Feb 28, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) reacts against the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Feisty Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets are in Washington on Monday night to take on the sagging Wizards.
Houston, third in the Western Conference, is coming off a 115-105 loss at Miami Saturday. In that contest, Durant and Heat star Tyler Herro had a heated conversation in the first quarter near the Heat bench resulting in both players getting technical fouls.
Durant, in his 18th season, remains one of the best talkers — and scorers — in the NBA. He leads the Rockets with 26.2 points a game and is shooting 39.9 percent from three-point range.
“I think we both needed a jolt of energy to start the game. I got respect for Tyler. He has respect for me. I appreciate his competitiveness and vice versa. I am mad we got techs though,” Durant said, smiling. “It was just talk. I just think it’s a natural part of the game.”
Houston will likely be without Jabari Smith Jr. against Washington with an ankle injury. Smith Jr. missed the loss to Miami, leaving a big hole in the middle of the Rockets defense that Miami exploited.
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“They were the tougher team,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “They put their heads down, shoulders in our chests, and got to the basket way too easy. “(They had) 66 points in the paint, and with individual defense, we didn’t stand up tough enough.”
Washington has lost seven of its last nine games and is deep in the Eastern Conference standings. Washington brought in Trae Young and Anthony Davis at the trade deadline, but Davis will definitely not play this season while Young has yet to play due to dealing with a knee injury.
The Wizards have also been without No. 2 overall 2024 pick Alex Sarr for the last two weeks with a hamstring injury. Sarr has averaged 17.2 points for Washington this season, showing noticeable improvement in his second season.
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Rookie guard Jamir Watkins has been eating up minutes for Washington and has scored in double figures in his last seven games, including 10 on 4-of-5 shooting in Saturday’s loss to Toronto.
“This is what this is all about, learning about these guys,” said Wizards coach Brian Keefe when asked about Watkins. “We’re seeing what he can do under pressure. I was really impressed with what he did tonight.”
Keefe also praised the recent performance by second-year big man Tristan Vukcevic, who has started five of the last six games.
“I think he’s made a big jump this year,” Keefe said. “He’s in the top percentile in terms of disrupting the game with steals and blocks. He gets his hand on a lot of balls. When you’re a big man, you are doing so much helping (on defense) then coming back to rebound. That shows part of his growth.”
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Washington’s main issue has been on the defensive side of the ball where they are allowing 123 points a game, second most in the NBA. Houston is at the opposite end, ranking second in the NBA giving up just 109 points.
Houston has won six games in a row in the series, including a 135-112 win on Nov. 12. A win by Houston Monday would tie the all-time series at 82 wins apiece.
Oct 26, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) celebrates after making a catch during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
When a team lands a big fish like Kyler Murray, sometimes his old friends want to join. That’s the case for wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who publicly acknowledged over the weekend that he’d like to join the Minnesota Vikings.
Hopkins wants in, and the Vikings have room for a proven veteran.
Hopkins is a free agent, and Minnesota may need a WR3. The connection makes sense.
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The Vikings Make Sense for DeAndre Hopkins
Would you mind Hopkins as the third wide receiver in 2026?
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray connects with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins during a game against Washington at State Farm Stadium, Sep 20, 2020, showcasing their early-season chemistry in Glendale. Hopkins quickly established himself as Murray’s top target in Arizona’s offense during his debut campaign. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Hopkins: I’m Here if Murray, Vikings Need Me
There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Hopkins would play for the Vikings this season if called upon.
Asked by TMZ this week about the Vikings as a landing spot, he replied, “Kyler — that’s my boy, man. Kyler is like family. I talked to Kyler throughout the year last year. I talked to Kyler after, you know, his situation in Arizona. Kyler’s like family, man.”
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“I would always, you know, embrace that journey with him. He’s on a one-year deal? Whatever I can do for what someone like that — if Kyler need me he know I’m there, if the Vikings need me they know I’ll be there.”
That doesn’t leave much to the imagination.
Hopkins’s Career Production
The Baltimore Ravens targeted Hopkins just 39 times in 2025 — or 14 fewer than Jalen Nailor in Minnesota, who filled the Vikings’ WR3 role last season. The year prior, in Kansas City and Tennessee, Hopkins posted WR3-adjacent numbers, perhaps suggesting he could return to that role in 2026 if fed targets from Kyler Murray.
