LeBron expressed his feelings after the game, and it was clear his focus remained on Game 4. “I’m not angry or disappointed,” said James. “Obviously, you’re disappointed in being down 3-0, but we still have life, and that’s all you can ask for, and we have to be better on Monday.”

He finished with 19 points, six rebounds, eight assists, one steal, and zero rebounds in 36 minutes, but it was hardly enough to make a difference against this team. Still, he was not giving up just yet.

What JJ Redick thinks about the situation

With the Lakers down 0-3 in the Western Conference Semifinals, head coach JJ Redick was surely already reflecting on what went wrong in the series. While the Thunder were clearly the better team, going 7-0 in the playoffs so far, the Lakers did not help themselves with their frequent and costly mistakes on the court.

That night, the story repeated itself from the previous three games, the Lakers fought hard, but they could not keep up with the defending NBA champions. For head coach JJ Redick, who had already shown his frustration during the series, the Thunder’s latest victory, 131-108, was proof of their talent and strength as a team.

“They’ve kicked our a** 3 straight games,” said Redick. “They’re an incredible basketball team.” Even though the Lakers went 0-4 against the Thunder during the regular season, Redick approached the series like any other, looking for ways to maximize their own advantages and exploit OKC’s vulnerabilities.

The Lakers had chances to win

The worst part was that the Lakers could have won this game. They were leading after the second quarter and had all the momentum on their side coming out of halftime. But once the Thunder improved their defense and their stars started to shine, the Lakers could not contain what followed.

They simply had too many NBA talented players, including promising guard AJ Mitchell, who finished with 24 points, a team-high, four rebounds, 10 assists, three steals, and zero blocks while shooting 58.8% from the field.

“Third straight game, we were right there after two quarters,” Redick added. “Tried different lineups, different coverages, still lost those minutes again. We’ve got to be better, but I’m not giving up on the series. We’re gonna go try to win on Monday, and we’re gonna try to extend the series, and we’re gonna try to take this thing back to OKC.”

Cunningham reflected on the loss after the game, per reporter Omari Sankofa II. “There’s definitely optimism, to answer your question. We feel great about where we’re at, we feel great about the way we’re playing basketball,” Cunningham said.

Cunningham and the Pistons were enjoying an incredible 2025-26 NBA campaign, winning 60 games to secure the top seed in the East. Despite trailing 3-1 to the Orlando Magic in the first round, they won the last three games to earn their first series win since 2008.

The Pistons’ moment

The Pistons are at their best after so many rebuilding seasons, kept the momentum going against Cleveland, taking a 2-0 series lead after taking Games 1 and 2. They had a chance to go up 3-0, but Donovan Mitchell and James Harden stopped them from stunning the Cavaliers on the road.

Cade Cunningham and the Pistons were close to winning Game 3. However, they needed to clean up their turnovers and other mistakes that cost them against the Cavaliers.

Detroit started slow as the team went down 64-48 at halftime. They fought back with a 33-19 display in the third quarter, but Cleveland made more big plays down the stretch to secure the home victory.

Cunningham’s numbers

Five players scored in double digits for Detroit in the loss, including Cunningham. He led the team with 27 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and one steal. He shot 10-of-27 from the field, including 2-of-6 from beyond the arc, and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line. Tobias Harris followed with 21 points and five rebounds, Duncan Robinson had 15 points and five steals, while Jalen Duren and Paul Reed added 11 points each.

After the match, during the press conference, Hoyos, despite earning an important victory in Canada, did not forget about the media who pointed out against the No. 10 and dedicated a few words to them. “You have to take much better care of him; there is only one Messi. Take care of him because he fills stadiums; do not abandon him.

“Say whatever you have to say and do not be afraid of that, there is no problem at all with public expression. These players have to be protected because they fill stadiums, I am telling you directly here. We have to take care of the players, we have to protect them, the real protagonists are the soccer players,” declared The Herons’ head coach. Strong words.

Where Inter Miami came from

The Herons were coming off heavy criticism after the inexplicable loss against Orlando in the derby, in a game they were winning 3-0 and ended up losing 4-3, and this Saturday, they returned to winning ways. In the following days, there was criticism from the media toward the Argentine, who did not speak after the defeat, a topic that was heavily discussed throughout the week.

Messi is the man in MLS

The Inter Miami head coach emphasized that players with the hierarchy of Lionel Messi receive constant physical treatment during matches and considered it necessary for referees and organizers to be more attentive in order to preserve the spectacle.

Since his arrival to soccer in the United States, Messi has revolutionized the league with attendance records, ticket sales, and international audience numbers, becoming the main figure in MLS and a global reference who continues making a difference on and off the field.

The record Messi achieved

With Saturday’s goal, Messi became the fastest player in MLS history to reach 100 goal contributions. In his case, a total of 59 goals and 41 assists in 64 matches played. Across his entire career, he now has 907 goals and 410 assists in 1,151 matches. Incredible.

Before Leo, the record belonged to Sebastian Giovinco, who needed 95 matches to achieve it during his time with Toronto FC, precisely. Messi, meanwhile, already left his mark with unprecedented efficiency and broke the record with more than 30 matches to spare, a difference that illustrates the devastating impact of the Rosario native in American soccer.

After Game 3, Edwards was extremely candid when acknowledging the difficulty of trying to square up against the 7-foot-6 French phenom. “They got somebody who 7-6 on the floor. (Wemby) takes up a lot of space,” Edwards said. “Just trying to figure out ways to find an open man around him because in the paint, he’s just everywhere.”

This will be key for the Timberwolves to manage to beat the Spurs with Wembanyama, who is hungry to win the championship, something similar to the first game, where he was defensively neutralized, because yes, he ended up setting a blocks record, but in scoring, he finished well below expectations.

Edwards and Wembanyama’s game

As one would expect, they had no answer for the sheer dominance of Victor Wembanyama. Despite a strong showing by Anthony Edwards, 32 points and 14 rebounds, Wembanyama was the usual force that could not be stopped as he finished with a playoff career-high 39 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks.

He shot 13-for-18 from the field, 3-for-5 from the 3-point line, and 10-for-12 from the free throw line. Wembanyama scored 16 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter.

In essence, Wembanyama changes the entire Timberwolves offense. He forces them to kick the ball out, limits driving attempts to the basket, and compels them to rush shots. Wemby became the fastest player to reach 100+ points and 30+ blocks in the NBA Playoffs. Meanwhile, Edwards is trying to persevere through these difficulties while recovering from a knee injury.

What is next for this series?

Game 4 will be held on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. CST/7:30 p.m. EST at Target Center in Minneapolis. We could be witnessing the beginning of the road to a series that will extend to a Game 7 for all NBA fans.

The first leg left positive feelings for La Maquina thanks to the efficiency of Christian Ebere, who scored a fundamental brace. With the aggregate score at 3-2 in their favor, the celestes return home with the mission of closing the series and avoiding surprises against Diego Cocca’s side.

Below, we detail all the possible scenarios for this second leg clash, where the sporting advantage and home-field advantage play a decisive role in Cruz Azul’s aspirations.

What happens if Cruz Azul win vs Atlas?

A victory by any score at Estadio Banorte gives the cementeros an automatic place in the semifinals. By winning the second leg, the aggregate score would expand in their favor, eliminating any possibility of a comeback for Atlas. It is the simplest scenario for Huiqui’s squad.

Getting the win would allow the team to control the rhythm of the match and give confidence to the fans in their return to the capital stadium. With the three points secured, La Maquina would advance with a very strong winning momentum, consolidating their great form after the departure of Nicolas Larcamon.

What happens if Cruz Azul and Atlas tie?

A draw in the second leg also sends Cruz Azul directly to the next round of the Liguilla. Since they won 3-2 at Estadio Jalisco, any draw, 0-0, 1-1, or higher, maintains the one-goal aggregate difference, enough to eliminate the Guadalajara side without extra complications.

What happens if Cruz Azul lose vs Atlas?

In the event of a defeat, the situation depends on the goal difference. If Cruz Azul lose by one goal, 0-1, 1-2, etc., the aggregate score would be tied; however, La Maquina would advance to the semifinals thanks to the sporting advantage earned by finishing third in the overall standings.

The situation changes drastically if Atlas manage to win by two or more goals. If the aggregate score ends against the celestes, Cruz Azul would be eliminated from the competition.

With just one victory in their last six matches and very sensitive absences due to Mexico call-ups that also generated serious conflicts, the schedule tells Guadalajara that it is time to react.

What Chivas did during the first part of the tournament will mean very little if they do not show a strong version tonight to defeat a Tigres side motivated after advancing to the Concachampions final, although with significant accumulated fatigue.

What happens if Chivas win vs Tigres?

Something important to keep in mind is that Chivas will not only need to defeat Tigres tonight, but also do so by at least a two-goal margin. For example, scores such as 2-0 or 3-1 would give Guadalajara qualification, and they will need to protect their goal because otherwise the comeback would become even more complicated. This is because a tie on aggregate favors the team better positioned in the standings, in this case, Chivas.

What happens if Chivas and Tigres tie?

After losing by two goals in the first leg, it is clear that a draw will not be enough for Chivas to keep their hopes alive in the Liga MX Clausura 2026. However, they must not lose their composure and need to remember they have 90 minutes to turn the story around.

What happens if Chivas lose against Tigres?

Of course, in the worst-case scenario, another defeat would condemn Chivas to a heavy aggregate elimination against Tigres UANL. Details to keep in mind: If Tigres score one goal, Chivas will need to score three; if Tigres score two goals, Chivas will need to score four; if Tigres score three goals, Chivas will need to score five.

If Chivas lose to Tigres in the second leg at Estadio Akron, Guadalajara will need to win by two goals to tie the aggregate score, as they would advance to the next round after finishing higher in the overall standings.

It did not help matters whatsoever that Maxey jammed his injured right finger; after the game, the 76ers guard admitted to losing his confidence on drives and navigating the Knicks‘ double teams, as per Adam Aaronson of The Philly Voice.

