Australian Open 2026 men’s final: Why Novak Djokovic needs Melbourne victory more than Carlos Alcaraz

Published

4 weeks ago

31 January 2026

Whoever wins Sunday’s Australian Open men’s singles final between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz will create history.

Djokovic, 38, has been stuck on 24 Grand Slam titles since September 2023 – and one more success will take him clear of Margaret Court’s record of major singles titles.

One of the young guns stopping Djokovic has been 22-year-old Alcaraz.

The Spaniard has already lifted six major trophies – and victory in Melbourne would seal a maiden Australian Open title and make him the youngest man to have won all four Grand Slams.

Unlike Alcaraz, Djokovic does not have time on his side.

That is why this final feels so crucial for Djokovic – and that could provide the fuel to fire him to crowning glory.

At the beginning of the season-opening Grand Slam, Djokovic insisted he did not feel this fortnight was “make or break” for his ambition of hitting the magic number of 25.

It felt like Djokovic was attempting to release the pressure on himself, and that has continued going into Sunday’s showpiece.

Asked about its significance in the context of his career, Djokovic said: “The final of a Grand Slam, there is a lot at stake. But it is no different from any other big match that I play.”

Only Djokovic knows if he truly believes that.

There is little doubt, however, that the longer time ticks on, the less likely it is he will clinch the elusive 25th title he so dearly craves.

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As cartel violence raged in Mexico, this golf-course designer was amid chaos

Published

4 minutes ago

25 February 2026

NewsAdmin

Agustín Pizá doesn’t watch the news. To preserve his peace of mind, the golf course architect largely ignores the ceaseless churn of headlines, keeping up instead by stealing glances at select social feeds. Sports are the exception.

“I follow them because they focus on success stories,” Pizá told GOLF.com by phone.

On rare occasions, though, events intrude. This past Sunday morning was one of them.

Pizá was in Puerto Vallarta, where he keeps an office and apartment, wrapping up a work trip that included site visits to two ongoing projects. With a noon flight scheduled, he wasn’t in a rush. Easing out of bed, he pulled back the curtains. No more than 600 feet away, columns of black smoke darkened the sky above the city.

“At first I thought it was an accident,” he said. “But it almost looked like a war zone.”

His news blackout was about to end. Pizá scanned his phone, which buzzed with worried messages from family and friends, then fumbled with the TV remote.

“I do that so infrequently, it took me a while to find the channel,” he said.

The story was coming into focus. A military operation had killed the country’s most-wanted drug lord, triggering cartel retaliation. Buses and businesses were torched. Clashes erupted between security forces and suspected gang members. Dozens were reported dead. The city was placed in lockdown. Pizá’s flight was canceled.

That was inconvenient. It was also the least of his concerns.

“This is really a one-off incident for Puerto Vallarta,” he said. “Anyone who has been here knows it’s one of the coolest, safest, friendliest places you can go. But it’s unfortunate because in the end Mexico lives off tourism.”

For Puerto Vallarta, the stakes are particularly high. The metropolitan area is home to roughly 500,000 people and has been a major international destination since the 1960s. Tourism is the region’s economic engine, and golf is one of the pistons.

The stretch of coastline along Banderas Bay, running north toward Punta Mita, is a mosaic of jungle, mountain and ocean, a varied landscape that Pizá regards as a uniquely compelling canvas for golf. The region’s portfolio ranges from the moody mountain corridors of Vista Vallarta Club de Golf to the coastal resort that hosts the PGA Tour’s VidantaWorld Mexico Open, just across the river in Nayarit.

For Pizá, the connection is personal as well as professional. Born and raised in Tijuana and now based in San Diego with his wife and three children, he has straddled the border in both life and work. He opened his Puerto Vallarta office in 2006 in conjunction with a commission as project manager on the Bahía Course, a Jack Nicklaus Signature design in Punta Mita. The office now employs eight people and serves as a hub for projects across Mexico, Latin America and Europe. Pizá’s San Diego office handles stateside projects.

In industry circles, Pizá is regarded as a creative thinker inclined toward unconventional concepts. Among his more out-of-the-box projects is the Butterfly Effect, a 24-hole layout-in-the-making in the Coahuila Desert divided into four six-hole loops that can played independently. Among everyday golf fans, he gained wider notice with the launch of TGL, the tech-driven league founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

In that virtual arena, his holes have stood out for their whimsy. One is modeled on a cenote, a water-filled limestone cavern; its fairway is a tapered, concave platform. Another, called “Temple,” looks like what you might get if Alister MacKenzie had collaborated with the Aztecs. If you have watched the likes of Justin Thomas or Rickie Fowler trying to plot their way around those fantastical settings, you have seen Pizá’s imagination at work.

