The New York Knicks had a successful 2024-25 season, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite this success, the team fired coach Tom Thibodeau and replaced him with Mike Brown. Knicks player Miles McBride commented on how he looks forward to changes in the team's offensive strategy under the new coach.
Key Facts
The New York Knicks finished the 2024-25 season with a 51-31 record.
The team reached the Eastern Conference Finals but lost to the Indiana Pacers.
Tom Thibodeau was fired after five years as head coach of the Knicks.
Thibodeau had a 226-174 regular season record and a 24-23 playoff record with the team.
Mike Brown has taken over as the Knicks' new head coach.
Knicks player Miles McBride expressed excitement about potential changes to the team's offensive strategy.
The Knicks added free agents Guerschon Yabusele and Jordan Clarkson to strengthen their roster.
Former NFL coach Herm Edwards shared his thoughts on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers' recent performance. Despite being historically successful, Rodgers showed inconsistent play and faced criticism for tactical mistakes during a game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Key Facts
Aaron Rodgers is the quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a former Green Bay Packers player.
In a Week 1 game, Rodgers threw for 244 yards and four touchdowns without interceptions, leading the Steelers to a win over the New York Jets.
In a recent game against the Seattle Seahawks, Rodgers completed 18 of 33 passes, and the Steelers lost by 14 points.
Former NFL coach Herm Edwards criticized Rodgers for being inconsistent and making tactical errors.
Rodgers has been sacked seven times in two games this season, which may be due to his reduced mobility.
Rodgers suffered an Achilles injury two years ago, potentially affecting his current performance.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive line has faced challenges, contributing to Rodgers being sacked frequently.
Rodgers will next play against the New England Patriots, a team with a coach who has experience in defensive strategies.
Barcelona's winger Lamine Yamal will not play in the Champions League match against Newcastle United due to a groin injury. This decision follows his recent playtime with Spain's national team. Other players, like Alejandro Balde and Gavi, are also missing due to injuries.
Key Facts
Lamine Yamal is not in the squad for Barcelona's game against Newcastle.
Yamal missed the previous game against Valencia because of a groin injury.
Barcelona manager criticized the time Yamal played for Spain during recent matches.
Yamal played 79 minutes against Bulgaria and 73 minutes against Turkey for Spain.
Barcelona defeated Valencia 6-0 without Yamal.
Other Barcelona players, Alejandro Balde and Gavi, are also out due to injuries.
Frenkie de Jong missed the Valencia game but will play against Newcastle.
Barcelona won the Spanish league, La Liga, last season.
Former world boxing champion Ricky Hatton was found dead at his home in Manchester. He was 46 years old. His family said he was looking forward to his future and had planned a comeback fight in Dubai.
Key Facts
Ricky Hatton was a world champion in boxing at light-welterweight and welterweight.
He won 45 of his 48 professional boxing matches.
Hatton passed away at 46 years old; police do not suspect foul play in his death.
He had openly discussed coping with depression and was in a documentary about his life.
At the time of his death, Hatton was preparing for a boxing event in Dubai.
His family released a statement highlighting their shock and need for privacy.
Hatton was a grandfather and had planned for his family to see him fight live in Dubai for the first time.
Former Arsenal football player Thomas Partey has been accused of raping two women and sexually assaulting a third. He pleaded not guilty to all charges during a court appearance.
Key Facts
Thomas Partey is a former football player for Arsenal.
He faces accusations of raping two women and sexually assaulting a third woman.
The charges include five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
These incidents are alleged to have occurred between 2021 and 2022 while he played for Arsenal.
Partey appeared at Southwark Crown Court and denied all charges.
He was charged shortly after leaving the club in June when his contract ended.
Partey confirmed his name and date of birth in court and entered his not guilty plea.
The Washington Commanders are signing Preston Smith, a veteran defensive player, back onto their team. Smith, who was originally drafted by the Commanders in 2015, has played for the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers. He has a total of 70.5 career sacks and will be joining the Commanders ahead of Week 3.