And while Maxey was productive for most of the night as the 76ers kept pace with the Knicks despite being shorthanded, he could not get it done in crunch time, scoring just five points in the final frame as Philadelphia fell short, 108-102.

Maxey’s difficult game

Maxey has been a trooper for the 76ers all season long, and with Embiid out, he had to log an extraordinarily heavy workload, playing 47 minutes in Game 2. The fatigue seemed to catch up with Maxey, as he shot just 9-for-23 on the night to finish with 26 points.

Maxey also turned the ball over six times during the game, and his finger injury could have affected his ball-handling. The 76ers’ star guard needed help controlling the ball and attacking the rim, and with Embiid out, the responsibility of leading the team should not have rested solely on his shoulders.

Hearing that Maxey apparently lost confidence while dribbling against double teams had to be concerning for 76ers fans. Game 3 was set to be crucial for the 76ers, and Maxey, with only one full day of rest between Game 2 and Game 3, had to recover quickly.

The 76ers’ numbers during Game 2

The two-time NBA All-Star guard logged 47 minutes, scored 26 points, and dished out six assists. The Knicks turned Philadelphia’s 18 turnovers into 23 points. George ranked second in blame. The 76ers needed their veteran co-star to shoulder part of the offensive load and ease Maxey’s burden against one of the league’s most physical defenses. Instead, George delivered 19 points on an inefficient 7-for-18 shooting. Five made three-pointers masked the bigger problem.

VJ Edgecombe showed real promise with an efficient 17 points, but his four turnovers were especially costly in the six-point loss. But the overall performance from the 76ers left a lot to be desired, especially after coming off a Game 7 win against the Boston Celtics.

Running back Kenneth Walker III recently spoke with Kay Adams on her show to discuss Patrick Mahomes’ influence on his free-agent signing decisions and on building chemistry on the field.

“We’ve been working on getting connected in the passing game and everything, so that’s good. I feel like I’ll be used more in the pass game,” said Walker, who praised Mahomes’ focus on the game plan. “He’s really good at being detailed with the whole team, and that chemistry is going to keep building.”

The Chiefs signed running back Kenneth Walker to a three-year, $43.05 million contract. The 25-year-old is coming off a 1,000-yard season and a Super Bowl MVP performance with the Seattle Seahawks.

What Mahomes did to help bring him in

He also revealed that during last year’s playoffs, Mahomes was pushing for Chiefs general manager Brett Veach to sign the running back. Walker was impressive during Seattle’s Super Bowl run, rushing for 313 yards and four touchdowns in three games.

His comment reflected just how much Kansas City’s front office valued Mahomes’ opinion. With a new option in the backfield, the Chiefs are aiming to recapture their dominance in the NFL by leaning on Walker.

Walker’s performance drew attention

Last season with the Seattle Seahawks, Walker rushed for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns. He was also impactful in the passing game with 31 receptions for 282 yards. And with those numbers, he was clearly going to attract attention.

“I feel like it would have had a lot to do with it, you know, he’s (Mahomes) the best quarterback in the league,” said Walker. “So, I feel like he’s got a lot of power in there. I’m glad he does because I’m here now.” He is expected to play a much-needed role in the offense and provide Mahomes with weapons.

According to Marc J. Spears, Green told Inside the NBA that he did not see himself in another uniform, but the franchise also had to feel the same way. What he made clear was that he wanted to stay and that if the Warriors were fair and wanted him, he would work fairly to remain with the organization.

It should be remembered that the star forward had the option to exercise his $27.6 million player option to stay in Golden State. If he declined his player option, Green would become an unrestricted free agent. The former Defensive Player of the Year had never hinted that he wanted to leave the Warriors. And if he stayed in the Bay Area, he would likely retire as a member of the Warriors.

Green updated Kerr’s situation

Draymond Green previously said on his podcast that he believed Steve Kerr would not return as head coach. Green changed his tune on Wednesday. During the same appearance, Green said he now believed Kerr would be back.

“I think and hope he’s coming back,” Green said. “I don’t know more than anyone else in the world knows outside of what I do know is he wants to coach.” The Warriors’ brain trust and Kerr had reportedly met twice during the offseason. The fact that those meetings were taking place and there had not been reports of major friction suggested he would return.

Green recognized Kerr’s impact on him

Green stood by his criticism that Kerr hindered his offensive game, but he also reiterated that Kerr had done a lot for him as a player and person. And with good reason, considering they spent an entire era together in the franchise and won four NBA championships.

“I think every basketball player in the world has some gripe that they wish their coach would have done,” Green said. “… But make no mistake about it, I also said all of the incredible things, how much of a better man he’s made me.”

Green was a much more feared offensive player during the 2015-16 season, when he averaged 14.0 points and shot 38.8% from three-point range. Since then, he rarely came close to those numbers again. It was impossible to determine who carried the most responsibility for that decline, but regardless, Stephen Curry, Green, and Kerr led the Warriors to four NBA championships thanks to their chemistry. That was what mattered most.

Doncic supported his teammate with some important context about Reaves’ own injury problems so far in these playoffs. “It’s tough. He came back from an injury stuff. But my message to him is just be yourself. We all know he’s an amazing player, and we all know he’s gonna bounce back,” said Doncic, per Dan Woike of The Athletic on X, formerly Twitter.

The Lakers mustered just 37 points in the second half of this one after staying relatively competitive through two quarters. This was a brutal game from Austin Reaves, who scored just eight points on 3-16 shooting from the field.

What Reaves had missed

Reaves missed the first four games of the Lakers’ first-round NBA series against the Houston Rockets due to an oblique injury, but returned to help Los Angeles close out the series in six games, looking fairly similar to his usual self in those matchups.

However, Reaves struggled against the relentless Oklahoma City defense all night on Tuesday, forcing tough shots and not finding much success drawing fouls, which is usually a major part of his scoring arsenal.

For the Lakers to have any chance of keeping this competitive without Doncic, Reaves will need to be much better than he was in Game 1. And without a doubt, LeBron trying to keep the Lakers alive was not enough and will not be enough against OKC.

Reaves will have his opportunity to bounce back in Game 2 on Thursday at the Paycom Center, which will be the final game in Oklahoma City before the series shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3 and Game 4 at Crypto.com Arena.

This Tuesday, during his appearance at the Milken Institute Global Conference, Infantino said that this type of astronomical demand reflects the expectation generated by the World Cup. “If some people put some tickets for the final on the resale market at two million dollars, first of all, that does not mean that the tickets cost two million,” Infantino said. “And secondly, it does not mean that someone is going to buy those tickets.”

“And if someone does, I will personally bring them a hot dog and a Coca-Cola to make sure they have a great experience,” Infantino said, but he also made it clear that the market must be analyzed. “We have to look at the market. We are in the market with the most developed entertainment in the world. So we have to apply market rates,” Infantino said.

The comparison with other sports by Infantino

Connecting with the statement about looking at the market, he referenced groups of fans who have also protested the cost differences compared to the previous World Cup in Qatar 2022, where final tickets were priced at $1,600 in official sales, compared to around $11,000 in 2026.

Infantino also recalled that FIFA received more than 500 million ticket requests for 2026, compared to fewer than 50 million combined for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

The executive estimated that 25% of group stage tickets were priced below 300 dollars. “You cannot go to watch a college game in the United States, let alone a big professional game of a certain level, for less than 300 dollars,” Infantino said. “And this is the World Cup.”

A very controversial situation that will continue to generate discussion, with prices so high for certain matches that, for the spectator, it will probably not be a good idea to attend, and we could see empty stadiums with low attendance for what the World Cup represents.

With that assist, Kvaratskhelia became the only player in UCL history to record a goal contribution in 7 consecutive knockout games. Kvicha also assisted and scored in the quarterfinals against Liverpool, scored three times against Chelsea in the round of 16, and scored in the second-leg match of the playoffs against Monaco. And of course, the goal scored in the first leg against Bayern Munich.

Cristiano Ronaldo only reached 5 consecutive matches with goal contributions in the 16/17 and 17/18 seasons, including the final of the 16/17 against Juventus and including the round of 16 and quarterfinals in the 17/16. On the other hand, Messi achieved it in his 10/11 season, when he scored from the second leg of the round of 16 through the final, setting his record of 5 matches as well.

Dembele’s goal after Kvaratskhelia’s assist

The match started with the German side pushing toward the opposite goal. But, in a moment of confusion, they found themselves behind on the scoreboard. In the 2′, Kvaratskhelia took the ball near midfield and played a first-time pass to Fabian Ruiz.

The Spanish player, alert to the play, returned it with one touch, leaving him free on the left. The Georgian ran to the end line and delivered a cross to Dembele, who finished it first time to make it 1-0.

Kvaratskhelia’s great season

The streak placed him in a truly select group in UEFA records and underlined how decisive he has become for PSG on the biggest stage. With 10 goals and 6 assists in 15 Champions League matches with PSG this season, his influence has been massive.

This also fit into the broader context of PSG’s strong European campaign, where Kvaratskhelia repeatedly delivered in crucial moments. His form turned him into one of the standout attackers in the Champions League this season.

During Sunday’s stream, Brown showed a play in which Sixers forward Paul George appeared to push off slightly before making an offensive move. “If you’re going to call push-offs, call that,” Brown said. “Same move. Same refs. Oh, it’s nothing? It’s play on, right?“ Brown said. “But you gonna call me? Everybody does it … but if it would have been me, it’d have been an offensive foul.“

The stream took place Sunday, following the Celtics’ 109-100 loss to the 76ers in the decisive Game 7 of the Eastern Conference first round on Saturday night. The elimination was particularly painful, as Boston lost three straight games after taking a 3-1 series lead.

Brown did not hold back against the referees

Brown was called for 10 offensive fouls in the first round, twice as many as the next-highest player: Jalen Duren, Karl-Anthony Towns, Neemias Queta, and Stephon Castle each had five.

