logo
Four ways Desmond Bane's trade to the Magic could affect the Celtics

Four ways Desmond Bane's trade to the Magic could affect the Celtics

Boston Globe11 hours ago

He's averaged 17.8 points per game and shoots 41 percent from 3-point range and 88.3 percent from the free-throw line in five seasons.
He'll change the way Orlando spaces the floor, and the way they can attack offensively. The price the Magic paid to get Bane grabbed headlines across the league.
Advertisement
Here are four ways the deal could impact the Celtics.
Get Starting Point
A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday.
Enter Email
Sign Up
A pesky Orlando team addressed its biggest weakness
Remember that
Power forward Paolo Banchero was sensational, putting up 29.4 points and 8.4 rebounds. At 22, the former No. 1 overall pick is the kind of player you can build around.
Franz Wagner is a more-than-capable second-option, an athletic 6-foot-10 forward who poured in 25.8 points per game despite having an absolutely dreadful series from 3-point range.
They were without point guard Jalen Suggs, a 2024 all-defensive second-team selection who also scored 16.2 points per game.
The Magic were the worst 3-point shooting team last year. They were the only team to shoot below 32 percent from beyond the arc last season. That number dipped to 26.3 percent in the series against the Celtics.
Advertisement
Adding a shooter of Bane's caliber could change that going forward.
Another Eastern conference team just gave up a ton of future assets
For the second-year in a row, an Eastern Conference team has given up a massive haul of picks for a wing who has never made an All-Star team.
The Knicks gave up
Throw Karl-Anthony Towns into the mix with Clutch Player of the Year Jalen Brunson, former league steals leader OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart, and the Knicks had the pieces in place to take advantage of a shaky Celtics team.
Orlando is eyeing a similar leap with its young core and was willing to pay the price. Memphis now has Orlando's 2025, 2026, 2028, and 2030 unprotected first-round picks along with a top-two protected pick swap in 2029.
It might inspire a closer look at Jaylen Brown and Derrick White's trade value
Four first-round picks is a lot, and the trade market varies based on a number of circumstances.
But, if Orlando was able to get that kind of a haul in exchange for Bane and the ability to dump Caldwell-Pope's salary, what might the Celtics be able to get for Brown?
A four-time All-Star and the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, Brown is a much more accomplished player than Bane. He's only two years older, and he plays a similar position.
He is coming off of arthroscopic knee surgery, and is one of the highest-paid players in the league. He's scheduled to make $53 million next season, and the Celtics will likely be looking to cut costs.
Advertisement
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Celtics' 'primary focus' is exploring trade markets for
It's a signal that other East teams smell blood
With Jayson Tatum out for a significant chunk of next season, there doesn't appear to be as clear cut of a favorite in the East as the Celtics were two years ago.
The top-seeded Cavaliers were bounced by Indiana 4-1 in the second round. The Pacers eliminated the Knicks for the second year in a row. Indiana was far from dominant in the regular season at 50-32 and the No. 4 seed.
Who knows what Milwaukee will look like after this summer with
The Celtics, even with a healthy Tatum, had been surpassed by Cleveland during the regular season and outplayed by the Knicks in the playoffs.
The top of the East seems open, and moves like the Bane trade show how much Orlando was willing to give up for a shot at it.
Khari Thompson can be reached at

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Michael Jordan, LeBron James, And Other NBA Stars' Worst Playoff Game Of Their Careers
Michael Jordan, LeBron James, And Other NBA Stars' Worst Playoff Game Of Their Careers

Yahoo

time44 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Michael Jordan, LeBron James, And Other NBA Stars' Worst Playoff Game Of Their Careers