Key Facts
The Washington Commanders plan to sign Preston Smith, a veteran defensive end.
Smith was first drafted by the Commanders in the second round in 2015.
He has previously played for the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
During his time with the Packers, Smith signed a significant contract worth $52 million over four years.
Smith has appeared in 163 NFL games and has achieved 70.5 career sacks.
Last season, Smith was with the Steelers and made 13 tackles and two sacks in eight games.
The Commanders decided to reunite with Smith after a workout earlier this week.
Justin Rose, a member of Team Europe, has expressed skepticism about Team USA's strategy for the upcoming Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. He believes that the American team is focusing too much on bonding activities rather than building a strong team identity. The Ryder Cup will take place in New York, and both teams are preparing for it.
Key Facts
The Ryder Cup will be held at Bethpage Black in New York from September 26–28, 2023.
Justin Rose of Team Europe questioned Team USA's emphasis on team bonding.
Rose stated that a great team comes from a shared vision and legacy, not just friendship.
The Ryder Cup is known for its intense atmosphere, with New York hosting for the first time.
Bethpage Black has hosted other major golf events, including wins by Tiger Woods and Brooks Koepka.
Team Europe has been preparing for this event for nearly a decade.
Team USA, led by captain Keegan Bradley, has been focusing on team dynamics and bonding activities.
The India vs Pakistan cricket match during the Asia Cup 2025 is significant for more than just the game itself. It involves strong emotions, political undertones, and financial considerations, making it one of the most intense sports rivalries.
Key Facts
India and Pakistan are playing against each other in the Asia Cup 2025.
The match is about more than just cricket; it involves politics and emotions.
It represents one of the world's most intense sports rivalries.
The clash draws significant attention due to its historical and emotional context.
The match also involves major financial interests.
The New York Yankees narrowly won a game against the Minnesota Twins after leading by a large margin. Despite some struggles, the Yankees' bullpen managed to secure the win. Mark Leiter Jr., a player on the team, expressed confidence in the bullpen's abilities, although their recent performance has been inconsistent.
Key Facts
The Yankees led 10-1 against the Twins but had to work hard to keep their lead.
The Yankees' bullpen allowed several runs but ultimately held onto the win.
Ryan Yarbrough, a reliever, gave up four earned runs.
Mark Leiter Jr. and Devin Williams helped maintain the lead until David Bednar closed the game.
The Yankees' bullpen has been inconsistent, ranking 23rd in the league with a 4.61 ERA.
New team members joined after the trade deadline, including David Bednar, Camilo Doval, and Jake Bird.
Despite recent challenges, Mark Leiter Jr. praised the bullpen as one of the best in the league.
Several bullpen members, like Bednar, Williams, and Doval, have been All-Stars.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen discussed the Miami Dolphins' defense, noting its unpredictable style and the challenges it poses. Despite Miami's defensive struggles so far this season, Allen respects their ability to disrupt games. The upcoming game between the Bills and the Dolphins is expected to be a significant test for Miami's defense.
Key Facts
Josh Allen plays for the Buffalo Bills in the NFL.
Allen described the Miami Dolphins' defense as "unpredictable" and able to pressure quarterbacks.
Miami's defense has allowed an average of 33 points per game this season, which is high in the NFL.
The Dolphins' defense ranks low in stopping the run and pass and in total yards allowed.
Josh Allen has a strong record against the Dolphins, losing only twice in 15 games.
Thursday's game is important for both teams, especially for Miami's defensive performance.
The future of Dolphins' head coach Mike McDaniel may depend on the defense's performance against Buffalo.
The Philadelphia Phillies won against the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-6 after overcoming pitcher Shohei Ohtani, who had dominated the first five innings. Rafael Marchán hit a three-run home run in the ninth inning, helping the Phillies maintain their home-field advantage hopes in the playoffs. Kyle Schwarber expressed that facing Ohtani provided valuable experience for potential future matchups.
Key Facts
The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-6.