On Monday, with parts of the city still shuttered and his Puerto Vallarta office closed, TGL offered a welcome outlet. Pizá stayed inside and tuned in as the simulator league aired on television, watching players take on challenges he’d helped conceive.

“If it wasn’t for TGL,” he said, “I’m not sure what I’d be doing.”

By Tuesday, authorities had lifted restrictions, the airport had reopened and his flight was rebooked. The smoke had cleared. In Puerto Vallarta, at least, the immediate crisis appeared contained.

Pizá is careful not to dismiss what happened. He recognizes how jarring it must look from afar, and he knows there will be short-term consequences for locals whose livelihoods depend on visitation.

“I’m thinking about restaurateurs, hotel workers, caddies,” he said. “I’m sure they’re going to feel it.”

At the same time, Pizá pushes back against broad-brush conclusions. When such clashes erupt, he said, tourists are not typically the intended targets. The violence tends to be a show of force between authorities and criminal groups before it recedes. Still, images travel, violent images especially. Context, by contrast, travels slowly.

Pizá tries to provide that to anyone who’ll listen. When friends ask if Mexico is dangerous, he often responds with a question of his own.

“Are you going to be buying guns or drugs?” he said. “If not, you’ll be fine.”

Risk, he said, is not unique to any single country. When bad things happen, they are more often the exception than the rule. But he also knows that perceptions can be stubborn, and that perceptions matter.

“I don’t want to minimize what happened,” he said. “But Puerto Vallarta is going to recover a lot more quickly than people expect.”

On Tuesday, with his flight rebooked, Pizá could already see a city getting back on its feet. His Puerto Vallarta office had reopened, and though he’d given his staff the option to stay home, every one of them came in.

Nearby, at Marina Vallarta Golf Club, a public-access layout tucked along the bay, the fairways told a similar story. Pizá stopped by and chatted with the general manager. They’d already done 200 rounds that day and were handing out free margaritas.

His trip home was uneventful. The airport was busy but orderly. His noon flight lifted off on schedule, and when it touched down in San Diego, the passengers cheered.

Pizá said he was glad to be home, too. He’d make a quick stop at the office, then on to his family. But his thoughts were already drifting south.

“I’ll be back in Puerto Vallarta in three weeks,” he said. “I can’t wait.”

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Kevin O’Connell Drops Update on Vikings QB Plan

Published

18 minutes ago

25 February 2026

NewsAdmin

Kevin O’Connell walks on the field before a Vikings game at U.S. Bank Stadium. — Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell walks the field during pregame preparations ahead of a divisional matchup with the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Minnesota leader oversaw final warmups as players completed their routines before kickoff. Dec 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA: O’Connell prepared his team on the home field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

The Minnesota Vikings aren’t making it very mysterious: a different quarterback is on the way. It’s just a matter of who, with free agency less than two weeks away, and what role that man will hold in relation to J.J. McCarthy, the QB1 from 2025. Head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke to reporters Tuesday, explaining that his mindset about McCarthy as the long-term QB1 has changed since 2024, mainly because the timeline is different.

McCarthy still sits in front, yet the language points to a shorter leash and a more serious veteran hedge this offseason.

It feels like Minnesota must win now, and McCarthy may not be the safest option to achieve that mission.

What O’Connell’s Word Choice Signals about McCarthy

Another day, another noncommittal quip about McCarthy.

Kevin O’Connell speaks to reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Kevin O’Connell Vikings QB plan. — Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell addresses reporters during media availability at the NFL Scouting Combine inside the Indiana Convention Center. The head coach discussed roster outlook and offseason priorities as Minnesota evaluated upcoming draft decisions. Feb 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA: O’Connell spoke publicly while the Vikings prepared for another critical offseason period. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

O’Connell on McCarthy

Reporters asked O’Connell if he still views McCarthy as a franchise quarterback, two words he used freely two years ago, and O’Connell replied affirmatively, adding, “It’s just the timeline is in a different place for all of us than it was in the summer of 2024. And I have a responsibility — we have a responsibility collectively as we put together this team — to make sure that we use the data that we have at this time and the experiences we have.”

If you’re McCarthy, that update is the very definition of bittersweet.

Interim GM Rob Brzezinski Weighs In

When asked about the Vikings’ offseason quarterback plan, Brzezinski aligned on the same page as O’Connell.

