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Deadspin | Streaky Clippers dealing with issues with Magic up next

Deadspin | Streaky Clippers dealing with issues with Magic up next

Feb 20, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dribbles the ball against Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) in the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Orlando Magic sustained a double-overtime loss in Phoenix on the front end of a back-to-back and then hopped a plane for the flight to Los Angeles.

Though the Clippers, their next opponent, are well-rested, it might not be a bad time for Orlando to face a team on shaky ground.

The Magic play the third contest of a four-game excursion on Sunday night when they visit the Clippers at Inglewood, Calif.

The Clippers started poorly this season, going 6-21 before streaking with 16 wins in 19 games and then splitting their past 10.

But they traded James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this month, leaving Kawhi Leonard without a high-scoring running mate.

Leonard also doesn’t sound too keen about the team’s championship chances as he expressed his doubts after Thursday’s 115-114 home win over the Denver Nuggets.

“I think it’s over now,” Leonard told reporters. “It’s the second half, like (final) fourth of the season left, but every day is a day to grow, a day to learn and get better. So, you just got to keep looking over time and see in two weeks if we’re getting better, and see what happens from there.”

Clippers coach Tyronn Lue attempted damage control the following day, saying he interpreted Leonard’s comments as meaning there has been change in the organization.

Lue said he has no doubts — even at two games under .500 — that the Clippers can put together a postseason run.

“I just feel confident. I just feel confident in our players,” Lue said. “I feel confident in our coaching staff and I just feel confident in the environment, like the culture we’ve set. And why wouldn’t you want to play to win?

“That’s our mindset. That’s my mindset every single night. And as tough as it may be or you start 6-21 or whatever it may be, you’re playing to win. And so, we make the playoffs and then anything can happen.”

Leonard sprained his left ankle during Friday’s 125-122 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers and is listed as questionable for Sunday. He has scored 20 or more points in each of his last 35 appearances.

Orlando opened its road trip by making a franchise-record 27 3-pointers in a 131-94 rout of the lowly Sacramento Kings on Thursday.

The opportunity to be 2-0 on the trip was there with Phoenix shooting just 34.2% from the field over 58 minutes on Saturday. But Jalen Green (who was 6 of 26) drained a game-winning trey as the second OT ended to give the Suns a 113-110 win.

“Our guys fought to the end minus bodies,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “But we’ve got to make sure we continue to do the little things.”

Guard Jalen Suggs (back) missed the contest and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. Standout Franz Wagner (left ankle) isn’t on the trip and is out indefinitely.

Desmond Bane scored 34 points and Paolo Banchero had 26 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists and four blocked shots for Orlando.

Mosley was beaming about Banchero’s all-around play.

“He’s a young man that continues to get downhill, created double teams, got a lot of guys wide-open looks,” Mosley said about Banchero. “We’ve got to step in and knock those down.

“He attacked the basket a ton. Wasn’t getting the call necessarily going his way, but I loved the way that he was attacking downhill, being aggressive in those situations.”

Orlando defeated the visiting Clippers 129-101 on Nov. 20 in the first meeting. Leonard was sidelined with foot and ankle injuries.

–Field Level Media

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Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has dismissed talk of added pressure in trying to win its first Champions League ​crown, insisting it was a responsibility rather than a burden as it prepares to ‌host Arsenal in Wednesday’s semifinal first leg.

Atletico has reached three European ​Cup finals in its history — two during Simeone’s nearly 15-year ⁠tenure — but has never lifted the continent’s top prize. It is the only team to lose three finals without having won the competition.

This season has offered little domestic comfort, ‌with the club fourth in La Liga, 25 points behind leader Barcelona and effectively out of the title race since January.

Defeat on ‌penalties to Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final less than ‌two ⁠weeks ago has left the Champions League as Atletico’s sole ⁠remaining shot at silverware this season, and it could be heading for five trophyless seasons in a row.

Yet Simeone was in no mood to look back at past failures after defeats ​by Bayern Munich (1974) and Real Madrid (2014, ‌2016) in the final of Europe’s elite club competition.

ALSO READ | PSG vs Bayern Munich — Preview, team news, live streaming info, UEFA Champions League

“There’s no pressure, there’s a sense of responsibility, and there’s a special sense of anticipation,” he told a press conference on Tuesday.

“At the end of the day, it’s ‌a football match, and the players are the ones who decide the ​outcome. We have to prepare well. We want to play the game we’ve envisaged and take the match to a ⁠stage where we can cause Arsenal problems,” he added.

Asked whether the competition owed Atletico something after three final defeats, Simeone said, “We’re all human. If you ask us, everyone has ‌a different opinion. But a competition doesn’t owe anyone anything. Things have to be earned and achieved. You have to work hard, go out and get them and hope Lady Luck is on your side.”