“Every good basketball player does this. What are y’all talking about? They clearly had an agenda,” Brown said. “If Jaylen does this move, call the offensive foul and follow him every time. I don’t know if it’s because I pissed the refs off. I’ve been critical about them, and I called them out a bunch of times. So, they were like, ‘You know what, I got you in the playoffs. Watch this.’ Because that’s exactly what they did.

“It’s clearly an agenda. Look at the same move. Some referees that if I had to choose, if I had to, like, say there’s some referees that need to be investigated. We had three of them in the last three games.”

Brown is one of the most targeted by referees?

Brown may be one of the most affected by officiating, and there is a statistic to support it. During the regular NBA season, Brown ranked second with 40 offensive fouls called against him. Towns was first with 65.

In the Celtics-76ers series, the foul calls were relatively even between the two teams. The Celtics were called for 136 personal fouls, the Sixers were called for 132. So there should not be a complaint of any kind of help.

Through an official statement, MLS announced that the 23-year-old defender was fined. “Major League Soccer announced today that Inter Miami CF defender Ian Fray has been fined an undisclosed amount for his comments made following Inter Miami’s match against Orlando City SC on May 2. The comments violated the league’s public criticism policy.”

At the end of the match, Ian Fray said to the media: “I feel like the referee has something against me and some other players on the team; they are just simple situations like that. We should not have lost regardless of the referee. That is not an excuse. I am not going to make any excuses at all. We should have won the game,” which led to the financial sanction.

The tough match Inter Miami let slip

With a goal from Ian Fray, Inter Miami opened the scoring and then, with goals from Telasco Segovia and a fantastic finish from Lionel Messi, they built a three-goal lead to win the Florida Derby.

However, a performance from Martin Ojeda with a hat trick and another goal from Tyrese Spicer gave Orlando City the three points in the Florida Derby, delivering a tough blow to Guillermo Hoyos side, who still had not won at NU Stadium, their new home.

Messi message after the loss

The frustration was not only visible in Messi‘s expression, but also in his reaction in the locker room with a strong message. After the final whistle, the Argentine went straight to the tunnel, avoiding contact with the media and showing his dissatisfaction. Shortly after, his teammate Ian Fray spoke to the media and shared the message that the former Barcelona player delivered to the squad in the locker room:

“Our captain spoke and, obviously, gave us a lot of words, first encouraging us for the next match and then saying that this is unacceptable, which we all completely agree with. It is unacceptable and it will not happen again,” the player said about the message from the Inter Miami captain.

Inter Miami currently sit in third place and prepared to visit Toronto on Saturday, May 9, a matchup considered key to regain confidence and show if Messi’s message translates into improvement on the field.

Embiid pointed to fatigue as a factor while stopping short of using it as an excuse. Embiid addressed reporters Tuesday in comments shared via SNY on X, acknowledging the physical toll of Philadelphia’s previous series. “Coming from the series we had and the physicality we displayed, I would like to think that maybe guys were tired. It’s not an excuse though, onto Game 2, you know, down 1-0, so focus on the next one.”

The 76ers entered the matchup after a seven-game series, both emotionally and physically demanding, against the Boston Celtics. Philadelphia came back from a 3-1 deficit, ultimately securing the victory in Game 7 on the road, at TD Garden, on Saturday night. The quick turnaround to the next round left little time for recovery.

The tough Game 1 for Embiid

In Game 1 against New York, Embiid struggled to find rhythm. The former MVP finished with 14 points, four rebounds, and one assist while shooting 3-11 from the field. He was efficient at the free throw line, going 8-9, but logged only 25 minutes as the game quickly slipped out of reach.

The Knicks capitalized early, building a significant lead and maintaining control throughout. Their defensive pressure and pace exposed Philadelphia’s lack of energy, particularly on the interior, where Embiid typically anchored both ends of the floor.

When asked what it would take to respond in Game 2, Embiid emphasized recovery and a return to physical play. “Hopefully, we get a good rest so we’re ready to go… I mean we’ve been playing every other day… so I don’t ever know. But yeah, just get a good rest and go out and display the physicality we had in our last series.”

What is next for the 76ers?

Philadelphia’s ability to rebound quickly would be critical as the series continued. The team now trailed 1-0 and faced limited time to adjust before Game 2. The 76ers would look to even the series against the Knicks on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. ET before the matchup shifted to Xfinity Mobile Arena.

According to ESPN, to recover for the World Cup, Brazilian winger Estevao is undergoing rehabilitation at Palmeiras facilities in Sao Paulo, under Chelsea supervision. Estevao, 19, ruled out surgery after suffering a thigh injury with the English club and opted for conservative treatment to try to reach the World Cup with Brazil.

The Brazilian attacker, developed in the youth ranks of the Sao Paulo club, suffered the injury on April 18 in the London team’s 1-0 loss to Manchester United in the Premier League. He had to leave the field in the 16′ with a tear in the right hamstring, the back of the thigh.

The tough loss for Brazil if he does not make it

Estevao is the top scorer for Brazil since Italian Carlo Ancelotti made his debut in charge of the team last year, with five goals in seven matches played. In addition to providing a very unbalancing style of play.

Estevao has eight goals in 36 appearances in all competitions since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Palmeiras for 29 million pounds in the summer. This is only at the club level, with Chelsea, where he was being considered and was very important.

A message that brings hope

In a recent interview with AFP, Joao Paulo Sampaio, coordinator of Palmeiras youth academy, highlighted the mentality of the young player as a key factor in chasing a World Cup miracle after his injury.

“If the doctors give him hope of playing in the World Cup, he will do everything to make that happen,” Sampaio said at the Verdao training center, a cradle of talents like Endrick and Estevao. “A key factor is his mentality. He has tremendous confidence in himself,” he added.

Ancelotti will announce his final list of 26 players for the World Cup on May 18, which will be played from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The Canarinha will compete in Group C alongside Morocco, Haiti and Scotland.

Finch was asked about officiating on Tuesday, and he was confused as to how clear goaltending could frequently get missed in a playoff game. Some were not even close to being clean blocks. The Timberwolves felt “at least four” of Victor Wembanyama’s 12 blocks were goaltends.

“You know the value of eight points in an NBA game? That’s 33 percent of his blocks,” said Chris Finch. And then Rudy Gobert joked, “I want that type of treatment, too,” which made clear their disagreement with the officiating decisions.

Controversial decisions during the game

Throughout the game, it was plainly obvious that the refs were giving Wembanyama a lenient whistle. Some fouls went uncalled. And then, on at least three occasions, Wemby had clear goaltending violations go uncalled, which was unusual, especially in the playoffs.

Wembanyama was credited with seven blocked shots in the first half, as the Wolves struggled to adapt to playing an opponent with such imposing rim protection after Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets rolled out the red carpet for them on nearly every drive in their first-round series win.

Wembanyama was aggressive in challenging shots on Monday night while facing his countryman and mentor, Rudy Gobert, who has a record four Defensive Player of the Year awards.

What will the Timberwolves do about it?

Finch said the Timberwolves would not submit any plays to the league for review because he knows that would not change the outcome of a game that has already been played. But the comments were already made, and it was a clear message to the league.

“We’re going to keep coming,” Finch said. “We’ve got to make some better decisions in how we attack the rim. But all credit to the guys for not being discouraged. We should’ve walked away with another eight points.”

To give an idea of what just happened in San Antonio, Wemby already had 10 blocks by the third quarter and added two more in the final stretch to complete 12, which shows his generational talent and how important he’ll be for the Spurs in the fight to win the title as a young team.

Wemby surpassed the formidable mark held by three players who had the record with 10 blocks, and they are the following:

• Andrew Bynum – 10
• Hakeem Olajuwon – 10
• Mark Eaton – 10

Wemby record was not enough

Despite the record achieved, the Spurs suffered a Game 1 home loss against the Timberwolves with a 104-102 result, where rushed decisions and not closing the game when they had the lead ended up costing them, even with Anthony Edwards with restricted minutes.

Wembanyama had an exceptional defensive performance, finishing the game with 11 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 blocks, a monstrous triple-double. But at the same time, he shot 5/17 FG and 0/8 from three in 40 minutes of play, which is impressive.

His matchup, Gobert, ended up having a strong game for the Timberwolves, showing his experience, finishing with 7 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks, but with almost 20 minutes less of playing time. His replacement was Naz Reid, who finished with 12 points and 9 rebounds. Something to add is the participation of Edwards with restricted minutes, in 25 minutes, he had 18 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.

A record tied by Wemby

The record he broke is impressive, and he was close to breaking another one in the first half of the game. Wembanyama tied Dwight Howard with 8 first-half playoff blocks for the most in the play-by-play NBA era. Howard had 8 in the first half in Game 1 on April 18, 2010, vs the Charlotte Bobcats.

“He’s very far ahead of schedule,” Veach said during an appearance on SiriusXM. “I think the biggest challenge we’re going to have is protecting Mahomes from himself because I’m sure that when we get to St. Joseph, Missouri, for training camp, he’ll want to be fully involved.”

This important progress placed Mahomes in a position to potentially participate in parts of the Chiefs’ offseason training program if his recovery continues without setbacks. In fact, Mahomes’ progress allowed the Chiefs to waive Jake Haener without hesitation as the QB room is already full.

Preventive measures for the Chiefs

Mahomes is recovering from a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament and the lateral collateral ligament in his left knee, which he suffered last December in the Chiefs’ Week 15 loss against the Los Angeles Chargers. Although the typical recovery time is nine to 12 months, his current progress puts him on track to potentially return for training camp before the 2026 NFL season, if not earlier.

“It’s been really inspiring,” Veach said. “I’ve been there with Pat before, when he dislocated his knee and worked his tail off to come back in three weeks. I knew that that obstacle in the road wouldn’t slow him down at all.”

Even with Mahomes apparently ahead, Veach is focused on protecting him throughout the rehabilitation process. Although his return to the field would provide a boost, the team remains focused on taking a cautious and long-term approach rather than rushing him back.

“We’ll have to hold him back a little,” Veach said. “I don’t want to put a timetable on it, but I think you know the type of person and competitor that Pat Mahomes is. I would just say we’re in a pretty good place right now.” Now the focus shifted less on the knee itself and more on managing Mahomes’ competitive spirit.

