The article discusses what NBA teams that did not make the playoffs, such as the Hornets and Clippers, can do during the offseason. It focuses on their plans for the draft, free agency, and possible trades to improve their teams.
Key Facts
Several NBA teams did not reach the playoffs this season.
These teams enter the offseason to plan for the next year.
Key activities include the NBA draft, where teams pick new players.
Free agency allows teams to sign players whose contracts have ended.
Teams also consider trades to strengthen their rosters.
The article highlights how these moves can help teams become more competitive.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The New York Mets have lost nine games in a row and currently have a record of 7 wins and 13 losses. Despite the losing streak, Mets president David Stearns defended manager Carlos Mendoza and said the team's poor performance is due to the players struggling to hit, not a lack of effort.
Key Facts
The Mets lost 12-4 to the Chicago Cubs, dropping their record to 7-13.
The team's losing streak has reached nine games.
Mets president David Stearns supports manager Carlos Mendoza and does not blame him for the losing streak.
Stearns said the players are trying hard but the offense is not hitting well this spring.
The Mets have the second-highest payroll in Major League Baseball at $381 million.
The team is 5.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the National League East standings.
Historically, only nine MLB teams have lost nine games in a row and still made the playoffs; just one (the 1953 Yankees) won the World Series after such a streak.
If the Mets lose 10 games in a row, they would face even longer odds, as no team has lost 10 straight and won the World Series.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick says no final decision has been made about Marcus Rashford’s future after his loan to Barcelona. Barcelona must decide by June 15 whether to buy Rashford, but he could still return to Manchester United where he has two years remaining on his contract.
Key Facts
Marcus Rashford is 28 years old and currently on a season-long loan at Barcelona.
Barcelona has a €30 million (£26.1 million) option to buy Rashford until June 15.
Manchester United is resistant to changing the terms of Rashford’s loan deal.
Rashford’s contract with Manchester United runs for two more years and could increase by 25% if the club qualifies for the Champions League.
Michael Carrick, Manchester United’s head coach, says no decision has been made yet about Rashford’s future.
Rashford is likely to be part of England’s squad for the upcoming World Cup, coached by Thomas Tuchel.
Rashford was previously loaned to Aston Villa in 2025 seeking a new challenge.
Manchester United faces player availability issues for an upcoming match due to suspensions and absences.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Kevin Durant hurt his right knee during practice this week. The Houston Rockets think this injury will not keep him from playing in their first playoff game against the Lakers.
Key Facts
Kevin Durant has a bruise on his right knee from practice.
The injury is called a knee contusion, which means a bruise.
The injury happened this week before the playoffs.
The Rockets are hopeful Durant will be able to play.
The first playoff game is against the Los Angeles Lakers.
ESPN reported this information from a source close to the team.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Coventry City Football Club has returned to the Premier League after 25 years. Under manager Frank Lampard, the team secured promotion by drawing against Blackburn, ending a long period of struggles including relegations and financial troubles.
Key Facts
Coventry was relegated from the Premier League in May 2001 and spent many years in lower leagues.
The club faced financial difficulties, including administration in 2013 and groundshares with other teams.
Former owner Sisu sold the club to Doug King in 2023.
Frank Lampard became Coventry’s manager in November 2024, replacing Mark Robins.
Lampard's leadership helped improve team performance and morale.
Coventry secured promotion with a 1-1 draw against Blackburn on a Friday night.
The club’s training facilities and team environment have been upgraded under new ownership.
Players such as Brandon Thomas-Asante have notably improved their performance during the season.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Ronnie O'Sullivan, aged 50, is aiming to win his eighth World Snooker Championship title, a record in the modern era. The current champion, Zhao Xintong from China, is seen by many as the favorite to win this year's tournament, having won multiple events recently.
Key Facts
Ronnie O'Sullivan won his first World Snooker Championship in 2001.
He has won seven world titles so far, tying the record held by Stephen Hendry.
O'Sullivan is the oldest player to win at the Crucible Theatre, last achieving this in 2022 at age 46.
In 2025, O'Sullivan made the highest break ever recorded in professional snooker, a score of 153.
