Sherrill blamed Fifa for supporters facing $150 (£111) fares for the roughly 30-minute NJ Transit trip from New York to MetLife Stadium and said the governing body should subsidise public transport for World Cup matches. There are no concession fares, so children and seniors would also pay the full $150; shuttle bus tickets are priced at $80 (£59).

Heimo Schirgi, Fifa’s chief operating officer for the tournament, warned that NJ Transit’s current pricing model “will have a chilling effect.” He said Fifa’s objectives include minimising congestion, reducing reliance on private vehicles and ensuring fans’ experiences are defined by on-pitch action rather than travel delays. Schirgi added that elevated fares are likely to push fans toward other transport options, increasing congestion and late arrivals and creating ripple effects that could reduce the economic benefits and lasting legacy for the region.

MetLife Stadium — renamed New York/New Jersey Stadium for the World Cup under Fifa’s rules on corporate names — will host eight matches, including an England group game and the final on 19 July. Train fares to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, outside Boston, have also risen, with tickets at $80 (£59) and coach tickets at $95 (£70).

Sherrill posted on X that her administration “inherited an agreement where Fifa is providing $0 for transportation” while NJ Transit faces a $48m (£35m) bill, and said tournament organisers will make $11bn (£8.1bn). Schirgi responded that demanding Fifa absorb transportation costs is unprecedented. He disputed the governor’s profit claim, saying the projected $11bn refers to revenue, not profit, and emphasised that Fifa is a not-for-profit organisation whose World Cup revenues are reinvested into developing football worldwide, especially for youth and women.

Schirgi noted host city agreements were signed in 2018 and said Fifa has worked with the host committee to develop a transportation plan intended to provide efficient, accessible mass-transit options for fans attending the eight matches in New Jersey.

The Suns claimed the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference and will face defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday in Game 1. Golden State’s season is over.

Green made 14 of 20 shots, including 8 of 14 from 3-point range. Jordan Goodwin finished with 19 points, nine rebounds and six steals, making a major impact on defense.

The performance was redemption for Green after a difficult seven-game series last year against the Warriors while he was with the Houston Rockets, when he averaged 13.3 points and shot 37% from the field.

“I remember what they did last year. … There’s a lesson in every situation,” Green said. “It’s never failure. You always get back up. So, I for sure brought some of that energy from last year into tonight’s game, and we capitalized. I’m happy about it.”

Late in the fourth quarter Booker and Golden State’s Draymond Green were each assessed technical fouls after a verbal exchange and were ejected.

Curry, 38, struggled to find clean looks and finished with 17 points on 4-of-16 shooting. Brandin Podziemski led Golden State with 23 points.

Phoenix led by five at halftime and pushed the advantage to 69-53 with 5:12 left in the third after a fast-break layup by Royce O’Neale. The margin was 85-72 with 10:12 remaining.

There were reasons to worry the lead might slip: Phoenix had blown an 11-point fourth-quarter lead in a loss to Portland on Tuesday, while Golden State rallied from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the LA Clippers on Wednesday, setting up Friday’s winner-take-all game.

“Obviously, Tuesday night was emotional for everyone how it ended, but I think that’s what we’ve done all year,” Suns coach Jordan Ott said. “I think the group that’s in that locker room has a ton of resilience and wants to do things different. And that’s what we stress from the get-go. Sometimes, the road’s not always the one that you choose … or the one that’s most traveled. Sometimes, it’s the least traveled. So, we found our way in. Now, it’s on to the next thing.”

The Warriors threatened another comeback after Curry hit a 3 that cut the lead to 85-78 with 9:30 left, but Phoenix answered by scoring the next seven points.

The Suns avoided becoming the first team to lose both play-in tournament games at home since the format began in 2021.

“These guys want to be in those types of environments,” Ott said. “When you find that sweet spot, you want to hang on to it. We’re at that spot. Perfect timing — perfect time for all that to happen and then to see the results pay off. … Know it’s a quick turnaround to Sunday, know the opponent that we got going up against, but we’re excited. We’re excited to keep this thing rolling.”

Kristaps Porzingis played through right ankle soreness from an injury suffered Wednesday against the Clippers. The 7-foot-3 center logged 15 minutes and scored 11 points.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta’s relationship has crossed many lines over the years and developed alongside their managerial approaches. They meet at the Etihad on Sunday in a fixture many see as a Premier League title decider: a City win would cut Arsenal’s lead to three points with a game in hand.

