Manchester City return to Premier League action this weekend when they take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Manchester City will be hoping to apply further pressure on Arsenal in the Premier League title race this weekend when they travel to Chelsea. Pep Guardiola’s side will be confident after picking up two huge victories against the Gunners and Liverpool in cup competitions.
As for Liam Rosenior’s men, they are enduring a difficult season, with Champions League qualification hanging in the balance and the FA Cup their last credible hope of silverware. Chelsea could be without seven first-team players for this weekend’s game. Captain Enzo Fernandez will be missing after the club imposed a two-match ban on him for comments made during the international break. The midfielder suggested he would be open to joining Real Madrid in the summer transfer window.
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Former City youth player Jamie Gittens will also miss this weekend’s game having suffered a hamstring injury at the start of February. Reece James has a hamstring problem and is in a race to return before the end of the season.
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Trevoh Chalobah was carried off on a stretcher in the defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. The centre-back is due to return in May, as is Levi Colwill, who has been out all season with a cruciate ligament tear.
Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen has been missing since March after needing a minor operation on an injury. He may be back to feature in the matchday squad against City along with Benoit Badiashile, who has missed the last couple of games with an illness.
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City’s injury picture looks a lot better with defence their only major concern. Josko Gvardiol broke his leg in the reverse fixture earlier this year and is a doubt for the World Cup.
Ruben Dias picked up a new injury on the eve of the Liverpool victory having missed the Carabao Cup final before the international break. John Stones has also picked up another knock.
On those injuries, City assistant head coach Pep Lijnders said: “Ruben got a knock in the last few minutes of training. We are assessing it.
“I think he has a scan [last Saturday] so we will have to see. John will not be long-term, I think, but he was not available for today.”
Northern United rebounded from being on the wrong side of the first sweep in Rock League history with a sweep of its own in a win over the Typhoon Curling Club on Thursday afternoon.
A day after getting swept by Alpine Curling Club, Bruce Mouat’s Northern team improved to 3-1 in the league’s inaugural event.
Mouat led Northern’s men to a 10-4 win over Typhoon’s Niklas Edin.
Kristin Skaslien and Yannick Schwaller downed Tori Koana and Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi 8-5 in mixed doubles action, and Isabella Wrana’s women’s team won a draw shot challenge shootout after finishing tied 6-6 with Anna Hasselborg after seven ends.
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The victory gave Northern 3.5 points and a short time atop the standings. Team Alpine (3-1, 3.5 points) went back in front thanks to a 2-1 victory over Maple United (1-3, one point) in Thursday’s late game.
Earlier, Brad Jacobs and the Shield Curling Club beat the Frontier Curling Club 2-1. Shield improved to 2-2 with two points, while Frontier had a 1-3 record and one point.
Teams get one point for a win, plus an extra half-point for a sweep.
The inaugural event at Toronto’s Mattamy Athletic Centre runs until Sunday. The competition offers US$250,000 in prize money, with $100,000 going to the winning team.
Man Utd have spent three days training in Ireland this week as they look to set up a strong finish to the Premier League season. This is the story of the camp.
06:00, 10 Apr 2026
They had a split-screen set up in the Manchester United team room at the opulent Carton House on Tuesday night. On one TV, Manchester United Under-21s were taking on their Real Madrid counterparts in the quarter-final of the Premier League International Cup.
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Had Michael Carrick and his staff not been in County Kildare, they would have been at Old Trafford, casting an eye over some of the club’s talented youngsters as they underwent a technical test of the kind they don’t often face domestically.
Being across the Irish Sea wasn’t going to stop Carrick from continuing his support of the club’s academy, and staff made sure that MUTV was on after dinner on Tuesday, allowing those who wanted to watch United’s youngsters lose a good game 4-2 in extra-time.
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But that wasn’t the only entertainment available on Tuesday night. On the other screen, and attracting plenty of interest from players desperate to return to this stage themselves, was the Champions League quarter-final between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. A battle between European heavyweights and an open, end-to-end classic that looked nothing like some of the fare served up in the Premier League this season.
