vanderbilt baseball vs. Missouri Game 2 on May 9 has entered a weather delay in the bottom of the sixth inning at Taylor Stadium.
This delay comes after the Game 1 start time on May 8 was delayed by nearly three hours due to weather, then had to be suspended in the ninth inning and resumed May 9.
The Tigers (22-26, 5-20 SEC) led 8-6 at the time of the delay. They had as big as an 8-3 lead after scoring seven runs across the second and third innings, but Vanderbilt (28-23, 10-15) scored three runs in the top of the sixth.
Missouri won Game 1 on a walk-off 8-7.
The weather delay began at 7:48 p.m. CT. The game is being televised on SEC Network+.
Per NCAA rules, if there is lightning in the area, teams must wait until 30 minutes after the most recent lightning strike within eight miles to resume the game.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt vs Missouri baseball enters weather delay
The Golden State Warriors have put together their teams through a variety of ways over the years, yet few approaches have proven as successful as the NBA draft. More than anything else, the most talented players to represent the Warriors have arrived in Golden State either by being selected directly in the annual draft or through trades executed on that same night.
The Golden State Warriors have taken many of their top stars through the draft, but have also landed a number of notable players over the years as well. From tiny colleges to blue blood programs, these alumni have contributed significantly to the team's roster over the years. So, we chose to take a closer look at which Dubs came from which schools over the years.
So without further ado, let's take a look at every player who has been drafted by the Warriors out of Doane University.
Draft year and position: fifth round (eighth pick, 101st overall), 1984 NBA Draft
Seasons at Doane University: unknown
Seasons played with Warriors: did not make the team
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Every Doane University player drafted by the Warriors
Ateba Gautier extended his unbeaten UFC streak to five earlier tonight (Sat., May 9, 2026) at UFC 328 LIVE on Paramount+ from inside Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, as the hulking middleweight prospect put a violent stop to Osman Diaz courtesy of a second-round knockout punch.
This fight may have went a little further than expected, but that’s because Gautier took his time in the first round. The undefeated middleweight prospect had a lot of hype coming into this weekend and was a massive -1400 betting favorite to take care of business and send Diaz packing. It would make sense for Gautier to slow things down in the early going so he doesn’t make a mistake against Diaz, who came into UFC 328 with a 1-1 Octagon record.
massive counter right hand crumbled Diaz and as Gautier tried to rush in for ground-and-pound the referee was already there to break up the fight. It may been a tad premature, but the stoppage only prevented Diaz from suffering any unnecesary punishment.
Check out the video highlights below:
THE STORM IS COMING 🌩️
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) May 10, 2026
ATEBA GAUTIER KNOCKOUT
📺 @paramountpluspic.twitter.com/aWrwBBplpO
THE POWER OF THE STORM
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) May 10, 2026
📺 @paramountpluspic.twitter.com/DKpK8lk0Fc
For complete UFC 328 results, coverage and highlights click HERE.
Five Houston ISD schools competed in the district championship in girls flag football, and two advance to the regional round of the playoffs at the Texans bubble next weekend.
There were some serious playmakers all over the field at the HISD Flag Football District Championship games at Delmar Stadium on Saturday. These young ladies compete and want to advance in the flag football playoffs.
The defending district champs from Heights played Sam Houston in the district semifinal game. Bulldogs quarterback Emma Syphard was the MVP a year ago. She put Heights in the lead, working up with Lauren Hudgens, but Sam Houston did not go away; in fact, they dug in even deeper.
Dianna Gonzales was one of the stars for the Tigers.
"I feel so happy this is my first year, and I'm good at doing this...this is so amazing," Gonzales said.
Junior Nayeli Davila led on both sides of the ball. She connected with Haleyiah Smith to help the Tigers come back to cut the lead to 19-14 Heights.
The biggest play of the game happened with 30 seconds to play. Deciding not to just run out the clock and walk away with the win, Syphard tried forcing the ball into the endzone. Ms. Reliable, Nayeli Davila, was there for the interception and return for the touchdown, which ended up being the game-winner. Sam Houston wins 20-19 and advances to the regional tournament at the Texans bubble next weekend.
"We may not be known for our sports, but when it comes to flag football, we're up there," Davila said. "We're showing up and showing out, giving our all. It just feels amazing because it's just like it warms my heart, and it makes me happy."
"I can't say anything more because this is....I feel so happy," Gonzales added.
