Scottish Muay Thai sensation ‘King of the North’ Nico Carrillo is proud of his achievements in ONE Championship, most especially coming back from the jaws of defeat to now being on the brink of winning the coveted gold.
Carrillo will challenge for the interim featherweight Muay Thai belt next week in what is his second opportunity at the ONE world title.
Speaking to ONE Championship in a recent interview, Carrillo looked back on his journey to reach this point in his career. And he says the setbacks he’s faced have made his time in the ring more meaningful.
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‘King of the North’ told the world’s largest martial arts organization:
“It doesn’t change anything. It just makes it feel sweeter for me. In the end, it’s to look back and tell people how epic [the story is] because it’s amazing coming up on ONE Championship, winning every fight, and then just winning the title. Yeah, that would have been an amazing thing.”
Needless to say, Carrillo is confident he will get the job done this time after missing the chance to win gold against Nabil Anane last year.
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Fans won’t have to wait long to see ‘King of the North’ Nico Carrillo back in action.
Nico Carrillo to face Shadow Singha Mawynn for interim featherweight Muay Thai world title at ONE Fight Night 40 on Prime Video
The two lock horns at ONE Fight Night 40: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger II on Prime Video, which broadcasts live in American primetime on Friday, Feb. 13 from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and absolutely free with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.
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Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding Nico Carrillo’s next fight.
Wilson is rounding out its 2026 releases with a great answer for improving players demanding better from their irons.
Wilson’s new Dynapwr Forged irons enter a crowded player’s distance spot in the market, but with a cavity back design and an AI-generated “Variable Face Technology,” they’re making a push toward the top of the category.
“We wanted to build on the success of the previous award-winning model, while taking strides to elevate the performance to the next level,” Ben Hanser, CAD engineer at Wilson Golf, said in a statement. “The new iron is a statement of Wilson’s dedication to innovation and tradition. By combining forged precision with AI-driven design, we’ve created an iron that delivers distance, control and feel in perfect harmony.”
Keep reading below for more on the Dynapwr Forged irons, including my take on the release.
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What’s new with the 2026 Wilson Dynapwr Forged irons — and why you should care
While the previous generation Dynapwr Forged irons were super successful, the 2026 models improve on them by adding a new optimized face thickness with the help of AI. This eliminated the need for the power holes of the previous model.
The variable face thickness helps boost face flex, in turn increasing ball speeds.
Dynapwr Forged also has a new KR-CUP face design, which overlaps the face around the sole, enhancing face flex further, particularly on low strikes.
To help further improve feel in the forged 8620 carbon steel chassis, the cavities in the 3- to 9-iron are filled with urethane to enhance feel.
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The 2026 Dynapwr Forged irons
The Dynapwr Forged from all angles.
Wilson
What is it: A player’s distance cavity back iron with a new AI-designed variable face thickness and urethane-filled cavity.
Who it’s for: Players who are advancing their ball striking ability and want something with a more premium feel without sacrificing forgiveness and speed, or moving to something as compact as a hollow-body.
My take: The final piece of a revitalized lineup
Many people are going to ask if they should choose between the Dynapwr Forged or the Staff Model XB iron. But truthfully, the new Dynapwr Forged perfectly fills a gap between the XB and the standard Dynapwr iron.
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The Dynapwr Forged is clearly in that player’s distance category with entries like the P790, JPX 925 Forged, Ti Fusion and many others for players looking for speed and forgiveness.
The Dynapwr Forged is going to fall on the larger and faster end of that spectrum, while the XB falls more in this newer category of player performance.
What’s the difference? I believe it depends on your trend. This Dynapwr Forged is great for a player who is improving and needs to build confidence, but also wants to start getting into the more premium feel. In other words, they are a player who is improving, rather than a player looking to recapture lost performance.
You can still benift from lots of modern technology, like the new varaible face thickness and urethane-filled cavity, but you can also hone in your precision with a more players shape than the Dynapwr irons.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett and Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba were named the NFL’s Defensive and Offensive Players of the Year respectively on Thursday night at the NFL Honors.
Garrett was the unanimous choice for NFL Defensive Player of the Year and it was the second time in his career that he was awarded the honor.
Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett accepts the AP Defensive Player of the Year award during the NFL Honors award show, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in San Francisco.(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
The Browns star set the NFL mark with 23 sacks in a single season, surpassing Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt and New York Giants legend Michael Strahan in the final game of the season. Garrett sacked Joe Burrow in the final game of the season. Cleveland defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, 20-18.
