INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The opening night of the 2026 NBA All-Star weekend is in the books. Team Vince, coached by Vince Carter, defeated Team Melo, coached by Carmelo Anthony, in the NBA Rising Star Challenge title game behind a standout performance from VJ Edgecombe. The 76ers star guard was named MVP of the event.
This marked the fifth consecutive year that the top rookies, sophomores and G League players were split into different teams during the four-team event. The first team to 40 points in the semifinals advanced to the title game, while the first to 25 points captured the championship.
Edgecombe scored the game-winning free throw to give Team Vince bragging rights. Team Melo advanced to the title game after Dylan Harper, the No. 2 overall pick from the 2025 NBA Draft, knocked down a mid-range jumper over older brother, Ron Harper Jr.
Edgecombe scored the most points of any player in the semifinals. He finished with 17 points and six rebounds during Team Vince’s win over Team T-Mac, coached by Tracy McGrady. Egdecombe, the No. 3 overall pick in last year’s draft, has been one of the biggest stars among all first-year players.
Here are the biggest winners and losers from the opening night of NBA All-Star weekend.
Winner: Edgecombe steals the show
Edgecombe might not be participating in tomorrow’s dunk contest — although he should be, and would have a good chance of winning the event. Edgecombe did ball out in the Rising Stars Challenge. The 76ers star scored 17 points in the semifinals and six in the title game. Edgecombe’s play style as a high-flyer made him a perfect candidate to have a standout performance. It was appropriate that he got the final shot to send his team to the championship game.
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Loser: Fans miss out on watching Flagg
Less than 24 hours before the Rising Stars Challenge, Flagg was ruled out due to a mid-foot sprain. Flagg, the No. 1 pick from the 2025 NBA Draft, has been putting up video game-like numbers as of late. He became the first teenager in NBA history to record back-to-back 30-point double-doubles last month. He also scored 49 points against the Hornets, which was the most by a teenager in NBA history. It shouldn’t be long before fans get to watch play Flagg play on the final day of the event — the actual All-Star Game. It wouldn’t be surprising if that happens as soon as next season.
Winner: Yang Hansen shines in opening game
One of the biggest stars of the first semifinal game of the night was Yang Hansen. The No. 16 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft came off the bench and scored 10 points for Team Austin that was coached by Austin Rivers. Considering that Hansen is averaging just 7.5 minutes per game in his rookie season with Portland, this was the kind of performance that he could build upon in the remainder of the season.
Loser: Ron Harper Jr. gives up game-winner to younger brother
One of the top storylines of the first game of the evening between Team Melo and Team Austin was the battle between the Harper brothers. Ron Harper Jr., on the Maine Celtics, had to guard his kid brother, Dylan Harper of the San Antonio Spurs, on what would be the final possession of the game. The younger brother will be earning bragging rights in his household, as Dylan knocked down a go-ahead jumper to send Team Melo to the title game.
Winner: The format works
The four-team Rising Stars format should stay a fixture of All-Star weekend. Sure, several parts of NBA All-Star need an overhaul, but all three games Friday night were competitive, fun and had star power. That’s exactly what you need in an event like this. Edgecombe said it best when getting interviewed by an in-arena reporter. He said he wanted to win the event. Clearly, Edgecombe and others took pride in this game. It was refreshing to watch.
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Loser: Title game ends in not-so-dramatic fashion
While the Rising Stars title game was full of entertainment, the ending was not so dramatic. On the final offensive possession, Edgecombe got fouled trying to score at the rim. Edgecombe proceeded to knock down both free throws to give his team a 25-24 win. You hate to see a game as competitive as that one end without someone scoring a field goal.
Stade Brestois will host Le Havre at the Stade Francis-Le Bre on Sunday in another round of the 2025-26 Ligue 1 campaign. The home side have had mixed fortunes this season, although results recently have improved, as they sit ninth in the table, seven points adrift of the European qualification spots.
Fresh off an impressive 2-0 victory over Champions League-chasing Olympique Marseille a fortnight ago, Brest recorded back-to-back league victories for the first time this year last weekend, edging Metz 1-0. Les Pirates looked poised for a difficult outing at the Stade Saint Symphorien following a first-half red card for Daouda Guindo, but rose to the challenge, with Ludovic Ajorque finding the net for a second game running to secure victory for Eric Roy’s men.
