Connect with us

Sports

Yankees’ Aaron Judge eyeing more stolen bases during 2026 MLB season

Published

on

judge-getty.png
Getty Images

New York Yankees star Aaron Judge has won three of the last four American League Most Valuable Player awards, and will enter this season with a chance to become the third player in Major League Baseball history to win three in a row (joining Shohei Ohtani and Barry Bonds). That doesn’t mean Judge is content with his game. Rather, he’s looking to add a new dimension this year.

“Baserunning’s on my mind this year a lot,” Judge told reporters on Monday. “I saw a lot of guys around the league with 40, 30 bases that you don’t usually normally expect to be running that much. Especially with how the game’s changed with the pickoffs and the pitch clock, I think that’s one way we can utilize, or, at least, I can utilize some of my skills a little bit more, getting into scoring position.

“With the lineup we have, this was probably the best offense in all of baseball last year. If I can find a way to get myself in scoring position, if they’re going to walk me or do something, then some good things are going to happen.”

To Judge’s point, 17 different players swiped at least 30 bases in 2025. That group included the likes of Juan Soto (38) and Josh Naylor (30), neither of whom fits the conventional picture of a high-volume thief. In fact, Soto and Naylor both finished in the 13th percentile or worse in Statcast’s sprint speed, suggesting their steals were the products of their smarts — and their leveraging of the aforementioned pickoff limit and pitch clock rules — instead of their wheels. Judge, for comparison, ranked in the 42nd percentile in that measure, which helps to explain why he’s been a legitimate center-field option for the Yankees in the past despite his size.

Judge, 33, has never stolen more than 16 bases in a single campaign despite succeeding at around a 75% clip. The key matter for the Yankees is whether or not the additional value he’d provide in running more often would be worth the downside of increasing his injury risk. Given how much Judge produces at the plate (he’s hit .312/.445/.674 and averaged 49 home runs over the last three years), the Yankees can be excused if they decide by Opening Day to give him the red light just as often as in the past.

Advertisement

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Bryson DeChambeau wins LIV Golf Singapore

Published

on

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Bryson DeChambeau bounced back from an embarrassing moment in the sand trap and a tense playoff hole to win LIV Singapore on Sunday – the fourth title in the Saudi-backed series of his career.

DeChambeau suffered the mistake in the third round. He was on hole No. 5 when he hit his ball from the rough, tripped and fell into the bunker all with giant insects flying around him. Unfortunately, his shot landed in a separate bunker on the other side of the course.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Advertisement
Bryson DeChambeau in disbelief

Bryson DeChambeau reacts on the 18th green after the final round of Aramco LIV Golf Singapore on Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Sentosa, Singapore. (Mateo Villalba/LIV Golf via AP)

He managed to record a bogey at the hole on his way to a third round 72.

DeChambeau bounced back in the fourth round, shooting a 66 and narrowly defeating Richard T. Lee in a playoff for the win. Lee missed a two-foot putt on his fifth shot that would have sent the tournament into a second playoff round.

It’s the first title for DeChambeau this season. He last won at LIV Golf Korea in May, defeating Charles Howell III by two strokes. He also has wins at LIV Golf Chicago and LIV Golf Greenbrier. It’s also his first victory in a 72-hole tournament since he won the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2024.

PAIGE SPIRANAC APPLAUDS COMMENTER FOR LEWD REMARK THAT LIFTS HER SPIRITS

Advertisement
Bryson DeChambeau after a chip shot

Captain Bryson DeChambeau of Crushers GC reacts after his chip onto the fourth green during the final round of Aramco LIV Golf Singapore on Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Sentosa, Singapore. (Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via AP)

Lee was attempting to be the first wild card golfer, one who is not affiliated with a team, to win the singles competition. But his putt went left and spun around the cup.

“It was a short putt and I wanted to just hit it hard, and I hit it a little too hard,” Lee said. “I think the adrenaline was pumping a little bit.”

DeChambeau said it reminded him of John Daly narrowly missing out on defeating Tiger Woods at the World Golf Championships playoff in 2005.

“To actually see that happen in front of you, for you to be the positive receiving side of it, it’s just a weird feeling,” DeChambeau said. “But it’s a win and something I’ll appreciate for the rest of my life. Even if I lost today, I was still looking pretty good at my game. I was excited the way I was striking it coming in the last couple days.”