It was the first time Garrett reached at least 20 sacks in a single season. He never had more than 16. Garrett added 60 total tackles, tying a career high. He had three forced fumbles and a pass breakup.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba speaks during a news conference on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, in San Jose, Calif., ahead of Super Bowl 60 between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks.(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Smith-Njigba helped the Seahawks get back to the Super Bowl as they will take on the New England Patriots on Sunday night. In 2025, he asserted himself as one of the best receivers in the NFL and was rewarded for it.
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The third-year player had 119 catches for an NFL-leading 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns. It was the first time in his young career that he reached the double-digit touchdown mark. He also led the NFL in yards per touch with 14.3.
Myles Garrett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba were named the Defensive and Offensive Players of the Years respectively on Feb. 5, 2026.(IMAGN)
Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford confirmed he will keep playing for at least one more season after being named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player for the first time.
The Los Angeles Rams star was the slight favourite for the award and beat New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye by one first-place vote.
The 37-year-old became the oldest quarterback to win the MVP for the first time and it is the 13th straight win by a QB.
Stafford had been rumoured to be considering retirement and while on stage with his four daughters in San Francisco, said: “I’ll see you guys next year.”
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“It’s something I’d been thinking about, whether I wanted to keep playing or not,” he added.
“I ended the season on a healthy note, had a bunch of team-mates in the crowd and my daughters with me, so it felt like the right thing to do in the moment. I’m happy to be coming back.”
Stafford was unable to register a play-off win in 12 years with the Detroit Lions, but after being traded to the Rams in 2021, he won the Super Bowl in his first season and has now been named MVP.
The former first overall draft pick is just the second quarterback after Tom Brady (2007) to lead the NFL in touchdown passes, passing yards and touchdown-interception ratio over the past 50 seasons.
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He led the Rams to the NFC Championship game but the Seattle Seahawks won to book their spot in Sunday’s Super Bowl, where they will face the Patriots in Santa Clara.
Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba was named Offensive Player of the Year at the NFL’s end-of-season awards night after leading the league for receiving yards.
New England’s Mike Vrabel won Coach of the Year having led the Patriots to the Super Bowl in his first season as their head coach.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett was named Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in three years after claiming the single-season sack record.
“We understand politics and we know we don’t operate in a vacuum. But our game is sport. That means keeping sport a neutral ground. A place where every athlete can compete freely, without being held back by the politics or divisions of their governments,” she said.
Of course that statement was in itself political. An emphasis on remaining neutral was the clearest signal yet that Russia could be welcomed back into the Olympic fold, while it was also a non-comment on the continued participation of Israel at the Games, and a conciliatory hand extended to the American organisers of the next Olympics just two years away, despite the US administration’s brutality against its own citizens in Minneapolis.
Protests have broken out in Milan at the role of ICE agents in policing the Games; they are unlikely to have felt calmed by vice president JD Vance’s refusal this week to apologise to the family of Alex Pretti, who was gunned down by federal agents last month. “For what?” was his flippant response.
In a case of inauspicious timing, Vance himself has been deployed to the Games. The vice president arrived in Milan on Thursday morning alongside his family and secretary of state Marco Rubio, to visit the US athletes and lead a delegation at the Opening Ceremony, in a diplomatic blitz before heading on to Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Vance told an assortment of American freestyle skiers on Thursday morning that “this is one of the few things that unites the entire country. The whole country, Democrat, Republican, independent, we’re all rooting for you, and we’re cheering for you.”
That in itself seems unlikely; one can only imagine the vitriolic response pending on Truth Social if any of the American squad were to loudly disavow ICE, or any of the Trump administration’s other policies and projects.
Several major American stars, notably cross-country skier Jessie Diggins and downhill skier Lindsey Vonn, have already issued polite rebukes. Diggins said she would race for “an American people who stand for love, for acceptance, for compassion, honesty and respect for others”; Vonn said her “heart is incredibly heavy” after the recent violent crackdowns.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also in attendance (Getty Images)
It was against this backdrop that Team USA, USA, USA got their Games underway on Thursday afternoon, as the women’s ice hockey team took on Czechia in their first preliminary game.
But it seemed that the healthy crowd inside the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena had indeed bought Coventry’s message – or switched off from the demands of politics for a couple of hours, at least. And not even the presence of Vance and Rubio inside the arena could chill the enthusiasm.
But Vance’s presence can’t be seen as anything other than political. The US women’s ice hockey team are the favourites to win the tournament. The reigning champions are arch-rivals Canada, who if this US administration had its way wouldn’t be competing at all, but would be subsumed into the United States as a 51st state.
