Mike Brown turns competitive amid James Dolan's Knicks NBA Finals ultimatum originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.For a team as big as the New York Knicks, progression and excellence are always the mantra. Owner James Dolan has seen this team go a long way but was fairly tired of the recent plateau from not winning the Larry O'Brien trophy. So, he dropped a big ultimatum for Coach Mike Brown, whether it was a call of impatience is still debatable. Regardless, the head coach is ready for the challenge and even Jalen Brunson responded positively to it.Coach Brown heeds Knicks owner's NBA Finals ultimatumA lot of breakthroughs happened since Coach Mike Brown took over for the Knicks. Jalen Brunson has led the team to 53 wins which is the best record they have gotten since Carmelo Anthony got the team a 54-win record in 2013. But, none of those will matter if the Knicks do not win enough in the postseason.How much is enough? Well, James Dolan expects them to win all the way to the NBA Finals. The Knicks owner will likely look in another direction if his expectations are not met. A lot of coaches will crack under pressure but Brown is different. He responded with a very competitive spirit before they started their postseason campaign, via James L. Edwards III of The Athletic."I dont even think about the last part of the question. Everybody in that locker room has a competitive spirit that I like, and I can say is unmatched. I love the group. Were competing, not just for 53 wins; were competing, like everyone else is, to win it. Were concentrating on practice tomorrow, getting ready for Atlanta. Our competitive spirit is there, and its not something that we take lightly," the Knicks head coach said.Brown has gotten the Knicks to improve on a lot of fronts during the regular season. He got them the third-best offensive rating in the league of 119.8 which was huge compared to Tom Thibodeau who only got them up to fifth. Their defensive rating also showed signs of massive improvement under Brown. The 14th-best defense in the league back in 2025 rose all the way up to seventh with an astounding defensive rating valued at 113.3.The Knicks have done everything but plateau in the last few months. Improvements have been apparent which means they have the tools to heed Dolan's ultimatum of reaching the NBA Finals.More Knicks News:How Jalen Brunson is approaching James Dolan, Knicks' NBA Finals expectationKarl-Anthony Towns says Knicks aren't at their best yet as NBA Playoffs nearJalen Brunson drops Knicks' NBA Playoffs plan after losing two-straight games

Mike Trout homered for the fifth time during a four-game series at Yankee Stadium by crushing a 446-foot drive in the seventh inning.

Arsenal have received a significant fitness boost with the news that Noni Madueke is expected to be available for Sunday's pivotal Premier League clash against Manchester City. The winger sparked fears of a long-term layoff after being forced off during midweek Champions League action, but early indications suggest the damage is not as severe as first feared. Positive news after Champions League scare Arsenal are optimistic that Madueke will be fit for Sundays showdown against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, per The England international appeared to be in significant discomfort following a challenge from Sporting forward Pedro Goncalves, specifically struggling with an injury to his right knee. After receiving treatment on the pitch, he was eventually replaced by teenager Max Dowman, leading to concerns that he could be set for a spell on the sidelines during the most critical juncture of the season. Early diagnosis offers Arteta relief While Madueke is due to be assessed further by Arsenals medical staff over the coming days, the early diagnosis has provided a huge sigh of relief for the north London club. He is said to have avoided a serious structural injury and is instead suffering with a dead leg, which typically carries a much shorter recovery timeframe. This news is particularly welcome given that Madueke has been troubled by knee issues throughout the current campaign. He previously injured his left knee while on international duty with England last month during a 1-1 draw with Uruguay, an incident that saw him leave Wembley in a protective brace before making a swift return to action. The importance of the Etihad showdown Arteta will be desperate to have Madueke available as Arsenal look to end a winless run at the Etihad, where they have not tasted victory in 11 years. Sunday's fixture represents a massive hurdle in the Premier League title race, with City currently lurking just behind the Gunners. Should Pep Guardiola's side secure the win, they would close the gap at the summit just three points with a game in hand. The availability of wide options is a major concern for the coaching staff, especially as Bukayo Saka continues to struggle with an Achilles issue. With Saka's involvement against the Citizens still shrouded in doubt, Maduekes presence on the right flank becomes even more vital for Arsenal's tactical blueprint. Reinforcements expected in defense While the forward line remains a point of concern, the Gunners are more confident about the prospect of defensive stars returning to the fold. Both Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori have been working hard on their respective recoveries and were spotted in the stands at the Emirates on Wednesday night to support their team-mates. Their potential return would provide a massive lift to a squad that is also currently missing captain Martin Odegaard due to a persistent knee problem. Arteta is facing a nervous wait over the next 48 hours to see which of his star men will be cleared by the medical team to board the plane to Manchester for what many describe as a title-deciding encounter.

