Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) runs against Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) during the second half of an AFC Wild Card Round game at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images.
When the Minnesota Vikings embarked on free agency in March, their very first signing — one of the few — snagged cornerback James Pierre from the Pittsburgh Steelers. And for their troubles, Minnesota evidently acquired one of the league’s most clutch players, says Pro Football Focus.
PFF’s Bradley Locker identified the top 4th Quarter and Overtime performance across the business, and Pierre was included.
Pierre Brings Real CB3 Intrigue to Minnesota
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre exchange jerseys after an AFC wild card matchup on Jan. 11, 2025, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The postgame moment followed a physical divisional playoff battle between longtime AFC North rivals, with Pierre and Jackson sharing respect after competing under postseason pressure in front of a national audience. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
PFF: Pierre Has the Juice with Games on the Line
Among names like Maxx Crosby and Colston Loveland, Locker tucked Pierre’s name into his analysis.
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“Across 79 fourth-quarter coverage snaps, Pierre allowed just two receptions for 19 yards. He also recorded six of his nine pass breakups during fourth quarters. His fourth-quarter PFF coverage grade of 91.3 ranked first in the NFL and likely would have been even higher had he managed to keep both feet in bounds on a near interception against his current team, the Minnesota Vikings, in Week 4,” he wrote.
“Among the receivers targeted while covered by Pierre in the fourth quarter were Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Michael Pittman Jr. and Jerry Jeudy. None managed to record a catch against him.”
Locker also called out former Vikings defensive tackle Javon Hargrave for his late-game prowess. Hargrave now works for the Green Bay Packers.
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A Small Sample, but Vikings Will Take It
Seventy-nine snaps in the 4th Quarter isn’t much of a sample, but his gloriousness during those opportunities is certainly better than struggling in the 4th Quarter, for example. The Vikings will welcome all comers when it comes to clutch performance.
In fact, since the dawn of the Kevin O’Connell era in 2022, the Vikings have played 44 games decided by eight points or less, the second-most in the NFL behind the Atlanta Falcons. That’s right. Sixty-four percent of all Vikings games in the last four seasons have been decided by one score, going down the wire in one way or another.
If that trend continues, well, Minnesota now has a James Pierre to help close out opposing pass-catchers.
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The Numbers As a Whole
Pierre’s appeal begins with what the Vikings truly needed from their CB3. Minnesota wasn’t searching for a flashy player or another cornerback requiring extensive creativity. They needed a seasoned professional capable of handling outside snaps, tackling effectively, communicating clearly, minimizing mistakes, and supporting the secondary, and to hedge the bet in case Byron Murphy Jr. or Isaiah Rodgers miss time due to injury. Pierre meets all those requirements.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase reaches for a touchdown catch ahead of Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre during Week 3 action on Sept. 26, 2021, at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. Chase helped Cincinnati build a halftime lead with explosive plays against the Steelers’ secondary, while Pierre defended one of the NFL’s fastest-rising young receivers in a divisional showdown. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
He logged nearly 400 defensive snaps last season and earned an impressive overall 86.8 PFF grade. Additionally, he allowed a passer rating of just 41.4, which Vikings fans will surely appreciate after the challenges with Jeff Okudah in 2025.
His background in Pittsburgh is another significant asset. Pierre spent six years under Mike Tomlin, and corners typically don’t last that long in Pittsburgh without good reason. The experience gives Minnesota solid confidence in his ability to adapt to Brian Flores’ defensive scheme.
While his ceiling is clear — he turns 30 in September, so we shouldn’t expect him to become a superstar at this stage in his career — if he can deliver one reliable season, it will justify the signing. Two or three would be a bonus. As a dependable veteran cornerback, he may be exactly what the defense needs.
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Free Agent EDGE Joey Bosa Gets the Nod
Because Minnesota traded Jonathan Greenard, along with a 7th-Round draft pick, to the Philadelphia Eagles in April for two 3rd-Rounders, the club may need a free-agent EDGE rusher for depth before the summer ends.
Conveniently, Joey Bosa is available, and — also conveniently — Bosa earned a spot on the clutch PFF list.
Buffalo Bills defensive end Joey Bosa stands on the field before facing the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 13, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Bosa entered the matchup as one of Buffalo’s premier pass-rushing veterans, bringing playoff experience and edge pressure to a Bills defense expected to compete near the top of the AFC once again. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
“There may not have been a bigger gap between early-game and late-game performance in 2025 than the one displayed by Joey Bosa. After several injury-shortened seasons, it is fair to wonder whether his peak years are behind him, yet he still looked like a game-changing pass rusher once the fourth quarter arrived,” Locker explained about Bosa’s late-game heroics.