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Le Havre, meanwhile, have struggled for results this season but remain hopeful of recording a more comfortable finish than they managed last term, when they avoided the drop by just one point.
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Le Club Doyen welcomed defending champions and league leaders Paris Saint-Germain to the Stade Oceane last time out and predictably faltered, falling 1-0, with goalkeeper Mory Diaw making multiple key saves to prevent a much heavier defeat.
Stade Brestois vs Le Havre Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
There have been 37 meetings between the two teams, with Brest winning 17 of those encounters and Le Havre claiming eight victories, while the remaining 12 contests ended in draws.
Le Havre won 1-0 when the two teams met earlier in the campaign, ending their five-game winless streak against Brest.
Only Auxerre (19) have scored fewer goals in Ligue 1 this season than Le Havre’s 20.
Brest, meanwhile, have scored 32 goals in the division so far, the fewest of any team in the top half.
Stade Brestois vs Le Havre Prediction
Les Pirates have collected three wins and two draws from their last five matches after losing four of their previous five. They have also won five of their last six home games and will head into Sunday’s fixture with confidence sky-high.
Le Club Doyen, meanwhile, are on a run of back-to-back defeats and have won just two of their last seven matches, with a herculean effort needed on Sunday if they are to avoid defeat.
Prediction: Stade Brestois 2-0 Le Havre
Stade Brestois vs Le Havre Betting Tips
Tip 1 – Result: Brest to win
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Tip 2 – Goals – Over/under 2.5 – Under 2.5 goals (Five of the hosts’ last six matches have produced fewer than 2.5 goals)
The Ironclad in Slay the Spire 2 grants improved resilience, powerful combos, and heavy-hitting abilities. This beginner-friendly deck originating from the demonic pact allows players to brute force their way to the end. The vast card pool cards of The Ironclad allow users to create either a Strength, Block, Exhaust, or Bloodletting build.
However, choosing the right cards can be overwhelming, yet it is essential for securing victory in this roguelike deckbuilder title. Read on, as we discuss the best ways to play the Ironclad in Slay the Spire 2.
How to play The Ironclad in Slay the Spire 2
The Ironclad character will be available from the beginning in Slay the Spire 2. You might be enticed to use the entity and its associated cards. With abilities to manipulate HP and Strength, you can become extremely resilient early on to soak up incoming damage before unleashing powerful heavy attacks.
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You can later recover from the punishments using the after-combat healing ability of the character. Below we have discussed the best cards you can use with the Ironclad builds:
The Ironclad Strength build: Best cards and abilities
A crucial card for Strength build (Image via Mega Crit)
Key cards
Demon Form: At the start of your turn, gain 2 Strength.
Whirlwind: Deal 5 damage to ALL enemies X times.
Heavy Blade: Deal 14 damage. Strength affects this card 3 times.
Relic recommendations
Orichalcum
Horn Cleat
Captain’s Wheel
The Ironclad’s Strength build in Slay the Spire 2 is quite straightforward. It allows you to buff the specified stat to increase the overall damage output. Use Demon Form, Spot Weakness, and Limit Break to gain more Strength scaling.
To make your attacks more effective and hit multiple targets, use Whirlwind, Sword Boomerang, and Twin Strike. Make sure to also use Heavy Blade for its exponential Strength scaling. As for the relics, they will improve your blocking capabilities, which will allow the Ironclad to focus on dealing damage.
The Ironclad Block build: Best cards and abilities
Body Slam lets you deal damage with a Block build (Image via Mega Crit)
Key cards
Body Slam: Deal damage equal to your Block.
Entrench: Double your Block.
Barricade: Block is not removed at the start of your turn.
Relic recommendations
The Ironclad’s Block build in Slay the Spire 2 is all about absorbing damage before retaliation. As such, you benefit from the Barricade and Body Slam cards. The latter enables your character to deal damage after you endure the punishments.
Pick up Bronze Scales specifically to be able to tank the incoming attacks.