“We’re exploring every option that can be out there. What we do know is we need a level of baseline quarterback play for us to be effective,” he replied.

“A lot of this has been J.J. in unfortunate situations with some of the injuries and things that he’s dealt with, but we’re going to explore every opportunity, and I don’t think there’s anything specifically we’re looking for. We can’t manufacture anything that’s not there. So, No. 1, what are the options? Is it reciprocal? Is it financially doable? All those things. There’s just a lot of factors that go into it.”

Brzezinski also said of his franchise’s new decision-making structure: “We have to have protocol in place, and so the owners have asked me to handle that responsibility if that would occur. But our intent is to have complete and total collaboration … and I think the decisions are going to be pretty easy to make.”

None of that screams extreme loyalty to McCarthy.

An Acknowledgement That There’s No Time to Develop McCarthy?

What exactly does O’Connell’s remark mean?

It’s just the timeline is in a different place for all of us than it was in the summer of 2024.

In August 2024, Minnesota had drafted McCarthy four months prior, and there was no reason to believe his torn meniscus would spiral into a high ankle sprain, concussion, and broken hand the following season. The guy had no major injury history in high school or college, and in fact, drafting the “healthy guy,” as opposed to Michael Penix Jr., for example, seemed like the wise choice. Almost two years later, McCarthy and Penix Jr. have battled major injuries.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell review draft materials during the Vikings draft process. — Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell review selections behind the scenes during the club’s 2024 NFL Draft process. The draft class included first-round picks J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner as Minnesota reshaped its roster. Apr 25, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA: Team leadership worked through decisions during draft operations. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.

The timeline may be referring to McCarthy’s health and how it jibes with an alleged Super Bowl window. Former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah constructed his competitive rebuild process for Minnesota to aim for a Super Bowl in 2025 and 2026 — if one assumed that McCarthy would pan out.

Instead, the Vikings traded away the quarterback who would later win the Super Bowl, Sam Darnold, while this offseason wondering whether McCarthy would develop into a dependable starter.

In short, O’Connell likely feels the heat to win now or risk losing his job. That’s the real timeline. Minnesota hired him in 2022, and through four seasons, he reached the postseason twice and won no playoff games. Regarding playoff success, it’s go-time for O’Connell. He can’t bet it all on McCarthy.

All Bets off at QB

Earlier in the offseason, ESPN reported that “all bets were off” on McCarthy’s future, meaning the club wouldn’t tie its success to him alone. In theory, they could call about big-fish trades for players like Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, or Justin Herbert. They could explore the availability of Kyler Murray and Mac Jones. They could add a veteran like Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, Derek Carr, or Geno Smith.

Kyler Murray warms up wearing a memorial patch before a Cardinals home game. — Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up on the field while wearing a WVB bow tie patch honoring late owner William V. Bidwill before kickoff. The quarterback completed pregame routines ahead of the home contest. Oct 13, 2019; Glendale, Arizona, USA: Murray prepared for action while honoring the longtime Cardinals owner. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic via Imagn Content Services, LLC.

Every single one of those alternatives feels realistic, especially after the comments from O’Connell and Brzezinski at the Combine. McCarthy will probably be on the roster, but it’s a safe assumption that he’ll fight for the QB1 job — like Anthony Richardson versus Daniel Jones in Indianapolis last summer.

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Matthijs de Ligt faces new Manchester United challenge as he targets injury return

Published

32 minutes ago

25 February 2026

NewsAdmin

Man Utd centre-back Matthijs de Ligt has been out for three months with a back injury but he could return in March.

When Matthijs de Ligt returns to the Manchester United team, which could be within the next month, he will find it is unrecognisable from the last time he pulled on the shirt.

De Ligt last played for United on November 30, when there was still hope that Ruben Amorim could deliver the answers at Old Trafford. That win at Crystal Palace steadied the ship after the disastrous defeat to 10-man Everton, and there was no sense that within five weeks the Portuguese head coach would have left the club.

The brief Darren Fletcher era passed De Ligt by, and his return will now come under Michael Carrick, who has breathed new life into United’s season and given them a golden opportunity to return to the Champions League with 11 Premier League games remaining.

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If there is a problem for De Ligt, beyond returning to full fitness after three months out injured, it is that the change in the dugout means United now field two centre-backs rather than three, and he has lost momentum during his spell on the sidelines.

De Ligt had been intermittently feeling back pain before aggravating it in United’s win at Crystal Palace at the end of November. He came through that fixture and, at the time, had played every minute of the Premier League season to date.