Michael Jordan, LeBron James, And Other NBA Stars' Worst Playoff Game Of Their Careers originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Every NBA superstar has a night they wish they could erase, and that happens to the greatest players ever. LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, yes, even them. Advertisement While their playoff greatness is well-documented, today we're digging into the outliers: the worst postseason games of their careers. These are the games that proved even legends can crack under pressure or simply go cold at the worst possible time. We have 20 of the greatest NBA players ever (past and present) who struggled throughout a major playoff game, be it scoring or having an all-around impact. Get ready to be surprised, because a basketball superstar is still a human being after all. Michael Jordan Jan 16, 1991; Orlando, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan (23) in action against the Orlando Magic at the Orlando Arena. Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images Orlando Arena. Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images 1989 Eastern Conference Semifinals: Game 2 vs. New York Knicks Stats: 15 Points, 8 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 1 Steal, 0 Blocks, 7-17 FG, 0-2 3-PT FG, 1-4 FT On a night when MJ couldn't break 20, the New York Knicks defended him with a smothering intensity. He buried seven shots but missed ten others, turned cold at the stripe (1‑4), and failed to spark his usual offensive wave. For a player who averaged a ludicrous .550 FG% in the series, going .412 this night felt more like a lull than a hiccup. Advertisement But what really stung was how his dip impacted the team's rhythm. Despite logging 34 minutes and grabbing eight rebounds, Jordan's quiet performance dragged the Chicago Bulls into a 114–97 blowout loss on their home court, tying the series at 1–1. The GOAT would find a way to close the Knicks out in six, but eventually lost in the Eastern Conference Finals against the "Bad Boy" Pistons. LeBron James Dec 25, 2011; Dallas, TX, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) is guarded by Dallas Mavericks guard Rodrigue Beaubois (3) during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn ImagesMandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images 2011 NBA Finals: Game 4 vs. Dallas Mavericks Stats: 8 Points, 9 Rebounds, 7 Assists, 2 Steals, 0 Blocks, 27.3% FG, 0.00% 3-PT FG, 50.0% FT This was the game that shattered expectations. With the Miami Heat up 2-1, LeBron produced an ice-cold game, scoring just eight points and missing every shot in the fourth quarter. He managed nine boards and seven dimes, but the two-time MVP looked hesitant and nowhere near the driver the Heat needed. Advertisement Over the series, he averaged 17.8 PPG, but Game 4's flop was the turning point. Miami dropped the next two and watched the Dallas Mavericks steal the title 4-2. Plain and simple: LeBron had a chance to seal the era, and he froze on the biggest stage, costing his team the crown and effectively ending his chances of ever becoming the NBA's GOAT. Kobe Bryant Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images 2006 Western Conference Semifinals: Game 7 vs. Phoenix Suns Stats: 24 Points, 4 Rebounds, 1 Assist, 0 Steals, 1 Block, 8-16 FG, 4-8 3-PT FG, 4-5 FT We can bring up the airballs against Utah, where a young Kobe Bryant failed in the clutch. But we won't hold that against Bryant, who became arguably the most feared clutch NBA star in history. Instead, we will take Kobe's Game 7 performance against the Phoenix Suns as his lowest moment, and we have to call it the "Quit Game". Advertisement Kobe scored 24 points on 50% shooting, but he did not attempt a shot in the fourth quarter, seemingly on purpose to prove a point that the Los Angeles Lakers couldn't win without him. In an effort to get "others involved", Bryant's strange decision cost the Lakers dearly, and they bowed out 121-90. It wasn't Bryant's best moment, considering the five-time champion had a supreme reputation come playoff time. Magic Johnson Mandatory Credit: Photo By Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images copyright (c) Malcolm Emmons 1983 NBA First Round: Game 4 vs. Portland Trail Blazers Stats: 10 Points, 7 Rebounds, 8 Assists, 0 Steals, 1 Block, 5-14 FG, 0-3 3-PT FG, 0-0 FT Magic Johnson had a stat line that looked like a contribution, but the eye test said otherwise. He scored just 10 points on 5-for-14 shooting, watched three possessions tick off his 3‑point attempts without even getting to the line, and never found consistent playmaking rhythm. Advertisement This was a blowout loss with Portland snapping a 3–0 series deficit to stay alive, and Magic's stumble exposed the Lakers' overreliance on his brilliance. In a tight series where he posted 17.4 PPG, 11.6 APG, and 6.8 RPG, this subpar night from their leader put the club on thin ice. Luckily, the Lakers would go on to defeat the Trail Blazers in the following game, but would lose in the NBA Finals to end the season. Larry Bird Mandatory Credit: Photo By Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images (c) Copyright Malcolm Emmons 1981 NBA Finals: Game 4 vs. Houston Rockets Stats: 8 Points, 12 Rebounds, 7 Assists, 2 Steals, 0 Blocks, 3-11 FG, 0-0 3-PT FG, 2-2 FT Larry Bird posted all-around numbers with 12 boards and seven assists, but eight points on 3-of-11 shooting is a far cry from 'Larry Legend'. Yes, hustle showed, but fans tune in for buckets, not hustle. Houston claimed Game 4, tying the series and jolting the Celtics back to reality. Advertisement The 1981 Finals were a rollercoaster for Bird: a very poor performance in Game 2 before eventually winning the NBA title, but losing the Finals MVP award to Cedric Maxwell. Overall, Game 4 wasn't the unstoppable Bird we remember, it was a reminder that even future Hall-of-Famers can be managed and limited in crunch moments. Admit it: the Celtics missed their guy going cold. Shaquille O'Neal Credit: Fadeaway World 2006 NBA Finals: Game 2 vs. Dallas Mavericks Stats: 5 Points, 6 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 0 Steals, 0 Blocks, 2-5 FG, 0-0 3-PT FG, 1-7 FT Shaquille O'Neal's worst game wasn't just the stat line or his career-low scoring game in his postseason career, it was the hemorrhaging of confidence on the biggest stage. In a 99-85 blowout, he bricked six free throws and coughed up two turnovers