The World Snooker Championship lasts 17 days, starting on April 26, with the final in early May 2026.
Zhao Xintong won the most recent championship in 2025 and has won four events this season.
Zhao defeated Judd Trump 10-3 in the final of the Tour Championship earlier this year.
China’s Zhao is trying to overcome the "Crucible Curse," where first-time winners have not defended their title the next year.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The New York Mets have a poor start to the season with a 7-12 record and are last in their division. Mets president David Stearns defended manager Carlos Mendoza, saying the team is trying hard but struggling offensively, and assured that Mendoza is doing a good job managing the players.
Key Facts
The Mets have a 7-12 record, worst in the National League East.
They are five games behind the division leader, the Atlanta Braves.
New York's payroll this season is over $381 million, the second-highest in MLB.
The team has scored only four runs in the last four games.
The Mets were swept by the Dodgers in a recent three-game series.
Fans booed the Mets after the losing streak reached eight games.
Mets president David Stearns said manager Carlos Mendoza is consistent and doing well.
Stearns mentioned the offense is struggling partly because players might be pushing too hard, not due to lack of effort.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Pittsburgh Steelers face uncertainty about their quarterback position as Aaron Rodgers has not confirmed if he will play in 2026. Veteran player Cam Heyward supports young quarterback Will Howard as a strong backup option. The team may either keep Rodgers, promote Howard, or draft a new quarterback.
Key Facts
Aaron Rodgers, the Steelers’ current quarterback, has not officially committed to the 2026 season.
Cam Heyward, a veteran Steelers defensive player, expressed confidence in Will Howard as a potential quarterback.
Rodgers has praised young quarterback Will Howard and taken him under his wing.
The Steelers’ longtime head coach Mike Tomlin left, and Mike McCarthy, Rodgers’ former coach, replaced him.
Key offensive players Kenneth Gainwell and Calvin Austin III left the team in free agency.
The Steelers are considering three options for the quarterback role: Rodgers returning, Howard becoming the starter, or drafting a new quarterback in 2026.
The uncertainty is influenced by Rodgers’ age (42) and the team’s changing roster and leadership.
The Steelers want to be prepared and not caught off guard by the quarterback situation.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird have announced that they are ending their 10-year relationship. They shared a joint statement expressing gratitude and respect for each other and their community, while also saying they will end their podcast collaboration.
Key Facts
Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird have been together for 10 years before deciding to separate.
They announced their split in a joint statement posted on Togethxr.
They met at the 2016 Rio Olympics and publicly shared their relationship after Bird came out in 2017.
The couple became engaged in October 2020.
They co-created a production company and podcast called "A Touch More," which will end following their split.
Sue Bird had a distinguished basketball career with the Seattle Storm, retiring in 2022, and won five Olympic gold medals.
Megan Rapinoe retired from professional soccer in 2023 and is a U.S. women’s national team legend with two World Cups and an Olympic gold medal.
Both athletes are highly celebrated in their sports, with Bird inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame and Rapinoe winning major awards like the Golden Ball and the Ballon d’Or.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
LeBron James discussed rookies from the last NBA draft on a podcast with Steve Nash. During the talk, LeBron made a joking comment about Dylan Harper’s dad, Ron Harper, who is also a former NBA player and coach. LeBron supports his sons' basketball careers but doesn’t tolerate criticism of his family.
Key Facts
LeBron James and his son Bronny James may play together in the NBA postseason.
LeBron and Steve Nash talked about top rookies from last year’s NBA Draft on the "Mind the Game" podcast.
They mentioned players like Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Dylan Harper.
LeBron made a joke about Dylan Harper’s dad, Ron Harper, a five-time NBA champion and former assistant coach.
Ron Harper has two sons playing in the NBA: Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs) and Ronald Harper Jr. (Boston Celtics).
LeBron said he never pushed his kids to play basketball and supports their choices.
Bronny James plays for the Los Angeles Lakers; Bryce James plays college basketball for Arizona Wildcats.
