Messi misses Barça as club marks anniversary

In response to talk of Tottenham Hotspur being relegated, manager Ange Postecoglou dismissed the notion as "hysteria" aimed at putting pressure on him and the club, emphasizing the team's recent positive form with three consecutive wins. Winger Brennan Johnson's brace in a 4-1 victory over Ipswich Town showcased Spurs' attacking prowess, as they aim to secure a spot in the Europa League quarterfinals. Postecoglou praised Johnson's scoring touch and the team's resilience, highlighting their determination...

Dave McMenamin, Lakers and NBA reporter for ESPN, covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com, the Cavaliers for ESPN.com, and the NBA for NBA.com. Luka Doncic led the Lakers to a 123-100 victory against the Denver Nuggets with 32 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and four steals, ending the Nuggets' winning streak and L.A.'s losing streak in Denver. Lakers coach JJ Redick praised Doncic's performance, emphasizing his importance in controlling the offense alongside LeBron James...

Luka Doncic scored 32 points as the Los Angeles Lakers ended the Denver Nuggets' nine-game winning streak with a 123-100 victory, showcasing his talent alongside LeBron James who scored 25 points. In another close game, Nic Claxton's buzzer-beater secured the Brooklyn Nets a win over the Philadelphia 76ers, while the Portland Trail Blazers set a franchise record with a 141-88 win over the Charlotte Hornets led by Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe. The Utah Jazz...

Dmitry Bivol avenged his loss to Artur Beterbiev in a thrilling rematch, outlasting his opponent to win a majority decision and claim multiple light heavyweight titles. Bivol showcased improved tactics and conditioning, taking risks and landing impactful punches in a fight that left fans eager for a potential rubber match. Joseph Parker also secured a victory, knocking out Martin Bakole in the second round to defend his WBO interim heavyweight title on short notice. Full...

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick expressed the need for his team to improve despite a 2-0 win over Las Palmas, putting them back at the top of LaLiga after Atlético Madrid's victory earlier in the day. Flick highlighted the importance of positioning and presence in the box, while praising substitutes Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres for their crucial goals. The team's focus now shifts to the Copa del Rey semifinal against Atlético on Tuesday, following their...

Sarah Barshop covers the Los Angeles Rams for ESPN, reporting that quarterback Matthew Stafford's agent has been given permission to discuss his market value with other teams. The Rams and Stafford are in talks about a reworked contract, with two seasons left on his current deal. Stafford, who joined the Rams in 2021 and won the Super Bowl with them, completed 65.8% of his passes for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in the...