Jimmy Butler suffers injury as Miami loses to the Sixers in Play-in game.
The Miami Heat suffered double defeats on Wednesday night, losing both their Play-in game against the Philadelphia Sixers as well as their star player, Jimmy Butler. The forward suffered a crucial right knee injury in the close 105-104 loss after being failed by the Sixers’ Kelly Oubre Jr. at the end of the first quarter. New reports are suggesting that Butler might have damaged his MCL. He has officially been listed out of Friday’s game against the Chicago Bulls and will be side-lined for an extended period, should Miami qualify for the playoffs.
Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler is feared to have an MCL injury in his knee, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The injury could sideline Butler for an indefinite period. MRI to come. pic.twitter.com/jD8n1WkkBT
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 18, 2024
Cristiano Ronaldo wins legal battle against Juventus over wage dispute.
Five-time Ballon d’or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo sued former club, Juventus over claims of unpaid salaries during the Covid-19 pandemic grossing up to €17 million. After agreements between both parties to postpone his salary, the Serie A giant neither paid or included the agreement in their financial statements, forcing Ronaldo to seek redress in a tribunal. The court has however ruled that Juventus must pay half of the fee, which is around €10 million plus interest. Ronaldo spent three years at the club from 2018-2021, scoring 101 goals in 134 games and winning two Serie A titles and one Italian Cup.
🚨 Cristiano Ronaldo has officially won his legal battle with Juventus over his wage dispute.
Juventus will have to pay Cristiano nearly €10m plus interest. pic.twitter.com/WNFQQGfaGd
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 17, 2024
Zion Williamson ruled out of the Play-in tournament elimination game.
The New Orleans Pelicans’ star, Zion Williamson looked to be sending his franchise straight to the playoffs in his first postseason game, scoring 40 points and making 11 rebounds in the Pelicans’ 110-106 loss, before being taken off after sustaining a hamstring strain. After assessing his injury, it has been revealed that the power forward will be out of Friday’s play-in tournament elimination game against the Sacramento Kings on Friday evening. This will be a huge blow for the Pelicans going into the elimination game.
ESPN Sources: Pelicans F Zion Williamson’s (left hamstring) is out for Friday’s Play-In Tournament elimination game vs. Sacramento and will be evaluated again in coming weeks. Huge blow for New Orleans. pic.twitter.com/rMc1IC2RtY
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 17, 2024
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich qualify for Champions League semi finals.
The Champions League semi final brackets have officially been completed after Real Madrid and Bayern Munich thrilled English sides, Manchester City and Arsenal on Wednesday night. Rodrygo’s early goal looked to secure a 4-3 aggregate win for Ancelotti’s men but Kevin De Bruyne came up clutch, scoring an equalizer in the 76th minute, pushing the game to the penalty shootout. Lunin was Real Madrid’s hero, saving Kovacic and Bernardo Silvia’s penalties to cover Luka Modrić’s first miss and killing Manchester City’s hopes for a second consecutive treble-winning season. Joshua Kimmich’s beautiful header in the 63rd minute was enough to send Tuchel’s men to the next round of the competition. Bayern will be hoping to rectify their bad season by securing the Champions League trophy.
🤍 “I am the 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐭 man in the world”, says Real Madrid penalties hero Andriy Lunin 🇺🇦
◉ Joined Real Madrid in 2018 as third goalkeeper.
◉ Accepted loans to Leganés, Valladolid, Oviedo.
◉ Started this season as a third goalkeeper too.
◉ Record with his 9️⃣ saves… pic.twitter.com/ApB2QriWzf
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 18, 2024
Jontay Porter receives a lifetime ban from the NBA for violating gambling rule.
Toronto Raptors’ player, Jontay Porter was found guilty of breaching the NBA’s game king rules and has been given a lifetime ban from the league. According to the NBA, Porter gave out confidential information to betters, whilst also gambling on games. Further investigations pointed to Porter also limiting his participation to impact the outcomes of games, including one involving his team to lose. Although none of these bets were on games he was involved in but he did bet on the Toronto Raptors to lose.
Raptors' Jontay Porter has received a lifetime ban from the NBA for violating league's gaming rules. pic.twitter.com/QHDiGHnPYG
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 17, 2024
