Jane Njoku, Author at Matchplug Blog

Jazz Sign Head Coach Will Hardy to Multi-Year Extension Through 2031

The Utah Jazz have officially signed head coach Will Hardy to a multi-year contract extension through the 2031 season.

Announcing the deal, Jazz governor Ryan Smith praised Hardy’s impact on the organization both on and off the court.
“We are excited to extend Will Hardy’s contract as head coach of the Utah Jazz through 2031. Will is an incredible leader, great communicator – especially with our younger players – and a strong ambassador for this franchise. He has been a tremendous partner to Danny, Justin, and me. There is no one we would rather have leading us to our ultimate goal of winning an NBA championship here in Utah,” said Smith.

Hardy is set to enter his fourth season with the Jazz in 2025–26. He became the ninth head coach in franchise history and the sixth since the team relocated to Salt Lake City in 1979, when he was hired in 2022. Notably, Hardy is the first head coach appointed since the Smith family acquired the team in December 2020.

Draymond Green Bounces Back with Poised Performance

After a frustrating loss to the Rockets, Golden State’s Draymond Green promised to lead with composure.

The veteran forward, known for his fiery demeanor, kept his cool throughout Sunday night’s 103-89 victory. Now, his performance has helped the Warriors clinch a spot in the Western Conference semifinals. Green’s measured presence was a far cry from the early emotional lapses that plagued him in the previous outing.

“He said: ‘I’ve got to be poised and I have to be better and we’re gonna come in here tomorrow and get it done,’” head coach Steve Kerr shared. “I think his emotional stability tonight, just his poise from the start I thought it set a great tone.”

Determined to reset mentally, Green took a different approach in the days leading up to Game 7. He visited a spa, meditated, and filled his playlist. His playlist featured with tracks from Brent Faiyaz, SZA, and classic ’90s R&B artists.

Green’s commitment paid off on the court, where he anchored the Warriors’ defense and avoided the costly emotional swings.

Green said,“I wanted to show I could lead better and keep us focused.”

Yankees Designate Carlos Carrasco for Assignment, Recall Yerry De los Santos

The New York Yankees made a pitching move on Tuesday. They are designating veteran right-hander Carlos Carrasco for assignment and recalling reliever Yerry De los Santos from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Carrasco, 38, made the team out of Spring Training as a non-roster invitee and served as rotation depth amid injuries to Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, and Clarke Schmidt. In eight appearances (six starts), he posted a 5.91 ERA across 32 innings. His most recent outing came in Sunday’s loss to the Rays, where he pitched three innings in relief and gave up two earned runs.

Now in his 16th MLB season, Carlos Carrasco spent the bulk of his career with the Cleveland Guardians. He later spent three seasons with the Mets and returned briefly to Cleveland before joining New York.

In his place, the Yankees recalled 27-year-old right-hander Yerry De los Santos. De los Santos has made one appearance for the Yankees this season, tossing two scoreless innings in an April 27 win over the Blue Jays. At Triple-A, he’s logged 10 1/3 innings with 11 strikeouts and a 1.74 WHIP, allowing three runs (two earned) on a pair of homers.

Celtics’ Porzingis Misses Second Half of Game 1 Loss to Knicks Due to Illness

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis sat out the second half of Monday night’s 108-105 overtime loss to the New York Knicks. This incident came after being sidelined with a non-COVID illness.

Porzingis was absent from the floor as the Celtics warmed up for the second half. He briefly appeared on the bench before returning to the locker room. Al Horford opened the third quarter in his place. The team later listed him as questionable to return.

Porzingis struggled in the first half, going 0-for-4 in 13 minutes while collecting four rebounds and an assist. The Celtics also lost reserve forward Sam Hauser. ho exited early in the fourth quarter with a sprained right ankle after missing both of his shot attempts in four minutes of action.

Celtics Expect Jrue Holiday Back for Game 1 vs. Knicks

Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday is set to return to the lineup on Monday night. The team kicks off its Eastern Conference semifinal series against the New York Knicks.

Holiday, who has been sidelined with a strained right hamstring was not listed on Boston’s injury report Sunday. He was finally cleared after missing the final three games of the Celtics’ first-round victory over the Orlando Magic. Game 1 tips off at 7 p.m. ET on TNT.

Head coach Joe Mazzulla confirmed that Holiday was able to fully participate in Saturday’s practice.
“[He] was able to ‘work on everything he wanted to work on,’” Mazzulla said.

A key two-way presence for Boston, Holiday averaged 10 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.5 rebounds in the first two games against Orlando before sitting out.

In addition to Holiday’s return, the Celtics received another boost as Jaylen Brown. Brown, who had been managing a right knee issue is also off the injury report. Boston enters the semifinal series at full strength for the first time in weeks.

Royals’ Top Prospect Caglianone Crushes Two More Homers

Jac Caglianone is heating up in Double-A, and pitchers in the Texas League are paying the price. The Royals’ No. 1 prospect (MLB No. 18) blasted two more home runs on Tuesday for Northwest Arkansas. This has given him four long balls over his last three games.