According to Geglobo, Robinho has accused Neymar of assault and has threatened to leave the club. The player’s representative sent an extrajudicial demand letter this Monday to the club, demanding measures regarding the incident involving Neymar during Sunday’s session.

Neymar is accused of insults, tripping Robinho, and slapping violent. According to Infobae, the investigation will be carried out by the club’s legal department, as detailed in a brief official statement released to the press.

What made Neymar react like this?

According to reports, this conflict originated after a dribble from the youngster that made Neymar uncomfortable. The experienced midfielder reacted by asking for calm. However, his response was a trip that led to pushing and scuffling between the two players. Witnesses even mentioned a slap during the altercation.

The club turns a deaf ear to the situation

As mentioned before, Santos responded quickly. In a statement, they informed that by order of the presidency, an investigation has already begun, led by the Legal Department. The club is analyzing the incident that occurred on May 3 and promises measures.

Meanwhile, Neymar is expected to start on Tuesday, May 5, against Deportivo Recoleta in Asuncion, in the Copa Sudamericana. The Brazilian returns to play with the focus on the pitch, but with the scandal outside.

And not only that, for Neymar, who is looking for that spot in the 2026 World Cup, getting involved in these kinds of situations is not favorable, and even worse if this leads to missing matches with the club. Carlo Ancelotti has an eye on the situation.

To counter those runs, Redick said he planned to adjust his in-game approach, particularly with timeouts. He referenced Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle as an example of managing momentum with quick decisions. “I know Rick Carlisle is like the master of that, is like the quick timeout,” Redick said. “I’ve already told the staff, I’ve already told the players, like, I’ve got to be more diligent than I normally am.”

Redick admitted that his usual preference for conserving timeouts late in games might not apply against Oklahoma City. “I like my timeouts. I like going into the fourth quarter with four timeouts. I like having two in the last 30 seconds,” he said. “I don’t think you have the luxury of worrying about that because the game can get away from you so quick.”

What the Lakers will do

Beyond the use of timeouts, limiting turnovers remains a key aspect of the Lakers’ strategy. The Thunder’s defensive pressure, led by players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and anchored by rim protectors like Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, had consistently disrupted opposing offenses.

The Lakers showed signs of vulnerability in this area during their first-round series, as stretches of careless ball handling created scoring opportunities for Houston. Against Oklahoma City, those mistakes could prove far more costly.

On the offensive end, Los Angeles relied on LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura to generate consistent scoring while facing one of the NBA’s best defensive units. The Lakers’ ability to convert perimeter shots and avoid turnovers in transition would be crucial to prevent the Thunder from building momentum, and this was where the absence of Luka Doncic could be felt the most.

What else Redick will watch

Head coach JJ Redick acknowledged the challenge ahead, pointing to Oklahoma City’s ability to control games through momentum swings. With Game 1 set in Oklahoma City, the Lakers are focused on limiting those stretches that had defined the Thunder’s success.

Redick identified Oklahoma City’s ability to generate scoring runs as the primary issue his team had to address in the series. “Well, we couldn’t learn a lot from three of those games because we were god awful,” Redick said. “I think bigger picture, just a general thing with them is they’re really good at runs.”

According to Dave McMenamin, Doncic was getting up shots Monday, hours before the team heads to Oklahoma, but when asked about his availability for Game 1, JJ Redick said, “no update,” which means there is no significant progress on his injury and his return will still have to wait.

Doncic dealt with a nagging hamstring throughout the 2025-26 season, so he and the Lakers have every reason to be overly cautious as he ramps back up for basketball activities. It is a tough reality to swallow given how well Doncic was playing to close out the regular season, but jeopardizing his health to try to advance past the Thunder would be a terrible decision.

What the Lakers should expect

If it were a different type of injury, there would probably be a greater willingness to allow Doncic to play; however, at this point, the priority should be focused on next season and the long-term future. Oklahoma City swept the Phoenix Suns and has enjoyed extended rest, so rushing the 27-year-old back might not make as much of a difference as the team would hope.

In theory, Doncic could return at some point in the series if Los Angeles manages to steal a couple of games, but that is much easier said than done. Even if the most likely outcome is a second-round exit, the Lakers should feel proud of what they have accomplished so far and protect Doncic to avoid worsening his injury.

The true estimated return of Doncic

According to sports doctor Jesse Morse, this type of injury typically requires 6 to 8 weeks for a full recovery. However, with advanced treatment methods and aggressive rehabilitation, the timeline can sometimes be shortened to around 4 to 6 weeks.

Now, just over a month removed from the injury, with the injury happening on April 2, Luka has rejoined the NBA team but has yet to make significant progress in his on-court activity, particularly in running and five-on-five play.

“Therefore, he’s not close to returning,” Morse explained. “I think realistically, the fastest Doncic could return is Monday, May 11, for Game 4,” the sports medicine specialist added.

With this result, City remain in second place with 71 points, five points behind Arsenal, who sit on 76 after a 3-0 win against Fulham, creating separation with just three matchdays left to play.

One key factor is that City have Matchday 31 pending, meaning they have one game in hand over Arsenal. Manchester City still have 12 points available, while Arsenal have 9, but the current five-point gap could ultimately define the title race. Here are the remaining fixtures:

Man City’s remaining Premier League games

Following their draw against Everton, the Citizens face a two-game homestand. On Saturday, they will host Brentford, and four days later, they will welcome Crystal Palace to Etihad Stadium in their pending fixture.

• Brentford (home), May 9
• Crystal Palace (home), May 13
• Bournemouth (away), May 19
• Aston Villa (home), May 24

Arsenal’s remaining Premier League schedule

Aiming to build on their recent 3-0 home victory over Fulham, the Gunners face another London derby when they visit West Ham on Sunday. Then, Mikel Arteta’s team will have two more games to try and secure the title. Meanwhile, Arsenal can still join the list of unbeaten UEFA Champions League winners.

• West Ham (away), May 10
• Burnley (home), May 18
• Crystal Palace (away), May 24

The top of the Premier League table after Everton vs Man City

Man City rescued a point in dramatic fashion

Guardiola’s men were not looking for a point; they wanted all three, but given how the match unfolded, it ended up being a positive outcome. Everton had everything in their favor after turning the game around, but Jeremy Doku stepped up as the hero with a last-gasp equalizer.

Doku himself had opened the scoring in the first half with a goal after 43′, assisted by Cherki, in what looked like a comfortable path to victory, but in the second half, the game turned into chaos.

After 64′, Everton’s momentum began after a substitution, Beto came off, and Thierno Barry came on, and he scored the first goal after 68′ to spark the comeback. Four minutes later, the 2-1 arrived through Jake O’Brien after 73′. The impact of Barry was clear as he himself made it 3-1 after 81′.

However, for those criticizing Haaland and his impact in key moments, the Norwegian responded just two minutes after Barry’s goal, almost immediately, to keep City alive. With seven minutes left, they pushed for something special, and that is exactly what Doku delivered. A cut inside and a powerful strike in the 90+7′ secured the equalizer.

With this win, the Cavaliers are set to face the Detroit Pistons, who came off a Sunday afternoon Game 7 victory against the Orlando Magic, also becoming the 15th team to overcome a 3-1 deficit, a remarkable achievement.

The series is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, May 5, at 7:00 PM ET, after all other matchups are already set and ready to tip off. The first round has delivered outstanding series, and it is almost certain that the conference semifinals will offer the same level of excitement. The other conference semifinal matchup features the Philadelphia 76ers against the New York Knicks.

Cleveland vs Raptors Game 7

Toronto led the entire first half until Cleveland tied it heading into the break. The Cavaliers used that momentum to take control after a dominant third quarter, as they outscored the Raptors 38-19 to pull away for good. The plus-19 point differential marked Cleveland’s best margin in any quarter of the series.

The Raptors cut the deficit to 11 points with 2:31 left in the game, but the Cavaliers held on for the win. They now face the Detroit Pistons, who won their own Game 7 on Sunday against the Orlando Magic. It marks the third straight season Cleveland reached the second round, their longest streak since 2014-2018.

Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen led the team with a playoff career-high 22 points, including 14 in the third quarter, along with 19 rebounds. Donovan Mitchell added 22 points, while James Harden contributed 18. Cleveland dominated the boards, outrebounding their opponent 60-30, including 20 offensive rebounds. It was the largest rebound differential, +27, recorded in a winner-take-all game since 1987.

Scottie Barnes recorded 24 points, nine rebounds, and six assists for Toronto, becoming the third player in Raptors history to post at least 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a Game 7. After hitting the game-winner in Game 6, RJ Barrett finished with 23 points and six assists.

The record of a key piece

According to ESPN, Jarrett Allen is the second Cavaliers player in postseason history with 20 or more points and 15 or more rebounds in a Game 7. He joins LeBron James on May 27, 2018, against the Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals.

The opening half saw Pumas start with higher intensity and better control, taking advantage of turnovers and quick transitions. America struggled at first but gradually improved possession and duels, finding their way back into the match with a crucial equalizer. Both teams created several chances, with key saves from Cota and Navas keeping the score tight.

In the second half, Club America pushed forward with more vertical play and high pressure, eventually completing their comeback to level the score. Pumas still threatened on the counterattack and briefly regained control with Carrillo’s individual brilliance. Late substitutions from both sides added intensity, but neither team was able to find a winning goal as the match ended 3-3.

With this loss, Al Nassr saw their run of 20 consecutive matches won across all competitions come to an end, equaling the longest streak of Ronaldo’s club career. It ended in a match where even Julian Quinones (29) scored the third goal, widening the gap in the scoring table with Cristiano Ronaldo (25).

In addition, with Matchday 31 of 34 underway, Al Hilal still had chances to catch them. With this defeat, Al Nassr remain on 79 points, and Al Hilal have 74, but with a game in hand from Matchday 28 against Al-Khaleej on May 5, they could reach 77 points, just two behind, with nine points still in play. \

Al Nassr’s defeat

A truly unfortunate match for Al Nassr, who hope it doesn’t come back to hurt them in a major way at the end of the season, because it is something Al Hilal can fully take advantage of and potentially take the title in the final matchdays.