“Bosa earned a modest 59.5 PFF grade across the first three quarters of games last season before erupting for a 91.8 PFF grade in fourth quarters and overtime. Of Bosa’s 54 total pressures in 2025, 23 came during fourth quarters or overtime, along with three of his five sacks. His pressure rate jumped dramatically from 11.2% through the first three quarters to 22.6% once the fourth quarter began. Only Aidan Hutchinson generated pressure at a higher rate in those situations.”
Organized team activities began in earnest this week in Minnesota, and quarterback Kyler Murray donned purple for the onlooking media for the first time. He was joined by last season’s heir apparent to the position, third-year QB J.J. McCarthy, who spoke after practice about the quarterback room (which also includes Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer from last season). According to Alec Lewis of The Athletic, who reported the following quote, J.J. may or may not be pleased about the former Arizona Cardinal now a Viking.
“It’s just like two guys in a classroom,” McCarthy said. “He sits on one side, and I sit on the other side. It’s the coaches’ responsibility to teach us and coach us.”
Now, while this quote does not exactly smack of the West Side Story’s Jets and Sharks-type rivalry, it doesn’t sound like all is kumbaya either. As it shouldn’t. If anything came out of the first days of OTA’s, it’s that the quarterbacks got the message that there will be a true competition—which was not the case for McCarthy, the erstwhile “anointed one,” last season. So, until these teammates are listed on the final depth chart (or even the first one), they will do battle.
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But in the meantime, that’s just the kind of thing we media types feast upon. Therefore, the fellas at the Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast—Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory.com and purplePTSD.com, and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and startribune.com—will feast away. Tune in for that meal and other OTA morsels. Skol!
Joe Oberle is a veteran sportswriter/editor/reporter and has covered the Vikings since 2008. The author of three books, he … More about Joe Oberle
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has received major criticism from fans and analysts for using foul-baiting as a key tactic to score baskets. This was highlighted further by former Bulls guard Jay Williams on Thursday, as he introduced a new viral segment trolling SGA’s foul-baiting on ESPN’s morning show “Get Up.”
Williams dubbed the new segment “Life Alert with SGA,” highlighting the Thunder star’s ability to attract fouls by falling to the ground at the slightest touch. Legion Hoops later reshared a clip from the show on X (formerly Twitter), while highlighting a quote from Williams from the viral feature.
Thanks for the submission!
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“Jay Williams introduces his new segment: ‘Life Alert with SGA’ 😳 ‘Help me I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.’ (via @GetUpESPN),” Legion Hopps wrote, quoting Williams.
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The clip earned mixed reactions from fans online, as some slammed Williams for introducing a feature that targeted a player and called him out for being insecure. Others, however, welcomed the segment, believing it was about time someone called out SGA’s style of play.
you can criticize him for how poor he’s been as a player this series but this is just personal and reeks of insecurity
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It’s getting beyond corny
alright i’m ngl his obsession starting to get a little weird…
As a hater, I love this lol
“The whole team does this, it’s why every possession feels like a negotiation with the refs.” Absolute fried them. Refreshing.
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This is the best thing ever 💀
Though fans were divided about the new feature, the OKC star remains one of the best players in the league, a sentiment Williams also echoed while highlighting SGA’s ability before calling him out on national television.
“First of all, I’d say SGA is one of the most special players we have in the game of basketball,” Williams said. “He is elite when he plays up and down. There is a reason why he is a two-time MVP.”
While Williams showed love to the OKC guard, his following remarks highlighted the mixed feelings surrounding SGA, as the guard continues to divide opinions and fan bases with his style of play.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reflects on Thunder’s Game 6 blowout loss as Spurs level the series
The OKC Thunder reached the Western Conference Finals after back-to-back sweeps, but have met their match in the San Antonio Spurs. The Texan outfit forced Game 7 on Thursday with a 118-91 blowout win, while restricting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to 15 points.
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After the game, SGA reflected on the loss while highlighting the key factors behind the defeat.
“They just punched, and we didn’t punch back,” SGA said (Timestamp: 0:09). “They were the aggressors tonight from start to finish. They played harder than us, made more shots, and were more aggressive.
“They were in attack mode, and we were on our heels … we kept it in a manageable spot, but in the second half it just blew out of proportion.”