Advertisement
Bryson DeChambeau holds the trophy

First place individual champion, Captain Bryson DeChambeau of Crushers GC, holds the trophy after the final round of Aramco LIV Golf Singapore on Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Sentosa, Singapore. (Mateo Villalba/LIV Golf via AP)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

DeChambeau is second in the LIV Golf standings behind Jon Rahm.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Advertisement

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

What Casemiro did to Man United supporters after scoring vs Aston Villa as feelings made clear

Published

on

Casemiro scored Manchester United’s opening goal in the 3-1 win against Aston Villa on Sunday and produced a cryptic celebration in the process

Casemiro pointed straight at the Manchester United badge when celebrating scoring his side’s opening goal in the 3-1 win against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.

The Brazilian, who is set to leave Old Trafford at the end of his contract in June, has been one of United’s outstanding performers this season and he impressed once again as the Reds beat Villa. Indeed, Casemiro, 34, was solid throughout and broke the deadlock for the Reds just after half-time.

Advertisement

In the 53rd minute, Bruno Fernandes’ floated corner was headed on by Casemiro and the ball bounced off the inside of the post and nested into the back of the net.

And as the five-time Champions League winner ran off to celebrate into North West corner, he pointed at the United badge on a number of occasions before pulling his finger to the side of his head and then in the direction of the jubilant supporters in the Stretford End.

FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FB PAGE! Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page

Speaking after Casemiro’s goal, ex-United defender Gary Neville said on co-commentary for Sky Sports: “I said in the first half while they might replace him positionally in midfield, it’s going to be very difficult to replace him in both boxes because he is sensational at getting first contact on headers.

Advertisement

“And the badge is presented to the Stretford End by the Brazilian. He just gets up so early, it’s a brilliant, brilliant header. It’s a really good glance into that far corner, it couldn’t be any better in-off the post.”

Casemiro confirmed in January that he will leave United when his contract expires at the end of the season. He signed for the Reds in a £70million deal from Real Madrid in August 2022, and following a mixed first two years in Manchester, his form has improved tenfold across the last 18 months.

This season, Casemiro has stood out and his seven goals in 27 appearances is his joint-most prolific one to date in his professional club career. He is a threat in both boxes and showed that again for United against Villa.

Advertisement

But while United fans have just eight league matches left to see Casemiro in action for the Reds, there has been some talk that he could produce a U-Turn and sign a new contract.

And with Casemiro pointing straight at the United badge in his celebration could be a hint that he might still remain at the Reds following the 2025/26 season – something many Reds fans would be delighted about.

Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Wild entertaining changes ahead of game vs. Leafs

Published

on

NHL: New York Rangers at Minnesota WildMar 14, 2026; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild defensemen Quinn Hughes (43) leaves the ice as the New York Rangers celebrate their victory at Grand Casino Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images

Some changes could be on the way for the Minnesota Wild.

The past week has included only one victory in four games (1-1-2) for Minnesota. The team will try to get back on track Sunday evening when the Wild face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Saint Paul, Minn.

Wild coach John Hynes hinted that he would challenge the status quo after his team lost 4-2 against the New York Rangers on Saturday night. That loss followed a 3-2 setback in the shootout round against the Philadelphia Flyers two nights earlier.

“I think it’s on me,” Hynes said. “We’ve had some routines that we felt have been working, but obviously the last two games … I think I’m going to look in the mirror, I think the team needs to look in the mirror. A little bit of, maybe we’re going to switch some routines, because it’s certainly not good enough.”

Could the changed routines affect practices, morning skates or optional skates?

Advertisement

“All of those things,” Hynes said. “Practices, skates, optional skates, meetings, mindsets. I think it’s in tandem.

“I felt like we have a good chemistry with how we go about our business and do things, but when I look at how we start the last two games, then I think you have to look internally and say, ‘OK, this was a routine that was working and we started games on time, but now it’s different.’”

Meanwhile, Toronto is looking to bounce back from a 3-2 loss in a shootout against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night.

Advertisement

Max Domi and Dakota Joshua scored one goal apiece for Toronto, which is trying to regroup after losing top goal-scorer Auston Matthews to a knee injury for the rest of the season.

Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said veteran forward William Nylander could help offset the loss of Matthews. Berube elevated Nylander to assistant captain after Matthews went down.

“We are going to lean on him, among other guys (with Matthews out),” Berube said. “I put the ‘A’ on Willy quite a few times over the past two years when one of our captains is out. He has been a good player for us, and he leads with his play.”

Minnesota likely will turn to Jesper Wallstedt in net one night after Filip Gustavsson made the start against the Rangers.

