San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama reported to the team’s facility as scheduled on Wednesday while recovering from a concussion. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Wembanyama is “hopeful” to travel with the team to Portland on Thursday. His status for Friday’s Game 3 remains uncertain.
The Spurs lost Wembanyama early Tuesday night after he took a hard, awkward fall and smacked his face directly onto the floor in Game 2 of their 106-103 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Wembanyama was quickly placed into concussion protocol and ruled out for the rest of the game. He was diagnosed with a concussion, head coach Mitch Johnson confirmed after the contest.
Further specifics, including how long he might be sidelined, are not yet known. League rules stipulate that a player can not return for at least 48 hours after being diagnosed with a concussion. He will have to complete the required return-to-participation process and be cleared by a team doctor, too. Players can participate in some degree of activity after 24 hours.
Though concussions are difficult to compare, the average of time of recovery for NBA players in recent years has landed around seven-to-10 days. That timeline undoubtedly puts at least the next few games in doubt for Wembanyama.
“He has a concussion, he’s in the protocol and we’ll obviously take the proper and appropriate steps,” Johnson told reporters after the game.
Johnson also said Wembanyama did not go to the hospital and the Spurs were not concerned about any additional injury beyond the concussion.
The Spurs quickly ruled out Victor Wembanyama for the rest of the game after placing him in concussion protocol. (AP/Eric Gay)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wembanyama goes down early with concussion
Wembanyama lost his balance in the lane as he tried to make a move past Jrue Holiday midway through the second quarter Tuesday. But as he turned around to try to get to the rim, Wembanyama collided with Holiday and lost his balance.
That sent him crashing face-first to the floor at the Frost Bank Center. Wembanyama’s chin collided with the court, and he remained down, clearly shaken up for quite some time under the rim.
After getting to a seated position, Wembanyama eventually jumped up and ran back to the locker room with 8:57 remaining in the second quarter.
While the two teams entered the locker room tied at halftime, the Spurs erupted to start the fourth quarter. They opened the final period on a 13-0 tear to finally get some separation.
But things flipped in the second half of the quarter, and the Spurs completely collapsed.
The Trail Blazers, without Wembanyama clogging things up for them inside, finally rallied back and took the lead again after Holiday cleaned up a missed Robert Williams bucket with about two minutes left on the clock. That capped a 12-2 Portland run.
Eventually, it was Williams who sealed the deal with an and-1 dunk right through Julian Champagnie with just 12 seconds left. While he missed the free throw, it gave the Blazers enough space out in front and allowed them to hang on to grab the three-point win.
Devin Vassell had a look to send the game to overtime in the final seconds, but he was just off the mark. The Trail Blazers closed the game on a 27-10 run to grab the win.
Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 18 points and eight rebounds, and Vassell added 16 points and 12 rebounds. Scoot Henderson led the Trail Blazers with 31 points after he went 5-of-9 from the 3-point line, and Holiday finished with 16 points and nine assists.
Game 3 of the series is set for Friday night at the Moda Center in Portland. It’s unclear how long Wembanyama will be in concussion protocol, though Friday’s game is technically outside of the league-required 48-hour window. Wembanyama will still have to be cleared to travel on Thursday first.
If Wembanyama ends up missing any extended time, the series could shift dramatically. With things tied now 1-1 and headed to the Pacific Northwest for the first time, it clearly already has.
The 2026 NBA playoffs tip off this weekend with eight games across Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19. You can catch NBA playoff games on ABC, NBC, ESPN, and Amazon Prime Video. Looking to watch the tournament with just one streaming service? We’ve (almost) got you covered. With DIRECTV’s MySports® Genre Pack®, you’ll have everything you need to tune in, apart from Prime Video — but who doesn’t have access to an Amazon account these days, anyway?
Here’s what you need to know so you won’t miss a single game of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
How to watch the 2026 NBA playoffs:
Dates: April 18 – June, 2026
TV channels: NBC, ESPN, ABC
Streaming: DIRECTV
When are the 2026 NBA playoffs?
The 2026 NBA playoffs officially get underway on April 18. The Eastern Conference finals are scheduled to begin May 19, and the Western Conference finals are scheduled for May 20. The NBA finals are set to begin on June 3, 2026.
What channels are broadcasting NBA playoff games?
NBA playoff games will be broadcast across Prime Video, NBC, ABC, and ESPN.