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The atmosphere in the Rho Arena was buoyant on Thursday evening; that may not remain the case if the US and Canada meet in the knockout rounds.
Perhaps it was a deliberate decision, then, for the Vance party to sneak into the arena some seven minutes before the end of the first period, rather than make a big song and dance of turning up, a la Donald Trump at last year’s US Open. The cameras, too, avoided the vice-president and his entourage, including his wife and children.
The US fans had plenty to celebrate as Team USA won 5-1 (Getty Images)
And perhaps in a bid to distract, the organisers leaned into the ‘festival of sport’ atmosphere, with a DJ, club tunes at every minute break in play, flashing lights, and Mexican waves. Anywhere the cameras panned were scores of American fans decked in flags, hockey jerseys, and Team USA merch.
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And the predominantly American crowd went suitably wild when, just shy of 16 minutes into the first period, the US finally broke the deadlock, helped by having a woman advantage after a two-minute penalty to Czechia’s Dominika Laskova. The inevitable chants of “USA, USA, USA” broke out; the outnumbered Czech fans went grimly silent.
Megan Keller, appearing on her third Games, scored the opener; she no doubt would go into the Vance good books for a carefully stated pre-Games message: “The powerful thing about sport in the Olympics is it’s everybody uniting together.”
Poignantly, however, she was assisted by Laila Edwards, the trailblazing 21-year-old who is the first black woman to make a US Olympic ice hockey squad, and the first to even make the senior national team.
Joy Dunne and Hayley Scamurra built on their advantage in the second period, and even a lightning-fast counter-attack by Barbora Jurickova couldn’t turn the tide as goals from five-time Olympian Hilary Knight and another from Scamurra sealed the game. It was a triumphant start and a well-deserved sporting victory for the team.
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But even as Vance hid in relative anonymity in the stands, the bigger political questions around this Olympics refuse to be simply waved away. That party atmosphere feels unlikely to last long off the ice.
Antoine Griezmann has praised Atlético Madrid’s strong team spirit after Ademola Lookman made an instant impact on his debut in a 5–0 Copa del Rey quarter-final victory over Real Betis.
The France forward said the unity within Diego Simeone’s squad has helped new signings settle quickly, following an impressive performance in Seville that sent Atletico into the semi-finals of the competition.
Speaking after the match, Griezmann highlighted how the club’s atmosphere allows new players to express themselves with confidence.
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“Regarding Lookman, the idea is to enjoy the new players and let them give us nights of joy like this one,” Griezmann said.
“We are a team, a dressing room, a club and a fanbase that makes things easy. From the first second, every new player is welcomed with open arms.”
Lookman, who joined Atletico from Atalanta on deadline day, wasted no time in making his mark. The Nigeria international scored Atletico’s third goal just before half-time, bringing up his 100th goal in senior football, and later provided an assist for Griezmann.
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Atlético had earlier taken control of the game when Dávid Hancko headed in from a Koke corner, before Giuliano Simeone doubled the lead. Lookman then capped a swift counter-attack to score his first goal in Atletico colours eight minutes before the break.
Just after the hour mark, Griezmann finished calmly after being set up by Lookman to make it 4–0, with substitute Thiago Almada adding a fifth late on to complete the rout.
The emphatic win stretched Atlético Madrid’s unbeaten away run to eight matches across all competitions and underlined the positive impact of their new signings.
Kai Rooney, the 16-year-old son of Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney, has reportedly been offered a new contract by the Red Devils as he continues to impress in the club’s academy
Daniel Marsh Senior Sports Reporter and Kieran King Football Writer
06:47, 06 Feb 2026Updated 06:48, 06 Feb 2026
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The 16-year-old son of Wayne Rooney, Kai, has been presented with a contract by Manchester United as he tries to emulate his legendary father.
Kai has spent several years in the United academy and plays as an attacker, just like Rooney Senior. After showing promise in the youth system, Kai is amongst a group of 14 exceptionally talented youngsters who have been presented with new terms by United.
According to The Sun, Kai and Jacey Carrick, the son of the Red Devils’ current head coach, Michael, have been presented with new deals alongside others. If accepted, Rooney Jr would sign a one-year scholarship which would then convert to a three-year professional contract when he reaches 17.
The report suggests said contract would see him earn approximately £50,000 per year plus an annual signing-on fee, though the Rooney family are yet to approve the deal.
A source told the outlet: “The group is very strong and the majority of the boys including Kai and Jacey have been offered deals. It means when they finish school they can go into full-time ‘football employment’ and then when they turn 17 are guaranteed a pro status.