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The Ironclad Exhaust build: Best cards and abilities
Use Dark Embrace for the Exhaust build (Image via Mega Crit)
Key cards
Corruption: Skill costs no energy. Whenever you play a Skill, Exhaust it.
Dark Embrace: Whenever a card is Exhausted, draw a card.
Feel No Pain: Whenever a card is Exhausted, gain 3 Block.
Relic recommendations
This combo in Slay the Spire 2 allows you to unleash powerful synergies and use them to deal heavy damage at the expense of exhausting a card. Corruption, Dark Embrace, and Feel No Pain will consistently replenish the draw pile. Dead Branch will further ensure that you never run out of cards.
The Ironclad Bloodletting build: Best cards and abilities
Key cards
Rupture: Whenver you lose HP on your turn, gain 1 Strength.
Brutality: At the start of your turn lose 1 HP and draw 1 card.
Relic recommendations
Self-Forming Clay
Blue Candle
Bloodletting ability boasts some of the most powerful cards in Slay the Spire 2. They usually inflict damage to the Ironclad and rely on deck synergies to turn him into a strength-scaling champ. Rupture boosts the Strength stat while Brutality causes self-damage.
With the accumulative stacks, you can use Heavy Blow to deal massive damage. Feed and Reaper cards will grant bonus HP to help Ironclad survive the battle.
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For the Oilers, centre Adam Henrique left the game after blocking a shot with his knee.
Henrique played 7:09 before being forced to exit. He won two faceoffs and took two shots on goal in the 6-3 loss.
Edmonton head coach Kris Knoblauch didn’t have an update on the 36-year-old, but said that Henrique’s knee didn’t feel good enough to return to the game.
Henrique has played in 48 games for the Oilers this season, scoring two goals and 10 points.
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It’s unclear how the veteran blue-liner suffered the injury, but he did get tangled up with Oilers forward Colton Dach in the first period. He stayed in the game to close the opening frame, but didn’t come back for the second period.
Gostisbehere logged 4:01 of ice time and scored his 11th goal of the season before departing.
The 32-year-old has battled a lower-body injury for much of the 2025-26 campaign. Friday was just his 45th game of the year. His goal brought him to 43 points on the season.
Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour also didn’t have an update on the defenceman post-game.
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“I don’t have one. It’s obviously not good,” the coach said, per The Hockey News‘ Ryan Henkel. “He’s been dealing with stuff it feels like all year. Just when he gets rolling, he just gets nicked up. I don’t really have an update at this point.”
With the results of the NFL combine in the books, there is always a reevaluation of draft boards as players’ draft stock goes up or down depending on their performance. That has been the case for some players who are potential Vikings draft targets.
Several Fits for Minnesota Took a New Turn in Indianapolis
The NFL combine is an essential part of the pre-draft process. It gives players a chance to showcase their raw ability, which can be compared not only with their fellow draft prospects this year but also with the historic results of players who have gone on to achieve great things in the league.
Several Vikings draft prospects have seen their draft stock go up or down following the combine. I will look at four players whose stock has risen and three whose stock has fallen, and what that means for their prospects of becoming a Minnesota Viking.
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Dillon Thieneman (S), Oregon – Stock Up
Dillon Thieneman is being compared to Harrison Smith, and with the Vikings needing help in the secondary, he is becoming a more popular choice at 18th overall. That high in the draft might have been seen as too high for Thienemen before the combine, but not so much now.
Nov 29, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) intercepts a pass against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
His athletic prowess is undeniable after he ran a blazing 4.35-second 40-yard dash with an equally impressive 1.52-second 10-yard split. Thieneman also ranked second among the safety group with a 41-inch vertical jump. Thieneman has pushed his claim to be not just a first-round pick but in the top 20, which puts him in the Vikings’ range. Landing in Minnesota with Smith comparisons will bring with it a unique kind of pressure.
Chris Johnson (CB), San Diego State – Stock Up
The Vikings need help at CB, but I’m not seeing the lockdown outside corner the Vikings need at 18 – without there being a catch. Chris Johnson looked smooth on tape during his college career without looking like a top-flight athlete. After an excellent combine, Johnson’s draft stock is up, so the question for the Vikings is will he be available at 49?
