Connect with us
DAPA Banner

Sports

Maxey sparks the 76ers’ Game 6 surge, force Game 7 vs. Celtics

Published

on

PHILADELPHIA — Tyrese Maxey scored 30 points, a resurgent Paul George had 23 points and a Philadelphia 76ers’ team that lost by 32 points twice in this first-round playoff series played their most complete game of the season and forced Game 7 with a 106-93 win over the Boston Celtics on Thursday night.

The decisive game is Saturday in Boston.

Uplifted by Joel Embiid’s early return from an appendectomy, the Sixers rebounded from two blowout losses to win Game 5 in Boston and were buoyed by a throwback effort from George to keep a comfortable lead in Game 6. Embiid did his part in Game 6 with 19 points.

The play of the game — and maybe the series — came in the third when Kelly Oubre Jr. blocked Jaylen Brown, Maxey scooped the loose ball and fed to George on the break who then dazzled with a behind-the-back pass to VJ Edgecombe who finished with a thunderous dunk for a 69-54 lead.

Advertisement

A night after the Flyers won in overtime to advance to the second round of the NHL playoffs, Sixers fans cut loose after that slam.

The 76ers will only go as far as Embiid can take them on his injury-prone seven-foot frame and Maxey is a bona fide all-star. Edgecombe’s youthful exuberance made a fan favourite in Philly and an NBA Rookie of the Year finalist.

Lost in the shuffle at times is the 35-year-old George — in large part this season because of a 25-game suspension for flunking a drug test — who has deferred to the other three Sixers when needed yet can still flash that all-star form. George hit a team-high five 3s that all stretched the lead and the offense ran through him when Embiid — still recovering from his early April surgery — was on the bench.

George signed with the Sixers in the summer of 2024 on a four-year, $212-million free-agent contract and was expected to form a 1-2 championship punch with Embiid. George was instead derailed by injuries, personal issues and the suspension that had him forgotten at times by fans and in the offense.

Advertisement

Not against Boston. He keyed Philadelphia’s game of the season, a stunner given how the Celtics toyed with them in their three wins this series. The Celtics never led in Game 6.

Brown was hampered by three fouls in the first half and finished with 18 points. Jayson Tatum had 17 for the Celtics and left in third quarter with an apparent calf injury.

The Celtics went more than 4 minutes without a point to close the third and the Sixers stormed into the final quarter with an 82-63 lead.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sports

Joe Calzaghe ranks one man as the best in history: “He was the greatest”

Published

on

Joe Calzaghe believes there is no debate on who is the greatest boxer of all time.

Calzaghe is often credited by many as being the greatest boxer the UK has ever produced, having the rare honour of retiring undefeated after winning all 46 of his professional fights.

He spent over 10 years as WBO super-middleweight champion before going on to add each of the IBF, WBA and WBC belts at 168lbs, before moving up to light heavyweight and ending his career with victories over Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr.

Advertisement

When it comes to naming the best ever though, Calzaghe once told BBC Sport that he felt there could be nobody other than Muhammad Ali.

“In a 1,000 years time people will look back and say he was the greatest. He is the greatest boxing and greatest sporting icon of all time. He was my inspiration, I tried to copy some of his moves as soon a I started boxing at the age of 10 or 11.

“Boxing is the hardest sport in the world and in a time when he was champion, it wasn’t a great sport – it was on a bit of a downward spiral but he transcended the sport with his personality and style.

“People loved him, he was someone completely different, he backed it up in the ring and everybody wanted to tune in and watch him fight.”

Calzaghe isn’t the only former super-middleweight king to view Ali as the greatest of all time, with Canelo Alvarez also having the same opinion.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

CBS Sports Names the Best Draft Pick for Vikings

Published

on

Advertisement

Minnesota Vikings helmet resting on the field before a game at Lambeau Field.
A Minnesota Vikings helmet sits on the turf during pregame warmups at Lambeau Field on Nov. 23, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The scene captures a quiet moment before kickoff, with players preparing nearby as the NFC North rivalry matchup against the Packers approaches in crisp, late-season conditions. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.

Some fans had no problems with the Minnesota Vikings “reaching” for defensive tackle Caleb Banks in Round 1 one week ago and loved the pick. Others believe running back Demond Claiborne was the best value in Round 6. CBS Sports? According to that website, Round 3 offensive tackle Caleb Tiernan represented the wisest selection by the Vikings.

Minnesota may have found a ready-made depth piece with real starting experience.

Tiernan may not play right away, but before too long, he’ll get a chance to prove if CBS Sports has it right.

Advertisement

A Swing Tackle Arrives with Long-Term Upside

He’s the highest-drafted offensive tackle by the Vikings in five years.