How to watch the 2026 NBA playoffs without cable:
NBA playoff games that air on NBC, ABC and ESPN are all available to stream with DIRECTV’s MySports® Genre Pack®, which includes access to ESPN (and the ESPN Unlimited streaming tier), local ABC and NBC.
Cancel anytime. Local channels vary by market. Blackout restrictions apply. Select sales channels only.
This will not replace any existing Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, or Disney bundle subscription you may already have. All other accounts must be managed separately. You must remain on an eligible plan to retain your offer.
Note: You’ll still need Amazon Prime access to catch the Prime Video-exclusive NBA playoff games — but who doesn’t have Amazon Prime access these days?
Why we love DIRECTV:
As Senior Yahoo Tech writer Rick Broida puts it, DIRECTV is the “polished and likable” cable alternative that cord-cutters have been searching for. Miss flipping through endless channels on the hunt for a gem to tune into? DIRECTV’s got one of the best channel guides out there. And in terms of content diversity, DIRECTV has you covered there, too, with packages ranging from hyper-specific Genre Packs for sports fans and reality TV zealots to full-coverage options for TV fans who want it all. Sports fans, meanwhile, will appreciate that ESPN Unlimited is included with many DIRECTV plans to boot. And don’t worry about missing your favorite shows, either: In addition to live channels, DIRECTV offers a full range of on-demand programming and unlimited DVR, too. That’s why we called DIRECTV the best cable TV replacement in the streaming world.
2026 NBA playoffs schedule this week:
All times Eastern
April 22
Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons: 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns: 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
April 23
New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks: 7 p.m. ET (Prime Video)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors: 8 p.m. ET (Prime Video)
Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: 9:30 p.m. ET (Prime Video)
April 24
Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers: 7 p.m. ET (Prime Video)
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers: 8 p.m. ET (Prime Video)
Portland Trail Blazers vs. San Antonio Spurs: 10:30 p.m. ET (Prime Video)
April 25
Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons: 1 p.m. ET (Peacock, NBCSN)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns: 3:30 p.m. ET (Peacock, NBC)
Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks: 6 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock)
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets: 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
April 26
Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: 1 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Portland Trail Blazers vs. San Antonio Spurs: 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics: 7 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock)
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers: 9:30 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock)
2026 NBA playoffs key dates:
May 4: Conference Semifinals begin (can move up to May 2 or 3)
May 19: Eastern Conference Finals begin on ESPN/ABC (can move up to May 17)
May 20: Western Conference Finals begin on NBC/Peacock (can move up to May 18)
June 3: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 1 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET
June 5: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 2 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET
June 8: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 3 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET
June 10: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 4 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET
June 13: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 5 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)
June 16: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 6 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)
June 19: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 7 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)
The Marc Montoya protégé faces perhaps his most difficult test to
date and tries to move one step closer to contention in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight division when he
toes the line against Aljamain
Sterling in the
UFC Fight Night 274 main event on Saturday at the UFC Apex in
Las Vegas. Zalal, 29, steps into the spotlight on the strength of a
career-best eight-fight winning streak that now spans more than
1,200 days. He last saw action at UFC 320, where he put away
Team Alpha Male’s Josh Emmett
with an armbar a mere 98 seconds into their Oct. 4 encounter. It
was Zalal’s fastest finish as a pro and propelled him into the Top
10 rankings at 145 pounds.
A 13-fight lineup at UFC Fight Night 274 features several fighters
on the rise, with Zalal at the front of the line. Four others to
monitor:
Violent predispositions have made Edwards impossible to ignore. The
Panamanian hunts her latest potential victim when she zeroes in on Norma
Dumont in a three-round women’s bantamweight co-main event that
provides a platform for two would-be contenders at 135 pounds.
After a rather non-descript start to her UFC tenure, Edwards has
hit the accelerator and pieced together a run of four straight
victories. All four have resulted in finishes, highlighted by
first-round knockouts of Chelsea
Chandler and Priscila
Cachoeira. Edwards, 30, last suited up on Feb. 21, when she
dispatched Nora
Cornolle with a rear-naked choke midway through the second
round of their UFC Fight Night 267 pairing. The
Kings MMA rep held titles in the King of
the Cage and Panama Fight League promotions prior to her arrive
in the UFC.