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You can understand those players keen to watch that game. It is where United want to be themselves and this three-day jaunt to Ireland was about setting them up for one final push. A run of 23 points from a possible 30 under Carrick has moved United into third and they look on course to return to Europe’s blue-riband competition.
This was also a chance for the players to regroup after two weeks apart. The media were granted access to the first 15 minutes of the week’s first training session, and it was noticeable how buoyant the atmosphere was. The togetherness in the squad was noted by staff who saw them together at close quarters, and one felt it was a “nice reminder” of how tight-knit the players had become.
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They trained on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning on the pristine pitches at Carton House, and were put through punishing gym sessions after being granted time off during the long break between fixtures. At times, the staff couldn’t drag the players off the training pitch, with the head tennis net proving a popular addition. Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha were declared the champions at the end of the week.
It wasn’t all work for the players, either. They had time off on Tuesday afternoon, with some hitting the venue’s two championship golf courses and others opting for clay pigeon shooting. Some just had a relaxing couple of hours in the hotel’s spa.
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These days, Carton House is mostly used by the Ireland rugby team, but it has played host to football clubs including Real Madrid, Chelsea, Newcastle and Burnley in the past. United did their best to keep their use of the venue quiet, but a few hundred fans were there when they arrived at around 7pm on Monday, and numbers grew as the week progressed.
By the time training finished on Wednesday, it is estimated that at least 3,000 fans lined the road between the training pitch and the hotel. Every player spent at least 20 minutes signing autographs and posing for selfies, and one United staffer said they had seen Fernandes sign at least 1,000 items across the three days. The captain also spent time with the club’s Sligo supporters branch, who presented him with their player of the year award.
The geography of Carton House makes it an appealing venue for clubs. United players could use the gym in their own area of the hotel before making the short walk down a tree-lined road and then a slight hill to training. With fans lining both sides of the one-track road, some players said it felt like a matchday arrival at Old Trafford.
United’s players weren’t the only head-turning attraction on site, however. Some members of the media were surprised to see Nicky Byrne from Westlife in attendance on Tuesday morning. As the wait for Amad and Bryan Mbeumo to arrive for their press conference ticked up towards 30 minutes, one remarked we were in danger of ‘filing without wingers’, offering a surprising knowledge of Westlife’s back catalogue.
Byrne was actually there for a meet-and-greet with the players, along with GAA star Carla Rowe and Irish influencer John Nellis. Also in attendance was nine-year-old Harry McCormack. The youngster is named after legendary United goalkeeper Harry Gregg, who survived the Munich air disaster. Young Harry is a lifelong patient at Crumlin Hospital after he was born with half a heart.
United’s presence in Ireland was partly to promote August’s pre-season friendly with Leeds, which will take place at the iconic Croke Park stadium, an 82,000-capacity GAA venue, which last hosted football 17 years ago.
It is a famous and historic site, and on arrival on Tuesday, striker Benjamin Sesko was whisked away for a photo opportunity. The size of the stadium shocked the Slovenian, who then shocked his hosts by showing some knowledge of GAA, having seen the sport on TV previously.
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Back at Carton House, it was a different kind of football on the agenda. United staff were delighted with the focus and application in training after more than two weeks without a game, with the intensity levels cranked up following the return of Lisandro Martinez, who always brings an extra edge.
They checked out on Thursday afternoon and could return in the summer for a training camp around that Leeds fixture. But for now, Carrick and his staff will hope three days in Ireland and a round of golf or two have teed them up for a strong finish, and a return to playing in the Champions League, rather than watching it on TV.
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi has promised to give his best in the final seven games of the season as Nottingham Forest fight to stay in the Premier League.
Forest are currently 16th in the table, sitting just three points above the relegation zone in the Premier League. The battle to avoid the drop is tight, with only a few points separating several teams near the bottom.
Awoniyi, who has struggled with injuries this season, has spent more time on the bench as other forwards have led the attack. However, he says he is ready to step up when called upon.
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He stressed that the remaining matches are very important for the club and everyone involved, both on and off the pitch.