The team managed by Jorge Jesus started the match trailing after a goal from Abu Al Shamat in 24′ minute with a right-footed finish, but Al Nassr equalized before the end of the first half in 39′ minute through a goal by Joao Felix after a counterattack and an assist from Brozovic.

The collapse came in the second half, when the Saudi Pro League top scorer stepped up, as Julian Quinones assisted Al Juwayr to score, and then he sealed the match in 78′ minute with a right-footed finish, making it 3-1 without a good performance of Cristiano Ronaldo.

What’s next for Al Nassr?

Al Nassr depend on themselves if they want to secure both titles they have at stake, the AFC Champions League two final against Gamba Osaka, and the remaining three league matches. Here are the upcoming matches for Al Nassr:

• Al Shabab (away), May 7
• Al Hilal (home), May 12
• Gamba Osaka (AFC Champions League two final, neutral), May 16
• Damac (home), May 21

With the win, the Sixers become the 14th team out of 302 to overcome a 1-3 series deficit, the last to achieve it being the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2016 Finals against the Golden State Warriors. This means Philadelphia is the first team to do it again in 10 years.

As a side note, with the win, the Sixers advance over Boston in the playoffs for the first time since 1982, snapping a six-series losing streak, confirming that they went against everything that did not favor them and brought out their best, with a warrior-mode Joel Embiid, a cold-blooded Tyrese Maxey, and a team hungry for success.

Embiid and Maxey’s impact in Game 7

Joel Embiid scored 34 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to propel the 76ers to a 109-100 victory that eliminated the Boston Celtics from the NBA playoffs on Saturday.

Tyrese Maxey scored 10 of his 30 points in a frantic fourth quarter as the seventh-seeded Sixers thwarted the second-seeded Celtics’ comeback bid, completing their own comeback from 3-1 down in the series to book an Eastern Conference semi-final showdown with the New York Knicks.

The series was the 23rd playoff clash between the two teams and Boston had won the last six, knocking Embiid out of the playoffs in 2018, 2020 and 2023. Embiid had said he was tired of losing to the Celtics, and he and Maxey made sure it did not happen again, keying the 76ers’ first-ever victory in a series in which they trailed 3-1.

The key variable in the matchup

It was not a smooth ride, even with Boston missing star Jayson Tatum, who was ruled out less than two hours before tip-off with a sore left knee. Tatum had exited late in the third quarter of Thursday’s Game 6 blowout loss to the Sixers, and he could only watch from the bench as the Celtics season ended.

Tatum, who ruptured his right Achilles tendon in last year’s playoffs, had missed the first 62 games of the regular season but had gone from strength to strength since his NBA season debut in March. Jaylen Brown scored 34 points and pulled down nine rebounds to lead the Celtics and Derrick White added 26 points, but it was not enough to secure the victory.

Inter Miami started the match with high intensity, scoring early through Ian Fray and adding more through Telasco Segovia and Lionel Messi. Orlando City struggled defensively in the opening stages and conceded three goals before halftime. However, Martin Ojeda kept his side alive with key attacking contributions.

In the second half, Orlando City reacted strongly and gradually took control of the match through quick transitions and long balls. Ojeda completed his hat trick, including a penalty, before Tyrese Spicer scored the late winner to complete the comeback. Inter Miami pushed in stoppage time but could not recover from the momentum shift.

The team led by Diego Cocca, Atlas, arrive with momentum after their dramatic win against Club America at the Estadio Azteca, a result that secured their place.

Meanwhile, Cruz Azul approach the match with a key change on the bench following Nicolas Larcamon’s departure. Now under Joel Huiqui, they aim to regain prominence and back up the strong tournament that placed them among the teams to watch.

What happens if Cruz Azul win vs Atlas?

Considering that the second leg remains at the Estadio Banorte, La Maquina would be in a strong position if they win against Atlas, since a draw or even a loss by the same scoreline would still see them advance to the semifinals of the Clausura 2026.

If they also win the second leg, they would face the winner of the matchup between Pachuca and Toluca. At the same time, the other side of the bracket features Pumas UNAM against Club America and Guadalajara against Tigres UANL.

What happens if Cruz Azul and Atlas tie?

In this scenario, there would still be positives for Huiqui’s side, as the Estadio Jalisco is often a hostile environment. Following that, a draw or win at Banorte the following week would place them among the top four teams in the domestic competition.

What happens if Cruz Azul lose vs Atlas?

This is where an asterisk comes into play. If La Maquina lose in Guadalajara against Atlas, they would need to win by at least the same scoreline at the Azteca, remembering that the sporting advantage is on their side. However, if they win the match but by a smaller goal difference, they would be eliminated from the competition.

Cooper Flagg was honored by the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday evening, receiving his Rookie of the Year award and speaking at a press conference in Dallas shortly after. “Yeah, I mean, I think it means everything,” Flagg said about winning the Rookie of the Year award.

“I think this award and this recognition is something that all rookies come into the year fighting for, competing for, and they are trying to put their best foot forward for this award. So I think just the recognition means a lot to me. All the hard work, all the hours I have put in throughout the year, throughout the years previous, all the hours I have put in my whole life, just to get this moment, it shows that it is all worth it.

“I mean, obviously thank you to my teammates, obviously the ones that are here, but all the rest of them as well that are not here, I would not have been able to do it without them. Coaches, Coach Jason Kidd, the rest of the staff, I think it is a thank you to them, but it is an incredible recognition and it means a ton to me.”

Cooper Flagg did not forget anyone

Many expected Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets to win the award, who was also Flagg’s teammate at Duke and later became a rival competing for these honors. Flagg said on Wednesday that he spoke with Knueppel throughout the year, but never about the award, and that he considers him someone who will “be one of my best friends for the rest of my life.”

“Me and Kon, we talked all year long, but we never talked about the Rookie of the Year, or what people were saying about any of that. It was more just support, you know, for one another. And staying in contact. I mean, he is somebody that will be one of my best friends for the rest of my life.

“So just stay in contact, seeing how things have been different for him and what he has learned, and just trying to help each other in our own single journeys apart from each other, but just learning as much as we can about this league and how we can be better. But yeah, we definitely stayed in contact. And, yeah, I have talked to him.”

The great season of Flagg and Knueppel

It is an incredibly deserved award for a player who led his team in virtually every statistical category while being asked to play a position he had never really played coming into the year.

This season, Cooper Flagg joined Michael Jordan as the only rookies in NBA history to lead their team in total points, rebounds, assists, and steals since steals were first recorded in 1973-74. Flagg also became the second youngest NBA Rookie of the Year winner behind LeBron James.

In his first season in the NBA, Flagg averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting 46.8% from the field and 29.5% from three, all while appearing in 70 games for the Mavericks.

The Mavericks’ rookie was in a tightly contested race for the award with Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel, who finished the season averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while shooting 47.5% from the field and a blistering 42.5% from three. He made 273 three-pointers, the most ever by a rookie.

The Moroccan fullback suffered the injury in the back of his right thigh in the final minutes, 88’, of the first leg, in which PSG defeated Bayern Munich 5-4 on Tuesday in Paris. His team had already used all substitutions, and Hakimi finished the match despite the injury.

Hakimi collapsed on the pitch after contesting a ball with Konrad Laimer in the closing moments of the game and immediately grabbed the back of his right leg, eventually leaving the field in pain, but returning due to the lack of substitutions.

Is his presence at the World Cup in doubt?

He is already ruled out for the second leg, and from there, only 38 days remain until Morocco’s debut in the World Cup against Brazil in Group C, where Haiti and Scotland are also present.

All indications suggest that Hakimi will arrive at the World Cup without major issues, but with the concern of losing rhythm, the rest presents a good option considering that this World Cup is longer.

What is next for Hakimi?

If PSG advance past Bayern, they will face Arsenal or Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final on May 30. He is expected to be available for that match.

Hakimi, who finished sixth in last year’s Ballon d’Or voting, is expected to be a key piece for Morocco in this summer’s World Cup. Morocco, who reached the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup, will play their first match on June 13 against Brazil.

James revealed that he had actually been operating at less than 100 percent for the last five years. “My foot and my ankle ain’t been the same since. Ever since that injury, I’ve been fighting uphill to get it back to normal. But it’s been a little blah ever since,” said James, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

LeBron had this injury ever since he was hurt on a play when then Atlanta Hawks forward Solomon Hill collided with his ankle, sending James out of the lineup for a significant chunk of the 2020-21 season.

LeBron’s current form

Now the outlook for LeBron James is different. Yes, this season has been more restricted in terms of minutes, and he has dealt with injuries that have kept him from consistent play with the Lakers.

It is worth remembering that during the regular season, there was also the issue of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and James not being healthy at the same time, unlike now in the playoffs, where LeBron is on his own.

In this current series, LeBron has been the soul of the Lakers. And that’s why they lost in game 4, James was coming off one of his worst scoring performances in a playoff game in his storied career. Sunday marked just one of five times James scored 10 or fewer points in an NBA postseason game in 296 career playoff appearances.

The veteran forward had an uneven series in the scoring department with 19 points in Game 1, 28 in Game 2, 29 in Game 3, and then 10 in Game 4, making it clear that age is just a number.

LeBron frustrated by 2020-21 injury

James also spoke on the frustration of suffering the injury amid what had been a promising 2020-21 season for the Los Angeles Lakers as they looked to defend their Bubble title.

“What could have been, for sure. I was playing some of the best basketball of my career up until that point and leading this franchise in the right direction, and then something like that happens, a high ankle sprain, and there’s nothing you can do about that,” he said.

James did not look quite like himself when he returned that year, and the Lakers ended up losing in the playoffs to the eventual Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns in six games.

Julian was substituted in the 77th minute of the second half due to an apparent injury to his left ankle, with Alex Baena coming on in his place. The injury comes from a play involving a challenge with Eberechi Eze, where both fall to the ground, with slight contact without intention from the Arsenal player against Julian.