Montague may carry the late-bloomer tag, but she certainly appears
ready, willing and able to make up for lost time. The undefeated
American Top Team-trained Kiwi draws her second assignment
inside the Octagon when she takes on Mayra
Bueno Silva in a three-round women’s bantamweight prelim.
Montague, 32, moves back into view with a perfect 7-0 record in
tow. The
Professional Fighters League alum last strapped on the gloves
at UFC Fight Night 260, where she outpointed Luana
Carolina to a unanimous decision across three rounds on Sept.
27. Montague, the first woman from New Zealand to compete in the
UFC, did not start her formal training until she was 20 years
old.
Martinetti was a relative unknown until he appeared on
Dana White’s Contender Series and emerged as the last man
standing in a remarkable 15-minute firefight with Mark
Vologdin on Oct. 7. The 30-year-old Entram
Gym product makes his anticipated promotional debut opposite
“The Ultimate Fighter” Season 18 finalist Davey Grant
in a three-round bantamweight attraction. Martinetti, a star on the
regional circuit in his native Mexico, enters the Octagon armed
with an impressive 17-1 record and the wind of a 15-fight winning
streak at his back. The ex-Ultimate Warrior Challenge champion has
secured more than half (10) of his 17 career victories by knockout,
technical knockout or submission.
Though he has yet to fully take off in the 125-pound weight class,
Filho continues to show signs of development. The
Nova Uniao rep seeks his second win in as many outings when he
locks horns with Cody
Durden—a late-notice replacement for Lucas
Rocha—in a three-round flyweight battle on the undercard.
Filho, 32, last competed on Oct. 11, when he dismissed Clayton
Carpenter with a kimura in the first round of their UFC Fight
Night 261 confrontation. The former Shooto
Brazil champion now boasts 16 finishes among his 17
professional victories, nine of the first-round variety. Filho
punched his ticket to the UFC via Dana White’s Contender Series in
2022.
The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off live from Pittsburgh on Thursday, April 23 and the latest crop of rookies will be hearing their names called all weekend long. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, the biggest need is an obvious one: Quarterback.
All signs indicate 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers will return to Pittsburgh for his 22nd NFL season. The Steelers haven’t had a long-term solution at QB since Ben Roethlisberger. However, Pittsburgh might not fill its quarterback need until next year’s draft. Mason Rudolph and Will Howard are in line to back up Rodgers again.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Pittsburgh Steelers for this year’s draft, including a round-by-round look at picks and a potential trade candidate already on the roster.
Ponds is undersized but tested as one of the most athletic cornerbacks at the NFL combine. At 5-foot-9 and 182 pounds, he could be a force in the slot for the Steelers’ defense. Joey Porter Jr. and Jamel Dean look set on the outside. Ponds could thrive at the nickel alongside those two in an improved secondary.
Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Draft trade candidate: LB Patrick Queen
Per USA TODAY’s Jack McKessy:
Queen’s 2025 follow-up to a 2024 Pro Bowl season was disappointing. The veteran linebacker set a career high in missed tackles while seeing his performance in pass coverage decline as well. As Queen enters his walk year in 2026, Pittsburgh could seek out a team looking to improve its linebacker corps and give the veteran a change of scenery before hitting free agency. The Steelers could use the extra draft capital to keep improving their offense after a shaky 2025 season.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – AUGUST 16: A detail view of a New England Patriots helmet during the third quarter of the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Coming off a Super Bowl berth, the New England Patriots have a clear plan in mind for the 2026 offseason: it’s about remodeling, not rebuilding, as head coach Mike Vrabel said after the season.
The NFL Draft naturally is a major part of this process. Until the event in late April, the Patriots — led by Vrabel and EVP of player personnel Eliot Wolf — will be conducting interviews, working out prospects, inviting them for a finite number of pre-draft visits, and in general try to get as complete a picture as possible. It remains to be seen what this process eventually leads to, but there will be plenty of news to report.
In order to find out who the Patriots have already spoken to or worked out thus far, please make sure to bookmark this regularly-updated pre-draft tracker. We will have all contact listed to the best of our knowledge.