The Nigerian striker also spoke about the pressure of a relegation fight, saying no player wants to go through it, especially because of its impact on fans and club staff.
Forest still have tough fixtures ahead, including matches against top sides, as they try to secure their place in the top flight.
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Awoniyi, who scored in their recent game against Tottenham, believes that momentum can help the team as they push to finish the season strongly.
Seeking to snap their three-game losing run and secure their first win since mid February, Moreirense take on Famalicao at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao in round 29 of Portuguese Primeira Liga on Friday. Hugo Oliveira’s men, meanwhile, will head into the weekend looking to extend their perfect home record in 2026, having won each of their five home matches since the turn of the year.
Famalicao picked up another impressive result in their push for a top-four finish last Saturday, when they netted a 99th-minute equaliser to snatch a 2-2 draw against league leaders Porto at the Estadio do Dragao.
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Oliveira’s side have now gone six straight matches without defeat, picking up four wins and two draws since February’s 1-0 loss against Sporting Lisbon, a run that has seen them cement themselves as genuine contenders for European qualification.
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Famalicao have picked up 46 points from their 28 Primeira Liga matches so far to sit fifth in the league standings, just three points off fourth-placed Braga in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying spot.
In stark contrast, Moreirense’s free-fall in the league standings continued at the weekend when they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Braga in front of their home supporters.
Vasco Costa’s men have now lost three games on the spin and are without a win in their last six matches (2D 4L) since a 2-1 victory over Rio Ave on February 16.
This poor run of results has seen Moreirense drop to eighth place in the Primeira Liga table, level on 35 points with ninth-placed Vitoria de Guimaraes.
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Famalicao vs Moreirense Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
With five wins from the last 15 meetings between the sides, Famalicao boasts a superior record in the history of this fixture.
Moreirense have picked up three wins in that time, while the spoils have been shared on seven occasions.
Costa’s men have won just one of their last five Primeira Liga visits to the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao, while losing twice and claiming two draws since November 2019.
Famalicao boast a 100% home record in 2026, winning each of their five matches while scoring 10 goals and keeping four clean sheets since December’s 3-2 defeat against Estrela Amadora.
Famalicao vs Moreirense Prediction
High-flying Famalicao know they must avoid any slip-up in the run-in as they look to secure European football, and given Moreirense’s recent woes, we are backing them to extend their hot home streak with another impressive victory.
Prediction: Famalicao 2-0 Moreirense
Famalicao vs Moreirense Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result – Famalicao to win
Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals – No (There have been fewer than three goals scored in five of their last six meetings between the two teams)
Tip 3: Over 4.5 cards – Yes (There have also been at least five bookings in nine of their last 10 clashes)
Dec 28, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones (10) warms up before the game against the Chicago Bears at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
About two months ago, no one knew how the Minnesota Vikings would proceed at quarterback during the offseason, and one of the main theories involved a theoretical trade with the San Francisco 49ers for Mac Jones. Of course, that idea died when the Vikings signed Kyler Murray last month, but courtesy of SI.com, the proposal is back, even if it doesn’t make any sense.
The proposal adds clutter to a room that the Vikings already spent months reshaping.
That’s right. Mark Morales-Smith is back with the Jones-to-Vikings take, outlining a crowded QB room for Minnesota.
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Jones Would Crowd a Quarterback Plan Already Put Together
Would you enjoy a Murray-Jones sandwich at quarterback for Minnesota this season?
Nov 2, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones (10) goes through pregame warmups at MetLife Stadium, loosening his arm and preparing for action against the New York Giants while teammates and coaches finalize game plans on the field before kickoff. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
SI.com: Mac Jones to MIN for J.J. McCarthy and 4th-Rounder
Nearly all quarterback rumors ceased for the Vikings when Murray signed on the dotted line. Thanks to Morales-Smith, though, Jones remains an option.
He explained this week, “San Francisco 49ers Receive: QB – J.J. McCarthy & Fourth Round Pick. Minnesota Vikings Receive: QB – Mac Jones. Kyle Shanahan is a guy who could think that he could get the most out of a former 10th overall pick and fix him. At least to the point that he’s a serviceable backup.”