in 28 minutes with a -27 plus/minus. Advertisement It was a rare full-on collapse: no dominance, no heroics, just regression back to old Shaq free‑throw issues and too many careless passes. He still averaged 13.7 PPG and 10.2 REB over the series, but that night set the tone. Miami trailblazed to a 2-0 deficit after that drubbing. Though the Heat eventually rallied to win the championship in six games, that Game 2 meltdown was a glaring blinking sign that Shaq couldn't be fully trusted late in the series and late into his career. Tim Duncan Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-Imagn Images 2008 Western Conference Semifinals: Game 1 vs. New Orleans Hornets Stats: 5 Points, 3 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 3 Steals, 1 Block, 1-9 FG, 0-0 3-PT FG, 3-6 FT In an ugly 82-101 Game 1 loss, Tim Duncan went completely off the radar, scoring 5 points and grabbing 3 rebounds in 37 minutes. The San Antonio Spurs were completely lost during the game, and not having Duncan perform at any reasonable level was unacceptable for them. Advertisement Luckily for Duncan and the Spurs, they would rebound and outlast the Chris Paul-led Hornets in seven games. Still, Duncan probably shouldn't have been on the court for as long as he did, and we just have to move on when remembering this moment from the 5-time champion's legendary career. Stephen Curry Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images 2018 NBA Finals: Game 3 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Stats: 11 Points, 5 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 1 Steal, 0 Blocks, 3-16 FG, 1-10 3-PT FG, 4-4 FT Stephen Curry hit rock bottom in Game 3, going just 3-for-16 from the field and 1-for-10 from beyond the arc for the Golden State Warriors. He looked flustered and hesitant, totally un-Curry-like. Even his usual gravity was gone; Cleveland's defense dared him to shoot, and he muffed the challenge. Advertisement He still averaged 27.5 PPG in the Finals, but this night (18.8 FG%) was a career playoff low. Despite Golden State winning the game, his struggle was extremely ugly. Luckily for Curry, he had an all-time supporting cast featuring Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green to help him overcome the flatline. Kevin Durant Apr 6, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Thunder 122-115. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images 2016 NBA Playoffs: Game 2 First Round vs. Dallas Mavericks Stats: 21 Points, 9 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 0 Steals, 1 Block, 7-33 FG, 2-11 3-PT FG, 5-5 FT Durant launched 33 shots, missed 26 of them. That's not just a bad night; it's a playoff disaster. Yes, he scored 21, but at what cost? The Mavericks took advantage and stole Game 2. Durant's inefficiency tanked the OKC Thunder's offense and gave Dallas a real shot early in the series. Advertisement OKC still closed the Mavericks in five games, but that monstrous Game 2 dud haunted Durant's reputation. It was the worst raw production by volume in Durant's career, especially when adding in the 7 turnovers, an inefficient heaving spell that underscored his limits under duress. Kareem Abdul‑Jabbar Mandatory Credit: MPS-Imagn Images 1985 NBA Finals: Game 1 vs. Boston Celtics Stats: 12 Points, 3 Rebounds, 1 Assist, 0 Steals, 1 Block, 6-11 FG, 0-0 3-PT FG, 0-0 FT Game 1 was a brutal opener for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Lakers, famously dubbed the Memorial Day Massacre. He managed just 12 points on 6-of-11 shooting, looked slow on the boards, and never recovered from Boston's early 34-point lead. A rare night of pure inefficiency from the big man, only 1 block, no impact, just stagnation on both ends. Advertisement No doubt, this Game 1 flop set the tone, and many felt the Lakers couldn't recover. Somehow, they did, winning the series in six games, but this game is etched in history. Kareem might have had worse statistical nights than this, but considering how badly the rival Celtics beat them, this one takes the cake for arguably the greatest big man ever. Wilt Chamberlain Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-Imagn Images 1969 NBA Finals: Game 6 vs. Boston Celtics Stats: 8 Points, 18 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 1-5 FG, 6-10 FT In a showdown with more baggage than a flight to L.A., Wilt Chamberlain posted just 8 points and looked totally controlled by a suffocating Bill Russell–led defense. That evening, he was benched late in the 4th quarter, a stunning departure for a man who once averaged 50 PPG in the regular season. Advertisement L.A. went on to lose the series 4-3, blowing a 2-0 lead. Wilt faded in key moments when it mattered most, and he left Jerry West (who would go on to win Finals MVP despite losing the series) without help. The game and the series forever stitched together the "choker" narrative he battled his entire career. It's the kind of collapse that haunts a legend and defines a legacy. Hakeem Olajuwon Mandatory Credit: Photo By Imagn Images (c) Copyright Imagn Images 1996 Western Conference Semifinals: Game 1 vs. Seattle SuperSonics Stats: 6 Points, 4 Rebounds, 1 Assist, 0 Steals, 1 Block, 3-9 FG, 0-0 3-PT FG, 0-0 FT Game 1 was a game even the Dream wouldn't want to dream about, his worst playoff performance ever, considering it was his prime, and it showed. Hakeem Olajuwon struggled to make an impact on either end, overwhelmed by Seattle's physicality and speed. Advertisement Despite the miss, Olajuwon's overall series output stayed solid: 18.3 PPG and 9.8 RPG, though the Seattle SuperSonics edged the Houston Rockets 4-0. That night, however, was a reminder that even elite big men can be completely erased. When he vanished, so did Houston's chances. Dwyane Wade Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-Imagn Images 2004 First Round: Game 3 vs. New Orleans Hornets Stats: 2 Points, 3 Rebounds, 0 Assists, 1 Steal, 0 Blocks, 1-8 FG, 0-1 3-PT FG, 0-0 FT After his breakout Game 1, Dwyane Wade imploded in Game 3, just 2 points on 1-of-8 shooting, zero assists, and a shell of his usual aggressive self. That flat performance nearly sank the Miami Heat early and forced Erik Spoelstra to reconsider rotations. Advertisement Still, Wade wasn't done; he bounced back later in the series. But this dud was a wake-up call in his rookie playoffs: the fearsome slasher was, at times, shockingly quiet. Even future Finals MVPs need a boot