But that run of 1,170 minutes stopped dead in south London and the counter hasn’t started ticking since. A week later, Amorim confirmed the injury but said he expected De Ligt’s absence to be short.

“For Matta, it is a small thing. I expect to have Matthijs next game [at Molineux],” he said. That was the start of December, but De Ligt hasn’t been seen for United since.

Updates from the three head coaches to have taken charge of the first team since then have played down his absence. Carrick referred to De Ligt as having had a setback about a month ago, but then attempted to correct himself and club sources clarified after that press conference that they wouldn’t refer to the issue as a “setback”.

A month has passed since then, and the Dutch centre-back is still not back in training or available for selection, and Amorim’s initial claim that he would be fit to face Wolves at Molineux on Monday, December 8, only adds to the intrigue.

That statement hasn’t helped De Ligt’s situation, although he has remained positive and upbeat during his rehabilitation. It is understood that there has been no significant setback and there is no mystery to the 26-year-old’s absence. It is simply the case that the issue has proven harder to shift than had been expected.

De Ligt is in regularly at Carrington doing his rehab, and on a couple of occasions, he has felt close to a return, only to feel pain again in the back area. Every time that happens it delays his return and it is why Amorim, Fletcher and Carrick have all found it difficult to put a timescale on it, with United now cautioning against a timeframe and Carrick speaking more generically of late.

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It has been unfortunate timing. De Ligt was in the best form of his United career before his injury, as his status as an ever-present in the Premier League proved. While he has been forced to watch, he has seen Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez flourish as a partnership in the centre of defence.

Maguire has been outstanding under Carrick and is looking like he could earn himself a new contract. Martinez picked up a calf injury last week that ruled him out of the win at Everton, but he is expected to return to training before the return fixture against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

That might come too soon for the Argentine, but in 20-year-old Leny Yoro, who looks to be over his own patchy form under Amorim, United have an able deputy. De Ligt will be an afterthought against the opponents he last played against.

He is unlikely to be fit in time to face Newcastle either, at which point there will be only nine games left this season. His chances of making the World Cup with the Netherlands could also be hanging in the balance.

This has been De Ligt’s longest injury absence since missing 17 games with a shoulder injury in 2020, although he has had a stop-start time of it with minor injuries since the start of the 2022/23 season. There have been 11 separate injury absences since then, most for just a few games, until this back problem.

That has made him more aware of his own body and as he enters what should be the peak years of his career, he is determined to return when he feels he is right, rather than rushing back and risking a more severe setback and facing another spell out of action.

Within the next month or so, De Ligt hopes this issue will be in the rearview mirror, and he can focus on trying to win his place back in the side before the end of the season. That will be easier said than done, but his first challenge will be getting back onto the grass at Carrington.

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Brad Widdup open-minded on 2026 Surround Stakes tactics for Savvy Hallie

Published

45 minutes ago

25 February 2026

NewsAdmin

Savvy Hallie set the pace throughout the Light Fingers Stakes, but her trainer Brad Widdup is comfortable allowing expert jockey Nash Rawiller to call the shots in the Group One encounter facing elite filly Tempted during the Surround Stakes at Randwick.

In the compact field of eight, the three-year-old seems primed to lead, yet Widdup concedes a foe could unsettle the rhythm, trusting horse and rider to respond effectively.

“I’ll leave it up to Nash. You never know, someone might want to go a bit hard this time around,” Widdup said.

“We can only worry about ourselves, and we’re very happy with her. She’s had a trouble free preparation, so fingers crossed she can keep going.”

The select group of eight features Savvy Hallie from post six, topped by Tempted, runner-up in the Everest, Apocalyptic who took the Flight Stakes, and Ole Dancer, Thousand Guineas winner making her initial Sydney appearance.

Rain is on the cards, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, possibly delivering 3mm to 60mm in coming days.

Either scenario suits Widdup fine, as Savvy Hallie performs well on good or heavy going.

No Surround Stakes (1400m) victory on his resume, Widdup was nonetheless present at Crown Lodge for the wins of Portillo (2009) and Parables (2011), viewing Savvy Hallie in the same league.

“Portillo was a good two-year-old and trained on, Parables came later. But I think Savvy Hallie is definitely in their mould,” he said.

“You never get too carried away with this sort of race, but it’s great to have a really good chance.

“She hasn’t gone backwards and you’d like to think she should be competitive.”

Fields out on Wednesday pegged Tempted a $1.60 top pick, Apocalyptic at $4.20, with just Ole Dancer ($8.50) and Savvy Hallie ($9.50) also at single-figure quotes.