RCB produced a clinical all-round performance, first restricting LSG to 146 and then chasing down the target comfortably in 15.1 overs to climb to the top of the points table.

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On Thursday, Baltimore unveiled new uniforms for the first time in 26 years, or five years after the franchise returned to Charm City. The evening event included a performance from cover band Go Go Gadjet and appearances by current players and more than a dozen Ravens Legends, including Terrell Suggs, Todd Heap, Qadry Ismail, Jamal Lewis, Jermaine Lewis, Michael McCrary, Edwin Mulitalo, Ray Rice, Jimmy Smith, and Matt Stover.Calling it a fresh start, under the moniker 'Next Flight', the Ravens unveiled a crisp, sharp new look in front of a packed audience of fans and media members at a PSL event on Thursday, April 16, at Merriweather Post Pavilion.With the reactions extremely positive, here's what to know about the Baltimore Ravens' Next Flight uniforms, including the modern design, updated logos, and key details shaping the franchise's new look.look at the details pic.twitter.com/I75lHKh4Hv Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 16, 2026Definitely more aggressive Anywhere you see the Raven on the logo, it's aggressive and primed to attack. A closer look at the Ravens new helmets: pic.twitter.com/NcOpMuQrca Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 17, 2026Baltimore has three helmets and two alternatesThis is the new black helmet that go with their all/black uniforms pic.twitter.com/ufaJPQRJIz Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) April 16, 2026The Ravens added the Purple Rising two years ago, and now have an All-Black version to go with the Darkness uniforms. Darkness there and nothing more. pic.twitter.com/kd4qgbT7zs Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 17, 2026WingsEach jersey colorway features a pattern on the collar that depicts a raven's wings spread wide and, according to the official websites, reverts to the feather elements included in the team's original logo set.Repping BaltimoreWhile all other jerseys will continue to feature Ravens in the middle of the uniform, the white jerseys will now represent Baltimore, with the city's name emblazoned on the front. The Ravens new purple helmet and white jersey, which has Baltimore on the front and wings around the collar pic.twitter.com/7sguser9nV Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) April 17, 2026This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Breaking down Ravens new uniforms, logos, and key details

The Devils have hired Sunny Mehta, who was an assistant GM when the Panthers won the Stanley Cup the past two years, as their general manager.

Growing its fan base in New York and adding more teams are key parts of the league's drive to get a coveted national U.S. broadcast rights deal.

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Martn Zubimendi has dismissed ongoing rumors linking him with a move to Real Madrid, insisting his entire focus is solely on securing silverware with Arsenal. The midfielder, who arrived at the Emirates from Real Sociedad for 61 million ($83m) last summer, says he is "very happy" in London as the Gunners prepare for a Champions League semifinal and a decisive Premier League clash against Manchester City. Moving on from Madrid talk The Spain international was heavily linked with a switch to the Bernabu before choosing Arsenal last July, and Madrid continue to be credited with interest. Speaking to Cadena Ser, Zubimendi acknowledged that being associated with the European champions is "not a bad thing." His decision to join the Gunners was driven by the desire to compete on nights like Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Sporting CP. "That has passed," the 27-year-old stated. "I'm very focused and very happy where I am." Zubimendi addresses Arsenal's 'strange' form The Gunners secured their place in the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday night, navigating a tense goalless draw against Sporting CP to progress 1-0 on aggregate. Arsenal have only won one of their last five games in all competitions, but Zubimendi insists their "solid" base for success remains intact. "The last few weeks have been strange, but at the beginning of the season we would have signed to be in this position," Zubimendi said. "We still have things to improve. We need more clarity in the last third. Luckily, this team defends well and we are solid." The Atltico challenge A formidable semifinal clash against Atltico Madrid now awaits, after Diego Simeones side dispatched Barcelona to reach the last four for the first time in nearly a decade. Despite Arsenals dominant 4-0 victory over the Rojiblancos during the group stages, Zubimendi was quick to dismiss any suggestions of a repeat performance, citing Atlticos heavy investment and competitive edge. "They are a very competitive team, very confident, and have top players," Zubimendi warned. "The group stage game is in the past; they are a formidable block now, and we have to be very cautious." A title showdown at the Etihad Arsenal's current focus is now on a trip to the Etihad this Sunday for a match that could decide the Premier League title. While the Gunners hold a six-point cushion at the summit, Manchester Citys game in hand and their recent Carabao Cup final triumph over Arsenal have shifted the psychological momentum toward the current leaders. "It is 'do or die' now," Zubimendi stated, emphasizing the squad's resolve to bounce back from recent domestic setbacks. "The unity of this squad is what will decide these games. We are focused, we are happy, and we know what we have to do."