It was a quick turn for the Tigers. Less than 30 minutes after the big win, they faced Lamar for the district championship. The district final was not as kind as the semifinal.
Lamar wins to advance to the regional tournament as well. Some players that stood out for the Lady Texans include quarterback Mackenzie Hypolite, receivers Autumn Foster and Sydne Tisdale, Delaney Perry, and defender Haylie Hernandez, who had two interceptions, one of which she returned for a touchdown.
"I will say they're pretty tough," Lamar Head Coach Jada Mitchell said. "They do not give up. They are always working hard. They're always willing to adjust to changes."
Special shout-out to North Fourth and Wisdom high schools, which also played but were eliminated. Flag football has taught Wisdom players lessons that extend way beyond the field.
"It holds value to them that they can show that they can do anything that the boys can do," Wisdom Head Coach Crystal Johnson said. "Four out of seniors earned scholarships, so it is showing that we have it in us and we just got to keep the fight."
Florida State baseball's offense jumped out of the gates early, but failed to sustain momentum as Clemson rallied from behind to beat the Seminoles 4-3 and even the series on Saturday, May 9, at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
The No. 14 Seminoles (35-15, 16-10 ACC) led 3-0 after three innings, thanks to home runs from Brayden Dowd, a third-inning blast, and Brody DeLamielleure in the third inning, paired with a Hunter Carns RBI single in the first inning.
It seemed like the FSU lineup, particularly the top half, was primed for a big night at the plate, but the Seminoles failed to generate significant offense after the third inning.
Trey Beard started for the Seminoles, and he threw 5.1 innings and allowed three runs while he struck out four and allowed five hits. He allowed a home run in the fourth inning off the bat of Jarren Purify, who was the hero for the Tigers.
Purify hit his two-run home run in the fourth and then added an RBI single in the sixth inning to tie the game, 3-3. He finished the night 2-for-3 with three RBI, a run scored and one walk, and he helped set up the Tigers for the winning run in the eighth inning.
With the bases loaded and two out in the eighth inning, Cade O'Leary threw a wild pitch that allowed Luke Gaffney to score from third and hand the Tigers a 4-3 lead. Clemson struck out the side in the ninth inning, three of the Seminoles 12 strikeouts in the game, to clinch the series-tying victory.
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida State baseball drops game two to Clemson, 4-3
Azzi Fudd’s quiet WNBA debut won’t change the bigger picture for Dallas originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Azzi Fudd’s first real WNBA moment was never going to happen quietly. Not with the matchup. Not with the stage. And definitely not with the expectations that followed her from UConn to Dallas. The rookie guard made her regular-season debut Saturday against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever in one of the most anticipated opening games of the WNBA season. But instead of a breakout performance, Fudd delivered a stat line that immediately became part of league history for the wrong reason.
Still, the bigger takeaway from Dallas’ 107-104 win over Indiana may have less to do with Fudd’s numbers and more to do with how the Wings are building around her long term.
One of the more surprising developments came before the game even started. After spending the preseason in a starting role, Fudd was moved to the bench once Arike Ogunbowale returned to the lineup. That decision mattered.
Rather than forcing the No. 1 overall pick into heavy usage immediately, Dallas leaned on its veteran scoring and let Fudd ease into the flow of a fast-paced, emotional opener. In a game featuring Clark, Paige Bueckers and one of the loudest regular-season atmospheres the league has seen in years, the Wings didn’t ask Fudd to carry anything offensively.
She played 18 minutes, finished with three points and attempted just two shots.
The stat line quickly drew attention because it marked the fewest points scored by a No. 1 overall pick in a WNBA debut in the last 20 years. But context matters here. Fudd wasn’t handed the keys to the offense Saturday night. Dallas already has established creators, and the Wings clearly prioritized lineup balance and veteran stability in Game 1.
Even in a quieter debut, the long-term vision around Fudd remains obvious. Dallas paired her with former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers for a reason. The chemistry between the two guards was one of the defining pieces of UConn’s 2025 national championship run, and the Wings are betting that familiarity eventually translates at the professional level.
Fudd’s scoring rhythm may take time to fully return consistently. That was true late in her college career too, when she had stretches of explosive shot-making mixed with quieter tournament performances. But Dallas isn’t evaluating her after one night in May. What matters more is that the Wings opened the season with a statement win against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever while still leaving room for Fudd to grow into a larger role.