Discover betting sites offering competitive racing odds for the Surround Stakes.

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Tim Bradley tells two weight world champion to retire after ‘horrible’ performance

Published

59 minutes ago

25 February 2026

NewsAdmin

Tim Bradley became a world champion in two weight divisions during his time in the ring, but now the 42-year-old Californian has told another two-weight conqueror to walk away from the sport, believing his best days to be behind him.

Bradley held the WBC and WBO super-lightweight world titles and the WBO welterweight crown, defeating Junior Witter, Kendall Holt and Manny Pacquiao to get his hands on each of those belts.

Meanwhile, Mario Barrios held the WBA (Regular) title in the super-lightweight division by defeating Botirzhon Akhmedov and was upgraded to WBC welterweight world champion in June 2024.

Heading into his fight against Ryan Garcia on Saturday night, Barrios had remarkably made two defences of the title but had not won a world title contest since 2020, having retained the 147lb belt with draws against Abel Ramos and Pacquiao.

Before the fight Bradley expected Garcia to be an ‘easy’ stylistic match-up for Barrios.

“Mario Barrios, if you don’t get this done, man, damn. This should be easy for you, easy.
“[Joe] Goossen, if you don’t get this done, you worked with this man, Ryan Garcia, you worked side-by-side with this man for several fights. If you don’t get this done with Mario Barrios, you are a sorry a** trainer too.”
“Ryan Garcia is fake trash. Doo-doo butter. Yeah, Ryan, you trash. You ain’t got no right hand, you take your left hand away and it is over with.”
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“All it takes is somebody that is tough, somebody that is smart. Take that left hand away from your a** and you are done, bro. Put your a** in that scary [Philly] shell, where you turn your back? You are done, my boy. You ain’t got no boxing skills, no real skills.”

However, after Garcia scored a knockdown and dictated the entirety of the contest to claim the WBC welterweight strap, Bradley has now stated that Barrios should retire from boxing, labelling the performance of ‘El Azteca’ as ‘horrible’.

“Barrios stayed mid-range the whole damn fight, man, when you going to get outside, use that range and use those angles, man. [You will] not get hit with that s**t.
“This was a horrible performance by Mario Barrios, man. You need to hang ‘em up, bro. Say goodbye! Yeah, you need to go, my dude. For real, bro, your last two performances, they have been doo-doo, straight up butter.”

Garcia went on to call for a fight with super-lightweight star Shakur Stevenson during the aftermath of his win, but the Newark southpaw maintains that any potential fight must take place at a catchweight of 144lbs.

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Man United latest: Michael Carrick told to drop star amid Marcus Rashford transfer twist

Published

1 hour ago

25 February 2026

NewsAdmin

Manchester United secured another three points on Monday night with Benjamin Sesko’s goal against Everton while, off the pitch, Marcus Rashford’s future remains in focus

Manchester United secured another three points on Monday evening as they aim to solidify their top four spot position. A solitary goal proved sufficient for Michael Carrick’s side at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Benjamin Sesko making an impact from the bench once again.

Crystal Palace will be the next visitors to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. United triumphed in the reverse fixture at Selhurst Park in November with Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount, when Ruben Amorim was still in the dugout.

United still have their top four fate very much in their own hands. Fixtures against fellow Champions League contenders Chelsea and Liverpool lie ahead, though, so they’ll want to rack up as many points as possible in the meantime.

Carrick’s team selection has proved a topic of discussion, despite another victory on Monday. Off the pitch, Marcus Rashford’s future remains a major talking point as we bring you the latest from around Old Trafford.

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Barcelona chief’s meeting over Rashford

Barcelona will be able to sign Marcus Rashford for approximately £26million at the conclusion of what has so far been a successful loan spell. However, the Catalan club are reportedly eager to get even more of a discount on the Manchester United forward.

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As reported by Sport, Rashford’s agent Arturo Canales has held discussions with Barca’s sporting director Deco regarding the player’s future. Deco is reportedly eager to negotiate a lower fee for Rashford, although there’s currently no indication that the club would withdraw their interest if United stand firm on the number agreed when the player moved to la Liga.

Despite not being a consistent starter, Rashford has contributed 10 goals and 13 assists for Barcelona this season. He has recently been sidelined due to injury but was back among the substitutes for a weekend triumph over Levante which saw Barca end the weekend in top spot.