With the series now tied, the Thunder will hope to finish the job at home on Saturday as they eye an NBA Finals matchup against the New York Knicks.
GIO Stadium will play host to Sunday’s
Round 13 NRL game between Canberra Raiders and
North Queensland Cowboys. The game kicks off at 4:05 pm with Canberra Raiders heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Canberra Raiders vs.
North Queensland Cowboys
game and give you our free tips and bets.
Canberra Raiders vs North Queensland Cowboys Preview
North Queensland travels to Canberra with growing confidence after several impressive attacking displays, despite entering the contest as outsiders. Scott Drinkwater and Jake Clifford have combined effectively in recent weeks, helping the Cowboys consistently win the field-position battle and capitalise on attacking opportunities. Canberra presents a far sterner challenge through the middle than many of North Queensland’s recent opponents, particularly at GIO Stadium where the Raiders traditionally lift their intensity. The Raiders’ physical pack and grinding style remain difficult to contain at home, but the Cowboys’ improved execution and attacking fluency give them genuine upset potential. If North Queensland can withstand Canberra’s early pressure, this shapes as one of the most intriguing matchups of the weekend.
Canberra Raiders vs North Queensland Cowboys Teams
Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Payne Haas 9. Cory Paix 10. Patrick Carrigan 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walters 15. Xavier Willison 16. Corey Jensen 17. Jack Gosiewski 18. Delouise Hoeter 19. Tyson Smoothy 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Martin Taupau 22. Ben Te Kura
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Duffy 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Karl Lawton 15. Coen Hess 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Harrison Edwards 18. Robert Derby 19. Tom Mikaele 20. Xavier Kerrisk 21. Wiremu Greig 22. Mason Barber
Landon DuPont scored twice, Carter Bear had a goal and an assist, and the Everett Silvertips punched their ticket to the Memorial Cup championship game with a 6-1 semifinal victory over the Chicoutimi Sagueneens on Friday.
The Western Hockey League champion Silvertips, who led 2-1 after the first period and 5-1 heading into the third at Prospera Place, will play the unbeaten Ontario Hockey League champion Kitchen Rangers in Sunday’s final.
Jaxsin Vaughan, Zackary Shantz and Julius Miettinen also scored for the Silvertips, who outshot the Sagueneens 36-26.
Tomas Lavois scored for the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League champion Sagueneens, who went 0-for-2 on the power play, while the Silvertips were 2-for-3 with the man advantage.
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The Rangers, who defeated the Silvertips 6-2 in round robin play on Monday, finished with a 3-0 record and earned an express pass to the championship final. The Silvertips finished 2-1 while the Sagueneens were 1-2. The host Kelowna Rangers finished 0-3.
The London Knights (OHL) won the Memorial Cup last year with a 4-1 win in the final over the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL).
Sunday’s final between the Rangers and Silvertips will start at 7 p.m. Eastern time.
Julio Cesar Chavez believes that one boxing legend, who twice lost to a mutual opponent of theirs, would never have beaten him at 140lbs.
The Mexican icon cultivated a phenomenal 90-fight unbeaten, becoming a three-division world champion before losing his WBC super-lightweight title to Frankie Randall in 1994.
He did, of course, manage to win their rematch that same year, before securing a second victory over former two-weight world champion Meldrick Taylor.
In any case, the Hall of Famer doubts that fellow legend Roberto Duran would have beaten him in his prime, especially given the Panamanian’s two defeats to Hector Camacho in 1996 and 2001.
While Chavez comfortably outpointed Camacho in 1992, Duran lost two unanimous decisions to the Puerto Rican at a time when he was simply well past his prime.
Against any super-lightweight version of Duran, however, Chavez has told Luis Parra that he would never have been beaten.
“Roberto Duran would never have beaten me. That b***ard is just a f***ing idiot. He always talks s**t.
“I respect him, and I don’t answer him because he’s older than me, but he always talks crap; as if he was God.
“I know he remembers that Camacho beat him up.”
Given it is unfair to compare their respective performances against Camacho, it must be said that the jury is out on whether Duran would have defeated Chavez. The fantasy fight, therefore, remains up for intriguing debate.
It was the opportunity Novak Djokovic had been waiting for. Jannik Sinner was on his way home before the third round. Carlos Alcaraz was absent, unable to defend his French Open title. At 39 and with his chances of winning a record 25th grand slam singles title running out, Djokovic’s two biggest rivals, who between them had won the last nine major titles and ended his quest at the last four attempts, had been cleared from his path. As the men’s draw in Paris was blown wide open, Djokovic was the only grand slam champion remaining in the tournament.
