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The truth behind the rumors of Ronaldo's departure

Cristiano Ronaldo / @Foot Africa

Social media has recently been flooded with rumors claiming that Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has left the Saudi capital Riyadh, after his private jet was reportedly spotted on a flight to Spain.

According to several sources, the private aircraft of the Portuguese star, nicknamed the “Madeira Missile,” took off on Monday night bound for Spain. This information quickly fueled widespread speculation about a possible departure from Saudi Arabia, possibly with his family in tow.

The truth behind the rumors of C. Ronaldo's departure

However, Spanish sports daily Diario AS has refuted these claims in a recent article. The outlet confirms that Al-Nassr FC captain, now 40 years old, is still in Riyadh.

The newspaper also points out that the Portuguese forward is currently nursing an injury and is following a recovery program, which explains his recent absence.

These rumors surfaced amid heightened security tensions in the region, following reports of an attempted drone attack targeting the U.S. embassy in Riyadh.

Meanwhile, renowned Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano was quick to shut down the speculation. On his official X (Twitter) account, he categorically denied any reports suggesting Ronaldo had left for Madrid with his family.

Romano also clarified that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is present at Al-Nassr’s training ground, where he is undergoing recovery after suffering an injury in his last match.

A closer look at Algeria’s choice of opponents

Algeria/@FAF

Algeria’s preparation schedule for the 2026 World Cup is set. The Greens will play three or four friendlies before the global showdown.

Riyad Mahrez and his teammates will take on Guatemala on March 27, Uruguay on the 3rd of the same month, and the Netherlands on June 3. A fourth European sparring partner is also possible.

The Fennecs will kick off their World Cup campaign against Argentina. To prepare for this clash with the reigning world champions, they’ll go head-to-head with Uruguay.

The FAF’s decision to face an American side is all about creating conditions similar to those they’ll encounter against La Albiceleste—similar style of play.

Before that, Algeria will square off against Guatemala. On paper, it’s a manageable opponent, perfect for boosting confidence and giving as many players as possible some game time.

The duel with the Netherlands will help prepare for the showdown with Austria. However, there’s still a missing piece: a clash with an Asian side to get ready for the battle with Jordan.

Ian Wright wasn’t impressed with the performance of Robert Sanchez against Arsenal and believes the Blues need a new goalkeeper.

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Sanchez has improved hugely this season, and has surprised a lot of people by putting in performances many didn’t think he was capable of.

However, in Sunday’s defeat to Arsenal he had a poor game, and was certainly at fault for the winning goal from Jurrien Timber.

Ian Wright criticises Robert Sanchez

That performance has once again got people speaking about Sanchez, and whether he’s actually good enough to get Chelsea to where they need to be.

Jason Cundy has claimed Sanchez doesn’t think like a footballer, and he struggled with his feet for the first time in a while against Arsenal.

Sanchez on the whole has had a good season. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Chelsea passed up on the opportunity to sign Mike Maignan last summer, and the goalkeeper question is likely to be asked once again this summer.

The Blues have talented youngster Mike Penders on their books, but it’s unclear when he’ll be ready, and Wright has stated Chelsea need to get a new keeper.

“I don’t know how they’re going to do that with that goalkeeper if I’m totally honest,” he told Premier League productions.

“Because I think that there are so many opportunities where he probably will cost them and he could have cost them today, but I’m looking at a Chelsea side that only needs maybe a couple of experienced players.”

Big summer ahead for Chelsea

The Blues face a huge summer in the transfer market, and Wright feels they need three players in order to challenge.

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“I think they definitely need a goalkeeper, I think the midfield is fine, up front maybe another top striker if they can get that,” he added.

“But I think three additions to that team and I think they’re starting to challenge, no trouble, no problems at all.”

Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has said his club are ‘destined to suffer’ after they squeezed past Barcelona en route to the Copa del Rey final. Los Colchoneros took a four-goal lead to Camp Nou, but found themselves defending just a one-goal advantage in the final 20 minutes.

After the game, Simeone cut a relieved figure, and admitted that his strategy had been dismantled entirely. In terms of the tie as a whole, Simeone said he was conscious that Barcelona could mount a major comeback, and praised the performances of Pedri and Raphinha, who were not present in the first leg.

“I would focus on the first match. We had an extraordinary first half, with a very high pace and intensity. In the second half, we managed to withstand their attacks, and I left angry after that game. We could have scored another goal; we needed another goal given the way the game was going against us. You might ask how I could be angry after a 4-0 win, but I know what these Barcelona players are capable of; they play brilliantly.”

“Today, Pedri and Raphinha returned, and they are different, they play at a different pace, and they had a good first half. Although it hurts that the goals came from lapses in concentration on set pieces rather than from open play. I thought we defended well overall. I don’t know if the 3-0 goal was offside or not; it put us in a difficult position.”

“I loved Gimenez’s introduction; he gave us maturity and confidence. We couldn’t play the game we would have liked, attacking more down the right flank, like the play between Llorente and Lookman. We couldn’t attack as we would have liked because of their skill. Our people need a final and we hope to give everything to give them what they want.”

‘We’re destined to suffer’

Simeone explained that he felt his side had to do more going forward, but that the suffering very much remains necessary.

“I wouldn’t have taken it, because we needed to and could have played a better game offensively. We’re Atletico, we’re destined to suffer, to always push ourselves to the limit, but I don’t know what it will bring us, but believe me, the journey is fantastic.”

“Our fans needed a match like this. The boys are making an incredible effort to get where our supporters want them to be. Now it’s time to get there in top form, work hard, and eagerly await the final.”

Griezmann’s future amid Orlando City attack

Arguably Atletico Madrid’s best player on the night was Antoine Griezmann, in spite of their offensive struggles. Speculation continues over a potential move to Orlando City, and Simeone was clear that he wanted him to be playing in the final.

“I hope so. He deserves it more than anyone. His performance today was incredible, and his quality and talent will stay with him for the rest of his life. What more can I add to what you all know I feel for him? I love him, I always want the best for him, and I hope he can play in that final.”

Image via Alejandro García / EFE

Simeone: ‘We planned to the game to attack’

The approach Atletico Madrid should take was a major talking point before the game, with such a large lead to protect. Simeone claimed his side had no intention of sitting deep to hold onto their lead, and it was simply what Barcelona forced them into.

“We planned the game to attack. And it didn’t happen, or it happened very rarely. The good thing about this game is that anything you can imagine can happen, or it can’t, because it also depends on the opponent. The opponent was better; they had a very high intensity in the first half. Kounde and Balde had to come off because their effort was tremendous. To compete at the highest levels, you have to play like this, and I think it will be very useful for what’s to come.”

“They took away the time we needed to play. At home, we had that time. We played with a higher intensity then. That’s why we scored four goals. Today it was harder. But I leave with the joy and the great effort of knowing how to suffer. It’s part of this competition when it’s a two-legged tie.”

‘I hope we meet in the Champions League quarter-finals’

The mutual respect between Simeone and Hansi Flick was in evidence again, with the pair seen chatting after the final whistle. If Atletico beat Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona pass Newcastle United in the Champions League Round of 16, the two sides will face off for a fifth and sixth time this season.

“I told Flick they played brilliantly. I hope we meet in the Champions League quarterfinals. I think today, with the score at 3-0, I said: ‘This is Atleti.'”

“Pedri, Bernal… made a tremendous effort. It was difficult to maintain the intensity of the first half. Giménez’s entrance gave us maturity. And that maturity is needed within a team.”

Liverpool made a lot of changes to their team during the summer transfer window with many fans believing that Arne Slot's men would be close to unstoppable.

The arrival of several players such as Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz made fans believe that they had everything they needed to retain the Premier League title and potentially win the Champions League.

However, due to the amount of time it took their new signings to settle in and the number of injuries the club have suffered, that hasn't been the case.

They're obviously still in the running for the Champions League title but with a game against Paris Saint-Germain in their near future, there's some concern about whether the Anfield outfit have what it takes to triumph.

Liverpool's spending went over the £450 million mark in the summer with some fans wanting even more to be spent.

Slot and Richard Hughes managed to entice most of their transfer targets to L4 but there was the odd one or two that got away.

At the time, the players who got away felt like massive blows but now, it could have ended up being a blessing in disguise.

Liverpool transfer target Rodrygo is expected to be sidelined for 6-7 months with an ACL tear

Rodrygo's future was one of the most talked-about things during the 2025-26 summer transfer window.

From the number of games that he played in the Club World Cup, it was clear that the Brazilian wasn't going to feature in Xabi Alonso's plans as much as he hoped.

Others were often chosen ahead of him which led to teams such as Liverpool and Manchester City being linked with him.

Those rumours have persisted wiThis couth many thinking that a transfer could be on the table in the summer.

However after the latest update that has emerged, it seems like the Anfield outfit have dodged a bullet by not signing the attacker.

Marca outline that Rodrygo has 'suffered a rupture' of his ACL.

The attacker is set to miss the rest of Real Madrid's season with his hopes of appearing in the World Cup in tatters.

This injury also means that he's unlikely to get the Bernabeu exit that he wanted, even though Liverpool will need to add a new attacker to their ranks in the future.

Liverpool must put their full focus on Yan Diomande or Mateus Mane

Alongside their defence, Liverpool's attack have been far from their best.

Players such as Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and even Isak have failed to impress despite Salah and Gakpo playing most of the Reds' games this term.

That's why it's hardly a surprise to see players such as Mateus Mane, Rodrygo and Yan Diomande being linked with a move.

It's clear that Liverpool need to start planning for life without Salah over the next year or so and, if they don't put their full focus into signing one attacker, they'll miss out on their ideal replacement for the Egyptian King.

Both players would cost an arm and a leg to prise away from their clubs but, since they need to gear themselves up to be Liverpool's next Salah, their price tag shouldn't matter.

There's obviously no knowing what Slot and Hughes are going to do this summer but, if the Dutchman keeps his job, it's hard to see why a new attacker wouldn't be at the top of his priority list, especially after the performances his team have put in this term.

Joe Hart believes that Liverpool still have the ‘quality’ to secure Champions League football for next season, despite their current campaign hitting yet another low point on Tuesday night.

The Reds missed the chance to steal a march on positional rivals Manchester United, Aston Villa and Chelsea (all of whom play tonight) by losing 2-1 away to bottom club Wolves, and a win for the Blues at Villa Park would knock Arne Slot’s side back down into sixth place.

Speaking on TNT Sports after last night’s defeat for the Premier League champions, the former England goalkeeper remains confident that the Merseysiders will finish inside the top five, but warned that they ‘need to step up’ in the final few weeks of the season.

Hart still backing Liverpool to finish in top five

Hart said of Liverpool’s Champions League qualification prospects: “The season ebbs and flows. I think they’ve got the quality to do it, if Liverpool find their stride and can put back-to-back wins together like they did [in February]. 

“Previous to this conversation it looked like a dead cert, but that’s just how the season is going at the moment. I think they have the quality and the capability to do it, but they need to step up.

“Talking about the chances they created tonight, I know Arne Slot was saying they created more than Wolves, but they should create more than Wolves. They should be absolutely battering Wolves. Jose Sa has made one very good save, one half-decent save, and other than that I think he had a quiet night.”

(Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Liverpool still in control of their own destiny…for now

A run of three straight league wins coming into last night had suggested that Liverpool were regaining momentum at the right time, but that has now been lost after the chastening defeat at Molineux, with the Reds conceding twice from only four shots faced across 90+ minutes.

That Villa and Chelsea play each other tonight – with at least one guaranteed to drop points – is favourable for LFC, but the harsh truth is that we need to take care of our own business and not be left praying for positional rivals to slip up.

Gary Lineker has also backed Slot’s side to finish in the Champions League places, and for now our destiny remains in our own hands, but more results like the one against Wolves would swiftly hand the initiative back to the other teams chasing a top-five berth.

Hart is right in saying that, with all due respect to Rob Edwards’ side, they’re the kind of opposition that Liverpool should be defeating with conviction if they’re serious about qualifying for Europe’s premier club competition in 2026/27.

The Reds have lost nine points with the concession of stoppage-time goals already this season. Add those on to our current total and not only is Champions League qualification a near-formality; we might even be just about still in a title race.

Alas, the battle that LFC face is one that nobody would’ve expected us to be in at this stage of the campaign.

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The Brazilian National Team has suffered a major blow with Rodrygo’s serious injury.

The Real Madrid forward suffered a rupture of the cruciate ligament in his right knee and will need six months to a year to recover, which officially rules him out of the World Cup.

Rodrygo was a central piece in Carlo Ancelotti’s system and the top scorer of the current cycle for the National Team, with eight goals.

Since his return in the match against South Korea in October, he had started in three out of four games.

Playing on the left side in the 4-2-4 formation, but with the freedom to move inside and get into the box, his versatility was one of the Italian coach’s main assets.

Neymar back in the spotlight

With the spot now open, Neymar’s name is gaining traction again, as he has similar characteristics to Rodrygo.

However, Ancelotti has made it clear that Santos’ number 10 needs to prove he is in ideal physical condition.

After undergoing arthroscopic surgery on the meniscus of his left knee in December, Neymar only returned to play on February 15.

Since then, he has played three matches for Santos, unable to prevent the team’s elimination from the Paulistão by Novorizontino, but scoring two goals in the win over Vasco in the Brasileirão.

Another midfielder or a number 9?

Rodrygo’s injury could also change the overall makeup of the final squad list, according to O Globo.

Instead of bringing another forward with the same characteristics, Ancelotti may choose to call up an extra midfielder or a new center-forward.

The first signs of how the Italian coach will solve this puzzle will be seen in the squad announcement on March 16, for the friendlies against France and Croatia.

What will Brazil’s attack look like?

The absence of Real Madrid’s number 10 opens up a range of possibilities for the coaching staff, directly impacting other key names in the squad:

• Gabriel Martinelli: The injury practically guarantees the Arsenal forward’s (current leader of the English Premier League) place in the World Cup squad. He had already played on the left wing in the wins against Paraguay and Chile in the Qualifiers. However, Martinelli has a different profile from Rodrygo, being more of a traditional winger and less versatile in drifting inside, which would require some adjustments from the team.
• Raphinha: The Barcelona player appears as the least drastic tactical alternative. Used to playing on the left for the Spanish club, Raphinha also offers the versatility to play on both sides or centrally. Interestingly, he and Rodrygo have not yet played together under Ancelotti due to injuries.
• Vini Jr: Another option would be to move Vinícius Júnior to the left side. However, this would take the number 7 out of the position where he has performed best under Ancelotti: playing more centrally, close to the defenders, with the freedom to drift wide.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

The shoe is on the other foot this week. Reading snatch victory from the jaws of defeat late on against Bradford City to strengthen their playoff credentials. Ben and Ross discuss the play-style that’s taken Leam Richardson this far with Noel Hunt’s stuttering Reading team, as well as the prospect of the rest of the season without Jack Marriott.

There’s also discussion on Richardson’s recent STAR Q&A, plus news on the upcoming exciting fixtures for the Women’s team.

Thanks as always to our friends at ZCZ Films for sponsoring the pod!

Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song! 

Thank you to new partner Siren Craft Brew – get 10% off your next Siren order. Use code TILEHURST10 at the checkout on a minimum spend of £30.

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The Tilehurst End Podcast can be enjoyed via PodBean, Spotify, Acast, YouTube or iTunes. A big thanks to all listeners who continue to pledge to our Patreon campaign.

Listeners can always get in touch with the podcast via our Twitter and Facebook pages as well as our email, thetilehurstend@gmail.com, with thoughts on the show, opinions on the team, and potential topics to sink our teeth into always welcome.

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Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick says he and star player Luka Doncic have a "great relationship" despite a heated exchange between the pair that went viral.

The Lakers were on a three-game losing streak going into Saturday's game at the Golden State Warriors but were leading comfortably when Doncic was replaced late in the first quarter.

The Slovenian, 27, tried to avoid a fist bump from Redick as he walked to his seat on the bench, and the Lakers coach then followed Doncic down the sideline.

The pair exchanged words as Doncic took his seat before Redick turned to walk back towards half court.

As he did, Doncic got back to his feet and said more towards Redick while his team-mate Jarred Vanderbilt stood up, ostensibly to clap encouragement for the Lakers but also putting a barrier in front of Doncic, who sat back down moments later.

Speaking before Tuesday's 110-101 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, Redick said: "I don't know why it went viral. It felt very normal to me.

"I didn't think much of it at the time, to be honest with you. I don't think Luka did either."

Doncic had claimed four points and three assists by that point, and returned on Saturday to finish with a game-high 26 points.

The six-time All-Star scored another game-high 27 points as the Lakers won a third straight game on Tuesday to stay sixth in the Western Conference standings.

"He and I have a great relationship," Redick added. "I really value our relationship. And I think those things happen. Not every game, but they happen very frequently.

"It's a competition. And there's two guys here who, in this case, are trying to win a basketball game and be on the same page about stuff."

The Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Chicago Bulls 116-108 on Tuesday while second-placed San Antonio Spurs thumped the Philadelphia 76ers 131-91.

The Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons suffered a 113-109 loss at the Cleveland Cavaliers, for whom Jaylon Tyson scored 22 points and new signing James Harden added 18, while the third-placed New York Knicks took advantage with a 111-95 win at the Toronto Raptors.

• Antetokounmpo rusty on return as Celtics beat Bucks

Arsenal continue their Premier League title challenge as the Gunners head to Brighton.

Mikel Arteta’s side moved five points clear of Manchester Cityas they defeated Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates.

The title rivals will be kicking off at the same time as City host Nottingham Forest at the Etihad.

Brighton earned a 2-1 win over Forest on Sunday, to relieve some of the pressure on Fabian Hurzeler’s shoulders.

Here’s everything you need to know.

When is Brighton v Arsenal?

The Premier League fixture kicks off at 7:30pm GMT on Wednesday 4 March.

How can I watch it?

It will be shown on TNT Sports 2 and Discovery+.

What is the team news?

Yasin Ayari could be available again for Brighton but Fabian Hurzeler has no new injury concerns to report after naming an unchanged team for the win against Nottingham Forest.

Mikel Arteta said he was hopeful that Declan Rice would be available after the midfielder asked to come off against Chelsea. Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard face late checks.

Possible line-ups

Brighton XI: Verbruggen; Wieffer, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Hinshelwood, Milner, Gross; Gomez, Welbeck, Mitoma.

Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli

Turning 40 this month, Manuel Neuer faces the decision of whether to extend his contract with Bayern Munich for another year or hang up his gloves this summer, when his contract expires.

According to Sport Bild, there is doubt at Bayern over whether the goalkeeping veteran will sign a new deal, with the magazine describing his chances of extending or retiring as "50-50."

A decision on Neuer’s future could come at the end of March, with a meeting between the player and club expected during the upcoming international break.

Neuer has missed Bayern’s last two games due to muscular problems and is a doubt for Friday’s Bundesliga clash with Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Jonas Urbig, who has been filling in for Neuer lately, is expected to be given the chance as Bayern's No. 1 if the the 39-year-old decides to retire at the end of the season.

Where to watch Unrivaled championship game: Time, TV channel, live stream for 2026 3-on-3 basketball final originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

After several heated matchups in the 2026 Unrivaled playoffs, it's down to the final two. The Phantom and Mist will go head-to-head for the championship Wednesday.

To not much surprise, the top two seeds in the 3-on-3 league have advanced to the title game. Both clinched their spot with thrilling finishes in the semifinals — Breanna Stewart powered a 10-0 run for the Mist that completed a fourth-quarter comeback, while Kelsey Plum hit a game-winning three for the Phantom.

Wednesday's championship game will mark just the second in the history of the women's league. Last year, Rose BC edged Vinyl BC for the inaugural trophy, with stars like Chelsea Gray and Angel Reese on the court. This time, veteran talents will lead their squads in Miami.

You won't want to miss out on this matchup.

Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 Unrivaled championship game, including TV channel and streaming options for the 3-on-3 final.

Where to watch Unrivaled championship game: TV channel, live stream

• TV channel: TNT, truTV
• Live stream:DIRECTV

The 2026 Unrivaled championship game will be broadcast live on TNT and truTV for those watching on traditional television. Cord-cutters can also stream the action on DIRECTV.

Catch every game – try DIRECTV FREE today! Stream live Soccer, MLB, and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1, and NFL Network—all included with DIRECTV.

Start your FREE trial now and never miss a moment of the action. No contracts, no hassle, just wall-to-wall sports and entertainment.

Unrivaled championship game start time

• Date: Wednesday, March 4
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET

The title matchup between the Mist and Phantom will take place on Wednesday, March 4 at 9:30 p.m. ET. The game will be played at Sephora Arena in Miami, Florida.

Unrivaled playoff schedule 2026

Saturday, Feb. 28 - First Round

Monday, March 2 - Semifinals

Wednesday, March 4 - Championship

Unrivaled standings 2026

*Playoff team 

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Inter go to the minimum

Chivu thinks about the derby: return leg on April 21 or 22 at San Siro. Lazio-Atalanta for the dream final at 21:00.

Heart of Leao

Rafa is more and more a devil. Contacts to extend to 2030. Top salary to beat Premier League competition.

Kaka: ‘Scudetto, it’s not over. Modric will decide it on Sunday.’

Lady Spalletti

Even Locatelli is ready to sign for the new Juve

Put Totti for dinner

Meeting with Gasp, Roma return really close.

Corriere dello Sport

Coppa Italia, semifinal first leg: it ends 0-0 in Como

Cesc blocks Inter

Vojvoda and Valle waste two big chances: Darmian hits the post, and boos for Bastoni. Chivu’s rotations for the derby. Return leg on April 22. Lazio challenges Atalanta (21:00). The Olimpico is empty due to the fans’ protest.

Allegri, Real try

Florentino’s target

Third attempt: the president already moved forward in 2019 and 2021.

Max trendy again in Madrid

From Xabi Alonso’s sacking to Arbeloa’s failure. In Champions, they risk elimination against Man City. Manoeuvres to reach the coach tied to Milan to 2027.

Fiorentina, what a blow. Kean is injured.

Still problems in his fibula: he must miss Parma and Rakov. Vanoli relies on Piccoli.

Napoli, Conte has closed the home

The point average at home is 2.33 points per game. Now seven games out of 11 away from home. Lobotka alarm.

Tuttosport

Como boos Bastoni too

Coppa Italia: 0-0 in the semifinal first leg. The defender continues to pay for Inter-Juve

Blasts of disapproval every time he touched the ball. Chivu, massive rotations with a view to the derby. Three chances for Vojvoda, Darmian hits the post, and the cautious prevail. Everything is postponed to April 22 or 23. Lazio-Atalanta tonight: Lotito attacks Sarri and Baroni.

Lucio deals with it

Vlahovic and Juve discuss the renewal: Spalletti pushes

The coach is convinced he can take Dusan to higher levels. It’s his first choice for the attack, to be strengthened by another big signing (Kolo Muani or… Malen). Behind the scenes: Juve view the father’s presence at the negotiating table positively. Locatelli 2030: contract ready. Club’s announcement on LinkedIn: seeking a figure specialised in injury prevention.

Simeone: it won’t be a Buongiorno in Naples

Cholito returns to the Maradona on Friday.

The love for the city, the duty of repeating himself and the duel with a granata heart. History and behind the scenes of a special match.

Last night, Barcelona came within one goal of completing the comeback against Atletico Madrid, just a single strike away from levelling the Copa del Rey semifinal tie and forcing extra time. But it was not to be.

Chasing a four-goal deficit from the first leg, the Blaugrana put on a brilliant display at the Spotify Camp Nou, winning 3-0, but ultimately getting eliminated from the cup competition on aggregate score.

Raphinha hopeful for the rest of the season

Despite the exit from the Copa del Rey, Barcelona walked off the pitch at the Spotify Camp Nou with loud applause from the fans, who sang the club anthem at the top of their voice, showing their support for the players.

And, speaking to the media after the game, Barça winger and captain Raphinha thanked the fans for their support and expressed optimism for what lies ahead for the team.

“I’m very proud of this team,” said Raphinha, who scored the second goal on the night against Atletico Madrid.

“If we keep playing like this, we’ll have a spectacular end to the season,” he promised.

Barcelona tried hard and came close. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Raphinha was especially grateful for the support of the fans in a game which marked the return of the Grada d’Animació in the renovated Camp Nou.

“The truth is, I think it’s us who should be thanking the fans; they were spectacular. When we play at home, we need to feel the fans’ support. It’s important for us. I think the fans are proud,” the Brazilian international stressed.

Talking about the game and the result, Raphinha stated: “We gave it our all. Atletico played very well. We did everything we could, we just fell a little short. We’re disappointed not to reach the final, but we have more positives than negatives to take away.

“The intensity we showed, the desire to come back… Atletico sealed the deal in the first leg, we have to acknowledge their merit.”

Concluding, the Barcelona winger noted: “It’s time to keep our heads up. Tomorrow is another day. We have to leave here proud of what we’ve done.

“Now it’s time to think about the weekend. On to La Liga and the Champions League, that’s what we have to focus on.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo

Aron Donnum has missed Toulouse FC’s last two games in Ligue 1 due to an internal sanction, however, he will return for the Coupe de France encounter against Olympique de Marseille, and he is expected to start the encounter. 

Carles Martínez Novell confirmed that Donnum’s sanction was for two games, not just one, meaning that he missed the game against Paris FC, as well as that against Stade Rennais last weekend. Reports suggest that it is a consequence of his behaviour in the dressing room following Toulouse’s defeat to Le Havre AC last month. 

The Norwegian has now served his suspension and is expected to start on the left of Le TéFéCé’s attack. Frank Magri, however, misses out due to an injury. 

Toulouse likely line-up v Marseille

Kjetil Haug; Rasums Nicolaisen, Charlie Cresswell, Mark McKenzie; Dayann Methalie, Cristian Casseres, Pape Demba Diop, Djibril Sidibé; Yann Gboho, Emersson, Aron Donnum. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Los Angeles, Calif. -- LA Galaxy fans were angry at the beginning of the year, or at the very least skeptical. 

Not only had they received the worst news possible just a few days before, that Riqui Puig would miss the entirety of the 2026 season after an ACL injury setback (his second in consecutive years), but they would also not be getting a new number 10 to replace him and orchestrate the attack.

The LA Galaxy had gone in another direction.

News broke that Will Kuntz and the Galaxy were in advanced negotiations for Brazilian Striker João Klauss, then of St. Louis City, to become the team's newest designated player, replacing Puig.

On the surface, there were plenty of questions. 

Would Klauss even start with the Galaxy already having two strikers in Christian Ramirez and Matheus Nascimento (the Galaxy would later cut Ramirez)? 

How would another striker help the Galaxy with chance creation?

Could he stay healthy after injuries forced him to miss time in 2023 and 2024 for St. Louis?

Did Klauss have the offensive chops to “replace” Puig, whom many consider a unicorn in his skill set? 

Pundits and detractors of the deal alike correctly pointed out that Klauss had never scored more than 10 goals in his two seasons in MLS. 

And it's only taken Klauss two games to shut them up.

The Galaxy’s newest DP opened his Galaxy goal tally within 85 seconds on opening day, and LA should have walked away with three points off his game-winner.

He followed that up with a riveting performance against Charlotte. 

Klauss was electric. The striker led the line, led the press, was the epitome of hard work, and seemed to further solidify his understanding with fellow Brazilian Gabriel Pec en route to scoring two goals in the Galaxy’s 3-0 dismantling of the visiting side.

LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney spared the newcomer no compliment.

“He sets the tone. When everybody behind you looks to the guy in front who is working like he's working, you have no choice but to work with him. That's what I love. His mentality has been fantastic,” Vanney said in a post-match press conference after his team's win over Charlotte. 

Both Vanney and Kuntz have spoken several times about the need to have good soccer players and good men, and Klauss fits the mold of the ideal player they've described.

“He's a great guy for our locker room, and when he goes out there, he goes out there to work. He leads us on the defensive side. Never takes shortcuts. Obviously, he's big, and he's strong and hard to deal with for center-backs. I like the work he's putting in,” Vanney said of the tall striker.

Klauss the DP

The work is paying off. 

Klauss now has three goals in two games, leading the league's golden boot race, and was named to the MLS team of the matchday.

It's only taken Klauss two games to become a part of Galaxy history as well.

In the win over Charlotte, the Galaxy set a team record with three goals in the first 12 minutes and 14 seconds of the match (Sanabria 8’, Klauss 11’, Klauss 13’).

Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune

LA Galaxy midfielder Lucas Sanabria (8) celebrates with forward João Klauss (99) after scoring a goal during an MLS game between LA Galaxy and Charlotte FC on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif.

It was the fastest triple in LA Galaxy history, passing the previous mark set by Ibrahimovic and Pavon on August 25, 2019, in an El Tráfico against LAFC. 

It was also the sixth fastest time to three goals in MLS history.

Not bad at all so far, for a guy considered a replacement player.

But it's no surprise that he's emerged as one of the leaders of this 2026 Galaxy team.

Kuntz knew all along the type of hard-working player he was getting.

“He really is a horse … We spend a lot of time looking at the physical data that the guys have. In terms of output, he works, he presses, by all accounts a great teammate, a guy who can combine,” the Galaxy General Manager explained to MLS Writer Charles Boehm.

Klauss the teammate

But the beautiful part about Klauss is that he's a budding fan favorite, league star, and DP who doesn't need the spotlight.

In fact, the striker seems more than comfortable playing second fiddle to fellow DP's Pec and Joseph Paintsil. 

“They are the stars. They create the most for the team. My job is to make things easier for them,” Klauss explained.

He shared that playing with Pec and Paintsil has been easy because of their quality. The way the attacking trio integrates this year will be pivotal for the Galaxy’s chances. 

But the early returns are encouraging. 

Indeed, the fruits of a budding Brazilian relationship could be seen during preseason when Klauss set Pec up for two goals in one game. 

Against Charlotte, Pec returned the favor.

And although Klauss has been the main man so far this year offensively, the humble giant has deferred to his teammates and propped them up in more than one interview. 

“I think it’s very easy to create relationships with great players, so with their qualities it’s not difficult,” the third designated player said of his fellow DP's.

Klauss followed that up with the words every coach and every fan wants to hear.

“It's not about me. It’s about the team. So that’s the mentality that I try to show every single day and every single game.”

It's only been two games, but Klauss has shut his critics up with his words and actions. 

On the way, he's already become a new fan favorite in LA by doing and saying everything right.

So far. 

After the president of Iran’s football federation suggested the country could boycott the World Cup following the US and Israeli strikes on the country, Donald Trump has said he “really doesn’t care” if Iran play in the tournament.

According to multiple outlets, including the Associated Press, Iran’s top football official Mehdi Taj told sports news portal Varzesh3: “What is certain is that after these attacks, it's hard to look at the World Cup with hope.”

The tournament takes place across multiple cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada this summer. Iran’s group games are scheduled to be played in the US, between Los Angeles and Seattle.

“It's not possible to say exactly, but there will certainly be a response," Taj also said, according to Reuters. “This will surely be studied by the country's high-ranking sports officials and there will be a decision on what's going to happen.”

Fifa continue to monitor the situation. Secretary general Mattias Grafstrom said on Saturday: “It's too early to comment, but we will monitor developments around the world that could affect the tournament.”

Iran were the only nation to be missing from a World Cup planning event participating teams, held this week in Atlanta. Trump told Politico on Tuesday: "I really don't care. I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They're running on fumes."

Could Iran boycott the World Cup?

Iran are scheduled to play two World Cup games in Los Angeles and another in Seattle. They will face New Zealand and Belgium in LA on June 15 and June 21, followed by the match against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

But little is known about how Iran could respond to the US and Israeli strikes in a sporting context. Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei has been killed - while Trump has said the strikes could continue for the next four weeks. Iranian officials have ruled out negotiating with the US, as well.

There has never been a boycott of the World Cup on political grounds and the last World Cup boycott was 60 years ago, when African teams refused to play in protest of receiving just one-third of a qualifying berth.

There has never before been a situation where a World Cup host has attacked a qualified team so close to the start of the tournament, with just four months to go before the opening game.

As the Independent’s Miguel Delaney highlighted, several European countries discussed a World Cup boycott when the United States threatened to annex Greenland in January.

Even before the strikes, there was political tension over Iran’s involvement in the tournament due to visa restrictions. The country’s football federation followed through on a threat to boycott Novembers’s World Cup draw in Washington DC.

At the time, Iranian Football Federation spokesman Amir Mehdi Alavi said the US had granted visas to four members of the Iranian delegation, including head coach Amir Ghalenoei, but had not issued one to its football president Mehdi Taj.

The boycott of the World Cup draw, Alavi said, followed “unsportsmanlike actions” by one of the host countries.

And the situation has only escalated since then. Athletes, teams members and family members were previously excluded from Trump’s travel ban but the US government could also decide to restrict Iran from competing at all if they cited security risks.

What could happen if Iran don’t play?