There is also an expectation for an official update, as it could also be the result of fatigue after a very intense match in which Alvarez was highly active and pressing at a very high level. It is expected not to be serious, looking ahead to the second leg, and clearly, his presence in the 2026 World Cup.

First leg of Atletico vs Arsenal

Atletico Madrid fought back to earn a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal. Julian Alvarez netted from the penalty spot to equalise Viktor Gyokeres’ own spot kick.

Arsenal broke the deadlock shortly before half-time after Gyokeres was bundled over in the box by David Hancko, and the Gunners striker picked himself up to rattle home his spot kick, which put them ahead, but with a controversial decision over whether it was a penalty or not.

Simeone switched formation to 3-4-3 at the break, and his side came out hungry for an equaliser. Julian Alvarez curled a free kick narrowly wide, Ademola Lookman fired straight at David Raya, and Antoine Griezmann had a shot heroically blocked by Gabriel Magalhaes before they got their goal. Finally, Alvarez powered home a penalty after Ben White handled Marcos Llorente’ sliced shot.

The home side dominated from there, with sequence after sequence of attacks from Atletico, led especially by a Griezmann who was fully locked in during the second half, until Arsenal thought they had won a second penalty when Eberechi Eze looked to have been tripped by Hancko, but the referee overturned his decision after consulting VAR, and it ultimately ended level.

Julian Alvarez injury updated

Good news for Atletico Madrid and Argentina, according to Gaston Edul, Julian Alvarez felt a twist at the moment, further tests will clearly be done, but it is nothing serious, and it is believed it would not be anything more than that.

Alvarez breaks a record

Julian Alvarez made history after becoming the fastest Argentine to reach 25 goals in the UEFA Champions League in 41 matches, surpassing none other than Lionel Messi, who did it in 42, and with outstanding numbers. This season in 13 matches, he has nine goals with five assists.

With this result, Al Nassr sit at 79 points, holding an eight-point lead over second-place Al Hilal and a 13-point gap over third-place Al Ahli—all of this with the AFC Champions League two final pending.

Four matchdays are remaining for Al Nassr to secure the title led by Cristiano Ronaldo, four games that represent 12 points still in play, meaning there is still a risk of being caught. It is also worth noting that Al Hilal still have Matchday 30 to play, which means they have one game in hand and could close the gap to five points.

Cristiano Ronaldo And Al Nassr’s season

Cristiano Ronaldo is on the cusp of securing his first major trophy in Saudi Arabia, as Al Nassr also advanced to the final of the AFC Champions League Two. The team made headlines with an impressive 5-1 victory against Qatar’s Al Ahli, setting up a crucial match against Japanese side Gamba Osaka on May 16 in Riyadh.

It remains to be seen which title arrives first, the cup or the domestic league, as the league depends on other results as well as their own, while the cup is a win-or-nothing scenario in their push to become champions, but Ronaldo’s experience in these situations is well known.

Cristiano Ronaldo has not only contributed significantly to this success, scoring 24 league goals this season, but is also closing in on a remarkable milestone, standing 30 goals away from reaching 1,000 career goals.

Al Nassr’s upcoming matches

Here are the upcoming matches for Al Nassr, including the AFC Champions League final and the remaining Saudi Pro League fixtures in their pursuit of titles:

• Al Qadsiah (away), May 3
• Al Shabab (away), May 7
• Al Hilal (home), May 12
• Gamba Osaka (AFC Champions League two final, neutral), May 16
• Damac (home), May 21

The Spurs will face the Minnesota Timberwolves. Chris Finch’s team clinched the series 4-2 after a 110-98 win in Game 6, closing out Denver on their home floor to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals.

The expected date for the Spurs’ next game could be as early as May 4, since May 2 and May 3 would host potential Game 7 matchups if necessary. The Timberwolves vs Nuggets Game 7 would be played on May 2, which gives the Spurs an advantage as they currently have about five days of rest.

The decisive game for the Spurs

The 2025-26 season officially ended for the Trail Blazers, as the Spurs moved on to the second round of the postseason for the first time since 2017 after securing a 4-1 gentleman’s sweep in the series.

The Spurs’ Game 5 victory reflected their identity, playing excellent team basketball with six different players scoring in double digits. As a result, they controlled the Trail Blazers from start to finish, leading by as many as 28 points.

Victor Wembanyama delivered another strong performance, finishing with 17 points on 5-7 shooting, along with 14 rebounds, three assists, and six blocks. De’Aaron Fox led the scoring with 21 points, Julian Champagnie added 19, and Dylan Harper provided a major boost off the bench with 17 points.

Wemby’s first postseason series

In his first postseason series, Wemby averaged 21.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks per game. His scoring peaked in Game 1, but he consistently impacted the series through his defense, which earned him the unanimous NBA DPOY.

That was also the case in Game 5, as the star center did not find full rhythm offensively but dominated the paint, finishing with six blocks. The concussion suffered in Game 2 was a setback, but it was a fluky situation and did not reflect any concern about the 22-year-old being ready for the demands of the postseason.

After the game, in which Maxey played a key role, he made it clear in the press conference that he did not want to let their fans down. “Our fans deserve a win at home. After that performance that we put on last time in front of our fans that was a disgrace and it was unacceptable.”

Joel Embiid played his heart out despite injuries, and Tyrese Maxey stepped up to keep their season alive. By the end of Game 5, the 76ers had won with an impressive 113-97 score and earned another chance to extend the series at home.

The big game from the 76ers

Tyrese Maxey was the key piece the 76ers needed on the perimeter. Head coach Nick Nurse played him for 43 minutes, and the strategy paid off. Maxey scored 25 points with 55.56% shooting from the field and 30% from three.

He also recorded five assists, maintaining the offensive rhythm for the 76ers. On defense, the guard also challenged the Celtics with 10 rebounds, two steals, and one block. Maxey was the first 76ers guard with a 25-point, 10-rebound, and five-assist game in the NBA Playoffs since Hersey Hawkins, per StatMuse.

Embiid outstanding performance

Joel Embiid, on the other hand, looked like the answer to the 76ers’ problems in the NBA Playoffs. The former NBA MVP played 39 minutes despite going to the locker room after suffering a leg injury.

This did not stop Embiid from making life difficult for the Celtics. He scored 33 points on 52.17% shooting from the field and made nine of his 10 free throw attempts. Embiid also added eight assists to keep the offense flowing.

This marked the eighth time Embiid scored 30 points against the Celtics in the NBA Playoffs since he was drafted. He only trailed Wilt Chamberlain as the 76ers player with the most 30-point games against a single postseason opponent.

According to The Athletic, the decision has been made to reduce the danger of players missing the World Cup’s knockout matches. “The new rules around suspensions for accumulated bookings at this year’s tournament in United States, Canada, Mexico are expected to be approved later this week”, ” said The Athletic.

A fairly understandable measure, as the teams will have their stars available in the later rounds of the competition, and it will allow a game without fear of losing valuable players, but it also takes away that edge that adds to the competition, as in that sense, nobody cares about managing yellow cards.

The other measure to be implemented

And that is not the only measure regarding cards; now, red cards can be given for other actions that go beyond aggressive play, according to The Times. FIFA is set to impose a red card for players who cover their mouths when confronting an opponent at the World Cup 2026. It is worth noting that this is something very common among soccer players.

And not only that, but FIFA also plans for an instant dismissal for players who leave the pitch in protest at a referee’s decision. This measure comes from a very memorable event, and it is the controversial situation between Prestianni and Vinicius Jr during their Champions League match.

Where Prestianni suggested something very serious to Vinicius, but it had to go through advanced investigations, and became a very controversial topic because it was not clear what exactly was said, precisely because he was covering his mouth while speaking.

How the previous yellow card system worked

In the World Cup, players must serve a one match suspension if they receive a yellow card in two different matches, but in previous tournaments they were cleared after the quarterfinal stage.

That ensured that no player would miss the final due to suspension simply for receiving a yellow card in the semifinal. The expanded World Cup format, now with 48 teams and an additional round of sixteen, led FIFA to make a change in order to keep players on the pitch.

According to Cadena Cope, the forward suffered the injury during this morning’s training session, although the affected area has not yet been disclosed, and he is expected to be sidelined for “three to four weeks.” This would certainly be a problem, especially for Simeone, and a relief for Scaloni if he can recover in time for the World Cup, although without rhythm.

As a result, Nico Gonzalez is set to miss the tie against the Gunners in the Champions League, with the first leg scheduled for this Wednesday in Madrid, as well as matches against Valencia, Celta de Vigo, Osasuna, and Girona in La Liga. Depending on his recovery, he could return in the final matchday against Villarreal or in a potential Champions League final on May 30 in Budapest.

Nico Gonzalez would reach the World Cup?

The situation also raises concern within the coaching staff led by Lionel Scaloni, given the proximity of the 2026 World Cup. However, everything seems to indicate that he could arrive without major concern, considering the four-week timeline and that the tournament is less than 50 days away, although he would arrive without rhythm and somewhat limited.

It is worth noting that the player was unable to take part in the last World Cup due to an injury while preparing for Qatar 2022, and was not part of the title-winning squad. Now, the decision of whether to call him up will be in Scaloni’s hands.

Argentina and a complicated moment with injuries

Argentina are going through a delicate physical moment just over a month and a half before the World Cup, which begins on June 11. The Gonzalez joins a list of players dealing with injuries or recovery processes, a situation closely monitored by Lionel Scaloni.

This new case adds to that of Cristian Romero. The defender suffered a ligament injury at Tottenham Hotspur and, although he avoided surgery, the recovery timeline will leave him with limited match rhythm heading into the competition. His presence is not ruled out, but it is conditioned by the lack of playing time. In the same position, Juan Foyth suffered a left Achilles tendon rupture in January that ruled him out of the World Cup months ago.