(Note: Please scroll down for a meeting-by-meeting breakdown)
Quarterback
Jalon Daniels (Kansas): 30 visit
Joe Fagnano (UConn): Local visit
Athan Kaliakmanis (Rutgers): Private meeting
Haynes King (Georgia Tech): Pro Day
Behren Morton (Texas Tech): 30 visit
Brady Olson (Central Connecticut State): Local Pro Day
Cole Payton (North Dakota State): Pro Day
Sawyer Robertson (Baylor): Virtual meeting
Running back
Kaelon Black (Indiana): 30 visit
Greg Desrosiers (Memphis): Local Pro Day
Cash Jones (Georgia): Pro Day
Jordan McDonald (Boston College): Local Pro Day
Kejon Owens (Florida International): Senior Bowl
Adam Randall (Clemson): 30 visit
Jordon Vaughn (Abilene Christian): College Gridiron Showcase
Mike Washington Jr. (Arkansas): Combine + Pro Day
Wide receiver
Cyrus Allen (Cincinnati): 30 visit
Lewis Bond (Boston College): Senior Bowl + Local visit
J. Michael Sturdivant (Florida): East-West Shrine Bowl
Max Tomczak (Youngstown State): American Bowl
Tight end
Nate Boerkircher (Texas A&M): Combine
Jed Castles (Abilene Christian): Pro Day
Oscar Delp (Georgia): 30 visit
Enyi Falayi (Wake Forest): Local Pro Day
Ademola Faleye (Washington State): Local Pro Day
Jeremiah Franklin (Boston College): Local Pro Day
John Michael Gyllenborg (Wyoming): Senior Bowl
Louis Hansen (UConn): Local Pro Day
Eli Raridon (Notre Dame): Shrine Bowl + Senior Bowl
D.J. Rogers (TCU): Senior Bowl
Dan Villari (Syracuse): Hula Bowl + Senior Bowl
Offensive tackle
Chris Adams (Memphis): Pro Day
Markel Bell (Miami): Virtual meeting
Jude Bowry (Boston College): Pro Day + Local visit
Travis Burke (Memphis): Pro Day + 30 visit
Kevin Cline (Boston College): Local Pro Day
Max Iheanachor (Arizona State): Combine + 30 visit
Kamar Missouri (UTSA): College Gridiron Showcase
Ryan Mosesso (UMass): Pro Day + Local Pro Day
Jake Pope (Illinois State): Pro Day
Jayden Williams (Mississippi): Pro Day
Interior offensive line
Chase Bisontis (Texas A&M): 30 visit
Kage Casey (Boise State): Senior Bowl
Greg Crippen (Michigan): Pro Day + Local Pro Day
Desmond Daniels (Alabama State): FCS Showcase
Nick Dawkins (Penn State): American Bowl
Jalen Farmer (Kentucky): Combine
Ashton Grable (Florida A&M): HBCU Legacy Bowl
Delby Lemieux (Dartmouth): Senior Bowl + Local Pro Day
Peter Nygra (Louisville): East-West Shrine Bowl
Brian Parker II (Duke): East-West Shrine Bowl
Walker Parks (Clemson): Pro Day
Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon): 30 visit
Keylan Rutledge (Georgia Tech): Senior Bowl
Logan Taylor (Boston College): Pro Day + Local Pro Day
Connor Tollison (Missouri): American Bowl
Jeremiah Wright (Auburn): Pro Day + 30 visit
Interior defensive line
Nick Barrett (South Carolina): Combine
Rayshaun Benny (Michigan): Senior Bowl
Gracen Halton (Oklahoma): Pro Day
Kody Huisman (Virginia Tech): American Bowl
Kevin Jobity Jr. (Syracuse): Pro Day
Rene Konga (Louisville): Virtual meeting
Sedarius McConnell (Boston College): Local Pro Day
Kayden McDonald (Ohio State): 30 visit
Noah Miles (Howard): HBCU Legacy Bow
Tyler Onyedim (Texas A&M): Combine + Pro Day
Michael Otty (Bryant): Local Pro Day
Kaleb Proctor (Southeastern Louisiana): Combine
Landon Robinson (Navy): East-West Shrine Bowl + Pro Day
Jernias Tafia (Colorado State): Pro Day
Defensive edge
Noah Barrett (St. Olaf): Pro Day
Keyron Crawford (Auburn): Combine + 30 visit
Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State): Senior Bowl
George Gumbs Jr. (Florida): 30 visit
T.J. Guy (Michigan): Local Pro Day
Dayon Hayes (Texas A&M): American Bowl
Michael Heldman (Central Michigan): Hula Bowl
Romello Height (Texas A&M): 30 visit
Cashius Howell (Texas A&M): Combine
Quintayvious Hutchins (Boston College): Combine + Local Pro Day