MORE: Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers are becoming the WNBA’s must-watch rivalry
Rookie debuts in the WNBA can be deceptive, especially for guards adjusting to the league’s physicality and pace. Fudd already talked during the preseason about how quickly she noticed the difference in officiating and defensive contact compared to college basketball. Saturday looked like another reminder of that adjustment period. Opportunities were limited, touches were sporadic, and Dallas leaned heavily on its experienced players late.
That does not suddenly erase what made Fudd the No. 1 pick. She remains one of the most gifted perimeter scorers to enter the league in recent years, and the Wings are built to give her time rather than forcing immediate superstar production. If anything, Dallas winning despite a quiet night from Fudd is probably encouraging for the franchise.
The spotlight will remain intense every time she steps on the floor, especially with the Bueckers-Clark comparisons surrounding this rookie class. But one uneven debut is unlikely to matter much if Fudd settles into the role Dallas ultimately drafted her to fill.
The 2026 NFL Draft has come and gone, and now we debate the best and worst picks for all teams. You are here to get the scoop on who was the worst pick from the draft for the Minnesota Vikings, according to CBS Sports.
We just covered who they believed to be the best, and as we turn to talk about who was the worst, the answer you read may surprise you.
Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports picked first-round pick, defensive tackle Caleb Banks, as the Vikings' worst of the draft this year, giving the pick a D grade. I can understand the hesitation with this pick, given Banks' lengthy history of foot injuries. However, this pick needs some pushback: when there is a player with the level of talent that Banks possesses and the prognosis of health he likely has, this is far from their worst pick this year.
Should there be a setback with his foot, it will be hard to debate that this was, in fact, their worst pick.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings top pick Caleb Banks ruled their worst one by CBS Sports
Blake Snell makes his season debut against Spencer Strider.
Tonight's #Dodgers lineup vs. Braves: pic.twitter.com/Gt1Kt5otc5
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 9, 2026
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Noel Gallagher and Chris Eubank Jr declared Daniel Dubois' win over Fabio Wardley the "fight of the year" so far, others questioned why the epic encounter was not stopped sooner.
Dubois recovered from two knockdowns to batter Wardley in the second half of the fight, with doctors at ringside twice allowing the fight to continue after inspections.
Wardley stumbled from his stool at the start of round 10 and while Carl Frampton called him the "bravest man he'd ever seen", retired Darren Barker insisted Wardley should not have been allowed to continue.
"Save the man, he's a father, he's got a family – pull the plug on this one now," Barker said on DAZN.
"The referee or his corner should have stepped in before the 10th round, at least," retired world champion Frampton added.
In the moments after the fight, Wardley could be seen leaning over the ropes to speak to his family, telling him he is "okay".
Former super-middleweight world champion Richie Woodhall said Wardley fell "victim" to his previous performances.
Wardley, 31, was massively behind on the scorecards against Joseph Paker and Justis Huni before securing late stoppages.
"It was uncomfortable at times. We know how tough Wardley is. We always said going into this, he was probably in with the hardest puncher he's faced. I can't believe the shots that he took, he never hit the canvas," Woodhall said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
"In the past, the way he's fought and the way he's recovered. The referees let that go on too long. Fabio is a victim of that."
Boxing expert Steve Bunce agreed there "were limits" to what Wardley could do after his incredible start in the first three rounds completely unravelled by the 10th round.
A host of big names said the encounter was the fight of the year so far, with Michael Conlan, Charlie Edwards, Eubank and Oasis frontman Gallagher agreed it was the year's best.
There were 749 combined punches thrown over eleven rounds, with Dubois landing 87 power punches to Wardley's 40.
Frank Warren, who promotes both men, said the fight "two men bearing their hearts and souls in the ring".
"You witnessed something special tonight, ultra special," Warren said.
"Two men bearing their hearts and souls in the ring. They didn't leave one bit out. It's the best heavyweight fight I've ever done."
He added: "The determination, the will to win, neither of them taking a backwards step. Amazing."
The fight will go down among the classics in the heavyweight world title history books, alongside the likes of Anthony Joshua's comeback win against Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 and Tyson Fury's trilogy encounter with Deontay Wilder in 2021.
The Buccaneers made two roster moves on Saturday.
They signed Nebraska linebacker Javin Wright, bringing their total of undrafted rookies to 15. In a corresponding move, they waived first-year running back Michael Wiley with a non-football injury designation.