In Fifa’s World Cup regulations, published last year and before the qualifying stage of the tournament was complete, it states: “If any Participating Member Association withdraws and/or is excluded from the Fifa World Cup 26, Fifa shall decide on the matter at its sole discretion and take whatever action is deemed necessary. Fifa may decide to replace the Participating Member Association in question with another association.”

Iran qualified automatically for the World Cup, with the United Arab Emirates losing out on an automatic qualification spot and subsequently going out in the play-off rounds. In the event of Iran not playing in the World Cup, they would be the closest replacement. Iraq could only be an option, if they do not come through their intercontinental play-off against either Bolivia or Suriname in Mexico later this month.

But the uncertainty in the Gulf as a result of the US strikes means that replacing Iran with either the UAE or Iraq could be far from straight-forward, and Fifa’s regulations indicate that they could do whatever they would like, anyway.

There is some precedent from last summer when Mexican side Club Leon were kicked out of the Club World Cup due to multi-club ownership rules. Fifa then announced a play-off between Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) and Mexican team Club America which was won by LAFC, granting them access to the tournament.

Fifa’s World Cup regulations also state: “Fifa has the right to cancel, reschedule or relocate one or more matches (or the entire FIFA World Cup 26) for any reason at its sole discretion, including as a result of force majeure or due to health, safety or security concerns.”

Seemingly, there is therefore the possibility that Iran’s games could be moved from the US; but there is also the possibility that the US and Iran could play each other at the tournament. This would happen if both teams were runners-up in Group D and Group G respectively, with that fixture scheduled to be played in Arlington, Texas.

Anger at having been eliminated when just one more goal was needed to force extra time, pride for having stood up and fought until the last minute, absolute faith in a project to fight for it to the very end...

Feelings that in another football match might diverge for both teams, in what happened last night between Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid are closer than one might think. Both teams fought yesterday in a clash where football was the main protagonist.

A clash that dominates the front pages this Wednesday.

MARCA

AS

MUNDO DEPORTIVO

SPORT

SUPERDEPORTE

ESTADIO DEPORTIVO

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

Iran coach Marziyeh Jafari said Wednesday her team had "so much concern" about their families at home as war rages with players "fully disconnected" from them during the Women's Asian Cup.

The Iranian team are preparing to face host nation Australia on the Gold Coast Thursday after losing their opening game of the continental competition 3-0 to South Korea.

They will kick off once more with their homeland being bombarded by the United States and Israel.

An internet blackout has made it near-impossible for players and staff to contact anyone, with Jafari thankful for the support they have received from Iranian-Australians.

"We are so happy that Iranian-Australians here support us," she told Australian media.

"Obviously we have so much concern for our families and our loved ones and all other people inside our country, which we are fully disconnected with.

"Here, we are coming to play football professionally and we will do our best to concentrate on the match ahead."

Striker Sara Didar fought back tears as she spoke about their worries.

"Obviously we're all concerned and we're sad because of what has happened to Iran and our families and our loved ones," the 21-year-old told reporters.

Asian football chiefs have said they were offering "full support and assistance" to the team, who arrived in Australia just days before strikes killed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran made their historic debut at the last Asian Cup in India in 2022, which made them national heroes in a country where women's rights are severely restricted.

mp/mtp

As expected, FC Lorient are expected to name a strong side when they welcome OGC Nice in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France, however, L’Équipe understands that star playmaker Pablo Pagis may not start Wednesday night’s encounter at the Moustoir. 

Pagis may start the game from the bench, as may Noah Cadiou, an imposing midfielder who has excelled for Olivier Pantaloni’s side in recent weeks. In Pagis’ place, it may be Dermane Karim who gets the nod, whilst in midfield, it may be Arthur Avom Ebong who starts alongside club captain Laurent Abergel. 

There are also absences for Lorient to contend with. Igor Silva misses out on this game due to injury, whilst Isaak Touré is not yet ready to make his return to action. 

Lorient likely line-up v OGC Nice

Bingourou Kamara; Darlin Yongwa, Montassar Talbi, Bamo Meité; Arsène Kouassi, Laurent Abergel, Arthur Avom Ebong, Théo Le Bris; Dermane Karim, Jean-Victor Makengo; Bamba Dieng. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

A Cincinnati Bengals star defensive end is now a free agent.

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The Bengals declined to give defensive Trey Hendrickson the franchise tag, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Each NFL team is allowed to grant the option to tag one player with an expiring contract. It allows them to keep them for one more season.

This means that Hendrickson will become an unrestricted free agent.

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He thanked his teammates, coaches, staff, fans, and the organization in a social media post on Tuesday.

“Thank you for the opportunity to play the game I love at the highest level. The last 5 years have been filled with Great wins & Tough losses, personal achievements & humbling adversities,” said Hendrickson in an Instagram post. “I was & always will be proud to have worn the Cincinnati Bengals logo & honor the history behind it.”

The 31-year-old defensive end played in only six games during the 2025 season due to a hip injury.

Hendrickson had 16 tackles, four sacks, one pass defended, and one forced fumble.

He concluded by thanking Bengals fans.

“Thank you for supporting me in the relentless pursuit of winning. You’ve made the Jungle Roar when I hunted QB after QB! Memories of those moments will live in my heart & mind forever. The hard work this city puts in, and its support for our Bengals, made it easy to empty the tank for this fanbase! I could not be more proud of the high standards we have for our city & football team.”

Cincinnati went 6-11 this past season and missed the playoffs for the third straight season.

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Dave Rennie has been appointed the new head coach of New Zealand, becoming the first person of Pasifika heritage to lead the side.

The 62-year-old replaces Scott Robinson, who was sacked in January after two years following high-profile losses to South Africa, Argentina and England as well as reports of tension between senior players and All Blacks staff.

At a news conference in Auckland announcing his appointment, Rennie's opening words in Maori were "Kia orana koutou", which translate as "hello to all" or "hello everyone".

Pasifika heritage encompasses the indigenous peoples of Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia, with Upper Hutt-born Rennie having Cook Islands links through his mother.

Having beaten Jamie Joseph to the job, he is tasked with taking the country to its fourth World Cup triumph when the tournament gets under way in Australia next October.

However, he will honour his role leading Japan's Kobe Steelers before preparing New Zealand for their July tests against France, Italy and Ireland.

Describing himself as "extremely proud and honoured", Rennie said he was "well aware of the expectations and responsibility of the role" as New Zealand bid for a fourth World Cup success.

"It's a sprint from here," said Rennie.

"We need to get the athletes in the best possible position to execute and play well."

'I've got some firm ideas'

New Zealand Rugby chairman David Kirk said Rennie's extensive experience had been an important factor in his appointment.

His career includes coaching the All Blacks' great rivals, Australia, from late 2019 to early 2023.

Overseeing 34 tests, he won 13, drew four and lost 18 - giving him the lowest winning record of any Wallabies coach who had taken at least 30 tests.

While the side notched up notable wins over New Zealand, South Africa and France, they also fell to their first defeat to Italy.

Rennie said team culture would be one of his main focuses when he takes the reigns and that he had an idea of changes he wanted to make to the way the team played.

"[I'm] probably not going to go into massive detail around what that is or the changes we want to make because I don't want to throw anyone in the previous regime under the bus," he added.

"I've watched a lot of footy already. I've got some firm ideas around the shifts we can make that'll make us better."

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The Don't Go To Bed Just Yet team have conducted a lengthy interview with Peter Lowy, Leeds United director and large investor.

In it, he discusses investing in the club, expanding Elland Road and his childhood love for the Whites.

"I've been a fan since I was a kid and it was hard to be a fan of English football and all leagues living in Australia in the 60s and 70s as we didn't have satellites so you couldn't watch the games," he explained.

"In fact Match of the Day used to be filmed, put on a Qantas flight, sent to Australia so you get to see it there next week. But I fell in love with English football.

"First memory of Leeds was the Revie teams and then the white kit with the smiley badge. When we brought the smiley badge back, it just evokes a feeling of the team and the football that is just inside me. And the way you look at it, I am in love with football and in love with the team and to be in the position I'm in now, it's almost hard to imagine that I could get here."

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here

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LOS ANGELES - UCLA (20-10, 12-7) took down No. 9 Nebraska (25-5, 14-5) 72-52 for the Bruin's most resounding defeat of a Top 10 opponent this season on Tuesday.

The win has likely made UCLA a lock for the NCAA tournament after hovering on the outside looking in for some time, but it also reveals the trait that the Bruins have been missing the most this season: consistency. 

Tuesday night showed clearly that they have the talent and the drive to play far above what their record may indicate, they just haven't been able to chain together that energy for more than a game or two, especially since conference play began. 

Before praising his own team, head coach Mick Cronin gave a lot of credit to the Cornhuskers for bringing that energy out of the Bruins.

"That's the best we've played all year. They [Nebraska] brought out the best in us," Cronin said. "We went from our worst defensive effort to our best defensive effort."

Senior night magic

Something else was in the air in Pauley Pavilion that could have given the Bruins some extra incentive as well, and it wasn't the looming threat of missing March Madness. 

Tuesday was the last home game of the regular season and Senior Night for UCLA. Although, on a night dedicated to seniors, one sophomore shined brightest as he looked to bounce back after a disappointing performance in UCLA's loss to Minnesota.

"We didn't want out seniors to lose their last game in Pauley," sophomore guard Trent Perry said. "I felt like I let my team down last game in Minnesota [and] faced a different type of adversity... Getting a lot of comments, hate comments, threats and I just felt like I had to come out here tonight and really bounce back for my team," Perry said.

Perry led the team with 20 points while shooting 8-15 from the field. He added seven rebounds and four assists as well and for a while, it seemed like he was the only Bruin who had a three point shot at the ready. 

Moving forward with this energy

The rest of the team found their shots soon enough, though, and by the end of the game shot 46.7% from the field and 34.5% from three. That along with their seriously leveled up defense sealed the victory.

Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune

Tyler Bilodeau #34 of the UCLA Bruins and his parents are greeted by head coach Mick Cronin of the UCLA Bruins during the senior night ceremony before an NCAA basketball game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Tuesday March 3, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

The Bruins may have found their groove after Tuesday, and not a moment too soon, but that doesn't mean their trials are over. 

There's still one more regular season matchup, an away game against crosstown rival USC, and after that the Big Ten tournament and March Madness await. 

UCLA tapped into something special on Tuesday and now they just need to hold onto it.

Should they do that, they won't just have earned their place in the playoffs, they'll have proved they can beat anyone.

Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune

Eric Dailey Jr. #3 of the UCLA Bruins dunks the ball over Berke Büyüktuncel #9 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during an NCAA basketball game, Tuesday March 3, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

"I think we've just got to take that attitude that we played with tonight... and bottle it up and keep it rolling," junior forward Eric Dailey Jr. said. "Obviously, we've been having the same problems that Coach [Cronin] has been saying, but tonight, this team looked different. The way we played tonight, we keep this same energy and attitude, the plays and the hustle, we'll be fine down the stretch."

Estevao has revealed he chose to join Chelsea over other clubs because he felt he would get more opportunities.

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The Blues fought off interest from a number of Europe’s biggest clubs to agree a deal with Palmeiras for the teenager in the summer of 2024.

Estevao eventually joined Chelsea after the Club World Cup last summer, and has had a positive first season at Stamford Bridge to date. 

Estevao reveals why he chose Chelsea over other clubs

The 18-year-old is regarded as one of the biggest talents in world football, and he’s scored seven goals and registered three assists in 32 appearances in all competitions.

Estevao is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, but has arguably looked Chelsea’s most dangerous winger this season.

Estevao has scored seven goals so far this season. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)

To secure a signing of his calibre was a huge coup for the Blues, and Estevao revealed he chose to join Chelsea as he thought he’d get more opportunities.

“My family went to other clubs but what caught my attention was Chelsea,” he told Sun Sport.

“The project with Chelsea was different because it’s a team that, how can I say, It gives you more opportunities to be in the game.

“I thought Chelsea would be the perfect future for me because it would get me more minutes. I want to be amongst the best players in the world.

“I know my potential and what I can offer to Chelsea and of course to be amongst the best players in the world.”

Geovany Quenda to join in the summer

If one teenage winger wasn’t enough, the Blues have another arriving in the summer in the shape of Geovany Quenda.

Chelsea agreed a deal with Sporting Lisbon for Quenda last year, and fought off competition from Manchester United for his signature.

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Like Estevao, Quenda is regarded as a top prospect, and he’s expected to go straight into the first team squad and compete for minutes next season.

Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:

The Minnesota Vikings canned Kwesi Adofo-Mensah this offseason largely because of his inability to come through in the NFL Draft. He was able to identify some key contributors in free agency and uncover some undrafted gems, but picks often went to waste.

Caleb Banks Could Tempt the Vikings at Pick No. 18

Arguably, the best talent Adofo-Mensah unearthed during the April process was late-round kicker Will Reichard. With Kevin O’Connell, Rob Brzezinski, and Brian Flores now speaking most significantly into the roster, they have to get things right.

With the 18th overall pick, the MN Vikings need to land a day-one starter, and Caleb Banks could be that. He may also wind up being someone who can’t stay on the field, and therefore a massive reach. Banks is considered “boom or bust.”

ESPN Insider Jordan Rein put together a two-round mock after the NFL Combine. A pair of popular prospects are now gone before reaching pick 18, but Banks is there. The talented Florida Gator is a menacing presence, but there are serious warts.

Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is expected to be released and Jonathan Allen could follow, leaving the Vikings extremely thin along the interior defensive line. At 6-foot-6, 327 pounds, Banks is a towering presence who would give Minnesota a key player inside. The Vikings have gravitated toward explosive athletes like Banks, who jumped 32 inches in the vertical and ran a 5.04-second 40-yard dash in Indianapolis. Banks has an injury history, but he also has plenty of potential and is an ideal fit in coordinator Brian Flores’ defense.

Jordan Reid – ESPN

Minnesota is already done with Hargrave after just one season. They could also cut Jonathan Allen, as Reid mentions, but the cupboard would be incredibly bare.

Either way, the Vikings need to get younger on the interior defensive line. Banks is an intriguing talent because he’d be an immediate difference maker. The only question is whether he can stay on the field.

After suffering a foot injury during camp and then later breaking it, he played in just three games last season for the Gators. In 2024, however, seven of his 21 total tackles were for losses. He also had a whopping 4.5 sacks.

That sort of production is the stuff that Flores would certainly drool over. He plays in both the run and pass game, and Banks can be a stud up the middle. Minnesota needs to make sure it is getting the guy who started 24 games in 2023 and 2024, rather than the one who missed considerable time throughout his collegiate career.

Real Madrid are still dealing with the aftermath of Monday’s shock 0-1 defeat to Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu. The loss has distanced them from the La Liga leadership battle and added further complications to an already turbulent season.

One of those concerns is the situation surrounding Kylian Mbappe. There has been a lot of uncertainty and lack of clarity surrounding his injury and the manner in which it has been handled so far.

Reports alleged that the French superstar was unhappy with the Real Madrid medical services, which is why he opted to get a second opinion in France, following which the club confirmed that his knee injury was only a sprain that does not require surgery.

Disagreement over when Mbappe can return

Now, according to journalist Anton Meana on Cadena SER, Mbappe’s entourage disagrees with Real Madrid over his recovery timeline.

Mbappe already missed the match against Getafe and the club estimate his recovery at around three weeks. As such, Los Blancos believe he could be available for the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Manchester City.

Mbappe’s injury is a major concern for Real Madrid and France. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

However, the France captain’s entourage disagrees with that assessment, suggesting that the forward has a more serious issue than initially indicated, with only 100 days remaining until the World Cup.

“The player’s left posterior cruciate ligament is at its limit,” Meana explained. “We are going to call it a sprain because that is what the medical report says, but the injury is really significant.”

For that reason, the player’s entourage does not accept the recovery timeline set by Real Madrid. His camp insists that the 27-year-old forward needs to recover properly.

Given the situation, the first leg against Manchester City could prove decisive in Mbappe’s decision about whether to accelerate his return for the second leg.

If Real Madrid lose by a sizeable margin at home, it is unlikely that Mbappe will risk his knee to try to overturn it in the return match.

John Aldridge has shared his reaction after Liverpool’s frustrating 2-1 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.

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The former striker posted several messages on X during and after the match, reflecting the disbelief many supporters felt as Arne Slot’s side conceded yet another late goal.

Liverpool had dominated large parts of the contest at Molineux but were ultimately punished in stoppage time by Andre’s deflected strike, leaving the reigning champions stunned despite controlling the game for long spells.

Aldridge reacted almost immediately when Wolves opened the scoring: “I smelt that a while ago! I knew it was coming.”

That sense of frustration only grew as the match reached full time.

The former Liverpool No.8 struggled to explain how the Reds had managed to lose a match in which they were largely on top: “Words fail me folks! Unbelievable what we’ve seen there.

“I’m trying to get my head around how we lost that match? There again, that’s why we are 5th in the league I suppose.”

Liverpool dominated Wolves despite the defeat

(Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Looking at the numbers from the match makes the result even harder to understand.

Liverpool finished the game with 66% possession, 19 shots and an expected goals figure of 1.83 compared with Wolves’ 0.44.

Arne Slot’s side also completed 540 passes and created four big chances, yet somehow left Molineux empty handed.

The defeat was made even more painful by the nature of Wolves’ winner, with Andre’s shot taking a huge deflection off Joe Gomez before beating Alisson Becker in the 94th minute.

Pressure grows ahead of Wolves rematch

(Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Aldridge later returned to social media to highlight the importance of the upcoming FA Cup tie between the two sides: “Big pressure on Friday!

“If we lose in the league and get knocked out of the fa cup by the bottom team in the league, it won’t lie well with the fans.”

Liverpool will therefore have the opportunity for immediate revenge.

Arne Slot has already admitted the upcoming rematch offers the perfect chance for his players to respond after the disappointment of the league defeat.

While frustration is understandable, the performance itself showed reasons for encouragement.

Liverpool created chances, dominated possession and pushed Wolves deep for long stretches, though Steven Gerrard bemoaned mistakes from key players like Virgil van Dijk.

Injuries have clearly played a role in the recent inconsistency.

Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz remain key absentees, while Cody Gakpo has struggled for form and Federico Chiesa continues to fail to make a major impact off the bench.

Even so, the broader picture remains manageable.

Liverpool remain firmly in the race for Champions League qualification, and with plenty of matches still to play this defeat will only increase the determination to respond in the coming weeks.

K League 1 returned last weekend and there was plenty of surprises in store for those who caught the curtain-raiser. This week's episode of From Outside The Box takes a look through all the Round 1 action and previews the weekend ahead.

After returning to the commentary booths after a winter hiatus, Matthew Binns, Paul Neat and Alex Jensen talk about shaking off the rust, the perils of the five-minute intro and the mishaps it can lead to.

The trio then go through the four games they commentated on, from Ulsan's mauling of Gangwon, to the headline-grabbing Bucheon FC 1995 and their win over Champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.

About the Podcast

From Outside the Box is a relaxed, insight-driven podcast from K League United, proudly sponsored by Record Pizza and TNT FC. 

Join K League TV commentators Matthew Binns, Paul Neat, and Alex Jensen as they draw from their weekly notes, observations, and offer peeks into their behind-the-scenes experiences from the commentary box to break down K League 1, offering onest opinions, tactical talk, and real stories from outside the commentary box, every week.

The first few episodes of this new initiative will also be available on The K League United Podcast stream before switching over to the new channels which you can find below:

Yehvann Diouf has not played in Ligue 1 since making his return from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), however, he is expected to replace Maxime Dupé between the sticks when OGC Nice travel to face FC Lorient in the Coupe de France quarter-finals on Wednesday night.

Dupé has surpassed Diouf in the hierarchy at the Allianz Riviera, but Diouf will have the chance to stake a claim on Wednesday night. Nice manager Claude Puel will have to contend with many absentees against Les Merlus. Sofiane Diop is suspended, whilst the likes of Moise Bombito, Isak Jansson, Elye Wahi, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Youssouf Ndaysihimiye, and Hicham Boudaoui are all out either due to injury or fitness concerns. It means that Kevin Carlos is likely to lead the line once again.

OGC Nice likely line-up v Lorient

Yehvann Diouf; Melvin Bard, Dante, Kojo Peprah Oppong; Antoine Mendy; Charles Vanhoutte, Salis Abdul Samed; Tiago Gouveia, Tom Louchet, Keil Boudache; Kevin Carlos. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Former Burnley and Brentford defender Ben Mee says Wolves "sensed" Liverpool's weakness in Tuesday's game.

The Old Gold beat the Reds 2-1 to follow up Friday's win over Aston Villa.

"Credit to those Wolves players and credit to Rob Edwards," Mee told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"I think the substitutions made a real big impact in the game. In the last 20 minutes they were magnificent.

"To go on and win the game after conceding the lead the first time was fantastic for them and it's a great atmosphere there when it gets going.

"When you're playing against a top side you want to find a weakness and if you do sense that you definitely want to go and exploit it.

"Liverpool didn't seem to have the pace, intensity and tempo of recent years.

"I think Wolves and Rob Edwards sniffed that out and sensed it as well with his substitutions that were really positive. They got after the game and believed they could go on and win it which they did."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock says he would "enjoy roughing up" the current Reds side if he was playing against them today.

In Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at bottom side Wolves, Arne Slot's side conceded an injury-time winner for the fifth time this season.

"It's slow and it's laboured and every time you watch Liverpool at the moment it's like they need to go a goal behind to lift themselves," Warnock told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"We're so used to watching a Jurgen Klopp Liverpool in the way they play, and even last year I think they played with a better tempo in the way they attacked teams.

"This season it seems they want to control more and it just allows teams to get set.

"I think if you're playing against them and can get back into position quite quickly, then they are actually easier to play against.

"I don't look at this team and think they're hard to play against whereas last season they were and under Klopp they are.

"Right now they seem a little bit soft. I'd enjoy roughing them up if I was playing against them. Every time there's a tackle they're looking round for a bit of protection from the referee and when you see that you think 'we've got them here'."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Remuntada was needed and remuntada it (almost) was. Barcelona wins 3-0 in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final, but is defeated in the aggregate.

It is Atlético Madrid under Simeone who will play for the trophy in Seville, after 180 and more minutes of madness. The decisive 4-0 at the Metropolitano effectively booked the pass to the grand final for the Colchoneros, although yesterday was far from a walk in the park for Griezmann and company.

At Camp Nou, indeed, Barça gave it their all, going into halftime with a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Marc Bernal and Raphinha. The scenario Flick wanted, with the Catalans having the entire second half to try to complete the comeback. 

Once again, Bernal (yet another product of the cantera blaugrana, just 18 years old) thrilled the home crowd in the 72nd minute, scoring his personal double and bringing the score to 3-0. At that point, anything could happen.

But with the goal from the 2007 class, it wasn't Atlético's hopes that faded, but Barcelona's energy, as they created very little from that moment on, never truly coming close to scoring the goal that would have sent the match to extra time.

Thus, Atlético goes to the final in the most Cholista way possible, with garra and suffering, even after winning the first leg 4-0. For Simeone, it will be the 10th final at the helm of the Colchoneros. It remains to be seen if it will be against Athletic or Real Sos.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.

Steven Gerrard and Jermaine Pennant have both called for Arne Slot to hand Rio Ngumoha a starting berth when Liverpool face Wolves in the FA Cup on Friday night.

Round 1 of this week’s Molineux double header between the two teams went the way of the home side, who secured just their third Premier League win of the season with a stoppage-time goal that James Pearce diplomatically described as a ‘mess’.

It was another game where the 17-year-old was brought on in the second half to replace Cody Gakpo, who endured yet another frustrating night in front of goal, and two former LFC teammates now believe that the teenager should get the nod on the left wing when the teams resume battle later this week.

Gerrard and Pennant both call for Ngumoha to start on Friday

Speaking on TNT Sports after the game, Gerrard stated: “He has to start Ngumoha now. He’s coming on and doing more in a short space of time than Gakpo is doing in 65-70 minutes, so he deserves to start now. He’s got to start the kid on Friday night.”

Meanwhile, Pennant aired similar views on X as he posted: ‘Rio now must start on Friday night. AGAIN did more than Gakpo when he came on than what Gakpo did the whole game. You know why he did more? [Because] he goes to the byline, he cuts inside, he’s not predictable. WHY on earth isn’t Slot telling him? If every single fan [is] thinking it…’

(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

How did Ngumoha and Gakpo compare on Tuesday night?

While there was some willingness from the Dutchman to run at the Wolves defence in the first half last night, it was by and large another game which passed him by, and he probably cost Curtis Jones a goal when inadvertently blocking the midfielder’s effort from point-blank range shortly after the interval.

In his first Premier League outing to last for than 20 minutes, Ngumoha was lively yet again, and he was unlucky not to score with a curled shot that Jose Sa did brilliantly to tip onto the post.

The figures from Sofascore (see below) compare the impact of the two wingers at Molineux, with the numbers in brackets representing their averages per minute played for each metric.

When factoring in those respective statistics, as well as the quick turnaround to Friday’s fixture and the Champions League trip to Istanbul early next week, there’s a strong case to be made for Ngumoha to be handed a start in the FA Cup clash, just as he was against Barnsley in January.

Slot recently said that he’d be ‘surprised’ if the 17-year-old didn’t get ‘more minutes’ in the near future. Now could be the time for the Liverpool head coach to act upon those words and put his full trust in the teenage talent, who thus far has played in every single game as if his life depended upon it.

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Real Madrid have once again set their sights on Max Allegri, with the Milan manager emerging as a serious candidate for the bench at the Bernabéu.

According to Corriere dello Sport, this is far from the first time the Spanish giants have courted the Italian tactician. Allegri has been on the verge of joining Los Blancos twice before – first in 2019 and more famously in 2021. During that second approach, an agreement with Real Madrid was almost entirely in place before former Juventus president Andrea Agnelli stepped in at the eleventh hour to convince him to return to Turin instead.

Currently, Allegri is settled and happy at Milan, but his long-term future remains subject to a decisive end-of-season evaluation. At the conclusion of the current campaign, the club and the manager will conduct a thorough review of the project to assess the path forward.

While Allegri is keen to continue and has a clear desire to further improve and strengthen the squad, the perspective of the Milan management will be the determining factor. The hierarchy’s vision for the next phase of the project will be crucial in deciding whether Allegri stays to build on his work at the San Siro or finally makes the long-awaited move to Real Madrid.

Kaustubh Pandey I GIFN

Olympique de Marseille will be without Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who captained the side during their win over Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday, as the club prepares to host Toulouse FC in the Coupe de France. 

Hojbjerg is suspended for the Coupe de France quarter-final, meaning that the captain’s armband will likely return to defender Leonardo Balerdi. He isn’t the only absentee that Habib Beye must contend with on Wednesday night. Quinten Timber misses out on the game due to a shoulder injury sustained in Marseille’s 3-2 win over Lyon, whilst Amine Gouiri is not yet ready to start. He is not expected to play any part against Le TéFéCé.

The absentees should give a chance for Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri to start in the No.10 role.

Marseille likely line-up v Toulouse

Geronimo Rulli; Facundo Medina, Nayef Aguerd, Leonardo Balerdi, Timothy Weah; Geoffrey Kondogbia, Tochukwu Nnadi; Igor Paixao, Ethan Nwaneri, Mason Greenwood; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

19-year-old Noahkai Banks has earned plenty of praise for his performances for FC Augsburg this season, having cemented a starting spot at the heart of their defence.

Other clubs are likely taking notice. According to Kicker, the USMNT defender could command a “high transfer fee” this summer if concrete interest emerges.

Augsburg sporting director Benni Weber is well aware of the young centre-back’s potential.

“It’s a great joy to see how he’s developing, how many decisive moments he has. He will probably play for a very big club one day,” Weber told Kicker.

When asked by Bulinews.com about his dream destination in a recent interview, Banks revealed a special connection to FC Barcelona.

“It's difficult to say. I really enjoy playing in the Bundesliga, to be honest. But there are a lot of great leagues, such as the Premier League, Serie A and La Liga,” he said.

“One of the clubs I idolized while growing up was Barcelona. I think I can say that's my favorite club. So yeah, maybe one day it would be a dream to play for them, but let's see what happens," Banks told Bulinews.com.

With Banks’ contract running until 2029, Augsburg hold a strong negotiating position.

“We have control of the situation; there’s no danger,” Weber stressed.

“Torn” between USA and Germany

For now, Banks faces a difficult decision regarding his international future.

After Augsburg’s 2-0 win over 1. FC Köln last week, the 19-year-old admitted he’s “torn” between representing the United States, who he has represented at youth level, and Germany.

Kicker reports that some people at Augsburg are advising him to choose the United States, probably not least considering the potential impact a World Cup squad place could have on his market value.

Hope Gordon remembers looking longingly out of the window of Yorkhill Children's Hospital for day after day as a teenager.

She remembers seeing Glasgow outside. Remembers the SEC Armadillo being in the foreground. Remembers wondering what "the real world" outside the walls of her ward would hold for her.

The 31-year-old might have had to wait almost a couple of decades, but she will get her answer next summer.

Gordon will be part of Team Scotland for the Commonwealth Games in her home country, and will get to compete in the Armadillo in Para-powerlifting.

"To go from being that kid in that hospital bed, looking out of those windows, to actually being able to compete in that venue... it's going to be really special," she tells BBC Sport Scotland.

Glasgow, hospitals and ultimately the amputation of her left leg are a long way from the tiny settlement of Rogart, around 50 miles north of Inverness.

Growing up there, Gordon was always playing one sport or another so a little pain in her left knee was written off as just a natural consequence of that.

But one day, at the age of 12, the leg "stopped working" while she was at school.

"I thought I'd wake up the next day and be fine," she says. "But one year later I was diagnosed with a condition called complex regional pain syndrome."

The following nine years were gruelling. Repeated 450-mile round trips to Glasgow for an assortment of unsuccessful treatments. Hospital stays. Time in a wheelchair. But all the while, Gordon kept playing sport. It was her escape.

At the age of 21, she made the most consequential decision she ever could. "I eventually had it off," she says of her left leg. Partially to stem any spread of the condition, partly to ease the pain, entirely to improve the quality of her life.

"It's the best thing that that ever happened to me," she says. "It really opened up new doors for me and yeah, I've never really looked back."

From canoeing, to skiing & now powerlifting

And how. A swimmer of some repute during her teenage years, Gordon maintained that initially but found herself keen to try something else.

That something would be para-canoeing. "You've still got the the water element and, if you've got a disability, water gives somebody such a sense of freedom because it's easier to move around on water than on land," she says. "It just ticked the boxes."

Soon, she was invited on to the British team, moved to Nottingham and has been there since, winning world medals and Paralympic silver in Paris in 2024.

Gordon even found time to dip into winter sports, going to the 2022 Winter Paralympics as a nordic skier after being cajoled into giving it a go by 2026 Games flagbearer Scott Meenagh.

Canoeing is her main sport, though, to the extent that she will be competing at a World Cup event and World Championships either side of the Commonwealths.

And it is her training for that that led Gordon to choose powerlifting as her means of fulfilling a life's dream of being part of Team Scotland.

"Bench press is one of the key exercises for canoeing so when the programme was announced, I looked at the list and I thought that might be the one," she explains.

"I had to unlearn quite a bit and learn it again but hopefully it will benefit me on the water too."

Gordon is keen to temper medal expectations, insisting these Games are actually about something much bigger for her than podium places.

Having watched some of the swimmers she trained with win gold in 2014 - "I was in the crowd and able to to sing Flower of Scotland three times watching Hannah Miley, Ross Murdoch and Dan Wallace" - she has long wanted to represent Scotland.

"Commies has been such a big dream for me," explains the aspiring bagpiper, sitting in her English home surrounded by Scottish memorabilia. "More so than what some people might argue are bigger goals, like a Paralympics.

"Glasgow is a city that holds a lot of memories for me, but not necessarily for the most positive of reasons. So, the thought of being able to make it more of a positive vibe for my family and friends is going to be a real full circle moment."

Virgil van Dijk did not try and come up with excuses as Liverpool slumped to another stoppage-time defeat at bottom club Wolves.

Andre’s 94th-minute deflected strike proved the difference in a 2-1 win for Rob Edwards’ side, who have now taken points off three of the top five in their last three home outings, despite being doomed for relegation.

Liverpool had already fallen behind once only for Mohamed Salah to end his goal drought and get his side on terms, but his efforts proved in vain as Wolves came away with all three points.

Dealt a blow in their push for Champions League qualification, Van Dijk put full responsibility of the defeat on the team.

"I think it's down to ourselves,” he told TNT Sports. “It was slow, we were predictable, sloppy in possession and wrong decision-making.

“We didn't concede chances but if you perform like that then a result like this can be a result of that and that's a fact. It was disappointing."

Liverpool wasted the first half of the contest at Molineux in what was an action-starved 45 minutes of football, with neither side producing anything resembling a clear-cut chance.

"It's not one reason why that's the case,” Van Dijk responded when asked to explain the slow start. “The game nowadays we over-analyse why things are happening on the pitch.

