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
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
Sports
Minnesota United, FC Dallas put unbeaten streaks on line
Apr 18, 2026; Frisco, Texas, USA; FC Dallas forward Petar Musa (9) scores a goal against the LA Galaxy during the first half at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images Two teams riding extended unbeaten strings meet Wednesday night when Minnesota United visit FC Dallas in Frisco, Texas.
Coming off a 2-0 win Saturday night over the Portland Timbers, Minnesota (4-2-2, 14 points) is 3-0-1 over its last four matches. Its three straight wins constitute its longest winning streak in nearly two calendar years.
Meanwhile, Dallas (3-1-4, 13 points) is 2-0-3 in its last five fixtures, including a 2-2 draw Saturday night with the Los Angeles Galaxy. It could have been a three-point result but Kaick’s goal in the 75th minute was flagged for an offsides violation.
Minnesota has hit its stride in part because of the recent form of midfielder Tomas Chancalay. The Argentinian has hit the scoresheet in three straight matches, scoring a goal and assisting on the other goal against Portland.
Chancalay has looked a lot like the guy who the New England Revolution spent $3.1 million for three years ago instead of the player they traded to Minnesota after last season for $100,000.
“I am really happy here,” Chancalay said of his new organization. “The team put their confidence in me here in Minnesota. I’m happy to stay here and I want to help the team.”
While Chancalay is playing well, no one in MLS these days is scoring like Dallas’ Petar Musa. His brace in the first half gave Dallas a 2-0 lead but its defense gassed it by conceding twice before halftime.
Musa leads the league with nine goals, two more than Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge. But Dallas’ inability to see a two-goal advantage through over the final 52 minutes was concerning to coach Eric Quill.
“Your mentality has to be disciplined, together and committed on every play,” Quill said. “It was little details that changed the game and we know those moments can’t happen. We need to improve our discipline because I think we’re going to have leads often.”
It marked the second time in this recent unbeaten stretch that Dallas has coughed up a two-goal advantage.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Frustrated San Diego FC vying for better result at Dynamo
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego FC defender Luca Bombino (27) moves the ball during the first half against Real Salt Lake at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chadd Cady-Imagn Images San Diego FC hope to snap out of an extended funk when they travel east to square off against the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday in a Western Conference match.
San Diego (3-3-2, 11 points) hasn’t tasted victory since a 1-0 win at Sporting Kansas City on March 7 and heads to the Bayou City with a five-game winless swoon. The team has dropped its past three matches and has been outscored 9-3 in those games.
The most recent of those setbacks was a 4-2 loss at Real Salt Lake on Saturday in which San Diego conceded two goals in the first six minutes and never recovered. Marcus Ingvartsen and Anders Dreyer found the net for San Diego FC, with the latter a window dressing tally on a penalty kick in the 66th minute after the side trailed by three.
“It’s definitely frustrating because we expect a lot from ourselves,” San Diego defender Luca Bombino said. “Things haven’t necessarily gone our way, but we know that we have all the talent and the hard work within the squad to achieve the things we want to do.”
It’s been feast or famine for Houston (3-4-0, 9 points) this season. A 1-0 win at Orlando City on Saturday showed that things may be turning for the Dynamo after three straight losses in MLS play, which included a 6-2 shellacking on the road against Colorado on April 11.
Hector Herrera’s goal in the 75th minute, his first of the season, was the difference in the win over Orlando as the Dynamo captured both their first road win of the year and their first clean sheet of the season.
“I still think we can be clearer on how to build the game and have longer possessions and make better decisions and not have to defend as much as we’ve had to,” Houston coach Ben Olsen said. “Until we’re well-oiled and we know exactly who we are, we have to have character and personality and resiliency.”
San Diego has just four points from four road games this season, including one win. The Dynamo are 2-2-0 on their home pitch.
The sides played twice in 2025, with each winning on the road.
–Field Level Media
Richardson Hitchins relinquishing IBF title after signing with Zuffa
Minnesota United, FC Dallas put unbeaten streaks on line