Wright appeared in 46 games in six seasons at Nebraska, moving into the starting lineup as a senior and leading the team with 86 tackles and nine tackles for loss. He also added three sacks, one interception and four passes defensed while playing in 12 games and starting 10.
Overall, Wright made 13 starts for the Cornhuskers and finished with 180 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and three interceptions.
Wiley first joined the Bucs last October, spending the second half of the season on the team's practice squad before re-signing on a futures contract in January. He played his college ball at Arizona and originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Commanders in 2024.
The Detroit Tigers took another important step Saturday in Justin Verlander’s recovery process, but the results were far from dominant.
The 43-year-old veteran threw a simulated game at Kauffman Stadium before Detroit’s matchup against the Kansas City Royals, marking his first appearance against live hitters since landing on the injured list with left hip inflammation back in early April.
While Verlander came away encouraged physically, the Tigers right-hander admitted the outing was not especially sharp.
“I wasn’t as sharp as I would like to be,” Verlander said via the Detroit Free Press. “Physically, it was another step in the right direction. Check the box and keep moving forward.”
The simulated game lasted two innings and featured Verlander facing Hao-Yu Lee and Wenceel Pérez.
According to Petzold, across 38 pitches, every single hitter put the ball in play.
That stood out immediately.
Verlander generated only four swings and misses during the session while failing to record a strikeout. Several balls were also hit hard, including a fly ball from Pérez that likely would have gone for a double and a line drive from Lee into left-center field that also appeared headed for extra bases.
Lee later added another hard-hit ground ball up the middle that could have been a single in game action.
The positive?
Verlander did not issue any walks.
Even with the live session completed, Verlander is not yet ready for a rehab assignment.
The Tigers are expected to send him to Triple-A Toledo for at least one rehab start before considering activating him to the major league roster, but Saturday’s outing showed there is still work to do.
Detroit desperately needs healthy arms right now.
The Tigers are already without Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize, and several others, while Framber Valdez is serving a suspension. That has placed even more attention on Verlander’s recovery timeline.
Still, the organization appears focused more on long-term progress than immediate results.
For Verlander, simply returning to a competitive environment represented meaningful progress.
Saturday marked the first time he had faced hitters since March 30, which was also his only official start of the 2026 season before the hip injury shut him down.
After signing a one-year, $13 million contract to return to Detroit earlier this year, Verlander’s comeback season has barely gotten started.
Now, the future Hall of Famer is simply trying to build momentum one step at a time.
The Tigers entered the season believing Verlander could provide leadership and valuable innings behind Tarik Skubal and Framber Valdez.
Instead, injuries have forced Detroit into survival mode.
That reality makes every Verlander update feel important, even if Saturday’s simulated game was a mixed bag overall.
The velocity and sharpness may not fully be there yet.
But at least Verlander is finally back competing again.
The Alabama Crimson Tide took a 1-0 lead over the Texas Longhorns in the SEC Softball Postseason Tournament Final. But that is all Bama would get, as the Longhorns piled seven runs on Tide pitching to win UT's first SEC softball title, 7-1.
The Longhorns were led by their stars.
Ace pitcher Teagan Kavan was dominant. After allowing that first inning run, a homer by Alexis Pupillo, Kavan only allowed two more hits and struck out 12 Bama batters. Kavan, who was the Most Outstanding Player in last season's Women's College World Series, was named the SEC postseason tournamement MVP.
CMONNNNN KAVAN 🥊#HookEmpic.twitter.com/zr3zprtn4V
— Texas Softball (@TexasSoftball) May 9, 2026
On offense, SEC Player of the Year Katie Stewart went 3-of-4 at the plate with a home run and two RBIs. Texas finished the afternoon with 13 hits as a team.
Texas will now turn its attention to the NCAA postseason tournament and a shot at repeating as WCWS champions. With this win in the SEC tourney, UT could jump up and get the No. 1 overall seed. But either way, they have secured a very high seed to be sure.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Longhorns softball wins first SEC title, on track for NCAA top seed
After his contract came to an end at the close of the 2025-26 season, Steve Kerr took the start of the offseason to make a decision on his future as head coach of the Golden State Warriors. On Saturday, three weeks since the Warriors' offseason began, Kerr and the Warriors reportedly made their highly anticipated decision. According to Anthony Slater, Shams Charania and Ramona Shelbourne of ESPN, the Warriors are running it back at head coach for the upcoming campaign.