Advertisement

Wallstedt, 23, is 14-6-6 with a 2.77 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage in 27 games this season. He has yet to face the Maple Leafs in his brief career.

Toronto likely will counter with Anthony Stolarz in net one night after Joseph Wall started against the Sabres.

Stolarz is 7-9-3 with a 3.40 GAA and an .890 save percentage on the season. He is 1-3-1 with a 3.58 GAA and a .903 save percentage in five career games against the Wild.

This is the second and final meeting of the regular season between the teams.

Advertisement

In the first matchup, Minnesota pulled away for a 6-3 win on Jan. 19 in Toronto. Marcus Foligno recorded a hat trick and Vladimir Tarasenko finished with two goals and one assist for the Wild.

–Field Level Media

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Premiership Women’s Rugby: Gloucester-Hartpury top table after 22-17 win at Saracens

Published

on

Unbeaten Gloucester-Hartpury came from behind to snatch a dramatic win over Saracens and return to the top of the Premiership Women’s Rugby table.

Alex Matthews grabbed a hat-trick, with the number eight’s third try in the closing stages clinching a bonus point for the defending champions at the Stone X Stadium.

Saracens were a player down for the last seven minutes after Marlie Packer was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on.

With four matches of their league campaign remaining, Gloucester’s victory put them four points clear of second-placed Saracens – who have played a game more – and secured home advantage in the semi-finals at the end of the season.

Advertisement

The hosts led 14-12 at the break following tries from Liv Apps and Emma Hardy, but could only add a Zoe Harrison penalty after the break despite playing with a strong breeze at their backs.

Apps raced in under the posts early on, but the scrum-half was substituted in the first half following a cut to the head.

Hardy finished off a superb Sarries move that started in their own half to put them ahead again, after Matthews had picked up off a scrum for the first of her treble.

Her second try was a repeat of her first, but her side trailed after Lleucu George missed her drop-kick conversion attempt, the ball having been blown off the kicking tee with the shot clock winding down.

Advertisement

Hannah Dallavalle’s try near the corner after 64 minutes put Gloucester ahead for the first time, before a Zoe Harrison penalty levelled the game at 17-17.

But Packer’s error, which she immediately acknowledged, put Saracens under mounting pressure and Matthews barged over from a ruck at close range for the try that secured a bonus point for the three-time champions.

Saracens were not done, though, and were threatening the try-line when Gloucester-Hartpury stole their throw in their own 22 with 80 minutes up on the clock.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Shubman Gill bags Polly Umrigar Award, Smriti Mandhana makes history with fifth BCCI honour | Cricket News

Published

on

Shubman Gill bags Polly Umrigar Award, Smriti Mandhana makes history with fifth BCCI honour
Shubman Gill and Smriti Mandhana (PTI)

Shubman Gill and Smriti Mandhana were crowned the Best International Cricketers (Men’s and Women’s) at the BCCI Naman Awards 2026 on Sunday, celebrating their exceptional performances during the 2024–2025 season. Gill claimed the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award, marking his second Cricketer of the Year title after first winning in 2023, while Mandhana earned the honour for the fifth time.The ceremony also recognised former greats Roger Binny, Rahul Dravid, and Mithali Raj with the Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, the BCCI’s highest accolade, in recognition of their remarkable contributions to Indian cricket.Gill enjoyed a remarkable 2025, cementing his status as a pillar of India’s batting line-up in the longer formats. He led the way during India’s five-Test series in England, finishing as the leading run-scorer with 754 runs in 10 innings at an average of 75.40, including four centuries and a career-best 269. He also played a key role in India’s Champions Trophy triumph last year, entering the tournament as the world’s No.1-ranked ODI batter. Gill began with an unbeaten 101 against Bangladesh and ended the competition with 188 runs.Mandhana, meanwhile, completed 2025 with 1,703 international runs, including 1,362 in ODIs—the highest by any woman in a single year—becoming the first female batter in ODI history to surpass 1,000 runs in a calendar year. She was instrumental in India’s maiden Women’s World Cup victory, scoring 434 runs across nine matches to finish as India’s top scorer and second-highest overall. Earlier, Mandhana had smashed a 50-ball century against Australia in New Delhi, registering the fastest ODI hundred by an Indian batter and breaking Virat Kohli’s 52-ball record.

Banner Insert

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Angel Reese calls out fake quote

Published

on

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Chicago Sky star Angel Reese called out a fake quote that was posted on social media and attributed to her on Saturday.