“They still have a long way to go to make the grade, but they can be very proud that the club thinks they have a chance of making it.”
Wayne, who holds the record for the most goals scored for the club, expressed his pride last month after watching his eldest son play for Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup against Derby County.
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He said: “Kai got moved up to the under-18s squad for the Youth Cup and it was great to see him come on. It brought back memories of when I played in the Youth Cup for Everton.
“It was a proud moment and I’m delighted for him. Hopefully he continues that and he can have a good run with the team.”
Kai’s mother, Coleen, has emphasised that they have not pushed their children to follow in Wayne’s footsteps. Speaking to The Mirror in September 2024, she stated: “We’ve never pressured them into even playing football. We’ve always just let them decide what they want to do. My eight-year-old was playing and doing really well but then decided he didn’t want to, and that’s OK.
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“I think they sometimes get pressure off other people, you know. People approach them now and then if we’re out, they do say, ‘Are you are as good as your dad?’ Kai says ‘I’m a different type of player.’ You’ve got to let them know that you don’t have to follow and to be your own person.”
Wayne has expressed his satisfaction with the interest Michael Carrick and his coaching team have shown in the academy since taking over. Speaking on his BBC podcast last month, he said: “It is great to see all the coaches taking a big interest in the academy. In the next few years, some of those players might get an opportunity for the first team, so it is important they have that interest.
“On Saturday, they were all at the under-16s game as well before they travelled to London. It is great to see that coming back into the club.
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“I have been quite vocal on this. It used to be the norm but it has been missing in the last few years. With my two lads in the academy, I haven’t seen that and it was a bit disappointing. The lift it gives to the players and the players’ parents, seeing the first team manager there. That is how the club should be run.”
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
Cleveland Browns rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger was named the Defensive Rookie of the Year for the 2025 NFL season.
Schwesinger won the award over New York Giants’ Abdul Carter, Seattle Seahawks’ Nick Emmanwori, and Atlanta Falcons’ Xavier Watts and James Pearce Jr.
Schwesinger finished with 40 of 50 first-place votes, beating out Emmanwori, who came in second place with 199 points total and seven first-place votes.
Carson Schwesinger of the Cleveland Browns celebrates the team’s 13-6 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field on Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.(Nick Cammett/Diamond Images)
Schwesinger was the favorite coming into the night after a tremendous year at middle linebacker for a formidable Browns defense despite what the record may say in 2025.
He’s also just the fifth non-first-round pick that has won the award in the last 40 seasons.
The second-round pick out of UCLA led all rookies with 146 combined tackles, which has him in the top five all-time for tackles in a rookie season.
Schwesinger also notched two interceptions, 11 tackles for loss and three passes defended.
Jonnu Smith of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a pass against Carson Schwesinger #49 of the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter at Huntington Bank Field on Dec. 28, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.(Nick Cammett/Diamond Images)
Schwesinger also battled through an ankle injury this season, playing 16 of 17 games for Kevin Stefanski’s club. He tallied 2.5 sacks and nine quarterback hits as well, showcasing his ability to get to the quarterback.
Speaking of the coaching staff, the team gave Schwesinger the “green dot” on his helmet, meaning he was calling the defense in the huddle for Cleveland all season as a rookie.
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While first-rounders get the spotlight, it’s players after day one of the NFL Draft that make a team whole.
Carson Schwesinger of the Cleveland Browns is introduced prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field on Dec. 21, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.(Nick Cammett/Diamond Images)
The Browns clearly got their second-rounder right this past year, as Schwesinger proved to be a cornerstone piece, and he has the hardware to prove it now.
With the state’s annual dance competition behind us, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) will now host its 2026 cheerleading championship this weekend.
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With two days chock-full of performances on the docket, nearly 100 squads will flaunt their best routines across 1A, 2A, 3A and co-ed classes. Only a handful of the most dominant teams will leave Bloomington with state title hardware.
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As per usual, preliminary rounds will take place on Friday and finals on Saturday, marking the end of the competitive cheerleading season. Be sure to tune in and cheer on your favorite teams.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 Illinois high school cheerleading championship, including TV channel and streaming options for the annual event.
Where to watch Illinois high school cheerleading championship: TV channel, live stream
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Illinois’ high school competitive cheerleading championship will not be broadcast on a TV channel. You can stream both days of the event live on NFHS Network.
The NFHS Network offers two basic plans: an Annual Pass ($6.67 per month) or a Monthly Pass ($13.99 per month). These plans give subscribers the ability to watch live sporting events and create clips of their favorite moments from games.