Carrick receives Sesko advice

Benjamin Sesko staked his claim for more starting appearances with his goal on Monday but the pressing question is who the striker should replace. He was brought on for Amad against Everton, leading to a reshuffle of the front line, and ex-United skipper Gary Neville believes this alteration should be implemented from the outset in the next match.

Neville gave interim manager Carrick firm advice over an attacking reshuffle, telling Sky Sports: “I think now on Sunday Michael Carrick starts him (Sesko). Just feeling how Michael would look at that, I think it would kill the lad if he didn’t start.

“I think what you’ll see on Sunday is [Matheus] Cunha to the left, [Bryan] Mbeumo to the right, Sesko up top and Bruno in behind. I think Amad will just slip out for a game, he has been really good but I think Sesko starts.”

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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.

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Canterbury Bulldogs vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Tips, Odds, Teams & Predictions – NRL Round 1 2026

Published

1 hour ago

25 February 2026

NewsAdmin

Allegiant Stadium will play host to Sunday’s
Round 1 NRL game between Canterbury Bulldogs and
St. George Illawarra Dragons. The game kicks off at 3:30 pm with Canterbury Bulldogs heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Canterbury Bulldogs vs.
St. George Illawarra Dragons
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Sunday March 1, 2026 at 3:30 pm

Where: Allegiant Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Canterbury Bulldogs vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Odds

Canterbury Bulldogs vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Preview

Canterbury’s steady rise under Cameron Ciraldo faces its latest test against a Dragons outfit still searching for consistency. The Bulldogs returned to the finals in 2024 and pushed into the top four last season, building a forward pack capable of overpowering most rivals.

St George Illawarra, guided by Shane Flanagan, have shown patches of resolve but continue to wrestle with key playmaking combinations. The Bulldogs have claimed the past five clashes between the sides, though both meetings in 2025 were decided by eight points or fewer.

With Matt Burton named and combinations settling, Canterbury’s class through the middle should prove decisive. Laying the 7.5-point line looks justified if they reproduce their early-season intensity.

Canterbury Bulldogs vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Teams

Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Harry Hayes 17. Josh Curran 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Jake Turpin 21. Enari Tuala 22. Jonathan Sua 23. Alekolasimi Jones

Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Setu Tu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Daniel Atkinson 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Hame Sele 15. Josh Kerr 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Ryan Couchman 18. Lyhkan King-Togia 19. David Fale 20. Jacob Halangahu 21. Mathew Feagai 22. Tyrell Sloan

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NBA Roundup: Second-half surge sparks Cavaliers to beat Knicks

Published

2 hours ago

25 February 2026

NewsAdmin

Jarrett Allen had 19 points and 10 rebounds as the Cavaliers won for the eighth time in nine games.

Jalen Brunson had 20 points and Mikal Bridges scored 18 for the Knicks. Mitchell Robinson pulled down 15 rebounds, one off a season high.

New York shot 35 of 86 as Bridges and Brunson were a combined 12 of 36. The Knicks shot 27 per cent from three-point range (10-of-37). Cleveland came into the game with the fourth-worst defence in the league on three-pointers.

The Cavaliers and Knicks are both 37-22 and tied for third place in the Eastern Conference. But New York would have the head-to-head tiebreaker edge if the teams are tied at the end of the season after taking two of three meetings.

INDIANAPOLIS — Joel Embiid had 27 points in his return to the lineup after missing five games with right shin soreness and right knee injury management, Tyrese Maxey scored 32 points, and Philadelphia beat Indiana.

Embiid scored 20 points in the first half, sinking 11-of-17 shots in 26 minutes. VJ Edgecombe chipped in with 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting for the 76ers, who shot 58 per cent.

Andrew Nembhard and Micah Potter each scored 23 for the Pacers, with Potter’s total a career high. Quenton Jackson had 15 points and rookie Kam Jones added a career-high 13 points.

Pacers leading scorer Pascal Siakam was out with a left wrist sprain. The Pacers also were without Aaron Nesmith, who missed his third consecutive game with right ankle sprain.

Indiana shot 42 per cent from the field and committed 16 turnovers. Philadelphia held a 44-41 rebounding edge with Maxey leading the way with nine rebounds. Jarace Walker had 10 rebounds for the Pacers.

The 76ers showed their dominance inside with a 82-52 edge in points in the paint.

NEW YORK — Marvin Bagley III scored 22 points, Naji Marshall had 21 and Dallas beat Brooklyn after both teams arrived in New York earlier in the day.

Both clubs played road games on Sunday and neither was able to fly into the New York area because of a blizzard. The Mavericks stayed in Indiana and the Nets remained in Atlanta. Both flew Tuesday and arrived in the early afternoon.