The post on X attributed a quote to Reese that talked about how much money she earns in a week compared to those who earn in seven days. It appeared to be a slight toward Reese’s intelligence.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Advertisement
Angel Reese warms up

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese warms up before a game against the Connecticut Sun at Wintrust Arena on Sept. 3, 2025. (Kamil Krzaczynski/Imagn Images)

“Here we go again. Rent must be due,” she wrote in response.

Reese is set to enter the WNBA for her third season, though it’s unclear when the year will tip off as the players union and the league have yet to come to a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement.

For now, Reese is competing with Team USA in the FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying games. The Americans defeated Italy, 93-59, on Saturday. Reese had five points and seven rebounds in the victory.

She’s averaging 7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1 steal per game over the course of three qualifying games. She had six points against Senegal and 10 points against Puerto Rico.

Advertisement
Angel Reese looks on

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese on the sidelines before a New York Liberty game at Wintrust Arena on Sept. 11, 2025. (Kamil Krzaczynski/Imagn Images)

CAITLIN CLARK REJECTS ANGEL REESE HIGH-FIVE AT FIBA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

Reese entered the WNBA in 2024 as the Sky selected her with the No. 7 overall pick of the draft. She’s been an All-Star in each of her first two seasons. She’s averaging 14.1 points and 12.9 rebounds in 64 career games.

The clock is ticking on a new CBA deal to get done or the start of the 2026 season could be postponed.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said progress in negotiations and a deal are needed by Monday to avoid any possible disruptions.

Advertisement
Angel Reese sits courtside at the United Center

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese watches an NBA game between the Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic at United Center on Jan. 2, 2026. (Kamil Krzaczynski/Imagn Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

“I’ve never been a betting woman in my life and I’m not going to start now. But we have to get a deal done by Monday,” Engelbert said Friday. “We have to get it done without disrupting some part of the fact that we’ve got to run this two-team expansion (draft). We have to get expansion going. We got to get free agency going. We gotta get the college draft.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Advertisement

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

2026 Players Championship purse: Payout breakdown, winner’s share

Published

on

On Sunday at TPC Sawgrass, players will be fighting for the enormous 2026 Players Championship purse, with payouts breaking seven figures for several finishers.

With 18 holes to play, Ludvig Aberg seems to have his eye on his first Players Championship trophy. With a victory, Aberg would take home the largest Players payout of them all, a gargantuan winner’s share of $4.5 million.

That’s the biggest winner’s check in professional golf, as it was last year when Rory McIlroy took home the Players title.

You can only extract the largest winner’s share from the biggest purse in golf; the total Players Championship purse equals $25 million.

Advertisement


Michael Thorbjornsen will play alongside Ludvig Aberg in the final tee time at TPC Sawgrass.

At Players, two leaders have a fascinating past — and present


By:


Dylan Dethier



Aberg’s biggest winner’s prize so far in his career came at the 2025 Genesis Invitational. That week he took home $4 million for his troubles. Heading into Players week, Aberg’s career earnings on the PGA Tour stood at $22,793,388.

That means if he hoists the Players trophy on Sunday at TPC Sawgrass, he’ll increase his career earnings by nearly 20 percent.

Michael Thorbjornsen heads into Sunday in second place, three shots behind Aberg. If Thorbjornsen were to overcome Aberg and steal the win, the impact on his career earnings would be even more dramatic.

Advertisement

A 24-year-old Ohio native, Thorbjornsen has already played 51 PGA Tour events in his career (Aberg, 26, has played 61 events). Over those tournaments, he’s earned $4,281,178.

A Players Championship triumph on Sunday for Thorbjornsen, which would be his first PGA Tour win, would more than double his career Tour earnings.

But if he plays well, Thorbjornsen will do just fine even if he doesn’t beat Aberg. Payouts for the top-five finishers at this year’s Players Championship all exceed $1 million.

You can see the full 2026 Players Championship payout breakdown below.