“We as a team want to start a game as well as we can and in the last game we did, today we had majority possession but we were still making wrong decisions and we couldn't find the end product."

Reds manager Arne Slot, meanwhile, bemoaned his side’s tendency to concede late on this season, having lost five games - against Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Bournemouth, Manchester City and now Wolves - in second-half stoppage-time.

"We hardly conceded a chance, created not so much but more than they did, but the result is again a 2-1 loss,” Slot said.

"We are losing far too many football games and dropping points. Was it again in extra-time that we conceded? The three times we lost in the last 22 games were all three in extra time."

Liverpool return to Molineux to face Wolves in an identical fixture on Friday for their FA Cup fifth-round tie.

Barcelona’s attempt at an unlikely comeback against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinal did not yield the desired result.

Even though the Blaugrana won 3-0 on Tuesday night in the second leg, the 4-0 defeat in the first leg last month meant that they lost the tie 4-3 on aggregate and ended up getting eliminated from the cup competition.

As if it was already not bad enough, the Blaugrana also saw two important players suffer injuries during the game at the Spotify Camp Nou.

Jules Kounde, Alejandro Balde out

Both Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde had to come off during the game with muscle injuries, and according to SPORT, they are likely to miss Barcelona’s next five matches.

Kounde was forced off after 10 minutes, after he felt discomfort in his right leg and went to the ground. Balde came on to replace the injured Frenchman, with Joao Cancelo moving to right-back from left-back.

However, in the 68th minute, with Barcelona leading 2-0, Balde signalled that he could not continue due to a hamstring issue.

Balde was taken off in the second half. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

It was an unexpected moment that forced Hansi Flick into a swift adjustment, bringing on Ronald Araujo for his 200th appearance for the club. Gerard Martin, who had started as the left-sided centre-back, moved to left-back, his natural position.

Five games out?

It is Kounde’s first injury of the season. Until now, he had played in every match except the La Liga fixture against Celta Vigo, when he remained on the bench. The Frenchman had accumulated 3,008 minutes across 40 appearances up until his injury last night.

As for Balde, this is his second injury of the season, after he had missed nearly a month back in September due to a hamstring problem. He has played 34 matches (2,447 minutes) in all competitions this term.

Both players will undergo medical tests on Wednesday. However, all indications suggest that neither will return before the international break at the end of the month.

They are therefore expected to miss five matches: the Champions League Round of 16 tie against Newcastle United and the La Liga fixtures against Athletic Club, Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano.

An alternative report from Javi Miguel of AS suggests that Balde’s injury might be more severe than Kounde’s. The 22-year-old La Masia product could, thus, be out for several weeks, while the Frenchman could still make it back in time for the Newcastle United tie.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was full of jokes in his press conference ahead of Wednesday night’s Premier League meeting with Nottingham Forest.

The Blues are searching for a seventh consecutive win in all competitions in midweek as they look to keep up the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal, who are five points clear at the top of the table – having played an additional game.

Antoine Semenyo scored the only goal of the game in Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Leeds United at Elland Road at the weekend, with Erling Haaland notably missing the trip after suffering a small training ground injury.

Nico O’Reilly also went off injured after 70 minutes after picking up an ankle knock in Yorkshire, though Guardiola is optimistic of recalling O’Reilly and Haaland to the starting XI against Nottingham Forest.

Manchester City remain in the running for an unprecedented quadruple and every game is a final for Guardiola and co between now and the end of the season, with the Blues also facing Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on March 22.

In a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Guardiola was asked whether he will look to reintegrate Haaland into the lineup against Forest on Wednesday night.

“We won 0-1 (against Leeds United), he’s not going to play in any more games until the end of the season. I don’t like Erling,” Guardiola said in a laughing tone.

On a more serious note, the Manchester City manager explained how he has gone about coping without Haaland this term. “During the season injuries happen, you know. Fortunately, we have Erling for a lot, a lot of games,” Guardiola added.

“He scored a lot of goals, (he) was involved in a lot of goals. He’s massively important, but during the year it always happens.

“I would say the only problems we have in the play is to just lose one game or miss one game. Unfortunately, sometimes that doesn’t happen. We’ll see if he’s able tomorrow or for the next game against Newcastle (in the FA Cup fifth round).”

It would make sense for Haaland to return to the starting XI against Forest but Guardiola would be well within his right to give the 25-year-old strike some extra time off as Manchester City embark on the business end of the season.

O’Reilly also remains a doubt against Forest and Guardiola could look to recall Tijjani Reijnders to the lineup as he also aims to rotate his squad to keep his best players fit and firing in the final months of the campaign.

Increasingly, injury time is not Arne time. A night when Wolves could savour an action replay left Arne Slot lamenting the “same old story”. For the second time in four days, head coach Rob Edwards set off down the touchline in manic celebration. Wolves, as their fans had chorused, are bound for the Championship, but on the way they are bloodying the noses of those with ambitions of Champions League qualification. First Aston Villa and now Liverpool have fallen at Molineux.

For Slot, the sense of déjà vu was depressing. His side are record breakers in the wrong sense, the first team in Premier League history to lose five matches in a season due to 90th-minute goals. “The three times we lost in the last 22 games were all three in extra time,” Slot said after Wolves, like Bournemouth and Manchester City before them, struck at the death. Include the late equalisers Fulham and Leeds got and Liverpool have let nine points slip through their grasp in injury time. It may cost them Champions League football.

Liverpool could call their latest setback cruel, when the decider needed a deflection, when they had hit the woodwork twice. “That it happens in extra time might be a coincidence but it happens so many times,” said Slot. Once again, it calls into question Liverpool’s game management.

For him, there were further familiar themes, another occasion when Liverpool dominated possession, had more shots, had the better of the statistics beyond the scoreline. “We hardly give away a chance but they score two,” he rued.

Yet Virgil van Dijk did not plead misfortune. “I think it's down to ourselves,” said the Liverpool captain. “It was slow, we were predictable, sloppy in possession and [guilty of] wrong decision-making.” It was an excoriating verdict but scarcely an exaggeration.

Defeat came late but Liverpool could trace it to their sluggish start. Even as they picked up the pace, even as Mohamed Salah ended a Premier League goal drought that had extended over four months, even though Wolves did not attempt a shot of any kind until their opening goal, Liverpool arguably did too little over the course of a match that was three-quarters forgettable fare, one quarter frenetic entertainment.

Wolves began frustrating Liverpool with their obduracy and ended doing it with their attacking. They began compact and organised, four central midfielders and three centre-backs forming a solid block. But Edwards rationalised the game would open up and made influential substitutions.

Two combined for the breakthrough with a second goal in as many games for the man who finished off Villa. Rodrigo Gomes had only been on the pitch for eight minutes when he struck. A fellow replacement, Tolu Arokodare, was too strong for Van Dijk, turning him and supplying on the on-rushing Gomes to dink a shot over Alisson.

After Salah levelled, as Liverpool committed men forward in the search for a winner, so did Wolves. After Alisson’s poor kick, Andre’s shot looped up off Joe Gomez and left the goalkeeper helpless. Wolves, the team with the four Gomeses, got the decisive touch from a Gomez. “We conceded a deflected shot, which was not even a chance,” said Slot.

Liverpool are nevertheless left to consider the prospect their struggles against their supposed inferiors will cost them a top-five finish. They have lost to Nottingham Forest and Wolves this season, drawn with Burnley and Leeds. Some 12 points have escaped their grasped in those games.

When it seemed they had salvaged something at Molineux, it was when Salah briefly turned back time. There are times, even when their powers are waning, when the greats can summon a little of their old selves. Hitherto ineffectual, Salah then darted into a gap and improvised a finish which he flicked with the outside of his left foot. Jose Sa got his left hand to it, but the ball nestled in the net. Salah’s 253rd Liverpool goal was his first in the Premier League since November.

Perhaps, though, it summed up the current Salah that it did not prevent defeat. Liverpool had struck the woodwork twice, in distinctly different fashion. A couple of minutes before Salah struck, Rio Ngumoha’s low shot was brilliantly turned on to the post by Sa. Just after half-time, a combination of Curtis Jones’s shoulder and Cody Gakpo’s boot turned the ball on the bar after Hugo Ekitike had flicked on Salah’s corner. After three goals from set-pieces against West Ham on Saturday, Liverpool ought to have had another.

But they mustered too little else. “What didn’t change in the last five, six seven games is that we struggle and find it very hard to score from open play chances that we do create,” admitted Slot. Nor did they create enough.

This was a game that was crying out for Ngumoha long before his introduction, though, at 64 minutes, it was the earliest he had come on in the Premier League. Gakpo, though, had been poor as a starter.

And Wolves finished with a flourish; on the night and perhaps over the season. After one win all season, they have two in a week. “We are showing we are not as bad as people thought,” said Edwards, whose touchline dash showed the emotional relief of victory and brought pain, though not the sort Slot was feeling. “It's my groin this time,” the Wolves manager said. “I'm falling apart.”

Grand Casino Arena will be filled to the brim at various points this week as fans descend on St. Paul to watch the Minnesota boys high school hockey state tournament in person.

But for those hoping to view the action from afar on your TV, computer or phone, you have plenty of options to do so across Minnesota, from the Twin Cities to Duluth, Rochester and beyond.

Here’s where you can find the action on various devices

Antenna television channels

Twin Cities: 5.2

Duluth: 10.2

Rochester/Austin: 6.2

Alexandria: 42.2

Redwood Falls: 43.2

Bemidji: 28.2

Park Rapids: 32.2

Wadena: 17.2

Brainerd: 16.2

On your cable/satellite provider

Twin Cities: KSTC 45TV

Duluth: MeTV

Iron Range: MeTV

Southeast Minnesota: Start TV

On your phone

Download the KSTP 5 app

On your Smart TV, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV or Google TV

Download the KSTP 5 app

On your computer

Click on this link, or visit https://kstp.com/45tv/prep45/mshsl-tournaments/#streamingplayer

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HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER  
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL PLAYOFFS
TUESDAY’S FIRST ROUND RESULTS 

BOYS 
DIVISION I
#1 Mater Dei 2, #8 Santa Monica 0
#4 El Camino Real 1, #5 Placentia Valencia 0
#3 Del Norte 4, #6 JSerra 1
#2 Orange Lutheran 3, #7 St. Augustine 2

DIVISION II
#8 Sultana 3, #1 Torrey Pines 2
#4 San Pascual 4, #5 Anaheim Canyon 0
#3 Fontana 4, #6 Hilltop 1
#2 Mira Monte 0, #7 Birmingham 0 (Mira Monte wins 4-1 in shootout)

DIVISION III
#1 Bishop Amat 1, #8 Godinez 0
#4 Palisades 1, #5 Bakersfield Liberty 1 (Palisades wins 3-2 in shootout)
#6 Los Alamitos d. #3 Bonita Vista, forfeit
#7 Mt. Carmel 2, #2 Newport Harbor 1

DIVISION IV 
#1 Irvine University 4, #8 Animo Leadership 2
#5 Chatsworth 4, #4 Bakersfield 1
#6 Santa Ana Valley 3, #3 La Jolla 1
#2 Granite Hills 2, #7 Esperanza 0

DIVISION V
#1 Ontario Christian 2, #8 LA Roosevelt 0
#5 Kern County Taft 2, #4 North Hollywood 1
#3 Garfield 1, #6 Orange County Pacifica Christian 1 (Garfield wins 5-4 in shootout)
#7 San Diego Lincoln 3, #2 Pasadena Poly 1

GIRLS 

DIVISION I
#1 Santa Margarita 2, #8 Eastvale Roosevelt 2 (SM wins 3-2 in shootout)
#4 Cleveland 2, #5 Redondo Union 0
#6 Oaks Christian 1, #3 Mt. Carmel 0
#2 Mater Dei 5, #7 North County San Marcos 0

DIVISION II
#8 Westview 1, #1 Newport Harbor 0
#5 Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 3, #4 Carlsbad 0
#3 Garces Memorial 1, #6 Granada Hills 0
#2 Westlake 1, #7 La Costa Canyon 0

DIVISION III
#1 Del Norte 4, #8 Palisades 3
#4 Quartz Hill 3, #5 El Diamante 0
#3 Ayala 7, #6 Crescenta Valley 2
#2 Millikan 7, #7 Tulare Western 0

DIVISION IV
#8 Segerstrom 1, #1 Birmingham 1 (Segerstrom wins 4-2 in shootout)
#5 Coachella Valley 3, #4 Ramona 2
#3 San Jacinto 1, #6 Mission Vista 0
#7 Del Sol 0, #2 Immaculate Heart 0 (Del Sol wins 4-3 in shootout)

DIVISION V
#8 Coastal Academy 1, #1 Ocean View 0
#5 Bravo 2, #4 Webb 1
#3 Delano Kennedy 2, #6 Marquez 2 (Kennedy wins in shootout)
#2 Santa Monica Pacifica Christian 4, #7 Sun Valley Poly 3

Note: Semifinals 1 p.m. or 5 p.m. Thursday at higher seeds; Finals 1 p.m. or 5 p.m. Saturday at host sites; State Championships March 13-14 at Matomas High in Sacramento (times TBA).  

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

LOS ANGELES — There are pretty wins, and then there are necessary wins. Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena fell squarely into the second category.

With under five minutes remaining and the Pelicans clinging to a 94-93 lead, the Lakers looked disjointed, turnover-prone and in danger of letting one slip. Then came the pivot.

Austin Reaves buried a right-wing three to give the Lakers a 96-94 edge. On the next trip, Luka Dončić drove hard into the paint, absorbed contact that went unwhistled and finished anyway — roaring back at the referee as the ball dropped through. It wasn’t subtle. It was emotional. It was the spark.

The Lakers never looked back.

They closed the game on a 24-7 run, outscoring New Orleans by 17 over the final seven minutes to secure a 110-101 win — their third straight. In a game that felt chaotic for long stretches, they were clinical when it mattered most.

At 17-5 in clutch games, the Lakers now own the best clutch win percentage in the NBA. Dončić pointed to something simple afterward.

“Purpose,” he said of the fourth-quarter surge.

And even he admitted it wasn’t pretty.

“Sometimes you gotta win by playing bad, that’s what good teams do,” Dončić said. “Obviously wasn’t our best game but we got the win.”

Luka’s Edge — and the Line He’s Walking

Dončić finished with 27 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in 38 minutes, shaking off seven turnovers and a 3-for-10 night from deep. With under a minute left, he drilled the dagger three and — yes — let the officials hear about it again.

His technical foul was his 14th of the season. Two more means an automatic suspension, with 21 games remaining. This was just his first since Jan. 20. The balance between fire and control will matter. Especially with the standings tightening.

The Big Three — Imperfect, Effective

It wasn’t a masterpiece from the Lakers’ stars, but it was enough. LeBron James added 21 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in 33 minutes, though he committed five turnovers and shot 1-for-5 from three. He now sits at 15,835 regular-season field goals — just three shy of passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (15,837) for the all-time record.

Head coach JJ Redick made it clear there will be no stat-chasing.

“I wouldn’t coach a basketball game that way to try to get a guy a record,” Redick said. “He’ll get his record, and we’re trying to win a basketball game.”

James echoed the team-first tone when asked about lineup combinations with Dončić and Reaves.

“If I’m on the court, I just play with whoever’s on the floor with us. I don’t analyze lineups. It’s my job no matter who I’m on the floor with to try to make it happen.”

Reaves, meanwhile, contributed 15 points, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks — and perhaps the most honest quote of the night when discussing defending Zion Williamson.

“Don’t be scared to get out of the way, I was terrified,” Reaves said. “There was no way in hell I was taking a charge. He was running too fast. I just kind of slid out the way & let him have a layup.”

Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) dunking the basketball during an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 3rd, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.

Defense, Energy and 12 Blocks

The Lakers forced the issue defensively, finishing with 12 total blocks — every starter recorded at least one. The Pelicans had just three. They generated 28 fast-break points to New Orleans’ 18 and survived 22 turnovers by compensating with rim protection and late-game execution.

James thought the defensive strides were real.

“I think we’ve made some strides defensively,” James said. “The man-to-man defense was pretty good. Jaxson and Marcus were great on that end and then everybody else trickled in as well.”

Smart and Hayes Change the Game

Marcus Smart described it as “chaotic.” He wasn’t wrong. But he also changed it.

Smart finished with 10 points, seven assists and four steals in 30 minutes, hounding ballhandlers and battling Zion throughout. Redick didn’t mince words.

“He gave us life tonight,” Redick said. 

Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) gesturing at referees during an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 3rd, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.

Smart called it collective toughness.

“We were all in there, sacrificing our body,” Smart said. “Not once did anybody start freaking out or start panicking.”

On one sequence, guarding two players, Smart anticipated a pass and jumped the lane for a steal — the type of instinctual play that has defined his career.

“That’s what I do,” Smart said. “My mind works in that way and I made a great play for my team.”

Jaxson Hayes brought similar energy off the bench: eight points, six rebounds, two blocks and four critical offensive boards in 23 minutes.

“He’s a good basketball player that frankly, consistently injects energy into the group,” Redick said. Later, he added that Smart and Hayes “changed the game.”

Deandre Ayton was efficient as well, posting 13 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in 25 minutes.

The Bigger Picture

The Lakers improved to 37-24, just a half-game out of the fifth seed and only 1½ games behind third in the West. With 21 games remaining, the margin for error is thin — and nights like Tuesday, messy as they are, carry weight.

But when it tightened, they executed with purpose.

Sometimes that’s the mark of a team growing into something more than highlight reels and stat lines.  A team learning how to close. And right now, the Lakers are closing.

The 100-day countdown to the World Cup launch has passed, it's here!

The 2026 World Cup begins in 99 days. Let's celebrate with a special World Cup edition of FC Ptit Déj!

🎥 The WTF moments from the last World Cup

📸 The South Africa banger

This Tuesday, exactly 100 days before the start of the World Cup, a participating team unveiled its home jersey for the competition.

This team is South Africa. And the jersey, crafted by Adidas, is amazing!

The legends of the World Cup

The official X account of the World Cup released a cool video where several players who will compete in the next World Cup reveal their legends of the competition.

Some great players are mentioned!

The must-sees from yesterday 🍿

- OFFICIAL: Rodrygo out for the World Cup!

- Rodrygo's first words after the announcement of his terrible injury

TV Schedule 🎥

8:30 PM: Aston Villa vs Chelsea (Canal + Live)

8:30 PM: Brighton vs Arsenal (Canal + Live)

8:30 PM: Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest (Canal + Live)

8:30 PM: Lorient vs Nice (beIN Sports)

9 PM: OM vs Toulouse (beIN Sports)

9:15 PM: Newcastle vs Manchester United (Canal + Foot)

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

Brooklyn Nets (15-46, 14th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Miami Heat (33-29, eighth in the Eastern Conference)

Miami; Thursday, 7:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Miami hosts Brooklyn looking to prolong its three-game home winning streak.

The Heat are 17-18 in conference play. Miami is third in the league with 54.4 points in the paint led by Jaime Jaquez Jr. averaging 10.2.

The Nets have gone 11-27 against Eastern Conference opponents. Brooklyn is the worst team in the Eastern Conference scoring averaging 106.8 points per game while shooting 44.5%.

The Heat are shooting 46.4% from the field this season, 3.2 percentage points lower than the 49.6% the Nets allow to opponents. The Heat average 106.8 points per game, 9.9 fewer points than the 116.7 the Heat allow.

The teams square off for the third time this season. In the last matchup on March 4 the Heat won 124-98 led by 23 points from Bam Adebayo, while Noah Clowney scored 17 points for the Nets.

TOP PERFORMERS: Adebayo is averaging 18.7 points and 9.9 rebounds for the Heat. Andrew Wiggins is averaging 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds over the last 10 games.

Michael Porter Jr. is scoring 24.1 points per game and averaging 6.9 rebounds for the Nets. Clowney is averaging 2.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Heat: 6-4, averaging 119.9 points, 50.5 rebounds, 28.0 assists, 8.9 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.7 points per game.

Nets: 1-9, averaging 104.2 points, 37.7 rebounds, 26.1 assists, 8.5 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 44.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.9 points.

INJURIES: Heat: Nikola Jovic: day to day (back), Norman Powell: out (groin).

Nets: Egor Demin: day to day (injury management).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Chicago Bulls (25-37, 12th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (34-26, seventh in the Western Conference)

Phoenix; Thursday, 9 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Chicago will attempt to stop its five-game road losing streak when the Bulls visit Phoenix.

The Suns have gone 20-12 at home. Phoenix is sixth in the league allowing just 111.4 points per game while holding opponents to 46.9% shooting.

The Bulls are 9-19 on the road. Chicago is second in the Eastern Conference with 34.6 defensive rebounds per game led by Josh Giddey averaging 7.0.

The Suns are shooting 45.3% from the field this season, 2.2 percentage points lower than the 47.5% the Bulls allow to opponents. The Bulls average 115.7 points per game, 4.3 more than the 111.4 the Suns give up.

TOP PERFORMERS: Mark Williams is averaging 11.6 points and 8.1 rebounds for the Suns. Collin Gillespie is averaging 13.9 points over the last 10 games.

Matas Buzelis is averaging 15.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks for the Bulls. Collin Sexton is averaging 13.6 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Suns: 4-6, averaging 103.7 points, 44.1 rebounds, 22.6 assists, 8.8 steals and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting 42.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.2 points per game.

Bulls: 1-9, averaging 108.9 points, 42.7 rebounds, 25.3 assists, 8.9 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 44.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.9 points.

INJURIES: Suns: Jordan Goodwin: out (calf), Dillon Brooks: out (hand).

Bulls: Anfernee Simons: day to day (wrist), Noa Essengue: out for season (shoulder), Jaden Ivey: out (knee), Patrick Williams: day to day (quadriceps), Zach Collins: out for season (toe), Jalen Smith: day to day (calf).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Oklahoma City Thunder (48-15, first in the Western Conference) vs. New York Knicks (40-22, third in the Eastern Conference)

New York; Wednesday, 7 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Thunder -4.5; over/under is 221.5

BOTTOM LINE: Oklahoma City seeks to keep its three-game win streak alive when the Thunder take on New York.

The Knicks have gone 23-8 at home. New York is fourth in the league averaging 14.8 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 37.5% from deep. Jalen Brunson leads the team averaging 2.9 makes while shooting 37.8% from 3-point range.

The Thunder are 23-8 on the road. Oklahoma City is seventh in the Western Conference with 25.5 assists per game led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaging 6.4.

The Knicks make 47.2% of their shots from the field this season, which is 3.6 percentage points higher than the Thunder have allowed to their opponents (43.6%). The Thunder average 13.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.1 fewer makes per game than the Knicks give up.

TOP PERFORMERS: Karl-Anthony Towns is shooting 48.0% and averaging 19.8 points for the Knicks. Brunson is averaging 24.8 points over the last 10 games.

Isaiah Joe is shooting 44.6% and averaging 11.0 points for the Thunder. Jared McCain is averaging 2.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Knicks: 7-3, averaging 115.3 points, 44.5 rebounds, 28.9 assists, 8.8 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 48.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 103.7 points per game.

Thunder: 8-2, averaging 114.9 points, 45.9 rebounds, 25.5 assists, 9.4 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 45.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.5 points.

INJURIES: Knicks: Miles McBride: out (ankle).

Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: day to day (abdominal), Ajay Mitchell: day to day (abdomen), Branden Carlson: day to day (back), Jalen Williams: out (hamstring), Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee), Isaiah Hartenstein: day to day (injury management).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Charlotte Hornets (31-31, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (41-20, second in the Eastern Conference)

Boston; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Celtics -6.5; over/under is 214.5

BOTTOM LINE: Charlotte is looking to keep its five-game win streak alive when the Hornets take on Boston.

The Celtics are 27-13 against Eastern Conference opponents. Boston is sixth in the NBA with 46.2 rebounds led by Nikola Vucevic averaging 8.8.

The Hornets are 19-21 in conference matchups. Charlotte is 7-8 when it turns the ball over less than its opponents and averages 15.0 turnovers per game.

The Celtics average 15.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.7 more made shots on average than the 12.8 per game the Hornets allow. The Hornets average 16.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.1 more made shots on average than the 13.9 per game the Celtics allow.

TOP PERFORMERS: Jaylen Brown is averaging 29 points, 7.1 rebounds and five assists for the Celtics. Payton Pritchard is averaging 17 points and 5.8 assists over the past 10 games.

Kon Knueppel is averaging 19.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the Hornets. Brandon Miller is averaging 22.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 8-2, averaging 109.4 points, 50.7 rebounds, 27.1 assists, 6.1 steals and 6.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 98.5 points per game.

Hornets: 7-3, averaging 117.3 points, 47.8 rebounds, 27.4 assists, 8.5 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.2 points.

INJURIES: Celtics: Jayson Tatum: out (achilles), Neemias Queta: day to day (rest).

Hornets: Coby White: day to day (injury management).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Utah Jazz (18-43, 14th in the Western Conference) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (33-28, sixth in the Eastern Conference)

Philadelphia; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: 76ers -9.5; over/under is 241.5

BOTTOM LINE: Utah heads into the matchup against Philadelphia as losers of six straight games.

The 76ers are 16-16 on their home court. Philadelphia has a 14-21 record against opponents above .500.

The Jazz are 7-22 on the road. Utah ranks third in the Western Conference scoring 52.1 points per game in the paint led by Lauri Markkanen averaging 11.7.

The 76ers score 116.0 points per game, 9.8 fewer points than the 125.8 the Jazz allow. The Jazz average 12.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.3 fewer makes per game than the 76ers allow.

TOP PERFORMERS: Tyrese Maxey is averaging 29 points, 6.7 assists and two steals for the 76ers. VJ Edgecombe is averaging 15.9 points over the last 10 games.

Isaiah Collier is scoring 11.0 points per game and averaging 2.5 rebounds for the Jazz. Brice Sensabaugh is averaging 15.6 points and 3.4 rebounds over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: 76ers: 4-6, averaging 111.7 points, 42.3 rebounds, 22.0 assists, 10.2 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 44.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.3 points per game.

Jazz: 2-8, averaging 115.8 points, 44.6 rebounds, 26.7 assists, 11.3 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 45.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.0 points.

INJURIES: 76ers: Johni Broome: out (knee), Joel Embiid: out (oblique), VJ Edgecombe: day to day (back), Kelly Oubre Jr.: day to day (illness).

Jazz: Lauri Markkanen: out (ankle), Vince Williams Jr.: out for season (acl), Walker Kessler: out for season (shoulder), Jusuf Nurkic: out for season (nose), Jaren Jackson Jr.: out for season (knee).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Portland Trail Blazers (29-33, 10th in the Western Conference) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (23-37, 11th in the Western Conference)

Memphis, Tennessee; Wednesday, 8 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Trail Blazers -6.5; over/under is 237.5

BOTTOM LINE: Deni Avdija and the Portland Trail Blazers take on Cam Spencer and the Memphis Grizzlies in Western Conference action.

The Grizzlies are 18-24 against Western Conference opponents. Memphis has a 2-4 record in one-possession games.

The Trail Blazers are 22-18 in Western Conference play. Portland gives up 118.4 points to opponents and has been outscored by 3.2 points per game.

The Grizzlies are shooting 46.2% from the field this season, 1.4 percentage points lower than the 47.6% the Trail Blazers allow to opponents. The Trail Blazers average 115.2 points per game, 2.5 fewer than the 117.7 the Grizzlies allow to opponents.

The two teams match up for the fourth time this season. The Trail Blazers defeated the Grizzlies 122-115 in their last matchup on Feb. 8. Jerami Grant led the Trail Blazers with 29 points, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper led the Grizzlies with 25 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Spencer is shooting 47.7% and averaging 11.4 points for the Grizzlies. Jaylen Wells is averaging 1.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Avdija is averaging 24.4 points, seven rebounds and 6.6 assists for the Trail Blazers. Jrue Holiday is averaging 19.3 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Grizzlies: 3-7, averaging 117.2 points, 36.9 rebounds, 28.6 assists, 12.6 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.2 points per game.

Trail Blazers: 5-5, averaging 113.2 points, 45.0 rebounds, 26.2 assists, 7.7 steals and 6.2 blocks per game while shooting 45.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.9 points.

INJURIES: Grizzlies: Santi Aldama: day to day (injury management), Taj Gibson: day to day (coach decision), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: out for season (finger), Ja Morant: out (elbow), Zach Edey: out for season (ankle), Brandon Clarke: out (calf).

Trail Blazers: Kris Murray: day to day (illness), Deni Avdija: day to day (back), Shaedon Sharpe: out (calf), Damian Lillard: out for season (achilles).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

What channel is Devils vs. Leafs on today? Time, TV schedule, live stream to watch Wednesday NHL game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

In a matchup where the desperation of the trade deadline meets the urgency of a collapsing playoff race, the Toronto Maple Leafs travel to the Prudential Center tomorrow night to face the New Jersey Devils.

With the March 6 deadline now looming, both clubs find themselves on the outside of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, separated by just three points. For Toronto, coming off a frustrating shootout loss to the Flyers, this is a final opportunity to prove they are buyers rather than sellers. For Sheldon Keefe’s Devils, who have struggled to find consistency all season, it’s a must-win at home to avoid a total teardown before Friday’s 3 p.m. ET cutoff.

The storylines on the ice are just as volatile as the rumors off it. All eyes will be on Brandon Carlo, whose return to the lineup for Toronto comes amid heavy speculation that the Leafs are looking to move him to recoup assets. Meanwhile, the Devils will lean on Jack Hughes to ignite an offense that has been uncharacteristically quiet during their recent slide.

With both front offices reportedly active on the phones, tomorrow’s result could very well determine which of these rosters stays intact and which is dismantled by the time they hit the ice again on Saturday.

Here's everything you need to know about the game, from TV to streaming options.

What channel is Leafs vs. Devils on tonight?

• TV channel: N/A
• Live stream:ESPN App

Maple Leafs vs. Devils will not air on a national TV channel. Hockey fans can stream the game on the ESPN App.

Catch all your favorite hockey action with the ESPN App. Just download the enhanced ESPN app, sign in with your account, and you're set to stream live out-of-market NHL games, originals, and more —all in one place. 

Leafs vs. Devils start time

• Date: Wednesday, Mar. 4
• Time: 7 p.m. ET

Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens will start at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 8. The game will be played at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Leafs vs. Devils radio station

• Radio station:SiriusXM channel 91

Fans can listen to the Maple Leafs vs. Devils broadcast live on SiriusXM channel 91.

New subscribers can listen to SiriusXM for free for four months. Listen to live NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.

Leafs schedule 2025-26

Here are the next five games on Toronto's 2025-26 schedule:

Devils schedule 2025-26

Here are the next five games on New Jersey's 2025-26 schedule:

Related Links

• Latest NHL news and rumors
• Full NHL schedule, scores for 2025-26
• How to bet on the NHL

Ranking the NFL’s best free agent RBs available in 2026, from Kenneth Walker III to Aaron Jones originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The free-agent running back class in 2026 won't come close to having the same special impact as those stars signed in 2024.

Two years later, with Breece Hall franchise-tagged by the Jets, there's not much in the way of feature backs, but some good complementary and backup options available.

Here's looking at the veteran runners (and receivers) who can help teams most on the open market:

FREE AGENCY: Ranking top 100 free agents, best players available by position

NFL free agent RB rankings 2026

1. Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks (age: 25)

Walker is coming off his dominant Super Bowl 60 MVP performance vs. the Patriots. He is a power runner with extra juice to the outside and is better off staying as the early-down option, with limited touches give a few nicks for receiving and pass protection.

2. Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars (age: 27)

Etienne looks ready to sign elsewhere as the team can move on fine with second-year back Bhayshul Tuten and others in Liam Coen's offense. The Chiefs should covet his versatility as they try to clean up their backfield and can no longer pursue Hall.

3. Tyler Allgeier, Falcons (age: 25)

Allgeier should have plenty of appeal as a reliable all-around power back with his previous work behind Bijan Robinson. He would fit best as a goal-line type change of pace, like he was in Atlanta.

MORE: Ranking the top QBs in 2026 free agency

4. Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers (age: 26)

Gainwell was a valuable, versatile Eagle before having some explosive work to complement Jaylen Warren in Pittsburgh. He might get a chance to return late in the process.

5. Rico Dowdle, Panthers (age: 27)

Dowdle flashed big-game ability in Carolina but couldn't get the key workload over Chuba Hubbard in the end. He does a little of everything well as a strong backup, like he was for a long time in Dallas.

6. Brian Robinson Jr., 49ers (age: 26)

Robinson rebounded from his time in Washington to one of Christian McCaffrey's strongest backups. He can find more power and pop in any Kyle Shanahan adjacent zone-blocking offense.

7. JK Dobbins, Broncos (age: 27)

Dobbins can be dynamic and red zone productive when on the field, but durability issues have lingered throughout his whole career in Baltimore and Denver. Whoever signs him must have a solid No. 2 option.