The Argentine pointed to Atletico’s approach in recent knockout ties as its greatest asset.

“What we’ve been doing in the knockout stages, whether in the (Spanish) Cup or the Champions League … Playing ‌with intensity, with our style of play, with our attacking initiative. That’s how we’ll go ​about it,” he said.

For a club chasing a first Champions League crown, there is a temptation to dream but Simeone prefers ⁠deeds to daydreams.

“Dreaming is all well and good, but reality is what happens on ⁠the ground. Reality is what we do and what God wills. That’s how we behave. We’re in another semifinal. It’s extraordinary ‌to reach it for the fourth time in 14 years. It’s incredible. That faith, that excitement, that infectious spirit will do us a world of ​good. We’re facing a tough match, but we’re going there full of hope,” Simeone said.

Lookman doubtful for Atletico against Arsenal

Simeone said on Tuesday that Nigeria striker Ademola Lookman was still a doubt to start at Metropolitano Stadium.

“We’ll see if he recovers well tomorrow,” said Simeone, who turned 56 on Tuesday. “He still has some discomfort.”

Lookman has seven goals for Atletico since arriving, one of them in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal against Barcelona, when Atletico advanced 3-2 on aggregate.

“His arrival has made a very positive impact on the team,” Simeone said. “He brings new things to our attack. He has been working much better in the defensive phase as well.”

(With inputs from AP)

Published on Apr 28, 2026

#UCL #Atletico #Madrids #Simeone #shrugs #talk #Champions #League #burden #ahead #Arsenal #semi #Lookman #fitness #doubt">UCL 2025-26: Atletico Madrid’s Simeone shrugs off talk of Champions League burden ahead of Arsenal semi; Lookman fitness in doubt  Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has dismissed talk of added pressure in trying to win its first Champions League ​crown, insisting it was a responsibility rather than a burden as it prepares to ‌host Arsenal in Wednesday’s semifinal first leg.Atletico has reached three European ​Cup finals in its history — two during Simeone’s nearly 15-year ⁠tenure — but has never lifted the continent’s top prize. It is the only team to lose three finals without having won the competition.This season has offered little domestic comfort, ‌with the club fourth in La Liga, 25 points behind leader Barcelona and effectively out of the title race since January.Defeat on ‌penalties to Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final less than ‌two ⁠weeks ago has left the Champions League as Atletico’s sole ⁠remaining shot at silverware this season, and it could be heading for five trophyless seasons in a row.Yet Simeone was in no mood to look back at past failures after defeats ​by Bayern Munich (1974) and Real Madrid (2014, ‌2016) in the final of Europe’s elite club competition.ALSO READ | PSG vs Bayern Munich — Preview, team news, live streaming info, UEFA Champions League“There’s no pressure, there’s a sense of responsibility, and there’s a special sense of anticipation,” he told a press conference on Tuesday.“At the end of the day, it’s ‌a football match, and the players are the ones who decide the ​outcome. We have to prepare well. We want to play the game we’ve envisaged and take the match to a ⁠stage where we can cause Arsenal problems,” he added.Asked whether the competition owed Atletico something after three final defeats, Simeone said, “We’re all human. If you ask us, everyone has ‌a different opinion. But a competition doesn’t owe anyone anything. Things have to be earned and achieved. You have to work hard, go out and get them and hope Lady Luck is on your side.”The Argentine pointed to Atletico’s approach in recent knockout ties as its greatest asset.“What we’ve been doing in the knockout stages, whether in the (Spanish) Cup or the Champions League … Playing ‌with intensity, with our style of play, with our attacking initiative. That’s how we’ll go ​about it,” he said.For a club chasing a first Champions League crown, there is a temptation to dream but Simeone prefers ⁠deeds to daydreams.“Dreaming is all well and good, but reality is what happens on ⁠the ground. Reality is what we do and what God wills. That’s how we behave. We’re in another semifinal. It’s extraordinary ‌to reach it for the fourth time in 14 years. It’s incredible. That faith, that excitement, that infectious spirit will do us a world of ​good. We’re facing a tough match, but we’re going there full of hope,” Simeone said.Lookman doubtful for Atletico against ArsenalSimeone said on Tuesday that Nigeria striker Ademola Lookman was still a doubt to start at Metropolitano Stadium.“We’ll see if he recovers well tomorrow,” said Simeone, who turned 56 on Tuesday. “He still has some discomfort.”Lookman has seven goals for Atletico since arriving, one of them in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal against Barcelona, when Atletico advanced 3-2 on aggregate.“His arrival has made a very positive impact on the team,” Simeone said. “He brings new things to our attack. He has been working much better in the defensive phase as well.”(With inputs from AP)Published on Apr 28, 2026  #UCL #Atletico #Madrids #Simeone #shrugs #talk #Champions #League #burden #ahead #Arsenal #semi #Lookman #fitness #doubt

PSG vs Bayern Munich — Preview, team news, live streaming info, UEFA Champions League

“There’s no pressure, there’s a sense of responsibility, and there’s a special sense of anticipation,” he told a press conference on Tuesday.

