Victor Wembanyama recorded 32 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists on his return from injury as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Charlotte Hornets 115-102 on Saturday.
The French center added four blocks and two steals in a dominant all-round performance at the Frost Bank Center.
This latest victory ensures San Antonio have now won 17 of their 19 matches since the start of February.
Wembanyama joins franchise greats
Missing Thursday’s defeat by the Denver Nuggets with a sore right ankle clearly did little to slow the towering defender’s momentum.
His spectacular statistical line marks only the second time in his career he has recorded such a comprehensive array of points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals.
He now ties George Gervin for the third-most such games in franchise history, sitting only behind legendary big men Tim Duncan and David Robinson.
“It’s just a progression in general. There were many aspects of the game where we dominated them, and that shows because we won three out of four quarters.”
– Victor Wembanyama
Playmaking progress on display
The former Parisian standout displayed exceptional court vision throughout the second half of the contest.
He orchestrated impressive alley-oop finishes for team-mates Luke Kornet and Stephon Castle to demonstrate his expanding offensive arsenal.
“My playmaking most of the time happens by rolling and not even touching the ball, getting guys open by my positioning with my gravity. But I can do that, too.”
– Victor Wembanyama
Awards eligibility and team momentum
Crucially for his individual accolades, the sophomore sensation can only afford to miss three more regular-season fixtures before becoming ineligible for end-of-season NBA awards.
San Antonio head coach Mitch Johnson praised his squad’s ability to navigate various challenges during their remarkable run of form.
“All these experiences are hopefully lessons we turn into knowledge and wisdom moving forward.”
– Mitch Johnson
The Iraq national football team will travel to Mexico via a private plane for their crucial World Cup play-off on 31 March, despite the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran causing major airspace closures.
Airspace across the Middle East has been severely restricted since 28 February following escalating military strikes in the region.
The Lions of Mesopotamia are scheduled to face either Bolivia or Suriname in Monterrey for a highly coveted spot at the 2026 tournament.
Australian head coach Graham Arnold had previously urged authorities to postpone the vital fixture due to the deteriorating security situation.
Fifa intervention secures safe passage
In a video statement released by the Iraqi News Agency, FA president Adnan Dirjal confirmed that world football’s governing body had stepped in to assist the squad’s complex travel arrangements.
“[Fifa president Gianni] Infantino directed [Fifa secretary general] Mattias Grafstrom to follow up and help overcome all difficulties to facilitate the departure of our national team to Mexico.”
“The national team will depart at the end of the week to Mexico via a private plane.”
The FA chief also noted that appropriate entry visas have already been secured for the travelling party, with European-based squad members flying out separately to join the camp.
Chasing a historic tournament return
The West Asian nation secured their place in the inter-continental play-off after narrowly defeating the United Arab Emirates 3-2 on aggregate last November.
Victory in North America would end a four-decade absence from the global stage, with their last appearance coming at the 1986 edition.
“My message to everyone: only 17 days remain, and we must focus and prepare for the match.”
“Therefore, our focus in the Iraqi Football Association and the coaching staff is on providing all the appropriate conditions for the players to focus on this match and achieve the dream of the Iraqi fans.”
World number two Jannik Sinner produced a hard-court masterclass to defeat Alexander Zverev 6-2 6-4 and reach his maiden Indian Wells final.
The 24-year-old needed just one hour and 23 minutes to dispatch his German opponent in the Californian desert.
Victory keeps the Italian on course to become only the third man, after Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, to capture all six ATP Masters 1000 titles on this surface.
Frustrations banished in straight sets
Prior to this tournament, the current world number two had endured a surprisingly frustrating start to the 2026 season without reaching a single final.
However, that sluggish form was emphatically banished during an opening set where the mental and physical damage was inflicted early.
Zverev struggled significantly with his service rhythm, allowing his lightning-fast opponent to win six out of eight points on the second serve.
Dominant display of precision
The 24-year-old hard-court specialist dropped a mere four points on his own serve during a heavily one-sided first set.
Although the 28-year-old from Hamburg stood firm to save three break points early in the second set, he was ultimately broken in the seventh game.
