Sports
Pelicans' Zion Williamson, after triple-double, seeks encore vs. Suns
Feb 27, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) shoots against the Phoenix Suns in the fourth quarter at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images It has been more than 5 1/2 years since Zion Williamson was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, and it often feels as if he has yet to get his career going.
However, there is no denying Williamson’s immense talent, which was on display when the New Orleans Pelicans’ forward put on a show in the opening game of a back-to-back against the Phoenix Suns. The finale of the set will be played Friday in Phoenix.
Williamson produced the first triple-double of his career with 27 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds to lead New Orleans to a 124-116 road win over the Suns on Thursday night. He matched his career high in assists on a night when he made 13 of 17 field-goal attempts.
Williamson admitted an effort such as Thursday’s lets him know what he is capable of being at some point in his NBA career.
“Absolutely,” Williamson said. “These nights are definitely big for the confidence and the reminder of who I am.”
Williamson is still just 24 years old, but staying healthy is the ingredient needed for him to fulfill his potential.
The Thursday contest was just his 22nd of the season due to injuries, rest nights and a one-game suspension for missing a flight. He has played 30 or more games in a season only twice in his career — 61 in 2020-21 and a career-best 70 last season.
The player who dominated on Thursday is the version Pelicans coach Willie Green likes to see.
“He was fantastic,” Green said. “He carried us down the stretch. Triple-double. Zion’s been amazing.”
Of course, the injury history means there is no guarantee Williamson will be active for the Friday rematch.
Williamson knew the question of his Friday availability was coming at some point during his postgame media responsibilities and was ready when it was fired in his direction.
“Gotta talk to the higher-ups about that one. Great question,” Williamson said, with a laugh.
Six other Pelicans joined Williamson in double figures as New Orleans won its third straight game and prevailed for the fourth time in five contests.
The Pelicans also delivered a massive hit to the fading Suns, who lost for the 10th time in 12 games.
Phoenix slipped to five games below .500 with just 23 games to play. The Suns are 3 1/2 games behind for the final play-in spot in the Western Conference.
Phoenix star Devin Booker recorded 36 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, but his efforts were again in vain.
Booker defined what he sees as the problem with the Suns.
“Skipping over the details and always taking the ‘get ’em next game’ mentality,” Booker said. “At some point, you’ve got to draw a line, and (it) should’ve been drawn a long time ago.”
Fellow star Kevin Durant, who had 28 points, pointed to defense and rebounding as problems.
Asked whether he is having trouble staying optimistic in the midst of the team’s lengthy slump, Durant was careful with his words.
“I don’t want to say the wrong thing and people take it out of context,” Durant said, “so I’m just going to agree that we’ve got to be better.”
Pressed about Booker’s comments, Durant said the dialogue has been good and the pride is high.
“Guys still want to figure this thing out,” Durant said. “I’m confident that our group will come out (Friday) with a sense of urgency and be better.”
Phoenix coach Mike Budenholzer understands the frustration.
“They’re competing,” Budenholzer said of his players. “We’ve got to make a few more plays on both ends of the court and get over the hump and feel that and then try to build on that.”
Suns guard Bradley Beal (calf) sat out the Thursday game. His status will be determined Friday.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Orlando City want attack to catch up to defense vs. Charlotte
Mar 14, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City midfielder Martin Ojeda (10) shoots on goal during the second half against the CF Montreal at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images Orlando City will be hoping for a much-needed attacking breakthrough on Wednesday night when they host a Charlotte FC side in search of a second consecutive away victory.
Orlando (1-6-1, 4 points) has been one of Major League Soccer’s most disappointing teams this season, costing former manager Oscar Pareja his job last month.
But there is some evidence that maybe the Lions have at least righted the ship defensively. After conceding 23 times in their first six games, interim manager Martin Perelman’s group has allowed only two goals in the last three fixtures across all competitions.
“I think we organize the team. It never is enough, always (important) to improve things,” Perelman said. “We are in that part. Last details. But yes, the structure is there. In the offensive side as well, we are working. Hopefully we can get the shape we want, that we are used to. Because in this club we have been scoring a lot for the last two years.”
So far, though, the attacking end remains pretty dire. After Martin Ojeda and Marco Pasalic combined for 28 MLS goals a season ago, they only have two apiece for a team with six goals total.
Pasalic also missed last week’s 1-0 home loss to Houston on Saturday night with a leg injury.
Charlotte (4-2-2, 14 points) makes the journey south following a 2-1 victory at New York City FC on Saturday, one that came despite holding a season-low 36% possession.
Defender Tim Ream exited that match at halftime and will miss roughly a week with an adductor strain, Charlotte manager Dean Smith said.