MORE:Sporting News' 2-round mock draft

8. Rachaad White, Buccaneers (age: 27)

White went from a receiving option in the Tom Brady era with limited running pop to someone now just as valuable in the rushing attack. He got overtaken by Bucky Irving with the Bucs, but it would be intriguing in a more even committee.

9. Najee Harris, Chargers (age: 27)

Harris was off to a promising start with his second team after leaving Pittsburgh but was quickly derailed by a torn Achilles. He is still a solid power running with good receiving skills, who might be a good fit replacing David Montgomery in Detroit.

MORE:Top 140 big board of top prospects in 2026

10. Aaron Jones, Vikings (age: 31)

Until the Cardinals put James Conner on the market, Jones would be the older, reliable available with Minnesota planning to release him. He would work well again with a young back, much like Dobbins did with R.J. Harvey and did with Omarion Hampton.

Barcelona could not overcome the four-goal deficit from the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Atletico Madrid, but did put in a strong performance.

Joan Garcia – 7

The honest truth is that he had little to do, but made one smart save down to his left. Was relatively sharp out of his goal.

Jules Kounde – N/A

Off after 11 minutes with injury, highly unfortunate for Kounde, who had started well. Will miss their Champions League tie against Newcastle United.

Pau Cubarsi – 9

Cubarsi has struggled this season, but this was his best performance in 18 months. Absolutely brilliant for a Barcelona that defended aggressively, suffocating first Julian Alvarez and then Alexander Sorloth, and had stunning last-man challenge on Alex Baena that kept Barcelona live. Most impressive was his anticipation and his decision-making, putting his foot in where necessary.

Image via FC Barcelona

Gerard Martin – 6.5

Several hasty passes and crosses gave the ball away on multiple occasions in the first half. Largely solid going the other way, had a good chance late on to hit the target.

Joao Cancelo – 8

Switched to right-back after Kounde’s injury early on. Strong in the challenge, and neat with his play, Cancelo looked at home. Most of Barcelona’s attacking play came through him and Lamine Yamal, and he generated plenty of danger. Picked up a nice assist for Bernal too.

Marc Bernal – 8.5

This was the first big game that Marc Bernal started, and he finished with medals on his lapel, even if Barcelona won’t be in Seville. Quite apart from his brace, both goals well taken, Bernal was crucial in being able to put the clamps on Atletico Madrid, with Koke and Johnny Cardoso struggling to find clean passes.

Pedri – 9

Another masterclass from Pedri. Basically couldn’t move after the 75th minute, and somehow still made two last-man tackles on Alexander Sorloth. If Barcelona had a chance in this one though, it was because of Pedri, who denatured Atletico’s pressing efforts, and found ways to get Lamine Yamal the ball in better positions. Won the penalty too.

Lamine Yamal – 9

Lamine Yamal played like he had 99% faith. Time and again he demanded the ball, time and again he beat Matteo Ruggeri, Ademola Lookman and David Hancko. The first goal comes from his brilliant assist, the second he was involved in, and if Barcelona were to find a fourth, it was coming from him. In this form, it’s almost impossible to contain him.

Fermin Lopez – 5.5

A strangely mute performance from Fermin, who was withdrawn for the closing stages. The couple of shooting opportunities he did have, he could not connect with properly, and generally just didn’t make his presence felt, which he almost always does.

Raphinha – 7

It was a poor first half, where he wasted several good positions, but he improved after the penalty. Still, even in the second half, he struggled to find spaces or shooting opportunities. That said, he remained a motor behind Barcelona’s pressure.

Image via Enric Fontcuberta / EFE

Ferran Torres – 4.5

A rough and rusty night for Ferran, who could complain little when he was taken off first. Had three half-chances in the first half, none of which he should have scored, but you would expect better from at least one. Was involved in the play for the penalty, but that stood out precisely because he was so absent from the build-up.

Substitutes

Alejandro Balde – 6.5

Forced on early for Kounde. Defended relatively well for an hour before being forced off in tears, but didn’t add much either.

Dani Olmo – 5

On for Fermin after 64 minutes, Olmo was also incapable of finding fissures in the Atletico midfield. Struggled to give his side the energy they needed in the final stages too.

Marcus Rashford – 6.5

Was a little starved of service on the left, with no supply line close to him, but did well when he got the ball, winning a number of corners.

Ronald Araujo – 5

Sent on up front for the final 20 minutes, a role that is not necessarily his, so it is hard to be too critical. Yet the Atletico defence were completely unfazed by his presence in the box, and he was caught offside on a couple of occasions.

No. 19 Miami secured its first Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship in 21 years on Tuesday.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Miami claimed its 22^nd all-time MAC regular season title by beating Toledo, 74-72, in front of a sellout crowd at Millett Hall.

Peter Suder led four RedHawks in double figures with 19 points. Antwone Woolfolk scored 14 while Brant Byers finished with 13 points. Luke Skaljac had 11 points.

Miami improved to 30-0 overall and 17-0 in the MAC. They remain the nation’s only unbeaten team in Division I men’s basketball.

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The Red and White jumped out to an 11-2 lead to start the game. They led by as many as 13 points, 31-18, thanks to Skaljac’s three-pointer with 7:43 left in the first half.

But the Rockets responded with a 12-0 run, cutting the deficit to 31-30. Suder closed the first half with a layup to put Miami ahead, 40-35, at the break.

The RedHawks built a second-half lead, 54-45, with 12:32 remaining. But Toledo went on an 11-2 run to cut the deficit to 56-55 with 9:32 left.

Eian Elmer buried a three-pointer to end a four-minute scoring drought as Miami led, 59-55.

The Rockets trailed, 74-72, and had a chance to win the game. But Skaljac forced a turnover with one-tenth of a second left.

With the win, the RedHawks will be the No. 1 seed in the upcoming MAC Tournament in Cleveland.

Miami concludes the regular season at Ohio in Athens in the Battle of the Bricks.

Tip-off is at 9 p.m.

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Aston Villa boss Unai Emery believes playing at Villa Park will be an advantage ahead of Wednesday night’s game against Chelsea.

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The Blues travel to the Midlands in what is a huge game in the race for Champions League football, and a win would see them close the gap to Villa in fourth to three points.

Chelsea currently sit sixth, three points behind Liverpool, although they’ve played a game less than the Champions, whilst they’re six points behind both Villa and Manchester United in third and fourth.

Unai Emery on why he’s confident for Chelsea game

Chelsea aren’t on the best run of form heading into the game, with defeat against Arsenal on Sunday making it two points from their last three games.

Villa likewise are struggling and lost to bottom club Wolves on Friday night, but the Blues know anything other than a win will be another blow to their hopes of finishing in the top five.

Villa beat Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)

Chelsea are without the suspended Pedro Neto, whilst Estevao is still sidelined, although there’s a chance Marc Cucurella could return. 

Villa won the reverse fixture 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, and Emery is confident home advantage will help his side on Wednesday.

“Our objective is to be in Europe, and we are in. Even not in good form, we are in,” he told Aston Villa’s website.

“And, of course, we are every day trying to recover our good form and our confidence, and tomorrow, Chelsea is our opponent, and, of course, it’s a tough match.

“In Villa Park, we are feeling, overall, really comfortable, playing, showing our form, consistency, except the last matches as we played.

“And, of course, we want to recover our good form at home. We were winning a lot of matches in a row, and we were feeling so, so strong.”

An opportunity for Alejandro Garnacho

With Pedro Neto suspended and both Jamie Gittens and Estevao injured, there’s potentially a huge opportunity for Alejandro Garnacho.

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The Argentine hasn’t featured much under Liam Rosenior, but looked bright when he came off the bench against Arsenal.

Given he’s the only winger available on Wednesday, it’s likely Garnacho will start, and he’s got a huge opportunity to show what he can do, and stake a claim for more regular minutes.

Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:

George Russell is exuding a quiet sense of confidence as he prepares for the start of what could be a defining year for him in Formula 1.

The Mercedes driver is neither playing down the tag of pre-season championship favourite, nor leaning into it.

It feels more like it's something that changes nothing, has no relevance to the job in hand, which is being the best he can be.

Russell has been asked about it a number of times these past few weeks leading up to the Australian Grand Prix. When he is, he addresses it briefly, sometimes tangentially, and moves on.

A comment about Mercedes having "a lot of potential", for example, was quickly followed by concerns about his car's ability to get off the line, compared with the Ferrari's rocket-ship starts, and about some reliability issues that hit his team in the pre-season testing in Bahrain.

"It does not change my approach one single bit," Russell says. "I'm working so hard with the team, everybody here has been working flat out to really maximise this new set of regulations and I'm honestly just so excited by the challenge.

"Because it is a huge challenge adapting to these new cars, how the energy management works, the re-harvesting of the batteries, getting your head around the boost system, the overtake modes, the active aero.

"There's a lot of things we need to learn very quickly, but I feel I can take advantage from that and I feel confident with myself and my team."

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The Briton, who turned 28 last month, has been among the most accepting of the new rules founded in engines with a 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power. His mindset seems both positive and fully focused on what's to come.

Russell is entering his eighth F1 season, and his fifth with Mercedes, and has proved himself without any question to be one of the elite in his sport.

Three seasons with Williams from 2019-21, with team-mates of questionable quality, made it difficult to judge his absolute potential, but some stand-out qualifying performances left little real doubt.

Putting a Williams - one of the slowest cars in the field at the time - second on the grid at Spa-Francorchamps in the wet in 2021 has to stand as one of the all-time great qualifying laps, for example.

When Russell joined Mercedes in 2022, his expectation was that he would become a regular winner and championship contender immediately - the team had just become constructors' champions for a record eighth consecutive time.

But it was Russell's bad luck to join Mercedes just as they made a hash of the new regulations that were introduced in 2022. In four seasons, they never really got on top of them to have a consistently competitive car. There were mere flashes of pace, never fully understood.

Russell had to be satisfied with proving himself against his team-mate. There was at least considerable satisfaction to be gained from that, given that he spent his first three seasons at Mercedes alongside Lewis Hamilton, the most successful F1 driver of all time.

Over their three seasons together, Russell came out on top in two. He has won five races in the past four years, and last season was the only driver to win apart from the three title contenders, McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

With Verstappen universally acknowledged as the standard to whom all others have to aspire, Russell is one of a small elite group of drivers who stand out from the rest. He's also become a leader among the driver group, through his role as one of three directors of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association.

"It's always nice if your driver is the favourite for the bookmakers and I think he deserves it because he's one of the best," team principal Toto Wolff says.

"He's shown us where the performance of the car is and it's been overall more than great to us. George has been in Formula 1 a long time. He's a benchmark."

For seven years now, Russell has been a driver just waiting for the right car, and this year he might have it. This year's new rules have given Mercedes a chance for a reset, and the indication so far is that they have made a much better job of it than last time around.

The feeling in the paddock leaving testing last month is that Mercedes and Ferrari were the teams in the best shape, with Red Bull and McLaren perhaps a little behind in a relatively closely matched top four that is more than a second a lap clear of everyone else.

Russell is confident enough in Mercedes' potential to say that he "thinks we've delivered a very strong car" but he's wary of the performance of Red Bull's new engine.

Even so, his sights are set high. "I do want to go head-to-head with Max," he says. "and obviously Lando had a great season last year."

As things stand, before Melbourne gives the first glimpse of a real competitive order, Russell's obvious potential rivals this year are Verstappen, Norris, Piastri and the two Ferrari drivers, Charles Leclerc and Hamilton, if the seven-time champion can rediscover the mojo he appeared to have lost last year, and to some extent in 2024.

Of Russell's 19-year-old team-mate Kimi Antonelli, who is going into his second season after an up-and-down debut in 2025, Wolff says: "I'm absolutely certain it will be a good year for him, but I don't think we should expect him to be like George all the time."

Russell is good friends with world champion Norris and Leclerc. The three came up through the junior ranks together and all believe that the intense competition they gave each other, along with Williams' Alex Albon, was an important factor in them all reaching F1, as it forced each to keep raising their own standards to keep up with the others.

But it's perhaps a fight with Verstappen that whets the appetite most.

Russell and Verstappen rub along well enough on a surface level, quite happy to chat as and when they end up in news conferences together. But the tension between them is not in doubt.

They had an almighty falling out at the end of the 2024 season, when Verstappen said he'd "lost all respect" for Russell after the Qatar Grand Prix, and accused him of being instrumental in him getting a one-place grid penalty for that race.

Russell responded by saying Verstappen "cannot deal with adversity" and that "people have been bullied by Max for years".

Equally, would Verstappen have responded as he did, if it had been another driver involved in the series of incidents which led to the red-mist moment in which the Dutchman appeared to deliberately drive into Russell's car in Spain last year?

Verstappen has admitted his reaction that day was "not good". But there seems little doubt that a title fight between these two would not be as relatively harmonious as was last year's between Norris, Piastri and Verstappen.

For now, though, that's all speculation and Russell is focusing only on what he can control, while pondering the potential threat of Ferrari and Red Bull.

"The car's feeling good," he said on the final day of pre-season testing. "The new power-units are feeling fast and we're making improvements every single day.

"The thing that's going to trip you up is going to be that tallest hurdle," he says. "And that's what we're trying to get our heads around right now. We're stumbling on some at the moment."

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When it was announced this past Friday that Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBC heavyweight title against kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven on May 23 at Egypt's Pyramids of Giza, the news came as a shock to many. Although Verhoeven was heavily linked to a Feb. 14 bout with Anthony Joshua, the shift to fighting boxing's pound-for-pound No. 1 in Verhoeven's second pro boxing match was unexpected.

Verhoeven detailed to Uncrowned's "The Ariel Helwani Show" on Tuesday his journey from leaving GLORY Kickboxing this past November to landing a surprise fight with the unified heavyweight champ.

"I just wanted to do big stuff that hasn't been done before," Verhoeven said of his mindset after leaving GLORY. "So either make a crazy crossover to the UFC or a big crossover fight in boxing or whatever — I just wanted to see all options. So that's where the decision came from. I think we did it all within GLORY."

Verhoeven said he discussed a major boxing match for the first time when he was at one of the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury fights in Saudi Arabia in 2024 with world-renowned actor Jason Statham.

"My good friend Jason Statham was [at Usyk vs. Fury]," Verhoeven said. "So we were talking and he said, 'Oh yeah, man, [boxing] is the place to be. This is where you got to be.' He said, 'Let's do it.' So I think he slowly introduced me there.

"It was about a year later, the [Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight this past September] was coming up, and I saw Jason was there, so I texted [him], 'Yo bro, you at the fight? Have fun.' He said he was crazy excited and couldn't wait for it. So I said, 'Yo, we talked about it. We should do something [in boxing].' He said, 'Yep, I'm going to bring it up.'"

Statham proposed the idea of a major boxing match involving Verhoeven to Saudi Arabian fight financier Turki Alalshikh, who was receptive to the idea and said there would be further communication with Verhoeven's team.

"They said, 'When you come in, you're a champion, so you have to face somebody with a name. And you have to promise us you're not going to disappoint. You're not going to be out in one round,'" Verhoeven recalled. "I said, 'What do you mean? I've been boxing for the last 15 years on the highest level. I got this.'"

Verhoeven was asked by Alalshikh's team who he wanted to face in his first boxing match in 12 years — he knocked out Janos Finfera (then 0-5) in 2014 — and he informed them he'd be open to fighting anybody. With former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua needing a comeback fight of sorts after more than a year out of the ring, surgery, and just a Jake Paul bout to his name since, Joshua was the name put forward.

Joshua vs. Verhoeven, however, did not take place due to the unfortunate events that occurred outside of the ring late last year.

"I finished [shooting a] movie at the beginning of December," Verhoeven said. "Went straight into camp and worked out through the whole of December. I had already planned a training camp in Spain for the whole month of January because the fight [with Joshua] was going to be February 14. Then the accident happened."

Joshua was involved in a fatal car crash in December that devastatingly took the lives of two of his closest friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. The crash left "AJ" with physical and emotional injuries that ruled out a fight for him in 2026's first quarter.

Verhoeven, however, continued to train and stay ready, in the hopes of eventually landing a big name.

"We got on the phone and heard the fight might happen, but 'AJ' needs some time to recover physically and mentally. Probably somewhere in March, we would hear more about it," Verhoeven said. "OK, no worries. Totally understand and totally respect the situation. I was still in Spain. We came to the gym and my boxing trainer, Peter Fury [the uncle of Tyson Fury], said, 'Hey, I was thinking — what about fighting Oleksandr Usyk?'"

Verhoeven was a fan of Fury's suggestion and proposed the idea to Alalshikh's team as an undisputed boxing champion vs. undisputed kickboxing champion type matchup. 

"They said one thing: 'I love it. Let's do it.'"

Alalshikh's team managed to finalize the bout for May 23, and to add more intrigue to the contest, it landed at the Pyramids of Giza, which is the only remaining of the seven ancient wonders of the world.

Verhoeven will enter the fight with Usyk as a sizable underdog, but he cautioned fans against ruling out his chances, explaining that he has been training in boxing with Peter Fury for 15 years and was even a sparring partner for Tyson Fury when Tyson used his uncle as a coach more than a decade ago.

Verhoeven told Uncrowned that he also had discussions with the UFC and had received an offer to fight Derrick Lewis on the first Paramount+ card, UFC 324. Verhoeven ultimately decided against it because the financial elements of the offer to face Joshua — and then Usyk — were substantially better.

With a recent three-game losing streak now in their rearview mirror, the Los Angeles Lakers looked to make it three victories in a row when they hosted the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday. The Pelicans came into this matchup with a dismal 19-43 record, but they had won five of their last eight games, and they proved to be a pesky opponent on this night.

After trailing by six early, the Lakers built a decent lead in the second quarter thanks to 11 unanswered points, but a flurry of turnovers resulted in them losing that lead and trailing by two heading into the fourth quarter. They then asserted themselves with a 14-0 run in the final period, and that was enough for them to end up with a 110-101 win, as they continued to do a fantastic job of winning games that have been competitive in the final five minutes.

This wasn't exactly a pretty offensive outing for either team. Both squads had a lot of trouble hitting from long distance, and they combined for 41 turnovers. But Los Angeles capitalized on the Pelicans' 22 turnovers by logging 28 fast-break points, and it had seven more rebounds and seven more free throw attempts.

The team now has a 37-24 record and is still in sixth place in the Western Conference, and it is half a game behind the fifth-place Denver Nuggets. It will face the Nuggets in Colorado on Thursday.

Marcus Smart: B-plus

Smart was very active defensively and aggressively went after the ball on that end of the floor, which resulted in him getting four steals and three blocks. Offensively, he scored 10 points on 3-of-9 from the field and 2-of-6 from 3-point range, and he hit a big trey with 1:34 left in the fourth quarter to put L.A. up by seven points.

When Smart took the ball away on defense, he helped create transition opportunities, which allowed him to register seven assists, and he also chipped in three rebounds and had no turnovers in 30 minutes.

Deandre Ayton: B/B-plus

Ayton blew a number of easy opportunities near the rim in this game early on when he either got his shots blocked or the ball knocked away from him. But he kept his head in the game and ended up scoring 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field. In the last few games, the Lakers have been doing a better job of getting him the ball in scoring position early.

He also grabbed eight rebounds, blocked two shots and had one assist in 25 minutes.

Austin Reaves: D

Reaves, for much of this game, simply couldn't get his shots to fall. He missed each of his first eight shot attempts, and he didn't make his first field goal until the 4:11 mark of the third quarter. The guard also committed five turnovers, as the Pelicans cut off his driving angles to the basket and made him play in congested quarters.

He did, however, make four of his last six shot attempts, and he hit back-to-back treys during L.A.'s 14-0 fourth-quarter run. Reaves ended up with 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks in 37 minutes.

He has now gone six straight games without reaching the 20-point mark after coming into this game averaging 24.1 points a game on the season.

LeBron James: B-plus

James was energetic in this game, and he made a noticeable impact whenever he asserted himself. He single-handedly accounted for an 11-0 Lakers run early in the second quarter by scoring the Lakers' first nine points of the period and then throwing an alley-oop pass to Ayton for a dunk to help them establish a lead.

After scoring 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting in the first half, James was quiet afterward. But he finished with 21 points on 8-of-12 from the field, seven rebounds, seven assists and two blocks, although he did commit five turnovers.

Luka Doncic: B-plus

Doncic turned in a solid game, even though he was a little less efficient than he usually is. He shot 10-of-22 overall and 3-of-10 from downtown to score 27 points, and he also helped out with 10 rebounds, seven assists and one block. But he also had seven turnovers. Turnovers have been a problem for him, although this was the first time in nearly a month he had at least four turnovers in one contest.

Jaxson Hayes: B-plus

Hayes got 23 minutes of playing time in this game, and he responded with eight points on 3-of-4 shooting, six rebounds, two blocks and one assist.

Luke Kennard: B-plus

Kennard continued to be a spark plug offensively off the bench with nine points on 3-of-5 overall shooting and 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, plus two rebounds and one assist in 21 minutes.

Jake LaRavia: C

This was another quiet game for LaRavia, and he didn't get as much playing time as he usually does. He was on the court for 14 minutes, and he scored five points on 2-of-4 shooting, to go along with two rebounds, two assists and one steal.

Rui Hachimura: D-minus

Hachimura has been struggling to hit his shots since the All-Star break. He missed all four of his attempts on Tuesday, and he ended up with two points and two rebounds in 19 minutes.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers player grades: L.A. pushes past Pelicans for third straight win

Gary Neville has been speaking about what Chelsea need to add to their team – and he’s got some pretty clear ideas.

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Gary Neville watched Chelsea’s game against Arsenal for Sky Sports on Sunday, and his big picture conclusions about Chelsea after the game were pretty interesting.

After another frustrating game for the Blues where they had moments of showing their potential, but were ultimately let down by their immaturity, Neville had a pretty clear idea of what can improve.

Neville demands Chelsea add a mature striker as well as experience at the back

Gary Neville speaks on his podcast.

“They have to keep players fit but they need a top-class goalkeeper, a top-class centre-back with experience and a top-class centre-forward to accompany Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, not to replace them,” Neville said on his podcast post-game.

“[They should] have three strikers – Joao Pedro is very good, Delap who is young with potential – and then bring someone in. I know that’s difficult – these players are not there, but they need a centre-forward with experience.

“I’m not talking about a 33-year-old striker but someone who is 27 or 28 and the same at the back, a player who has real presence who can give them some solidity.

“I’m going to talk about the goalkeeper as well because Robert Sanchez invites problems, every time I watch him, my heart is in my mouth. He flaps at the Arsenal goal, so for me, Chelsea are three players short, they need players in those positions.

In other news…

Neville had already pointed out that Chelsea were a pretty unique team who made him feel a mix of emotions unlike most teams he had seen before.

Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:

Japan has always been a stage for the world’s finest martial artists. On April 29, two of the country’s greatest warriors will carry the flag at ONE Samurai 1.

The inaugural event at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena marks the beginning of a new monthly series dedicated to showcasing Japan’s elite on the global stage. 

Leading the charge is Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa, who steps into the main event knowing it will be his last. The three-division K-1 Champion faces Thai destroyer Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon in a rematch for the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Title.

Elsewhere on the card, ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu defends his throne against dangerous Uzbek Avazbek “Ninzya” Kholmirzaev.

Ahead of the biggest night of their careers, both Japanese warriors reflected on what this historic occasion means to them.

Takeru Determined To End Career On His Own Terms

After nearly two decades of giving everything to the sport, Takeru Segawa is finally ready to walk away — but not without one final statement.

For a fighter who reshaped what was possible in kickboxing, choosing how to exit matters as much as the journey itself. And there was only one opponent worthy of a final act.

Leaving without facing Rodtang one more time was never an option. When the former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion agreed to the rematch, Takeru’s farewell finally had its ending.

“Natural Born Krusher” said:

“I’m incredibly happy to be able to fight Rodtang again in my final professional bout. Ever since before I joined ONE, all I’ve ever thought about was defeating Rodtang.”

That obsession nearly consumed him whole. At ONE 172 last March, Rodtang ended their first encounter in just 80 seconds — a single left hook that stopped the fight before it could truly begin.

The shock of that night sent the Japanese legend spiraling toward retirement, questioning everything he had built.

But the Bushido spirit does not break. Takeru channeled that pain into an emphatic second-round TKO of Denis “The Bosnian Menace” Puric at ONE 173, earning him a US$50,000 performance bonus.

Now, the 34-year-old sees every scar as part of a larger design:

“Looking back, I believe that even my previous loss was all part of the story, leading to this retirement fight where I turn everything around and claim the belt.”

That perspective defines what makes Takeru extraordinary. Throughout a career built on discipline, sacrifice, and an unbreakable will, he has always carried Japan’s hopes on his shoulders without flinching.

For Takeru, this final fight is not just about a ONE World Title. It’s about leaving the sport with his legacy intact — proof that a true champion never stops fighting, no matter the odds.

The Team Vasileus standout vowed:

“I will prove once and for all that Takeru is at the center of the combat sports world. I’m going to win this.”

Wakamatsu Promises To Repay Faithful Fans In Second Title Defense

Few champions in ONE Championship have earned their throne the hard way quite like Yuya Wakamatsu.

Even after realizing his lifelong dream of capturing the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title, the doubters lingered. He had stumbled at the highest level before, and some wondered whether history might repeat itself.

Wakamatsu silenced every last one of them at ONE 173, denying ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio two-division glory with an emphatic second-round TKO.

Now a new challenge stands before him. Avazbek Kholmirzaev has torn through the flyweight division with a ferocity that demands respect, which Wakamatsu is not taking lightly.

The Kagoshima native said:

“He is an extremely aggressive fighter with a high level of skill across striking, takedowns, and submissions. In particular, his right leg kicks are very dangerous.”

Respect for the opponent, however, has not dulled his hunger. Behind closed doors, Wakamatsu has worked tirelessly to evolve beyond the explosive finisher the world already knows. 

Every aspect of his game has been refined, every weakness addressed. He arrives at ONE Samurai 1 as a complete martial artist.

The TRIBE Tokyo MMA affiliate shared: 

“I want to give everything I have and show the skills and mental strength I have built up over the years at ONE Samurai 1. I am confident that fans will see a new side of Yuya Wakamatsu — and honestly, I can’t wait to see what kind of fight I can put on myself.”

Yet for Wakamatsu, the stakes extend beyond the belt. 

The roar of a hometown crowd has fueled him before. He knows that energy comes with responsibility — to the fans who never stopped believing during his long road to the top.

The flyweight MMA king concluded: 

“Thank you so much for always supporting me. I will show you everything I’ve got in this fight — please look forward to it!”

Source

Wales' Hockey World Cup qualifying hopes hang by a thread after a 5-0 defeat by France in Santiago, Chile.

Victor Charlet opened the scoring for the French in the second quarter with a penalty stroke to take a 1-0 half-time lead.

Benjamin Marque scored with a powerful reverse stick shot past Toby Reynolds-Cotterill from a tight angle to double the French lead in the third quarter.

Charlet added his second goal four minutes later from a penalty corner to take a commanding lead into the final quarter.

Charlet completed his hat-trick with another penalty corner and Marque grabbed his second to compound Wales' misery.

Wales have one point after two games in their pool after a 2-2 draw with hosts Chile on Sunday.

Wales play their final pool game against 20th ranked Scotland on Wednesday (21:00 GMT) knowing they will need to win to have any chance of making it through to the semi-finals of qualifying.

Danny Newcombe's side are seeking World Cup qualification for just the second time in their history, having made their tournament debut in 2023 in India.

Scotland and Chile drew 2-2 in their game in Pool A on Tuesday.

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FIRST HALF ANALYSIS:

UCLA came out on fire to start this one, while Nebraska couldn’t hit water if it fell out of a boat in the middle of the ocean. The Bruins took an immediate double-digit lead, as they hit 6 of their first 8 field goal attempts. The Huskers would commit 3 turnovers in the opening 2 minutes. Nebraska would couple that with a 3:30 scoring drought, all the while UCLA would still be shooting over 70% from the floor in the opening 8 minutes.

Cale Jacobsen tried to spark Nebraska back into this, but no one would come along with him, as the Huskers built a replica of Pauley Pavilion from distance. Trent Perry and Xavier Booker would carry UCLA, as leading scorer Tyler Bilodeau would be held scoreless. It wouldn’t matter, as the Bruins continued to shoot well, combined with Nebraska being colder than an ex-mother-in-law’s hug. UCLA took an incredibly comfortable 37-24 lead into the break.

FIRST HALF STATS:

Nebraska shot 9-29 for 31% from the floor. They went a wretched 2-16 for 13% from deep and 4-6 for 67% from the free-throw line. The Huskers collected 18 rebounds, 6 of which were offensive. Nebraska had 7 turnovers to just 5 assists.

The Huskers were led by Cale Jacobsen, who had 6 points off the bench. 5 different Huskers had 3 rebounds each. Jamarques Lawrence had 2 assists.

UCLA shot 15-30 for 50% from the floor. They went 5-14 for 36% from deep and 2-4 for 50% from the free-throw line. The Bruins collected 20 rebounds, 4 of which were offensive. UCLA had 6 assists to 5 turnovers. They had 9 second chance points.

The Bruins were led by Trent Perry, who had 9 points. 4 different Bruins had 3 rebounds each. Perry and Donovan Dent had 2 assists each.

SECOND HALF ANALYSIS:

If Husker fans were looking for the team that plays incredibly well in the second half, they never found it. Every time Nebraska tried to climb back into this one, they shot themselves in the foot with a turnover or couldn’t get a stop. Case in point, Nebraska hit 7 straight field goals at one point but only reduced the deficit by 2. The closest Nebraska got was 10 points, but UCLA hit a basket, Jamarques Lawrence was called for a foul underneath, and UCLA then hit a 3, culminating a 5-point possession.

The lead went up to 15 and stayed there for quite a while. Nebraska had hope when it reached the bonus by the under 8 timeout, but they decided it was better to continue to brick everything instead of scoring points. UCLA ran out the clock as comfortably as Usain Bolt running the hundred-meter dash against me.

FINAL STATS AND THOUGHTS:

Nebraska shot 19-49 for 39% from the floor. They went 5-24 for 21% from deep and 9-18 for 50% from the free-throw line. The Huskers collected 34 rebounds, 11 of which were offensive. Nebraska had 13 turnovers to 12 assists, and only 7 second chance points.

The Huskers were led by Sam Hoiberg, who had 12 points. Rienk Mast and Cale Jacobsen had 11 each. Berke Buyuktuncel, Jamarques Lawrence and Pryce Sandfort each had 5 rebounds. Lawrence also had 5 assists.

UCLA shot 28-60 for 47% from the floor. They went 10-29 for 35% from deep and 6-10 for 60% from the free-throw line. The Bruins collected 36 rebounds, 11 of which were offensive. UCLA had 17 assists to 8 turnovers and had 17 second chance points.

The Bruins were led by Trent Perry, who had 20 points and 7 rebounds. Eric Dailey Jr. had 14 points and 8 rebounds. Donovan Dent led the way with 8 assists.

I’m a little at a loss for words on this one. I know Nebraska has played some uggos recently, but dear God, what team was I watching tonight? Look at the stats, no hit anything from anywhere. The assists to turnovers were negative. Nebraska on 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS had got 3 OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS in a possession and DIDN’T SCORE!!!

UCLA hit its first shot 11 seconds into the game, and Nebraska never saw the light of day after that. 11 freaking seconds was all that Nebraska was in this contest. Some days you are the dog; others you are the hydrant. Tonight was a hydrant night. Better to have crapped the bed now than do it two weeks from now in the NCAA Tournament. Nebraska finishes its regular season on Sunday against Iowa. Tip-off from Pinnacle Bank Arena is at 4:00 pm central and can be seen on Fox.

One more for good measure…

On the second episode of UFC 326 Embedded, Charles Oliveira hits pads surrounded by his family; BMF Max Holloway sees how “The Ninth Island” compares to home cooking; Caio Borralho trains with support from The Fighting Nerds; Reinier de Ridder embarks on a quest to find hot springs; Rob Font prepares for his fight at Tristar Gym; Gregory Rodrigues spends quality time with his wife and daughter; Charles Oliveira activates “Super Saiyan mode” ahead of his main event fight.

UFC 326: Holloway vs. Oliveira 2 takes place on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event is headlined by a lightweight bout for the symbolic BMF title between former champion Charles Oliveira and former featherweight titleholder Max Holloway.

UFC 326 Embedded - Episode 2

Dennis Schroder, having played for 11 teams in the NBA since his debut in 2013, has a lot of former teammates, and with most of them he has been on good terms. On Tuesday night, however, he had an uncomfortable, albeit lighthearted encounter with Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons, where he spent the second half of the 2024-25 season.

Schroder began the current campaign with the Sacramento Kings but was on the move once again in February and now finds himself chasing a top playoff spot with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He scored 15 points in a 113-108 win, but during the game his exchange with Cunningham, which was caught by the mic, showed how much the Pistons star had changed since Schroder was his teammate.