Both Ron Harper’s sons’ teams are in the NBA Playoffs and could meet in the Finals.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Los Angeles Rams released a short film to promote their NFL draft picks. The film is inspired by the 1995 comedy movie "Friday" and features the sons of actors Ice Cube and Chris Tucker, along with Rams players and some celebrity guests.
Key Facts
The short film is a teaser for the Rams' NFL draft event.
It takes inspiration from the 1995 comedy movie "Friday."
The actors' roles are played by the sons of Ice Cube and Chris Tucker.
Several Los Angeles Rams football players appear in the film.
The film also includes appearances by some celebrities.
The teaser is meant to create excitement around the team’s new player selections.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Marie-Louise Eta will become the first female head coach of a men’s team in the German Bundesliga when she leads Union Berlin. Her appointment is seen as an important step for more women to take leadership roles in men’s professional football.
Key Facts
Marie-Louise Eta will coach Union Berlin in a Bundesliga match against FC Wolfsburg.
She is the first woman to lead a men’s team in one of Europe’s top five football leagues.
Eta was previously the first female assistant coach in the Bundesliga in 2023.
Some experts say this should be the start of normalizing women’s leadership in men’s football.
Union Berlin’s management fully supports her despite some online sexist abuse after her appointment.
Women have served as referees in men’s games, but are still underrepresented in top coaching and decision-making roles.
Clara Harrison, CEO of Women in Football, says cultural barriers remain in men’s football, even though formal obstacles have lessened.
Eta wants the focus to be on football and team success, not just her historic role.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Pellegrino Matarazzo is the coach of the Spanish football club Real Sociedad. He has a unique background, having grown up in New Jersey with Italian roots, studied mathematics at Columbia University, played football in lower leagues in Italy and Germany, and then became a successful football manager in Germany before joining Real Sociedad. He helped Real Sociedad avoid relegation and reach the Copa del Rey final for the first time in 39 years.
Key Facts
Matarazzo grew up in New Jersey with Italian as his first language and later learned German and Spanish.
He earned a degree in applied mathematics from Columbia University.
He played football in Italy's fourth division and in German regional leagues.
Matarazzo managed VfB Stuttgart and Hoffenheim in Germany, achieving promotions and European competition qualification.
He joined Real Sociedad in December when the team was facing relegation.
Under his leadership, Real Sociedad moved to safety in the league and reached the Copa del Rey final.
The Copa del Rey final is Real Sociedad’s first in 39 years and offers a chance for the club’s fourth-ever major trophy.
Matarazzo describes this period as a "special moment" for the club, the city, and himself as a coach.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce, brothers and retired and current NFL players, announced a new book called "No Dumb Questions: And All of Our Dumbest Answers." The book is based on a popular segment from their podcast "New Heights," where they answer unusual questions from fans.
Key Facts
Jason Kelce retired from the NFL in March 2024 and now works on ESPN.
Travis Kelce plays his 14th season with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Jason won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017.
Travis won three Super Bowls with the Chiefs, including beating the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII.
The Kelce brothers started the "New Heights" podcast in September 2022.
Their new book "No Dumb Questions" is available for preorder on Amazon in audiobook, hardcover, and Kindle formats.
The book answers quirky and varied questions about topics like sports, relationships, and parenting.
Travis has recently appeared in entertainment projects and performed with Taylor Swift.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Breanna Stewart has signed a new three-year contract with the New York Liberty in the WNBA, confirming she will stay with the team. The contract is a standard maximum deal under the league's new salary rules, and the Liberty also signed other key players to strengthen their team after winning their first WNBA title in 2024.
Key Facts
Breanna Stewart is staying with the New York Liberty and signed a three-year maximum contract.
The standard max contract is about 17% of the team's salary cap and starts at $1.19 million under the new collective bargaining agreement.
The WNBA salary cap increased to $7 million from $1.5 million last season.
The Liberty also signed Satou Sabally to a two-year fully guaranteed contract and kept Jonquel Jones on a multiyear deal.
Stewart, Jones, and Sabrina Ionescu led the Liberty to their first WNBA championship in 2024.
Stewart previously won two WNBA championships with the Seattle Storm and has multiple national and international basketball titles.
