The first conference tournament bracket for the 2025-26 season is set. The Sun Belt Tournament begins Tuesday with a pair of first-round matchups between teams that will be looking to extend their seasons for another day.
Entering Friday, the final day of the regular season, seven different teams were mathematically alive for at least a share of the SBC championship. Troy captured the Sun Belt title after defeating UL Monroe to earn the No. 1 seed in next week’s tournament. Marshall earned the No. 2 seed and the bye into , and despite losing to Georgia Southern. There was a six-way tie (with 11-7 conference records) for second place in the conference standings.
Because of the Sun Belt’s tournament format which places the top two seeds in the conference’s semifinals, Troy and Marshall will need to win just one game next weekend (March 8) to advance to the Sun Belt Tournament championship game. The tournament gets started Tuesday in Pensacola, Florida, when No. 14 seed UL Monroe will face No. 11 seed Old Dominion before No. 13 seed Georgia State meets No. 12 seed Louisiana.
The Horizon League will get college basketball’s postseason underway on Monday with a first-round game between No. 10 seed Cleveland State and No. 11 seed IU Indianapolis.
While the Horizon League will be the first league to get its tournament underway, other leagues will be in action later in the week. Among the leagues that will have first-round games on Wednesday are the ASUN, Big South, Northeast, Ohio Valley and the Summit League and we are just days away from the rest of the conferences to get underway.
Rehan Ahmed intends to “keep enjoying the ride” as he insisted he is “not too bothered” about hanging on to his England place for their T20 World Cup semi-final.
The 21-year-old warmed the bench during England’s campaign until being called upon for their final Super 8 match against New Zealand, preferred to Jamie Overton on a slow, turning wicket in Colombo.
On his World Cup debut, the leg-spinning all-rounder took two for 28, including a wicket with his first delivery, before a seven-ball 19 not out helped England snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
England now have a decision to make about whether to stick with Rehan or bring back fast bowler Overton ahead of a probable showdown against either India or the West Indies in Mumbai next Thursday.
There may even be a case to play both – which would likely mean sacrificing a batter, such as the out-of-form Jos Buttler – but Rehan will defer to head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Harry Brook.
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“I’m not too bothered about my place in the team,” Rehan said. “I think Baz and Brooky will definitely put out the best team they think is going to win, as they did (on Friday night).
“I just want to make an impression whenever I do get the chance. I know the team balance right now is great and that’s why we are where we are. I’m very easy.
“It’s not a personal thing for me, it’s a World Cup, it’s my first World Cup to be in. I’ll just keep enjoying the ride, if I get the nod I’ll play and if not then I’ll give water to the boys.”
v Sri Lanka, Pallekele, February 22 – won by 51 runs
v Pakistan, Pallekele, February 24 – won by two wickets
v New Zealand, Colombo, February 27 – won by four wickets
Despite topping their group after beating Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand, England will only discover their fate for the knockout stages on Sunday following results in the other pool.
If South Africa overcome Zimbabwe then England will be at the Wankhede Stadium to take on defending champions India or the Windies, who defeated Brook’s side at the same venue two-and-a-half weeks ago.
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England, though, have lost just twice under Brook’s captaincy in 18 T20s, a remarkable statistic given the unpredictable nature of the format, and they showed their mettle against the Black Caps.
Needing 42 off the last 17 balls, Rehan thumped his second delivery over the rope before a clutch six off Mitchell Santner allowed Will Jacks to seal a scarcely credible four-wicket win in the last over.
Rehan, England’s youngest debutant across all three formats, admitted he embraced the pressure after being asked whether he felt stressed about the situation the team was in.
“Cricket’s a privilege and you train all your life for the moments like that,” Rehan said.
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“I was just happy to be in that moment. I was very, very happy when I did get the chance to try and win a game for England, not more so for me personally, just to win a game.
“I think stress is the wrong word for it. Obviously there’s pressure on, but then it’s a happy place. If you do it well then it would be good for you. It’s more of a free hit for me.