Their connection dates to 1997, when Arteta joined Barcelona’s academy and met his idol, captain and fellow midfielder Guardiola. Their time as team-mates was short, but a friendship was formed. That closeness cooled when Arteta left his role as Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City in 2019 to become Arsenal manager. While other former assistants kept in touch, Arteta stepped away, creating a period of silence. Guardiola values continuous give-and-take; when communication isn’t clear, even unspoken distance can fracture relationships. Arteta is someone who moves on without depending on past professional ties. Contact was re-established in the past year, tensions eased, and the two speak again. They now compete for the same trophies while recognising the strength of their friendship and the solitary burden of top-level management.

Guardiola’s Barcelona turned Sunday night Spanish football into a weekly education for many coaches. Opposition scout Andy Mangan remembers initially not understanding what Guardiola was doing, then recognising how the team consistently identified attacking spaces and played with joy. Guardiola not only built a successful team but also a new way of winning. Pep Segura, former Barcelona director of football, says Guardiola reframed the game: until Pep arrived, teams typically structured defensively and reacted; Guardiola insisted they think from the way they attack. Possession, positioning and numerical superiority became central. That prompted opponents to adapt with pressing and sharper transitions — the environment in which Arteta’s coaching grew.

Arteta’s time alongside Guardiola at City wasn’t a passive apprenticeship. Those who worked with them describe Arteta as a “formidable dance partner,” immersed in Guardiola’s methods and helping raise training intensity, aggression and competitive detail. Having played in the Premier League, Arteta alerted Guardiola to the tempo, refereeing, fan volatility and physical demands of English football. But he was never a fundamentalist of Pep’s ideas; while aligned in principle, he was developing his own thinking. Segura notes that unlike Guardiola, who later learned transitions in Germany, Arteta grew up with them in England.

Guardiola’s teams have long dominated attacking organisation and the defensive transition: controlling matches through possession and reacting immediately when possession is lost. Arteta’s early Arsenal sides leaned on control but moved on, realising that to compete for titles against clubs with greater resources, they needed to dominate more phases of the game. Former Celta Vigo assistant David Martinez says Arteta understood he had to base improvements on dominating everything. Robert Moreno suggested Arteta found his own voice to create one of Europe’s most effective units. Mangan highlights Arteta’s quick grasp of where the game is going — duels, set-pieces, long throws — the marginal details that now decide matches.

That evolution has costs. Teams built on rehearsed mechanisms require precision; when execution drops, the system struggles. That contrasts with Guardiola-managed elites, who combine intelligent structure with players capable of improvisation when patterns break. At times Arsenal can feel more rigid, with players sticking to roles instead of breaking structure to solve problems.

Guardiola himself continued to evolve. The tension between adapting and staying faithful to an idea defines his career. Segura says Pep started incorporating new concepts, particularly defensive transition, where he evolved greatly. Arteta has sought more physical profiles — strength, speed, power — while Guardiola prefers more technical players. Still, both have reinforced offensive transition: City with Erling Haaland, Arsenal by adding Viktor Gyokeres. In elite football, how coaches respond to difficulty defines them.

Arteta faces that crucible now. He has built a team that can compete with the best, but the final step — winning consistently at the very top — remains his aim. When results falter, many react to external pressure by changing approach; Arteta has largely doubled down, asking more of his players while staying within his framework. In elite sport, losing is part of the process; the next step is evolving and trying again, with the same or greater effort. Guardiola has repeated that cycle: after setbacks and criticism he returns to his principles and expands them. Sean Dyche, who has faced Guardiola’s teams, says Pep didn’t panic in difficult times — he adjusted but stayed true to his beliefs. Dyche adds that both Pep and Arteta have tried to win a certain way but have evolved to play in ways familiar from the past.

There is another layer to Arteta’s challenge, one shaped by Guardiola’s influence: winning isn’t enough anymore — how you win matters. Guardiola changed expectations, so Arsenal’s development is judged not only by results but by perception and style as well.

This is a simple A+ rubric for each team: the picks listed and the clearest draft actions to address immediate and near-term needs.

Dallas Cowboys
Picks: Nos. 12, 20, 92, 112, 152, 177, 180, 218
Action: Prioritize defense. Trade flexibility with 12/20 to add an edge or off‑ball linebacker; target nickel/outside CB with remaining early capital.

New York Giants
Picks: Nos. 5, 37, 105, 145, 186, 192, 193
Action: Plug right guard early and add a run-defending DT (or two). Otherwise take BPA and add depth at CB/LB.