Slater, Charania and Shelbourne reported that the Warriors and Kerr have agreed to a new two-year deal to retain the longtime head coach in the Bay Area. Kerr's new contract will keep him as the league's highest-paid head coach.
Via @ShamsCharania on X:
The new deal will keep Steve Kerr as the highest paid coach in the NBA annually, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/iKX8Rbl1T9
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 10, 2026
This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Report: Steve Kerr returning to coach Warriors on new two-year deal
In the 21st edition of WWE’s annual post-WrestleMania event, Backlash delivered a card full of action, offering longer matches and fewer interruptions, a move the company had been criticized for in its previous event.
From championship battles and bitter rivalries between former allies to major developments that could shape the months ahead, Backlash brought plenty of memorable moments to Tampa Bay.
Here’s a full look at everything that went down during WWE’s latest premium live event.
MORE: WWE star The Miz informs ESPN host Cavaliers have won NBA championship
Finally squaring off in the ring, Bron Breakker and Seth Rollins set the tone in a major way to kick off Backlash.
Trading blows to start the match, neither man could find an edge until Bron Breakker’s elite athleticism and motor kicked in as the veteran Rollins began to show fatigue.
Rollins would, however, turn things around to gain momentum, even appearing to close in on a win against Breakker, until a signature spear out of the air sucked all the momentum away.
In the end, Breakker would pick up what broadcaster Michael Cole called “the biggest win in Breakker’s career.” However, this feud does not appear to be over.
Following his WrestleMania breakout to another special event title defense, Trick Williams keeps proving he is built for WWE’s biggest stages.
Matched up once again with veteran Sami Zayn, Williams faced a tough challenge against one of the company’s smartest in-ring competitors.
However, between the outside presence of Lil Yachty and Williams’ explosive athleticism, the champion managed to stay one step ahead, handing Zayn another defeat in his rematch for the United States Championship.
After speculation about Danhausen’s mystery partner, WWE ultimately went in a comedic direction for fans, bringing back Minihausen instead of unveiling a surprise returning star or backstage talent.
For some viewers, the reveal may have felt underwhelming given the number of names that could have benefited from the spotlight.
Still, the unique and chaotic nature of the Danhausen character makes him a difficult act to pair with just anyone on the roster.
Even so, the segment delivered comedy and chaos, with an army of Minihausens swarming the match at key moments, Danhausen and company managed to steal a victory in what served as a lighthearted break from WWE’s more intense rivalries.
Stepping into the ring against each other for the first time in three years, IYO SKY and Asuka delivered a high-caliber match, some could say was match of the night.
Given their deep history together, it was no surprise the two seemed to know each other’s every move. Counter after counter kept the match balanced, including a rare moment where SKY avoided Asuka’s dangerous mist attack.
As the bout reached its closing moments, neither superstar could keep the other down. SKY’s offense was repeatedly escaped, while Asuka’s submission attempts were met with equally impressive reversals, drawing the night’s first “This is awesome!” chants from the crowd.
In the end, it was SKY who finally broke through, connecting on her signature moonsault to score a massive victory over her former mentor, and also earning her respect in the middle of the ring.
With speculation that John Cena was about to announce a final return to the ring, fans were instead introduced to a brand-new concept centered on the legacy of the 17-time world champion.
Cena once again thanked fans for allowing him to step away from competition, making it clear he remains at peace with retirement.
From there, he shifted focus to unveiling the “John Cena Classic,” a new event designed to spotlight the next generation of WWE talent. According to Cena, the showcase will feature established stars competing alongside rising prospects.
The live crowd appeared fully invested in the idea, though questions still remain about what the event will ultimately look like in execution. Still, Cena emphasized this is intended to become an ongoing platform for future stars rather than a one-time attraction.
Dubbed the second “Bloodline Civil War” by Michael Cole, the clash between World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu lived up to every bit of the hype as the two cousins finally collided with championship gold at stake.
After weeks of mounting tension, the highly anticipated showdown delivered a brutal, physical battle from the opening bell.
Fatu immediately proved why many consider him one of the most dangerous forces in wrestling today, pushing Reigns into one of the toughest fights of his title reign.
Neither man truly controlled the action for long stretches. Instead, the match unfolded as a war of momentum swings, with Reigns relying on his championship experience and ring IQ while Fatu answered with explosive counters and his unpredictable offense.
Signature offense flew from every direction, including Fatu’s devastating Tongan Death Grip and Reigns’ trademark Superman Punches, but neither superstar could finish the other off.