The Pistons, after scrambling near the bottom of the standings two seasons ago, are now the No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference. Cunningham has admittedly been the biggest reason behind this turnaround, with his 25 ppg and incredible consistency helping Detroit dream big. Unfortunately, his rising stock has also made him a busier man who has become harder to reach.

Cunningham, mid game against the Cavs, tried to talk to Schroder, but the German baller replied, “Don’t talk to me now.”

“I tried to call you, you got MVP chants, now you not answering the phone no more,” the Cavs guard added, with a laugh, which suggested that it was banter.

At the same time, this could be true. Cunningham isn’t just a prospect anymore. The former #1 Draft pick is the protagonist of a team chasing a Championship, and he has, indeed, received NBA MVP shouts from legends like Shaquille O’Neal.

The Pistons last won the NBA title in 2004, when they beat the Lakers 4–1 in the Finals. Since then, they have been on a steady decline. Between 2008 and 2024, they reached the playoffs only three times and exited in the first round in each of those seasons after being swept. It was only Cunningham’s rise in 2025 that took them back to the playoffs, where they pushed the New York Knicks to six games before bowing out.

It was a defining moment for Cunningham and the Pistons, setting the stage for a better 2025–26 season, which they are currently having.

The Cavs, meanwhile, are on their tail. They are No. 4 in the East and could very well meet Detroit in the postseason. Schroder vs. Cunningham? It might be a battle Schroder takes personally if Cunningham ignoring his calls truly affected him.

The post Dennis Schroder Accuses Cade Cunningham of Ignoring Him After Getting MVP Chants appeared first on The SportsRush.

Jakob Poeltl describes Knicks' Jalen Brunson's indomitable will in the clutch originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Knicks pulled out their 40th win of the 2025-26 regular season on Tuesday night, defeating the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena in a 111-95 victory.

It was a victory defined by streaks, including a third straight win holding their opponents under 100 points, their 10th straight win over the Raptors, and a third straight season with at least 40-plus wins.

The real star of the night, as per usual, was star point guard Jalen Brunson. The All-Star led the Knicks in scoring with 26 points, shooting 10 of 22 from the field, including seven points and an assist in the final five minutes. Last year's Clutch Player of the Year is, in fact, still clutch.

Jakob Poeltl explains why it's so hard to defend Knicks' Jalen Brunson

In his postgame interview, Raptors center Jakob Poeltl described how difficult it can be to defend Brunson, especially in those crunchtime situations.

"I mean, obviously it's difficult...he's good in these kind of situations. He knows how to dictate the game very well. We try to be really aggressive with him, try to take him out of his comfort zone," Poeltl told reporters.

"They just made some good plays at the end there. Knocked down some shots, some wild plays...it got out of hand in the last couple of minutes."

The Knicks improved to 40-22 on the season following the win in Toronto as they continue their push for the playoffs.

Next up, the second night of a back-to-back against the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.

It's sure to be a battle between two of the top teams in their respective conferences.

More Knicks news:

• Knicks teammates can't get enough of rookie Mohamed Diawara's record-breaking performance
• Knicks star Jalen Brunson clarifies 'do right by me' comments regarding future contract
• Jalen Brunson offers hilarious response when asked about playing against Jose Alvarado vs. having him as a teammate
• Jose Alvarado gives brutally honest answer on Pistons' regular season sweep over Knicks
• Knicks new addition Jeremy Sochan expected to eat into minutes of fan-favorite rookie
• Jalen Brunson reveals honest thoughts on latest Knicks addition Jeremy Sochan

Manchester United Women had numerous players in international action yesterday evening.

Jess Park

The United starlet discussed how she wanted to use her club form to launch her international career, and she got off to the perfect start.

Park scored two goals in England’s 6-1 demolition of Ukraine in World Cup qualifying.

In the 78th minute, the ball was whipped across goal and Park showed great instinct to turn in the pass.

She grabbed her second in the 89th minute when she tucked inside and launched a trademark dipping long-range effort, giving the Ukrainian keeper no chance.

Jess Park season stats

Maya Le Tissier also played the match at right back for the Lionesses, despite impressing from centre back for her club.

Melvine Malard

The French striker was also the heroine for her national team as they came from behind to beat the Republic of Ireland 2-1.

She scored a wonderful goal on 71 minutes when she waltzed through the Irish defence and slotted home a calm finish to bring her side level.

The United attacker completed the comeback on 78 minutes, when the ball finally landed to Malard in the box and she spun and struck a fine effort into the bottom corner to bring her side level.

Lisa Naalsund

The Norwegian has had a strong season for United, and she was the hero for her national team as she scored the only goal of Norway’s 1-0 win over Austria.

The United midfielder swept in an effort from the middle of the box in the 81st minute to give her side the lead.

Lea Schuller

The German star scored her nation’s fifth as they comfortably dispatched Slovenia 5-0.

She fired in her effort with her left foot from inside the area to put the cherry on top of the cake after 71 minutes of play.

Dominique Janssen

The United veteran was also involved for the Netherlands, starting at centre back.

She captained her side and played the entire 90 minutes of their 2-2 draw with Poland.

Swedish trio

Finally, Julia Zigiotti and Hanna Lundkvist both started for Sweden in their impressive 1-0 win away to Italy.

Fridolina Rolfo also came on as a substitute in the game in her return to full fitness.

Featured image Ben Roberts Photo via Getty Images

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Fulham return to Craven Cottage on Wednesday evening, looking to maintain their European charge against a West Ham United side desperate to escape the relegation zone.

The Cottagers enter this midweek London derby in exceptional form, having won three consecutive matches across all competitions, including a superb 2–1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend. That result, inspired by first-half goals from Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi, propelled Fulham into ninth place and completed their first top-flight double over Spurs in 22 years. Silva’s side now has the opportunity to record just their second-ever Premier League season sweep of West Ham, having secured a 1–0 victory at the London Stadium in late December.

West Ham United, meanwhile, travel across the capital, currently sitting in 18th place, two points adrift of safety after a heavy 5–2 defeat at Liverpool on Saturday. Despite the scoreline, Nuno Espírito Santo’s men showed resilience in the second half with goals from Tomáš Souček and Valentín Castellanos. The Hammers know that a victory tonight could lift them out of the drop zone, depending on Nottingham Forest’s result at Manchester City. However, the visitors must overcome a wretched record in city derbies this season, having lost seven of their eight Premier League London matches.

Fulham vs West Ham United – Match preview and team news

• Date: Wednesday, 4 March 2026
• Kick-off: 19:30 GMT
• Venue: Craven Cottage, London
• Referee: Matt Donohue
• VAR: John Brooks
• Last Meeting: West Ham 0–1 Fulham (27 Dec 2025), Premier League

Team News

Fulham

Marco Silva is sweating over the fitness of star winger Harry Wilson, who was withdrawn on Sunday with a twisted ankle. Wilson has been fundamental this season, recording 15 goal involvements (9 goals, 6 assists). Brazilian winger Kevin is definitely out as he recovers from foot surgery. In better news, defender Joachim Andersen is back after missing the Spurs win through illness, and midfielder Saša Lukić could return following a hamstring injury.

West Ham United

Nuno Espírito Santo has a nearly full squad at his disposal, reporting no fresh injury concerns after the trip to Anfield. Forward Pablo Felipe remains sidelined with a calf injury, though he has begun an individual training program. Midfielder Freddie Potts serves the final game of his three-match suspension. Mateus Fernandes, Soungoutou Magassa, and Tomáš Souček are expected to anchor the engine room in his absence.

Form

Fulham

The West Londoners have hit their stride in 2026, winning five of their last seven home matches across all competitions. Most recently, they dispatched Spurs 2–1 and Sunderland 3–1, showing clinical efficiency in early kick-offs. Notably, Fulham have won seven of their last 10 home evening Premier League games starting at 7pm or later. While they showed some late vulnerability against Tottenham by dropping deep too early, their defensive organisation has generally improved under Silva.

West Ham United

The Hammers have shown signs of improvement recently, picking up 11 points from their last seven Premier League outings—seven more than they managed in the previous 10. Prior to the Liverpool defeat, they were on a three-game unbeaten run in the league (W1, D2), including draws against Manchester United and Bournemouth. Notably, West Ham have been defensively frail on the road, having already conceded 54 league goals this term; only Burnley (56) have shipped more.

Predicted Lineups

Fulham Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon; Berge, Iwobi; Chukwueze, Smith Rowe, Bobb; Jimenez

West Ham United Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Hermansen; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf; Bowen, Magassa, Soucek, Summerville; Fernandes; Castellanos

How to Watch Fulham vs West Ham United?

The match will be televised live in the UK on TNT Sports. Coverage typically begins at 19:00 GMT.

Read more- Man Utd boss Carrick says set-piece grappling has ‘gone too far’

See Also- Guardiola agrees with Slot on growing Premier League problem

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Newcastle United host Manchester United at St James’ Park tonight, aiming to secure a fourth consecutive home league win over the Red Devils and snap a dismal domestic run.

The Magpies have moved into a critical period of their campaign, currently sitting in 13th place after losing five of their last six Premier League games. Manager Eddie Howe oversaw a frustrating 3–2 home loss to Everton on Saturday and is now desperate to avoid a fourth consecutive home league defeat—a streak last seen at the club in 2018. Notably, 36% of Newcastle’s all-time Premier League wins against Manchester United have come under Howe’s tenure.

Newcastle United Team News

Eddie Howe manages a squad still missing several influential leaders due to a persistent injury crisis. Notably, Bruno Guimarães, Tino Livramento, and Fabian Schär are not expected to be available tonight, though they are nearing returns. Consequently, Sven Botman is poised for a recall to the centre of defence ahead of Dan Burn. Jacob Ramsey is expected to feature after overcoming an illness that forced him off at the weekend. Notably, Ramsey has either scored or assisted in each of his last three league appearances, despite failing to register a goal involvement in his first 15 games for the club.

Nick Pope will start in goal behind a defensive line likely featuring Kieran Trippier and Lewis Hall. In midfield, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton are expected to anchor the side alongside Joe Willock. Anthony Gordon is likely to lead the line as a makeshift number nine if Nick Woltemade fails a late fitness test. Notably, Gordon has struggled for league efficiency this term, converting just 8% of his 38 shots into goals, a stark contrast to his 29% conversion rate in cup competitions.

Newcastle United Predicted Lineup

Newcastle United Predicted XI (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Willock, Tonali, Joelinton; Barnes, Woltemade, Gordon

When will the match kick off?

The Premier League fixture takes place at St James’ Park on Wednesday, 4 March 2026. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:15 GMT.

How to watch Newcastle vs Manchester United?

In the UK, the match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1. Fans can also stream the action via the discovery+ app.

Read more- Man Utd boss Carrick says set-piece grappling has ‘gone too far’

See Also- Guardiola agrees with Slot on growing Premier League problem

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Nottingham Forest travel to the Etihad Stadium tonight, aiming to snap a three-game losing streak and secure their first league points under Vítor Pereira.

The Tricky Trees have moved into a precarious position, sitting just two points clear of the relegation zone following a 2–1 loss at Brighton. Manager Vítor Pereira oversaw a resilient but ultimately fruitless performance on the South Coast and now faces a City side that has proved impenetrable for Forest in recent years. Notably, Forest have lost all three of their away Premier League games at the Etihad without scoring a single goal, conceding 11 times in the process.

Nottingham Forest Team News

Vítor Pereira manages a squad heavily impacted by a wave of long-term knee injuries to senior players. Notably, top scorer Chris Wood remains out until April, while Willy Boly and Nicolò Savona are also sidelined. Consequently, Igor Jesus will continue to lead the line. In goal, Matz Sels has recovered from a groin issue and is expected to start, especially with Stefan Ortega unavailable to face his former club. Notably, Morgan Gibbs-White remains the key attacking threat; he has scored seven goals this season, matching his career-best in a single Premier League campaign.

Matz Sels will start in goal behind a defensive line led by Nikola Milenković and Murillo. In midfield, the partnership of Ibrahim Sangaré and Elliot Anderson will be tasked with disrupting City’s rhythm. Notably, Anderson leads the league for duels won and possession won this season. Morgan Gibbs-White will operate in the number ten role, flanked by Callum Hudson-Odoi and Dan Ndoye. Notably, Forest have won in only one of their eight away top-flight visits to City since 1989 and must find a way to stop a City team that has won 24 of their last 26 Wednesday home matches.

Nottingham Forest Predicted Lineup

Nottingham Forest Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Sangare, Anderson; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus

When will the match kick off?

The Premier League fixture takes place at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, 4 March 2026. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:30 GMT.

How to watch Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest?

UK fans can watch the match live on TNT Sports 4. Highlights will be available on Match of the Day later tonight.

Read more- Latest Arsenal injury news on Rice, Raya, Havertz and Odegaard

See Also- Man Utd boss Carrick says set-piece grappling has ‘gone too far’

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Manchester City return to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, aiming to maintain their pursuit of Premier League leaders Arsenal against a Nottingham Forest side battling to stay above the drop zone.

The Citizens arrive in ruthless form, having won their last six matches across all competitions. A clinical 1–0 victory over Leeds United on Saturday ensured City remained within touching distance of the summit, trailing the Gunners by five points with a crucial game in hand. While City have transformed the Etihad into a fortress—winning 16 of their last 19 home league games—they face a Forest side that has historically struggled to contain them in Manchester. Notably, Forest have lost all three of their away Premier League games at the Etihad since returning to the top flight by a staggering aggregate score of 11–0.

Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, travel north under immense pressure as they sit just two points above the relegation zone. Life under new head coach Vítor Pereira has yet to yield a Premier League victory, with Sunday’s 2–1 loss at Brighton marking a third consecutive defeat in all competitions. Despite showing flashes of personality in their recent European exploits, the Tricky Trees must find a way to solve a defensive crisis that has left them without several key senior figures. Facing a City side that has won 24 of their last 26 Premier League home games played on a Wednesday, Forest face a monumental task to avoid being dragged into the bottom three.

Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest – Match preview and team news

• Date: Wednesday, 4 March 2026
• Kick-off: 19:30 GMT
• Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
• Referee: Darren England
• VAR: Tony Harrington
• Last Meeting: Nottingham Forest 1–2 Manchester City (27 Dec 2025), Premier League

Team News

Manchester City

Pep Guardiola is sweating over the fitness of star striker Erling Haaland, who missed the Leeds match with a knock. While the manager noted Haaland feels “much better,” a late decision will be made on Tuesday. Midfielder Nico O’Reilly is also a doubt after picking up an ankle injury at Elland Road. The hosts are definitely without Croatian duo Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic, both of whom remain long-term absentees. However, Max Alleyne has returned to first-team training and is expected to be in the squad.

Nottingham Forest

Vítor Pereira manages a squad significantly depleted by a wave of knee injuries. Chris Wood remains sidelined until at least April, while Willy Boly, John Victor, and Nicolò Savona are also unavailable. In goal, Matz Sels has made a timely recovery from a groin issue, which is vital as former City keeper Stefan Ortega is ruled out with a calf injury. Full-back Neco Williams will be assessed after appearing jaded in the defeat to Brighton.

Form

Manchester City

The Sky Blues have been the picture of consistency lately, winning four consecutive Premier League matches and six in a row in all competitions. Most recently, they ground out a 1–0 win at Leeds following a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Newcastle. Notably, 39% of City’s wins this season have come by a single goal, their highest such proportion in over a decade. Guardiola’s side has also been historically dominant on Wednesdays, averaging 2.85 points per game at home on that specific day.

Nottingham Forest

Forest arrive in Manchester searching for their first league win under Vítor Pereira. Their recent form includes a 2–1 defeat at Brighton on Sunday and a narrow 1–0 home loss to Liverpool last week. Notably, Pereira remains winless in the Premier League this season across his time with Wolves and Forest, a run spanning 12 matches. The Tricky Trees have also struggled defensively at the Etihad, becoming one of only three sides in competition history to fail to score while shipping 10+ goals at a single stadium.

Predicted Lineups

Manchester City Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Gonzalez; Cherki, Reijnders, Foden, Semenyo; Marmoush

Nottingham Forest Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Sangare, Anderson; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus

How to Watch Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest?

The match will be televised live in the UK on TNT Sports 4. Coverage begins at 19:00 GMT ahead of the 19:30 kick-off.

Read more- Latest Arsenal injury news on Rice, Raya, Havertz and Odegaard

See Also- Man Utd boss Carrick says set-piece grappling has ‘gone too far’

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St James’ Park serves as the setting for a high-stakes Premier League clash on Wednesday night as a revitalised Manchester United look to cement its top-four credentials against a Newcastle side desperate to end a worrying slide.

The Red Devils arrive on Tyneside in clinical form under interim manager Michael Carrick, having amassed 19 points from a possible 21 since mid-January. A gritty 2–1 comeback victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday propelled United into third place, level on points with Aston Villa and three clear of Liverpool. Carrick has overseen a remarkable defensive turnaround, with the team losing just one of their last 11 away league games (W5 D5). However, the Theatre of Dreams has proved more fruitful than St James’ Park lately; United have failed to win on their last three visits to Newcastle and are searching for their first victory there since 2020.

Newcastle United, meanwhile, find themselves in a precarious position, currently floundering in 13th place after losing five of their last six league matches. Eddie Howe’s side has been hampered by the dual demands of a Champions League campaign and a crippling injury list, most recently suffering a damaging 3–2 home defeat to Everton. The Magpies have lost three consecutive Premier League home games, conceding eight goals in the process. With a brutal run of fixtures including Manchester City, Barcelona, and Chelsea on the horizon, Newcastle must capitalise on their recent historical dominance over United at home to ignite their European hopes.

Newcastle United vs Manchester United – Match preview and team news

• Date: Wednesday, 4 March 2026
• Kick-off: 20:15 GMT
• Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle
• Referee: Peter Bankes
• VAR: Paul Tierney
• Last Meeting: Manchester United 1–0 Newcastle (26 Dec 2025), Premier League

Team News

Newcastle United

Eddie Howe continues to manage a heavily depleted squad. Influential figures Bruno Guimarães, Tino Livramento, and Fabian Schär are all nearing returns but are not expected to be fit for Wednesday. Lewis Miley remains sidelined with a niggling thigh injury, while Emil Krafth is out for the season. In more positive news, Jacob Ramsey is expected to be available after recovering from illness, though Nick Woltemade remains a major doubt. Sven Botman is pushing for a recall to the starting defence.

Manchester United

Michael Carrick faces fresh defensive concerns after Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire were forced off against Crystal Palace due to illness and knocks. While Carrick is hopeful they will recover, Noussair Mazraoui and Ayden Heaven are on standby. Lisandro Martínez and Mason Mount are back in training but might find this game coming too soon for a start. Matthijs de Ligt (back) and Patrick Dorgu (hamstring) remain definite absentees.

Form

Newcastle United

The Magpies have struggled for defensive consistency at home, having lost their last three Premier League matches at St James’ Park. Notably, Newcastle have only lost two of their last 20 home evening kick-offs (7pm or later) in the division. While they have won four of their last six matches in all competitions, two of those victories came in Europe against Qarabag FK. Anthony Gordon will look to improve his clinical edge, having converted just 8% of his shots in the league this season compared to 29% in other competitions.

Manchester United

Under Carrick, United have become the Premier League’s “comeback kings” in 2026, recovering nine points from losing positions—more than any other side. Notably, the Red Devils have lost only one of their last eight league matches after falling behind. Bruno Fernandes has been the creative heartbeat of the side, recording 13 assists this season, the most by a United player in a single campaign since 2012. Striker Benjamin Šeško arrives in predatory form, averaging a goal every 49.7 minutes in recent weeks.

Predicted Lineups

Newcastle United Predicted XI (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Willock, Tonali, Joelinton; Barnes, Woltemade, Gordon

Manchester United Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Mazraoui; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko

How to Watch Newcastle United vs Manchester United?

The match will be televised live in the UK on TNT Sports 1. Coverage begins at 19:00 GMT.

Read more- Man Utd boss Carrick says set-piece grappling has ‘gone too far’

See Also- Latest Arsenal injury news on Rice, Raya, Havertz and Odegaard

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Arsenal head to the South Coast on Wednesday night, aiming to maintain their grip on the Premier League title race against a Brighton & Hove Albion side finding form at a critical moment.

The Gunners enter this midweek fixture in commanding form, unbeaten in their last nine matches and fresh from back-to-back London derby victories over Tottenham and Chelsea. While Arsenal currently hold a five-point lead over Manchester City, Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand, leaving the Gunners with little room for error. Arsenal’s clinical nature in away games has improved significantly recently; they averaged just 1.2 goals per game on the road between August and December, but that figure has surged to 2.3 per match since the turn of the year.

Brighton & Hove Albion, meanwhile, appear to have moved past a difficult winter spell that saw them go winless in six matches between January and February. Fabian Hürzeler’s side has secured consecutive victories over Brentford and Nottingham Forest, moving them to 11th in the table and reigniting their European aspirations. The Seagulls have a historic knack for frustrating the league leaders, having won two of their last four Premier League home games against the team starting the day at the top of the table.

Brighton vs Arsenal – Match preview and team news

• Date: Wednesday, 4 March 2026
• Kick-off: 19:30 GMT
• Venue: American Express Stadium, Brighton
• Referee: Chris Kavanagh
• VAR: Michael Salisbury
• Last Meeting: Arsenal 2–1 Brighton (27 Dec 2025), Premier League

Team News

Brighton

The Seagulls will assess Mats Wieffer, who was forced off late in the win over Forest, with Joel Veltman ready to deputise. Yasin Ayari is nearing a return from a shoulder problem and faces a late test. However, Adam Webster and Stefanos Tzimas are both ruled out for the season with knee injuries. Veteran James Milner remains available despite the quick turnaround.

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta is hopeful that Declan Rice will be available after a knock forced him off against Chelsea, noting the midfielder felt “much better” on Monday. Kai Havertz and Martin Ødegaard are both pushing to be involved, though their conditions will be assessed late. David Raya is fit to start, but Ben White, Mikel Merino, and Max Dowman are expected to remain sidelined.

Form

Brighton

Brighton have secured more wins in their last two games than they had in their previous 13 combined (W1 D6 L6). Notably, the Seagulls have suffered just two home defeats all season, though they have won only two of their last eight at the Amex. Forward Danny Welbeck has already matched his career-best of 10 Premier League goals this term; one more would see him join an elite group of players scoring 10+ goals in a season for the first time while aged 35 or older.

Arsenal

The Gunners are unbeaten in their last 19 evening Premier League matches (7pm or later), a run stretching back to December 2023. Notably, set-pieces remain Arsenal’s most potent weapon; they have equalled the Premier League record for goals from corners in a single season (16). Furthermore, of the 20 times Arsenal have opened the scoring this season, 13 of those goals have come from a set-piece or penalty—the joint-most in the competition’s history.

Predicted Lineups

Brighton Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Kadioglu; Gross, Baleba; Gomez, Hinshelwood, Mitoma; Welbeck

Arsenal Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Havertz, Zubimendi, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli

How to Watch Brighton vs Arsenal?

The match will be televised live in the UK on TNT Sports 2. Coverage begins at 19:00 GMT ahead of the 19:30 kick-off.

Read more- Man Utd boss Carrick says set-piece grappling has ‘gone too far’

See Also- Guardiola agrees with Slot on growing Premier League problem

<h2 style=”text-align: center;”><em><strong>Follow the Football Faithful on Social Media:</strong></em></h2>

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Arsenal travel to the Amex Stadium tonight aiming to secure a third consecutive victory and break the Premier League record for goals scored from corners.

The Gunners have moved into a clinical phase of their title charge, maintaining a five-point lead following a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Chelsea. Manager Mikel Arteta oversaw a performance that equalled the record for most corner goals in a season (16), and his side now looks to take the outright record against a Brighton side that has kept only one clean sheet in their last 10 games. Notably, Arsenal are unbeaten in their last five visits to the Amex since the 2020-21 campaign.

Arsenal Team News

Mikel Arteta manages a squad balancing recent knocks with the return of key senior figures. Notably, Declan Rice is a doubt after a knock in the Chelsea match, but he is expected to train and push for a start. Consequently, if Rice or Martin Ødegaard are not fit, Hale End graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly could earn a start in midfield. Viktor Gyökeres arrives in excellent form, having been involved in six goals in his last seven away games (5 goals, 1 assist). Notably, Arsenal have become far more prolific on the road in 2026, averaging 2.3 goals per game compared to 1.2 earlier in the season.

David Raya will start in goal behind a defensive unit led by William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães. In midfield, Martin Zubimendi is expected to continue his partnership with Rice if fit. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will provide the width, with Gyökeres poised to lead the attack. Notably, 65% of the time Arsenal have opened the scoring this season, the breakthrough has come via a set-piece or penalty.

Arsenal Predicted Lineup

Arsenal Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Havertz, Zubimendi, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli

When will the match kick off?

The Premier League fixture takes place at the American Express Stadium on Wednesday, 4 March 2026. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:30 GMT.

How to watch Brighton vs Arsenal?

In the UK, the match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 2. Fans can also stream the action via the discovery+ app.

Read more- Man Utd boss Carrick says set-piece grappling has ‘gone too far’

See Also- Guardiola agrees with Slot on growing Premier League problem

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Chelsea travel to Villa Park tonight aiming to secure their first away victory at the ground since 2022 and close the gap on the Champions League places.

The Blues have moved into a period of frustration under manager Liam Rosenior, currently sitting sixth in the table and winless in their last three matches. Manager Rosenior oversaw a narrow 2–1 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday, a result that highlighted his side’s continued tactical progression but also their vulnerability at set-pieces. Notably, Chelsea have lost eight of their last 10 midweek away games in the Premier League, including both of their trips on the road this year.

Chelsea Team News

Liam Rosenior manages a squad missing a key winger due to suspension but bolstered by a significant defensive return. Notably, Wesley Fofana is available for selection after serving his ban, while Cole Palmer has been cleared to play despite a minor injury scare against Arsenal. Consequently, Tosin Adarabioyo may make way in central defence. However, Pedro Neto is suspended following his red card, and Marc Cucurella remains a major doubt. Notably, João Pedro has been directly involved in five goals in his five career appearances against Aston Villa, his favourite opponent in the competition.

Robert Sánchez will start in goal behind a defensive line led by captain Reece James and the returning Fofana. In midfield, Moisés Caicedo and Andrey Santos are expected to anchor the side, allowing Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernández to support João Pedro in attack. Notably, Chelsea are winless in their last two visits to Villa Park and haven’t lost consecutive away league games at the ground since the early 2000s. The visitors have dropped 19 points from winning positions this term, a habit they must break to secure a vital result tonight.

Chelsea Predicted Lineup

Chelsea Predicted XI (4-3-3): Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Fofana, Hato; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernandez, Garnacho; Pedro

When will the match kick off?

The Premier League fixture takes place at Villa Park on Wednesday, 4 March 2026. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:30 GMT.

How to watch Aston Villa vs Chelsea?

UK fans can watch the match live on TNT Sports 3. Highlights will be available on the TNT Sports app shortly after the final whistle.

Read more- Man Utd boss Carrick says set-piece grappling has ‘gone too far’

See Also- Haaland injury update delivered ahead of Man City vs Forest

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Fulham host West Ham United at Craven Cottage tonight, aiming to secure their fourth consecutive victory in all competitions and close the gap on the European places.

The Cottagers have moved into ninth place in the table after a revitalising run under Marco Silva. Manager Silva oversaw a clinical 2–1 victory over Tottenham on Sunday, and his side now looks to complete a rare top-flight double over the Hammers. Notably, Fulham have won seven of their last 10 home evening Premier League games, making Craven Cottage a formidable venue under the lights.

Fulham Team News

Marco Silva manages a squad balancing significant momentum with fresh injury concerns in attacking areas. Notably, Harry Wilson is a major doubt after twisting his ankle against Spurs; if he fails a late test, Samuel Chukwueze is poised to start on the right flank. Consequently, Oscar Bobb and Emile Smith Rowe will likely continue their creative partnership behind Raúl Jiménez. Notably, Wilson has been Fulham’s most productive player this season with 15 Premier League goal involvements, the most by any player at the club since Dimitar Berbatov in 2012-13.

Bernd Leno will start in goal behind a defensive line bolstered by the return of Joachim Andersen, who missed the weekend win through illness. In midfield, Sander Berge and Alex Iwobi will anchor the side, with Saša Lukić also pushing for a return to the matchday squad following a hamstring injury. Notably, Fulham have already beaten West Ham 1–0 this season and are looking for the first league sweep of their London rivals since the 2023-24 campaign.

Fulham Predicted Lineup

Fulham Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon; Berge, Iwobi; Chukwueze, Smith Rowe, Bobb; Jimenez

When will the match kick off?

The Premier League fixture takes place at Craven Cottage on Wednesday, 4 March 2026. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:30 GMT.

How to watch Fulham vs West Ham?

In the UK, the match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports. Fans can also stream the action via the discovery+ app.

Read more- Man Utd boss Carrick says set-piece grappling has ‘gone too far’

See Also- Guardiola agrees with Slot on growing Premier League problem

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Manchester United travel to St James’ Park tonight aiming to secure a Premier League double over Newcastle and extend their unbeaten away run to six matches.

The Red Devils have moved into third place in the table after a revitalising spell under manager Michael Carrick, who has won five of his first six games in charge. Manager Carrick oversaw a clinical 2–1 victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday, and his side now looks to consolidate their top-four position. Notably, Manchester United have only lost one of their last 11 away Premier League games, a significant improvement from their previous 11 on the road.

Manchester United Team News

Michael Carrick manages a squad coping with fresh defensive doubts after two veteran stars felt unwell during the weekend’s win. Notably, Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire are being monitored; if they are unable to start, Noussair Mazraoui and Ayden Heaven are ready to step in. Consequently, the manager may hand a first inclusion in the league XI to striker Benjamin Šeško after his match-winning contribution off the bench. Notably, Šeško has scored seven goals in eight matches since the departure of Ruben Amorim, averaging a goal every 49.7 minutes during that run.

Arne Lammens will start in goal behind a defensive line led by Leny Yoro and potentially Harry Maguire. In midfield, Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo are expected to continue their partnership, providing the platform for Bruno Fernandes to operate in the creative role. Notably, Fernandes has already provided 13 league assists this term, matching the most by a United player in a single campaign since 2011-12. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha will provide the threat from wide areas as United seek to become the first side since 1931 to win four consecutive league matches at St James’ Park.

Manchester United Predicted Lineup

Manchester United Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Mazraoui; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko

When will the match kick off?

The Premier League fixture takes place at St James’ Park on Wednesday, 4 March 2026. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:15 GMT.

How to watch Newcastle vs Manchester United?

UK fans can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1. Highlights will be available on Match of the Day later tonight.

Read more- Man Utd boss Carrick says set-piece grappling has ‘gone too far’

See Also- Guardiola agrees with Slot on growing Premier League problem

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Toluca bounce back from trailing twice in the match to get a 3-2 victory over Pumas that meant they are the only undefeated team in the Clausura 2026. Pumas’ undefeated recorded ended in large part because of a terrible goal miss that also dropped them off to 5th place. Pumas will now travel north to face off against Necaxa on Friday while Toluca return home where they will host FC Juarez.

The 1st half started with Pumas coming out with the same starting 11 as they had in their previous two matches. Toluca had the return of Luan to the starting 11. Off a corner kick, the cross from Pavel Perez came dangerously close and forced a save from Pumas’ goalkeeper, Keylor Navas. A great cross into the area was volleyed by Paulinho and it would hit the post although it would have been offside had it gone in. A cross into the area was deflected into the path of Alan Medina but his weak shot was easily saved by Toluca’s goalkeeper, Hugo Gonzalez. After getting a thru pass in the area, Jorge Diaz Price got off a great right footed shot that forced a great save from Navas. Off a corner kick, Luan got off a header that went wide. After a good combination play, Jordan Carrillo got into the area where he got brought down by Luan and the ref gave a Penalty Kick to Pumas. Robert Morales stepped up to take the PK and got off a strong right footed shot that went past Gonzalez and into the net to score and give Pumas the 1-0 lead against the run of play. From outside the area, Jesus Ricardo Angulo got off a left footed shot that was saved by Navas. After a great run, Juninho started a 2 vs o counter attack and the got off a pass that took out Gonzalez and left Morales with a wide open net shot and he sent his shot well wide in an historic bad miss. It was a sure goal for Morales and the miss was so bad, it will probably go thru the world wide media, it was that bad. Then a minute later, Jesus Ricardo Angulo made a good play and got off an incredible left footed shot that went past Navas to score and tie the match at 1-1. The game went from an almost sure 2-0 lead for Pumas to a 1-1 tie in a huge hit to Pumas. The halftime whistle blew with the tied score.