Let’s suppose that the Vikings hear Hopkins interest and oblige. Before adding any WRs in the draft next month — Minnesota has nine picks on the menu, up from five in 2025 — the wide receiving gang could look like this:
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Justin Jefferson
Jordan Addison
DeAndre Hopkins
Tai Felton
Myles Price
Jeshaun Jones
Dontae Fleming
Joaquin Davis
It’s also worth noting that most of the other notable free-agent wide receivers have flown off the board to new teams, leaving Hopkins as a last man standing of sorts.
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins goes through pregame warmups at U.S. Bank Stadium before facing the Minnesota Vikings, Nov 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. The veteran receiver prepares for another matchup late in his career, bringing experience and route precision to Baltimore’s passing attack. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
NBC Sports‘ Mike Florio on the prospect of Hopkins to Minnesota: “The more pressing question for Hopkins is whether the Vikings envision a spot for him in the lineup. The depth chart is led by Justin Jefferson, obviously. Jordan Addison is the No. 2, as he approaches the last year of his first-round rookie deal. (The question of whether they’ll exercise his fifth-year option may not be the no-brainer it once seemed to be).”
“Jalen Nailor, mainly a slot receiver, left in free agency. Hopkins has a specific and unique skill set. He displayed it during Saturday’s flag football event, boxing out an overmatched Team USA defender to make a one-handed catch of the undersized ball. Hopkins could be a potent weapon in the red zone, giving Murray an option for jump balls in the back corner if/when the defense focuses on Jefferson.”
Other WR Options from Free Agency + Draft
Speaking of free agency, these are the remaining options for WR3 as of March 23rd, in addition to Hopkins:
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins lines up during Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles at Caesars Superdome, Feb 9, 2025, in New Orleans. Hopkins appears on football’s biggest stage, adding another milestone moment to a decorated NFL career. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Or — if the Vikings want a wideout in the first three rounds of the draft — again … after the Felton pick last year — these are the options, listed in Consensus Big Board order:
Carnell Tate (Ohio State)
Makai Lemon (USC)
Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State)
Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana)
Denzel Boston (Washington)
Kevin Concepcion (Texas A&M)
Chris Brazzell (Tennessee)
Chris Bell (Louisville)
Germie Bernard (Alabama)
Zachariah Branch (Georgia)
Malachi Fields (Notre Dame)
Antonio Williams (Clemson)
Elijah Sarratt (Indiana)
Skyler Bell (UConn)
Ted Hurst (Georgia State)
Bryce Lance (North Dakota State)
Deion Burks (Oklahoma)
Ja’Kobi Lane (USC)
Too, Minnesota could have strategically planned for a Felton redshirt year in 2025, meaning there’s a small chance that he’s tapped on the shoulder for WR3 duty and that Hopkins isn’t needed.
Hopkins will turn 34 this summer and has a borderline Hall of Fame resume.
Landon Donovan may be one of the most recognizable American men’s soccer players of all time.
Donovan was a part of the 2002 World Cup that made it to the quarterfinals and helped them get out of the group stage in 2010 following a disappointing outing in 2006. He scored one of the most memorable goals in 2010 when he scored in extra time to put the U.S. over Algeria and advance to the knockout stage.
With the highs that carried Donovan to newfound fame, there were also tremendous lows.
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan (26) in action against Orlando City FC during the second half at StubHub Center on Sept. 11, 2016.(Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports)
Donovan details his bout with depression, reconfiguring what success meant to him and his incredible soccer career in his new book, “Landon: A Memoir,” which is set to be released Tuesday.
He opened up to Fox News Digital about his mental health struggles and what depression looked like for him.
“I had two different types of experiences with depression,” he said. “I realized through therapy and in retrospect that I’ve had an underlying depression, low-level depression my whole life that I deal with today. So, there are days where I wake up and and I just feel down and sad nad that is very manageable for me now. I’ve learned how to I’ve with that.
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“But then I’ve also had three episodes in my life of very serious depressive episodes that have lasted weeks that have been really, really hard to get out of. So, what hat look liked for me – not being able to get off the couch, not wanting to eat and just feeling like there’s a massive blanket on top of you that you can’t get off and that’s a horrible feeling.”
The former American soccer star said he’s found ways to pull himself out of those moods, along with the help of therapy.
USA forward Landon Donovan (10) reacts after nearly scoring a goal against Antigua & Barbuda during the second half at Raymond James Stadium on June 8, 2012.(Matt Stamey/USA TODAY Sports)
“I say the three Ms for me,” he explained. “Medication has helped a lot it my life. Meditation helps a lot. And then, in some cases, my mom. Just my mom being there next to me has helped me. And so, I’ am at a point now where, knock on wood, it’s bee a long, long time since I’ve had a major depressive episode. But medication and meditation keep my calm and exercise really – these are the three things now that really keep me sane.”