Philadelphia Eagles
Picks: Nos. 23, 54, 68, 98, 114, 137, 178, 197
Action: Balance 2026 needs (safety, edge, WR) with looming 2027 O-line/tight-end voids. Invest in offensive line and one immediate defensive starter.

Washington Commanders
Picks: Nos. 7, 71, 147, 187, 209, 223
Action: Trade back from 7 if top targets gone to recoup picks; shore up center, add a starting safety and a WR to pair with McLaurin.

Chicago Bears
Picks: Nos. 25, 57, 60, 89, 129, 239, 241
Action: Let the board fall. Swing for a splash defensive tackle/edge at 25 if available; otherwise pick developmental starters (CB, safety, OL).

Detroit Lions
Picks: Nos. 17, 50, 118, 128, 157, 181, 205, 213, 222
Action: Restore the offensive line across multiple picks. Then address CB and edge depth; add a strong safety in the middle rounds.

Green Bay Packers
Picks: Nos. 52, 84, 120, 153, 160, 201, 236, 255
Action: Defensive line and interior O-line are priorities. Must draft a cornerback early or mid rounds. Add EDGE/LB depth on Day 3.

Minnesota Vikings
Picks: Nos. 18, 49, 82, 97, 163, 196, 234, 235, 244
Action: Rebuild the defensive front with several picks. Consider safety or tackle at 18 but mostly accumulate DL/OL/CB depth across many selections.

Atlanta Falcons
Picks: Nos. 48, 79, 122, 215, 231
Action: Beef up pass rush and address RT/depth on the O-line. Add a shifty WR/TE if value appears, but don’t mortgage 2027 capital.

Carolina Panthers
Picks: Nos. 19, 51, 83, 119, 158, 159, 200
Action: Attack WR, pass rush and DB aggressively. Use Day 1/2 to add playmakers around Bryce Young’s contract window.

New Orleans Saints
Picks: Nos. 8, 42, 73, 132, 136, 150, 172, 190
Action: Spend early on receiver help and pair that with multiple defensive tackles. Two-WR or WR+DT approach fits their board.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Picks: Nos. 15, 46, 77, 116, 155, 195, 229
Action: Solve the pass-rush hole at 15 (trade if needed) and then load defensive depth. Use middle rounds on LB/DT and interior O-line if available.

Arizona Cardinals
Picks: Nos. 3, 34, 65, 104, 143, 132, 217
Action: Either take a QB of the future or invest heavily in the offensive line. Add an edge rusher and interior lineman as needed.

Los Angeles Rams
Picks: Nos. 13, 61, 93, 207, 232, 251, 252
Action: Win now—draft pro-ready tackle, a receiver and a linebacker. Trade up if it nets a starter-level piece for a Super Bowl push.

San Francisco 49ers
Picks: Nos. 27, 58, 127, 133, 138, 139
Action: Continue defensive reload: add an outside rusher and starting safety. Grab OL depth rather than chasing a flashy WR early.

Seattle Seahawks
Picks: Nos. 32, 64, 96, 168
Action: Trade back unless great value on a DB/S corner falls. Prioritize running back, guard/tackle, and add an edge rusher in middle rounds.

Buffalo Bills
Picks: Nos. 26, 91, 126, 165, 168, 182, 220
Action: Trade down from 26 to accumulate picks. Priorities: linebacker, CB, and a WR with immediate contribution potential.

Miami Dolphins
Picks: Nos. 11, 30, 43, 75, 87, 90, 94, 130, 151, 227, 238
Action: Make lots of picks, trade down for 2027 capital, and take high-risk/high-ceiling players. Double-dip at CB and edge, plus DB depth.

New England Patriots
Picks: Nos. 31, 63, 95, 125, 131, 171, 191, 198, 202, 212, 247
Action: Invest in long-term O-line starters, add a developmental TE and a WR on Day 2, and target safety depth for 2027.

New York Jets
Picks: Nos. 2, 16, 33, 44, 103, 140, 179, 228, 242
Action: No. 2 likely DL/OL/WPA pick—take BPA or trade back. Use 16/33 to add receivers; otherwise draft best defensive players available.

Baltimore Ravens
Picks: Nos. 14, 45, 80, 115, 154, 162, 173, 174, 211, 250, 253
Action: Interior O-line and a pass catcher are priorities. If Ioane is available at 14, take him; otherwise remain flexible and add BPA on defense.

Cleveland Browns
Picks: Nos. 6, 24, 39, 70, 107, 146, 149, 206, 248
Action: Skip QB and prepare for 2027—double up on offensive line and WR early; add DT and blocking TE in mid rounds.

