Warriors dispatch the lowly Kings as Steph Curry keys balanced offense

Stephen Curry's second game back for the Golden State Warriors ended healthily and victoriously.

With Curry back in their lineup again after missing 27 games with runner's knee, the Warriors rolled to a 110-105 win over the (tanking) Sacramento Kings at Chase Center on Tuesday night. Returning with 29 points Sunday in a one-point loss to the Houston Rockets, Curry followed with 17 points and four threes in 25 minutes.

De'Anthony Melton had 21 points and Brandin Podziemski scored 20 for the Warriors (37-42) - down Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Gui Santos and Will Richard - with Charles Bassey adding 14 points and 12 rebounds in his second game in their uniform.

Maxime Reynaud led the Kings (21-59) with 17 points.

Curry stuck to a similar script regarding his workload against the Kings, closing the quarters like he did against Houston to not sit too long and cool down. He first checked in at the 6:24 mark of the first quarter, making a three in his opening shift and following with an 11-point second quarter.

A pair of four-point plays were rewarded with roars with an ear-to-ear grin following the second - preceding "MVP" chants at the free-throw line. He added a technical free throw, too, and a driving finish off the glass - powering Golden State to a 66-53 halftime lead.

Curry's second half included a cut to the lane and assist to Spencer, a game-tying triple down the stretch and the go-ahead assist to Podziemski after rebounding his own missed corner triple.

Golden State returns to play Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center.

Warriors 110, Kings 105

Percentages: FG .471, FT .706.

3-Point Goals: 11-31, .355 (McDermott 4-10, Plowden 3-6, Hayes 3-7, Clifford 1-4, Monk 0-1, Raynaud 0-1, Achiuwa 0-2).

Team Rebounds: 8. Team Turnovers: 1.

Blocked Shots: 6 (Cardwell 3, Achiuwa, McDermott, Plowden).

Turnovers: 14 (Hayes 3, Achiuwa 2, Clifford 2, McDermott 2, Monk 2, Raynaud 2, Carter).

Steals: 9 (Hayes 4, Clifford 2, Carter, McDermott, Monk).

Technical Fouls: coach Doug Christie, 2:48 second.

Percentages: FG .451, FT .792.

3-Point Goals: 17-38, .447 (Melton 4-6, Podziemski 4-6, St.Curry 4-11, Spencer 3-8, Se.Curry 2-3, Payton II 0-1, Green 0-3).

Team Rebounds: 13. Team Turnovers: None.

Blocked Shots: 5 (Bassey 2, Leons 2, Green).

Turnovers: 17 (Green 3, Leons 3, St.Curry 3, Payton II 2, Podziemski 2, Spencer 2, Melton, Se.Curry).

Steals: 10 (Payton II 3, Bassey 2, Green, Melton, Podziemski, Spencer, St.Curry).

Technical Fouls: None.

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This article originally published at Warriors dispatch the lowly Kings as Steph Curry keys balanced offense.

His contract with VfB Stuttgart only runs until the summer. For many, it was surprising anyway that midfielder Nikolas Nartey had been handed another contract by the Swabians last year.

Above all, numerous injuries kept sidelining the 26-year-old time and again. As a result, he spent only 21 minutes on the pitch last season.

By now, however, he has developed so well that, according to many observers, he certainly has what it takes to become a regular starter for the Swabians.

Against Augsburg, the Dane scored, netting his third goal of the season.

According to a report by ‘Sport Bild’, Nartey is expected to stay with the cup winners, but the two sides have not yet reached an agreement on a contract extension.

According to the report, the club is optimistic that such an agreement can ultimately be reached.

The biggest sticking point, as so often, is reportedly money. While the midfielder currently has a heavily performance-based contract, the player’s side would like to move away from that in the future.

The next few weeks will likely determine whether VfB Stuttgart ultimately gives in to this demand.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

A Spanish journalist has been detailing the perfect example of why Chelsea’s recruitment strategy is ‘simply ridiculous.’

And to be honest, he is not wrong here either.

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Pablo Espinosa San Mauroc, who contributes for Radio Marca and Diario AS in Spain, posted on his X account last night whilst watching the Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich game in the Champions League.

He was watching Michael Olise ball out for Bayern once again and of course, we as Chelsea fans know fully well that he is a player that we should have signed when we had a really good chance to. We came so close, but fumbled it.

Example of failed strategy

Michael Olise in action for Bayern Munich. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Pablo posted on his X account last night:

“Instead of Olise, Chelsea ended up signing Pedro Neto (who still seemed like a good signing to me), Joao Félix, and Sancho. The following summer, Garnacho and Jaime Gittens arrived.

“In total, they cost 220 million. Olise, 54M. No matter how high a salary the Frenchman demanded, this is the perfect example to highlight that Chelsea’s strategy, so focused on signing young players with low salaries, is sometimes simply ridiculous.”