Advertisement

2026 Players Championship payout for every player

1st: $4,500,000
2nd: $2,725,000
3rd: $1,725,000
4th: $1,225,000
5th: $1,025,000
6th: $906,250
7th: $843,750
8th: $781,250
9th: $731,250
10th: $681,250
11th: $631,250
12th: $581,250
13th: $531,250
14th: $481,250
15th: $456,250
16th: $431,250
17th: $406,250
18th: $381,250
19th: $356,250
20th: $331,250
21st: $306,250
22nd: $281,250
23rd: $261,250
24th: $241,250
25th: $221,250
26th: $201,250
27th: $193,750
28th: $186,250
29th: $178,750
30th: $171,250
31st: $163,750
32nd: $156,250
33rd: $148,750
34th: $142,500
35th: $136,250
36th: $130,000
37th: $123,750
38th: $118,750
39th: $113,750
40th: $108,750
41st: $103,750
42nd: $98,750
43rd: $93,750
44th: $88,750
45th: $83,750
46th: $78,750
47th: $73,750
48th: $69,750
49th: $66,250
50th: $64,250
51st: $62,750
52nd: $61,250
53rd: $60,250
54th: $59,250
55th: $58,750
56th: $58,250
57th: $57,750
58th: $57,250
59th: $56,750
60th: $56,250
61st: $55,750
62nd: $55,250
63rd: $54,750
64th: $54,250
65th: $53,750

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Days Ahead Of IPL 2026, Anil Kumble Points Out “Wrong Decision” Taken By KKR

Published

on

File photo of Anil Kumble.© AFP




Advertisement

After winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) released their captain Shreyas Iyer and star opener Phil Salt. The two players thus went under the hammer in the mega auction later that year for the next edition. Iyer went to Punjab Kings, leading the side to the final, while Salt was part of the title-winning Royal Challengers Bengaluru side. Reacting to KKR’s idea of letting go of both the players, former India captain and legendary spinner Anil Kumble said that it was a “wrong decision”.

“Two years ago, KKR won the IPL and lifted their third trophy. Two important cogs in that wheel were Shreyas Iyer and Phil Salt. Both played crucial roles in helping them win but KKR let both of them go. There is no consistency from them in terms of player retention. KKR took the wrong decision by letting Shreyas Iyer and Phil Salt leave (and) that has left them without an IPL-winning captain,” Kumble said as per a JioHotstar release.

Apart from captaincy, Iyer scored 351 runs in 15 matches at an average of 39.00 and a strike rate of 146.86 for KKR in IPL 2024. The same season saw Salt scoring 435 runs at an average of 39.55 and a strike rate of 182.01 for the franchise.

After winning the title in 2024, KKR fared poorly under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane in the following season. The side finished at eighth position with only five wins from 14 matches.

Advertisement

“Yes, Ajinkya Rahane is an experienced campaigner. He has led Mumbai in domestic cricket and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. But he has not lifted the IPL title as (a) captain (yet). Having a skipper who has won the trophy gives you an advantage. KKR let go of that advantage. They need to learn how to keep hold of their key players. Otherwise, they will keep struggling and cannot be considered favourites to win the trophy,” Kumble said.

Rahane is most likely to lead KKR in IPL 2026 as well. The side begins its campaign this year with a match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29.

Topics mentioned in this article

Advertisement

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Jazz take on Kings in battle of worst in the West

Published

on

NBA: Sacramento Kings at Los Angeles ClippersMar 14, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard-forward DeMar DeRozan (10) shoots against LA Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) during the second half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

The two worst teams in the Western Conference will square off Sunday night when the Sacramento Kings host the Utah Jazz.

The Kings are showing life with three wins in their past four games, including an impressive takedown of the host Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night during the front end of a back-to-back. That was Sacramento’s 17th triumph of the season.

The Jazz, who were off Saturday, have dropped 10 of their past 12 games. They have 20 victories.

Utah was fined $500,000 in mid-February for tanking – “conduct detrimental to the league” was the official declaration – but apparently Sacramento won’t have any such worries based on its 118-109 victory over the Clippers.

The Kings led by as many 20 points and shot a sizzling 58.5% from the field while outrebounding the Clippers 48-35.

Advertisement

DeMar DeRozan recorded 27 points and seven assists, Precious Achiuwa had 25 points and 13 rebounds and Maxime Raynaud added 23 points. That trio combined to make 32 of 40 shots (80%).

“It was a collective effort,” DeRozan said of the victory. “I know where we’re at record-wise. Me being one of the veterans, we’re just trying to build winning habits and tell the young guys we have to go there and compete every night.”

Russell Westbrook was just 4-of-15 shooting but had 12 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his second triple-double in three games to extend his NBA career record to 209.

One of Westbrook’s six triple-doubles this season came in a 128-119 road loss against the Jazz on Nov. 28. He had 16 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds that night.

Advertisement

Utah has won two of the teams’ three meetings heading into Sunday’s final matchup of the campaign. DeRozan is eyeing a split of the season series.