Caleb Banks (DI), Florida – Stock Up
My 2026 draft crush has been Caleb Banks, and the Florida interior defensive lineman did his best to back up my claims at the combine. Banks measured and tested like an absolute beast, allaying any concerns created by the foot injury that made him miss much of the 2025 season. Any doubts that he is first-round material are now gone. I’m sticking to my claim that Banks would be an excellent choice for the Vikings at 18.
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Eli Stowers (TE), Vanderbilt – Stock Up
Kenyon Sadiq has been the clear TE1 in this draft class, but after showcasing his elite athleticism at the combine, Eli Stowers may have solidified himself as TE2 in this class and weighed in at 239 pounds. His 4.51-second 40-yard dash ranked second among the TE group, behind only Sadiq. He led all players with his incredible 45.5-inch vertical jump.
Stowers has put some weight on for the draft process and probably needs to add a bit more to be an every-down player. With TJ Hockenson and Josh Oliver already in Minnesota, Stowers would be an intriguing receiving option who could develop into a starter with some added bulk if the Vikings can land him on Day 2.
Jermod McCoy (CB), Tennessee – Stock Down
Jermod McCoy is one of the most intriguing prospects with medical concerns, having been 13 months removed from a major knee injury, meaning scouts haven’t seen him in action since last January. McCoy did not participate in any testing aside from the bench press.
Nothing makes a player’s draft stock slide like injury concerns, and if McCoy doesn’t perform well – or at all – at his pro day, he will represent a big risk. These concerns might see him slide down to the Vikings at 18, but will they also be the reason they let him keep sliding?
Emmett Johnson (RB), Nebraska – Stock Down
Emmet Johnson has been a favourite of some Vikings onlookers and was at least in the mix for RB2 with all the backs jockeying for positioning behind Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love. Johnson had a rough time at the combine, running a relatively average 4.56-second 40-yard dash.
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He also failed to impress with a 35.5-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot broad jump, and he logged a well-below-average 7.32 seconds in the three-cone drill. Johnson’s game is based more on his vision and craft behind the line of scrimmage, and he can certainly be a productive runner in the NFL, but his lack of elite traits may make him slide. Possibly good news for the Vikings if they want to hold off on selecting an RB.
Peter Woods (IDL), Clemson – Stock Down
Peter Woods looked like a top 10 pick and a certainty to be the first interior defensive lineman off the board. That’s all changed as his slide started before the combine. It felt like Woods needed a good week with his 2025 tape a step back from 2024.
Aug 31, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive lineman Peter Woods (11) shown on the field pregame prior to the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
While other IDLs like Banks and Lee Hunter are having excellent pre-draft processes, Woods didn’t participate in any drills and measured in at 6-2, 298, with 31-inch arms. He is in danger of becoming the forgotten man in this draft, but that could be to the Vikings’ advantage.
Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.
The Pitt season 2 episode 10 is expected to continue the developments affecting all medical personnel at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center following the previous episode.
Season 2 of the medical drama series is still airing in real time, covering only one shift on the Fourth of July, focusing on the emotional and operational issues affecting the medical field. The hospital personnel at the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center were still reeling from the effects of the cyberattack that had crippled their digital systems in episode 9.
The hospital also narrowly escaped a major medical crisis due to a mistake in their temporary analog system, and Roxie, a terminal cancer patient, confided in the medical personnel that she had been hiding the severity of her pain from her family.
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The upcoming The Pitt season 2 episode 10 is expected to see the hospital preparing to handle a new emergency situation arising from the collapse of a water slide, with multiple people injured. Episode 10 will premiere on March 12, 2026, at 9 pm ET.
When does The Pitt season 2 episode 10 come out? Release time for all major time zones
A still from the series (Image via YouTube/ HBO Max)
The Pitt season 2 episode 10 will premiere on March 12, 2026, exclusively on HBO Max at 6 pm PT.
Here are the release timings for various time zones:
Regions
Release date
Release Time
Pacific Time (PT)
March 12, 2026
6 pm
Central Time (CT)
March 12, 2026
8 pm
Mountain Time (MT)
March 12, 2026
7 pm
Eastern Time (ET)
March 12, 2026
9 pm
British Summer Time (BST)
March 13, 2026
2 am
Central European Time (CET)
March 13, 2026
3 am
India Standard Time (IST)
March 13, 2026
7:30 am
How many episodes are left in The Pitt season 2?