At the same time, Lautaro Martinez has been dealing with physical issues for weeks, with discomfort in the same area where he previously suffered a muscle tear. This situation has prevented him from maintaining consistency at Inter and raises concern in a key position, which also includes the long-term absence of striker Joaquin Panichelli due to a torn ligament in his right knee suffered during an Argentina training session.

According to Sport, there was a meeting this Monday with elite physiotherapists Raul Martinez and Fernando Galan. Both play a key role: they have worked as physiotherapists for the RFEF and currently collaborate with Barca; the topic of Lamine Yamal was addressed.

It was made clear that the club has its absolute priority to properly manage the forward recovery, especially due to the high risk of relapse that exists with this type of injury. The idea is not to rush timelines and to take care of every detail to avoid any setback that could compromise his condition in the medium and long term.

Matches Yamal could miss

According to the same report, Barca does not want to force his return under any circumstances. They understand within the club that he will be on Luis De la Fuente’s list for the World Cup, but if necessary, they would not see it as a problem if he misses some of the opening matches of the tournament to avoid risks, to be fully available in the most demanding stage.

Thus, it could be that he does not play against Cabo Verde on June 15 in Spain‘s debut at the tournament to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, nor against Saudi Arabia on June 21. He could be at full fitness for the match against Uruguay, which could decide the top spot in the group, and then approach the knockout rounds with guarantees.

It is worth noting that this comes from a club position, but surely, within the team, there is that dilemma of trusting the group stage without having their best player and expecting the rest of the team to step up and secure qualification, or using the player from the start with that key piece in the system, but risking a relapse of the injury.

What happened to Lamine Yamal?

The winger suffered a significant hamstring injury in the left leg in a LaLiga match against Celta del Vigo after scoring a penalty. In the 40th minute, Barcelona were awarded a penalty kick, and Yamal wasted no time stepping up to the spot. While he successfully beat the Celta goalkeeper to give his side the lead, he was seen grimacing and clutching his left foot immediately after the strike.

According to Daniel Starkand of LakersNation, JJ Redick revealed that Doncic has increased his movement but is still not ready. “JJ Redick says Luka Doncic has increased his movement in on-court drills but has not yet started 1-on-1 action.” This suggests that his return could come within the first three games of the series against OKC.

Doncic’s return will still have to wait, likely coming in the next series if they advance, but while the Doncic update is not an encouraging one, having Reaves back should be enough to help the Lakers avoid becoming the first team in NBA history to blow a 3-0 lead.

The numbers of Doncic

Doncic averaged 33.5 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.7 rebounds in his first full season in Los Angeles, making his absence one of the most significant injury situations in the entire playoffs. The fact that the Lakers have managed to take a 3-1 series lead without him shows how deep and talented this roster is.

Without Doncic and Reaves for much of this NBA series, LeBron James carried the load. At the same time, there has been a lot of credit given to the importance of Marcus Smart’s arrival, who has shown a very high defensive level, and the growth of Luke Kennard.

The return of Reaves

The positive news for Los Angeles is that Austin Reaves has a chance to play in Game 5 against the Rockets, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Reaves has been out since April 2, dealing with a Grade 2 left oblique strain that initially carried a four to six week timetable.

He was unable to play in Games 3 or 4, but his potential return for a closeout game on Wednesday would give the Lakers’ offense a significant boost. Reaves put together a strong season despite his health issues, averaging a career high 23.3 points along with 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 49% from the field.

According to Brett Siegel, the Warriors and Kerr will begin conversations this week, “With internal meetings already commencing over the weekend, Kerr and the organization are expected to come to terms on what is next this week. By the start of May, there should be a clear answer as to whether Kerr will be the head coach of the Warriors entering the 2026-27 season.”

However, neither Golden State’s front office nor Kerr has made a final decision yet, but it has been made clear that a direction for the franchise will be presented when Dunleavy, the scouts, and others travel to the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago during the second week of May.

Kerr wants to set conditions

In the same report, Siegel revealed that Kerr will inform the Warriors of what he wants to remain the team’s head coach; negotiations could become complicated. Everything depends on what the Warriors’ plans are.

Kerr does not want to leave Curry and Green high and dry. For years, the ideology surrounding the Golden State has been that all three members of this championship era would see things through together. Specifically, Kerr and Curry would retire together.

But the timeline for Green’s eventual retirement appears to be ahead of Curry’s, and Kerr’s immediate future will be decided in a matter of days. It is worth noting that Green and Curry are still under contract with the Warriors for at least one more season.

Over the last twelve years, Kerr and the franchise have experienced nearly everything together in the NBA. It feels somewhat unusual that there is so little clarity about the future of their partnership, but it is not uncommon for those in charge of a team with a veteran roster to reevaluate the direction of the franchise after a 37-45 season.

On Saturday, April 25, the 23-year-old midfielder remained on the ground in pain with his right knee and had to be taken off on a stretcher with clear signs of discomfort during the crucial 1-0 win by Tottenham over Wolves, already relegated. The club later confirmed he ruptured the Anterior Cruciate Ligament in his right knee.

Meanwhile, Netherlands face a significant setback. Xavi Simons was expected to play a key role at the World Cup, and his absence forces a major tactical rethink. They will debut in the World Cup on June 13 against Japan in Group F, which they share with Sweden and Tunisia.

Xavi Simons’ message that moves the world

Through his social media channels, Xavi Simons shared an emotional message, expressing the heartbreak he is experiencing during this difficult time. It makes complete sense after the hard work he has put in.

“They say life can be cruel and today it feels that way. My season has come to an abrupt end and I’m just trying to process it. Honestly, I’m heartbroken. None of it makes sense.”

“All I’ve wanted to do is fight for my team and now the ability to do that has been snatched away from me, along with the World Cup. Representing my country this summer, just gone. It will take time to find peace with this, but I will continue to be the best teammate I can be. I have no doubt that together we will win this fight. I will walk this path now, guided by faith, with strength, with resilience, with belief, as I count down the days to getting back out there. Be patient with me.”

Hard blow for Tottenham and Netherlands

The absence of Simons arrives at the worst possible moment for Tottenham, who are fighting to avoid relegation in the Premier League. The London side is in a delicate position in the standings and now lost one of their most decisive players.

In addition, the injury crisis at the club deepens. Players such as Cristian Romero, Wilson Odobert, Dejan Kulusevski, and Ben Davies have also been out with different physical issues, leaving the team with limited options in a decisive stretch.

For their part, Netherlands also suffered a major setback. Xavi Simons was called to be one of the key pieces at the World Cup, and his absence forces a rethink of the team structure and search for other variables to have a great path during the tournament.

In an official statement, Milan confirmed the end of the Croatian’s Serie A season before its scheduled conclusion on May 24. “The club wishes him a speedy recovery ahead of the World Cup,” the club added. The operation was described as “a total success,” according to Milan. “AC Milan announces that today, Luka Modric underwent surgery at the La Madonnina Clinic in Milan. Surgical intervention was required to treat a complex multifragmentary fracture of the left zygomatic bone,” the statement read.

“The operation, performed by the team of doctor Luca Autelitano in the presence of AC Milan doctors Stefano Mazzoni and Andrea Bulgheroni, was a total success,” it added. Modric suffered a fracture to his left cheekbone during Sunday’s match against Juventus, forcing him to undergo surgery just a month and a half before the start of the World Cup.

Croatia supports Modric

Croatia want to have available one of the best players in their history, a key figure who has led them to their greatest World Cup performances, including reaching the 2018 final where they lost against France.

“I have been speaking with Luka,” Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic said on social media platform X through the national federation, “I wished him a successful surgery as well as a fast and quality recovery. I am convinced he will do everything possible to be ready for the FIFA World Cup, and we will provide him with full support. I trust the recovery will go as planned and that Luka, as team captain, will lead us in another major competition this summer.”

How did Modric get injured?

Modric had to leave the field in the final minutes of Sunday’s 0-0 draw against Juventus after suffering an injury during an aerial duel for the ball with opposing midfielder Manuel Locatelli.

The club did not specify how long Modric will be sidelined. However, only four matchdays remain before the end of the Serie A season. The main concern now is his availability for the World Cup. Croatia will begin their campaign by facing England in seven weeks on June 17. They will also play against Panama and Ghana in Group L.

According to a report attributed to El Partidazo de COPE, the club has already made direct contact with the current Argentina head coach to explore a possible future arrival. And something that could work in his favor is that Scaloni already lives in Spain since his retirement as a player, where he built his family. He currently lives with his wife and children in El Toro.

The information points out that the Madrid president is reviewing different alternatives for the head coach position, and Scaloni’s name has entered that list due to the weight of his work with Argentina. But there is something that could change the course, and it’s his contract.

Scaloni’s camp position

There is also the other side of the story, according to the Argentine outlet TYC Sports. Despite the mention that he was supposedly already in talks with the club, from Scaloni’s camp, they strongly deny having made contact with the board of the institution led by Florentino Perez.

There is also the factor of Scaloni’s contract. The president of AFA, Tapia, offered to extend his deal, and the coach himself showed his intention to continue, but for now, there have been no talks about numbers or length. The most likely scenario is that there will be advanced talks after the 2026 World Cup. It is worth noting that his contract runs until mid this year, that is, until the end of the World Cup.

Does Scaloni want to coach a club?

In June 2025, Scaloni himself acknowledged receiving offers, but he is still not convinced about having his first experience in charge of a club. “I am not convinced about coaching a club, I would like to, but I do not know in the short term. All those messages, you have to see if they are true, that is why I do not answer and let them pass,” he said.

In that sense, Scaloni left the door open to what could happen once the 2026 World Cup is over, the last tournament in his current contract with the national team:

“After the World Cup we will see. My focus is on the national team. The world of soccer is complicated and sometimes it is not good to get into those things. In my case I know that I am here until the World Cup. There are many people around offering you things… from there to it being true. It is not convenient because it distracts you,” the 47-year-old made clear.