Cincinnati Bengals
Picks: Nos. 10, 41, 72, 110, 189, 199, 221, 226
Action: No. 10: take the best defensive playmaker (LB/S/CB/edge). Then add interior D-line and depth at center while maintaining offensive health.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Picks: Nos. 21, 53, 76, 85, 99, 121, 135, 161, 216, 224, 230, 237
Action: With 12 picks, get younger across D-line and secondary, add a developmental QB, and prioritize OL and WR to replace aging veterans.

Houston Texans
Picks: Nos. 28, 38, 59, 69, 106, 141, 167, 243
Action: Continue OL investment (versatile interior/tackle) and then take high-impact gambles at TE/WR/edge. Caleb Banks at 38 would be a home run.

Indianapolis Colts
Picks: Nos. 47, 78, 113, 156, 214, 249, 254
Action: Precision draft to fill immediate gaps: EDGE, LB, safety. Use Day 3 picks to trade up for pro-ready help if needed.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Picks: Nos. 56, 81, 88, 100, 124, 164, 166, 203, 233, 240, 245
Action: Load the roster with developmental starters. Must-get: defensive tackle and linebacker; target safety depth and RB/WR depth mid rounds.

Tennessee Titans
Picks: Nos. 4, 35, 66, 101, 142, 144, 184, 194, 225
Action: Build around Cam Ward—prioritize edge rusher or a WR if a top talent slips, and shore up interior O-line in the middle rounds.

Denver Broncos
Picks: Nos. 62, 108, 111, 170, 246, 256, 257
Action: Chill draft—roster is in good shape. Add developmental OL and LB/CB depth and anticipate future departures at LT/LG.

Kansas City Chiefs
Picks: Nos. 9, 29, 40, 74, 109, 148, 169, 176, 210
Action: Reload a thin defense: speed rusher, DT depth to spell Chris Jones, and early/mid-round corners. Add size at WR only if value appears.

Las Vegas Raiders
Picks: Nos. 1, 36, 67, 102, 117, 134, 175, 185, 208, 219
Action: Support QB1—add a big-bodied WR and OL. Also target a three-down interior DT and a starting-caliber corner in middle rounds.

Los Angeles Chargers
Picks: Nos. 22, 55, 86, 123, 204
Action: Solve interior O-line issues—draft a guard early or trade back to get one. Then add defensive pieces (LB, safety, edge) and pass protector depth.

Conclusion: Every team’s ideal A+ class balances immediate starters with controlled long-term roster building. Trade flexibility and attention to positional windows (offensive line, defensive front, DBs, pass catchers) will separate great drafts from good ones.

A senior figure in European golf said LIV would be unviable without backing from the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and suggested tour leadership may be seeking other revenue streams. On speculation that PIF might withdraw support, Garcia said this was “not what Yasir [Al‑Rumayyan, governor of PIF] told us at the beginning of the year” and added, “There are always rumours.”

BBC Sport has asked LIV Golf for comment. People familiar with LIV’s investment and operations say the tour and its funding will proceed as scheduled. PIF has not responded to requests for comment.

Last year it emerged LIV’s net losses in its international markets outside the US reached $462m in 2024, leaving cumulative losses of more than $1.1bn since 2021. PIF’s overall investment in LIV has been reported at about $5bn, while broadcast rights reportedly raised only $2.7m. O’Neil said in February the business would not be profitable for another five to 10 years.

A senior Saudi source told BBC Sport in January there had been “a shift” in attitudes towards some investments late last year, with “everything in the PIF world under serious review”. The source said more money was being directed into AI and tech and that there was growing pressure to prioritise sustainable investments that deliver returns, expressing scepticism that LIV could do so despite new sponsors such as Rolex and HSBC.

LIV sparked a rupture in professional golf in 2022 by recruiting major names from the PGA Tour with substantial pay offers. In 2023 the PGA Tour and DP World Tour announced a deal involving PIF, but the planned union has not yet come to fruition. A limited number of LIV-affiliated players have been allowed to return to some DP World Tour and PGA Tour events under certain conditions.

Uncertainty about LIV’s future increased around the publication of PIF’s new four‑year strategy, which stresses “sustained value creation” and higher investment efficiency; the strategy’s media release made no mention of LIV or sport. Even before recent Middle East tensions, there was a sense PIF was refocusing on more sustainable assets and that LIV was under closer scrutiny, particularly with the 2034 World Cup a higher sporting priority.