camp moment like this to toughen up. Kevin Garnett Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-Imagn Images 1998 First Round: Game 5 vs. Seattle Supersonics Stats: 7 Points, 4 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 1 Steal, 2 Blocks, 3-11 FG, 0-0 3-PT FG, 1-2 FT Kevin Garnett, known for his intensity and stat-stuffing, unraveled in a critical elimination Game 5. He was uncharacteristically ice cold, 3-for-11 shooting, and turned the ball over an absurd ten times. The Minnesota Timberwolves lost by 13, and his dominance, both emotionally and statistically, vanished on the biggest stage. Advertisement Garnett's career rarely included jaw-dropping playoff failures, but this one stung during his third NBA season. In a series where he still averaged 15.8 points and 9.6 rebounds, this collapse felt personal for T-Wolves fans. For a guy eventually nicknamed 'Big Ticket,' this ticket didn't cash in during this ugly performance. Allen Iverson Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images 2001 Eastern Conference Finals: Game 5 vs. Milwaukee Bucks Stats: 15 Points, 9 Rebounds, 8 Assists, 4 Steals, 1 Block, 5-27 FG, 0-4 3-PT FG, 5-6 FT Allen Iverson, known for riding himself to death through entire games, dropped a career-worst nightmare in this pivotal matchup. He shot 5-for-27 (.185 FG), going ice cold at the worst possible time and posting a brutal stat line over 47 minutes. It felt like his usual warrior spirit deserted him offensively. Advertisement Despite this collapse, Iverson pushed forward and dropped 46 and 44 points over the next two games to proceed to the NBA Finals. But Game 5's meltdown nearly cost the 76ers the series. It wasn't just poor shooting, it was that AI, the unshakeable competitor, disappeared. Even The Answer had nights when the game answered back. Dirk Nowitzki Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-Imagn Images 2007 First Round: Game 6 vs. Golden State Warriors Stats: 8 Points, 10 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 1 Steal, 0 Blocks, 2-13 FG, 0-6 3-PT FG, 4-4 FT Dirk Nowitzki came into Game 6 riding an MVP season and a historic 67‑15 record, but instead, he fell flat. He scored just 8 points on 2-of-13 shooting (0-for-6 from deep) while under orders to carry a title-caliber Mavericks squad. Advertisement Across the series, he averaged 19.7 PPG, but the Game 6 meltdown was the capstone of unfulfilled promise. For a transcendent talent, this cold night undermined much of the season's narrative and haunted his legacy…until redemption arrived in 2011. Karl Malone Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images 1999 Western Conference Semifinals: Game 6 vs. Portland Trail Blazers Stats: 8 Points, 7 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 0 Steals, 2 Blocks, 3-16 FG, 0-0 3PT FG, 2-3 FT The Mailman was expected to deliver, but in Game 6, he mailed in one of the worst postseason games of his career. Karl Malone posted just 8 points on 3-of-16 shooting as Utah dropped a 92-80 elimination loss to Portland. Advertisement This was a disaster in a series where efficiency mattered most. He normally dominated the boards and pain-jammed the interior, but Malone's touch deserted him in this key moment. Though he had seasons where he struggled against Hall of Fame competition (especially versus Jordan's Bulls in the Finals), this one-off was a glaring deficiency, underscoring that even elite scorers can flunk when it counts. Charles Barkley Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images 1993 Western Conference Semifinals: Game 3 vs. Houston Rockets Stats: 5 Points, 7 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 1 Steal, 0 Blocks, 0-10 FG, 0-1 3-PT FG, 5-6 FT Sir Charles gave fans everything: charisma, aggression, hustle, but against the Rockets, he completely cracked under the defensive pressure. His typical 20+ PPG and double-digit rebounds were neutralized by Houston's defensive discipline. Advertisement Despite averaging an MVP-level stat line (23.0 PPG, 11.1 RPG) that season, Charles Barkley couldn't overcome Hakeem Olajuwon's presence, and it pierced his legacy slightly. The Suns would go on to lose the series in seven games, with the Rockets eventually winning it all. No doubt, Barkley wishes he could have that critical Game 3 back. Giannis Antetokounmpo Giannis Antetokounmpo looks on frustratingly as the game continues on after a brief pause. Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images 2015 First Round: Game 2 vs. Chicago Bulls Stats: 6 Points, 11 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 2 Steals, 2 Blocks, 2-11 FG, 0-0 3-PT FG, 2-2 FT Giannis Antetokounmpo eventually earned his MVP stripes with signature Game 6 heroics (closeout 50-point game in 2021 Finals), but this Game 2 early on in his career? It was a cold splash. Over the back half, he shot around 28%, uncharacteristically clanked shots at the rim, and lost grip in big moments. Chicago escaped with a key win, shifting momentum to close the series in six. Advertisement The series ultimately fell short and exposed the youngster's soft underbelly: efficiency breakdowns, limited floor spacing, and those wobbles when Giannis tried to do it all. It's a glaring reminder: even future MVPs vanished in defining moments early on in their careers. Nikola Jokic May 7, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) walks down the court after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images 2025 Western Conference Semifinals: Game 2 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Stats: 17 Points, 8 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 1 Steal, 1 Block, 6-16 FG, 2-4 3-PT FG, 3-5 FT Nikola Jokic is Mr. Triple-Double, yet in Game 2, he looked more like a turnover magnet than a floor general. Just 17 points on 6-of-16 shooting, overdribbling into turnovers, and visibly gassed under OKC's athleticism. It wasn't just this game, it was emblematic of fatigue wracking his legs and his supporting cast crumbling around him. OKC would go on to win the series, but regardless, Jokic couldn't assert his rhythm in Game 2, leaving the Denver Nuggets vulnerable. Even a three-time MVP isn't immune, this game showed you can't just stat-pad through elimination; you must dominate moments. And he didn't… that night. Related: How The 25 Greatest NBA Players Of All-Time Performed In Their Rookie Seasons This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.