The team recently put out a diagnosis regarding Edwards’ injury and when it plans to update his status, according to Brett Siegel. “The Timberwolves say an MRI on Anthony Edwards’ injured knee revealed a left knee hyperextension injury and bone bruise. Edwards will be considered week-to-week, and further updates of his progress will be provided when available,” Siegel wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

But as mentioned, the Timberwolves were in a good position for this to happen, a series almost secured at 3-1. But who knows, Nikola Jokic is a phenomenal player, and the Wolves also deal with the absence of Donte DiVincenzo.

When will Edwards return?

Chris Finch is confident that Edwards will return later in the postseason, and he thinks it would be earlier than his timeline. “We do know that if we keep extending this playoff series, he is going to come back. And he generally comes back ahead of the timeline,” Finch said to reporters.

Which is ideal; however, it is not the same story for DiVicenzo, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Game 4. Without both Edwards and DiVincenzo, that is, their starting backcourt sidelined, which means it is up to other players to step up.

But they are more than necessary pieces. Remember that if they win and advance to the conference semifinals, they would face the winner of the series between the Spurs and Blazers, which is 3-1 in favor of the Spurs, who are without a doubt one of the contenders led by Wembanyama.

The players who must step up

Ayo Dosunmu was the first player to step up in their absence, and he finished with 43 points in Game 4 and led them to a victory. He will have to continue to play well, and it would not be a surprise if he were moved into the starting lineup.

Bones Hyland and Mike Conley will also see increased minutes, and the hope is that they can impact the game at a high level. For now, the goal is to stay alive in the NBA playoffs as long as possible so that Edwards can come back.

According to Tom Bogert and Paul Tenorio of The Athletic, a special committee of Major League Soccer owners met earlier this month to discuss and evaluate the future of the Vancouver Whitecaps, including the possibility of relocation. A move to Las Vegas was the chief option discussed at the meeting.

A club in MLS has not been formally relocated since 2006, when the San Jose Earthquakes were moved to Houston and became the Dynamo. In 2008, San Jose was awarded an expansion club and regained the Quakes’ history.

The proposal from Las Vegas

Las Vegas, according to the report, has already put forward a very attractive offer. One of the investors unveiled a $10 billion development plan on the Las Vegas Strip called Starr Vegas that would include a 50,000-seat soccer stadium, but the sources said that it is not the group that has engaged with MLS.

Other interested cities

Las Vegas is one of the few markets with potential investors that have expressed interest in joining MLS, along with Indianapolis, Phoenix, and Sacramento. Phoenix, along with Las Vegas, is another of the main candidates for relocation.

At the same time, Vancouver has a reason to be concerned about a move; the Whitecaps continue to search for a solution in the market for a new stadium, as their lease at BC Place expires at the end of this year. The club also remains for sale. The longer this situation continues without progress, the greater the threat of relocation.

“Since December 2024, ownership has prioritized finding a buyer committed to keeping the team in Vancouver, and to date, no solution has been found,” the Whitecaps said in a club statement provided to The Athletic.

The impact of the Whitecaps

If this situation were to happen, it would be something very serious for the MLS landscape. We are talking about one of the biggest and most historic teams on this side. The club was initially formed and played its inaugural season in the NASL in 1974. The club has played in various leagues for all but two years since 1974, but has always remained in Vancouver.

Vancouver is enjoying one of its best sporting moments. In Muller’s first year with the club, the Whitecaps reached the 2025 MLS Cup final against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, and they also reached the Concacaf Champions Cup final.

They are once again among the best teams in MLS in 2026, three points off first place in the Supporters Shield race, with a game in hand after nine matches. The club has made the most of its early home schedule, with Muller and company holding a 7-1-0 record at BC Place.

The location of the Whitecaps’ future stadium remains the biggest unknown, with Whitecaps fans already starting a #SAVETHECAPS movement to protest against a potential relocation.

After the game, Wembanyama credited the Spurs’ medical staff for being the unsung heroes who helped nurse him back to full health. “The Spurs have done an amazing job. I’m very happy about the way the protocol has been handled by all the parties. But my staff has been amazing. I’ve been really healthy starting on day one after the injury. Injury was weird, though, it was funny,” Wembanyama told ESPN’s Malika Andrews in his postgame interview.

They were now in a commanding position after taking a 3-1 series lead, and to make matters even more promising for the Spurs, Victor Wembanyama was cleared to return from a concussion on Sunday.

The big game from the Spurs and Wemby

On Sunday in Game 4 of their NBA playoffs first-round matchup against the Blazers, they stormed back from a double-digit deficit early in the game to win by double digits once more, 114-93.

Wembanyama proved to be every bit the difference-maker he had always been, as he did not look like he was suffering from rust or anything of the sort, as evidenced by his 27-point, 11-rebound, four-steal, and seven-block night. And yes, you are reading that right, 7 blocks on the night, tremendous.

On the Blazers side, Deni Avdija scored 26 points and Jrue Holiday added 20, but they were the only Portland starters who scored in the second half. And it was not enough against the Spurs’ depth, even more so with Wemby healthy.

The importance of Wembanyama would be fundamental for the Spurs’ playoff run. We were talking about a generational young player, surely something never seen before in the NBA, already being Defensive Player of the Year and on the podium for MVP. Hopefully, he stayed healthy, and we could enjoy this young team alongside Stephen Castle, Dylan Harper, and even Devin Vassel.

Jokic made it clear that he did not regret taking part due to what he saw as a lack of respect. McDaniels broke the unwritten rule all NBA players follow. Jokic said McDaniels’ scoring toward the end of a one-sided game pushed him over the edge, he said, per ESPN. “I don’t regret it,” he said postgame. “Because he scored after everybody stopped playing.”

After the clash between McDaniels and Jokic, Julius Randle stepped in to defend his teammate, which intensified the situation and led to both Jokic and Randle being ejected from the floor with just one second remaining in the game.

Jokic and Randle fined

Nikola Jokic was fined $50,000, and Julius Randle received a $35,000 fine, on the other hand, for their roles in the Denver Nuggets-Minnesota Timberwolves Game 4 fight, the NBA announced Sunday.

Both teams were set to meet again in Denver for Game 5, with the Wolves holding a commanding 3-1 series lead and now one win away from eliminating the Nuggets. And it was better that there were no suspensions, so they could be seen in action with that edge already established.

In addition, the 3-1 situation was not favorable at all for the Nuggets; however, the Timberwolves would now deal with the absence of Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo, both due to injury.

Jokic praises Gobert

Nikola Jokic threw shade at the officials while praising Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, as he had been one of the key factors behind the Serbian star’s inconsistent performance.

Jokic finished with 24 points on 8-22 shooting, 15 rebounds, nine assists, and three steals. On the other side, Gobert finished with 15 rebounds, two blocks, two steals, two assists, and four points, making his presence felt on the defensive end of the floor, holding Jokic to 36.3% shooting.

“Average…It’s a little bit of everything. You know, I’m not shooting the ball really well, especially from the three, and you know, Rudy is doing a good job with being physical, testing the officials, contesting shots,’’ Jokic said. “You know, he’s a really good defender. And not just him, they play very good … they’re big, long, tall, handsy, trippy, they’re bumping you, so… I think I answered your question.”

Currently, James is on his stint in the MLS with the Vancouver Whitecaps, and in the last match, he was a standout performer. At the end of the game, the Cucuta native referred to this match and his feelings.

“I felt very good, for it being my first match here, I was good,” James said. “It is a shame that we lost, but a match is not how much is left, but how much you influence on the field. We have had chances, we have to keep going on this path, on Tuesday we have a match in the Cup and we have to go out in a very good way.“

For his part, when he was asked about his condition ahead of the World Cup: “Good, I will arrive well, I will arrive in a very good way. There is one month left and I am training well, at the maximum, at full as I have always done and whatever I get to play here will help me.”

James’ performance

James Rodriguez was the standout player for Minnesota in the game against LAFC, which ended in a 0-1 loss. This was the first match as a starter for the Colombian in MLS, as he had already started in the US Open Cup against Sacramento.

The ‘10’ had an exceptional performance, which showed that he was increasingly adapting and gaining rhythm. He had two shots on target, delivered 5 key passes, and created a big scoring chance for Yeboah that was missed.

James’ calculations for the World Cup

James Rodriguez seemed to have everything calculated, despite the concern that existed in Colombia about the limited minutes he had been accumulating since his arrival in MLS. “There are 6 matches left before going to the World Cup and I am good, whatever I get to play, whether it is a lot or a little, I will do it in a very good way,” he said.

Finally, he thanked the support from the Minnesota fans, who were able to see him shine for the first time. “The support from all of them is nice, that means that I have done things well in my career, in soccer and their support, which comes from the heart, is something beautiful,” he stated.

“Eder Militao will have to undergo surgery for his new injury in the hamstrings of his left leg,” journalist Miguel Angel Diaz of COPE reported. “The Brazilian reopened the scar from the initial injury that occurred in December against Celta. Unfortunately, he will miss the World Cup,” he added.

Eder Militao raised concerns in Real Madrid and in Brazil last Tuesday, in the match against Deportivo Alaves. The 28-year-old center back was substituted before halftime with visible signs of pain in the same area that, as Diaz reported, had already been injured some time ago.

The original injury of Eder Militao

To understand what happened with Eder Militao, we have to go back to early December 2025. On December 7, to be precise, Real Madrid faced Celta de Vigo on Matchday 15 of LALIGA. In that match, Militao felt discomfort and was substituted in the 25th minute of the first half.

Hours later, Real Madrid reported a “tear in the biceps femoris of the left leg with involvement of the proximal tendon,” a diagnosis that projected a recovery time of no less than four months. Militao took the necessary time before returning, but he suffered another injury in that same area and will no longer be able to avoid surgery.

Ancelotti keeps losing players

Eder Militao is the most recent absence in a concerning list and reality for Brazil. Rodrygo and Willian Estevao, two players who also had their spots secured among the 26, suffered injuries that will keep them out of the World Cup.

On May 11, Ancelotti will have to present a preliminary list of 55 players, where it is almost certain that we will not see the defender, while May 30 will be the day when the 26 names going to the World Cup are officially announced.