The situation was also affected by Brooks Koepka’s decision to return to the PGA Tour earlier this year, a blow to LIV alongside Patrick Reed’s exit. O’Neil has said it could still take a decade to reach profitability. If Saudi Arabia were to significantly reduce or end its support, it would be a seismic change for the sport: LIV has driven a wedge through golf and, given the scale of investment and ambition, any withdrawal would raise major questions about the kingdom’s wider sporting projects.

People close to LIV point to growing revenues, attendances and encouraging commercial partnership income over the past year. But many remain unsure whether the series could survive — and in what form — without PIF. Some believe LIV’s management hopes to find alternative partners or pursue a merger, yet without Saudi funds there would be serious doubts about the tour’s viability.

Although LIV brought high-profile stars such as Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Koepka, Cameron Smith and Dustin Johnson, it has struggled to attract TV audiences. While tournaments in Adelaide and Johannesburg sold out, the broader aim of creating IPL‑style franchised teams has not materialised, and the tour has not come close to delivering a financial return on Saudi investment.

Competitively, many LIV players have found it hard to match those on established tours. Koepka and DeChambeau won majors while competing with LIV, but LIV players generally have had limited impact on golf’s biggest stages; England’s Tyrrell Hatton was the only LIV player to contend at last week’s Masters. Koepka’s use of a hastily arranged returning-player programme — also open to Jon Rahm, DeChambeau and Smith, who declined — underlined tensions; whether that route remains available is unclear.

Facing an automatic one-year PGA Tour ban, some LIV golfers might follow Patrick Reed’s example and play a season on the DP World Tour to try to regain a US Tour card. If Saudi Arabia were to wind down LIV, it might instead seek to keep a foothold in men’s professional golf by investing in the DP World Tour.

In the Eastern matchup, the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Orlando Magic 109-97 to advance to face the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics on Sunday. The Magic will play the Charlotte Hornets on Friday for the No. 8 seed; the Hornets advanced by beating the Miami Heat 127-126 in overtime Tuesday.

The 76ers were without Joel Embiid, who underwent emergency surgery after being diagnosed with appendicitis. Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 31 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter. Rookie VJ Edgecombe added 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Kelly Oubre Jr. also scored 19. Orlando’s offense struggled outside of Desmond Bane, who poured in 34 points on 10-of-16 shooting.

The late game featured the LA Clippers and Golden State Warriors, with the Warriors rallying for a 126-121 victory to end the Clippers’ season. Golden State will play the Phoenix Suns on Friday for the No. 8 seed; the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Suns 114-110 Tuesday to earn a date with the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.

Stephen Curry scored 35 points for the Warriors, 27 of them in the second half, on 12-of-23 shooting. Gui Santos and Kristaps Porzingis each had 20 points. For the Clippers, Bennedict Mathurin led with 23 points, while Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland added 21 apiece; Garland fouled out with 46 seconds remaining.

Here are the top moments and highlights from Wednesday’s play-in games.

For Slot, that moment summed up his season. He says his team have conceded penalties in similar circumstances with little contact but no VAR intervention. Five minutes after play resumed, Ousmane Dembélé scored and PSG won 2-0 on the night, 4-0 on aggregate. “I’m not surprised,” Slot said. “So many decisions have gone against us this season. It’s quite simple. If the referee doesn’t give a penalty the VAR would have never overturned it. I’ve seen so many soft penalties given, but people say VAR can’t interfere because there is contact. That is what we clearly see.”

The controversial incident saw Alexis Mac Allister go for a loose ball in the area, placing his body in front of PSG defender Willian Pacho before going to ground. Mariani pointed to the spot, but VAR Marco Di Bello quickly sent him to the pitchside monitor. The intervention was contentious because there was contact from Pacho on the back of Mac Allister’s boot. One can debate whether that contact was enough to cause the Argentina international to fall; normally any contact would mean no clear and obvious error, so why did VAR get involved?

A review hinges on how the referee describes the incident to the VAR — did he say it was a push or a trip? We will never know the exact description, but for VAR to intervene the referee’s explanation must materially differ from what the footage shows. Slot did concede his side had been fortunate in the first leg, where a PSG penalty was overturned and another claim might have gone to VAR.

There are reasons Slot might feel aggrieved. Liverpool, along with Brighton, have conceded three VAR-awarded penalties in the Premier League this season — more than any other teams. Aside from spot-kicks at Brentford and Leeds, goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was penalised for bringing down Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku in November. Liverpool have had one spot-kick they conceded go unawarded via VAR (the reverse meeting with City when Matheus Nunes was bundled over by Alisson). They have been awarded only two penalties this season — neither via VAR and both against Burnley. Only Aston Villa and Tottenham have had fewer spot-kicks.