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When is the Illinois high school cheerleading championship?
Date: Friday, Feb. 6 – Saturday, Feb. 7
Time: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., 11 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. CT
Illinois’ high school competitive dance championship will take place Friday, Feb. 6 and Saturday, Feb. 7. Friday’s docket will take place from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., while Saturday’s will only be from 11 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. CT. The competition will be held at Grossinger Arena in Bloomington.
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Illinois high school cheerleading championship schedule 2026
The 2026 IHSA cheerleading championship will be split into three sessions. All classifications (1A, 2A, 3A) will compete in preliminary rounds on Friday, and then team finals on Saturday.
Friday, Feb. 6
Session 1 — 1A and 2A Preliminaries
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Time (CT)
Event
8:55 a.m.
Welcome & National Anthem
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9 a.m.
First performance (1A and 2A alternate performances)
1:10 p.m.
Last performance
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1:15 p.m.
Announcement of 1A Division Finalists
1:30 p.m.
Announcement of 2A Division Finalists
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Session 2 — 3A and Co-ed Preliminaries
Time (CT)
Event
3:25 p.m.
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Announcements & National Anthem
3:30 p.m.
First performance (3A and Co-ed alternate performances)
Lyon have a new star. Endrick once again proved crucial with an 80th-minute goal in Lyon’s 2-0 win over Laval in the French Cup round of 16. It’s Endrick’s fifth goal since joining the French side in January from Real Madrid.
Dec 2, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III (25) shoots against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
Jaden McDaniels can breathe a sigh of relief.
The versatile forward heard his name mentioned in plenty of rumors as the Minnesota Timberwolves explored the idea of adding a star player before the trade deadline.
However, Giannis Antetokounmpo stayed put with the Milwaukee Bucks and McDaniels stayed put in Minneapolis, where the Timberwolves will play the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.
“It’s hard to block out,” McDaniels said before Thursday’s trade deadline. “It’s everywhere you go on your phone, you see something. I try. I’ve been through six deadlines, and I just keep it the same way every time.”
This time, McDaniels and the Timberwolves will welcome a new teammate.
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Minnesota and several other teams failed to land the NBA’s biggest prize in Antetokounmpo, but the Timberwolves added much-needed talent and depth when they acquired Ayo Dosunmu from the Chicago Bulls before the deadline. In exchange, Minnesota parted with lightly used Rob Dillingham and Leonard Miller along with four second-round picks.
Dosunmu, 26, averaged a career-high 15.0 points along with 3.6 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 45 games for the Bulls this season. The fifth-year pro shoots 51.4% from the field and a career-best 45.1% from 3-point range.
It is not certain whether Dosunmu will join his new team in time for Friday’s game.
Whenever he arrives, he figures to come off the bench and play a prominent role in the Timberwolves’ rotation. He averaged 26.4 minutes primarily in a reserve role with Chicago this season, compared with 9.3 minutes per game for Dillingham with the Timberwolves.
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As the Timberwolves prepare to welcome reinforcements, the Pelicans head to Minnesota without a trusted veteran. New Orleans traded Jose Alvarado, 27, to the New York Knicks on Thursday in exchange for Dalen Terry, two second-round picks and cash considerations.
Alvarado averaged 7.9 points and 3.1 assists in 41 games this season and provided dependable defense. Terry averaged 3.5 points and 1.3 assists in 34 games for the Bulls.
New Orleans rests near the bottom of the Western Conference standings and plots how more losing might benefit its future. The Pelicans have lost three games in a row, including a 141-137 overtime loss Wednesday at Milwaukee.
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Pelicans interim coach James Borrego praised Trey Murphy III for his career-high 44-point performance, but said his team needed to do more on the other end of the court to stop the skid. The Bucks hit 60.9% from the field, which featured 21 of 47 shooting (44.7%) from 3-point range.
“It was our defense,” Borrego said. “Not enough resistance. (Our) point-of-attack defense was too weak, too soft. We’ve got to be better (defensively).”
The Timberwolves are coming off a 128-126 road win over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night. Minnesota has won five of its past six games.
Anthony Edwards will look to stay hot after scoring 30 points on 11-for-23 shooting against the Raptors. He added eight rebounds, five assists and three steals.
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This is the third of four meetings between the Timberwolves and Pelicans this season.
Minnesota won the first two games as it held on for a 149-142 overtime win on Dec. 2 in New Orleans, then won the rematch two days later with a 125-116 verdict in New Orleans.
;)