Gabe Jacas (Illinois): 30 visit
Malachi Lawrence (UCF): 30 visit
Michael Lunz II (South Carolina State): HBCU Legacy Bowl
Akheem Mesidor (Miami): Combine
T.J. Parker (Clemson): Senior Bowl
Kaghen Roach (Abilene Christian): Pro Day
Tyreak Sapp (Florida): Pro Day
Bryan Thomas (South Carolina): Pro Day
R Mason Thomas (Oklahoma): 30 visit
Dion Wilson Jr. (Syracuse): Pro Day
Chris Wright (Abilene Christian): Pro Day
Zion Young (Missouri): Combine + 30 visit
Linebacker
Shad Banks Jr. (UTSA): Hula Bowl
Ernest Hausmann (Michigan): Pro Day
Khalil Jacobs (Missouri): Pro Day + Virtual meeting + 30 visit
Namdi Obiazor (TCU): Virtual meeting
Bryun Parham (UConn): Local Pro Day
Jimmy Rolder (Michigan): Pro Day
Steven Ward (Pittsburgh State): Pro Day
Wade Woodaz (Clemson): Pro Day
Javin Wright (Nebraska): American Bowl
Cornerback
Keith Abney (Arizona State): Virtual meeting
Caleb Anderson (Michigan): College Gridiron Showcase
Elias Archie (Brown): Local Pro Day
Shahid Barros (Iowa): Local Pro Day
Rashad Battle (Pittsburgh): American Bowl
Nasir Bowers (Toledo): Pro Day
Jadon Canady (Oregon): East-West Shrine Bowl
Elijah Culp (James Madison): American Bowl
Michael Dansby (Arizona): American Bowl
Andre Fuller (Toledo): East-West Shrine Bowl + Pro Day
Malcolm Greene (UMass): Local Pro Day
Al’Zillion Hamilton (Fresno State): American Bowl
Devon Marshall (N.C. State): Virtual meeting + Local Pro Day
Karon Prunty (Wake Forest): Pro Day + 30 visit
Jaden Rios (Texas State): Hula Bowl
Keionte Scott (Miami): Combine
Avery Smith (Toledo): Combine + Pro Day
Safety
Bud Clark (TCU): Virtual meeting
Dathan Hickey (Youngstown State): College Gridiron Showcase
Jalen Huskey (Maryland): Private meeting
Cam Smith (Marshall): Hula Bowl
Gavin Gibson (North Carolina): Hula Bowl
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo): 30 visit
Kamari Ramsey (USC): Combine
Robert Spears-Jennings (Oklahoma): Pro Day
Jalen Stroman (Notre Dame): Senior Bowl
Zakee Wheatley (Penn State): 30 visit
Sean Williams (Dartmouth): Pro Day
Malik Spencer (Michigan State): 30 visit
Specialists
Garrison Grimes (LS | BYU): East-West Shrine Bowl
Ben Mann (LS | Boston College): Local Pro Day
Laith Merjan (K | Kansas): Hula Bowl
Whereas the list above gives an overview over the prospects the Patriots have been in contact with before the draft, the following overview is a breakdown by meeting opportunity plus the source of each report.
The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off live from Pittsburgh on Thursday, April 23 and the latest crop of rookies will be hearing their names called all weekend long. For the Houston Texans, the biggest need is an obvious one: Interior offensive line.
Solidifying the trenches must continue to be a priority for the Texans. Houston has guards Ed Ingram and Wyatt Teller along with Jake Andrews in the interior, but they need more depth at the position after they ranked in the bottom three in both pass block win rate and run block win rate, via ESPN. Additionally, the Texans could continue to bolster their defensive tackle position to complement their outstanding edge rush duo in Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Houston Texans for this year’s draft, including a round-by-round look at picks and a potential trade candidate already on the roster.
Houston needs a big body in the middle of the defensive line to free up Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter to wreak havoc on opposing offensive linemen. Banks brings size with impressive explosiveness for a player measuring in at 6-foot-6 and 327 pounds. A foot injury at the combine could cause him to fall and the Texans may be able to sweep him up late in Round 1.