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

In other news today…

Chelsea attacker Cole Palmer has been speaking about Chelsea’s test against Man City this weekend and his own level of preparation. He’s also been speaking about his own form of late.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are closing on a deal to sign Valentin Barco from Strasbourg this summer, and it is Liam Rosenior who has apparently played a key role in convincing the player to join.

If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.

Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:

Premier League Secures Fifth Champions League Spot

The Premier League has once again strengthened its grip on European football’s elite stage, confirming at least five places in next season’s UEFA Champions League. It is a development that speaks less to a single moment and more to the sustained weight of English clubs across the continent.

Confirmation arrived quietly but decisively, as Arsenal edged Sporting CP 1-0 in their quarter-final first leg. That result ensured England would claim one of UEFA’s European Performance Spots for a second consecutive season.

Photo: IMAGO

European Strength Driving Extra Qualification

UEFA’s coefficient system rewards consistency across its competitions, and English clubs have delivered. Nine representatives progressed into the last 16 across European tournaments, a collective effort that built a commanding lead in the rankings.

Even with only five sides reaching the quarter-finals, the groundwork had already been laid. Points accumulated during the earlier rounds proved decisive, reinforcing the Premier League’s reputation as the most competitive and deep division in Europe.

Spain remains well placed to secure the second bonus slot, though Germany retains a mathematical chance after Bayern Munich defeated Real Madrid 2-1.

Race for Fifth Intensifies

Back in England, the implications are immediate and significant. Fifth place now guarantees entry into the Champions League, transforming what might once have been a consolation into a prize of genuine prestige.

That battle is remarkably tight. Liverpool currently occupy the position on 49 points, but the margins are slender. Chelsea sit just behind on 48, while a cluster of clubs including Brentford, Everton and Fulham remain firmly in contention.

Further down, the gap to 13th placed AFC Bournemouth is only seven points, a reflection of a season where mid-table has blurred into something far more volatile.

Multiple Pathways to European Elite

The situation grows even more intricate when European trophies are factored in. If Aston Villa, currently fourth, were to win the Europa League and finish outside the top four, England could send six teams into the Champions League.

A similar scenario exists for Liverpool, who face Paris Saint-Germain in their quarter-final tie. Success in Europe combined with a fifth place finish would extend qualification further down the table.

Should two English clubs achieve that combination, even seventh place could become a gateway to Europe’s premier competition.

Expanding Influence Across Europe

There is also the possibility of further expansion. Nottingham Forest remain in contention in the Europa League, and a triumph there, regardless of domestic standing, would add yet another English representative.

The Boston Fleet capped the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s 16-game Takeover Tour with a 5-1 win over the Vancouver Goldeneyes in Edmonton on Tuesday.

Boston (14-5-2-4) extended its win streak to five straight and was just two points back of the Montreal Victoire on top of the standings.

The Fleet, who along with Montreal and the Minnesota Frost were already playoff-bound, have four games remaining in the regular season.

Vancouver (7-1-4-14) lost its third in a row.

Jessie Eldridge scored twice for Boston with captain Megan Keller, Susanna Tapani and Jamie Lee Rattray each contributing a goal to the victory.

Aerin Frankel stopped 28 of 29 shots in Boston’s net for a 17th win this season, which tied her for the league lead with Montreal’s Renée Desbiens.

Boston’s special teams played a significant role Tuesday. Keller scored short-handed and Eldridge scored a power-play goal for her second of the game en route to a 3-0 lead in the second period.

Defender Sophie Jaques scored Vancouver’s lone goal early in the third.

Goldeneyes starting goalie Emerance Maschmeyer allowed five goals on 23 shots over two periods. Kristen Campbell stopped all six shots she faced in the third.

The PWHL brought a neutral-site game to Edmonton for a third time, which fuelled speculation the city is an option for league expansion next season.

The first Takeover game last season drew 17,518 fans to Rogers Place. Attendance for the second Dec. 27 was 10,264 and Tuesday’s was an announced 10,794.

Takeaways

Boston: The Fleet’s penalty kill, which ranks first in the PWHL at 88 per cent efficiency, killed off all five penalties.

Vancouver: The Goldeneyes dropped to 0-2 in Takeover Tour games in Edmonton. They lost 2-1 in overtime to Minnesota back in December.

Key moment

Eldridge had a power-play goal at 7:23 of the first period disallowed when Shay Maloney was called for goaltender interference. Undeterred, Eldridge scored the game’s opening goal 40 seconds later, banging in her own rebound at the side of the Vancouver goal.

Key stat

Boston boasts the league’s best road record and improved to 7-4-1-2 with Tuesday’s win. Vancouver’s road record dropped to 3-1-1-10.

Up next

Boston visits Montreal on Saturday

Vancouver is home to Seattle next Tuesday.

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