Shohei Ohtani held the Phillies without a hit for the first five innings.
Ohtani only pitched five innings, throwing 68 pitches, after recovering from Tommy John surgery.
The Phillies scored six runs in the sixth inning after Ohtani left the game.
Rafael Marchán hit a three-run home run in the ninth inning.
The win helps the Phillies in their quest for home-field advantage in the playoffs.
Kyle Schwarber believes facing Ohtani gave them an experience advantage for potential playoff games.
The Phillies currently hold the No. 2 seed in the National League, setting up a possible playoff series with the Dodgers.
Former Chelsea soccer player David Luiz talked to BBC Sport about starting a new role at the soccer club Pafos. He also looked back on his time with Chelsea when they won the Champions League in 2012.
Key Facts
David Luiz is a former Chelsea defender.
He has now joined a soccer club named Pafos.
Luiz spoke to a BBC Sport reporter named Olly Foster.
During the interview, Luiz discussed his new role at Pafos.
Luiz also reflected on Chelsea's win in the 2012 Champions League.
The Champions League is a major European soccer tournament.
Starting in 2026, the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club will also be streamed on Amazon Prime Video. This streaming will add to existing coverage by ESPN and CBS, expanding how fans can watch the event. The decision follows recent significant viewer interest in the tournament, especially with Rory McIlroy's win.
Key Facts
The Masters is one of golf's most famous and prestigious tournaments.
Starting in 2026, Amazon Prime Video will stream two extra hours of live coverage on the first two days of the tournament.
ESPN and CBS will continue to air the existing broadcast coverage.
In 2025, Rory McIlroy ended an 11-year wait to complete his career Grand Slam.
Over 12 million viewers watched the final round on CBS this year.
Amazon Prime's coverage will occur from 1 to 3 p.m. ET on April 9 and 10, 2026.
ESPN’s coverage will follow from 3 to 7:30 p.m. ET those days.
CBS will air weekend coverage, while Paramount+ will show additional streams.
Jose Mourinho might replace Bruno Lage as the manager of Benfica after Lage was dismissed following a recent defeat. Mourinho is reportedly considering returning to Portugal to manage the team once again. The club aims to have a new manager by Saturday, though it has not officially confirmed Mourinho as the choice.
Key Facts
Bruno Lage was dismissed as Benfica's manager after a loss to Qarabag in the Champions League.
Benfica's president, Rui Costa, wants to appoint a new manager by Saturday.
Jose Mourinho is open to returning to manage in Portugal, where he started his career.
Mourinho was previously fired by Fenerbahce after a Champions League play-off loss to Benfica.
Mourinho first managed Benfica in 2000 but left after only 10 games.
If Mourinho takes the job, he may face his former club, Chelsea, in the Champions League on September 30.
Benfica is currently sixth in the Primeira Liga and five points behind the leader, Porto.
Benfica has an upcoming presidential election on October 25, unrelated to the managerial change.
Taylor Townsend, a US tennis player, apologized for comments she made about Chinese food while in Shenzhen for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. Her remarks about traditional dishes like frog and turtle sparked criticism on social media.
Key Facts
Taylor Townsend is a US tennis player, currently playing in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in China.
She made comments on social media describing Chinese dishes with frog and turtle as "wild" and "crazy."
Her remarks caused a backlash on social media platforms in both English and Chinese.
Townsend later apologized, acknowledging her comments were offensive and said she would be more considerate in the future.
She emphasized her appreciation for experiencing different cultures as a professional athlete.
Townsend's comments led to negative reactions, with some users highlighting a lack of cultural understanding.
This incident follows a previous controversy involving Townsend and another player over etiquette issues.
Lionel Messi scored a goal and assisted another as Inter Miami defeated the Seattle Sounders 3-1. This match came two weeks after Seattle beat Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup final.
Key Facts
Lionel Messi scored one goal and assisted another in Inter Miami's 3-1 win against Seattle Sounders.
