Sports

Smart ‘questionable’ for Celtics opener against Heat

AFP

Boston Celtics star Marcus Smart is a fitness doubt for Tuesday’s opening NBA Eastern Conference finals playoff clash with the Miami Heat after suffering a foot injury, coach Ime Udoka said on Monday.

Smart was diagnosed with a mid-foot sprain after landing heavily during Sunday’s series-clinching victory over the Milwaukee Bucks and is listed as “questionable” for game one, Udoka told reporters.

“He took a pretty bad fall… it’s pretty tender and sore right now,” Udoka said. “He’s undergoing round the clock treatment and he’ll be listed as questionable.”

Smart has been a key part of the Celtics’ return to the conference finals and scored 11 points with 10 assists and seven rebounds in Sunday’s 109-81 defeat of the Bucks.

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There was a brighter medical bulletin for the Celtics’ Rob Williams, with Udoka saying the towering center would be available following a bone bruise on his recently repaired left knee.

“Rob is available, no minutes restriction,” Udoka said.

Williams’ return has been managed carefully after the 24-year-old underwent left knee surgery at the end of the regular season.

“I’m always going to be a little bit cautious with guys coming off a layoff… but he’s available, looking better every day and getting more confident.”

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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.