“I went out there with no intentions of looking at the scoreboard. It was trying to hit three or four sixes, I got two away and Jacksy did the rest.”
In Scary Shawarma Kiosk: The Anomaly, you work as an employee in a shawarma stall and try to survive various anomalies and anomalous events. The recent Weather Update introduced multiple threats to catch the players offguard during their nightly shift. Among them, the Vampire is a special entity that spawns only during a blood moon and summons bats inside your kiosk.
Instead of ordering any food, the Vampire immediately attacks the player after finding fault with their service. This guide helps you prepare and deal with the threat in Scary Shawarma Kiosk: The Anomaly.
When does the Vampire appear in Scary Shawarma Kiosk: The Anomaly?
The moon turns crimson before the Vampire’s arrival (Image via Roblox)
The Vampire spawns the moment the moon turns red in the game. This can happen at any time, be it in the Story or the Endless mode, and you can see the moon on the right window in your stall.
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During the blood moon, a man wearing a belted trench coat and a black hat spawns in front of your stall. This man, who is the Vampire, is surrounded by a mystical mist. Its sudden appearance, the blood moon, and the mist are sufficient indicators that the customer is an anomaly.
The Vampire asks for “anything red to drink” instead of making a proper order. When you offer a Soda, the entity becomes furious and unleashes a swarm of bats. These creatures will keep flying around in the kiosk, while you will be tasked with killing them individually.
How to make the Vampire go away in Scary Shawarma Kiosk: The Anomaly?
The Vampire anomaly (Image via Roblox)
Rather than focusing on the bats summoned by the Vampire, prioritize dealing with the main threat. Immediately shut down the shutter of your stall while the bats try to block your vision. You can do so by clicking the red button.
Once the shutter is closed, the Vampire threatens to take revenge on you. However, after a few seconds, he disappears from the front of your stall, leaving only a mist. You can open the shutter again to make the bats go away.
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Similar to the Wild Deer, the new anomaly is harmless and easily avoidable. Safely dealing with it does give you any kind of badge, though.
Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi celebrates with teammates (AP/PTI)
Former India opener Virender Sehwag has bluntly dismissed Pakistan’s chances of reaching the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2026, stating he does not see Salman Ali Agha’s side pulling off the required miracle.Pakistan are still mathematically alive in the race for the last four, thanks to England’s Super 8 victory over New Zealand in Colombo on Friday. However, their inferior net run rate leaves them with a steep climb. Even if they defeat Sri Lanka, they would only draw level with New Zealand on points unless they secure a massive win to overhaul the Black Caps’ net run rate.
T20 World Cup: Shaheen Shah Afridi press conference after England vs Pakistan
The qualification equation is daunting. If Pakistan bat first and post 160, they must win by at least 65 runs. If they are chasing the same total, they need to finish the job within 13.2 overs to move ahead of New Zealand and seal a semi-final berth.During a discussion on Cricbuzz, when the anchor outlined Pakistan’s scenario if they batted first, Sehwag responded bluntly, “Nahi hone wala. Aage padh (It won’t happen, read further).”When the focus shifted to the possibility of chasing, Sehwag was equally dismissive. “Wo bhi nahi hone wala. (This too won’t happen).”He elaborated further on the show, saying, “It won’t happen, that’s what I was saying. It is not that easy for Pakistan. The prayers might have been accepted for the England-New Zealand match. But the prayers won’t work for Pakistan in the game against Sri Lanka. They have been praying for so long, and it has not worked. So I don’t think this is possible,” Sehwag said further on Cricbuzz.Sehwag added that Pakistan’s only realistic route would involve Sri Lanka playing extremely poorly, effectively handing them the game. He questioned how a team struggling to reach 160 consistently could suddenly chase that target at breakneck speed.“If they somehow qualify, very good. If they score 160 and then win by 60 runs, Sri Lanka would have to play some poor cricket. They would need to be bowled out for 90, which is not possible. Chasing the total down in 13.2 overs is possible, but their batting is not like that,” he added.“Pakistan are anyway not able to score 160, how will they chase the total down in 14 overs? It will be tough,” he added.England have already secured top spot in Group 2 of the Super 8 stage and booked their place in the semi-finals. The remaining qualification spot from the group will be decided between Pakistan and New Zealand.