The 2nd half started with neither team making a substitution. A pass into the area would fail to be controlled by Paulinho from close range and Navas would beat him to it. Paulinho would get off a right footed shot from outside the area that went wide. Pumas subbed out Jordan Carrillo for Uriel Antuna. From outside the area, Paulinho was given time and space to get off a right footed shot but it was easily saved by Navas. A counter from Pumas ended with Antuna getting off a right footed shot that forced a good save from Gonzalez. From outside the area, Alvaro Angulo got off a left footed shot that forced another save from Gonzalez. Off a corner kick, the ball would not be cleared well by Toluca and the ball would end up getting to Alvaro Angulo, who in the area got off a left footed shot past Gonzalez to score and give Pumas the 2-1 lead. Toluca subbed out Luan for Helinho. After getting the ball in the area, Federico Pereira got off a right footed shot that forced a great save from Navas. The ball was left there for Pereira, who got off a bicycle kick volley that would reach Paulinho, who from close range would send his shot wide. Off a counter, Morales got off a right footed shot in the area that forced a save from Gonzalez, who left the ball there but Juninho would crash the close range shot into him. From way off the half line, a huge shot from Morales would go just wide. Off a corner kick, Toluca would surprise by getting off a pass to a wide open Diego Barbosa, who got off a wonderful right footed shot from outside the area that went past Navas and into the net to score and tie the match at 2-2. It was the second consecutive match where Pumas got scored on a play like that, the only goal Tijuana scored in their previous game came off the same play. Pumas would sub out Alan Medina for Guillermo Martinez. A cross into the area would fall to Helinho, whose left footed shot was deflected wide by Pumas’ defense. Toluca subbed out Jorge Diaz Price for Nicolas Castro. Off the ensuing corner kick, the ball would eventually fall to Perez, whose right footed shot was brilliantly saved by Navas. Jesus Gallardo would get off a good shot that was headed from close range by Paulinho and although Pumas claimed an offside, the goal stood and Toluca had taken the 3-2 lead. Toluca subbed out Jesus Ricardo Angulo for Antonio Briseño. A right footed shot from Helinho was deflected wide. Pumas subbed out Angel Azuaje and Pedro Vite for Ruben Duarte and Cesar Garza. A bad clearance allowed Antuna to get off a shot in the area but his left footed shot went wide in a bad miss. In would be the last play and Toluca got the 3-2 victory that meant they were the only team without a loss in the season.

Pumas’ undefeated record came to an end with a very exciting match that ended with Toluca defeating them by a 3-2 score. While Toluca was the better team and the win was deserved, Pumas’ fans will feel and opportunity was wanted when Morales’ terrible miss meant that a 2-0 lead at home would end up a minute later with a 1-1 tie. Pumas should also be worried about the team’s defensive struggles especially after the tying goal being similar to the goal that Tijuana scored on Friday against Pumas. Pumas will need to bounce back quickly as they have to travel to play on Friday against Necaxa in Aguascalientes. Toluca will return home where they will be heavy favorites against FC Juarez as they once again are a leading candidates for the Liga MX title.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The UNLV Runnin' Rebels defeated the Utah State Aggies, 92-65, on Tuesday March 3, 2026, at the Thomas and Mack Center and The Sporting Tribune's RJ Forbus was there to capture the following TST Images.

RJ Forbus - The Sporting Tribune

UNLV Runnin' Rebels G Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn (0) hypes up the crowd in the final minutes of a college basketball game against the Utah State Aggies on Tuesday March 3, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

RJ Forbus - The Sporting Tribune

UNLV Runnin' Rebels senior G Howie Fleming Jr. (3) battles for position against a Utah State Aggies player on Tuesday March 3, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

RJ Forbus - The Sporting Tribune

UNLV Runnin' Rebels G Issac Williamson (12) follows through on a three-point shot against the Utah State Aggies on Tuesday March 3, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

RJ Forbus - The Sporting Tribune

UNLV Runnin' Rebels F Tyrin Jones (6) dunks the ball during a college basketball game against the Utah State Aggies on Tuesday March 3, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

RJ Forbus - The Sporting Tribune

UNLV Runnin' Rebels senior F Kimani Hamilton and teammate F Tyrin Jones (6) celebrate after Hamilton earns a free throw shot after scoring a basket against the Utah State Aggies on Tuesday March 3, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

RJ Forbus - The Sporting Tribune

UNLV Runnin' Rebels senior F Kimani Hamilton (2) watches the ball after shooting a three-point shot against the Utah State Aggies on Tuesday March 3, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

RJ Forbus - The Sporting Tribune

UNLV Runnin' Rebels F Jacob Bannarbie (10) looks for a pass during a college basketball game against the Utah State Aggies on Tuesday March 3, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

RJ Forbus - The Sporting Tribune

UNLV Runnin' Rebels senior F Walter Brown (22) dunks the ball during a college basketball game against the Utah State Aggies on Tuesday March 3, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

RJ Forbus - The Sporting Tribune

UNLV Runnin' Rebels F Jacob Bannarbie (10) draws a foul while shooting a lay-up shot during a college basketball game against the Utah State Aggies on Tuesday March 3, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

RJ Forbus - The Sporting Tribune

UNLV Runnin' Rebels F Tyrin Jones (6) points to the crowd after scoring a breakaway basket against the Utah State Aggies on Tuesday March 3, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The UCLA men’s basketball team made Senior Night one to savor Tuesday, dominating No. 9 Nebraska 72-52 at Pauley Pavilion for its 20th victory of the season and third over a top-10 ranked opponent.

The Bruins improved to 20-10 overall and 12-7 in the Big Ten with one regular season game remaining, Saturday at crosstown rival USC.

Trent Perry scored 20 points, Eric Dailey Jr. had 14 and three players — Tyler Bilodeau, Skyy Clark and Xavier Booker — each added eight points.

Sam Hoiberg had 12 points to lead Nebraska.

The Bruins were in control from the opening tip-off and never trailed the Cornhuskers (25-5, 14-5). UCLA improved to 10-3 in all-time against Nebraska and the win greatly strengthened its resume for an NCAA tournament berth as the Bruins also beat then-No. 4 Purdue 69-67 on Jan. 20 and then-No. 10 Illinois 95-94 in overtime on Feb. 21 on Donovan Dent’s layup with one second left.

Read more:Kelly Inouye-Perez proud to honor UCLA Bruins' legacy of winning

This is the fifth time in head coach Mick Cronin’s seven seasons that the Bruins have won 20 or more games. They are 17-1 at home (their only loss in overtime to Indiana on Jan. 31).

UCLA went ahead by 15 points, 37-22, on Perry’s three-pointer with 2:41 left and led 37-24 at intermission. The Bruins shot 50% from the field in the first half (15-for-30) while Nebraska was only 31 percent (nine-for-29).

The Bruins increased their advantage to 18 points on Dailey Jr.’s dunk less than five minutes into the second half and the visitors got no closer than nine the rest of the way.

Prior to pregame introductions the Bruins honored seniors Bilodeau, Dent and Clark; fifth-year player Jamar Brown; redshirt seniors Steven Jamerson II, Jack Seidler and Anthony Peoples Jr; and redshirt junior Evan Manjikian. In a media timeout, midway through the first half, former coach Jim Harrick (who led UCLA to its 11th national championship in 1995) was honored and got a loud ovation.

Over the last four games, Dent has 46 assists and just two turnovers.

Bilodeau has scored in double figures in 26 of 28 games played, totaling 20 points or more nine times.

Dailey moved to within five points of reaching the 1,000-career point milestone.

UCLA has now made at least one three-pointer in 887 of 888 games dating to February 2000.

Sign up for UCLA Unlocked for big game takeaways, recruiting buzz and more UCLA sports insights.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Five goals to win a hockey game is where the Edmonton Oilers are at right now.

They gave up four goals in forty minutes, fell behind by two, and needed a comeback win against the Ottawa Senstors who have been watching the playoff race from the outside for a while now.

This isn’t a new story, that much is obvious. This is the same turnovers, the same high danger chances, and the same goaltending left out to dry at various points throughout the game. But then there's a dominant third-period comeback that makes you wonder why they can’t just play like that for sixty minutes instead of twenty.

Compare it to the other night in San Jose, and it's a slight, subtle improvement.

“The previous game against San Jose was just horrible," began Zach Hyman. "We were flat. And this game we were better. There’s just some lapses in our game that result in high danger chances, and those are tough. We would love it if the other team would give us lapses like that, right?

"So (there's) things that you can clean up just by being sharper, being more desperate, having more urgency in your game. And I think we showed it in the third period. That’s a result of playing better all around.”

Connor Murphy Embraces Oilers Pressure: “Winning Is the Top Priority”New acquisition Connor Murphy revealed trade details after coming to the Oilers, his eagerness to play meaningful games, and why Edmonton's pressure is a privilege.

Hyman’s describing a team that’s been capable of playing well all season but still can’t consistently put together a full sixty-minute effort. Those lapses he’s talking about aren’t some new development that crept into their game recently. They’ve been there, showing up at the worst possible times, and at some point, “we can clean it up” needs to actually become cleaning it up.

Tuesday’s win was the kind of game the Oilers themselves have criticized. Needing five goals because you gave up four isn’t sustainable, and everyone in that room knows it. This a team, and a group of players, who have gone as far as you can without winning it all, and they know a 5-4 overtime win over Ottawa isn’t it.

“We don’t want to be putting ourselves in that position, continued Hyman. "But sometimes you need a game like that where you can come back and it’s a complete team effort, and you’re able to dominate a third period and win a game. So I thought it was a good one for us, and hopefully a springboard for better games.”

Oilers Aren't Accepting Any Excuses For Recent PerformanceForget fatigue theories. Oilers players demand better performance, refusing to let past success excuse current struggles.

A springboard is an optimistic outlook, and sure, maybe it is. Stranger things have happened. But the Oilers have had plenty of moments this season that felt like turning points and then weren’t, so forgive anyone for not getting too excited about an overtime win against a mediocre team in early March.

“We don’t have huge smiles on our face, we’re not coming out of this game patting ourselves on the back," said Hyman. "We’ve been to the finals, we know what it takes. We know what type of hockey you have to play.

"Again, having said that, there are positives, and we know we can come back in games, and there are going to be some of those, but if you want to be successful, you got to keep the puck out of your net. And I think we are capable of doing that. We just have to do it more often and consistently.”

The State Of The Oilers And Their Playoff PositionTake a look at the NHL standings and spend a few minutes with the games played column. The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers#google_vignette">Edmonton Oilers</a> have played more games than just about anyone in the league, and they're sitting third in the Pacific at 29-24-8 while other teams in the Pacific have multiple games in hand.

They keep coming back to the word "capable," and it’s accurate. This is absolutely a capable hockey team. But capability without consistency is just potential, and potential doesn’t get you very far when the games actually matter. On their best nights, the Oilers look like a genuine contender.

The issue is that their best nights and their worst nights have been showing up in no particular order, and time is running out to figure it out.

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Jalen Green scored 20 points, Grayson Allen had 18 and the Phoenix Suns beat the NBA-worst Sacramento Kings 114-103 on Tuesday night to sweep the four-game season series.

Seventh in the West at 35-26, the Suns won their second straight and got back Devin Booker after the star guard missed four games because of a right hip injury. He scored 14 of his 17 points in the first half.

Collin Gillespie scored 17 points — hitting 5 of 8 3-pointers — and had nine assists and six rebounds. Oso Ighodaro added 14 points and 14 rebounds. Phoenix is without Dillon Brooks because of a fractured left hand.

The Suns used a 14-0 run in the third quarter to turn a 63-62 deficit into a 76-63 lead. Royce O’Neale capped the run with consecutive 3-pointers.

Maxime Raynaud had 22 points — on 10-of-12 shooting — and 10 rebounds for Sacramento in the opener of a five-game homestand. The Kings dropped to 14-49. They are 2-3 following a franchise-worst 16-game losing streak.

Precious Achiuwa added 18 points, DeMar DeRozan had 17 and Russell Westbrook 16. Kings forward Keegan Murray missed his third straight game because of ankle injury.

Phoenix led 59-55 at the half. Ighodaro had 12 points and 10 rebounds in the half, and Achiuwa had 16 points for Sacramento.

Up next

Suns: Host Chicago on Thursday night.

Kings: Host New Orleans on Thursday night.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

The NBA player who had the league's second-longest active games played streak saw that spell snapped over the weirdest reason.

San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes had played in 364 consecutive games, trailing only New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges' longest active streak of 616 games. But on Tuesday, March 3, ahead of San Antonio's game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson revealed that Barnes was a late addition to the injury report.

Per Johnson, Barnes woke up from a pregame nap with a sore left ankle.

“He’s with the medical staff now,” Johnson told reporters prior to the game. “Hoping it’s nothing serious, but I don’t have much information.”

Barnes was initially listed as questionable, though he would go on to miss the game to snap his streak. The Spurs dominated Philadelphia, winning by 40 points, 131-91. Eight different Spurs scored double figures and all but one of the 13 players who appeared in the game scored a point.

This marked the first time since Dec. 4, 2021 that Barnes missed a game, when he was a member of the Sacramento Kings.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nap injury halts Harrison Barnes' consecutive game streak

GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) — Sara Didar choked back tears as she shared the concerns of the Iranian soccer team for their families and loved ones at home amid the war while they're in Australia contesting the Women’s Asian Cup.

“Obviously we’re all concerned and we’re sad at what has happened to Iran and our families in Iran,” Didar said in comments translated to English during a news conference Wednesday on the eve of a Group A game against Australia.

"I really hope for our country to have good news ahead. And I hope that my country will be strongly alive.”

The 21-year-old striker was part of the squad that stood in silence as the Iran anthem played at the Gold Coast Stadium before their opening loss to South Korea on Monday.

The squad and management arrived in Australia well before the strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Saturday that led to the broader conflict.

Head coach Marziyeh Jafari and players declined to comment on the war or the death of the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during their first official news conference of the tournament on Sunday.

On Wednesday, an Asian Football Confederation moderator asked reporters before the scheduled pre-match news conference to stick with football questions and refrain from asking about the war.

When a question was posed, Didar and Jafari each expressed concerns about the people in Iran.

“Obviously we have so much concern regarding the health of our families and our loved ones and all other Iranian people inside our country, which we are fully disconnected with," Jafari said, highlighting the limited contact because of blackouts in Iran.

“But, here, we are coming to play football professionally and we will do our best to concentrate on our football and match ahead.”

A pocket of Iranian fans at Monday's game waved the red, green and white national colors and some pre-Islamic revolution flags, and chanted support for the team.

Jafari said the team was happy to have the support of Iranian-Australians.

Australia coach Joe Montemurro said he wanted his team and supporters to greet the Iranian squad with compassion. Thursday's game is expected to draw a capacity crowd at Gold Coast Stadium.

“We want to give them the best tournament possible in terms of giving them the experience of a lifetime," Montemurro said. "For us, it’s about just showing our human compassion, our respect and show them how beautiful we are as a country, and how beautiful we are as Australians.”

Australia, the 2010 Asian Cup champions and semifinalist at the 2023 World Cup it co-hosted with New Zealand, opened with a 1-0 win over Philippines and can secure a quarterfinal spot with a win over Iran. The Iranians are in Australia hoping to qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, which means they have to finish in the top eight in the Asian Cup.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

In the modern era, with NIL and instant transfers, it’s pretty easy for a coach to win in Year 1.

Well, at the top of the sport, that is.

When you get down to lower levels, what you find is that a) you don’t have the NIL resources that bigger schools have, and b) players are much more likely to prove themselves and transfer up.

Therefore, winning at smaller schools is tougher, and winning at most HBCUs is even more difficult.

All of which makes what former Duke guard and assistant Nolan Smith has accomplished this season even more impressive: in his first season at Tennessee State, Smith is currently 21-9 and 15-5 in the OVC.

The OVC tournament starts on Friday, and if Tennessee State wins that, they’ll be playing in the NCAA tournament. And if that happens, there’s a pretty good chance they’ll draw Duke in the first round.

• Nkrumah Named OVC Player of the Year; Smith Earns Co-Coach of the Year
• Nolan Smith wins OVC Coach of the Year at Tennessee State after one season
• Jon Scheyer’s Former Duke Basketball Co-Star Wins OVC COY
• Tennessee State basketball’s Nolan Smith voted OVC co-coach of the year
• Duke legend Nolan Smith Wins OVC Coach of the Year
• Duke legend Nolan Smith Wins OVC Coach of the Year
• Tennessee State’s Nolan Smith named OVC Coach of the Year
• Nolan Smith wins OVC Coach of the Year at Tennessee State after one season

This Duke Basketball season has been immensely satisfying for Blue Devil fans, and that’s on both the men’s and women’s side.

Both teams won regular season ACC Championships and on Tuesday, women’s coach Kara Lawson was named ACC Coach of the Year.

It’s richly deserved.

You’ll remember that when Duke played West Virginia on November 14th, and after a scuffle right before halftime and multiple ejections, the Mountaineers beat Duke with just five available players.

The Blue Devils fell to 3-6 before they started winning, running off 17 straight victories before losing at Clemson.

Duke finished the regular season ranked #13 nationally.

It was truly a remarkable coaching job and the honor is richly deserved.

In addition to Lawson, four other players were honored: Toby Fournier is first-team All-ACC, while according to GoDuke.com, “…senior Taina Mair made her All-ACC debut with first-team honors by the Blue Ribbon Panel and second-team recognition in a vote of the league’s coaches. Senior Ashlon Jackson was voted to the first team by the coaches and to the second team by the Blue Ribbon Panel. Both Fournier and Mair were tabbed to the All-Defensive Team by both voting groups. Freshman Arianna Roberson rounded out Duke’s selections with All-Freshman Team honors for both lists.”

This has been an immensely satisfying season, and of course, it’s not over yet. The ACC Tournament starts on Wednesday, and then it’s on to the NCAAs.

Let’s go Duke!

• Kara Lawson named ACC Coach of the Year as Fournier, Mair, Jackson, Roberson collect all-conference honors
• Duke Lands Four on All-ACC Teams and Lawson Named ACC Coach of the Year
• Duke’s Kara Lawson named ACC Coach of the Year
• ACC releases women’s hoops awards. Here are Duke, NC State, UNC’s honors
• Notre Dame’s Hidalgo, Duke’s Lawson top list of ACC award winners in women’s basketball

The University of Dayton men’s basketball team needed some last-second heroics to beat the Richmond Spiders on Wednesday night.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Jordan Derkack’s basket with 40 seconds and three free throws lifted Dayton to a 65-60 win over the Spiders at the Robins Center in Richmond, VA.

De’Shayne Montgomery led UD with 15 points while Derkack and Amael L’Etang each finished with 13.

The Flyers have now won six straight games. They improved to 21-9 overall, and 12-5 in the Atlantic 10.

With the win, Dayton clinches the double-bye in next week’s Atlantic 10 Championship in Pittsburgh.

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UD jumped out to a 12-2 lead as Montgomery scored five points, including a fastbreak dunk.

L’Etang’s three-pointer gave the Flyers their largest lead, 17-5, with 13:33 left in the first half. But the Spiders fought back and got as close as 31-29 with 4:11 remaining until halftime.

Bryce Heard and Javon Bennett each made a trey to help Dayton to a 40-32 halftime advantage.

It stayed closed throughout the second half, but UD led 56-48 with 9:32 to play. Richmond scored eight straight points to tie it 56-56 with 5:35 left.

After a timeout, L’Etang’s layup reclaimed the lead, 58-56. Bennett added two free throws to extend it to 60-56.

Richmond’s Will Johnson scored to tie at 60-60 with 1:51 to play.

The Spiders missed a pair of three-pointers that could have given them the lead.

Derkack scored with 39 seconds left to put Dayton up for good, 62-60. He added a free throw to extend it to 63-60. UD got a stop with four seconds left, and Derkack sealed the game with two free throws.

Dayton concludes the regular season when they host VCU at the UD Arena for Senior Night. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.

Pre-game coverage on WHIO Radio begins at 6 p.m. The game will also be carried here at WHIO.com.

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When the Arizona Cardinals made it clear they were moving on from Kyler Murray, the conversation immediately shifted from why to what’s next. Not just for Murray, but for the teams desperate enough at quarterback to consider him.

For Pete Prisco, the discussion isn’t about talent first. It’s about cost.

“Jeff, you have to ask yourself, what’s the price going to be?” Prisco said. “And is the price going to be higher than what Malik Willis is going to get? Is the price going to be higher than what anybody else is going to get?”

That framing matters. Murray isn’t entering the market as an unknown upside swing. He’s a former No. 1 overall pick with multiple strong seasons on his résumé. But he’s also not a blank slate. Prisco didn’t hesitate when comparing him to other options.

“I would rather have Kyler Murray, no questions asked,” he said. “Kyler Murray’s played games, he has experience. I don’t know what Malik Willis can do, he’s only started four games. That’s a small sample size.”

That’s the core of Prisco’s argument. Whatever flaws Murray has shown, he’s at least shown something. Teams know what functional NFL quarterback play from him looks like. They’ve seen the high-end stretches. They’ve seen the playoff appearance. They’ve seen the dynamic mobility.

“Did Kyler Murray have some issues? Yeah,” Prisco admitted. “But he’s had some good games. He’s had some good years.” So the debate isn’t whether Murray can play. It’s whether a team is willing to commit.

“The question you have to ask yourself if you’re in that market is, ‘are you committed to him for the long run?’”

If a franchise views him as a bridge quarterback, the number changes. If it views him as a long-term answer, the structure changes. And that leads to the contract comparison Prisco floated.

“Are you giving him a one-year deal? Two-year deal? How are you doing it? Are you giving him the Justin Fields deal? Two years, $40 million? Is he gonna take that?”

That hypothetical is telling. A short-term, prove-it structure protects the team. But would Murray, with his pedigree and production history, accept something that treats him like a reclamation project? Once Prisco established the financial lens, he started running through potential landing spots, and the answers weren’t clean fits.

“Let’s start with the Jets. Makes sense, they don’t have anybody,” he said.

On the surface, that pairing checks out. The Jets need a quarterback. Murray provides experience and upside. But again, the same question applies: what are you paying, and for how long?

The Minnesota Vikings? “They don’t have any cap room, and it doesn’t seem like a fit in that Kevin O’Connell offense,” Prisco said. Even if there’s a theoretical need, schematic comfort and cap constraints complicate it.

The Pittsburgh Steelers feel conditional.“Looks like Rodgers is gonna come back,” Prisco noted. “If he doesn’t, I think they could be in play.” In other words, Murray becomes a Plan B depending on how another domino falls.

He even tossed out Miami, though without conviction, and then turned to a more layered situation in Atlanta.

“How about the Atlanta Falcons? I don’t know where Michael Penix is coming off of that third knee injury. Are they committed to Michael Penix? This is a new regime.”

That’s the key. New leadership often reopens quarterback evaluations. Commitment to a previous plan isn’t always permanent. Then came the curveball.

“This is going to sound crazy, but the Cleveland Browns,” Prisco said. “We know that Todd Monken likes mobile quarterbacks. When you look at Shedeur Sanders, that’s not who he is. So could he be in play at the Browns?” Murray’s mobility still differentiates him in a league increasingly built around movement.

Ultimately, Prisco’s breakdown wasn’t about finding the perfect schematic match. It was about narrowing the decision to two variables: price and commitment. Murray is better than some of the names he’ll be compared to. Prisco was clear about that. But does better mean worth resetting your cap sheet or tying up your future?

The post “You’re Giving Him a Justin Fields Deal?”: Pete Prisco Names Six Landing Spots for Kyler Murray appeared first on The SportsRush.

With first place in the Pacific Division on the line and hopes to extend their winning streak to six games, the Anaheim Ducks hosted the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night at Honda Center. 

Colorado entered play on their second game of a back-to-back, having won four of their previous five games, and at the top of the overall NHL standings.

Beckett Sennecke Leads Rookie Scorers, Will Soon Face Fellow Calder Favorites

Ducks’ Poehling is Jack of All Trades

With Troy Terry and Mikael Granlund still unavailable, Ryan Strome served as the team’s lone healthy scratch. Here’s how the Ducks lined up to start this game:

Kreider-Carlsson-Gauthier

Killorn-Poehling-Sennecke

Viel-McTavish-Harkins

Johnston-Washe-Moore

LaCombe-Trouba

Zellweger-Gudas

Mintyukov-Helleson

Lukas Dostal got the start for the Ducks, his seventh in a row, and saved 21 of 26 shots in this game. In Colorado’s crease stood Scott Wedgewood, who stopped 27 of 28.

“They (Colorado) play a complete game. They go four lines deep. They trust all their lines that they play the right way,” Joel Quenneville said of the Avalanche after the game. “Technically, they’re strong. They did a good job of preventing us to get inside in their end, and that might have been the difference.”

Game Notes

The Avs were without one of their better forwards, Artturi Lehkonen, in this game, but they run as cohesive a system as one can find in the NHL, so they didn’t skip a beat with him out of the lineup. Colorado had a unique ability to both clog the neutral zone, especially along the boards, and retrieve pucks before cleanly and efficiently breaking them out of their end, making establishing any semblance of a forecheck a gargantuan undertaking for Anaheim.

Colorado dictated game flow in every situation after the first few shifts, and they carried that until the Ducks made a “too little, too late” push in the third period. At 5v5, the Ducks accounted for 51.11% of the shots on goal and 47.87% of the shot attempts, but just 43.97% of the expected goals. The Ducks couldn’t open seams or get to dangerous rebounds. 

D-Zone Coverage/Dostal: When pucks moved laterally high in the defensive zone, Dostal, who is typically a world-class puck tracking goaltender, had a difficult time with the layers of moving screens Colorado sent his way in this game. As the play shifted sides up top, the new strong-side defenseman was often caught in “no-man’s land,” where he couldn’t challenge or block the shot and couldn’t pick up one of the multiple opposing forwards at the crease. 

These aren’t new areas of concern for the Ducks in defensive zone coverage, but Dostal is usually spectacular enough to paper over many of their issues. Today, he was just human.

Leo Carlsson: Carlsson is continuing to display how effective he can be at full health and is using his speed to drive opposing defensemen back towards their low slot, which opens up east/west lanes high in the zone. 

Even if those lanes aren’t present and he can’t change pace or cut back to the middle, he’s finding ways to get shots off, and with the speed of the Ducks’ attack, they’re able to get to pucks first a lot of the time. It’s like a new approach to establishing a forecheck while also generating a rebound and potential immediate scoring chance.

Radko Gudas: Gudas has done well to play within his skillset this season, contained and keeping plays in front of him. In this game, he was a step slow to read how plays were developing, affecting how quickly he reacted and attempted to get into position. He and his entire blueline had a difficult time sorting which of the multiple opposing netfront forwards each other would cover, and by the time they did, there was an established screen or flurry at the crease.

The Ducks will look to iron out these issues immediately, as they’ll be right back at Honda Center on Wednesday night to host the New York Islanders. 

Anaheim Ducks 2026 Trade Deadline Preview

Takeaways from the Ducks 3-2 Shootout Win over the Flames

Takeaways from the Ducks 5-4 OT Win over the Jets

Atalanta’s general manager for institutional affairs Umberto Marino understands the danger that his club faces against Bayern Munich in the Champions League

“We will face a great global football club like Bayern Munich with great pride in representing Italy,” Marino, told Sky Sport after the round of 16 draw at UEFA headquarters in Nyon (as captured by Ansa). “We will try to make life difficult for them by playing like Atalanta, with courage, desire, and the support of the fans.

“Being in contention for the Italian league, the Champions League, and the Coppa Italia simultaneously is a unique achievement for us. We’ll have to play the match of our lives against Bayern Munich, but if they win, we’ll shake their hand.”

Atalanta proved its mettle in battling back from a 2-0 deficit in the Champions League Playoff Round to ultimate win its tie against Borussia Dortmund 4-3. That same kind of resilience and aggression will be needed against Bayern Munich.

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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Liam Rosenior believes that winger Alejandro Garnacho could be getting stick purely based on the way he looks.

The former Manchester United player has always had to deal with getting booed and stick from away fans during games, something that has now carried on to his time at Chelsea as well. He is often on the receiving end to a lot of criticism as well.

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He’s not really came in and banged at Chelsea yet, and he’s mostly just been used as a bench player. But it looks like he could get a start tonight against Aston Villa.

Rosenior on Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho scores his second goal. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Liam Rosenior says Alejandro Garnacho is ‘knocking on the door to start’ against Aston Villa.

‘Garna is a top player,’ said Rosenior at his pre-match press conference as cited on Chelsea FC. ‘I’ve changed a little bit tactically since I’ve come in; I’ve wanted to dominate midfield areas. That has meant at times I’ve only played with one winger, but Garna is an outstanding player.

‘What I’ve really liked in this period is his reaction to not starting. He’s been training very well and showed real positivity when he came on against Arsenal [on Sunday].

‘He was also magnificent against Hull in the FA Cup and had a huge impact in the game against Arsenal when he scored two goals [Carabao Cup semi-final first leg].’

Rosenior continued: ‘We have got to take into account that Garna is 21 – he’s got huge ability and huge potential.

‘For any young player, the biggest thing to be challenged is your consistency level, but he’s showing really good signs, not just in training but in meetings, that he’s on a really good track. He’s definitely going to get his opportunities to play with the schedule we’ve got coming up.

‘Garna has put himself in a really, really good place the last few weeks and he’s more than knocking on the door to start.

‘He’s a great kid. He’s had a very difficult thing happen in his life recently – and rather than tell me about that, he wanted to put himself forward for a game and only told me after the game when he had to go back home.

‘People make judgments based on the way people look. Garna is a really good character who works really hard every day in training. I know in the end his quality is going to show in a really consistent way.’

In other news today…

Speaking after the defeat to Arsenal from Sunday afternoon, Liam Rosenior, has come out and called for a rule change regarding corners.

Meanwhile, Reece James’ father has been given the task of working with incoming wonderkid Dastan Satpaev in his own youth academy, keeping it all very close to home.

Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:

CINCINNATI — In what came as absolutely no surprise to anybody who has been paying attention the past few weeks, once-ranked and mighty BYU was pulverized 90-68 by red-hot Cincinnati on Tuesday night in front of a sellout crowd of 12,012 at Fifth Third Arena.

That some people believed the Cougars, who have now lost three straight and nine of their last 13, were going to somehow flip a switch and revert to their winning ways seems quite laughable at this point. BYU’s hope for something beside a double-digit seed in the NCAA Tournament took another big hit, and another Quad 1 opportunity fell by the wayside.

Actually, it fell as flat as the Cougars (20-10, 8-9), who inched even closer to having to play in a first-round game in next week’s Big 12 tournament.

And they should be hoping not to have to face the Bearcats (17-13, 9-8), who are playing with a sense of urgency and desperation that somehow has evaded BYU coach Kevin Young’s team the past month, with the exception of that upset of No. 6 Iowa State in the friendly confines of the Marriott Center.

A mark of a mediocre team, or worse, is that it cannot play as well on the road in the face of a raucous crowd as it can at home, and that certainly applies to BYU.

Hoping to make amends for that 79-71 loss at unranked West Virginia three days ago, the Cougars looked even more lost on defense, discombobulated on offense and as out of sorts as at any time this season on Tuesday.

“Dug ourselves in a hole to start the game with just bad offense,” Young said. “They had 13 points off the turnovers in the first half, and that continued in the second.

“It was a 21-4 deficit for points off turnovers. Makes it tough to win. We were just careless with the ball.”

Meanwhile, homestanding Cincinnati played with fire and passion, beating BYU to 50-50 balls all night and taking advantage of all kinds of mismatches to win going away.

Sure, BYU superstar freshman AJ Dybantsa had a game-high 23 points, but he had to hoist up 21 shots to get there, and was 1 of 8 from 3-point range.

Point guard Rob Wright added 21 points on 8-of-16 shooting, but did not have a single assist in 32 minutes.

That’s just not winning basketball.

Wright (four) and Dybantsa combined for nine of BYU’s 15 turnovers, which, as Young noted, Cincy turned into 21 points.

Playing against another soft defensive effort from BYU, Cincy had just seven turnovers, and several of those came in the meaningless last few minutes.

“They just took the ball from us. Really, that’s the bottom line,” Young said. “We got to do a better job with our decision making.

“That’s been an area that we have struggled in. I mean, Rob and AJ had the ball a lot. They had nine turnovers between the two of them, so that’s gotta improve.”

The Cougars did improve in the rebounding department after that was the culprit in their loss to WVU, which is saying something considering Cincy has one of the tallest front courts in the Big 12 — paced by Baba Miller and Moustapha Thiam.

Those two combined for 31 points and 21 rebounds, and completely dominated inside. Super senior Day Day Thomas added 12, and Jizzle James and Jalen Celestine contributed 18 apiece as five Bearcats reached double figures.

Young said he will be happy to see Thomas and James move on after the backcourt duo killed the Cougars last year here as well.

What the Cougars — relegated to being a two-man team, pretty much, without Richie Saunders — would give to have that kind of balance.

Freshman Aleksej Kostic is coming along — he had another decent night off the bench with 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting — but starter Khadim Mboup didn’t score in 12 minutes, starting center Keba Keita was virtually non-existent on offense with two points and four fouls in 21 minutes and Kennard Davis Jr. only had six points and a rebound in 21 minutes.