The change in schedule didn’t affect the Mavericks, who scored a season-high 76 points in the first half and won their second straight after a 10-game skid.

Brandon Williams had 19 points and 10 assists, while Klay Thompson added 17 points for the Mavericks, who shot 58.5 per cent from the field while playing their fourth consecutive game without No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg because of a sprained left foot.

TORONTO — Cason Wallace matched his career high with 27 points, Isaiah Joe had 22, and short-handed Oklahoma City beat Toronto for its fifth win in six games.

Alex Caruso scored 16 points, Luguentz Dort had 15 and Isaiah Hartenstein 11 as the NBA-leading Thunder won their third straight in Toronto.

Oklahoma City is an NBA-best 21-7 on the road.

Canadian star and reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remained sidelined for the Thunder because of an abdominal strain. He didn’t travel with the team on its lone regular-season visit to Canada.

In his place, Wallace provided his second straight 20-point game, adding six assists and eight rebounds.

Oklahoma City was also without Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain) and Jalen Williams (strained right hamstring). Caruso returned after missing Sunday’s home win over Cleveland because of a sprained left ankle.

RJ Barrett scored 21 points and Immanuel Quickley and Ja’Kobe Walter each had 17 but the Raptors lost for the first time in three games.

Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram each scored 15 points and Jamal Shead added 13.

ATLANTA — Jonathan Kuminga scored a season-high 27 points in his debut for the Hawks, who blew hapless Washington in Trae Young’s return to Atlanta.

Acquired by the Hawks at the trade deadline after falling out of favor in Golden State, Kuminga came off the bench to make a huge impact for his new team.

He delivered a thunderous dunk shortly after taking the court for the first time near the midway point of the first quarter, breaking into a big smile as he headed the other way.

That was only the start of Kuminga’s big night. Having completed his recovery from a left knee bone bruise, the high-flying forward from Congo knocked down a trio of three-pointers to go along with seven rebounds, four assists and two steals in 24 1/2 minutes.

Young was the focus at the beginning of the night. The longtime Hawks star was dealt to the Wizards in early January, ending an eight-year tenure that included four All-Star Game berths and an improbable run to the Eastern Conference finals in 2021.

The point guard has yet to play for his new team, which seems mainly concerned with landing a high draft pick for next season as Young recovers from knee and quadriceps injuries.

CHICAGO — Brandon Miller scored 23 points, Kon Knueppel added 21, and hot-shooting Charlotte won a team record eighth straight road game, routing Chicago.

The Hornets shot 51.6 per cent from the field and were on-target from beyond the arc, sinking 25-of-57 three-points attempts, one shy of the team record.

LaMelo Ball scored points 16 and Miles Bridges also had 16 in his return from a suspension. The Hornets outscored the Bulls 42-16 in the third quarter — including a decisive 22-2 run — and handed the Bulls a 10th straight loss, matching their longest slide since January 2019.

Matas Buzelis scored a career-high 32 points for Chicago, which was hurt by turnovers — 19 in this one. Patrick Williams and Guerschon Yabusele each had 11 points.

Knueppel finished with three three-pointers on six attempts to up his long-range field goals total to 201. Playing in his 58th game he became the fastest player to reach 200 threes.

PELICANS 113, WARRIORS 109

NEW ORLEANS — Zion Williamson scored 26 points, Dejounte Murray added 13 in his first game in nearly 13 months, and New Orleans beat injury-depleted Golden State.

Saddiq Bey scored 18 points, including a reverse layup he spun off the glass while being fouled to give New Orleans a 107-101 lead with 1:47 left. Former Warriors guard Jordan Poole added 12 points for New Orleans, which won its second straight and posted its fourth victory in six games.

De’Anthony Melton scored a season-high 28 points for Golden State, but missed a free throw with 1:23 left and his team trailing by just four points.

Moses Moody scored 24 for the Warriors, who’ve lost three of four while taking the court missing several key players.

The Warriors played without Stephen Curry (right knee), Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and Al Horford (left toe). Curry, who has missed eight straight games, did not make the trip to New Orleans, coach Steve Kerr said. Only nine Warriors saw action in the game.

MILWAUKEE — Kevin Porter Jr. matched his season high with 32 points and Bobby Portis and Ryan Rollins scored 21 apiece as Milwaukee beat Miami for its fourth win in five games.

Kyle Kuzma added 19 points and Ousmane Dieng 11 for the Bucks.