Manchester United are reportedly ‘concerned’ about losing Harry Maguire on a free transfer at the end of the season
Manchester United are reportedly ‘concerned’ about the potential departure of Harry Maguire, following the confirmed exit of Casemiro. Maguire’s current contract with United is due to end after this season, and speculation continues to swirl regarding whether the England international will agree to an extension.
United activated an additional 12-month clause in Maguire’s contract in January of last year, which is now set to expire at the end of the current campaign.
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Maguire, 32, has spent a significant part of the season recovering from injury but has emerged as a crucial figure in United’s defence since Michael Carrick took over as interim head coach last month.
The England international, who celebrates his 33rd birthday next week, is currently free to discuss a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside England, should he wish to depart United as a free agent. He has already rejected advances from Saudi Pro League club Al Qadsiah, who are managed by Brendan Rodgers, and AC Milan this year.
While a new deal is yet to be agreed, a Daily Mail report claims there is “concern” within United that they may lose Maguire at the same time as Casemiro, with the Reds keen to retain their experienced players, reports the Mirror.
Earlier this season, Casemiro confirmed he would be leaving United at the end of his contract this summer, a move that will save the Reds millions of pounds.
Casemiro is currently earning £300,000 per week at United, and not handing the midfielder a contract renewal on the same terms will result in the club saving £15.6million annually.
What happens with Maguire’s future remains uncertain, with United reportedly eager to offer the defender fresh terms but seeking to reduce his £ 180,000-per-week salary. The England international, though, is seeking assurances regarding contract duration, which could present an obstacle.
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Carrick has already highlighted Maguire’s significance to his vision at United, stressing the defender’s experience and leadership both in the dressing room and during matches.
“Harry’s an impressive character,” Carrick stated on Friday. “He’s had a great career so far. Hopefully there’s a lot more to come.
“He has been here in the journey and the experiences that he’s had, certainly since he’s been here and with England as well. I think it shows exactly what he is.
“I think we all know the player that he is and what he’s capable of doing. Again, the other night there [at Everton], I thought he was fantastic.
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“Experience helps and his attributes help with that and his character, his willingness to put himself out there and he is really impressive and he has been really important for us.”
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Aug 24, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) in the tunnel before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The Indianapolis Colts permitted quarterback Anthony Richardson to seek a trade on Thursday, and there’s mutual interest between Richardson’s camp and the Minnesota Vikings, according to NFL Network‘s Cameron Wolfe.
Minnesota can check the price, but Richardson brings the same volatility and durability questions the Vikings already know well.
That doesn’t mean a deal is completely imminent, but Richardson cannot be ruled out of the Vikings’ offseason quarterback sweepstakes.
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Colts Open the Door for an Anthony Richardson Deal
The Kevin O’Connell embrace in 2024 has a chance to mean something.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) throws passes during pregame warmups Dec 22, 2024 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana before a matchup with the Tennessee Titans. Richardson’s combination of arm strength and mobility has drawn attention around the league as teams evaluate young quarterbacks with developmental upside. Mandatory Credit: Grace Smith-Imagn Images.
IND to Trade Richardson
Richardson likely won’t remain on the Colts’ roster much longer.
ESPN’s Stephen Holder wrote Thursday, “The Colts have given quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. permission to seek a trade, his agent told ESPN on Thursday, the latest twist in the young player’s complicated career. Richardson lost a preseason position battle with veteran Daniel Jones before last season, relegating him to the No. 2 spot.”