The Pitt season 2 will follow HBO Max’s standard weekly release schedule, with new episodes debuting weekly. Season 2 of The Pitt consists of 15 episodes. Including episode 10, six episodes remain to air before the end of season 2.
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A brief recap of The Pitt season 2 episode 9
A still from the series (Image via YouTube/ HBO Max)
In The Pitt season 2 episode 9, titled 3:00 P.M., we see the medical team at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center dealing with their chaotic Fourth of July shift as they try to run the facility without their digital systems, which have been compromised by a cyberattack. In the episode, viewers see one of their major cases involving Jude, a young boy who loses two fingers after being injured by a firecracker incident.
In dealing with Jude’s injuries, viewers find out that Jude’s parents have been deported to Haiti, and so Jude’s older sister, Chantal, is now his legal guardian, which creates concerns that she and Jude might be separated by social services. In other news, intern Dr. Javadi made a serious mistake by forgetting to enter her patient into the whiteboard system, which resulted in a medical emergency requiring surgery.
In other news, Dr. Mel King is preoccupied before her deposition for her malpractice lawsuit, as her sister, Becca, comes into the hospital with signs of a urinary infection. The episode also deals with emotional stories of the patients, such as Roxie, who is a terminal cancer patient and reveals to those around her that she has been hiding her pain from her family.
The episode ends with news of a water slide collapse, which will soon result in several injured patients arriving at the already overwhelmed ER.
What to expect from The Pitt season 2 episode 10?
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The Pitt season 2 episode 10 is anticipated to proceed from the events that took place in episode 9. The Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center is preparing for an emergency. There is an announcement that the water slide at the water park near the medical center has collapsed, resulting in several people being injured, with at least one fatality.
Since several other hospitals have been affected by the cyberattack, the victims of the water park tragedy are likely to seek medical attention at the PTMC. Episode 10 is anticipated to focus on the measures the medical center’s emergency department takes to address the emergency situation despite the lack of its information technology systems.
Medical practitioners in the emergency department may have to rely on manual record-keeping, which may delay the provision of medical attention to victims.
The Pitt season 2 episode 10 will premiere on March 12, 2026, on HBO.
Crystal Palace will not be required to sign Super Eagles midfielder Christantus Uche on a permanent deal after the conditions attached to his transfer can no longer be fulfilled.
Uche joined the Premier League club on loan from Spanish side Getafe last summer after an impressive first season in Spain. The move came after Getafe agreed to let him leave as they tried to meet La Liga’s strict financial rules.
Both clubs agreed that the deal would become permanent if the Nigerian midfielder started at least 10 Premier League matches during the season.
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However, Uche has struggled to secure regular playing time in England. The midfielder has mostly appeared as a substitute and has not started any Premier League game this season.
Crystal Palace played their 29th league match of the campaign against Tottenham on Thursday. The game was important for Uche because it marked the start of the final 10 matches of the season.
But he only came on in the second half during Palace’s 3–1 victory. That appearance confirmed that he can no longer reach the required 10 league starts needed to activate the permanent transfer clause.
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As a result, the Nigerian midfielder is expected to return to Getafe when the season ends.
Despite this, his future at the Spanish club is still uncertain. Getafe previously allowed him to leave on loan to reduce their wage bill and register new players.
With Uche set to return, the club may again face financial pressure and could decide to sell him if a good offer arrives.
Although he has played limited minutes in England, his experience in the Premier League has attracted interest from several clubs across Europe, which could open the door for another move in the summer transfer window.
Arike Ogunbowale, a four-time WNBA All-Star and Unrivaled league standout, was taken into police custody early Thursday after an alleged altercation at a Miami nightclub, police records showed.
Miami-Dade officers arrested Ogunbowale around 4:30 am after an unnamed male was suspected of being punched at Club E11EVEN. FOX Sports Radio reported, citing police sources, a man was struck “in the face and he fell to the ground.” The incident was allegedly recorded.