Norman Powell scored 26 points, Bam Adebayo finished with 18 points and nine rebounds and Andrew Wiggins had 16 points for the Heat, who had their three-game winning streak halted.

Tyler Herro and Kel’el Ware each scored 14 points and Pelle Larsson 10 for Miami. Davion Mitchell, who returned after missing a game due to illness, added eight points and eight assists.

PHOENIX — Derrick White scored 22 points, Neemias Queta had 14 points and 13 rebounds, and Boston used a big third quarter to beat Phoenix.

Sam Hauser shot 6-for-14, including 4-for-10 from three-point range, to add 16 points and the Celtics — playing without all-star Jaylen Brown (right knee contusion) — won their fourth in a row and for the ninth time in their last 10 games.

Baylor Scheierman had 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Collin Gillespie had 15 points and Grayson Allen scored 14 as the Suns lost for the fourth time in their last five games. The Suns played without their top two scorers, Devin Booker (right hip strain) and Dillon Brooks (left hand fracture), who combined average nearly 46 points per game.

The Celtics led 50-46 at halftime but took control by outscoring the Suns 30-11 in the third quarter, including a 16-0 run.

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QB Who? Bears claim trade interest high in backup Tyson Bagent

Published

2 hours ago

25 February 2026

NewsAdmin

NFL: NFC Divisional Round-Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears

Jan 18, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up while quarterback Tyson Bagent (17) looks on before an NFC Divisional Round game against the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Nobody predicted a quarterback quandary for the Chicago Bears this offseason.

With Caleb Williams leading a revival alongside first-year head coach Ben Johnson, the Bears won their first playoff game in 15 years and have the firepower behind their third-year quarterback to remain competitive in the near term.

But general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine they are indeed wrestling with a weighty decision at QB: whether or not to listen to trade calls for backup Tyson Bagent.

“It’s a really tough decision for us,” Poles said Tuesday, speaking an hour before Johnson took the podium at the Indiana Convention Center adjacent to Lucas Oil Stadium. “Obviously the tough thing is with what Ben thinks about Tyson, what I think about Tyson, what our locker room thinks about Tyson, it’s a tough decision for us. I think he would have an opportunity to go and perform for a team and do some really good things. You’ve got to weigh the short-term and long-term. So now, what’s the cost for a replacement to get someone like Tyson? Interesting dynamic there that we’re going to have to work through.

Bagent was undrafted in 2023 after five seasons as the starter at Division II Shepherd. He won a backup job in training camp before Johnson’s arrival in 2025.

He won two of his four starts as a rookie, including his first over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Bagent, who turns 26 in June, signed a two-year extension in August 2025 following Johnson’s first training camp with Bagent and the Bears.

“I love Tyson. We will always do what’s best for organization,” Johnson said. “I’m of the mind that he was one of the best 32 in the NFL.”

–Field Level Media

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Snoop Dogg’s surreal Swansea visit heralds late drama in Preston draw

Published

2 hours ago

25 February 2026

NewsAdmin

Preston had only brought around 200 fans for what was a sell-out. With tickets in the away end sold to Swansea supporters, this was a record number of home fans at a game in this stadium.

Yet the away fans were loudest during a first half in which their team led to puncture the party atmosphere.

“Snoop Dogg, what’s the score?” sang Preston’s travelling contingent, before later chanting: “Where’s your towel gone?”

Sat in the directors’ box in a long Swansea puffer coat, which would not have looked out of place on the slopes of the Winter Olympics in northern Italy, this was Snoop’s first experience of football’s tribal fan culture.

Fortunately for him, he got to sample the soaring high of an injury-time equaliser as well, as substitute Liam Cullen headed the Swans level in the 95th minute.

“After the game, he [Snoop] came to the dressing room, spoke with the players,” said Swansea head coach Vitor Matos.

“He’s someone that likes to be involved. He was involved not only with us, but as well with the [US] Olympic team. He really loves sports.

“It’s good for him to be involved. I’m happy that we have someone like him who loves the club, loves the city, wants to be here.”

When Swansea’s American owners Brett Cravatt and Jason Cohen brought Snoop in as a minority investor in July, the idea was not that the rapper would spend large amounts of his own enormous wealth on the club.

Instead, the Swans wanted to increase their global appeal by tapping into Snoop’s huge reach which includes more than 100m social media followers.

Some at the club believe that could create business and sponsorship opportunities which could outstrip those they had when they were in the Premier League.

Getting back to the top flight is the aim. After such a spectacular preamble, this first act at least produced a dramatic finish.

Now Swansea and Snoop wait to see what the next episode brings.

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