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Donovan mentioned that he really began to struggle after the 2006 World Cup and failed to score or provide assists for the team. He took the brunt of the criticism from the media at the time. He was also left off the 2008 Olympics roster, though the team featured a U23 roster.
The silver lining to that is no one was going to Donovan’s MySpace page to unload furious comments or even death threats similar to what professional athletes hear now.
In that way, Donovan told Fox News Digital he feels “very fortunate.”
“We see so many people who are in the public eye who have to deal with social media hatred, criticism, critiquing all the time. And this would have all been exacerbated for me had that all been around,” he said. “I feel very, very fortunate for a number of reasons that social media didn’t exist at that time, but it is a very real thing.
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“People assume that because we’re in the public eye and we make money and we have fame and our lives should be easy. And by the way, compared to the person who’s struggling to put food on the table, it is easy, so I’m not minimizing that. But it is difficult at times to deal with that. We are, as humans, social creatures. And we want to be liked, we all want to be liked, that’s normal. And to open your screen every day, your phone or your computer, and read people disparaging you, is really hard for humans. And sadly, we’ve seen it take many, many lives.”
Donovan retired from professional soccer as one of the greatest Major League Soccer players the league had ever seen. He helped the U.S. to four Gold Cup titles and the LA Galaxy to four MLS Cups.
Success in 2026 compared to 2006 looks a little different to Donovan right now.
LA Galaxy defender Maya Yoshida (4) and former player Landon Donovan embrace after defeating the New York Red Bulls in the 2024 MLS Cup at Dignity Health Sports Park on Dec. 7, 2024.(Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn Images)
“Success for me now is peace,” he told Fox News Digital. “I am at peace when I’m with my children. I’m at peace with my wife, when we get to travel, when I get to play golf. It’s sometimes crazy for me to think that a kid who grew up in a 900-square-foot home is flying to New York, staying in a Ritz Carlton overlooking Central Park and to think back at like, how did all this happen? But it wasn’t always easy along the way. And so, for me today, peace is all about doing the things that that I love.
“Sadly, my dad is a big part of the book. He’s a big character throughout the book and he wasn’t around growing up. I was able to reconcile with him at 25 years old, so almost 20 years ago. He passed away in December, and it was very eye-opening for me to be next to someone as they’re dying. You start to realize that when I am there one day, what is really, really, gonna matter to me? So, when I think about it that way, and try to think about that every day, what today is really gonna matter. Most things aren’t gonna matter. And so, the things that bring me peace are the things I’m gonna put my energy and effort into.”
Terence Crawford may have retired back in December but that hasn’t stopped a reigning world champion from challenging him to a fight.
Crawford competed for the last time back in September when he successfully stepped up to 168lbs and defeated Canelo Alvarez to become undisputed super-middleweight world champion.
The American hung up the gloves three months later, ending an illustrious career that saw ‘Bud’ also hold world titles at lightweight and super-welterweight, along with undisputed reigns at super-lightweight and welterweight.
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It it a titleholder at 147lbs who now wants to take on Crawford, after WBC champion Ryan Garcia revealed his intentions on social media.
“If Bud is listening, I would love to fight you. I feel like I would literally beat the sh*t out of you. You’re a good fighter but I don’t think you’ve ever fought somebody with talent and explosiveness and power.
“Have you fought anybody with one punch knockout power? No. I feel Bud Crawford is overrated. I’ll beat the sh*t out of him. I feel like that in my heart. I would actually fight him, if he doesn’t want it that’s not my fault.
“He’s not a draw, he doesn’t bring anything to the table, he’s boring as f*ck, but I would probably give him the biggest payday of his life if he takes the fight.”
He famously defeated Devin Haney in 2024 before the result was changed to a no contest due to a failed drugs test, and while a clash against Crawford could be unlikely, a rematch between Haney and Garcia has been touted to potentially take place later this year.
Nelly Korda’s adventurous start to the 2026 LPGA Tour season continued this weekend. On Sunday, the World No. 2 threw away a comeback rally with a late 3-putt from short range in the final round to lose the 2026 Fortinet Founders Cup by one shot.
Technically, Korda ended a lengthy win drought at the first LPGA tournament of the season. But that victory came in controversial fashion (more on that below). A win Sunday in a full 72-hole event would have silenced any critics doubting her ability to rise back to World No. 1.