Ogunbowale was at the venue to celebrate winning the 2026 Unrivaled championship.
Arike Ogunbowale (24) of the Mist looks on against the Hive during the second quarter of an Unrivaled 2026 game at Sephora Arena on Jan. 31, 2026, in Medley, Florida.(Rich Storry/Getty Images)
According to police, surveillance footage from the nightclub supported the alleged victim’s account. The Dallas Wings guard, 29, faces a misdemeanor battery charge and was released on $1,000 bond.
Unrivaled addressed the incident in a statement, saying, “The league is aware of an incident involving Arike Ogunbowale and we are in the process of gathering additional information,” a spokesperson told ESPN. “We’re in contact with Arike and her representatives.”
Arike Ogunbowale (24) of the Mist celebrates after defeating the Phantom during Unrivaled 2026 Championship game at Sephora Arena on March 4, 2026 in Medley, Florida. (Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images)
In a statement to Fox News Digital, the Wings said they are “aware of an incident involving Arike Ogunbowale and are in the process of gathering more information. Further comments will be provided once we have more details.”
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Ogunbowale scored 19 points in Wednesday’s Unrivaled title game, but the Mist’s 80-74 win over the Phantom at Sephora Arena in Miami came with some controversy.
Mist wing Arike Ogunbowale (24) celebrates with her teammates after winning the Unrivaled championship game against the Phantom at Sephora Arena on March 4, 2026, in Miami, Florida.(Sam Navarro/Imagn Images)
Late in the game, with Ogunbowale and the Mist one point from victory, Breanna Stewart was called for an offensive foul on a drive to the basket.
Mist coach Zach O’Brien quickly challenged the referee’s call, which was eventually overturned. Stewart then went to free thrown line to clinch the upstart league’s title, marking the second consecutive year the Unrivaled championship has been clinched at the foul line.
May 7, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Kyler Murray in attendance during UFC 274 at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
It’s the second-to-last batch of Minnesota Vikings rumor mill before free agency, which starts on Monday with the “legal tampering” process. There is no shortage of hearsay regarding the purple team.
Three Vikings storylines gained steam before free agency opened.
This week, it’s all about Kyler Murray and a couple of Vikings pass-catchers.
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Minnesota’s Quarterback, Receiver, and Tight End Buzz — Intensified
The Purple Rumor Mill for March 7th, 2026.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) drops back during action against the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Sep 8, 2019. The rookie first overall pick maneuvered the pocket and looked downfield while making one of his early NFL starts during the season-opening matchup. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports that afternoon.
Rumor: The Vikings are the odds-on favorite to land Kyler Murray.
Sportsbooks offer odds on nearly everything in 2026, and Murray’s next destination has entered that mix.
NBC Sports’ Mike Florio wrote on Wednesday, “The Cardinals will release quarterback Kyler Murray next week. Where will he land? DraftKings has the Vikings as the early favorites to sign the first overall pick in the 2019 draft, at -110. The Jets are next at +175, with the Dolphins at +320 and the Browns at +450.”
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“The Falcons, at +500, are one of the most intriguing options, given their talent elsewhere on offense. As mentioned over the weekend, however, new president of football operations Matt Ryan (a 6’5″ former quarterback) will have to be content to ride with an undersized signal caller.”
At the moment, Minnesota sits in the pole position to land Murray, likely via a one-year prove-it arrangement at the league minimum.
The Vikings also lead the way in other betting markets like Kalshi, and they do so overwhelmingly. Murray to Minnesota — probably sometime next week — is no longer a hot take. It’s probably going to happen.
Rumor: Jalen Nailor will have a robust free-agent market.
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When the calendar flipped to January, Vikings fans had little clarity on Nailor’s free agency outlook. One path involved a modest return to Minnesota for roughly $4 million per season. Another involved a crowded market. As early March unfolds, the latter scenario appears likely.
The Athletic’s Alec Lewis scribed Tuesday, “More than 10 teams are eyeing Vikings receiver Jalen Nailor, according to league sources. Nailor recently turned 27 and will be one of the more coveted free-agent wide receivers next week. Even though he has caught only 69 NFL passes and never reached 450 yards in a season, multiple evaluators think he has the potential to become a priority signing.”