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“Similarly to what he did with Jones. It makes a lot more sense for San Francisco to get what they can for Jones at the peak of his value rather than keeping him as a backup and letting him walk after this season. We have heard reports that they want a second-round pick for Jones, which isn’t going to happen, but a fourth, and McCarthy is still a good deal.”
Morales-Smith’s deal included a 4th-Rounder to San Francisco, and the Vikings don’t have one in 2026.
“Getting rid of McCarthy is an addition by subtraction. It also makes sense to bring in competition for Murray, who is not a lock to pan out. He is viewed as clearly better than Jones, and rightfully so, but there is a reason he was cut by the Cardinals and the Vikings were able to bring him in for next to nothing,” Morales-Smith concluded.
So, This Isn’t Happening
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On top of the fact that Minnesota already traded its 4th-Rounder to the Carolina Panthers in a deal centered around Adam Thielen, the trade has no teeth. It’s not going to happen.
Ever hear the phrase “too many cooks in the kitchen?” That would be a scenario with Murray and Jones on a Vikings roster that also already features Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer. When Jones eventually leaves San Francisco — either via trade or 2027 free agency — he needs a chance to start, his opportunity to forge a Sam Darnold-like path.
Jones to Minnesota would force him to sit behind Murray, which is what he’s doing right now with the 49ers behind Brock Purdy. The idea doesn’t add up.
Jones Is a Great Idea … Back in January
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Listen, Jones to the Vikings for a draft pick and/or McCarthy was perfectly in bounds — months ago. In fact, had Jones been available at a reasonable price — the 49ers’ brass hinted all offseason that it wanted to keep Jones, and if he were traded, it wanted a significant haul — the Vikings could’ve or should’ve pounced.
In Eagan, Minnesota’s leaders could’ve debated “Murray or Jones” and found a consensus verdict. But then Murray became available for free. Well, the NFL’s league minimum. The Cardinals are paying his 2026 salary.
There’s no better deal in American sports than Murray to the Vikings for $1.3 million. Trading for Jones now, with Murray already in the saddle, would muddy the waters of an already fabulous offseason acquisition involving Murray.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones takes part in his pregame routine at Raymond James Stadium, with October 12, 2025 unfolding in Tampa, Florida, as he works through throws in humid conditions while coaches observe mechanics ahead of a matchup with the Buccaneers. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
Jones to Minnesota checked boxes in January and February, but that was then, and this is now.
McCarthy Is Too Young to Give Up On
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The Vikings still seem committed to McCarthy’s development. Although his career has had a rocky start due to injuries, this early setback doesn’t rule out future success. If his situation improves, he’ll have a real chance to compete for the starting quarterback role and showcase his potential.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) speaks with head coach Kevin O’Connell during first-half action at U.S. Bank Stadium, with Sep. 14, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, capturing a sideline exchange focused on adjustments as the offense settled into the game against the Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Darnold’s departure serves as a cautionary example. After Minnesota let him leave in 2025 free agency, Darnold joined Seattle and led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl win. This outcome made Minnesota’s decision look disastrous and ultimately cost former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah his job by the end of January.
On average, Murray misses four to five games per season due to injury. If that transfers to Minnesota, it will be nice to have McCarthy waiting, perhaps to re-prove himself, as an NFL starter.
McCarthy probably won’t be traded, and a Mac Jones to Minnesota deal is even less likely. That was an idea pre-Murray.
Matt Laurie, the trainer, was presented with a significant call early autumn: send Treasurethe Moment into the Doncaster Mile or delay by a week for the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
The display of top filly Sheza Alibi dismantling her Doncaster competition last week has validated his choice to sidestep Randwick’s prestigious mile.
“It was going to be the Doncaster or this race, one or the other,” Laurie said.
“We felt this was a better race to target, particularly with the likes of Sheza Alibi, who before we made our mind up looked like something special, and she clearly confirmed that in the Doncaster.
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“I think we made the right choice in avoiding her.
