Sports

‘Really good chance’ Morant out for game 4 says Grizzlies coach

AFP

Memphis star guard Ja Morant has a strong possibility of missing Monday’s fourth game of the team’s NBA playoff series against Golden State, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said on Sunday.

While the Grizzlies had not filed an official status report on the right knee injury Morant suffered in Saturday’s 142-112 road loss to the Warriors, Jenkins spoke with the team medical staff before delivering his pessimistic assessment.

“There’s a really good chance he doesn’t play tomorrow,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins said that the 22-year-old superstar was getting further medical evaluation but his status did not look good for getting back onto the court.

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Morant was named the 2002 NBA Most Improved Player after averaging 27.4 points, 6.7 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals a game this season.

Jenkins said Morant did not take part in the Grizzlies optional shooting workouts or video study sessions.

Morant missed the last 6:19 of Saturday’s loss after Warriors guard Jordan Poole appeared to grab Morant’s right knee while chasing a loose ball.

Jenkins said that team officials had contacted the league about a review of the play but the NBA declined to hand out any punishment, seeing it as a normal play.

“Ja was playing great and feeling great all game,” Jenkins said. “The grab of the knee is what triggered the potential injury and why we took Ja out of the game. So, nothing has changed from there in terms of that was the play that triggered this.

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“This is what Ja says. This is what our medical team has said after reviewing the play.“

Sports

Lamine Yamal and Raphinha lead Barça to a 4-1 aggregate victory over Benfica

Young talent Lamine Yamal and Brazilian forward Raphinha secured Barcelona’s spot in the Champions League quarterfinals with a 3-1 victory over Benfica (4-1 on aggregate) on Tuesday at the Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc.

Raphinha (11’) opened the scoring for Barça after a brilliant assist from Yamal. However, Benfica’s Nicolás Otamendi (13’) quickly leveled the match with a header from a corner kick. Yamal restored the lead (27’) with a stunning goal, and Raphinha sealed the victory (42’) just before halftime.

Determined to avoid any surprises, Barcelona started aggressively, with early attempts from Yamal and Lewandowskisignaling their intent to dominate. All goals came in the first half, securing a convincing win and a place in the next round.

Sports

Manchester United knocked out of FA Cup after penalty shootout loss to Fulham

Another disappointment for Manchester United: the defending FA Cup champions were eliminated in this edition’s round of 16, losing in a penalty shootout (4-3 after a 1-1 draw) to Fulham on Sunday at Old Trafford.

Swede Victor Lindelof and Dutchman Joshua Zirkzee were the ‘Red Devils’ who missed their shots against goalkeeper Bernd Leno, sending the ‘Cottagers’ to the penultimate round of the oldest football competition.

The elimination is a heavy blow for a United team that is currently struggling in the Premier League, where they sit in a lowly 14th place.

Now, the Europa League, where they will face Real Sociedad in the first leg of the round of 16 next week, appears to be their only chance to lift a trophy this season. Last year, the FA Cup, in which United triumphed in the final against their neighbors Manchester City, was the competition that saved their campaign. The previous season, they had reached the final, finishing as runners-up.

Sports

The prince is back: Neymar’s homecoming to Santos draws thousands of fans

Neymar was greeted by thousands of fans at his childhood club, Santos, on Friday, with a concert at the local stadium and a sign that read, “The Prince is Back.”

The Brazilian star’s private jet landed in São Paulo from Saudi Arabia in the morning, but Neymar requested a few hours of rest before being flown to Santos by helicopter.

The 32-year-old forward is expected to sign a short-term contract with Santos as he aims to regain his standing in Brazil ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Posters saying “The Prince is Back” were being sold for 10 reais (about $1.50) around the 20,000-seat Vila Belmiro Stadium, located on the outskirts of São Paulo.