Young got so desperate that he turned to seldom-used Dominique Diomande for 13 minutes. The Washington transfer played some decent defense and had five rebounds, but it is too late in the season to expect much more from him.

At times, Dybantsa tries to do too much, and it appears that he’s wearing down, along with Wright. Both missed a lot of shots that they normally make.

“Not well,” Dybantsa said when he was asked how he fared against UC’s double-teaming and constant harassment. “Just turned the ball over, careless passes, not being strong with the ball. They were just being physical. I thought I was getting to my spots.

“I could have settled. I mean, I think I did settle for tough (shots) at times. … For the most part, I was getting good looks, but I was just trying to be more physical with the ball and stop making stupid turnovers.”

If there was another stat — aside from points off turnovers — that symbolized the game, it was UC’s 12 fast-break points, to BYU’s two. Nothing fires up a home crowd more than a steal and fast break dunk, and UC had plenty of those.

Nothing comes easy for this BYU offense anymore. The Cougars shot 41% from the floor, 29% from 3-point range and almost got to free-throw line as much as the Bearcats, but couldn’t deliver much there, either.

They were 13 of 19 from the charity stripe.

Dybantsa was 8 of 11 from the line, and was greeted with chants of “overrated” or “Boozer is better” at almost every appearance at the line.

Cincinnati continued to pour it on late — Celestine popped a 3-pointer with 56 seconds remaining and his team up by 19 — but Young had nothing but praise for the Bearcats, who are playing like a team that could do some damage in the Big 12 Tournament.

BYU is not.

“You got to give Wes (Miller) tons of credit,” Young said. “He was feeling like I’m feeling right now a couple weeks ago. He’s a competitive guy.

“He’s a good coach, and he’s done a good job of finding a rhythm with this particular group that he’s playing with right now.”

Offensive rhythm is no longer in BYU’s vocabulary. Dybantsa, who reached 20 points or more for the 23rd time this season, and Wright are Young’s only options. An issue moving forward is that some guys are regressing instead of improving, guys such as Mihailo Boskovic and Keita.

Of course, awful starts also continue to plague the Cougars. There always seems to be a different reason for BYU’s first-half struggles, and on this night it was turnovers. The Cougars committed 10 in the first half, which Cincy turned into 13 points.

Dybantsa pressed too much in the first half, and committed five turnovers to go with eight points, two rebounds and four assists.

He was 3 of 11 from the field in the first half, 0 for 4 from 3-point range.

Young went with his seventh different starting lineup this season, to no avail. Cincinnati went on a 14-2 run early in the first half to take control, get the crowd involved, and force Young into burning a timeout to stop the bleeding.

BYU trailed by as many as 16 points, 37-21, with just under five minutes remaining in the half before Kostic hit some shots late in the half to make it 43-31 at the break.

The Cougars tightened their defense in the final minutes of the first half, but couldn’t sustain it into the second half.

So the Cougars turn their attention to Saturday’s home finale against No. 16 Texas Tech, which was upset by TCU on Tuesday night in Lubbock.

Young said his message to the Cougars after the discouraging loss was a simple one.

“I just want our guys to continue to believe in each other and believe in themselves,” he said.

Not many others are doing that right now, for obvious reasons.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Trent Perry scored 20 points and UCLA led all the way in ending No. 9 Nebraska's three-game winning streak with a 72-52 victory on Tuesday night.

The Bruins (20-10, 12-7 Big Ten) notched 20 wins for the seventh time in 10 years and closed their home schedule with a 17-1 mark at Pauley Pavilion, where they also beat ranked Purdue and Illinois.

Sophomore Perry and junior Eric Dailey Jr. upstaged Tyler Bilodeau, Donovan Dent and Skyy Clark on Senior Night.

Dailey finished with 14 points and eight rebounds. Bilodeau, UCLA's leading scorer at 17.9 points, was held to eight. Dent had four points and eight assists after averaging 15.7 points and 12.7 assists in his last three games. Clark had eight points while in foul trouble along with Dent.

The loss knocked the Cornhuskers (25-5, 14-5) out of a second-place tie with idle Michigan State in the Big Ten. They were led by Sam Hoiberg with 12 points. Rienk Mast and Cale Jacobsen had 11 points each.

Nebraska came in averaging 11.2 3-pointers, with Hoiberg and Pryce Sandfort hitting 42% from long range. But the Bruins' defense held the Huskers to 5 of 24, while UCLA made 10 from long range.

The Bruins led 37-24 at halftime after Perry’s 3-pointer capped an 8-0 run.

Up next

Nebraska: Hosts Iowa on Sunday to close regular season.

UCLA: Visits crosstown rival USC on Saturday to end regular season.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

SACRAMENTO – After a full team effort, the Phoenix Suns kept their foot on the gas pedal and defeated the Sacramento Kings by a score of 114-103 on Tuesday night at the Golden 1 Center.

Mar 3, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) looks on during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Justine Willard-Imagn Images

It was the return of Phoenix’s star Devin Booker, and their offense needed the leadership he provides. Booker eased back into action and shot 6-for-19 for 17 points. He didn’t force rhythm; he let it find him, and that restraint mattered. It signaled a shift from dependency to design. Phoenix no longer needs brilliance every possession to win.

Mar 3, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Phoenix forward Oso Ighodaro (11) and Phoenix guard Devin Booker (1) high five during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Justine Willard-Imagn Images

Instead, the Suns overwhelmed Sacramento with balance. Jalen Green shot with confidence and control at times, bending the defense just enough to unlock driving lanes and kick-outs. The bench amplified it. Grayson Allen putting up 18 points shows how important he is to their system. Oso Ighodaro’s 14 points reflected interior activity. Rookie Rasheer Fleming added timely minutes that steadied second-unit stretches.

Mar 3, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Phoenix guard Grayson Allen (8) shoots a three point basket during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Justine Willard-Imagn Images

Collin Gillespie also had something to say on Tuesday night. Six of nine from the field. Five of eight from three. That’s not a heater, that’s shot profile discipline. If Gillespie becomes a reliable spacer, Phoenix’s offensive rating in spread lineups could spike dramatically. For Suns fans, the takeaway is simple: sustainability wins in April. Depth survives series, and this game builds belief. Nationally, it reframes the Suns as layered, not top-heavy.

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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Cale Makar had a goal and two assists, Nathan MacKinnon secured his fourth consecutive 100-point season with a third-period assist, and the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche snapped the Anaheim Ducks' five-game winning streak with a 5-1 victory Tuesday night.

Parker Kelly scored two goals and Scott Wedgewood made 27 saves for the Avs, who have won three straight and four of five since the Olympic break. Martin Necas got his 27th goal and Gabriel Landeskog also scored to complete Colorado's back-to-back sweep of the Southern California clubs.

Cutter Gauthier scored his 29th goal and Lukas Dostal stopped 21 shots for the Ducks, whose eight-game home winning streak since Jan. 2 also ended.

Anaheim would have moved into first place in the Pacific Division with a point, but the loss kept Vegas one point ahead. The Ducks are in a playoff race down the stretch for the first time since 2018.

After two fruitless Ducks power plays in the opening minutes, Makar put the Avs ahead from the slot with his 18th goal.

Necas added his seventh power-play goal of the season 2 1/2 minutes later, beating his Czech Olympic teammate with a high shot. The goal was just the second on the power play in the last 12 games for the Avalanche, who inexplicably have the NHL's worst man-advantage unit despite their overall excellence.

Gauthier hammered home a one-timer early in the second after a superb cross-ice pass from Jackson LaCombe, but Kelly got his 14th goal later in the period.

Landeskog then scored a goal in his second straight game, connecting early in the third on a one-timer from MacKinnon, who got his 59th assist to go with his NHL-leading 41 goals.

Up next

Avalanche: At Dallas on Friday night.

Ducks: Host New York Islanders on Wednesday night.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

The rivalry has become a tradition. The MLS All-Star Game 2026 will once again pit the best of Major League Soccer and Liga MX against each other on July 29 at Bank of America Stadium, home of Charlotte FC.

Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET, continuing a fixture on the North American soccer calendar.

The festivities begin the day before. On July 28, players will take part in the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T at Truist Field, also in Charlotte. The event features shooting, passing, and crossbar challenges designed to showcase technique before the main event.

MLS vs Liga MX rivalry gets another chapter

The 2026 edition will mark:

• The third consecutive All-Star meeting between the leagues
• The fifth overall matchup in the MLS vs Liga MX format

The game has evolved beyond a typical exhibition. For MLS, it represents an opportunity to showcase the league’s growth and competitiveness. For Liga MX, it is a chance to defend its long-established reputation as the region’s traditional powerhouse.

The rivalry now extends beyond the All-Star Game. Cooperation between the leagues includes competitions such as the Leagues Cup and the Concacaf Champions Cup, creating regular points of contact between clubs.

Another layer adds intrigue: many players involved are expected to feature in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The All-Star Game effectively becomes a preview stage for talent ahead of the tournament.

How the rosters are selected

Each side will feature 26 players.

MLS All-Stars

• 11 players selected by fan voting
• 13 players chosen by the All-Star head coach
• 2 players selected by MLS Commissioner Don Garber

Voting details will be announced by the league in the coming weeks.

Liga MX All-Stars

Liga MX will also name 26 players. While final selection criteria have not been confirmed, the squad is expected to balance standout performers with representatives from the league’s most prominent clubs.

Head-to-head record

Results between the leagues remain relatively balanced.

MLS vs Liga MX All-Star Game

• 2021 (Los Angeles) — MLS won on penalties
• 2022 (Minnesota) — MLS won 2–1
• 2024 (Columbus) — Liga MX won 4–1
• 2025 (Austin) — MLS won 3–1

MLS holds three victories, while Liga MX has one.

The Skills Challenge is perfectly even:

• Liga MX wins: 2021, 2024
• MLS wins: 2022, 2025

The result is a 2–2 split heading into 2026.

Charlotte takes center stage

Since joining MLS in 2022, Charlotte FC has quickly built a reputation for strong attendance.

Bank of America Stadium regularly ranks among the league’s leaders in crowd size. The club’s home debut drew 74,479 fans, one of the largest attendances in MLS history.

Other milestones underline the club’s presence in the city:

• Nearly 3 million total fans since launch
• Three consecutive MLS Cup Playoff appearances
• 4th place in the Eastern Conference in 2025 with 59 points

The stadium has also hosted major international events, including the Leagues Cup, Copa América, FIFA Club World Cup matches, and international friendlies. It is also home to the NFL’s Carolina Panthers.

All-Star Week expands beyond the match

The All-Star Game is part of a week-long series of events across Charlotte, including:

• Community outreach programs
• Sponsor activations and fan events
• Player appearances
• The fifth MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by Allstate

The week blends sport, entertainment, and business, turning the host city into a hub for the North American soccer industry.

Strategic moment for both leagues

The 2026 MLS All-Star Game arrives at a pivotal time for soccer in North America.

With the World Cup set to take place across the continent, both MLS and Liga MX are seeking to capitalize on increased global attention. MLS aims to expand its international visibility, while Liga MX continues to strengthen its brand presence in the United States.

On the field, however, the objective remains simple: competition.

Matches between MLS and Liga MX rarely resemble casual exhibitions. The stakes revolve around regional prestige.

World Baseball Classic games on TV today: Full schedule, times, channels, live streams to watch 2026 WBC originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The World Baseball Classic is back for 2026, with 20 teams vying for glory around the globe. 

The tournament opens Thursday night, Eastern time, with the opening games in Pool C. Australia and Chinese Taipei lead things off from Tokyo, with Korea and Czechia to follow a few hours later on Friday morning in the U.S.

Australia was one of the feel-good stories of the 2023 WBC, beating Korea in its opener and making it out of pool play for the first time in the fifth edition of the tournament. Manager Dave Nilsson's Aussies lost a close one to Cuba in the quarterfinals, and they return several key players from that team plus MLB-caliber newcomers Curtis Mead and Travis Bazzana. 

Chinese Taipei was in the most balanced WBC pool ever last time out, going 2-2 to finish in a five-way tie. Unfortunately, they ended up in last place on the tiebreaker and had to survive a qualifying tournament last year just to make the 2026 field. 

The second game of the day at Tokyo will feature Korea trying to bounce back from missing out on the knockout stage last time and perennial underdog Czechia looking for a massive upset. 

Here's everything you need to know to watch WBC games today.

World Baseball Classic games on TV today

Wednesday, March 4

Thursday, March 5

Where to watch World Baseball Classic 2026

• TV channels: Fox, FS1, FS2
• Live stream: Fubo, Tubi, Fox app, Fox One

The 2026 World Baseball Classic will be broadcast by the Fox networks, including the main channel, FS1 and FS2. All of those games can be streamed live via Fubo, and some additional games will stream on Tubi and the Fox app. Fox One will also stream every game. 

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.)

World Baseball Classic schedule 2026

Friday, March 6

Saturday, March 7

Sunday, March 8

Monday, March 9

Tuesday, March 10

Wednesday, March 11

Friday, March 13 - Quarterfinals

If the USA is in the quarterfinals, it will play on Friday

Saturday, March 14 - Quarterfinals

If Japan is in the quarterfinals, it will play on Saturday

Sunday, March 15 - Semifinals

Semifinals and championship will be played in Miami

Monday, March 16 - Semifinals

Tuesday, March 17 - Championship

Related Links

• Latest MLB news and rumors
• 2026 MLB schedule and scores
• How to bet on MLB

The NHL's hottest team isn't who you'd think originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Dallas Stars are on fire right now, and if you haven't been paying attention, it's time to start.

Dallas has rattled off 10 straight wins, the longest active winning streak in the NHL. It's the kind of run that turns a good team into a great story, and the Stars are writing a compelling one following the Olympic break. 

DOUBLE DIGITS 🚨 pic.twitter.com/yY07rFFEGQ

— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) March 4, 2026

Dallas knocked off the Winnipeg Jets (4-3), outlasted the St. Louis Blues twice, edged the Vegas Golden Knights 5-4 in a thriller, and dispatched the Seattle Kraken 4-1. They also dominated the Nashville Predators 3-2 before closing out the stretch with a 6-1 blowout over the Vancouver Canucks.

Ten wins, ten different opponents for the Stars. Injuries factored into the mix, too, with the loss of star forward Tyler Seguin for the season and Mikko Rantanen following the Olympics.

For Dallas, this streak puts them in firm control of their playoff positioning. The postseason is just weeks away, and momentum is everything; no team in the league has more of it right now. 

The Stars return home to face the Colorado Avalanche on March 7. All eyes will be on the matchup that will test just how far this streak can go.

More NHL news:

• Oilers want 2 positions before the NHL trade deadline
• A salary cap rule may make 2 Flames trades difficult
• Canadiens know trade cost for Robert Thomas
• It'll be complicated to trade for Steven Stamkos
• Alex Ovechkin has shared an update on his retirement plans
• Evgeni Malkin gets big news on a possible future

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Kirill Kaprizov broke the franchise career goals record with 220, Mats Zuccarello, Brock Faber and Quinn Hughes each had a goal and assist and the Minnesota Wild beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-1 Tuesday night.

Kaprizov’s empty-netter, a backhander from center ice for his 35th of the season, pushed him past Marian Gaborik for the most in Wild history.

Yakov Trenin also scored to help Minnesota end a two-game slide and continue its home dominance of Tampa Bay. The Wild are 16-3-0 at home against the Lightning.

Matt Boldy added a season-high three assists, extending his points streak to a career-high-tying 10 games. Filip Gustavsson stopped 26 shots, improving to 5-1-0 in his past six starts.

Opening a four-game road trip, Tampa Bay got a goal from Nikita Kucherov but lost its third straight game after a 20-1-1 stretch. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 17 saves.

Hughes also scored in the third period, resulting in a brief “U-S-A! U-S-A-!" chant for the member of the recent gold-medal winning squad.

Trenin scored a fluky goal at 17:10 of the second period for a 3-1 Minnesota lead.

Losing the puck as he tried to split a pair of defenders in the Lightning zone, Trenin finished his drive to the net and capitalized when Vasilevskiy struggled to cover the slow sliding puck.

Just over two minutes earlier, Kucherov completed a pretty passing play with Brayden Point and Jake Guentzel to get Tampa Bay on the board.

Faber scored less than four minutes into the game for a 1-0 lead. Zuccarello made it 2-0 with a 4-on-3 power-play goal early in the second period, the eighth straight game Minnesota has scored with the man advantage.

Up next

Lightning: At Winnipeg on Thursday night.

Wild: At Vegas on Friday night.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Receiving Aaron Wiggins' kick-out pass, Jaylin Williams calmly knocked down the outside catch-and-shoot look. Boom. That was enough for Chicago to wave the white flag as it cleared its bench. Even without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and others, OKC has figured out a formula to taste success.

The Oklahoma City Thunder enjoyed a 116-108 win over the Chicago Bulls. It was a game where the reigning NBA champions had most of the control. The latter is filled with career journeymen trying to find their next paychecks.

To start, both teams struggled to get anything going. The Thunder eventually found a rhythm with their second-unit lineup. Williams had eight points. Jared McCain quickly put up six points. They had a 26-22 lead after the first quarter.

The Bulls kept it within a possession. Guerschon Yabusele bullied his way to the rim. He also swished in a few outside jumpers. Isaiah Joe exchanged buckets with him. Welcome to NBA March basketball. The Thunder scored 29 points in the second frame. But they entered halftime with just a 55-54 lead over Chicago.

After the break, the Bulls eventually retook the lead. Josh Giddey swished an outside jumper. Matas Buzelis went to the free-throw line. Brand-new ballgame for OKC. That's where Chet Holmgren took over — on the defensive end, at least. Chicago's offense couldn't get anything going. It was out of synch. The rim-protector ensured that.

The Thunder went on a 14-4 run to create some separation again. They scored 32 points in the third frame. The Bulls saw their world fall apart. On one possession, Giddey had a gnarly ankle roll. A few possessions later, Buzelis also injured his knee. Both of Chicago's prized prospects fell. Only the former returned to the game.

Holding onto an 87-76 lead, the Thunder didn't need long to add more. They kept their distance on the scoreboard. Cason Wallace's steal-and-score pushed their advantage to 110-91 with a little under five minutes to go. That was enough to zap away all interest from this game — or most of it.

The Bulls went on an interesting 17-4 run that had the Thunder call a couple of timeouts to close this out with their end-of-bench guys. The outside shooting suddenly couldn't miss for Chicago in a half-empty gym still relying on nostalgia to sell tickets.

All that did was make the final score a little more respectable. The Thunder scored 29 points in the final frame. It never felt like they were actually on the verge of losing to one of the league's worst teams whose front office punted on the season at the trade deadline.

The Thunder shot 43% from the field and went 10-of-42 (23.8%) from 3. They shot 20-of-24 on free throws. They had 23 assists on 43 baskets. Six Thunder players scored double-digit points.

Holmgren had 12 points and 11 rebounds. McCain scored 20 points off the bench. Joe had 19 points. Wiggins tallied 18 points and seven rebounds. Williams finished with 17 points, 16 rebounds and six assists. Wallace had 17 points and five assists.

Meanwhile, the Bulls shot 43% from the field and went 17-of-49 (34.7%) from 3. They shot 13-of-19 on free throws. They had 27 assists on 39 baskets. Six Bulls players scored double-digit points.

Giddey finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Sexton scored 20 points off the bench. Yabusele had 18 points and 12 rebounds. Nick Richards tallied 12 points and 13 rebounds. Tre Jones scored 15 points. Buzelis had 11 points and five rebounds.

Another business-first win. Over the last month, the Thunder have learned to win without Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. Never want to be without the reigning MVP and an All-NBA player, but OKC has passed several gut-check tests. Credit to OKC's system for making the most of the talent available on any night.

The Thunder depended on their league-best defense to shut down the Bulls — who only got lucky with outside shooting variance. Both teams are heading in opposite directions. OKC has some of the best team chemistry in the league. Meanwhile, Chicago plays like a bunch of dudes who met for the first time before the game. The contrasting playstyles were loud.

Let's look at Thunder player grades:

Chet Holmgren: B

Running down the floor with Yabusele, Holmgren quickly made up for lost ground. The Chicago role player tried to rush in a transition layup. Instead, the NBA All-Star player yelled in his ear as he jumped off the floor with him. His wingspan helped him swat away his attempt. Just a special defender.

Holmgren finished with 12 points on 4-of-10 shooting, 11 rebounds and two assists. He shot 0-of-2 from 3 and went 4-of-6 on free throws. He also had two blocks.

Affecting the scoreboard in his way, Holmgren helped ice the Bulls. They struggled to attack the rim when he was on the floor. A bunch of Chicago role players didn't want to be on the wrong side of a refusal. That helped the Thunder overcome some ice-cold shooting splits as they manufactured points.

On the other end, Holmgren continued to be an efficient play-finisher. He sliced through Chicago's defense. Playing without a table-setter, the seven-footer showed he could go out and get his own buckets. He only needed a handful of dribbles to get to the cup and finish through contact.

Awesome game for Holmgren. He played within the flow of the offense. But also showed an ability to create off the dribble. Something he's rarely allowed to do when Gilgeous-Alexander is suited up. The defense speaks for itself. The seven-footer completely took over in the third quarter on that end as OKC pulled away with a double-digit lead.

Showing off his strength 💪 pic.twitter.com/a6MD5OODUM

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 4, 2026

Clear the lane for 7️⃣ pic.twitter.com/XaapUvTv13

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 4, 2026

Rim protection, presented by @ChetHolmgren 🙅‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/2GatbfkY4g

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 4, 2026

Jared McCain: A

Running some floppy action, McCain received Williams' dribble handoff. He took one dribble before he settled for a deep left-wing outside jumper that rattled in. Playing inside the historic NBA venue, the 22-year-old showed off some of his deep shot-making.

McCain finished with 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting, three rebounds and one assist. He shot 4-of-9 from 3. He also had two steals.

The rich keep getting richer. There were a lot of loud reactions involved when the Thunder acquired McCain from the Philadelphia 76ers. How could it happen? Why were the reigning NBA champions gifted a premier prospect? I felt like some of it was overblown. But oh my, can't say that right now, a month in.

McCain has been a perfect fit in OKC. Almost too perfect. After riding the bench to start the season, he's completely taken advantage of his fresh start. The Thunder needed a scorer with the number of guys out. He's gladly claimed plenty of possessions for himself.

The Thunder ran their second-unit offense through McCain. He was fed plenty of looks from the outside. One thing we've learned over his first month in OKC is that he's not afraid to let it fly. Once he got into a rhythm with his jumper, the buckets came in a flurry. He had nine points in the first half. He had the same amount in the third quarter alone.

In a game where plenty of players helped out, McCain was OKC's sole 20-point scorer. The Thunder badly needed the spark plug off the bench. He helped put them ahead by double-digit points. What an arrival by their big mid-season acquisition. For comparison, their last major trade deadline addition — Gordon Hayward — is about to get surpassed for points in their respective OKC stints.

👌 pic.twitter.com/vMdVCEbYy1

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 4, 2026

Stole it ➡️ scored it pic.twitter.com/Cd4AQ84GDQ

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 4, 2026

All hustle 😤 pic.twitter.com/U4aZfsz4Xu

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 4, 2026

Jaylin Williams: A

Navigating McCain to cut to the basket, Williams went with the daring behind-the-back bounce pass as Richards was on his grill. The colorful pass resulted in an easy layup. Asked to take on more on his plate, the 23-year-old flirted with a triple-double.

Williams finished with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting, 16 rebounds and six assists. He shot 3-of-7 from 3 and went 2-of-2 on free throws. He also had one steal.

It was an inside-outside scoring game for Williams. He had a few layups for a nonexistent defense. He also showed off his outside jumper. He helped close this out with nine points in the final frame. That included the dagger outside bucket that forced the Bulls to clear their bench.

The Thunder increased their lead thanks to their second unit. Williams was part of that. Scoring aside, he helped on the boards with one of his best nights ever in that department. The Bulls' erratic offense helped him gobble up misses on the boards. That helped OKC out in a big way, considering Isaiah Hartenstein was sidelined.

Stitching together a halfcourt offense, the Thunder relied on Williams' playmaking. He served as an offensive hub surrounded by several of their best off-ball cutters. He connected with his teammates on looks around the rim. The 23-year-old fit the ball into tiny windows as he flexed his passing skills.

Another game with the hospital version of OKC, another game where Williams easily scaled up. That might be his best skill. The third-string center has shown over the years that he can do whatever they need out of him. Some nights, it's playing a minimal role. Other nights, it's him having the ball in his hands as a way to create offense without an NBA superstar scorer.

JWill is cleared for takeoff 🛫 pic.twitter.com/SOB7RLSMBY

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 4, 2026

Got himself a boom 💥 pic.twitter.com/yBRI8kRxvR

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 4, 2026

Isaiah Joe: B

Catching all five Bulls players asleep, Joe hard-cut to the basket before his teammates even crossed halfcourt. He went up for the alley-oop as Williams threw up a pass from the midcourt logo. Despite the distance, it was one of OKC's easiest buckets.

Joe finished with 19 points on 7-of-15 shooting and two rebounds. He shot 2-of-10 from 3 and went 3-of-4 on free throws. He also had one steal.

The outside jumper didn't fall, but Joe has graduated past just being a one-dimensional player. He found other ways to score as he was gifted a few easy looks around the rim. He even knocked down a couple of mid-range jumpers. He had 13 points in the second frame alone to keep the Thunder ahead.

It's been quite a month for Joe. He's turned into a consistent scorer. While it's been awesome to see him ride sizzling outside shooting to become that, the next step in his development was how he'd help out when the jumper didn't fall. You saw that firsthand here.

The Thunder need everybody to help out in these scenarios. It's the only way to overcome Gilgeous-Alexander's absence. No one will truly be a one-for-one replacement. Joe was part of a group effort once again. Even if his hot scoring only lasted one quarter.

JWill just keeps finding Zai 🔥 pic.twitter.com/k1OGRN98Bp

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 4, 2026

Aaron Wiggins: B

Crossing over Yabusele, Wiggins lowered his shoulders before he drove to the basket. Losing his balance, he flung up the ball. The circus shot attempt kissed off the backboard as the 27-year-old was laid out on the ground. Finally, his finesse returned.

Wiggins finished with 18 points on 8-of-17 shooting, seven rebounds and four assists. He shot 0-of-5 from 3 and went 2-of-2 on free throws. He also had two steals and one block.

Throughout a tough month, the Thunder have stuck with Wiggins. One bad month suddenly doesn't erase years of work. The 27-year-old has struggled to put the ball through the hoop. He's had the same dribble moves to create separation. But just hasn't had the same efficiency as before.

Receiving the start, Wiggins finally rewarded their patience. He had 14 points in the second half. He flexed his tough shot-making on driving layups that increased in difficulty. Even at awkward angles, he somehow came up with buckets. It was a vintage stretch that has helped him become a main staple in OKC's rotation over the years.

Great way to finish the game. Wiggins helped the Thunder put this one away. Let's see if the momentum can snowball to other games. The 27-year-old is due for a hot streak. He's too good a self-creating scorer to suddenly forget to shoot the ball.

Wiggs is working 🙂‍↕️ pic.twitter.com/AuDPEX4Gqn

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 4, 2026

Wiggins 😳 pic.twitter.com/uyrHTt2naR

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 4, 2026

Cason Wallace: B

Stealing the ball away from Yabusele, Wallace had an easy lane to the basket. He went with the double-pump transition dunk. The Thunder were about to cross the finish line as they amped it up on the defensive end in the final moments of the game.

Wallace finished with 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting, five assists and one rebound. He shot 1-of-3 from 3 and went 4-of-4 on free throws. He also had two steals.

Considering who was out, Wallace returned to being the traditional point guard. He helped run the offense. Things were too easy for him when he drove to the basket. He also cashed in on a couple of jumpers. Over the last month, he's turned more into a downhill driver.

On defense, Wallace completely shut down Giddey. He was mostly irrelevant — despite a pretty box score. The Bulls had zero synergy together. Think everybody understands that this is just a weird group of veterans and projects who won't stick together beyond this season.

Wallace scored 12 points in the second half. A couple of those buckets came off turnovers. The Thunder had a group effort tonight. Hence why I included an ultra-rare sixth player grade. Too hard to decipher who among the six double-digit scorers needed a special shoutout. So went with all six.

Pulled 🆙 pic.twitter.com/Or31J9Kx0M

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 4, 2026

Hit 'em with the lefty 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/HjYTZLH9CW

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 4, 2026

The steals just won't stop 🔥 pic.twitter.com/A6yYZV4008

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 4, 2026

Highlights:

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Player grades: Thunder pull away late in 116-108 win over Bulls

The ending was not what Jason Crowe Jr. wanted, but he got a hug from his mother and praise from his coach/father after Inglewood's 84-65 loss to Damien on Tuesday night in the Southern California Division I regional playoff game.

He finished with 34 points, ending his high school career with a state-record 4,718 points in 124 games, according to CalHiSports.com. He's more than 1,000 points ahead of the next-closest player. His scoring average was 38.0 points.

Jason Crowe Jr. ends his fabulous high school career with 34 points in Inglewood 84-65 loss to Damien. He finishes with 4,718 points in 124 games, the most points in California history. pic.twitter.com/O1Lqcaqwzl

— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) March 4, 2026

"I think he's had an amazing high school career," said his father, Jason Sr., who will join his son at Missouri next season serving as an assistant coach. "He had to go against the best defenses every night. I'm proud of him. He brought this program to the Division I level. He was on honor roll every year."

Damien (28-7) had too much firepower for Inglewood (28-7). Eli Garner scored 25 points and Zaire Rasshan had 24 points. Garner had a five-point play and Rasshan added a four-point play. Damien will play at No. 3-seeded Crespi on Thursday. Crespi defeated Bishop Amat 83-66. Isaiah Barnes scored 20 points. Sophomore Aiden Shaw had 25 points for Bishop Amat.

"Incredible career," Damien coach Mike LeDuc said of Crowe Jr.

Mater Dei 86, La Mirada 79: The Monarchs came back from a 12-point halftime deficit to eliminate No. 1-seeded La Mirada on the road in Division I.

St. John Bosco 65, San Marcos 55: Christian Collins scored 30 points and Max Ellis 19 for the Braves.

Venice 61, Riverside Ramona 50: Canaan Rodriguez scored 18 points for Venice in Division IV.

Girls basketball

Oak Park 72, La Jolla Country Day 57: Karisma Flores scored 27 points, including seven of seven from the three-point line, to lead Oak Park.

Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL, SOFTBALL SCORES 
Tuesday’s Results 

BASEBALL 
SOUTHERN SECTION
Adelanto 5, AAE 4
Agoura 11, Culver City 0
Anaheim Canyon 2, Mission Viejo 1
Apple Valley 8, Victor Valley 7
Arcadia 21, Glendale 0
Ayala 8, Damien 3
Azusa 11, Arroyo 0
Bishop Amat 3, St. Bernard 2
Bishop Montgomery 11, St. Anthony 8
Buena 13, San Marcos 3
Boron 17, Eastside 5
Burbank 2, Hoover 2
Burbank Burroughs 12, Pasadena 0
Burbank Providence 1, Shadow Hills 0
Calvary Baptist 4, Diamond Ranch 2
Castaic 11, Foothill Tech 10
Chino Hills 9, Yucaipa 0
Claremont 3, Western Christian 1
Colony 7, Ontario Christian 2
Cornerstone Christian 9, San Jacinto Valley Academy 6
Corona Del Mar 2, Orange County Pacifica Christian 1
Costa Mesa 14, La Palma Kennedy 0
Crean Lutheran 14, Oxford Academy 0
Crescenta Valley 6, Muir 5
Crossroads 7, Campbell Hall 4
Don Lugo 6, Alta Loma 6
Dos Pueblos 6, Ventura 5
El Modena 3, Irvine 2
Fontana 9, Ontario 0
Garey 6, Montclair 6
Glenn 1, Compton 0
Granite Hills 13, CIMSA 1
Harvard-Westlake 4, Huntington Beach 3
Hesperia 14, Silverado 2
Hesperia Christian 19, California Lutheran 1
Indio 8, San Bernardino 7
Jurupa Hills 7, La Quinta 5
Jurupa Valley7, Colton 5
Katella 11, Santa Ana 0
Knight 6, Eisenhower 3
La Habra 2, St. Paul 0
La Salle 10, Gardena Serra 0
Loara 1, Orange 0
Long Beach Cabrillo 16, Dominguez 4
Long Beach Jordan 9, Western 1
Long Beach Wilson 3, Arlington 2
Lynwood 10, HMSA 2
Magnolia 4, Westminster 1
Marina 3, Segerstrom 2
Northview 4, Bonita 1
Nuview Bridge 10, Desert Christian Academy 0
Perris 7, Temecula Prep 1
Oak Park 3, Nordhoff 1
Ocean View 5, Dana Hills 1
Paraclete 7, Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary 4
Patriot 4, Banning 1
Placentia Valencia 18, Downey Calvary Chapel 2
Rancho Cucamonga 6, Chaffey 4
Redlands Adventist Academy 16, Sherman Indian 3
Ridgecrest Burroughs 12, Bishop Union 2
Rio Mesa 6, Oxnard 1
Riverside Poly 10, Riverside North 1
Saddleback 18, Inglewood 1
Sage Creek 5, Murrieta Mesa 2
San Jacinto 13, Twentynine Palms 6
Santa Barbara 2, Oxnard Pacifica 1
Savanna 8, Laguna Hills 7
Serrano 14, Arroyo Valley 2
Sierra Canyon 7, Etiwanda 5
Southlands Christian 11, El Monte 6
St. Bonaventure 26, Santa Clara 0
St. Francis 12, Channel Islands 1
St. Monica 2, Cathedral 1
St. Monica Academy 13, Faith Baptist 5
Sultana 17, Norte Vista 5
Summit 13, Riverside Prep 7
Tustin 22, Garden Grove Santiago 1
Villa Park 3, Fullerton 1
West Valley 16, Entrepreneur 2
Whittier Christian 3, Sunny Hills 3
Windward 6, Brentwood 6
Woodcrest Christian 5, Indian Springs 1
Yorba Linda 6, Brea Olinda 4

INTERSECTIONAL
Borrego Springs 12, Anza Hamilton 3
Calabasas 4, Palisades 1
Compton Centennial d. Dorsey, forfeit
Lucerne Valley 28, Trona 2
Vista Murrieta 6, Poway 5
Trinity Classical Academy 14, Verdugo Hills 4

SOFTBALL 

CITY SECTION 
University Prep Value 23, Alliance Ouchi 18

SOUTHERN SECTION 
Adelanto 16, AAE 15
Aliso Niguel 7, Esperanza 5
Apple Valley 12, Jurupa Hills 4
Arroyo Valley 10, Yucca Valley 3
Azusa 11, Mountain View 0
Baldwin Park 6, Montebello 4
Beaumont 4, Sultana 3
Bolsa Grande 14, Century 13
Brentwood 13, Immaculate Heart
Buena Park 12, Anaheim 9
Burbank Burroughs 18, South Pasadena 0
Chaminade 7, Moorpark 1
Citrus Valley 16, Serrano 1
Coastal Christian 8, Santa Maria 8
Colony 3, Kaiser 1
Colton 11, Jurupa Valley 1
Compton Early College 20, Lawndale 9
Corona 10, Northwood 0
Corona del Mar 22, Estancia 6
Covina 11, Ramona Convent 0
Crean Lutheran 18, Westminster 2
Crescenta Valley 7, La Canada 4
Dana Hills 8, Mission Viejo 6
Desert Christian Academy 21, Nuview Bridge 9
Dos Pueblos 10, Ventura 0
Downey 10, Santa Fe 4
Duarte 14, Ramona Convent 6
Eastside 8, Boron 3
El Dorado 21, Troy 0
El Monte 8, Monrovia 7
Elsinore 4, Rancho Verde 2
Foothill Tech 6, Fillmore 4
Gahr 2, California 1
Ganesha 5, Millikan 2
Glendora 13, Temple City 5
Golden Valley 17, Antelope Valley 7
Hawthorne 19, Environmental Charter 1
Hemet 16, Temecula Prep 4
Heritage Christian 20, Hueneme 0
Hesperia 4, Silverado 1
Hesperia Christian 25, California Lutheran 4
Irvine University 10, Laguna Hills 0
Katella 5, Garden Grove 3
Lakewood 5, Paramount 0
La Serna 14, Sonora 13
Lennox Academy 23, Compton 5
Leuzinger 1, Bishop Conaty-Loretto 1
Littlerock 9, Rosamond 1
Long Beach Poly 8, Cerritos Valley Christian 1
Los Amigos 7, Santa Ana 5
Lynwood 22, HMSA 3
Maranatha 12, Burbank 1
Marymount 33, Oakwood 6
Mira Costa 15, Culver City 0
Montclair 16, Garey 5
Muir 10, Mayfield 0
Newbury Park 6, Grace 3
Newport Harbor 4, Ocean View 3
North Torrance 10, Mayfair 0
Norwalk 16, Artesia 4
Oak Hills 12, Granite Hills 0
Oak Park 5, Louisville 0
Oaks Christian 10, Saugus 1
Ontario 12, Fontana 4
Ontario Christian 21, Lakeside 6
Palm Desert 14, Redlands 3
Patriot 9, Hillcrest 8
Paraclete 9, Highland 4
Rio Mesa 5, Oxnard 1
Rosary Academy 10, Cerritos 2
Rosemead 17, Glendale 5
Sacred Heart of Jesus 20, Pioneer 4
San Bernardino 19, Rubidoux 9
San Clemente 16, Segerstrom 0
San Dimas 18, Mark Keppel 4
San Gorgonio 16, Indian Springs 4
San Juan Hills 10, Woodbridge 1
San Marcos 16, Buena 6
San Marino 13, Alhambra 3
Santa Ana Foothill 7, Villa Park 3
Santa Ana Valley 14, Samueli Academy 0
Santa Margarita 8, Capistrano Valley 3
Santa Ynez 19, Bishop Diego 1
Schurr 13, Sierra Vista 0
St. Bonaventure 7, Viewpoint 3
Tesoro 10, Beckman 7
Thousand Oaks 15, Royal 1
Trabuco Hills 17, Portola 0
Warren 9, El Rancho 0
Western Christian 14, Chaffey 6
West Torrance 13, Wiseburn-Da Vinci 3
Woodcrest Christian 12, Moreno Valley 2
Yorba Linda 12, Sunny Hills 0
Yucaipa 6, Riverside Poly 5

INTERSECTIONAL 
Animo Venice 19, Crossroads 3
El Camino Real 6, Hart 5
Sierra Canyon 6, Granada Hills 3
Trona 16, Lucerne Valley 2

Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Before his Premier League match against Aston Villa, Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior provided an update on his injured players, one week before the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against PSG.

The Champions League round of 16 is fast approaching. Opposed to Chelsea, PSG will need to raise their level of play to hope to defend their title. For that, Luis Enrique hopes for the return of Ousmane Dembele and Fabian Ruiz, who have been absent for a few matches. On the Blues' side, Liam Rosenior also has to deal with some absences.

The day after the defeat against Arsenal in the Premier League (2-1), the Blues coach was present at a press conference on Monday, before facing Aston Villa in the league on Wednesday.

And the former Strasbourg coach was questioned about the fitness of his group ahead of this Premier League clash, in comments reported by the official Chelsea website. And he could notably count on the returns of Marc Cucurella, absent during the last three matches due to a hamstring injury, and Cole Palmer, who left injured against the Gunners.

"Cole took a knock [against Arsenal], but he's doing very well. He looks in great shape, and I think you can see how we've managed him over the past few weeks. He played 83 minutes [Sunday], and it was a tactical decision to replace him and Enzo [Fernandez], because they had received a yellow card, and I wanted to bring some freshness with Garna [Garnacho] and Liam [Delap]. So yes, Cole is fully ready to start the match on Wednesday, and Reece [James] is also fit (…) Cucu (Marc Cucurella) looks in very good shape, and I hope we can bring him back, if not on Wednesday, then Saturday [against Wrexham in the FA Cup]. That's great news for us, given the schedule ahead. Estevao is back on the field, which is great, and he's doing very well. Jamie Gittens is also progressing well in his rehabilitation. It was great to see Romeo [Lavia] play his first minutes in a long time [Sunday]. I thought he was very solid [against Arsenal]. I think he's ready to come back into the starting eleven. We managed his rehabilitation differently, and I hope that now that he's back fit, he'll stay that way."

Chelsea will have two more matches to play (Aston Villa and Wrexham) before facing PSG in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 (March 11).

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The San Francisco 49ers have a couple of glaring needs on offense, and they covered both of them in a new two-round mock draft by ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid.

In Reid's two-round projections the 49ers pick up Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion with the No. 27 overall pick, and then they add offensive tackle Caleb Tiernan from Northwestern with the No. 58 selection in the second round.

Concepcion has been a popular mock draft choice for the 49ers. The speedy wide receiver has big-time playmaking ability. He stretches the field vertically while also racking up yards after the catch on short throws. He's not in the Deebo Samuel realm from a versatility standpoint, but it's easy to see where he fits into a 49ers' offense that badly needs high-upside playmakers in its receiving corps.

Here's what Reid had to say about Concepcion, who finished his three-year college career with 185 receptions for 2,218 yards and 25 touchdowns in 38 games:

Concepcion is an explosive playmaker who has many traits that translate to success in coach Kyle Shanahan's scheme. Concepcion kicks it into gear on route stems and racks up plenty of big plays as a pass catcher and a return specialist.

Tiernan is an interesting choice who Reid describes as a "dependable and high-floor blocker who could eventually take over at either tackle spot."

The 6-foot-8, 328-pound OT started all 38 games he played at left tackle across his final three seasons with the Wildcats. He also made five starts at right tackle as a freshman per the Northwestern Athletics site.

Whether the 49ers would select a tackle in the second round is the bigger question than Tiernan's fit. They spent a first-round pick on OT Mike McGlinchey in the 2018 draft. They spent a second-round pick on Aaron Banks in 2021. Beyond that they've never spent more than a third-round pick on an offensive lineman, which brings into question whether they'd go that route while overlooking other needs on the defensive line and in the receiving corps.

If they did take Tiernan, there's a chance they may try to play him at right tackle over Colton McKivitz, but winning that job against the vastly improved McKivitz wouldn't be easy. There's a real question about whether San Francisco would want a second-round pick to take on a reserve OL spot on a roster that needs other upgrades to compete for a Super Bowl in 2026.

More 49ers: 49ers officially sign oldest player to 1-year contract extension

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 2026 NFL draft: 49ers add KC Concepcion, Caleb Tiernan in 2-round mock

As if general manager Bill Guerin needed any extra motivation to go big game hunting at the trade deadline, the Wild once again showcased their seemingly limitless potential on Tuesday night at Grand Casino Arena.

A few hours after Guerin made a minor move to acquire depth center Michael McCarron, the Wild snapped a brief losing streak with an impressive 5-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

It was a hot start for the Wild as defenseman Brock Faber cashed in early in the first period to make it 1-0. It was beautiful sequence as Faber took a feed from winger Marcus Johansson near the right circle, then beat Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy top shelf.

The score held up largely because of goaltender Filip Gustavsson between the pipes. He made 12 saves for the Wild amid heavy pressure in the opening frame to keep the Lightning off the scoreboard.

A snipe from winger Mats Zuccarello on the power play helped the Wild stretch the lead to 2-0 early in the second period before Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov cut the deficit to 2-1 with a snipe of his own.

Though it looked like the Wild be locked in a tight contest the rest of the way, winger Yakov Trenin put forth an outstanding individual effort to make it 3-1. He hustled into the offensive zone at the end of his shift and was rewarded with a goal that took the edge off.

The dagger came midway through the third period courtesy of superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes. He corralled a loose puck, dangled through a host of defenders, and found the back of the net to make it 4-1 in favor of the Wild.

As the game wound to a close, superstar winger Kirill Kaprizov finalized the score at 5-1 with backhanded shot into an empty net. In the process, Kaprizov successfully rewrote the record books, passing former star winger Marian Gaborik for the most goals in franchise history.

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EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Leon Draisaitl had two goals and three assists, Evan Bouchard scored on a power play at 1:50 of overtime and the Edmonton Oilers rallied to beat the Ottawa Senators 5-4 on Tuesday night.

With Brady Tkachuk in the penalty box for tackling Connor McDavid in overtime, Edmonton got it back to Bouchard and he blasted in his 18th of the season.

Zach Hyman tied it for the Oilers with 1:25 remaining in the third period with goalie Connor Ingram of for an extra attacker. Hyman tipped Draisaitl's pass under Linus Ullmark for his 25th goal of the season.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also scored and Ingram made 17 saves for the Oilers in their first home game in a month. They had lost five of their previous six.

Drake Batherson had two goals for the second consecutive game and Dylan Cozens and Michael Amadio also scored for Ottawa. The Senators are 6-1-2 in their last nine games.

Ullmark made 32 saves.

Up next

Senators: At Calgary on Thursday night.

Oilers: Host Carolina on Friday night.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

The Calgary Flames returned to the Scotiabank Saddledome on Tuesday night for their first home game since the Olympic break, but the welcome back wasn’t a warm one.

Facing a red-hot Dallas Stars club that continues to stack wins, the Flames were handed a decisive 6–1 loss. Dallas, now riding a franchise best 10-game winning streak dating back to before the break, wasted little time asserting control.

The Stars opened the scoring at 8:44 of the first period. Matt Duchene tracked down a loose puck along the half wall and slipped it into the slot, where Sam Steel redirected it past Dustin Wolf for a 1–0 lead. Jamie Benn added the secondary assist.

Calgary responded almost immediately.

On the very next shift, Adam Klapka carried the puck into the zone and moved it to Blake Coleman, who quickly threaded a pass to Morgan Frost in front. Frost got a piece of it and deflected the puck beyond Casey DeSmith at 9:52 to even the game 1–1.

The tie was short-lived.

Just over two minutes later, Benn restored the Dallas lead. After taking a pass from Duchene in the corner, Benn directed the puck toward the net. It slipped through Wolf and across the goal line to make it 2–1. Steel picked up another helper on the play, and the Stars carried that edge into the first intermission.

Dallas broke the game open in the second period.

At 2:26, Jason Robertson fired a shot from the blue line that changed direction off Mavrik Bourque and sailed past Wolf glove-side to extend the lead to 3–1.

Moments later, during four-on-four play, Duchene dazzled with a spin move around Mackenzie Weegar before sliding a cross-seam pass to Steel, who buried a one-timer at 6:02. That goal ended Wolf’s night, as Devin Cooley was called in for relief.

The momentum didn’t shift.

A point shot from Nils Lundkvist found its way through traffic and was tipped en route by Nathan Bastian, stretching the lead to 5–1. Then, with under a minute to play in the period and on a late Dallas power play, Wyatt Johnston was left alone in front and calmly slid a backhand past Cooley at 19:41. Duchene and Robertson added assists as the Stars headed into the third period up 6–1.

The final frame offered little change on the scoreboard, but there were still storylines worth noting for Calgary.

Three Takeaways

1. Parekh’s Confidence Growing

Zayne Parekh stood out at times with his willingness to direct pucks on net and involve himself offensively. He looked increasingly comfortable jumping into plays and showed added bite in the defensive zone, signaling growth in his all-around game.

2. Cooley’s Compete Level

Thrown into a difficult situation, Cooley allowed two goals but settled in during the third period. He turned aside 16 shots overall and made several impressive saves, continuing to demonstrate resilience and battle in tough circumstances.

3. Penalty Kill Remains Steady

The Flames’ penalty kill went 4-for-5 on the night (80 percent) against one of the league’s most dangerous offensive teams. In a season where scoring has been a challenge, the PK continues to provide a measure of consistency and reliability.

On Tuesday night, the Chicago Blackhawks suffered a tough loss at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets. They blew a late lead after dominating for most of the game. 

Ahead of this game, their first following the trade of Connor Murphy, Connor Bedard was given an "A" on his sweater. Murphy was a full-time Alternate Captain in Chicago, but with his departure came the opportunity for Bedard to have it. 

After the game, head coach Jeff Blashill confirmed that Bedard will have the "A" on his sweater for the rest of the season. With Jason Dickinson and Nick Foligno on the trade block, there may be even more captain slots available in the coming days. 

"He'll wear the "A" for the rest of the year," Blashill said. "I had given it to him earlier in the year when we had injury issues. I think he's earned it with his commitment to winning hockey." 

Blashill has been around some sensational leaders in his coaching career. Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Steven Stamkos, and Victor Hedman are just a handful of examples. Seeing these qualities in Bedard speaks volumes coming from a coach like Blashill. 

"He has to continue to be committed to winning hockey. Those are the ways that you lead," Blashill continued. "Hopefully, he can continue to do that."

"It's great," Bedard said of being given an "A". "There are guys like [Connor Murphy], like [Jason Dickinson], like [Nick Foligno] that we've learned from for a couple of years now. Obviously, the letter doesn't change anything you do as a person or anything, but it's nice to be recognized like that. Lots of great players have worn it."

Bedard is likely the only young player who will get the honor this year. Other candidates for this year include Tyler Bertuzzi, Teuvo Teravainen, Ilya Mikheyev, and Ryan Donato.

Frank Nazar, Alex Vlasic, Oliver Moore, and Ryan Greene all have signs of being leaders in the future, but their time has to wait. You also don't need a letter on your sweater to be an impactful leader on a hockey team. 

Bedard will likely be the next captain of the Blackhawks. If they trade Foligno, they may wait until the off-season to make that official, but you never know. Blashill's words did make it seem like the "A" is going to be his role for now. 

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Relegated in the goalkeeper hierarchy at PSG, Lucas Chevalier should also lose his place on the France team 100 days before the 2026 World Cup.

100 days before the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico (June 11 – July 19). A competition that will concern many Parisians.

Present in Didier Deschamps' squad during the last gatherings, Lucas Chevalier has lost many points since then. Indeed, the French international has become Matvey Safonov's backup at PSG and has not played a match since the encounter against AJ Auxerre (0-1) on Jan. 23. A relegation in the goalkeeper hierarchy that should impact his future with the France team.

Promoted to No. 2 goalkeeper for Les Bleus last autumn, the former LOSC player could pay for his lack of playing time at PSG. To date, the hierarchy of the first two is not debated: Mike Maignan and Brice Samba.

"Barring injury or failure of the Russian goalkeeper, the former Lille player should only play three or four matches by the end of the season. Insufficient momentum at this level of requirement," reports Le Parisien.

The PSG goalkeeper could thus not be called up for the next international break in March, during which the France team will face Brazil and Colombia, on March 26 and 29 in Boston and Washington. And his competitor, Alphonse Areola, does not reassure either, as he has not been a starter at West Ham for a few weeks.

In this context, a duel between Robin Risser (RC Lens) and Jean Butez (Como) is underway for the third goalkeeper role. "At this stage, the gap between the two men is slim, with perhaps a slight advantage to the Artesian goalkeeper." Didier Deschamps will reveal his list for the next international break on March 19.

France national team possible list:

• Goalkeepers: Maignan, Samba, Risser, or Butez.
• Defenders: Kounde, Malo Gusto, Saliba, Upamecano, Konate, L. Hernandez or W. Fofana, Digne, T. Hernandez.
• Midfielders: Tchouameni, Rabiot, Camavinga, Kone, Zaïre-Emery, Kante, Doue.
• Forwards: Mbappe, Dembele, Barcola, Olise, Cherki, Ekitike, Kolo Muani, M. Thuram or Mateta or Akliouche.

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OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — Tyler Tanner scored 34 points, including 10 of Vanderbilt's 13 in overtime, and the No. 24 Commodores beat Mississippi 89-86 on Tuesday night.

Vanderbilt (23-7, 10-7 SEC) never trailed in overtime, with Tanner's steal leading to a three-point play that snapped a 74-all tie. Tanner had another three-point play in the extra period and finished it off for Vanderbilt with two free throws with 16 seconds remaining.

Tanner finished 11 of 19 from the field and added seven assists, five rebounds and five steals. Duke Miles and AK Okereke added 16 points apiece for the Commodores, who moved into a four-way tie for fifth place in the SEC.

Freshman Patton Pinkins led Mississippi (12-18, 4-13) with 16 points but missed a 3-pointer that would have tied it with two seconds remaining in overtime. AJ Storr and Ilia Kamerdine scored 14 points apiece and Malik Dia added 11.

The loss was the latest in a frustrating season for the Rebels, losers of seven games by seven points or less after reaching the Sweet 16 in last season’s NCAA Tournament.

Ole Miss led 37-33 at halftime after building a 15-3 lead in the opening seven minutes. Vanderbilt shot 1 for 13 in the slow start but stayed within striking range by forcing nine turnovers for 13 uncontested points.

Vanderbilt missed the final shot of regulation, a heavily contested layup by Miles. The Commodores were 3 of 5 from the field in overtime, with Tyler Nickel's 3-pointer the only points that didn't come from Tanner. Ole Miss shot 2 of 10.

Up next

Vanderbilt: The Commodores complete the regular season at No. 23 Tennessee on Saturday.

Ole Miss: The Rebels host South Carolina on Saturday in the regular season finale

___

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After weeks of showing fight, it appears that the LSU Tigers Men's Basketball regular season will end with a whimper after losing 88-74 to the Auburn Tigers on Tuesday night.

There is now just one game remaining left in the regular season and the Tigers were already coming off another near 20-point loss to the Oklahoma Sooners a few days ago. 

LSU now falls to 15-15 on the year and just 3-14 in conference play. They will not be entering the SEC tournament with confidence or rhythm.

Matt McMahon's job security has been talked about all season. While it appears that it's still up in the air if he will return or not, these types of performances won't really help.

The only purple and gold Tiger in this game that had a standout performance was Mike Nwoko with 19 points. They mostly came from the charity stripe, where he was 11-of-13.

Even Nwoko had just five rebounds, which is a number that he would have liked to see higher. LSU did match Auburn as a team with 27 rebounds. It was Auburn that performed better on the offensive boards, though, picking up six more second-chance points.

That at the -7 in turnover differential that LSU had were the biggest differences in this game. Both teams shot around the same, rebounded the same, had the same amount of assists and even had about the same night at the free throw line.

McMahon's Tigers were just sloppier. Jalen Reece had five turnovers alone, the team combined for 16. This is the kind of thing that would have completely changed with DJ Thomas on the court, as he brought a bit more organization to things.

LSU's final game of the regular season will be at home against the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday, March 7 at 5 pm CT.

It's no secret that the quarterback play from the Minnesota Vikings in 2025 was a tough watch, to say the least. However, through three different starters, this team still mustered a 9-8 record, including winning five straight to close out the year.

We can expect this to be a very fluid situation this offseason, as the Vikings could go in a multitude of directions. But, while at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, The Athletic's Alec Lewis got some information from people around the league regarding Minnesota's former first-round pick:

"The word used by more than a handful of team sources to describe McCarthy’s play was inconsistent. . .The Vikings also knew they were drafting a young player. What they did not envision, especially following an encouraging first training camp that preceded his torn meniscus, was the challenge posed by some of the more elemental aspects of being the face of a franchise. These growth hurdles have become widely known among NFL executives and coaches, and they were frequent topics in Indianapolis."

Much of the struggles this season came from second-year man J.J. McCarthy, whether it was his lack of availability or his play when he was on the field. If the mental reps are not even cutting it then something will have to give

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: J.J. McCarthy and his 'growth hurdles' remain a talking point

Future opponent of PSG in the Champions League, Chelsea is a resilient and complicated team to beat, but one that still hasn't managed to chase away its old demons, despite its recent coaching change. Up to Luis Enrique and his players to take advantage.

Sixth in the Premier League after 28 rounds, six points behind Manchester United (3rd) and Aston Villa (4th), whom they face this Wednesday night, Chelsea lost 2-1 on Sunday on the pitch of their neighbors, Arsenal (1st). A third defeat in a few weeks for the Blues against the Gunners, who had already beaten them twice in the League Cup semifinal in January and February.

After 13 matches on the Chelsea bench, Liam Rosenior has a fairly interesting overall record of 8 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses, all against Arsenal. But PSG's future opponent in the Champions League is coming off a disappointing draw against Burnley (1-1) and a defeat (2-1) in the derby against Arsenal. Two Premier League matches during which Chelsea finished with ten men and conceded goals from corners.

Indiscipline and weakness on defensive set pieces are recurring ills at Chelsea, who thought they had at least solved the one concerning their players' nervousness since Rosenior's arrival on the bench. Until they saw Wesley Fofana and Pedro Neto get sent off against Burnley and Arsenal.

"It's a matter of concentration and attention that we must improve," Rosenior lamented Sunday in a press conference. "I know the club's results aren't excellent in this area since the start of the season, and now they're getting worse. We had 10 matches without any problem in this area since my arrival, but now we've just taken two reds in two matches. There's something deep that we need to understand. For me, if we understand these two main things, we can be a very, very good team and we can achieve all our goals."

Since the start of the season, Chelsea has received 9 red cards, not counting Enzo Maresca's after his celebration against Liverpool. The Blues are last in the Premier League fair play standings, which is not new since they finished second-to-last last season and already last in 2023/2024, counting the yellows and reds collected in the league. The Blues are also only two expulsions away from the record in this area in a Premier League season, with still 10 rounds to play.

How to explain such a record? One possible factor, but one minimized internally by the BBC, is that Chelsea has the youngest squad in the Premier League and lacks natural leaders. "It's costing them dearly. I don't think it's something you can fix at this stage of the season, we're in March," estimates former English defender Matthew Upson. "It's something you talk about during pre-season. It's a question of culture that you instill within the club. Players buy into it and ensure it's respected. It's about being measured and controlled at the right moment."

Leader and experienced player of this Chelsea team, defender Reece James acknowledged on Sky Sports microphone that it was a problem to absolutely fix for his team: "Every time, it's someone different, never the same player. Internally, we need to take stock and continue to improve. It's a problem. We play in the hardest league in the world: 11 against 11, it's difficult; 11 against 10, it's even harder, regardless of the opponent."

After speaking on Sunday in a press conference following the defeat against Arsenal, Liam Rosenior appeared again before the media on Monday, two days before the clash against Aston Villa in the Premier League. And the former Strasbourg coach was hammered with questions about his team's indiscipline. A subject he takes very seriously and wants to fix as quickly as possible.

How? "I think the first thing to do is to select players who show improvement in this area. I can't afford to play a season with a red card every two or three matches. It's simply impossible. I need to see improvement at this level right now. I have to adapt my team selection based on players who show these capabilities," he responded, before being a little embarrassed when asked about his vice-captain Enzo Fernandez, who has received 12 yellow cards since August 2023, most of them for dissent.

"Enzo is a great leader," Rosenior replied. "Yes, it's something we need to improve. Yes, we are a young team. It's not an excuse. We are an exceptional team. We are one of the youngest in the league, one of the youngest in Europe. What's great about a young team is that sometimes you have to go through experiences to improve. It's a very enriching experience for my group. I don't want it to be a learning experience where we fail to achieve what we want. But we must learn lessons from these setbacks we are suffering. Because if we learn from them, we have proven, even during the short time I've been here, that we can be an elite team for a long time."

But indiscipline is not the only big problem for Chelsea this season. The Blues conceded two new goals from corners against Arsenal, certainly the best team in England in this area, but it was also from a corner that they had conceded the equalizing goal a few days earlier against Burnley in added time.

If Chelsea has scored 12 goals from set pieces in the Premier League this season, plus 7 penalties, the London club has also conceded 14 goals from set pieces (plus one penalty), making it the 4th least performing team in the English league in this area. Rosenior's arrival hasn't helped Chelsea reverse the trend either, since the Londoners have taken 10 goals from set pieces in 13 matches with their new coach, even though five of them were scored by Arsenal, a team truly apart in this area of the game.

"There are some concentration and attention problems that we need to solve. We worked on set pieces all week and, as a coach, that makes the pill even harder to swallow," Rosenior acknowledged after Arsenal/Chelsea. Questioned again on the subject this Monday, the former Strasbourg coach revealed that he had taken the matter in hand in recent days: "It's no small matter, because it's a key element we need to improve. Every coach has a different idea of how to attack and defend set pieces. I will always be honest. I took on more responsibility last week because I know it's something that needs improvement. Bernardo [Cueva] has proven to be an excellent set-piece coach in terms of offensive output. He's among the best in the league. It's not just about coaching. It's also about mentality. It's about concentration and attention. By taking control of this aspect, the manager hopes that, from a mental point of view, it will have added value in how we work."

For PSG, which has scored 10 goals from set pieces (excluding penalties) this season in Ligue 1, this Chelsea weakness will be something to exploit at the Parc des Princes, as it was at Stamford Bridge. The animated end of the match between the two teams last July during the Club World Cup final could also offer us two rather electric encounters, which could potentially play in favor of the Parisians, who top the fair play standings in Ligue 1 and seem more experienced than their opponents in this area.

In the Champions League, PSG has already taken two reds this season (Zabarnyi against Leverkusen and Hernandez against Tottenham), while only one player has been sent off on Chelsea's side on the European stage (Joao Pedro for two yellows against Benfica). The one who best masters his nerves and proves effective on defensive and offensive set pieces will, in any case, probably have great chances of seeing the next round.

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With the regular season winding down, the San Diego State Aztecs are limping — both figuratively and literally — at the wrong time as they dropped the fourth in their last five games, falling 86-77 to Boise State at ExtraMile Arena on Tuesday night.

SDSU (19-10, 13-6 Mountain West) couldn’t overcome runs of 10-plus points in each half that put them in significant holes, while the Broncos (19-11, 11-8) were dominant on the glass and from deep. A 37-15 rebounding edge turned into a 21-3 second chance scoring advantage, as well as 48.0% (12-for-25) shooting from deep kept the Scarlet and Black at arms reach.

Reese Dixon-Waters led the Aztecs with 23 points, while Tae Simmons came off the bench to score 12 points. But both Simmons’ and fellow freshman Elzie Harrington’s three rebounds were the team highs for SDSU, as the Aztecs were unable to grab an offensive rebound until over five and a half minutes into the second half.

Playing the game with a sleeve on his right leg, Miles Byrd was bothered by his knee according to the television broadcast after missing a dunk in the first half. Magoon Gwath did not play the final 11 minutes of the game, heading to the bench a pair of possessions after he got tangled up with and went bowling into the Bronco bench with SDSU’s nemesis for the night, Drew Fielder, which saw both receive technical fouls.

Fielder came off the bench to score 33 points, 21 in the second half, grab a game-high nine rebounds, hit 3 of 4 from downtown and make nearly as many free throws (16 of 18) as the entire San Diego State team (17 of 20).

He was one of a quartet of Broncos that scored in double figures. Javan Buchanan scored 17 points, Dylan Andrews added 13 points and Andrew Meadow had 12 points with three made from beyond the arc.

Boise State used a 12-0 run just over two minutes into the second half to blow the game open, taking a 20-point lead that grew as large as 21 when Fielder hit a trey with 12:32 remaining.

But the Aztecs began to drip-drip-drip their way back within reach, going on a 12-2 run that had Dixon-Waters score 5 points on a pair of jumpers, the last which went for an and-one and trimmed the deficit to 11 just past the midway mark.

SDSU’s final kick came to pull within 7 points thanks to a 6-0 spurt off layups by Harrington and Simmons, then Byrd knocking down a pair of free throws. It would be 7 points against when both Fielder and Simmons split free throw opportunities, but a triple from the top of the key by Andrews with 3:12 remaining pushed the lead back to 10 points and gave the Broncos the momentum to finish.

The Andrews trey was one of two field goals by Boise State over the final 7:45 of the game, as they scored 12 of their final 17 points from the line. Fielder and Andrews combined to score the final 21 points for the Broncos.

The 3-point barrage began early, as after Buchanan opened the game with a layup, the next three Boise State baskets came from distance with Buchanan starting it off. Dixon-Waters answered a RJ Keene triple with one of his own after Miles Heide opened the scoring for SDSU.

Then Meadow hit a long ball to start a 14-0 run, putting SDSU down 22-5 just past the midway mark of the opening half thanks to the Aztecs missing nine straight from the field. Four of the Bronco buckets on the run were 3’s, coming from four different players.

BJ Davis started the Scarlet and Black response with a layup, with Dixon-Waters and Byrd each hitting a 3-pointer and Dixon-Waters punctuating what was then a 12-0 run with a rare dunk. It trimmed the deficit to 5 points with 6:20 before the break.

But after a steal, Byrd missed a dunk and appeared to be in pain turning back up the floor, with a Meadow paint bucket stopping the Aztecs’ push. The SDSU senior was substituted out at the next whistle and went to the locker room, but returned to play the final 99 seconds of the first half.

SDSU had trimmed the deficit down to 7 points after Taj DeGourville made a turnaround jumper, then stole the ball and set up Pharaoh Compton for a transition alley-oop jam. Spencer Ahrens missed a 3-ball on the ensuing possession, but Sean Newman Jr. was called for a loose ball foul on the rebound.

It enabled Fielder to make a pair of free throws, part of him scoring 7 of Boise State’s final 8 points in the half. A make with five seconds remaining by Davis had SDSU behind 34-27 at the horn.

With their regular season title hopes all but dashed, the Aztecs close out the regular season against UNLV needing to build momentum heading into the Mountain West Tournament and ensure they retain a top four seed and a bye to the quarterfinals.

Tipoff against the Runnin’ Rebels is slated for 7 p.m. on Friday, March 6 at Viejas Arena, and the game will be televised on CBS Sports Network with a local radio broadcast on 760 AM.