“The Vikings don’t want to lose Nailor. The coaches — especially receivers coach Keenan McCardell — have watched him progress into one of their best developmental stories. He can absorb a complex playbook. He is a willing run blocker. He possesses vertical speed, and he displays separation ability, too. One NFC executive posited that he could see Nailor producing an 80-catch season in the near future.”
That blurb points toward a player approaching a meaningful payday.
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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (1) accelerates upfield for yardage during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Nov 16, 2025. Nailor turned a short reception into extra yards while Minnesota pushed the drive forward late in the division rivalry. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images in front of the home crowd.
Lewis added, “Nailor’s contract will match that level of production. He could be in line for a three-year deal worth an average annual value of between $12 million and $15 million, league sources said.”
“By comparison, Giants receiver Darius Slayton signed a three-year contract worth $36 million a couple of seasons ago. Minnesota isn’t likely to spend big at receiver, given that it has plenty of other needs.”
Nailor’s days in Minnesota feel numbered.
Rumor: T.J. Hockenson will accept a paycut.
Lewis also chimed in on Minnesota’s broader free-agency outlook, including a potential adjustment to Hockenson’s contract.
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“The Vikings are prepared to make difficult decisions to alleviate their salary-cap concerns. Don’t expect a big-name free-agent splurge like last year. The Vikings are $40-plus million over the cap, and while that isn’t dire, it is significant. Pay cuts: Minnesota wants to lower the cap number for tight end T.J. Hockenson. He is amenable to lowering it, but the outcome is largely a matter of how low the Vikings want to go,” he wrote.
Before news of a potential pay cut emerged, Hockenson was widely expected to be traded, released, or undergo a standard restructure that would involve salary shifts without reducing his overall pay. Now, an outright pay cut is on the table.
Beyond Hockenson, Minnesota has Josh Oliver, Gavin Bartholomew, Ben Yurosek, and Bryson Nesbit under contract at tight end through 2026.
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Dec 7, 2025. Hockenson reacted emphatically as teammates gathered around following the second-half score that energized the home crowd. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images during the fourth-quarter surge for Minnesota as fans roared inside the stadium.
Realistically, none of these players seems ready to be a TE1 this season unless they show significant improvement during training camp. This situation could lead Minnesota to explore free agent options such as Isaiah Likely, Darren Waller, or Cade Otton.
The upcoming NFL draft in April also offers an opportunity to find a solution. Several intriguing tight end prospects are expected to be available in the early rounds, with Kenyon Sadiq from Oregon and Eli Stowers from Vanderbilt having impressed scouts at the NFL Combine last week.
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A source told VikingsTerritory this week that Minnesota “will rip up” Hockenson’s contract and totally redo it, suggesting the paycut is on the way.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic is underway, and Team USA is pulled away from Brazil for a lopsided opening win on Friday night. The Americans will face Great Britain on Saturday night in Houston as pool play continues. Team USA has put together its most star-studded roster in the history of the tournament, led by captain Aaron Judge and highlighted by stars including Cal Raleigh, Bobby Witt Jr., Kyle Schwarber, Pete Crow-Armstrong and more. The rotation, meanwhile, is headlined by Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes.
Will that be enough to take down the defending champions? Team Japan opened play with a dominant 13-0 win over Chinese Taipei on Tokyo on Friday. Shohei Ohtani hit a grand slam as part of Japan’s 10-run second inning, and his Dodger teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched 2 ⅔ scoreless innings.
Team USA, Japan and the Dominican Republic — with a powerful lineup that features Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. among other stars — are considered the favorites to win the tournament.
The Dominican Republic shook off a slow start and eventually broke things open in the country’s opener against Nicaragua on Friday. Junior Caminero, Julio Rodríguez and Oneil Cruz all homered for the D.R. as the team scored 12 runs.
The 20-team tournament is running from March 5-17 at four locations: Miami; Houston; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Tokyo. The Championship Game will be played on March 17 at loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins. Pool play is a round robin double-elimination tournament. The top two teams in Pools A and B will meet in the quarterfinals in Houston, while the top two teams in Pools C and D will meet in the quarterfinals in Miami. The semifinals and finals will again be played in Miami. After pool play, the rest of the tournament is single elimination.