Where to Watch WWE NXT Online Tonight (June 17) Live via Stream, Match Card Preview
Where to Watch WWE NXT Online Tonight (June 17) Live via Stream, Match Card Preview

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Where to Watch WWE NXT Online Tonight (June 17) Live via Stream, Match Card Preview

WWE NXT comes to you live from the Performance Center in Orlando, FL. Here's how you can watch the show: Where to watch WWE NXT online tonight (June 17) in the U.S. NXT airs every Tuesday on The CW. You can watch it below: Advertisement Watch WWE NXT in the U.S. via CW The road to WWE Evolution kicks off with four eliminator matches going down tonight. Plus, Blake Monroe (fka Mariah May) puts pen to paper on her NXT contract. Where to watch WWE NXT online in the U.K. & international NXT is available to watch in the U.K. and other international countries via Netflix. You can watch the event below: Watch NXT internationally via Netflix International fans can also catch the show via on-demand viewing. WWE NXT start time The event will start at the following times, depending on your timezone: Region Start Time Eastern 8 p.m. Pacific 5 p.m. Central 7 p.m. U.K. & Ireland 1 a.m. (June 18) Canada 8 p.m. Here's what's on tap for the show: Trick Williams & FIR$T CLA$$ (AJ Francis & KC Navarro) vs. Elijah, Josh Briggs, & Yoshiki Inamura After helping Trick Williams retain his title on back-to-back occasions, FIR$T CLA$$' AJ Francis and KC Navarro will join forces with the TNA World Champion against Elijah, Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura in six-man tag team action. Blake Monroe signs her NXT contract The NXT Universe is still buzzing at the arrival of Mariah May. The former AEW Women's World Champion revealed her new name last week in a vignette. Tonight, she puts pen to paper on her NXT contract. WWE Evolution Eliminator Matches Eight NXT superstars will collide across four eliminator matches to determine the opponents for a fatal four-way number one contender's match for the NXT Women's Championship, with Jacy Jayne set for a title defense at WWE Evolution. Tonight's line-up will see Jordynne Grace versus Lola Vice, ZARIA versus Izzi Dame, Kelani Jordan versus Lash, and Thea Hail versus Jaida Parker. Advertisement WrestleZone will have full coverage of WWE NXT as it airs. The post Where to Watch WWE NXT Online Tonight (June 17) Live via Stream, Match Card Preview appeared first on Wrestlezone.