Overall VAR interventions have gone against Liverpool six times; only Fulham, on nine, have suffered more. Liverpool have had five negative goal outcomes — two disallowed and three conceded — again only Fulham are worse on seven. Looking at net VAR interventions (favourable minus against), only Everton (-4) have a worse outcome than Liverpool (-3).

Not all controversial calls appear in VAR stats. Some incidents Slot may reference were evaluated by the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel and were borderline: Florian Wirtz’s penalty claim against Arsenal in January drew a 3-2 vote that the on-field decision of no penalty was correct; similarly, Brentford’s October game saw a 3-2 vote in favour of no spot-kick for Nathan Collins’ challenge on Cody Gakpo. It can cut the other way too — Ibrahima Konaté’s challenge on Omar Marmoush in February resulted in a 3-2 vote in Liverpool’s favour.

Managers such as Pep Guardiola and Michael Carrick have also complained about refereeing luck this season. But by VAR decision records, only Chelsea have a more favourable record than Manchester City and Manchester United. Looking at the numbers, Slot does have some statistical backing for feeling hard done by.

Ball finished with 30 points and 10 assists, and Bridges added 28 points and nine rebounds as Charlotte won its first postseason home game in 10 years. Coby White contributed 19 points, including a turnaround 3-pointer with 10.8 seconds left in regulation that forced overtime.

The Hornets will travel to face the loser of Wednesday’s Philadelphia-Orlando game on Friday for the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte is chasing its first playoff berth in a decade.

“My kids told me I’m not allowed to say ‘lit’ anymore. But I thought that the environment in there was exactly how I pictured it,” Hornets coach Charles Lee said of the Spectrum Center crowd. “The support all game from the crowd, the noise, the everything, the drama I think I heard a little bit — we were glad that we were able to pull this one out for the Charlotte fans, because they have definitely helped us throughout the whole year. And that’s the environment that we want to keep having night after night.”

Ball became the fourth player to record at least 30 points and 10 assists in a play-in game, joining Josh Giddey (2023), Kyrie Irving (2022) and Damian Lillard (2020).

For Miami, Davion Mitchell scored 28 and Andrew Wiggins had 27. The Heat also lost Bam Adebayo to a lower back injury after he was tripped by Ball in the second quarter. The Heat will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2018-19.

“There’s nothing to be ashamed of with our locker room,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “What you want is, you want to feel like you’re worthy to win. And I think our guys felt like they were worthy to win tonight. We just didn’t win the game, and that can happen as well. That’s what we’ll have to live with in the offseason.”

Ball’s drive gave Charlotte a five-point lead with 26 seconds left in overtime, but he then committed two late mistakes. Tyler Herro — who finished with 23 points — hit a twisting corner 3, and Ball turned the ball over in the backcourt before fouling Herro on a 3-point attempt. Herro sank all three free throws to put Miami up 126-125 with 8.7 seconds remaining.

After a timeout, Ball attacked the right side of the lane and converted a leaning, right-handed layup to retake the lead. Miami, out of timeouts, rushed downcourt and Mitchell’s layup attempt was chased down and blocked by Bridges, setting off jubilant celebration in Charlotte.

“We drew up a good play, I feel like, and just orchestrated it,” Ball said. “It worked.”

Despite Adebayo’s injury, Miami led for much of the game and still held control late in the third quarter until White banked in a 3 and hit another from the top of the key during a 10-0 Charlotte run. White, acquired midseason from Chicago, hit another 3 at the end of the third to put Charlotte up 89-83.

The Heat answered in the fourth, building a 102-95 lead with two long-range makes by Wiggins. Charlotte tied the game when White caught an inbounds pass and buried an off-balance corner 3. Herro had a chance to win it in regulation but rattled out a 3 at the buzzer.

The Associated Press and ESPN Research contributed to this report.

Alvarez grew up in Calchin, a town of 3,000 in Cordoba province. His brother Rafael nicknamed him ‘La Aranita’ — the Little Spider — because on the neighbourhood pitch no-one could get the ball off him. At 11 he had a trial with Real Madrid but returned home. At 15, River Plate scout Juanjo Borrelli brought him to Buenos Aires, where he broke through quickly. A standout Copa Libertadores game — six goals in an 8-1 win over Alianza Lima — announced him to the world. Playing at River Plate, where winning is an obligation, forged his competitive instinct: “Once you’re at River,” he said, “you can never lose a game without it hurting you.”