Idan Toklomati scored early in the second half and Kerwin Vargas added a goal late before NYCFC pulled one back in second-half stoppage time. And Charlotte created a similar number of chances to NYCFC despite having less of the ball.
Smith hopes the performance sets the tone for upcoming travels, with Charlotte to play its next three league games away after five of its first eight came at home.
“There’s not plenty of away games we’ve played so far, such is the fixture list,” Smith said. “We didn’t start on the road well, but we showed loads of characteristics that I liked on Saturday. And we need to continue to do that in the next three away games as well.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Union bring challenged offense north to face streaking Toronto FC
Apr 18, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC midfielder Malik Henry (78) attempts to control the ball against Austin FC during the second half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images Toronto FC will aim to extend their unbeaten streak to seven matches when the Philadelphia Union visit on Wednesday.
Toronto (3-2-3, 12 points) is 3-0-3 in its last six outings. Wednesday marks the sixth date of Toronto FC’s nine-match homestand, and the club is unbeaten (4-0-8) in its last 12 home matches dating back to last season.
Despite the good results, midfielder Malik Henry felt his team left victories on the table.
“Some of the draws we’ve had, we feel like we definitely could have won those games, which makes it a bit more disappointing,” Henry told TFC Republic. “We just have to take the points and then continue to move forward with it.”
Walker Zimmerman is expected to be available Wednesday, in a boost to an injury-depleted back line. Zimmerman missed Toronto’s last two matches with a calf injury.
Toronto FC’s offense has been both varied and efficient. Eight Toronto players have at least one goal this season, and the team’s 51.5% accurate shooting percentage is the best in MLS.
The Union are at the other end of the attacking spectrum, with a 27.1% AS percentage that ranks second-last in the league.
Philadelphia (1-6-1, 4 points) has recorded only six goals in eight regular-season matches, ahead of only four-goal D.C. United in MLS.
The lack of offense contributed to the Union’s season-opening six-game losing streak, and goals remain at a premium even as Philadelphia has gone 1-0-1 in its last two matches. The Union outshot D.C. United 17-6 on Saturday and held D.C. without a shot on target, yet still had to settle for a 0-0 draw.
Philadelphia coach Bradley Carnell felt that returning to the striker pairing of Bruno Damiani and Ezekiel Alladoh can help unlock the Union’s offense.
“We have tried a lot of different combinations (at forward) and now we go back-to-back with the same,” Carnell said. “Every day we get together with Eze and Bruno working together, it’s … one day more advanced and developed.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Richardson Hitchins relinquishing IBF title after signing with Zuffa
May 21, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Richardson Hitchins (gold trunks) and Angel Rodriguez (black trunks) box during a Premier Boxing Champions card at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images Just two weeks after revealing that he was signing with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, IBF super lightweight champion Richardson Hitchins is relinquishing his title to pursue welterweight competition instead, Hitchins announced on social media this week.
“I’ve outgrown 140 and my days at the weight is done,” he wrote on X. “Let’s go!!!”
147 It’s time! i will be 2 division world champ Real Soon , I’ve outgrown 140 and My days at the weight is done Let’s go !!!! ????
— Richardson Hitchins (@HeIsRichardson) April 21, 2026
The IBF confirmed the move via an issued statement on Tuesday.
“On the evening of April 20, 2026, the IBF received notification from Richardson Hitchins that he was relinquishing his IBF Jr. Welterweight World title,” the IBF wrote. “Hitchins expressed his pride in fighting for, winning and holding the title. Likewise, the IBF was proud to have Hitchins as a world champion.
“We recognized his talent, included him in the rankings and he took that path to the championship. The IBF extends its best wishes to Richardson Hitchins for his continued success.”
Hitchins, 28, originally won his title in 2024 after a unanimous decision against Liam Paro in Puerto Rico. The Brooklyn native is 20-0 with eight wins by knockout.
The move now ends the possibility of a reworked bout between Hitchins and Lindolfo Delgado, originally scheduled in replacement of Hitchins’ canceled February fight with Oscar Duarte due to Hitchins’ illness.
Delgado is in line to challenge for the vacated super lightweight title in his next fight. As the highest remaining fighters in the division, Delgado and Duarte would now seem likely opponents for one another, though both are trained by the same individual, Robert Garcia, which could complicate a potential pairing.
Hitchins followed Jai Opetaia in joining Zuffa, with the latter actually being stripped of his IBF cruiserweight title following his victory at the Zuffa World Cruiserweight Championship in March. For Hitchins, reclassifying could be a preemptive move to avoid having his own title stripped.
Hitchins is scheduled to make his Zuffa debut this summer.
–Field Level Media
Orlando City want attack to catch up to defense vs. Charlotte
Union bring challenged offense north to face streaking Toronto FC