“We go back home, feed off our crowd and try to get another win,” DeRozan said.

Utah is experiencing a dreadful season and it continued with Friday night’s 124-114 loss against the Portland Trail Blazers in the opener of a three-game road trip.

Advertisement

The Jazz led by 18 in the first quarter but couldn’t emerge victorious despite racking up 16 steals and forcing 24 turnovers.

“The activity and the aggressiveness is exactly how we want to play,” Utah coach Will Hardy said. “Sixteen steals for us is an incredibly high number.”

Third-year pro Brice Sensabaugh made six 3-pointers for the second straight game and had 31 points. He scored 29 two nights earlier in a 134-117 home loss to the New York Knicks.

Cody Williams, in his second season, added a career-best 19 points on 7-of-17 shooting against Portland.

Advertisement

“Cody has grown up a ton,” Hardy said. “For him to take 17 shots in this game, it’s showing that he’s growing in the variety of shots he can get off and the aggressiveness in playing towards the rim. Cody has grown a lot as a player and young man, and with that comfort you’re seeing more aggressiveness on the court.”

Season-long bright spot Keyonte George (right hamstring) will miss his second straight game and is expected to miss at least two weeks.

That’s a rough blow for George, who is among the leading candidates for the league’s Most Improved Player award.

The third-year guard is averaging 23.6 points and 6.1 assists and has made 37.1% of his 3-point shots, all representing career-best stats.

Advertisement

George has played in 54 games and needs to play in 65 to be eligible for NBA awards. Counting the clash with the Kings, Utah has just 15 games remaining, which means George can only miss four more games.

–Field Level Media

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

West Asia conflict scraps Messi vs Yamal show as Finalissima is cancelled | Football News

Published

on


A highly anticipated meeting between Argentina and Spain — and with it the prospect of Lionel Messi facing teenage star Lamine Yamal — has been called off after organisers abandoned plans to stage the 2026 Finalissima. The match between the reigning champions of South America and Europe collapsed after efforts to relocate the fixture from Qatar failed and negotiations between UEFA and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) reached a dead end.

 


The cancellation ends hopes of a rare encounter between two players from vastly different eras of football. Messi, Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain and one of the sport’s most decorated players, was set to face Spain’s emerging talent Yamal in what many expected to be a symbolic passing-of-the-torch moment.

 
 

Advertisement


Regional tensions derail original Qatar plan

 


The Finalissima had initially been scheduled for March 27 in Qatar. However, organisers were forced to reconsider the venue after tensions in West Asia raised concerns over staging the match in the region.

 

Advertisement


Following discussions between UEFA and authorities in Qatar, it was concluded that the fixture could no longer be hosted there on the planned date. The decision triggered an urgent attempt to identify an alternative venue that could accommodate both teams within the tight international calendar.

 

For UEFA, the development represented a major logistical setback. Qatar had been considered a suitable host given its experience of organising large-scale international events and its modern football infrastructure. 

 


Madrid option fails to secure agreement

Advertisement

 


With Qatar ruled out, UEFA proposed shifting the match to Spain, suggesting Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium as the replacement venue. The plan aimed to retain the original date while offering equal ticket allocations to supporters from both nations.

 


Hosting the game at the Bernabeu — one of football’s most iconic stadiums — was viewed as a practical solution that would preserve the prestige of the event. However, the proposal did not receive backing from Argentina’s football federation, which declined the offer.

Advertisement

 


The rejection stalled negotiations and complicated efforts to keep the one-off contest on the international calendar.

 


Two-match compromise also rejected

Advertisement

 


In an attempt to rescue the fixture, UEFA later suggested a revised format that would involve two matches rather than a single final. Under the proposal, Spain would host the first leg in Madrid, with Argentina staging the return game in Buenos Aires during a future international window before the 2028 European Championship and Copa America.

 


The arrangement was intended to ensure competitive balance by allowing both teams to play at home while also easing concerns over venue neutrality.

Advertisement

 


Despite the compromise, the AFA again turned down the proposal, leaving organisers with no viable option to stage the match.

 


Fans miss out on generational duel

Advertisement

 


With no agreement reached, the Finalissima has been abandoned altogether. The outcome deprives fans of what could have been one of the most compelling international fixtures of the year.

 


Beyond the trophy at stake, the contest had generated excitement because of the potential meeting between Messi and Yamal. The Argentine captain, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, would have faced Spain’s teenage winger, who has quickly emerged as one of the sport’s most promising young talents.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025