But then Djokovic’s dream of grand slam history was ripped up by the arrival of a new star. At 19, Joao Fonseca claimed the biggest victory of his career in a stunning upset of historic proportions. Across four hours and 53 minutes, the Brazilian became the first teenager to beat Djokovic at a grand slam. He did it with power, poise, and from two sets down, winning 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5. Djokovic had only ever lost one match from two sets up in 279 previous attempts, to Jurgen Melzer in the 2010 French Open quarter-finals. Asked how he believed he could do it, a stunned Fonseca replied: “I actually didn’t.”
Novak Djokovic was beaten by Joao Fonseca, 19, in an incredible French Open upset (Reuters)
There will be a new men’s grand slam winner at Roland Garros this fortnight; for the first time ever in the Open era, the fourth round will begin without a former grand slam champion in the draw. If Sinner’s stunning defeat unlocked it – also from two sets up, while struggling with the heat, illness, and fatigue – Djokovic’s exit has reinforced it: an unbelievable, unthinkable tournament is now an unprecedented opportunity for someone. Perhaps it will be Alexander Zverev, the second seed. Or Casper Ruud, a former French Open runner-up. Perhaps it’s Fonseca, or fellow teenager Rafael Jodar. And that’s only one side of a wide-open bracket.
But it will not be Djokovic. “Incredible match to be part of,” he said. “Tough one for me to lose being two sets to love up. But huge credit for Joao for really deserving to win the match. He without a doubt was the better player in the important moments, in the crucial fourth and fifth… some amazing exchanges and points and he just found incredible shots, lines. It was just amazing from his side. Obviously not great for me to be facing a player playing at such a level. I don’t think I’ve done too much wrong with my game. He was just better.”
There was, though, a clear despondency in Djokovic’s tone. He refused to discuss the window of opportunity that has passed him by, shutting down the question while it was being asked. He bluntly said he does not know if he will be back at the French Open next year, when he will be 40 years old, although he said that last year, too. After reaching the Australian Open final at the start of the year, Djokovic had hardly played in the three months before the French. He was pushed to another long match, in the afternoon heat. “I ran out of gas,” he said. “I didn’t feel good at all on the court in the last couple sets.”
Fonseca’s first victory was dragging him there. The Brazilian, playing an idol he called the “GOAT” and taking to Court Philippe-Chatrier for the first time in his career, appeared overawed in the early exchanges. The 19-year-old has a rocket of a forehand, and a tendency to pull the trigger on sight. But with the sun beating down, the ball was flying out of the court. He found control in the early evening and as the conditions shifted. Suddenly, he was able to hang around with Djokovic in the rallies. Then, he found the bravery to execute. “He just played lights out tennis every time there was a decisive moment,” Djokovic said.
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Djokovic appeared exhausted by the fifth set as the match passed the four-hour mark (AP)
Fonseca’s big breakthrough came at last year’s Australian Open, when as an 18-year-old qualifier he knocked out ninth seed Andrey Rublev in the opening round. “Hype” has followed him ever since; patience not so much. This, though, was a major step in his young career, after reaching the fourth round of a major for the first time. He displayed his firepower, and his guts, winning a second match in a row from two sets down after his round-two victory over Dino Prizmic. “We all saw today why there’s hype around him,” Djokovic said. “The level was amazing.”
Down a break in the fifth set, Fonseca fought his way back and blasted his way through with effortless power. Serving for the match, Fonseca found himself break point down as Djokovic battled to stay alive. But Fonseca didn’t let his opponent touch another ball, firing three consecutive aces with his fastest serves of the match. “I felt like John Isner, but it was crazy,” he smiled.
“There’s a lot of excitement around him and rightfully so,” Djokovic acknowledged. “Hopefully he can be the next great thing and win slams.” If it could be the start of a new era, with a third obstacle in his path, it only increases the chance that Djokovic’s is already over.
Song Yadong and Deiveson Figueiredo fight to keep their bantamweight ambitions alive. Both men hover just outside the elite after UFC 324 in January. After Saturday’s UFC Fight Night main event in China, only one of them will forge ahead on the desired path.
Yadong (22-9-1, 1 NC) believers keep waiting for a breakthrough. The Team Alpha Male product has all the raw materials, but has fallen short against the very best. Yadong, 28, still has time to evolve into a title challenger, but it’s paramount that he taps into his true potential. He’s fighting a former champion in the main event on home turf. Everything lines up for a standout performance from the significant betting favorite. He must deliver.