“We’ve still got a task, but she has been an amazing horse for us and we’re returning to Sydney, she’s unbeaten there, so hopefully it will stay that way.”
Treasurethe Moment, with 11 victories in 18 appearances, serves as prime evidence of Laurie’s training excellence.
She was virtually untouchable as a three-year-old and followed up with elite form in spring, toppling Mr Brightside in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) while placing close to Via Sistina and Buckaroo in the Cox Plate (2040m).
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Laurie’s approach this time has involved a restrained preparation, bringing her to the Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) on Saturday third-up after excelling in the Sunline Stakes (1600m).
Pride Of Jenni, the speedy Australian Cup runner-up, should guarantee a solid pace over the mile, allowing Laurie to fancy Treasurethe Moment’s toughness in a race that could test the mettle of key opponents.
“She’s gotten out to 2000 metres and beyond, she has won two Oaks, so she should be able to sustain a good amount of pressure,” Laurie said.
“Pride Of Jenni’s last start effort was outstanding and that big effort can be hard to replicate at times. We’ll be hoping she has already produced her best this prep and maybe she can be found out in this race.
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“We’ve made a concerted effort to keep our girl to the mile and only give her a few runs and she’s going into the race in really good order.”
Treasurethe Moment landed in Sydney over the weekend, polishing her Queen Of The Turf Stakes readiness with quick work Wednesday morning.
Laurie notes ongoing positive assessments of her form, aided by a plum barrier three position.
Discover the leading betting sites offering odds on the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
Brighterdaysahead (13/8 favourite) gave Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy a Grade 1 double at Aintree this afternoon as the seven-year-old mare won the William Hill Aintree Hurdle.
The win, completed a near 15/1 double for the Cullentra House team as Brighterdaysahead won the two and a half mile contest by defeating The New Lion (9/4) by two and a quarter lengths.
The winning hander, Gordon Elliott, admitted post-race:
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“This is probably her trip and she was awesome. I was nervous but it was kind of easy to watch and Jack was brilliant on her. It’s great for everyone at Gigginstown who have been massive supporters of mine, through thick and thin.
“She’s a good mare and that’s why she wins over two miles, but I think two and a half is probably her trip. I’d imagine she’s going to go chasing. She was supposed to go this year but she pulled a muscle and that’s why she didn’t. She hasn’t won at Cheltenham but she ran a great race there this year.”
The winning rider, Kerryman, Jack Kennedy, was very please with the result, stating:
“Unreal. I think that could be as good as she’s been. The extra half a mile suited her, a little bit of juice in the ground suited her and she was brilliant. I was happy the whole way – I was actually having to take her back everywhere, and she’s one that when you don’t have her fully switched off she can run with you a bit, but she was just doing everything so easy and I let her on at the back of the fourth last. Potters Corner had a slow jump and I winged it, and I was happy to take up the running there and she was good. She’s a great mare.”
Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid had a successful appendectomy surgery on Thursday in Houston, the team announced during its game against the Rockets.
The Sixers didn’t give a timeline for Embiid’s return, but said “further updates will be provided as appropriate.” Embiid reported feeling ill to the team on Thursday morning, according to The Athletic, and was subsequently diagnosed with appendicitis.
The center played in the Sixers’ loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday and logged 34 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks in 39 minutes. Embiid played through illness on March 30 against the Miami Heat and was held out of the team’s next game against the Washington Wizards because of the illness. He returned to the lineup on April 3 and then was held out the next night, the second game in a back-to-back.
With the loss to the Spurs on Monday, the Sixers fell to 43-36 with three regular-season games remaining. Embiid, when on the court, has been stringing together strong performances as of late for a Sixers team that was starting to get everyone healthy at the right time.
The 76ers are fighting to avoid the Play-In Tournament and enter Thursday night’s game with the Rockets in the No. 8 spot in the East. They’re only 1 ½ games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the No. 5 seed, as well as one game behind the No. 6 seed Toronto Raptors and a half-game back of the Orlando Magic, who occupy the No. 7 seed.