Houston Texans NFL Draft trade candidate: QB Davis Mills
Per USA TODAY’s Jack McKessy:
The Texans should not touch their defense given the dominance the unit has displayed in recent years. Texans GM Nick Caserio has made it clear that he and the team have no intentions of trading quarterback C.J. Stroud this offseason, but what about Mills? Houston’s backup quarterback has a solid resume: two years of starting experience, plus a 3-0 record filling in for Stroud in 2025. The Texans likely wouldn’t recoup overly valuable draft picks in return for Mills, but there would be a few teams interested in trading for a more competent backup quarterback. Houston could go on to draft a quarterback this year to replace Mills, simultaneously preparing a contingency plan for a post-Stroud era in future years. The Texans’ starter has regressed since his strong rookie season, and his playoff meltdowns are still fresh. If the Texans aren’t convinced he’ll bounce back, they should start planning ahead. Trading Mills gives them some of the leeway needed to do so.
Four-time F1 world champion Verstappen has repeatedly voiced his disdain for F1’s new era in 2026, describing the new regulations as “anti-racing” and “like Formula E on steroids”, such is the focus on energy management. Red Bull are also struggling, languishing sixth in the championship standings, with Verstappen ninth in the drivers’ leaderboard.
Norris, who pipped Verstappen to the 2025 drivers’ title by two points, has also been critical of the new cars, labelling some instances of overtaking as “artificial”. However, when asked about Verstappen’s threat to leave the sport at the last round in Japan, the Briton believes his rival could stay in the paddock longer than many are led to believe.
“Max has earned the right to do whatever he wants,” said Norris, at a McLaren media event on Wednesday. “He’s very open to saying what he thinks, he’s himself and that’s a good way to live your life.
“He’d be a miss and it’d be a shame for the sport. He’s one of the best-ever drivers in Formula One. It’d be shame for us, as much as he makes our lives incredibly tough at times, it’s always cool to race someone with four world championships.
“To be honest though, I also enjoy watching him race GT3s at the weekend. It’s all relative – when you see the new guys, they say the cars are sick. For previous drivers, we have something to compare them against and it’s all relative.
“I’m sure he’ll stay longer than people say.”
Similarly, Norris’s McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri said that Verstappen’s exit would be a “big loss for the sport”.
“It would be a shame if that ended up happening,” said Piastri, who missed out on last year’s world championship having held the lead for six months.
“The Red Bull doesn’t look like the most competitive car at the moment but the regulations that are being worked on, they’re more complex.
“It would be a shame for the sport to lose Max, it would be a big loss for the sport as a whole. We want to race against the best, Max has shown his calibre over 10 years and over the last five or six years, he’s been the benchmark.”
Lando Norris, right, is confident Max Verstappen, left, will stick around in F1 (PA Wire)
Norris also gave his initial reaction to tweaks made on Monday to this year’s regulations, designed to reduce “lift and coast” and “super-clipping.”
“If you compare to qualifying last year, there was nothing to have as an excuse for something happening,” Norris explained.
“It was about trying to brake as late as possible, crack open the throttle to be as much on the limit as possible, that extra 1 per cent more in qualifying – but now it went away.
“That’s the special 1 per cent which makes it surprising – a guy on pole deserves it because they’ve taken risks and now that’s been taken away.
“This year, when you make a mistake, sometimes it benefits you, the battery redeploys and you gain.
“In an ideal world, you wouldn’t have that.”
After a five-week break, F1 next goes racing at the Miami Grand Prix on 1-3 May.
Nov 9, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; NC State Wolfpack forward Khamil Pierre (12) shoots for the basket over Southern California Trojans forward Vivian Iwuchukwu (0) during the first quarter of the Ally Tipoff game at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Cory Knowlton-Imagn Images | Cory Knowlton-Imagn Images
NC State is returning six players from last year’s roster, officially: Zoe Brooks, Khamil Pierre, Qadence Samuels, Destiny Lunan, Maddie Cox, and Adelaide Jernigan. Pierre is the only one whose status seemed unclear recently, but the Pack’s Twitter account was dropping hints about her return the last couple of days.
To those six NC State will be adding incoming freshmen Kamora Pruitt (SF) and Annsley Trivette (F/C).
Remodeling this team to be more defense-forward is going to require at least one more addition up front, which I say without having a clue about how the incoming freshmen project at that end. The team’s defensive rebounding has got to get better, which involves getting tougher as much as anything else, but there you’re probably going to want a little bit of college experience.