At the start of Sunday’s final round at the Founders Cup, Korda may not have had a victory in mind. Though she sat in second place, she was a distant five shots behind 54-hole leader Hyo Joo Kim.
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That dynamic changed in a hurry.
After an early bogey at the 2nd hole, Korda blitzed the rest of Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club’s front nine with five birdies. After a sixth birdie at the par-5 10th hole, Korda had completely erased the five-shot deficit.
With eight holes to play, Korda and Kim were knotted at 17 under. Despite making a bogey at 16, Kim had re-taken the lead by one shot by the time the final pairing reached the par-3 17th hole.
Heading into 17, Korda had made four-straight pars as she watched Kim begin to struggle. When Korda found the 17th green with her tee shot and Kim missed long, it looked as if Korda would at least tie the lead, if not take the lead, heading into the final hole.
That’s when things went haywire.
Korda’s birdie putt missed and left her with about a three-foot putt for par. Meanwhile, Kim hit a heroic chip from deep rough to set up a par putt of her own from a similar length.
Kim hit first and drained it for a tournament-saving par. Then Korda stepped up and made her stroke, only to watch her ball glide by the low side without touching the cup. The miss drew an audible gasp from an analyst on the Golf Channel broadcast.
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The disastrous short miss handed Korda a 3-putt bogey, dropping her two shots back heading to 18.
Kim ended up making bogey on the closing par-5, but Korda could only manage a par, which gave Kim a one-shot victory and Korda another near-miss.
After the round, Korda rued her “one stupid mistake” on 17 and said the 3-putt “stings,” but she also tried to take some positives from the experience.
“Obviously, something like 17 stings, so it is what it is. I felt great all day. I just kind of made one stupid mistake, and that was 17 (and then) 18,” Korda said Sunday night. “I wish I could have hit that drive into the fairway and given myself a better opportunity to press a little bit more.”
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She continued: “That’s just golf. Those are sports. Sometimes it’s on your side, and sometimes it’s not.”
Nelly Korda’s controversial win in rain-shortened LPGA event
Korda’s unfortunate loss comes on the heels of a victory in her first start of the season. But the situation surrounding that victory, the 16th LPGA win of her career, was anything but normal.
At the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in late January, the LPGA’s first tournament of the season, freezing temperatures hampered play.
A Saturday 64 had left Korda with a three-shot lead heading into Sunday, so when the tournament was called, Korda was officially given the victory. It was her first LPGA win since 2024.
But the decision came amid controversy. Korda was prepping on the range when the final round was canceled and called the course “playable” at the time.
LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam said, “I don’t know why they’re not playing,” while Korda’s competitor Lydia Ko, who was in fourth place, said, “I’m gutted that we don’t get to play tomorrow.”
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In a memo to LPGA members the next day obtained by GOLF, LPGA commissioner Craig Kessler apologized for the controversial finish to the Tournament of Champions, writing in part, “While the decision was a tough one and ran counter to prior statements we shared, I made a judgement call. With the benefit of hindsight, there were clearly other ways we should have managed the situation.”
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – MARCH 22: Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts against Caty McNally of the United States during Day 6 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 22, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
Aryna Sabalenka continues to look unstoppable at the Miami Open 2026, defeating Caty McNally 6–4, 6–2 to reach the Round of 16.
The world No. 1 is now on an eight-match winning streak, with all eight wins coming in Miami. Her 2026 record also improves to 19 wins and 1 loss.
This marks her fourth appearance in the Miami Round of 16, and she’s showing exactly why she’s the defending champion.
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Looking ahead to her next match against Qinwen Zheng, Sabalenka kept her focus clear:
“I’ll focus on myself. I’ll focus on my game. I’ll try to stay focused from the first point til the last. She’s an incredible player.”
“We played a lot of matches. I have a good record against her but it doesn’t say anything. It’s always tough battles. I’m always looking forward to play her. It’s always a fight and I really enjoy it.”
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She also took a moment to appreciate the atmosphere in Miami:
“It’s incredible. It’s an unbelievable atmosphere, a lot of Brazilian fans here. Obrigado guys for the support. I always enjoy playing in front of you all.”
Sabalenka is winning with confidence, consistency, and control.
It is a surprise to nobody who has watched college basketball over the last half-decade that Houston has looked like one of the most dominant teams in the country during the first weekend of the tournament. The Cougars have not lost a game in the first weekend of the tournament since 2018, and have an average margin of victory of over 20 points a game during the first weekend.