What does this mean for the Sixers’ playoff hopes?
We don’t know how long Embiid will be sidelined, but when OG Anunoby similarly underwent an appendectomy during the 2019 playoffs with the Raptors, he was sidelined for about a month. That’s not great news for Embiid and the Sixers, especially since they’ve posted a 19-22 record without him this season. A similar timeline to Anunoby’s would almost certainly keep Embiid out for the first round of the postseason, and perhaps more.
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At minimum, let’s assume Embiid will miss the remaining three games of the regular season for the Sixers. That has significant implications on the playoff race in the East, as Philly may not be able to catch the Raptors or Hawks in order to avoid the Play-In round. That means the Sixers may have to fight for their playoff spot, which will be more difficult without Embiid in the lineup.
If things don’t break right for the Sixers, there is a chance they could miss the playoffs entirely if they don’t survive the Play-In. But if they do manage to make it into the playoffs, it will be a daunting road ahead. Let’s say the Sixers nab the seventh seed; they’d have to face a dangerous Boston Celtics team that now has Jayson Tatum back. Embiid could’ve dominated against a Celtics roster that doesn’t have a ton of depth in the frontcourt, outside of Neemias Queta, to contend with his strength and size. If he’s out for that series, the Celtics would certainly have more of an advantage without having to worry about how to contain Embiid.
Similar problems would happen if the Sixers got the eighth seed and had to face the Pistons. Detroit’s size and physicality would overwhelm Philadelphia even with Embiid, and if he’s sidelined, Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart could be even better positioned against the Sixers.
All hope shouldn’t be lost just yet, but Tyrese Maxey and Paul George will be asked to handle significantly more on offense to not just avoid the Play-In, but also keep things afloat until Embiid is able to return.
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Joel Embiid’s unfortunate injury history
You’d be hard-pressed to find a player with an unluckier run of injuries, especially around or during the playoffs, than Embiid. It’s so extensive, it would just be easier to list them all.
2024 playoffs: Played through a knee injury that was later determined to be a torn meniscus. Embiid was also diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy during the first round of the playoffs against the Knicks, a series the Sixers lost 4-2.
2023 playoffs: After dominating in the first three games against the Nets in the first round, Embiid suffered a knee sprain that sidelined him for the rest of that series, as well as Game 1 of the second round against the Celtics. The Sixers lost the Celtics series in seven games.
2022 playoffs: Missed the first two games in the second round against the Heat due to an orbital fracture and concussion. The Sixers lost to the Heat in six games.
2021 playoffs: Suffered a small tear in his meniscus in the first round against the Wizards, which sidelined him for Game 5 of that series. Despite that, Embiid still played in all seven games of the second-round series against the Hawks — a series the Sixers lost in heartbreaking fashion.
2019 playoffs: Dealt with knee tendinitis throughout the playoffs as well as a respiratory infection. The Sixers lost in Game 7 of the second round to the Raptors on Kawhi Leonard’s famous buzzer-beater.
2018 playoffs: Missed the first two games of the playoffs after suffering an orbital fracture near the end of the regular season. The Sixers lost in five games in the second round to the Celtics.
That doesn’t even include the many knee surgeries and issues Embiid had early on in his career or at various points throughout the regular season over the years. With appendicitis added to the list, this is another unfortunate turn of events for Embiid and the Sixers yet again as the playoffs are about to start.
AUGUSTA, Ga. — A couple hours after the 2026 Masters began Thursday morning, I set out to walk all 18 holes with three goals in mind: Watch some golf, offset the caloric intake of Augusta National’s press center (which Willy Wonka would deem a bit decadent) and take some time to admire the little things.
Our photographer Darren Riehl did the hard work. I mostly just pointed at stuff. Here begins our tour.
Editor’s note: This may be a strange, wandering story but it has good pictures, so feel free to skip the words and skim those.
No. 1
The entire Masters Tournament relies on a certain assumption of orderliness from its patrons. Even its insistence on calling them “patrons” helps set the tone. It’s easy to roll your eyes at some of that stuff, but here’s the result: When players walk from the clubhouse toward the first tee, they very often just walk through the sea of people gathered there. There are a few officials with ropes who can establish temporary order, if need be. Often need don’t be.