He moved to Manchester City in January 2022, winning the Champions League in his debut season under Pep Guardiola at age 23. Then the calls began. Atletico offered a project with him at its centre; Alvarez wanted to feel wanted. Simeone told him he could “give the club something huge” and have the space to be his best. The presence of fellow Argentines, the language and culture all helped. In August 2024 Atletico confirmed the deal — €95m (£81.5m), a club record received by City, and a six-year contract — announced with a Spiderman video that Alvarez loved. Paris St-Germain reportedly offered up to £8.7m a year, but Alvarez chose Atletico.

His background keeps him grounded: a father who worked in a cereal factory, a mother who was a schoolteacher, and a belief that respect must be earned. He presses from the front and sprints back to win the ball; Simeone, who rarely singles out individuals, makes exceptions for him.

Across two seasons in red and white he has made 102 appearances and scored 47 goals. His La Liga numbers this season have been modest — eight goals in 29 appearances and just one in 2026 — with a strike against Oviedo in late February ending a run of 14 league games without a goal (his previous league goal came against Sevilla on 1 November). But the Champions League has been different: nine goals in 12 appearances this season.

Last week he produced one of his most complete European performances. In the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final at the Camp Nou against Barcelona, Alvarez provided the assist that led to Pau Cubarsi’s red card and then curled in a quality free-kick. He was man of the match. It is no surprise Barcelona are linked with replacing an ageing Robert Lewandowski and an inconsistent Ferran Torres with Alvarez. He has a €500m (£435m) release clause, and Atletico say they will not sell for less than €100m (£87m) — a fee Barcelona’s current finances cannot support. Club president Enrique Cerezo said: “He has a contract with Atletico Madrid.”

Alvarez has been typically guarded about transfer talk. “I’m happy here,” he said, but added, “I don’t know. You never know.” The Champions League run may decide everything. If Atletico eliminate Barcelona to reach the semi-finals, the argument for staying strengthens — this is a club that can win things. If Atletico get knocked out, having taken a 2-0 advantage to the Camp Nou, he might reconsider whether he is at the right club.

UCLA made history with six players taken in the WNBA draft, and two of them — Lauren Betts (No. 4) and Angela Dugalic (No. 9) — join a Washington Mystics rebuild that earned our top grade. The Mystics also added Cotie McMahon (No. 11) and have recent rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen plus Georgia Amoore, giving them an intriguing young core. Below are grades and short takes on each team’s draft.

Washington Mystics: A+
Picks — No. 4 Lauren Betts (UCLA, C, 6-7); No. 9 Angela Dugalic (UCLA, PF, 6-4); No. 11 Cotie McMahon (Ole Miss, SF, 6-0); No. 19 Cassandre Prosper (Notre Dame, SG, 6-3); No. 30 Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (Baylor, PF, 6-1); No. 34 Rori Harmon (Texas, PG, 5-6)
Comment: Despite front-office upheaval, Washington drafted the most players and landed three prospects who should contribute soon. Betts adds face-up scoring and defense at center, Dugalic is a versatile big shooter, and McMahon brings perimeter strength despite being undersized. Lots of options for the new staff to develop.

Seattle Storm: A
Picks — No. 3 Awa Fam Thiam (Spain, C, 6-4); No. 8 Flau’jae Johnson (LSU, SG, 5-10); No. 14 Taina Mair (Duke, PG, 5-9); No. 39 Grace VanSlooten (Michigan State, PF, 6-3)
Comment: Fam Thiam is a high-upside young forward/center the Storm couldn’t pass on. Mair provides defense and playmaking at point, and Flau’jae brings perimeter scoring and defense after a trade. VanSlooten is a reliable late pick in the post.

Minnesota Lynx: A
Picks — No. 2 Olivia Miles (TCU, PG, 5-10); No. 45 Lani White (Utah, SG, 5-11)
Comment: Miles is the draft’s top point guard with pro-level vision, scoring and rebounding; defense is her main area for improvement. White is a specialist 3-point shooter who may face roster pressure but can stretch the floor.

Dallas Wings: A
Picks — No. 1 Azzi Fudd (UConn, SG, 5-11); No. 31 Zee Spearman (Tennessee, PF, 6-4)
Comment: Fudd pairs with Arike Ogunbowale and Paige Bueckers to form a dynamic backcourt that should boost 3-point shooting and playoff chances. Spearman adds size and shot-blocking upside.

Indiana Fever: B+
Picks — No. 10 Raven Johnson (South Carolina, PG, 5-9); No. 25 Justine Pissott (Vanderbilt, SG, 6-4); No. 40 Jessica Timmons (Alabama, SG, 5-8)
Comment: Johnson is a defensively strong guard with energy and improved offense; Pissott and Timmons offer long-range shooting at size for the backcourt rotation.