“At the end of the day, it’s ‌a football match, and the players are the ones who decide the ​outcome. We have to prepare well. We want to play the game we’ve envisaged and take the match to a ⁠stage where we can cause Arsenal problems,” he added.

Asked whether the competition owed Atletico something after three final defeats, Simeone said, “We’re all human. If you ask us, everyone has ‌a different opinion. But a competition doesn’t owe anyone anything. Things have to be earned and achieved. You have to work hard, go out and get them and hope Lady Luck is on your side.”

The Argentine pointed to Atletico’s approach in recent knockout ties as its greatest asset.

“What we’ve been doing in the knockout stages, whether in the (Spanish) Cup or the Champions League … Playing ‌with intensity, with our style of play, with our attacking initiative. That’s how we’ll go ​about it,” he said.

For a club chasing a first Champions League crown, there is a temptation to dream but Simeone prefers ⁠deeds to daydreams.

“Dreaming is all well and good, but reality is what happens on ⁠the ground. Reality is what we do and what God wills. That’s how we behave. We’re in another semifinal. It’s extraordinary ‌to reach it for the fourth time in 14 years. It’s incredible. That faith, that excitement, that infectious spirit will do us a world of ​good. We’re facing a tough match, but we’re going there full of hope,” Simeone said.

Lookman doubtful for Atletico against Arsenal

Simeone said on Tuesday that Nigeria striker Ademola Lookman was still a doubt to start at Metropolitano Stadium.

“We’ll see if he recovers well tomorrow,” said Simeone, who turned 56 on Tuesday. “He still has some discomfort.”

Lookman has seven goals for Atletico since arriving, one of them in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal against Barcelona, when Atletico advanced 3-2 on aggregate.

“His arrival has made a very positive impact on the team,” Simeone said. “He brings new things to our attack. He has been working much better in the defensive phase as well.”

(With inputs from AP)

Published on Apr 28, 2026

#UCL #Atletico #Madrids #Simeone #shrugs #talk #Champions #League #burden #ahead #Arsenal #semi #Lookman #fitness #doubt">UCL 2025-26: Atletico Madrid’s Simeone shrugs off talk of Champions League burden ahead of Arsenal semi; Lookman fitness in doubt

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has dismissed talk of added pressure in trying to win its first Champions League ​crown, insisting it was a responsibility rather than a burden as it prepares to ‌host Arsenal in Wednesday’s semifinal first leg.

Atletico has reached three European ​Cup finals in its history — two during Simeone’s nearly 15-year ⁠tenure — but has never lifted the continent’s top prize. It is the only team to lose three finals without having won the competition.

This season has offered little domestic comfort, ‌with the club fourth in La Liga, 25 points behind leader Barcelona and effectively out of the title race since January.

Defeat on ‌penalties to Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final less than ‌two ⁠weeks ago has left the Champions League as Atletico’s sole ⁠remaining shot at silverware this season, and it could be heading for five trophyless seasons in a row.

Yet Simeone was in no mood to look back at past failures after defeats ​by Bayern Munich (1974) and Real Madrid (2014, ‌2016) in the final of Europe’s elite club competition.

ALSO READ | PSG vs Bayern Munich — Preview, team news, live streaming info, UEFA Champions League

“There’s no pressure, there’s a sense of responsibility, and there’s a special sense of anticipation,” he told a press conference on Tuesday.

“At the end of the day, it’s ‌a football match, and the players are the ones who decide the ​outcome. We have to prepare well. We want to play the game we’ve envisaged and take the match to a ⁠stage where we can cause Arsenal problems,” he added.

Asked whether the competition owed Atletico something after three final defeats, Simeone said, “We’re all human. If you ask us, everyone has ‌a different opinion. But a competition doesn’t owe anyone anything. Things have to be earned and achieved. You have to work hard, go out and get them and hope Lady Luck is on your side.”

The Argentine pointed to Atletico’s approach in recent knockout ties as its greatest asset.

“What we’ve been doing in the knockout stages, whether in the (Spanish) Cup or the Champions League … Playing ‌with intensity, with our style of play, with our attacking initiative. That’s how we’ll go ​about it,” he said.

