New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby has been ruled out of Game 4 against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday due to a strained right hamstring.
The defensive specialist remains day-to-day in the second-round playoff series after suffering the injury late in Game 2.
New York currently holds a commanding 3-0 lead over their Eastern Conference rivals in the best-of-seven matchup.
Postseason impact and injury history
Before exiting Wednesday’s 108-102 victory, the 6-foot-7 forward had been enjoying an outstanding playoff campaign.
He is currently averaging 21.4 points per game in the postseason, shooting an impressive 61.9% from the field and 53.8% from three-point range.
The highly-rated defender had registered 24 points in Game 2 before abruptly motioning to the bench and heading to the locker room.
This latest setback mirrors an unfortunate history of hamstring issues during the pivotal stages of the playoffs.
Two years ago, he suffered a similar injury in the second round while helping his team build a 2-0 series lead against the Indiana Pacers.
On that occasion, he missed four consecutive games and managed only a few minutes in Game 7 as Indiana eventually rallied to win the series.
Liverpool are preparing a £35m transfer offer for RB Leipzig midfielder Assan Ouedraogo as they look to strengthen their squad this summer.
The Merseyside club are expected to be highly active in the upcoming transfer window following a frustrating domestic campaign.
Reports in Germany indicate that an initial bid is currently being readied for the 20-year-old talent.
However, the Bundesliga outfit are reportedly unwilling to sanction a departure at that specific price point.
Long-term interest from Anfield
The Reds’ tracking of the highly-rated prospect dates back to Jurgen Klopp’s successful tenure at the club.
Securing his signature will not be straightforward, as domestic heavyweights Bayern Munich are also monitoring the situation closely.
The German youth international is currently tied to a lucrative contract running until the summer of 2029.
Crucially for any potential suitors, this long-term agreement does not contain an active release clause.
An investment for the future
Described by scouts as an outstanding prospect, the versatile playmaker is largely viewed as a development project rather than an immediate starter.
He has accrued limited senior experience, making just 12 top-flight starts during the current domestic campaign.
Committing over £35m to an unproven talent represents a significant financial outlay for the Premier League giants.
Despite these potential concerns, the Anfield hierarchy must significantly increase their offer to bring the midfielder to England.
West Ham forward Callum Wilson had a 95th-minute equaliser dramatically disallowed by VAR for a foul on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
The late intervention ensured the visiting side held on to secure a crucial 1-0 victory at London Stadium.
Wilson appeared to have rescued a vital point deep into stoppage time when he bundled the ball over the line from close range.
Lengthy review saves Gunners
However, wild home celebrations were abruptly cut short as the Video Assistant Referee instructed the on-field official to review the attacking build-up.
Replays conclusively showed the experienced striker had unfairly challenged the Spanish shot-stopper before the ball found the back of the net.
The decision to penalise the physical forward ultimately preserved a hard-fought clean sheet for Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing squad.
Frustration for the Hammers
This disallowed strike leaves the East London outfit empty-handed following a tightly contested capital derby.
Arsenal’s defensive resilience continues to be a cornerstone of their campaign, with Raya adding another vital performance to his impressive season record.
West Ham must now regroup quickly as they look to bounce back from this bitter late disappointment in their upcoming league fixtures.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya produced a magnificent late save to deny West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes and keep the match scoreless during a tense London derby.
The Spanish international stood tall in the 78th minute to thwart a golden one-on-one opportunity.
With the deadlock yet to be broken, the hosts successfully sliced through the visitors’ defence to send their young midfielder racing clear on goal.
However, Mikel Arteta’s number one reacted brilliantly by rushing out to close the angle and make a massive intervention.
Vital moment in a tight contest
Every defensive action carries significant weight for the North London club as they navigate a fiercely competitive Premier League campaign.
Defensive solidity has been the bedrock of their recent title challenges, with the former Brentford stopper playing a pivotal role since his arrival.
Moments of individual brilliance at the back frequently prove just as valuable as decisive strikes from the attacking forwards.
Hammers left frustrated
The near miss will undoubtedly sting for the home side after they worked tirelessly to carve out such a high-quality scoring chance.
Taking maximum points against the league’s elite requires clinical finishing in high-pressure situations.
The home crowd could only groan in disbelief as the ball was expertly kept out by last season’s Golden Glove winner.
Players making their first tournament appearance at the 2026 Fifa World Cup will wear an exclusive debut patch on their shirts that will later be transformed into official trading cards.
Global superstars including Erling Haaland and Lamine Yamal are expected to make their bows on football’s biggest stage at the upcoming tournament.
Every member of the Scotland squad is also poised to receive the special insignia as they return to the international competition.
The initiative forms part of a landmark licensing agreement that will see Fanatics eventually replace Panini as the global governing body’s official partner for trading cards and stickers.
From match-worn shirts to hobby boxes
While the final design remains unconfirmed, the physical patches will be carefully removed from player jerseys immediately following their debut matches.
These match-worn items will then be embedded into unique collectable Topps trading cards.