Sparse crowd attends Club World Cup match delayed by storms between Sundowns, Ulsan HD
Sparse crowd attends Club World Cup match delayed by storms between Sundowns, Ulsan HD

New York Times

time2 hours ago

  • New York Times

Sparse crowd attends Club World Cup match delayed by storms between Sundowns, Ulsan HD

The Club World Cup has seen its share of quirky moments in its first week, but perhaps the most unusual match so far was Tuesday night's Group F clash between South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns and South Korea's Ulsan HD. Mamelodi eventually emerged as a 1-0 victor, boosting its chances of progressing to the knockout stage, but not before a lengthy delay led to speculation the game might be called off, alongside concerns that the Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando, Fla., would be virtually empty. Advertisement Kickoff was scheduled for 6 p.m. ET but did not take place until more than an hour later, with referee Clement Turpin ordering the players from the field just before the regular start time as inclement weather descended upon the region. Fears of nearby thunderstorms caused a 65-minute postponement, before the skies cleared and the game got underway in Central Florida with temperatures topping 90 degrees. If there was one positive to the delays, it was that a few more people had time to get into the stadium and take their seats. Shortly before kickoff, reports of a paltry crowd started to emerge, with one social media post suggesting just 97 fans were stationed inside the stadium, which has a capacity of 25,500. Even later, huge banks of vacant seating could be seen, despite the best efforts of the broadcasters to avoid training the camera's focus on the most sparse sections. FIFA announced an official crowd of 3,142, by far the lowest of the tournament, so far, not helped by the midweek kickoff and comparatively low global stature of the two teams. Attendance has been an issue in some of the tournament games so far. A Group D match between LAFC and Chelsea, despite it being an MLS team and one of the Premier League's most popular sides, only drew around 22,000 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, which holds roughly 71,000. Iqraam Rayners scored the only goal of the game for the Sundowns, producing a fine finish after 36 minutes to become the first player from an African team to score at this Club World Cup, as Mamelodi took a deserved advantage. Despite Ulsan's comeback efforts in the second half, the Sundowns held on relatively comfortably. Mamelodi's win moved them atop a group that also includes heavyweights Borussia Dortmund of Germany and Brazil's Fluminense, who fought to a goalless draw earlier in the day. Mamelodi takes on Dortmund in Cincinnati on Saturday, where a shock victory would be enough to secure a place in the Round of 16. Ulsan will try to revitalize its campaign against Fluminense at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., the same day.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store