In the previous match on August 31, the Seattle Sounders beat Inter Miami 3-0 in the Leagues Cup final.
Messi assisted Jordi Alba in the 12th minute to give Inter Miami an early lead.
Jordi Alba assisted Messi for Inter Miami's second goal in the 41st minute, making the score 2-0.
Ian Fray scored the third goal for Inter Miami with a header at the start of the second half.
Obed Vargas scored for Seattle in the 69th minute, making it 3-1.
Luis Suarez did not play for Inter Miami as he was serving a suspension.
Inter Miami will next play against DC United, and Seattle Sounders will face Austin FC.
Sam Fenton is a 21-year-old British athlete who became the first British quarterback to join a Division One college American football team in the U.S. He aims to secure a starting position at the University of South Florida and eventually be selected by an NFL team.
Key Facts
Sam Fenton is the first British quarterback to make it to a Division One college team in the U.S.
He began playing American football seriously only seven years ago.
Fenton is targeting a starting spot on the University of South Florida's football team.
His end goal is to be drafted into the NFL.
The quarterback role in American football is considered very challenging because they lead most plays and face significant pressure.
Sam Fenton's daily routine involves rigorous schedules from 5am to 10pm, including training and academics.
His early sports background includes playing as a goalkeeper, which helped develop his throwing skills.
He initially played for the Cobham Cougars and joined the NFL Academy in the UK.
Pafos FC, a football team from Cyprus, will make their first appearance in the UEFA Champions League. The team, founded in 2014, has quickly risen to success, reaching league milestones and securing wins over notable teams in qualifying rounds. Their upcoming Champions League matches include facing Bayern Munich and Chelsea.
Key Facts
Pafos FC was formed in 2014 from the merger of two local clubs.
They won their first league title and played in Europe for the first time last season.
Pafos reached the UEFA Champions League after winning three rounds of qualifying.
They defeated teams like Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Dynamo Kyiv, and Red Star Belgrade.
The team will face Bayern Munich and Chelsea in the Champions League league phase.
David Luiz, a former Chelsea and Brazil defender, joined Pafos in August.
The club is owned by Roman Dubov, a Russian businessman with British citizenship.
Juan Carlos Carcedo, a former assistant to Unai Emery, is the current coach.
Nicolas Jackson, a striker, joined Bayern Munich on loan from Chelsea after one of the summer's dramatic transfer stories. Jackson will soon play against Chelsea, his parent club, in a Champions League match. The loan deal includes a high fee and conditions for a potential permanent transfer.
Key Facts
Nicolas Jackson moved to Bayern Munich on loan from Chelsea.
His loan fee was £14.3 million, which is nearly a record for a temporary move.
Chelsea and Bayern Munich agreed on the loan just before the transfer deadline.
The deal includes a conditional obligation to buy for £56.2 million.
Jackson is set to play against Chelsea in an upcoming Champions League game.
The conditions for a permanent move are reportedly difficult to meet, including game participation requirements.
Jackson’s agency, Epic Sport, paid an additional £1.3 million to finalize the loan.
There is a chance Jackson might return to Chelsea after the loan period ends.
Great Britain's team is preparing to compete in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals taking place in Shenzhen, China. They will face Japan in the quarter-finals with hopes to win their first title. Key players include Katie Boulter, Sonay Kartal, Jodie Burrage, and Francesca Jones, who replaces Emma Raducanu.
Key Facts
The Billie Jean King Cup Finals begin this week, and Great Britain's team will compete against Japan on Thursday.
Eight nations are vying for the trophy, with the event held in Shenzhen, China.
Britain has reached the finals four times but has never won the title.
Katie Boulter, ranked 50th, is an experienced team member, playing in her seventh BJK Cup.
Sonay Kartal is considered a future star, with a current world ranking of 48 and a strong BJK Cup record.
Jodie Burrage, ranked 117, has overcome injuries and is making significant contributions to the team.
Francesca Jones, ranked 85, joins the team as a substitute for Emma Raducanu.