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“Now, with the Colts committed to trying to re-sign Jones as their starter for the foreseeable future, Richardson faces an uncertain path forward in Indianapolis. Agent Deiric Jackson having the ability to explore a trade gives Richardson the potential of finding a new start after three tumultuous seasons in Indianapolis.”
Richardson will have a chance to reclaim his once-promising career elsewhere.
Vikings Reportedly Interested
On the same day, NFL Network‘s Cameron Wolfe sweetened the pot from the Vikings’ standpoint, tweeting, “Colts and Anthony Richardson have mutually agreed to seek a trade, sources tell me. One team to keep an eye on trading for Anthony Richardson: Minnesota Vikings. There is mutual interest. Combine is ideal time for these convos to happen.”
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Until Wolfe’s tweet, the Vikings’ interest in a Richardson trade had been totally theoretical. Now, it’s quasi-realistic and practical.
CBS Sports‘ Garrett Podell on the Richardson to MIN idea: “Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell helped revive the careers of two other former top 10 pick quarterbacks in Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones in 2024 only to see both of them walk in free agency. Darnold went on to win Super Bowl LX in his first season with the Seattle Seahawks, and Jones was in the NFL MVP conversation in the first half of the 2025 season before injuries derailed him.”
“O’Connell let both of those guys out of his building because he had the 2024 10th overall pick in quarterback J.J. McCarthy waiting in the wings. However, his first year as an NFL starting quarterback can be described as highly concerning.”
It’s also worth noting that it might be a little strange for Minnesota to have two former 1st-Round developmental projects in the same room. That’s rare.
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Podell added, “McCarthy ranked dead last in the NFL in completion percentage (58%), touchdown-interception (11-12) and passer rating (72.6) in 2025 despite working with O’Connell and being able to throw passes to 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year wide receiver Justin Jefferson.”
“Perhaps Minnesota would be interested in bringing in another formerly highly-touted prospect to push and/or overtake McCarthy. When mic’d up in a game in which the Vikings played the Colts, O’Connell gave Richardson an extended pep talk. The interest in Richardson could very well still exist for the Vikings now.”
O’Connell & Richardson in 2024
The Vikings beat the Colts in 2024, defeating an Indianapolis squad that had benched Richardson in favor of Joe Flacco. After the game, O’Connell, whose reputation was at the peak of its power as a quarterback whisperer, singled Richardson out for encouragement.
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) executes a handoff Oct 5, 2025 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana during action against the Las Vegas Raiders. Richardson’s athletic skill set allows Indianapolis to incorporate designed runs and option concepts while continuing to develop his passing consistency at the professional level. Mandatory Credit: Grace Smith-Imagn Images.
“You’re a bad dude, and you’re going to play a long time in this league. I still believe in you,” O’Connell said to Richardson, whose confidence was probably ravaged at the time.
At the time, fans joked, “Future Viking Anthony Richardson.” Now, those jokes have shapeshifted into reality. Richardson to Minnesota could turn out to be true.
McCarthy + Richardson = Spider-Man Meme?
In 2025, the Colts faced a quarterback conundrum, distinct from Richardson’s situation. Daniel Jones won the starting job in training camp and started the season strong before an Achilles tendon tear. With Richardson also injured, the Colts, signaling a decline in his perceived value, signed Philip Rivers, who had been retired for five years.
Jones had joined Indianapolis in the offseason as a free agent, drawn by the perceived opportunity to start, whereas in Minnesota, McCarthy was expected to be the franchise quarterback.
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Once again in the 2026 offseason, Indianapolis is expected to roll with Jones, leaving Richardson as the odd man out.
Meanwhile, trading for Richardson would expose the Vikings to familiar risks. His performance, marked by flashes of brilliance and periods of inconsistency, is further complicated by recurring injuries that have stunted his growth.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) warms up on the field Sep 10, 2023 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana before facing the Jacksonville Jaguars. Richardson entered the league as a highly regarded dual-threat prospect whose physical traits and running ability quickly made him one of the more closely monitored young quarterbacks. Mandatory Credit: Jenna Watson-USA TODAY Sports.