All 47 games of the 2026 WBC will be broadcast by Fox and affiliated networks, including FS1, FS2, Fox Deportes and Tubi. Games can also be streamed on fubo (Try for free).
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(All times are Eastern)
WBC Pool Play
Wednesday, March 4 Australia 3, Chinese Taipei 0
Thursday, March 5 Korea 11, Czechia 4 Australia 5, Czechia 1
Friday, March 6 Japan 13, Chinese Taipei 0 Cuba 3, Panama 1 Venezuela 6, Netherlands 2 Mexico 8, Great Britain 2 Puerto Rico 5, Colombia 0 Dominican Republic 12, Nicaragua 3 USA 15, Brazil 5 Chinese Taipei 14, Czechia 0
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Saturday, March 7 Korea vs. Japan (5 a.m., FS1) Colombia vs. Canada (11 a.m., FS2) Nicaragua vs. Netherlands (12 p.m., Tubi) Brazil vs. Italy (1 p.m., Fox Sports App) Panama vs. Puerto Rico (6 p.m., FS1) Israel vs. Venezuela (7 p.m., FS2) Great Britain vs. USA (8 p.m., Fox) Chinese Taipei vs. Korea (10 p.m., FS2)
Sunday, March 8 Australia vs. Japan (6 a.m., FS1) Colombia vs. Cuba (12 p.m., FS2) Netherlands vs. Dominican Republic (12 p.m., Fox) Great Britain vs. Italy (1 p.m., Tubi) Panama vs. Canada (7 p.m., FS2) Nicaragua vs. Israel (7 p.m., Tubi) Brazil vs. Mexico (8 p.m., FS1)
Monday, March 9 Korea vs. Australia (6 a.m., FS1) Colombia vs. Panama (12 p.m., FS2) Dominican Republic vs. Israel (12 p.m., FS1) Brazil vs. Great Britain (1 p.m., Tubi) Venezuela vs. Nicaragua (7 p.m., FS2) Cuba vs. Puerto Rico (7 p.m., FS1) Mexico vs. United States (8 p.m., Fox)
Tuesday, March 10 Czechia vs. Japan (6 a.m., FS1) Israel vs. Netherlands (7 p.m., Fox) Canada vs. Puerto Rico (7 p.m., Tubi) Italy vs. United States (9 p.m., FS1)
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Wednesday, March 11 Canada vs. Cuba (3 p.m., FS2) Italy vs. Mexico (7 p.m., Tubi) Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela (8 p.m., FS1)
WBC Quarterfinals
Friday, March 13 TBD vs. TBD in Miami (6:30 p.m., FS2) TBD vs. TBD in Houston (8 p.m., Fox)
Saturday, March 14 TBD vs. TBD in Houston (3 p.m., FS1) TBD vs. TBD in Miami (9 p.m., Fox)
WBC Semifinals
Sunday, March 15 TBD vs. TBD in Miami (8 p.m., FS1)
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Monday, March 16 TBD vs. TBD in Miami (8 p.m., FS1)
WBC Championship
Tuesday, March 17 TBD vs. TBD in Miami (8 p.m., Fox)
That ban had been in place since 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the eve of the Winter Paralympics four years ago, although it was softened the following year to allow athletes to compete as neutrals.
The Russian flag has not been flown at a Paralympic Games or shown on the medal table since Sochi 2014, firstly because of the country’s state-sponsored doping scandal, before the Ukraine war led to those further sanctions.
Voronchikhina, 23, finished 2.47 seconds shy of the gold medal-winning time set by Sweden’s Ebba Aarsjoe in the standing downhill event in Cortina, while France’s Aurelie Richard took silver.
Because of the outright ban of all Russian athletes from the Beijing Games four years ago, Voronchikhina is competing at her first Paralympics, despite being a two-time world champion in the Para-alpine skiing events.
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She will compete in five further disciplines during these Games.
After returning to competition in January, Voronchikhina won four medals at her first World Cup in Saalbach, Austria, before double slalom gold in Feldberg, Germany, later in the month.