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We’re behind Wyndham Clark, who’s bobbing and weaving without issue toward the practice green adjacent the first tee. If he tried this at the WM Phoenix Open, he’d emerge soaked in cheers and light beers. The group ahead is getting ready to play. Saquon Barkley is among those looking on from the left side of the tee. The green jacket makes an announcement.
Fore please! Now driving, Andrew Novak.
Fore please turns into fore left. The patrons duck for cover. It’s an organized setting but an unpredictable game.
No. 1: first tee, first umbrella
Darren Riehl
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No. 2
You know the hazards on the second nine here; there’s water on 11, 12, 13, 15, 16. You may not know there’s also a creek down the left side of the second hole. And you really may not know the way Augusta National marks that creek; rather than automatically conforming to the usual shape and size of your standard penalty-area stakes, in line with Masters minimalism, the club has innovated with these undersized, understated mini-stakes.
No. 2: undersized, understated hazard stakes
Darren Riehl
No. 3
This is the trendiest hole at Augusta National; it’s always been excellent, but as a brain-bending short, tricky par 4, it seems to be having a bit of a well-deserved moment of appreciation. Also trendy: Drake Maye, who’s on the right side as we arrive.
A couple hours after our pass-through, Scottie Scheffler will drive the green, but that’s a rarity. What’s far more common are tricky, in-between wedge shots. In the span of two minutes, we see Andrew Novak playing a clever spinner from the pine straw that zips back past the hole, which one onlooker immediately declares “the shot of the tournament.” We see Brian Campbell taking the safe way out of his half-wedge, flying it well past the front hole location to the middle of the green. We see Tom McKibbin hit one low, glancing cleverly off the bank and trickling just past the hole. These guys are good. This course is hard. A leaderboard looms behind them.
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No. 3: this year’s trendiest hole: the wee 3rd
Darren Riehl
No. 4
Augusta National’s lone palm leans over, glancing at the front right bunker. There used to be more of these.
No. 4: Augusta’s lone palm
Darren Riehl
No. 5
Do all the trees have numbers? And tags? Here, down the left side of the brutish par-4 5th, is No. 2230. There’s a lot of monitoring going on here, amidst the nature.
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No. 5: here’s No. 2230
Darren Riehl
No. 6
The hill at No. 6 provides a particularly unique spectating perspective; I can’t think of any other hole in professional golf where the golfers hit directly over your head, with you facing their target. You can see the par-3 16th from here, too — it may be my favorite Thursday-Friday spot to sit and watch. (The sixth tee is at the top of the photo, if you use some imagination.)
Patrick Reed makes eagle, up ahead. It takes a minute for the leader board to change to a red 5, explaining the roar.
No. 6: the rare seat where players hit over you
Darren Riehl
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No. 7
The strange thing about Rory McIlroy’s miraculous recovery shot from the trees left of No. 7 — last year, that is, in the final round — is that he missed the short birdie putt that followed. The same strange thing is true of his miraculous approach at No. 15, which resulted in a short miss for eagle. That was a clean, miraculous result after a day of contradictory, messy storytelling. McIlroy double-bogeyed the first hole, opening the door to the rest of the field. Then he slammed it shut with a run of good play, then opened it again, etc. The only clean narrative came in retrospect, with his win.
Anyway, when you walk No. 7, it’s tempting to see where McIlroy played that approach shot through the trees. But that’s not pictured below. Here’s a little rope in its little rope spot. This is how they keep order at the walkways. They let you cross as soon as the players pass. The whole process seems to work more smoothly here than elsewhere.
No. 7: a little rope maintains a lot of order
Darren Riehl
No. 8
The leader boards are famous around here. You likely know about the Masters no-phone rule; one of its effects is that there’s an outsized pressure on the changing of the boards and thus the updating of the patrons.
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What that means is that it’s important to match the correct names with the correct scores. Here’s a look at how they do that, from the rear of the leader boards: by writing the names in light-green chalk. Simple done right.