These concerns echo the existing uncertainties surrounding McCarthy in Minnesota. Acquiring Richardson would simply add another unpredictable quarterback to the mix, making long-term success dependent on both players staying healthy and developing consistently. Some argue that McCarthy and Richardson are basically the same guy.
If Wolfe has it right and Richardson turns purple, the Vikings can probably pry him loose for a 5th- or 6th-Round pick.
NFL trades can be agreed upon now. They become official in mid-March.
Lucky Coward in Jujutsu Shenanigans is a glass cannon-style fighter with some of the highest combo damage in the game. He has some of the lowest HP in the game, meaning careful plays are essential while playing as him. Based on Haruta Shigemo from Jujutsu Kaisen, this fighter can be used for free in public and private servers alike.
Here’s everything you need to know about Lucky Coward in Jujutsu Shenanigans.
An overview of Lucky Coward in Jujutsu Shenanigans
Lucky Coward in action (Image via Roblox)
Lucky Coward’s greatest strengths are his high combo damage. Each time you gain priority with him, you will likely take away at least half of the opponent’s HP. This is assuming his skills are not on cooldown, of course. He is a glass cannon-type character, being extremely fragile at just 70 HP at base.
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This fighter makes use of a blade for his normal attacks, which he can manipulate with the Helping Hand special. Upon activating this special, the blade independently attacks the enemy from behind. In this state, he will perform a short dodge upon using the normal attack button, while the block button is replaced with a two-second Taunt. The special can be reactivated to have Lucky Coward equip it again.
While his low HP may seem like a massive flaw, in reality, he has tools to avoid being killed quickly. He can use the special Miracle mechanic to avoid being combo-ed for extended periods and even revive himself upon death. The Miracle mechanic relies on a special meter that builds up Miracle “stocks”. Each Miracle stock activates upon fulfilling the following conditions:
Consume three Miracle stocks to revive self upon death. Upon revivification, his HP is set to 10.
Consume three Miracle stocks to ragdoll cancel even with an empty evade gauge.
Lucky Coward starts with three Miracle stocks, and once depleted, he can refill the stocks by performing the following actions:
Successful unarmed dodges.
Successful taunts on a standing enemy.
Successfully interrupting the opponent’s attacks.
Attacking a dazed enemy.
He also has access to an Awakening mode that serves as a special attack rather than a transformation. This Awakening, called Jawbreaker, can be used to daze the target and prevent them from attacking, effectively being an easy way to restore Miracle stocks. If it misses, Jawbreaker will restore the Awakening gauge by 65% and heal 25 points of HP.
Helping Hand can be used for combo setups (Image via Roblox)
In his armed state, Lucky Coward can use the following skills:
Ambush: Unblockable sword slash that ragdolls the target. Can be used on a ragdolled target as a rush move.
Backstab: Stab move that stuns the opponent. Stun duration is increased if stabbed from behind. Cannot be blocked.
Cheap Shot: Throw the blade at the opponent for a quick hit.
Trip: Trips a moving target, disabling their ragdoll cancel. Additional damage dealt if the enemy falls.
While unarmed, Lucky Coward can activate the following skills:
Ankle Cutter: The sword behind the enemy slices their ankle, ragdolling them. Can be blocked.
High Time: Launcher that sets up a combo. Bypasses ragdoll.
Dirty Play: Recall the weapon, hitting anyone in its path. Bypasses ragdoll.
The most important skill in his moveset is High Time, which gives you a quick and easy way to start a combo. Considering his high damage, Lucky Coward can easily gain the upper hand in a fight with a little bit of setup. Additionally, if you have access to Jawbreaker, you get eight seconds of dealing as much damage on the target as you wish.