For a club chasing a first Champions League crown, there is a temptation to dream but Simeone prefers ⁠deeds to daydreams.

“Dreaming is all well and good, but reality is what happens on ⁠the ground. Reality is what we do and what God wills. That’s how we behave. We’re in another semifinal. It’s extraordinary ‌to reach it for the fourth time in 14 years. It’s incredible. That faith, that excitement, that infectious spirit will do us a world of ​good. We’re facing a tough match, but we’re going there full of hope,” Simeone said.

Lookman doubtful for Atletico against Arsenal

Simeone said on Tuesday that Nigeria striker Ademola Lookman was still a doubt to start at Metropolitano Stadium.

“We’ll see if he recovers well tomorrow,” said Simeone, who turned 56 on Tuesday. “He still has some discomfort.”

Lookman has seven goals for Atletico since arriving, one of them in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal against Barcelona, when Atletico advanced 3-2 on aggregate.

“His arrival has made a very positive impact on the team,” Simeone said. “He brings new things to our attack. He has been working much better in the defensive phase as well.”

(With inputs from AP)

Published on Apr 28, 2026

#UCL #Atletico #Madrids #Simeone #shrugs #talk #Champions #League #burden #ahead #Arsenal #semi #Lookman #fitness #doubt
Deadspin | Celtics’ Brad Stevens named NBA Executive of Year  Feb 28, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens before their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images   Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens was named the NBA Basketball Executive of the Year for the second time in three seasons on Tuesday.  Stevens’ Celtics finished with the second-best record (56-26) in the Eastern Conference in 2025-26 and secured a top-two playoff seed for the fifth time in his five seasons in his current role.  Boston accomplished that despite parting ways with Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday before the season and only having All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum for 16 games after he recovered from an Achilles injury.  Stevens, who also won the award in 2023-24, is the 12th executive to receive the honor multiple times since it was first presented in 1972-73.   Stevens, 49, received 11 first-place votes and 69 total points in voting by his fellow executives. Atlanta Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh was second with 41 points, one more than Detroit Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon.  Before joining Boston’s front office, Stevens served as the team’s head coach for eight seasons and tallied a 354-282 record. During his 13-year tenure with the franchise, the Celtics have made 12 playoff appearances.  The Celtics currently have a 3-1 lead in their first-round series with the Philadelphia 76ers. Game 5 is on Tuesday night in Boston.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Celtics #Brad #Stevens #named #NBA #Executive #YearFeb 28, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens before their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens was named the NBA Basketball Executive of the Year for the second time in three seasons on Tuesday.

Stevens’ Celtics finished with the second-best record (56-26) in the Eastern Conference in 2025-26 and secured a top-two playoff seed for the fifth time in his five seasons in his current role.

Boston accomplished that despite parting ways with Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday before the season and only having All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum for 16 games after he recovered from an Achilles injury.


Stevens, who also won the award in 2023-24, is the 12th executive to receive the honor multiple times since it was first presented in 1972-73.

Stevens, 49, received 11 first-place votes and 69 total points in voting by his fellow executives. Atlanta Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh was second with 41 points, one more than Detroit Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon.

Before joining Boston’s front office, Stevens served as the team’s head coach for eight seasons and tallied a 354-282 record. During his 13-year tenure with the franchise, the Celtics have made 12 playoff appearances.

The Celtics currently have a 3-1 lead in their first-round series with the Philadelphia 76ers. Game 5 is on Tuesday night in Boston.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Celtics #Brad #Stevens #named #NBA #Executive #Year">Deadspin | Celtics’ Brad Stevens named NBA Executive of Year  Feb 28, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens before their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images   Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens was named the NBA Basketball Executive of the Year for the second time in three seasons on Tuesday.  Stevens’ Celtics finished with the second-best record (56-26) in the Eastern Conference in 2025-26 and secured a top-two playoff seed for the fifth time in his five seasons in his current role.  Boston accomplished that despite parting ways with Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday before the season and only having All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum for 16 games after he recovered from an Achilles injury.  Stevens, who also won the award in 2023-24, is the 12th executive to receive the honor multiple times since it was first presented in 1972-73.   Stevens, 49, received 11 first-place votes and 69 total points in voting by his fellow executives. Atlanta Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh was second with 41 points, one more than Detroit Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon.  Before joining Boston’s front office, Stevens served as the team’s head coach for eight seasons and tallied a 354-282 record. During his 13-year tenure with the franchise, the Celtics have made 12 playoff appearances.  The Celtics currently have a 3-1 lead in their first-round series with the Philadelphia 76ers. Game 5 is on Tuesday night in Boston.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Celtics #Brad #Stevens #named #NBA #Executive #Year

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