NC State also needs to make multiple additions to the backcourt, and we’ll see how that goes. Assuming Jernigan is not going to be a rotation player, State needs at least one more backcourt player who can play significant minutes. I like Lunan’s breakout potential in 2027 but the lack of experience is concerning.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves got the superstar bump they needed from Anthony Edwards to win Game 2 at Denver and square up their intensifying first-round playoff series with the Nuggets.
Edwards contributed 30 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and a loud voice of encouragement for his teammates. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch had already been reassured by Edwards’ influence as the four-time All-Star left the court following a lackluster performance in Game 1.
“He was calm and gave confidence to the guys,” Finch said, reflecting on the series opener after practice on Wednesday. “When we were down early and big, he was really into them with the right messages, to stay calm but to do the things that were asked to be done — put a little bit more work in, be a little smarter with the fouling, all that kind of stuff. So I thought that was really key.”
Edwards was instrumental in urging Rudy Gobert on to a dominant defensive effort against Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic. He has also demonstrated his leadership by playing through the right knee pain that sidelined him for 11 of the last 13 regular-season games.
“It definitely uplifts me. I feel like I can’t let him down. If he’s out there battling, then there’s no excuse why I can’t give my best and make the extra effort plays and just go out there and compete at the highest level,” teammate Julius Randle said.
For the Timberwolves to beat the team that has recently become their biggest rival three more times and reach the second round, they will need a steady supply of Edwards’ energy on both ends of the court, on the bench and in the locker room.
The Nuggets are sure to bring their own moxie on the road to Minnesota for Game 3 between these well-matched opponents on Thursday. The other Game 3s on Thursday are New York at Atlanta and Cleveland at Toronto.
Over the last four years, including the regular season and playoffs, the Timberwolves and Nuggets have each won 15 of their last 30 meetings.
“Who doesn’t love a big game? Who doesn’t want to wake up for a game with a lot of excitement, a lot of back and forth in it?” Timberwolves sixth man Naz Reid said.
New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks
When/Where to watch: Game 3, 7 p.m. EDT (Prime Video)
Series: Tied 1-1.
Betting line: Knicks by 1 1/2.
What to know: The Knicks were outscored 28-15 by the upstart Hawks in the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden in Game 2, a one-point loss to stew on as they seek to regain home-court advantage in the series. Even in the Game 1 win, the Knicks saw a 19-point lead with a little more than three minutes left shrink to eight in the closing seconds. “We’ve got to play better with the lead,” point guard Jalen Brunson said. The Hawks have plenty of reason for optimism as they come home, considering they split the first two games with little beyond the clutch play of veteran C.J. McCollum to relish from their performance.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors
When/Where to watch: Game 3, 8 p.m. EDT (Prime Video)
Series: Cavaliers lead 2-0.
Betting line: Cavaliers by 3 1/2.
What to Know: The Cavs are seeking a 3-0 lead in a first-round series for the second straight year. If they get there, they would set an NBA postseason opponent record with a 13th straight playoff win over the Raptors. Donovan Mitchell has scored at least 30 points in six of his last seven playoff games, averaging 33.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists during that span. Cleveland is 21-7 when its lineup includes James Harden, who became the second player in franchise history with at least 28 points and five steals in the 115-105 win in Game 2 on Monday. Toronto point guard Immanuel Quickley has missed the first two games with a left hamstring strain and remains questionable. Raptors All-Star Brandon Ingram is aiming to bounce back after going 3 of 15 from the field and only scoring seven points in Game 2. “He’s our go-guy guy. We trust him and believe in him. We know he’s going to get shots to drop,” Scottie Barnes said.
Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves
When/Where to watch: Game 3, 9:30 p.m. EDT (Prime Video)
Series: Tied 1-1.
Betting line: Nuggets by 2 1/2.
What to know: With so much recent drama between these division rivals — who are facing off in the postseason for the third time in four years — and plenty of chippy play on the court over the first two games, this series is just getting started. After erasing a 19-point deficit early in the second quarter to win 119-114 in Game 2, Minnesota took some momentum home from the Mile High City. Edwards recorded his sixth 30-point game against Denver in 14 playoff meetings, and guard Donte DiVincenzo was all over the court with a game-high plus-20 rating and 16 points. He’s 10 for 16 from 3-point range in the series. The Nuggets claimed to be unbothered by the postgame barb from Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels, who said Minnesota’s best offensive strategy was to continue to directly attack the Nuggets because they’re “all bad defenders.”