Lucky Coward’s Helping Hand skill does warrant careful usage. While unarmed, it’s easy to be caught in the opponent’s combo, especially if you don’t time the dodges correctly. We recommend using Helping Hand to ambush the target and for setting up a quick combo. Otherwise, in neutral, you are better off keeping your weapon in hand.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Tempers flared in the fourth quarter of Oklahoma City’s 127-121 overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets on Friday night and resulted in the ejection of the Thunder’s Lu Dort.
Dort fouled Denver’s Nikola Jokic in the midst of a tight game and Jokic got in Dort’s face. A scrum ensued and Jokic and Oklahoma City’s Jaylin Williams were called for offsetting technical fouls. Dort was issued a Flagrant 2 and ejected.
The matchup was physical from the start.
Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was called for an early technical when he threw the ball at Jokic, who made high contact with him after play had stopped. Denver’s bench was called for a technical in the third quarter, and there was plenty of trash talking and shoving throughout.
Benfica say they have suspended five supporters for behaviour “of a racist nature” during the first leg of their Champions League knockout play-off against Real Madrid this month.
Play in Lisbon was suspended for 10 minutes after Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr told the referee that he had been racially abused by Benfica’s Argentine winger Gianluca Prestianni, who denies the claims.
“Benfica informed that it has suspended the memberships of five members following the initiation of disciplinary proceedings that led to the application of the maximum sanction stipulated in club’s statutes, which is expulsion,” the Portuguese club said in a statement.
“An internal investigation initiated after the match between Benfica and Real Madrid, held on 17 February, and the adoption of inappropriate behaviour in the stands, of a racist nature, incompatible with the values and principles that govern the club.
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“Benfica reaffirms that it does not tolerate any form of discrimination or racism and will continue to act firmly when behaviours undermine the values of the club.”
Vinicius had put the visitors ahead in the game but was booked for an excessive celebration in front of Benfica supporters.
Television footage showed some fans appearing to make racist gestures aimed at the player.
After an exchange with Prestianni he ran over to the referee, gesturing in the direction of the Argentina player before walking off the pitch, followed by his team-mates.
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When play resumed, an object was thrown from the crowd that struck Vinicius on the arm as he prepared to take a corner.
Speaking after the game, Benfica manager Jose Mourinho said Vinicius had acted disrespectfully and incited the crowd.
Those comments were criticised by former Real midfielder Clarence Seedorf among others.
Vinicius, who scored again at the Bernabeu, was booed by the away supporters.
On Thursday, Benfica issued a statement denying a claim that Prestianni had told the squad or club officials that he had uttered a racist insult to Vinicius.
We’re now done with the wild and exciting 2026 NBA trade deadline and are getting closer and closer to the playoffs.
And there were some pretty significant trade moves.
The Warriors finally traded Jonathan Kuminga for Kristaps Porziņģis. Anthony Davis was shockingly traded for the second year in a row.
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He will now be a part of an exciting duo with Trae Young, which looks set to take off next year, and Chris Paul was finally traded and announced his retirement.
But we’ve heard enough about those guys. How are the league’s former players from schools in the West doing?
As always, I’m back with my monthly SuperWest report, covering the top veterans, rookies, and everyone else in between.
Here are my selections and summaries for February.
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LA’s Big Moves
James Harden (Cleveland Cavaliers, Arizona State)
The Los Angeles Clippers had a nightmare 6-21 start to the 2025-26 season.
And their unusually disrespectful treatment of the retiring franchise legend Chris Paul turned them into one of the NBA’s biggest laughingstocks.
However, they went on a huge run and were near a .500 record before deciding to make moves for their future at the trade deadline.
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They traded away James Harden to the Cavaliers for Darius Garland and a second-round pick, while also trading Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown to the Pacers for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks, and a second-round pick.
Considering the Clippers had pretty much no draft capital before these moves (thanks to the Paul George and James Harden trades), they did a solid job acquiring some assets while still staying competitive as a play-in team.
Meanwhile, the Cavs have gone all-in and feel like adding Harden can help them make it out of the East. “The Beard” is playing some of the most efficient basketball of his career right now.