Kelvin Sampson deserves all the credit in the world for reviatilizing a dormant Houston program; however, more than just reviving a sleeping giant, he has an innate ability to get his guys to buy in. It can be easy for a heavy favorite to sleepwalk early in the tournament, just ask Jon Scheyer how he felt Duke’s energy looked in their first two games this weekend.
Houston can suffocate opponents with its defense. Many teams can lose focus on defense, but Sampson has his guys locked in from tip to buzzer. They hound ball handlers with relentless pressure. Unlike other teams that specialize in their elite defenses, Houston can turn their stops into points on the other end.
The Cougars are once again great at generating “Kill Shots”. A Kill Shot is a 10-0 that happens in a game. Houston was second in the country entering the tournament in kill shots with 38 on the season, while allowing only 11, good for fifth in the country. With that being said, the level of competition increases going into the Sweet 16, and they’ll be facing Illinois, a team that is third best in the country in adjusted Kill Shot margin.
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Illinois is a bit underseeded as a three seed and will be the toughest matchup for any two seed entering the second weekend. The Illini have the second-best offensive rating in the country and can attack Houston’s interior with a ton of lengthy big men who can cause issues for Houston’s front court, which has dealt with foul issues. Illinois can also punish them at the line if they’re too aggressive, as they shoot 78.4% as a team, good for 13th in the country.
Houston has struggled at times this year to find consistent offense and can deal with scoring droughts. That cannot happen against Illinois, as they will bury Houston if they go multiple minutes without scoring.
It’ll be a tough matchup for Houston, but they’ll essentially be playing a road game, as the game will be at the Toyota Center, home of the Houston Rockets. Illinois has also struggled when they’re matched up with tough defenses. They are 2-4 this season against teams with a top-25 defensive rating, scoring only 74 points per game, 10 fewer than their season average.
Houston opens this game as 2.5-point favorites, and it doesn’t make a ton of sense. Neither team likes to speed the game up, and if Illinois can deal with Houston’s elite ball pressure, they could be in line to pull off the minor upset.
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I really like Balkan Bloc on the road in the Sweet 16.
The first major domestic trophy of the season is Manchester City ‘s. And after a dominant 2-0 win against Arsenal in the English League Cup final on Sunday, it may not be the last.
Manchester-born Nico O’Reilly sealed victory with both goals in the second half at Wembley Stadium. The win could also have delivered a psychological blow in the race for the Premier League title as Pep Guardiola aims to chase down Arsenal’s nine-point lead at the top of the standings.
“(It’s an) unbelievable feeling to win a final and to beat this team. We know how good they are,” O’Reilly told Sky Sports. “We need to build on it now, it’ll give us momentum.”
This was serial trophy-winner Guardiola flexing his muscles. It was his 16th major trophy as City manager and a record fifth League Cup. He has won 34 career titles as a manager including his time at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
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And, once again, he was stamping out Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s own ambitions, having twice beaten his former assistant to the league title in recent years.
“I’m really pleased because I know the opponent we played. Mikel created a team that is almost unbeatable,” Guardiola said. “Every time you win a title it looks more difficult than in the past. It is really difficult for many reasons.”
Arsenal remains favorite to be crowned league champion this season for the first time since 2004, given its big lead. But with second-place City having a game in hand and the teams still to play each other in Manchester at the Etihad Stadium, the picture could look very different in the coming weeks.
City’s win also ended Arsenal’s bid this season for an unprecedented quadruple of major trophies by an English team – including the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
“I’m very sad. It is a very hard one to take, especially for our players and our supporters because we know how much it means to them and how much we want that,” Arteta said. “We will manage that energy in the right way and we have to go through that pain and disappointment. It’s normal and it’s part of football.”
The 21-year-old O’Reilly, who came through City’s academy, was the unlikely hero with both goals from left back.
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He took advantage of Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga’s fumble to head City in front on the hour. And he headed in a second four minutes later to effectively kill off the match.
“My whole family came down today (to watch) … I know they’ll be buzzing and I can’t wait to see them,” O’Reilly said.
Arteta said he had no regrets about selecting Kepa – who had played in previous rounds – rather than first-choice David Raya.
Premier League crisis deepens for Tottenham
Tottenham’s Premier League survival fight was plunged deeper into crisis with a 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, one of three league games played on Sunday.
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The relegation six-pointer left Spurs one place and one point above the drop zone and raised further questions about the future of coach Igor Tudor.
“The season is tough, especially in this moment. Another very bad (result) for us,” said Tottenham captain Cristian Romero. “The situation is tough, but most important thing is play (every game) like a final now.”