Caleb Tiernan performs drills at the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Caleb Tiernan Vikings
Caleb Tiernan (OL50) works through drills on the field during a busy evaluation session, showcasing size and movement skills for scouts, Mar. 1, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Northwestern offensive lineman participated in combine testing as teams gathered data on his strength, footwork, and readiness for the next level. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Josh Edwards: Tiernan Is the Vikings’ Best Pick

Edwards found one best pick per team this week, and for the Vikings, Tiernan got the nod.

He wrote, “Tiernan was at the top of that second tier of offensive tackles in the personal rankings. He is a smart, technically refined lineman who should bring value as a swing tackle early in his career.”

Advertisement

Elsewhere in the NFC North, Edwards named cornerback Domani Jackson as the Green Packers’ best-value choice: “Jackson has the size and athletic ability to be a starter in this league. Although Green Bay’s vision for last year’s secondary did not come to fruition, they have some intriguing young cornerbacks. Penn State edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton in the fourth round was great value as well.”

The Skinny on Tiernan

The Northwestern alum’s calling card is his exceptional pass protection. Possessing a rare build at 6’8,” 320 pounds, he has started five full seasons at both tackle spots. Ready for the NFL now, he will be just 24 during next year’s playoffs.

His basketball background is also evident in his movement and body control.

Advertisement

The Ringer‘s Todd McShay on Tiernan: “Early in his career, Tiernan could fill a swing tackle role while also providing guard depth as he develops into a potential starter. Players like Bernhard Raimann, Luke Goedeke, and Braden Smith have overcome similar length limitations to stick at tackle.”

“There’s also a Northwestern precedent for shorter-armed tackles moving inside and thriving — Peter Skoronski is already among the league’s best. If Tiernan follows that path, Sam Cosmi is a strong stylistic comparison. Tiernan is an athletic, experienced, and versatile offensive lineman who may need to transition from tackle, where he played in college, to guard in the NFL.”

It’s worth noting that the Vikings love versatile offensive linemen. See: Blake Brandel.

McShay continued, “As a pass blocker, he remains effective despite his shorter arms and high center of gravity. He gets into his set quickly and smoothly, working with independent hands and rewrapping quickly if he initially misses inside placement. Inside moves don’t faze him — he mirrors well, recovers quickly, and becomes difficult to disengage once he’s locked on. Although power can push him back, he typically regains his leverage and holds up.”

Advertisement

“Even with his limited length, he rarely overextends and consistently picks up stunts and blitzes. In the run game, he shows enough strength to lift and drive defenders when he lands inside. He generates movement on combo blocks, including knocking defensive tackles into adjacent linemen.’

When Will He Play?

Here’s the big mystery: a 3rd-Round pick should play before too long, a rule applicable to almost every position. But the Vikings already have Christian Darrisaw at left tackle and Brian O’Neill on the right side. Darrisaw is under contract for four more years. O’Neill’s contract is up next offseason, though most expect an extension.

Therefore, Tiernan is basically on the roster for a rainy day. He feels like a “best player available” pick for the club, which usually turns out to be helpful.

Advertisement
Caleb Tiernan blocks Cameron Brandt during a Northwestern vs Michigan game at Michigan Stadium. Caleb Tiernan Vikings
Caleb Tiernan (72) sets his base in pass protection while facing edge pressure from Michigan’s defensive front, battling Cameron Brandt during live action, Nov. 23, 2024, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. The Northwestern lineman worked to anchor against the rush in a Big Ten matchup featuring physical trench play throughout the contest. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images.

If Darrisaw gets hurt in 2026, Tiernan is the next man up. Suppose O’Neill is not re-signed. Well, Tiernan would get tapped on the shoulder for RT duty.

Other Best-Value Selections

Per the NFL draft media community, Minnesota snagged a view “best value” picks on Friday and Saturday. Many love running back Demond Claiborne because of his stature similarity and stylistic parallels to Miami Dolphins tailback De’Von Achane. Claiborne has 4.37 speed, and the Vikings haven’t employed a promising young running back since Dalvin Cook or Alexander Mattison.

Others enjoy Stephen F. Austin rookie cornerback Charles Demmings, a scrappy defender who felt hand-picked by Brian Flores.

Caleb Tiernan completes force plate testing during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Caleb Tiernan Vikings
Caleb Tiernan (OL50) undergoes performance testing as Hawkin Dynamics specialist Trent Bassingthwaite collects force plate data, measuring lower-body output during combine evaluations, Mar. 1, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The testing session provided teams with detailed metrics on explosiveness, balance, and power during pre-draft assessments. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Cincinnati center Gavin Gerhardt could also end up with a starter’s job before too long, after Ryan Kelly retired and Minnesota signed no veteran players at the position.

The Vikings now have ample depth at offensive tackle, including Darrisaw, O’Neill, Tiernan, Blake Brandel, Walter Rouse, and Ryan Van Demark.