The Liberty are seen as a strong team for future championships, especially after adding a fourth key player to their group.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
WrestleMania 42 will feature a surprise in the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship match. Nikki Bella cannot compete due to an ankle injury, and former WWE and AEW star Saraya Bevis, known as Paige, is reported to replace her as Brie Bella’s tag team partner.
Key Facts
Nikki Bella was injured and not cleared to wrestle at WrestleMania 42.
The match is a Fatal Four-Way for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship.
Paige, also known as Saraya, signed with WWE again to replace Nikki Bella.
Paige had retired from wrestling due to neck injuries but returned in non-wrestling WWE roles.
Paige wrestled for AEW for nearly three years and won the AEW Women’s World Championship once.
WWE confirmed Paige’s return through reports, and she rehearsed the match this week.
The match will take place on April 18 and can be watched on the ESPN app.
Paige’s return is considered a major event for WWE’s biggest show of the year.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
During a baseball game in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league, umpire Takuto Kawakami was hit in the face by a bat that flew from a player's hands. He was immediately taken to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery. The league said they will review safety measures after this serious accident.
Key Facts
The incident happened during a game between the Yakult Swallows and Yokohama BayStars.
Player José Osuna fouled a pitch and his bat slipped from his hands, hitting umpire Kawakami.
Kawakami collapsed and was helped by both teams and other umpires on the field.
Medical staff used a stretcher to carry Kawakami off the field.
He was taken to a local hospital and had emergency surgery.
Nippon Professional Baseball called the incident very serious.
The league plans to check if their safety measures for umpires are enough.
The game was in the eighth inning, and the score was 2-0 at that time.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett is not attending the team's offseason program because he wants a new contract with more guaranteed money. The Cardinals have not named a starting quarterback yet and are also interested in drafting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.
Key Facts
Jacoby Brissett is holding out from the Arizona Cardinals offseason program to seek a new contract.
Brissett is set to make $9.06 million this season but has only $1.5 million guaranteed.
The Cardinals' general manager, Monti Ossenfort, has not decided on the starting quarterback.
The team is trying to install a new playing system under coach Matt LaFleur.
ESPN reported that the Cardinals are interested in Ty Simpson, a quarterback from Alabama.
The Cardinals may trade up in the NFL draft to get a first-round pick for Simpson.
The NFL draft starts on April 23.
The situation suggests the Cardinals are looking for long-term options at quarterback.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Nikki Bella will not compete at WrestleMania 42 because of an ankle injury sustained at the end of March. This injury forces WWE to change plans for the women's tag team championship match involving Nikki and her sister Brie Bella.
Key Facts
Nikki Bella injured her ankle during a "Friday Night SmackDown" show in late March.
She is not cleared to compete in WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Nikki and Brie Bella were scheduled to defend the women's tag team championship in a four-way match.
Other teams in the match include Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, Bayley and Lyra Valkyria, and the current champions Nia Jax and Las Legend.
WWE may change the match by removing Brie Bella or turning it into a three-team competition.
WWE is considering different options, such as finding a new partner for Brie Bella or pairing the Kabuki Warriors in the match.
Last year, WWE had to quickly replace an injured Rey Mysterio with Rey Fénix at WrestleMania.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Rhea Ripley, a WWE wrestler, is preparing for WrestleMania 42 where she will compete to win the WWE women's championship. She shared that she has been facing a lot of online harassment, which has affected her mental health and made it hard for her to use social media.
Key Facts
Rhea Ripley is a 29-year-old WWE wrestler and a former women's champion.
She is set to fight Jade Cargill for the WWE women's title at WrestleMania 42.
Ripley has faced years of negative and harmful comments online from fans.
The online harassment increased due to the ongoing storyline feud with Jade Cargill.
Ripley finds it difficult to use Twitter because of the constant negativity about her body and her work.
Despite the challenges, Ripley hopes to win her fourth women's world title at WrestleMania.
The feud started with physical confrontations and verbal exchanges between Ripley and Cargill.
Ripley spoke about her struggles on the "Pod Meets World" podcast.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