Fellow relegation-fighting Forest climbed above Spurs to 16th in the standings. The only positive on another miserable day for Tottenham was defeat for West Ham at Aston Villa to keep it in the bottom three.
Tottenham – one of English soccer’s most iconic teams and a founding member of the Premier League – is still without a win in the top flight in 2026. Its last win was Dec. 28 and it has lost six of its last seven games.
Igor Jesus’ header just before halftime gave Forest the lead at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Morgan Gibbs-White added a second just after the hour mark.
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Taiwo Awoniyi completed Forest’s first league win under coach Vitor Pereira in the 87th to leave home fans fearing the end of its ever-present stay in England’s top division since the inception of the Premier League in 1992.
Tudor was hired last month to try to turn Spurs’ season around, but has lost five of his seven games in charge in all competitions and seen his team eliminated from the Champions League.
Tottenham remains one point above 18th-place West Ham, which lost 2-0 to Villa.
Villa boosted its chances of Champions League qualification and took advantage of all of its immediate rivals dropping points.
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Villa is fourth, one point behind Manchester United and five points above fifth-place Liverpool.
Brian Brobbey struck in the 90th minute to give Sunderland bragging rights in the Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle.
Brobbey’s close-range effort sealed a 2-1 comeback win at St. James’ Park and saw Sunderland complete a league double over its fiercest rival.
Earlier, the game had been halted due to a report of discriminatory abuse from the crowd towards Sunderland’s Lutsharel Geertruida.
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Before kickoff, there had been tense scenes between fans outside the stadium. Northumberland police said one arrest was made.
The men’s and women’s Sweet 16 fields are almost set. Today’s slate of second-round games in the women’s NCAA Tournament will put a bow on the first weekend of March Madness. From the downfall of No. 1 seed Florida to numerous buzzer-beaters in the men’s bracket, and from the dominance of the top seeds in the women’s field to the potential end of the Audi Crooks era, March has been plenty mad. We have all of the scores and upcoming tip times in one place on the men’s side, and here’s the rundown on every women’s game.
The Phillies extended Cristopher Sánchez through 2032.A new six-year contract will keep the ace in Philadelphia, where he posted a 3.00 ERA across the past three seasons and developed into one of the best lefties in baseball. Sánchez will make $107 million over the life of the deal, which also includes a club option for 2033. The 29-year-old has the third-best odds to win the NL Cy Young Award this season, per Caesars.
Team USA made a statement in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic. While numerous NFL players including Joe Burrow have made it clear that they want to chase a gold medal when flag football makes its Olympic debut in 2028, Saturday’s event suggested the current United States National Team is equipped to dominate without them. Led by Velton Brown Jr. and Housh Doucette, Team USA made light work of its opposition with three blowout victories en route to the championship. Burrow, Tom Brady, Odell Beckham Jr., Stefon Diggs and other current and former NFL stars were among those on the two losing rosters.
We have the details of the WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement. The league and players union announced the terms of their historic CBA, which delivers unprecedented benefits to players beginning this season. Among the highlights are significant pay raises (thanks to a salary cap that will grow by nearly 200% by 2032), the continuation of league-provided housing, chartered flights, new facility standards and more.
Manchester City are EFL Cup champions. Behind a brace from Nico O’Reilly, Manchester City defeated Arsenal 2-0 to claim their ninth cup. Only Liverpool (10) have more wins in the 65-year history of the tournament. This is City’s first cup win since 2021 when they rattled off four straight, and it is the product of an aggressive second half that saw O’Reilly, a defender, net two goals in five minutes.
🎠 Do not miss this: College basketball coaching carousel moves, rumors
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The first big wave of high-major college basketball coach hirings hit over the weekend. Three power conference jobs are filled, including one of the biggest in the sport. Here are the latest hires:
Gerry McNamara, Syracuse
Bryan Hodgson, Providence
Scott Cross, Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech made the Cross hiring official on Friday after Troy’s season came to an end in the NCAA Tournament. Once South Florida fell out of the bracket, Providence announced that Hodgson will make the jump to the Big East on a five-year contract. The highest-profile move of the bunch is nearly official. McNamara, a program great at Syracuse, is set to take his alma mater’s job on the heels of a terrific run at Siena (which nearly included a first-round upset of Duke on Thursday).