In his first seven games as a Cavalier, he has gone 6-1 while putting up 18.9 points and 8.0 assists per game with a true shooting percentage of 65.9, by far the highest mark of his career since his final season in Oklahoma City as a 22-year-old.
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Dennis Lee/Imagn Images
Harden is only taking 12.4 shots per game, which is once again lower than any of his seasons since his 2011-12 season in OKC.
His three-point efficiency has skyrocketed, as he’s currently shooting 48.8% from deep in Cleveland, up 12.5% from his career average.
Unfortunately, he did pick up a right thumb injury, which won’t keep him out for long due to Harden being left-handed, though it’s still something to look out for.
With Donovan Mitchell as the team’s undisputed top option, Harden won’t have to carry a massive offensive load anymore, which can help him play efficient basketball and fight his playoff demons as he searches for his first championship.
Harden’s role in Cleveland is that of a floor general, and he has already helped his teammates reach a new level.
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“Bringing James on has given us a renewed confidence,” said Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson. “I felt like we were kind of missing that edge, that belief. I feel like we’re regaining that. A lot of it has to do with who we added in the trade.”
Bennedict Mathurin (Los Angeles Clippers, Arizona)
Darius Garland still hasn’t made his debut for the Clippers, but he hopes to make a similar impact as Bennedict Mathurin when he does.
Mathurin started the year off as the Pacers’ “tank commander”, but that role quickly faded away as the team began to wonder about his long-term fit once Tyrese Haliburton returns in 2026-27.
A thumb injury that caused him to miss 11 games didn’t help either, and the Pacers eventually decided to move on from Mathurin instead of discussing a contract extension in the offseason.
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The talented scorer has found new life in LA, as he has put up 28.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in his last three games while shooting 48.1% from the field.
While they’re no longer contenders, with Mathurin, Garland, and the ageless wonder that is Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers will still be competitive and can cause serious problems for contenders in the postseason.
Rookie Report
Egor Dёmin (Brooklyn Nets, BYU)
After a very successful stretch of play in January, Egor Dёmin capped the month off with a then-career high performance against the Utah Jazz.
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He scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while making six of his 12 three-pointers. That was his 34th consecutive game with a three-pointer, which set a rookie record.
“There’s a reason why we drafted him,” Nets HC Jordi Fernández said. “We believed that [his] shooting was NBA shooting and he’s proven it from the beginning.”
Bob DeChiara/Imagn Images
Dёmin’s record-breaking streak ended in the following game, as he went 0-4 from deep against the first-seeded Pistons.
However, he bounced back quickly, as he set a new career-high with a 26-point performance against the Magic just two days later.
With Cam Thomas’ departure, the Nets have handed the keys to their franchise to Dёmin, and everyone in the organization is intrigued by his potential.
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“You see the confidence growing on him,” Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe said. “Who knows what Egor can be in the next couple of years?”
It’s always nice to see someone finally achieve their lifelong dream.
Lawson Lovering, a 7’0 center who played college basketball for the Colorado Buffaloes and the Utah Utes, went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, but that didn’t stop him from chasing his dream of playing in the NBA.
Lovering played for the Grizzlies in the Summer League and was signed to their G-League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle. After a few months with the Hustle, Lovering was finally called up by the injury-riddled Grizzlies.
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On February 11, Lovering became just the second player from Wyoming to play in an NBA game since the NBA-ABA merger.
In their next game, Lovering was named a starter and put up a double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to help the Grizzlies beat the Jazz.
Lovering has returned to the Hustle since then, but it’s not far-fetched to assume he’ll get more NBA opportunities this season.
Playing for a Winner
Nikola Vučević (Boston Celtics, USC)
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Nikola Vučević has quietly carved out a nice career for himself. He passed the 17,250-point mark this year, which now means he’s officially a top-100 scorer in NBA history.
He will surpass $200 million in career earnings this season, has made two All-Star teams, and is third on the Magic’s all-time scoring list.