From there, the remainder of the match stayed comfortably on serve as the victor closed out the contest with clinical precision.
Alcaraz or Medvedev await
Attention now turns to Sunday’s showpiece, where either world number one Carlos Alcaraz or Russian star Daniil Medvedev will provide the final hurdle.
Reflecting on his dominant display, the victorious finalist highlighted his aggressive baseline approach as a crucial factor.
It was a great performance – very solid from the back of the court.
I tried to go for shots and that felt like one of the keys. He has a huge serve so I tried to mix it up.
From my side I was very precise and it was a solid performance.
I thought the match would be more physical but when both serve well it’s difficult to get into a rhythm with short points.
Tottenham manager Igor Tudor has rejected demands to refund travelling supporters following their 5-2 Champions League thrashing by Atletico Madrid.
The north London side found themselves 4-0 down within the opening 22 minutes of their last-16 tie in the Spanish capital.
This catastrophic start prompted the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust (THST) to release a scathing statement demanding emergency action and financial reimbursement.
Tudor questions refund culture
The newly appointed head coach, who is the first boss in Spurs history to lose his opening four fixtures, firmly pushed back against the financial request.
“Manchester City lose 3-0, Chelsea lose 5-2, every Sunday there are big defeats and every time you need to refund the money so where will football be going?”
The Croatian tactician insisted the ticketing issue ultimately lies with the club hierarchy but urged for good sense to prevail regarding compensation.
While the manager dismissed the gesture, there is recent precedent for reimbursing disappointed English fans.
Manchester City’s squad refunded their travelling contingent following a shock defeat to Bodo Glimt earlier in the year.
‘Nothing to apologise for’ after opening collapse
Despite the heavy European defeat, the former Juventus defender claimed he only felt compelled to say sorry for the disastrous opening quarter of the match.
“I like usually to apologise but I did this time because of these 15 minutes, but all the rest I’ve got nothing to apologise for.”
He commended his squad’s second-half application, suggesting the players ran hard and tried to salvage pride from an impossible situation.
The embattled boss urged his squad to stay focused and keep working to navigate through their current severe run of poor form.
Supporters warn of steep decline
The official supporters’ group painted a bleak picture of the current regime, criticising everything from January transfer activity to a perceived lack of leadership.
“Emergency action is needed as right now we are sleepwalking off the edge of a cliff. Being a Spurs fan has never been so difficult.”
THST highlighted a total absence of club pedigree informing recent decisions, questioning where the traditional echoes of glory have gone.
Fans concluded their statement by insisting that while refunded tickets are the bare minimum expected, their primary desire is simply a team that makes them proud.
David Moyes has described Everton’s 2-0 Premier League defeat by Arsenal as “absolutely cruel” after his much-improved side conceded late goals at the Emirates Stadium.
The Toffees boss believes the performance highlighted the significant progress his squad has made during the current campaign.
Despite frustrating their hosts for the majority of the contest, the visitors were ultimately undone in the closing stages in north London.
“It was absolutely cruel on the players.”
The Scottish tactician stated while addressing the media following the final whistle.
Late heartbreak in the capital
The resilient away side had looked poised to secure a hard-fought point against a technically gifted opposition.
However, the late double from the Gunners ensured the three points remained firmly in the capital.
The frustrating result leaves the Merseyside outfit reflecting on what might have been after matching their high-flying opponents.
Progress despite the disappointment
Moyes was eager to focus on the overall display rather than dwelling entirely on the dramatic conclusion.
The experienced manager emphasised that the disciplined performance is clear proof of his team’s upward trajectory this season.
Everton must now regroup and channel this promising defensive organisation into their upcoming domestic fixtures.
Lecce forward Lameck Banda has been taken to hospital after collapsing on the pitch during the closing stages of a 2-1 Serie A defeat by Napoli.
The 25-year-old fell to the turf late in the second half at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, prompting an immediate halt to play.
Medics rushed onto the field to attend to the Zambia international in distressing scenes for players and supporters alike.