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AP Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney in New York and AP Sports Writer Joe Reedy in Cleveland contributed to this report.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves got the superstar bump they needed from Anthony Edwards to win Game 2 at Denver and square up their intensifying first-round playoff series with the Nuggets.
Edwards contributed 30 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and a loud voice of encouragement for his teammates. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch had already been reassured by Edwards’ influence as the four-time All-Star left the court following a lackluster performance in Game 1.
“He was calm and gave confidence to the guys,” Finch said, reflecting on the series opener after practice on Wednesday. “When we were down early and big, he was really into them with the right messages, to stay calm but to do the things that were asked to be done — put a little bit more work in, be a little smarter with the fouling, all that kind of stuff. So I thought that was really key.”
Edwards was instrumental in urging Rudy Gobert on to a dominant defensive effort against Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic. He has also demonstrated his leadership by playing through the right knee pain that sidelined him for 11 of the last 13 regular-season games.
“It definitely uplifts me. I feel like I can’t let him down. If he’s out there battling, then there’s no excuse why I can’t give my best and make the extra effort plays and just go out there and compete at the highest level,” teammate Julius Randle said.
For the Timberwolves to beat the team that has recently become their biggest rival three more times and reach the second round, they will need a steady supply of Edwards’ energy on both ends of the court, on the bench and in the locker room.
The Nuggets are sure to bring their own moxie on the road to Minnesota for Game 3 between these well-matched opponents on Thursday. The other Game 3s on Thursday are New York at Atlanta and Cleveland at Toronto.
Over the last four years, including the regular season and playoffs, the Timberwolves and Nuggets have each won 15 of their last 30 meetings.
“Who doesn’t love a big game? Who doesn’t want to wake up for a game with a lot of excitement, a lot of back and forth in it?” Timberwolves sixth man Naz Reid said.
New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks
When/Where to watch: Game 3, 7 p.m. EDT (Prime Video)
Series: Tied 1-1.
Betting line: Knicks by 1 1/2.
What to know: The Knicks were outscored 28-15 by the upstart Hawks in the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden in Game 2, a one-point loss to stew on as they seek to regain home-court advantage in the series. Even in the Game 1 win, the Knicks saw a 19-point lead with a little more than three minutes left shrink to eight in the closing seconds. “We’ve got to play better with the lead,” point guard Jalen Brunson said. The Hawks have plenty of reason for optimism as they come home, considering they split the first two games with little beyond the clutch play of veteran C.J. McCollum to relish from their performance.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors
When/Where to watch: Game 3, 8 p.m. EDT (Prime Video)
Series: Cavaliers lead 2-0.
Betting line: Cavaliers by 3 1/2.
What to Know: The Cavs are seeking a 3-0 lead in a first-round series for the second straight year. If they get there, they would set an NBA postseason opponent record with a 13th straight playoff win over the Raptors. Donovan Mitchell has scored at least 30 points in six of his last seven playoff games, averaging 33.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists during that span. Cleveland is 21-7 when its lineup includes James Harden, who became the second player in franchise history with at least 28 points and five steals in the 115-105 win in Game 2 on Monday. Toronto point guard Immanuel Quickley has missed the first two games with a left hamstring strain and remains questionable. Raptors All-Star Brandon Ingram is aiming to bounce back after going 3 of 15 from the field and only scoring seven points in Game 2. “He’s our go-guy guy. We trust him and believe in him. We know he’s going to get shots to drop,” Scottie Barnes said.
Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves
When/Where to watch: Game 3, 9:30 p.m. EDT (Prime Video)
Series: Tied 1-1.
Betting line: Nuggets by 2 1/2.
What to know: With so much recent drama between these division rivals — who are facing off in the postseason for the third time in four years — and plenty of chippy play on the court over the first two games, this series is just getting started. After erasing a 19-point deficit early in the second quarter to win 119-114 in Game 2, Minnesota took some momentum home from the Mile High City. Edwards recorded his sixth 30-point game against Denver in 14 playoff meetings, and guard Donte DiVincenzo was all over the court with a game-high plus-20 rating and 16 points. He’s 10 for 16 from 3-point range in the series. The Nuggets claimed to be unbothered by the postgame barb from Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels, who said Minnesota’s best offensive strategy was to continue to directly attack the Nuggets because they’re “all bad defenders.”
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AP Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney in New York and AP Sports Writer Joe Reedy in Cleveland contributed to this report.