AP Photo via ESPN
However, Vučević has never played for a true contender, as he has never won a playoff series that he actually played in (he did not play in Philadelphia’s infamous upset series victory over Chicago in 2012).
That could all change this year, as his new team, the Boston Celtics, are currently on a roll in a relatively weak Eastern Conference.
Vučević hasn’t been asked to do much in Boston, averaging just 24.0 minutes per night while the team has gone 5-2 in the seven games since his arrival.
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Top Veterans
Dillon Brooks (Phoenix Suns, Oregon)
Dillon Brooks broke his hand in the Suns’ double overtime win over the Magic on February 21 and could miss time until April, which is a shame since he was playing some of the best basketball of his life.
In the 10 games before his injury, Brooks averaged 25.0 points per contest while shooting 46.0% from the field. This stretch included a career night against the Pistons, as he scored 40 points to help the Suns to an upset win.
The Suns have been one of the biggest surprises of this season, but they need Brooks to return as soon as possible if they want to stay alive in the West’s playoff race.
Jrue Holiday (Portland Trail Blazers, UCLA)
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Irue Holiday is aging like a fine wine. The former all-star is one of my favorite players of all time, and he’s currently helping a young Trail Blazers squad fight for a playoff spot.
Some feared that his game would drop off following a 27-game absence due to a calf injury, but the 35-year-old is still putting up great numbers.
Over his last eight games, Holiday has averaged 19.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game while shooting 51.4% from the floor and 44.9% from deep.
His true shooting percentage of 64.8 ranks third amongst all players with at least 100 shots during that span, which has helped the Blazers to a 5-3 record.
Aidin Ebrahimi covers the NBA for SuperWest Sports.
Day 3 of the Free Fire Max India Cup (FFMIC) 2026 Spring Group Stage Week 1 will take place on February 28, with teams from Group C set to face off in six matches. Those from Groups A and B have already finished all six of their matches over the past two days.
Week 1 of the Group Stage features 48 teams, divided into four groups of 12 each. The top nine from each group will advance to Week 2, while the remaining squads will be eliminated from the competition.
The top 38 teams from the FFC Mode and four squads from the City Qualifiers earned their spots in the Group Stage. An additional six received direct entry based on their performances in the previous edition of the tournament.
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Participating teams on Day 3 of FFMIC 2026 Spring Group Stage Week 1
Here are the teams playing on Day 3 of FFMIC 2026 Spring Group Stage Week 1:
Gods Reign Pros
Team Hind
EC Esports
Mjxownlegacy
Reganverse
R2V X Singh Gaming
NG Silver Eagle
NXT Esports
RNX Esports
Zutsu Esports
K9 Esports
Meta Ninza
Gods Reign acquired the NG Pros roster ahead of FFMIC 2026. The squad, which finished third in the previous edition of the tournament, boasts experienced players such as Badal, Manu, Anubhav, Struggle, and Cropse.
Team Hind has also impressed with outstanding performances in the past. A strong run in FFMIC 2025 earned the team a direct spot in the Group Stage.
K9 Esports is a new entrant in Free Fire Max esports. The team delivered excellent performances in the FFC Mode, earning a place in the Group Stage.
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Meta Ninza emerged victorious in the Ahmedabad City Qualifier on February 8, claiming the only spot available for the Group Stage via the event.
How to watch
Teams from Group C will compete in six matches across six maps. Fans can watch all the action live on the official YouTube channel of Free Fire Max India Esports from 5:30 pm onwards.
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Mathurin started the year off as the Pacers’ “tank commander”, but that role quickly faded away as the team began to wonder about his long-term fit once Tyrese Haliburton returns in 2026-27.
Lawson Lovering, a 7’0 center who played college basketball for the Colorado Buffaloes and the Utah Utes, went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, but that didn’t stop him from chasing his dream of playing in the NBA.
could miss time until April, which is a shame since he was playing some of the best basketball of his life.
and he’s currently helping a young Trail Blazers squad fight for a playoff spot.