No. 8: leader board chalk to keep track
Darren Riehl
No. 9
You’re never far from much as a patron on No. 9, and as you work your way toward the green, you can hang a left, cross the first fairway and get to the merchandise shop, or the concession area, or a rocking chair. If you’re a golfer you can also hang a left and play down that same first fairway. Here’s Nico Echavarria taking the alternate path, though not on purpose.
No. 9: as played from No. 1 fairway
Darren Riehl
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No. 10
We’ve caught Bryson DeChambeau’s group now, which is alternately known as Xander Schauffele’s group, or Matt Fitzpatrick’s group, but based on the ooh that goes up as DeChambeau hits a towering draw around the corner, there’s one guy commanding outsized attention. Kevin Hart is in this gallery. So is Kai Trump. None of the above are pictured. Instead here’s a tree down the right side, an outlier among the pines, that Darren particularly liked.
No. 10: a tree Darren liked
Darren Riehl
No. 11
The course is firm and fast and it’s separating the guys in full control of their distance and their spin from those without. Here are Patrick Reed and Tommy Fleetwood and Akshay Bhatia. They’re a combined nine-under par — for now. This must be the hottest group on the property. It’s a back pin and downwind, which means it’s playing less perilous than usual. None of them has to visit the lonely drop zone down the left.
No. 11: a lonely drop zone
Darren Riehl
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No. 12
I’m struck by the stark difference between Augusta National’s two iconic second-nine par-3s. No. 16 is a hub of crowd activity from tee to green, while at No. 12 you play toward solitude. It must feel quiet over there.
No. 12: the bridge boys
Darren Riehl
No. 13
As we walk toward the green at No. 13, Shane Lowry pitches his ball over the creek and onto the middle of the green. It checks up and rolls in for a triumphant eagle. Later I’ll watch highlights and see that Ludvig Aberg has a chip for eagle from behind the green that trickles all the way back into this tributary. No. 13 is easy until it’s not. Here’s a side angle you’re not used to seeing, with the azaleas a few days past full bloom.
No. 13: the hidden tributary
Darren Riehl
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No. 14
There’s a large, thick stand of bamboo behind the tee box at No. 14. It seems out of place, but nothing’s really out of place on the former grounds of Fruitland Nurseries. Dustin Johnson tees off. Wayne Gretzky is just outside the rope line. Johnson instinctively tosses his broken tee on the ground at the end of the tee box — then reconsiders. He picks up the tee and hands it to his brother. A tee stub stands out here more than it might elsewhere.
No. 14: bamboo behind 14 tee
Darren Riehl
No. 15
A cheer goes up as Fred Couples’ name appears atop the leaderboard; at 2 under through four holes, he’s been deemed worthy of the spot. He’ll still be under par when he gets to this hole a couple hours later — but he won’t be under par by the time he leaves.
No. 15: Fred Couples appears, to cheers
Darren Riehl
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No. 16
Augusta National’s tee markers, like most everything here, are simple, minimal and just about right.
No. 16: counting rings on the tee markers
Darren Riehl
No. 17
The Masters is an interesting cross-section of analog everything with groundbreaking technology. Here’s a well-sharpened pencil being used for some scoring-related purpose. You don’t see a well-sharpened pencil in use as much as you used to.
No. 17: lots of stuff done by hand here
Darren Riehl
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No. 18
Have you ever seen a ladder like this? I have never seen a ladder like this. This is how Augusta National’s scorers get up to the big leader board beside the 18th green.
No. 18: Augusta has perfected ladders, too
Darren Riehl
18-hole summary
There’s a big scoreboard with everybody’s name and hole-by-hole score, listed alphabetically, by the first fairway — where most people enter and exit the course. When you finish, they put your name under the score you shot. It’s a good reminder that while the 60-something scores get all the attention, they’re heavily outnumbered.
Bonus: early score-posting
Darren Riehl
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If you’ve somehow made it this far, Dylan Dethier welcomes your comments at dylan_dethier@golf.com.
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