Connecticut Sun: B
Picks — No. 12 Nell Angloma (France, SF, 5-11); No. 15 Gianna Kneepkens (UCLA, SG, 5-11); No. 18 Charlisse Leger-Walker (UCLA, PG, 5-10); No. 37 Taylor Bigby (TCU, SG, 6-1)
Comment: Angloma is a promising European wing. Kneepkens and Leger-Walker bring championship experience and shooting/playmaking from UCLA. Bigby came via trade and strengthens depth as a 3-point threat.

Atlanta Dream: B
Picks — No. 13 Madina Okot (South Carolina, C, 6-6); No. 28 Indya Nivar (North Carolina, SG, 5-10); No. 43 Kejia Ran (China, SG, 5-8)
Comment: Okot projects as a double-double, frontcourt piece with upside despite limited college years in the U.S. Nivar and Ran provide defense and energy; Nivar’s shooting is a concern but her intensity fits Atlanta.

Los Angeles Sparks: B-
Picks — No. 20 Ta’Niya Latson (South Carolina, SG, 5-8); No. 24 Chance Gray (Ohio State, SG, 5-9); No. 35 Amelia Hassett (Kentucky, PF, 6-4)
Comment: Without a first-rounder, the Sparks added scoring guards and a stretch forward. Latson is now a more complete player after transferring; Gray and Hassett provide 3-point shooting depth.

Chicago Sky: B-
Picks — No. 5 Gabriela Jaquez (UCLA, SG, 6-0); No. 21 Latasha Lattimore (Ole Miss, PF, 6-4); No. 32 Tonie Morgan (Kentucky, PG, 5-9)
Comment: Jaquez brings energy and fan appeal at No. 5; Lattimore has shown flashes across multiple stops and offers frontcourt versatility. Morgan excelled as a playmaker at Kentucky and could add assists off the bench.

Toronto Tempo: B-
Picks — No. 6 Kiki Rice (UCLA, PG, 5-11); No. 22 Teonni Key (Kentucky, PF, 6-5); No. 26 Saffron Shiels (Australia, SG, 6-2); No. 36 Charlise Dunn (Davidson, SG, 6-1)
Comment: Rice rose with an all-around senior season, offering scoring, rebounding and playmaking with elite free-throw shooting. Key has size and upside; Shiels and Dunn are familiar to coach Sandy Brondello as Australian guards with shooting potential.

Las Vegas Aces: C
Picks — No. 29 Janiah Barker (Tennessee, PF, 6-4); No. 44 Jordan Obi (Kentucky, SG, 6-1)
Comment: With late picks, the Aces selected college veterans with scoring and frontcourt size. Limited draft capital meant modest returns.

Portland Fire: C
Picks — No. 7 Iyana Martin (Spain, PG, 5-9); No. 17 Frieda Buhner (Germany, PF, 6-1); No. 33 Serah Williams (UConn, C, 6-4)
Comment: The expansion franchise pursued a mix of promising Europeans and a UConn center with big-team experience. Martin won’t debut until 2027; Buhner and Williams add international experience and depth.

Golden State Valkyries: C-
Picks — No. 16 Marta Suarez (TCU, SF, 6-3); No. 23 Ashlon Jackson (Duke, SG, 6-0); No. 38 Kokoro Tanaka (Japan, SG, 5-8)
Comment: Suarez is a big wing who can shoot and rebound; Jackson is a disruptive defender and timely scorer; Tanaka has national-team experience. The team’s draft-night trade activity (notably around Flau’jae Johnson) created some uncertainty about direction.

Phoenix Mercury: D
Picks — No. 27 Ines Pitarch-Granel (France, SF, 6-0); No. 42 Eszter Ratkai (Hungary, SG, 5-9)
Comment: With little draft capital, Phoenix went for potential with two young Europeans whose pro upside is unclear based on modest club stats.

New York Liberty: No grade
Picks — No. 41 Manuela Puoch (Australia, SF, 6-1)
Comment: The Liberty made just a late third-round pick and look set with the roster they brought into 2026. Puoch is a developmental sibling of a previous draftee and represents a low-impact selection.

Overall: The draft rewarded teams rebuilding with multiple picks and college champions UCLA supplied a historic six draftees. Washington, Seattle, Minnesota and Dallas earned the top grades for landing immediate-impact prospects or high-upside talent to accelerate their plans.