“I am very close to these guys,” Song told CBS Sports HQ’s Brian Campbell on Tuesday. “I lost because of small points. I could have won the fight, each one, even the Petr Yan [fight]. I could have. But I learned a lot of experience from those fights. I believe I will get back soon and am only one or two fights away from a title shot.”
Sign up for Paramount+ and watch UFC Fight Night: Yadong vs. Figueiredo live for no additional fee — every UFC numbered event and UFC Fight Night is included with your subscription! Plans start as low as $8.99/month or $89.99/year!
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Figueiredo (25-6-1) has a shorter window to break through at 38. He is very active, but running out of time to win a second division title. He and Yadong, 10 years his junior, share similar recent losses. They’ve both been defeated by reigning UFC champion Petr Yan and title challenger Cory Sandhagen. At UFC 324, Figueiredo lost to top contender Umar Nurmagomedov, and former champ O’Malley felled Yadong. Saturday’s headliners are in the same position, but Figueiredo has time working against him. He prepares not only with eagerness, but also with anger after Yan recently referred to Saturday’s headliners as his “kids.”
“Petr Yan is a son of a bitch. He keeps saying that stuff,” Figueiredo told CBS Sports through a Portuguese interpreter. “In our first fight, I made him sit down. In the next fight, I’ll put him to sleep.”
Elsewhere on Saturday, light heavyweight veteran Alonzo Menifield looks to get back on track when he takes on rising Chinese prospect Zhang Mingyang. Menifield suffered a brutal first-round knockout loss in November against Volkan Oezdemir. The win ended a brief two-fight win streak that had the American building some momentum. Now, he looks to return to form against Mingyang, who lost by knockout against Johnny Walker last August.
Plus, former interim heavyweight title challenger Sergei Pavlovich looks to keep his momentum when he faces Tallison Teixeira. Pavlovich suffered consecutive losses to Tom Aspinall and Alexander Volkov in November 2023 and June 2024 to slow his fast rise up the heavyweight ranks. A pair of wins in 2025 over Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Waldo Cortes-Acosta helped to regain it. Teixeira looks to build off a decision win over Tai Tuivasa in February.
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Let’s take a look at the rest of the fight card with the latest odds from DraftKings before getting to a prediction and expert pick on the main event below.
UFC Fight Night card, odds
Song Yadong -600
Deiveson Figueiredo +440
Bantamweight
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Zhang Mingyang -258
Alonzo Menifield +210
Light Heavyweight
Sergei Pavlovich -625
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Tallison Teixeira +455
Heavyweight
Kai Asakura -310
Cameron Smotherman +250
Bantamweight
Jake Matthews -325
Carlston Harris +260
Welterweight
Alex Perez -142
Sumudaerji +120
Flyweight
UFC Fight Night viewing information
Date: Saturday, May 30 | Start time: 7 a.m. ET (Main card) | 4 a.m. ET (Preliminary card) Location: Galaxy Arena — Macau, China TV Channel: | Stream:Paramount+ (subscribe now for as low as $8.99 per month)
Prediction
Song Yadong vs. Deiveson Figueiredo: Yadong believes he wields the speed and power advantage. I agree. Figueiredo coined himself “The God of War” with grizzly stoppages in the flyweight division. He holds the record for most knockdowns and the second most finishes at 125 pounds. However, diminishing size and age have muted his pop at bantamweight. Figueiredo will struggle most at boxing range, but that’s one of many issues. Figueiredo used to train with Team Alpha Male, his opponent’s team. Yadong’s corner knows Figueiredo’s game intricately. The guillotine is among Figueiredo’s best weapons, but few martial arts minds know the choke better than Yadong’s coach, Urijah Faber. Yadong’s maturing, well-rounded game and youthful athleticism are too much for a declining former flyweight champ. I give Figueiredo enough credit to last 25 minutes, but don’t rule out a knockout loss. Either way, it feels like this is Figueiredo’s last stand as a potential major player. Pick: Yadong via unanimous decision
The 20-year wait is over. The Carolina Hurricanes are going back to the Stanley Cup Final.