Advertisement

avatar

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Man City’s North Stand expansion has final hurdle to clear after Aston Villa debut

Published

on

Manchester City are hoping the top tier of the North Stand will be at 100 per cent capacity for the final home game of the season against Aston Villa

Nobody will be happier than the Manchester City boardroom if the North Stand top tier is fully open for the final game of the Premier League season against Aston Villa. More than 7,000 extra fans will be housed in the expanded North Stand if it passes the necessary test events.

The major one will come on Wednesday, May 20 when more than 3,500 fans will be granted access to the new section for the first time. City have pulled out all the stops to attract supporters to the stadium on a non-matchday. There will be live entertainment, a photo opportunity with the Carabao Cup and appearances from former players.

Advertisement

It is vital for City that this goes well so that their multi-million pound investment begins paying for itself. For City’s hierarchy, the opening of the North Stand will be seen as a success so long as it is full and, for the Villa game, it undoubtedly will be.

Click here to find out the latest Manchester City news in our daily newsletter

However, that is not the final hurdle it must overcome. It must also gain fan approval. There has been a lot of scepticism around the North Stand expansion, particularly considering attendance issues for midweek fixtures at the Etihad Stadium.

Many matchgoing supporters see this new tier as another opportunity for the club to bring in ‘fans’ who care more about the half-time food offering, rather than the result. Of course, City cannot be naive in this modern football landscape where every penny counts towards Financial Fair Play (FFP).

Advertisement

Expanding the Etihad Stadium to a capacity of more than 60,000 means City’s home will be on a par with the likes of the Emirates Stadium and Anfield. It also opens the door to further revenue streams like concerts and the new 401-room hotel, that will open at the end of 2026, gifts City an all-year round income.

But to the average supporter who feels left behind by the increasingly money-driven nature of the sport, this does little to warm their hearts. The fear is that City will eventually go the way of some of their Premier League rivals.

Fulham’s Riverside Stand is exclusively for hospitality with the club’s owners happy to rake in the money while losing long-standing supporters. Even across the city, Manchester United have come under fire for moving season ticket holders out of their seats to make room for a brand new hospitality area.

Against Villa, the hospitality sections of the stand will not be open and the fans housed in that tier will be there on a general admission ticket. The only thing current matchgoing supporters want is for the expansion to enhance the matchday experience.

Advertisement

They want those extra fans to create a cauldron of noise and make the Etihad Stadium a more imposing fortress than it already is. If it becomes just another money making scheme, it will be panned and add to the narrative that the club is no longer interested in the regular supporter.

Last week, Pep Guardiola rightly praised the ownership group for freezing season ticket prices for another season. City now have one of the most affordable season tickets in the Premier League and they are also working on ways to boost midweek attendances.

There is a lot of goodwill from that announcement that will go to waste by overlooking existing fans’ wishes for the North Stand. There is a way both the club and fans get what they want but it relies on City resisting temptation and looking for the big bucks.

If they avoid that, the new tier will be welcomed by all and boost City’s coffers in the process.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

You guys are not alone

Published

on

Zelina Vega seemingly left social media after sharing a message about mental health. A former WWE star has sent her a message.

CJ Perry has reached out to Zelina Vega. WWE recently performed its annual routine of releasing a bunch of its talent due to budget cuts. This time, some prominent names also made the list of releases. Among those released were the Wyatt Sicks, Kairi Sane, Santos Escobar, Aleister Black and Zelina Vega.

Following her departure from the WWE, Vega took to social media to share a message about mental health. Following this, she has not posted anything else on the platform, indicating that she has left social media.

Advertisement

“Mental health first 🖤 love you.”

Real reason behind Reigns vs. Fatu revealed – Check here!

Former WWE star CJ Perry responded to her message and said that she is there for her.

“It’s going to be ok. Mental health is a journey. I’m on the road with you ❤️you guys are not alone”

Check out her tweet here:


Zelina Vega revealed the exact time she found out that she was released

This round of WWE releases came as a bit of a surprise to many, espcially since the sports entertainment juggernaut has been boasting about record-breaking profits. Therefore, the Stamford-based promotion and Triple H received a lot of backlash for releasing more than 20 stars. Fans were especially not happy about Kairi Sane’s release, and they demanded she be brought back.

Advertisement

Zelina Vega opened up about her WWE release on her Twitch stream. She said she usually receives a call from Stamford, but this time, she received a call from TKO at 5:09 PM.

“When people call me from there, usually it would say Stamford calling you,” Vega said in a Twitch livestream on Friday. “That’s when you’re heart is like, ‘Oh, f**k.’ But this time it’s a TKO, which sounds like, ‘Ah, very telling.’ 5:09 p.m. is when I found out.” [H/T – TJR Wrestling].

It remains to be seen if WWE will release more talent in the coming weeks. It will also be interesting to see what the future holds for those who were released from the sports entertainment juggernaut.