With these three positions off the board, all eyes are on North Carolina and whether one of the biggest brands in all of college athletics will make a move. Hubert Davis’ future with the Tar Heels is in doubt, according to Matt Norlander, following a first-round loss to VCU in which UNC squandered a 19-point lead and fell in overtime. If the Tar Heels do, in fact, part ways with Davis, it would come with a hefty price tag in the form of a $5.3 million buyout.
🏀 Men’s NCAA Tournament delivers all the drama
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Even though the first two rounds of the men’s NCAA Tournament were fairly light on upsets and Cinderellas, the pageantry was absolutely off the charts. It’s been three days since our last morning newsletter, so let’s cover everything that unfolded from Friday through Sunday.
Friday (first round): A loss to No. 6 Tennessee ended No. 11 Miami (Ohio)’s remarkable season, Iowa State lost Joshua Jefferson to an ankle injury, No. 7 UCLA fended off No. 10 UCF even without Tyler Bilodeau and double-digit seeds went 0-14.
No. 5 St. John’s was among the biggest winners of the day as the underseeded Big East champion fended off a tough draw and dispatched No. 12 Northern Iowa 79-53. College basketball fans at large came away victorious from the thrilling No. 7 Kentucky vs. No. 10 Santa Clara battle when Otega Oweh delivered the most electric shot of the tournament. His buzzer-beater to send the game to overtime helped the Wildcats avoid disaster.
Saturday (second round): No. 11 Texas pulled off a sizable upset over No. 3 Gonzaga, No. 1 Duke looked much more impressive when it pulled away from No. 9 TCU, Mikel Brown Jr. missed another game as No. 6 Louisville fell out of the bracket and No. 4 Nebraska reigned supreme in an unforgettable showdown against No. 5 Vanderbilt.
You have to feel for the Commodores, who came away on the losing end of that instant classic. Tyler Tanner watched as a last-second heave from well beyond midcourt hit the backboard and danced around the rim in a moment where time stood still. The narrow miss made the loss even tougher to stomach.
Sunday (second round): No. 9 Iowa delivered the upset of the tournament with a go-ahead 3 in the closing seconds against No. 1 Florida, the second year of the Mark Pope era ended in a 19-point loss for No. 7 Kentucky and No. 5 St. John’s shut the door on a late surge from No. 4 Kansas with a buzzer-beater.
The last-second layup from Dylan Darling will give the Red Storm a high-profile spot in “One Shining Moment” as one of the biggest shots of the tournament. The funny thing? Rick Pitino said Darling called his own number despite being scoreless over the game’s first 39 minutes. Sadly, the dramatic finish all but certainly means the college basketball world has seen the last of Kansas star Darryn Peterson, who is NBA-bound as the projected No. 1 overall pick.
🏀 Favorites reign supreme in Women’s NCAA Tournament
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The women’s bracket was even chalkier than the men’s through the first round. Here’s a day-by-day breakdown of the action.
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Friday (first round): There was not a single upset across the first 16 games, which is not entirely uncommon. No. 4 Minnesota had to erase a fourth-quarter deficit against No. 13 Green Bay, though, and No. 12 Colorado State gave No. 5 Michigan State a scare down to the final shot.
The absence of upsets means No. 10 Tennessee is one-and-done in the dance. An eight-game losing streak brought an end to what Kim Caldwell called the “worst year of my professional career.” Caldwell said her players deserve better than what she gave them in the 76-61 loss to No. 7 NC State.
Saturday (first round): No. 10 Virginia became the only double-digit seed to advance, while No. 1 seeds UConn, South Carolina and UCLA won by a combined 164 points.
Officials overturned what appeared to be a game-winner at the buzzer for No. 8 Clemson, which precipitated a heartbreaking overtime loss for a “sleeping giant” of a Tigers program that looks very much awake. Meanwhile, four teams battled 80-degree indoor temperatures at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. And Audi Crooks was noncommittal about her future at Iowa State following the Cyclones’ first-round exit.
Sunday (second round): The same teams that avoided upsets on Day 1 delivered another dose of chalk in the second round. Two teams even hit 100 points with No. 1 Texas obliterating No. 8 Oregon and No. 2 LSU pulverizing No. 7 Texas Tech.
Some of the biggest drama of the day occurred on the Maryland sideline, where coach Brenda Frese had an intense moment with Terrapins star Oluchi Okananwa.It was all in the spirit of competition, though, according to Okananwa.
👍👎 The best (and not-so-best) of the rest
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📺 What we’re watching Monday
🏀 March Madness continues today with the women’s second round. Here’s how to watch all eight games.