The Hurricanes left no doubt on Friday night, blitzing the Montreal Canadiens 6-1 to win the Eastern Conference Final in five games and advance to the championship series against the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Hurricanes swept through the first two rounds and have won the last three games in the series, the last being Wednesday’s 4-0 road win that had them in complete control and staying on a smothering game. And Game 5 picked right up where that left off, with the Hurricanes taking a 15-4 edge in shots on goal while steadily pinning the Canadiens in their own end and attacking Jakub Dobes in net
Hall struck first by finishing a feed from Logan Stankoven, who had crashed into Dobes on the left side. The Canadiens challenged the call for goaltender interference, but officials determined after a replay review that it should stand.
Hall returned the favor by feeding Stankoven from behind the net for a score on the right side. And late in the period, William Carrier sent a high flip from deep in his own end to feed Robinson, who charged across the blue line to beat Mike Matheson to the puck and slip it underneath Dobes for the 3-0 lead that sent a buzzing home crowd into yet another roar.
Logan Stankoven celebrates his goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period on Friday in Raleigh. Karl DeBlaker
Blake scored by skating in to clean up a loose rebound when Dobes stopped a breakaway for Hall, while Gostisbehere finished a power-play feed from Seth Jarvis near the crease for the 5-0 lead.
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Seth Jarvis added an empty-net goal late in the third period for the final margin.
The Hurricanes entered this series having gone 1-12 in the Eastern Conference Final in their eight-year postseason run under coach Rod Brind’Amour, falling in sweeps to Boston in 2019 and Florida in 2023 before losing in five games to the Panthers in last year’s rematch.
But after regrouping from the Game 1 debacle, the Hurricanes took control of the series from the young and skilled Canadiens, who had arrived at this round ahead of schedule, to put themselves back in the Stanley Cup Final.
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The last time the Hurricanes were in that round? Brind’Amour was the captain on a team that hoisted the Cup in a seven-game series against Edmonton in 2006.
The Hurricanes became the first team to reach the Stanley Cup Final with only one loss since 1983, according to SportRadar, and the only team to do so since the league went to best-of-seven series in all four postseason rounds in 1987.
He admitted he was not sure he would be able to compete in Korea, but said walking was more painful than playing.
“Bizarrely I have no sensation throughout the golf swing that there’s anything wrong with it,” added the Englishman. “I sense it when I’m walking downhill, steep downhills. I’m going to have to strengthen that leg, but it’s not affecting my golf in any way.
“I just have to be reminding myself that I can’t go and play padel, tennis or do anything stupid or hop up steps like I did a couple of weeks ago.
“Walking in straight lines and being super sensible is not something I’m used to doing. I feel good, the body feels good. We’ll deal with that at some stage.”
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Poulter has yet to taste victory at an individual LIV Golf event since joining in 2022, but has 17 professional wins, including three on the PGA Tour.
He is not the first golfer to suffer a freak injury.
World number one Scottie Scheffler missed the first two weeks of the 2025 PGA Tour season after undergoing surgery on a hand injury he sustained while cooking Christmas dinner, which left him with a puncture wound to the palm of his right hand from a broken glass.
Rory McIlroy also had to miss the 2015 Open after he ruptured ankle ligaments while playing five-a-side football with his friends.
Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ RJ Abarrientos during a game vs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals Game 5. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Barangay Ginebra scored a pivotal 111-104 victory over Rain or Shine in Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals at Araneta Coliseum on Friday.
The Gin Kings moved a step closer to reaching the Finals with a 3-2 lead, but coach Tim Cone was anything but satisfied.
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“We’re not going to be happy with this win. We’ve been in this situation before. We led 3-2 and then got beat. Once by San Miguel, once by TNT,” said Cone.
“It’s too easy to get euphoric with the 3-2 lead. We’re not. A lot of things went our way tonight, which is great, we’re fortunate, but we have to move on.”
Ginebra held on to a 10-point lead, 91-81, in the fourth quarter when RJ Abarrientos took charge to fend off the Elasto Painters for good.
Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Justin Brownlee during a game vs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals Game 5. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
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The young guard scored seven points in the Gin Kings’ decisive 10-2 run that made it a safe 101-83 advantage with 4:03 remaining.
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Abarrientos finished with 31 points, eight assists, four rebounds and two steals for Ginebra, which can close out the series on Sunday.
Justin Brownlee also came up big with 22 points, six rebounds and six assists while Troy Rosario scored 16.
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Adrian Nocum topscored in a losing effort for Rain or Shine with 25 points. Jaylen Johnson registered a double-double of 22 points and 14 rebounds while Jhonard Clarito had 20 points and 10 rebounds.
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The semifinals return to the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo for Game 6.
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