Banda was eventually carried off on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance while receiving supportive applause from the home crowd.
Reports from Sky Sports Italy indicate the winger remained conscious throughout the ordeal and will undergo precautionary tests.
Conte alerts medical staff
The incident occurred as the visiting side prepared to take a free-kick in a dangerous area while searching for a late equaliser.
Napoli manager Antonio Conte was among the first to notice the player struggling to breathe and frantically alerted the Lecce medical team.
Italian broadcaster DAZN reported that Banda had sustained a blow to the chest approximately 40 seconds before he collapsed.
Despite the terrifying nature of the incident, it is understood the attacker never lost consciousness.
Napoli complete comeback victory
Prior to the medical emergency, the hosts had fought back from an early deficit to secure all three points.
Jamil Siebert had given the away side a shock lead in the third minute of the contest.
However, second-half strikes from Rasmus Hojlund and Matteo Politano turned the game around for the Neapolitans.
Arsenal’s 16-year-old record goalscorer Max Dowman is prohibited from using the first-team dressing room on matchdays due to strict child safeguarding regulations.
The teenage sensation made Premier League history on Saturday by sealing a 2-0 victory against Everton.
Coming off the bench, the attacking midfielder assisted Viktor Gyokeres before adding a stunning solo goal in stoppage time.
Despite his rapid elevation into Mikel Arteta’s squad, strict age rules mean he must change away from his senior colleagues.
Safeguarding rules limit teenage stars
The restrictions will remain in place until the end of 2027 when the English prospect finally turns 18.
He is not the first Hale End academy product to face this unusual logistical challenge.
Ethan Nwaneri, who became the youngest player in Premier League history at 15, experienced the exact same matchday isolation.
Arteta navigates youth integration
The Gunners manager previously described the mandatory segregation of his youngest talents as an unbelievable situation.
“Ethan can’t be in our dressing room, which is unbelievable, he needs to get dressed somewhere else, even on matchday.” Mikel Arteta
The Spanish coach noted that having peers nearby helps ease the intimidating transition into professional football.
Arsenal’s vaunted academy continues to consistently produce top-tier talent, with established star Bukayo Saka paving the way for the current crop of youth internationals.
The lightning-fast playmaker will now hope to maintain his remarkable momentum as the 2025/26 campaign progresses.
Yaxel Lendeborg hit a dramatic three-pointer with 0.4 seconds remaining to give Michigan a 68-65 victory over Wisconsin and send them into the Big Ten tournament championship game in Chicago.
The top-seeded Wolverines avenged their only conference defeat of the regular season to keep their hopes of securing a second consecutive tournament title alive.
Aday Mara anchored the interior for the victors, tallying 16 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks during a tense encounter at the United Center.
Elliot Cadeau also contributed 15 points and provided the crucial assist for the game-winning shot after a chaotic final possession.
Lendeborg delivers when it matters most
The Big Ten Player of the Year endured a quiet start to the contest following a similarly subdued offensive performance in Friday’s quarter-final win over Ohio State.
He began to find his rhythm just before the interval, draining a vital perimeter shot with 11 seconds left in the half to level the scoreline at 28-28.
Both sides struggled offensively in the opening period, with the eventual winners shooting just 26.7% from the field compared to their opponents’ 32.3%.
The tension escalated in the dying moments of the second half after Nick Boyd hit a clutch shot for Wisconsin to tie the game at 65-all.
Badgers fall short despite second-half surge
Austin Rapp proved to be a constant threat for the defeated side, sinking six attempts from beyond the arc to score all of his 18 points after the break.
However, Boyd endured a difficult shooting night, managing just 14 points on six-for-20 shooting a day after an exhausting career-high 38-point display against Illinois.
The defeat means the Wisconsin program misses out on a third successive Big Ten tournament final appearance, having lost the 2025 showpiece to this exact opposition.
The reigning champions will now face either UCLA or Purdue in Sunday’s title match as they pursue their fifth overall tournament crown.
They already boast a psychological advantage over both potential opponents, having comprehensively beaten the Bruins and the Boilermakers in consecutive mid-February fixtures.