Such memorabilia concepts have already found significant success across American sports networks.
Major League Soccer introduced a similar system in 2024 through their own existing licensing agreement with the sports merchandising giant.
The mechanics of the new memorabilia
Under the expected procedure, competing nations will be provided with a dedicated stock of physical emblems.
Kit managers will attach the fabric to the upper-right chest of a debutant’s shirt using adhesive prior to kick-off.
Once converted into trading cards, the unique items will be randomly distributed into premium hobby boxes.
Similar consumer boxes in the United States currently retail at approximately £88 and contain 21 distinct packs.
A growing catalogue of global stars
Because the new commercial partnership does not officially commence until 2031, fans will face a considerable wait to purchase these products.
This delay means a massive inventory of debut cards from both the 2026 and 2030 finals will be stockpiled to create an unprecedented future release.
The upcoming global event is projected to generate upwards of 600 unique debut collectables.
Emerging nations such as Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan are all preparing to make their maiden tournament appearances.
Meanwhile, returning countries including Algeria, Ivory Coast and Bosnia and Herzegovina will travel with squads comprised almost entirely of first-time participants.
Frank Lampard will enter the Premier League as one of its highest-paid managers after guiding Coventry City to promotion on a reported £5m annual salary.
The former Chelsea midfielder secured a return to the top flight by winning the Championship title in his first full campaign at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
His lucrative contract currently places him inside the top 10 managerial earners in English football’s premier division.
How the manager’s wages compare
Earning an estimated £5m a year, the experienced coach takes home more than double the wages of Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick.
He shares the same salary bracket as Everton chief David Moyes, though his current income is significantly lower than the £15m he reportedly received during his previous stint at Goodison Park.
At the very top of the financial standings, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola leads the way with a £20m package.
Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta follows with £10m, while Tottenham Hotspur currently pay Roberto De Zerbi £8m to keep them clear of the relegation zone.
Owner praises Championship success
The Sky Blues invested heavily in the former England international following play-off heartbreak during the 2024/25 season.
Coventry owner Doug King recently acknowledged the initial skepticism surrounding the high-profile appointment.
“He put himself back into the arena and everybody sort of said, ‘OK, it’s Frank again, let’s see what happens here. He will probably near-miss it or it won’t go well,’ so there was quite a bit of pressure on him.”
King admitted that neither he nor his head coach expected to be crowned champions within 18 months of signing a deal that runs until 2027.
“He felt confident with his team that he could get clarity, motivation, focus, to take the club towards some form of success.”
Contract talks on the horizon?
The impressive title victory has inevitably attracted attention from rival top-flight clubs.
This outside interest has prompted speculation about a potential new deal at Coventry to ward off potential suitors.
Even without an improved contract, the London-born tactician remains financially ahead of several established names, including Fulham’s Marco Silva who earns £4m.
Arsenal defender Ben White was forced off midway through the first half of their crucial match against West Ham United with a suspected injury.
The English right-back went down on the pitch before being withdrawn, prompting an immediate and unwanted tactical reshuffle for the Gunners.
This premature exit represents a significant setback for the North London side during a game described as a must-win fixture.
Defensive reshuffle for Arteta
White has established himself as an indispensable part of Arsenal’s backline over recent seasons, offering consistent stability on the right flank.
Losing the versatile defender creates an immediate headache for manager Mikel Arteta, who must now navigate the remainder of this high-pressure encounter without one of his most trusted lieutenants.
Club medical staff will assess the extent of the damage over the coming days to determine how much playing time the former Brighton man might miss.
Mounting pressure in crucial period
Any prolonged absence would be a bitter blow for Arsenal as they attempt to maintain their momentum across all domestic competitions.
The team’s defensive structure heavily relies on his established partnerships, making his potential unavailability a genuine concern for upcoming fixtures.
Supporters will anxiously await further official updates from the club regarding the severity of the physical problem.
British super-middleweight Zak Chelli has produced one of the most stunning upsets in recent boxing history by knocking out the highly-rated Cuban David Morrell after stepping in as a short-notice replacement.
The London-born fighter defied all pre-fight expectations to secure a dramatic stoppage victory against a previously dominant opponent.
Stepping into the ring with minimal preparation time, the challenger capitalised on a remarkable opportunity broadcast globally by DAZN.
I cannot believe what I’m seeing!
A monumental shock for British boxing
Morrell arrived in the contest with a fearsome reputation and was widely considered one of the most dangerous operators in his weight class.
The standout amateur from Santa Clara had rapidly transitioned his elite pedigree into the professional ranks before encountering this devastating setback.
Few pundits gave the late replacement any realistic chance of surviving the early rounds against such a formidable southpaw.
Capitalising on a golden opportunity
Chelli displayed immense courage to accept the daunting assignment with scarcely any time for a dedicated training camp.
This unexpected triumph instantly elevates the British combatant onto the global stage and radically alters the championship landscape.
Promoters will now face an entirely different set of negotiations as the giant-killer seeks to build upon his newfound world-level status.