In the closing moments, Reigns finally created an opening by exposing the steel turnbuckle pad, giving the champion the advantage he needed to connect with a Spear and escape with the victory.
After the match ended, Fatu snapped and launched another vicious assault on Reigns, leaving the champion laid out and the rivalry seemingly wide open.
Two weeks removed from the NFL Draft, where Athan Kaliakmanis was selected 223rd overall by the Washington Commanders, the excitement surrounding former Rutgers football players hasn’t slowed down. Kaliakmanis wasn’t the only member of last season’s team to find a home in the NFL, as players such as DT Sheffield and Kenny Fletcher got contracts as undrafted free agents.
For those who may not end up playing in the NFL, the opportunity doesn’t stop there, as seven former Scarlet Knights are currently suiting up in the United Football League (UFL) this season. From linebackers and defensive backs making tackles to linemen protecting quarterbacks and pass catchers being effective weapons, Rutgers is making its mark on the UFL in a variety of ways. These players are spread across three teams: the Birmingham Stallions, Louisville Kings, and Orlando Storm. Here’s a look at how each of those former Scarlet Knights has performed.
The Birmingham Stallions roster includes both linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi (2017-2021) and cornerback Shaquan Loyal (2021-2024), both former defensive standouts at Rutgers. Fatukasi was named a Butkus Award semi-finalist and Third-team All-Big Ten in 2021, and Loyal received Honorable Mention All-Big Ten during his final season in 2024. This season for the Stallions, Fatukasi has played in four games, recording 10 tackles, two of those being tackles for loss, one sack, and two fumble recoveries. When he is on the field, Fatukasi is clearly a difference maker as his two fumble recoveries not only lead the Stallions, but also the UFL, showing a huge bright spot on a struggling Birmingham team. Shaquan Loyal has yet to suit up in a game, but his presence alone on the team represents a success for Rutgers.
The new Louisville Kings made a special selection for their first-ever draft pick as they acquired offensive guard J.D. DiRenzo (2022) to be a member of their offensive line. DiRenzo, a transfer from Sacred Heart, had a massive impact in his lone season at Rutgers, as he was named the team MVP for the Offense. DiRenzo has played in five games so far this season for the Kings, starting in two of them. Louisville is currently 5th in the UFL, one spot away from making it into the playoffs. It will be interesting to see how DiRenzo can protect his quarterback, Chandler Rogers, with a game against the league-best DC Defenders in Week 8 and the 4th place Dallas Renegades in Week 9.
However, no team in the UFL has as many former Scarlet Knights as the Orlando Storm. The 3rd place Storm, who currently sit 4-2, boast 4 players who all played varying roles in Piscataway. Tight end Shawn Bowman (2023), was a graduate transfer from Maine who played sparingly during his lone season at Rutgers, racking up 24 receiving yards on four receptions. With Orlando, he has become a strong option at tight end, as his 44 yards from five receptions make him a solid receiving option for his quarterback, Jack Plummer. Bowman is not the only former Scarlet Knight that Plummer could throw to. Wide receiver Aron Cruickshank (2020-2022), who was a First Team All-Big Ten selection for Rutgers during the 2020 season, also plays for Orlando. While Cruickshank’s role on the team is much smaller, being used as a backup kick returner in one game, he still returned three kickoffs for a total of 58 yards, leading to an average of 19.3 yards per return. On the defensive side of the ball, Orlando rosters both linebacker Deion Jennings (2019-2023) and free safety Avery Young (2018-2022). Jennings tied the school record with 58 games played and was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten during his final two seasons. With the Storm, he has played in five of their games, recording 11 tackles and one forced fumble to show off his disruptive nature for a strong Orlando defense. Young, who played one fewer game than Jennings, was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten in 2020 and 2022. Unlike Jennings, however, Avery Young has yet to play for the Orlando Storm, after being acquired from the St. Louis Battlehawks after last season.
With three weeks remaining in the UFL regular season, there is plenty of football left to be played, and plenty of opportunities for these former Scarlet Knights to make their mark. Whether it’s Fatukasi disrupting offenses in Birmingham, DiRenzo anchoring the line in Louisville, or the quartet of Storm players pushing Orlando toward a championship, the fingerprints of Rutgers are all over the UFL in 2026. For a program that has steadily grown its pipeline to professional football, seeing seven former players still chopping in the UFL is a good sight for the program.
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