⚾ Spring training: Orioles at Nationals, 1:05 p.m. on MLB Network
🏀 Spurs at Heat, 7 p.m. on NBC Sports Network
🏒 Senators at Rangers, 7:30 p.m. on NHL Network
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⚾ Spring training: Royals at Rangers, 8:05 p.m. on MLB Network
⛳ TGL finals, Game 1: Jupiter Links Golf Club vs. Los Angeles Golf Club, 9 p.m. on ESPN2
🏀 Warriors at Mavericks, 9:30 p.m. on NBC Sports Network
A World Cup winner in 2011 with the Indian team as head coach, Gary Kirsten‘s experience with the Pakistan team was quite different. Under the South African, India became world champions in the ODI format, but his association with Pakistan failed to create a similar impact on the global stage. Reflecting on his stint with the Pakistan team, Kirsten accused the country’s board of “excessive interference” in his role. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has now responded to Kirsten’s accusation.
In his remarks, Kirsten said the level of intervention from “outside forces” in Pakistan cricket was unprecedented. Such involvement, he explained, made his job more difficult.
“The thing that surprised me more than anything was the level of interference. I don’t think I have ever seen it at that level before,” Kirsten said. “It is quite difficult for a coach to come and formulate a way that you can work with the players when there is just this constant noise from the outside.”
Responding to Kirsten’s accusation during a media briefing, Naqvi said his interactions with the South African were very limited. Therefore, it would be better for others who worked closely with him to respond in detail to the allegations.
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“I didn’t have many interactions with Gary Kirsten, so it would be better if those people who were coordinating things with him and involved regularly with him responded in detail to his allegations,” Naqvi said.
Despite the unprecedented challenges Kirsten faced in Pakistan cricket, he spoke positively about his interactions with the players and the time they spent together.
“I actually really enjoyed working with the players. I think professional cricketers across the board in any culture are great people,” he said. “Even though there was a language barrier, when you’re talking cricket, you’re understanding what we’re saying to each other.”
A backlit keyboard is part of the gear online video game streamer Jordan Woodruff uses in his Gilbert home.
Jordan Woodruff
OpTic Texas finished with the best record at 10-1, including a win on Sunday in the conclusion of Call of Duty League Stage 2 Major qualifying.
The 12 Call of Duty League teams were playing a full qualifying round robin to determine seeding for the second major of the season, to be held March 27-29 in Marston Green, England, as part of the DreamHack Birmingham event.
First place in the standings was worth 100 CDL points for OpTic Texas, who along with the next five teams will head straight into the Stage 2 Major playoffs. The teams in seventh through 10th place will compete in a play-in round.
Boston Breach and Cloud9 New York, which finished 11th and 12th, did not advance.
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The Stage 2 Major champion will receive $150,000 and 100 Call of Duty League points. The runner-up will get $90,000 and 75 CDL points.
On Sunday, the Vancouver Surge outlasted the Riyadh Falcons 3-2. Vancouver opened with a 250-237 win on Scar Hardpoint and 6-4 win on Raid Search and Destroy. But the Falcons drew even with wins on Scar Overload (6-3) and Exposure Hardpoint (250-83). The Surge captured the last map, Colossus Search and Destroy, 6-2, for the win.
Kenyen “Capsidal” Sutton of the United States was match MVP with 105 kills to 101 deaths as the only Surge player in positive numbers.
The Los Angeles Thieves went the distance to down Paris Gentle Mates 3-2. The Thieves started fast with a 250-107 win on Den Hardpoint and 6-4 win on Colossus Search and Destroy. PARIVISION rallied with a 5-3 win on Exposure Overload and 250-176 victory on Colossus Hardpoint. Los Angeles took the match with a 6-2 win on Raid Search and Destroy.
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Paco “HyDra” Rusiewiez of France was match MVP with 90 kills and a plus-6 kill-death differential for Los Angeles.
The Miami Heretics swept Boston Breach, winning 250-157 on Den Hardpoint, 6-4 on Exposure Search and Destroy and 6-2 on Exposure Overload.
Diego “SupeR” Escudero of Spain was match MVP with 59 kills and a plus-15 differential for Miami.
OpTic Texas closed out the week with a sweep of Toronto KOI, winning 250-216 on Den Hardpoint, 6-3 on Raid Search and Destroy and 5-4 on Scar Overload.
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Brandon “Dashy” Otell of Canada was match MVP, pacing OpTic with 64 kills and a plus-18 differential.
Call of Duty League Stage 2 Major qualifying final standings (match record, map differential, CDL points)
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