In a breakout performance against Wichita, Caglianone recorded the first multi-homer game of his career. He started with a solo shot to left in the third inning off right-hander Darren Bowen, then added a three-run blast to the opposite field in the seventh. He also singled to cap off a three-hit, four-RBI day at Arvest Ballpark.

The slugging first baseman has now collected multiple hits in five of his last seven games, signaling he’s quickly adapting to Double-A pitching.

Matthew Stafford Finalizes $44 Million Contract for 2025 Season with Rams

Matthew Stafford has finalized a new contract with the LA Rams for the 2025 season. He secured $44 million for the year. The deal was initially negotiated during the NFL Scouting Combine but only recently completed. It also guarantees Stafford an additional $40 million if he remains on the Rams’ roster at the start of free agency in 2026, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.

Stafford has already received $4 million this season, with the remaining $40 million fully guaranteed. The new contract increases Stafford’s earnings over two years to $84 million, from the $58 million.

While Los Angeles explored trade options for Stafford this offseason, with the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders showing interest, they ultimately agreed to keep the veteran quarterback for at least one more year. The Rams have repeatedly emphasized that Stafford’s contract is essentially a year-to-year renewal at this stage of his career.

Entering his 17th season, Stafford’s future remains uncertain, with retirement always a possibility. However, Rams head coach Sean McVay expressed hope that Stafford will give the team “a couple more years” in a recent interview.

carr shares he considered signing with jets in 2023

Derek Carr Still Weighing Potential Shoulder Surgery

Uncertainty surrounds Derek Carr’s availability for the New Orleans Saints in the 2025 season. The quarterback continues to deliberate on whether to undergo shoulder surgery. Carr has visited New Orleans twice in recent weeks to consult with the team doctor with his preference being to avoid surgery, according to NFL Network’s Jane Slater.

Derek Carr suffered a shoulder injury to his throwing arm during his final game to the New York Giants. The 34-year-old’s reluctance to undergo surgery stems from having previously had a procedure on the same arm.

Although no decision has been made yet, Slater reported that Carr’s decision is expected sooner rather than later. Last season, Carr missed seven games due to oblique and wrist injurie. This new shoulder issue has raised questions about his readiness for the upcoming 2025 campaign.

Derek Carr has played 11 seasons in the NFL, with his first nine seasons spent with the Raiders and the last two with the Saints. In 10 games last season, he posted a 5-5 record, throwing for 2,145 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions.

With Carr’s status uncertain, the Saints’ quarterback room is currently filled with rookie Tyler Shough, along with Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler—both of whom started in Carr’s place last season. Head coach Kellen Moore is now tasked with preparing for the season while waiting for clarity on Carr’s future.

Julian Edelman to Be Inducted as 37th Member of Patriots’ Hall of Fame

Julian Edelman was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame as its 37th member. The news was announced on Monday, with fans voting Edelman as the latest inductee.

“Julian Edelman is one of the great success stories in our franchise’s history,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft stated.

Edelman’s journey to the Hall of Fame is unique. He started his collegiate career as a zero-star quarterback at a junior college in San Mateo, California. He then transferred to Kent State, where he excelled as a quarterback. His play caught the attention of the New England Patriots in seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

Over 12 seasons, Edelman became one of Tom Brady’s most reliable targets, recording three 1,000-yard seasons. He retired with 620 career receptions for 6,822 yards and 36 touchdowns, plus 118 postseason receptions for 1,442 yards and five touchdowns.

Julian Edelman will be inducted alongside former head coach Bill Parcells, who was named a contributor to the Hall of Fame earlier in 2025. The date of the induction ceremony has not yet been announced.

George Kittle Happy 49ers Aren’t Having ‘Drama-Filled’ Offseason

The San Francisco 49ers have had a relatively quiet offseason in terms of internal drama. Due to this, star tight end George Kittle couldn’t be happier. After an offseason of roster changes, Kittle expressed his relief that there have been no contract holdouts or quarterback controversies.

“I’m happy that we don’t have a bunch of guys holding out for contracts,” Kittle told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Jennifer Lee Chan. “I’m glad that we are not having a super drama-filled offseason. I think every year of my career we’ve had a quarterback controversy at some point. And to not have that, it’s going great.”

Kittle secured his own contract early in the offseason and noted that the absence of drama has created a positive atmosphere.

The 49ers’ offseason focus has included several new free agent signings. Kittle emphasized the importance of getting to know these new teammates before the grind of training camp begins. Quarterback Brock Purdy, also reported for the team’s voluntary workouts, and Kittle believes his presence further boosts the team’s chemistry.

“Brock being here reinforces that because everybody knows who Brock is and he is a very social person in the locker room,” Kittle said. “His being around, getting to meet everybody, is just good for our team chemistry.”

Having gone through multiple contract negotiations himself, Kittle has offered guidance to Purdy as he navigates his own contract situation. Drawing from advice given to him by former 49er Richard Sherman, Kittle likened contract talks to getting braces: uncomfortable at times, but ultimately beneficial.

Jane Njoku

Jazz Sign Head Coach Will Hardy to Multi-Year Extension Through 2031

Draymond Green Bounces Back with Poised Performance

Yankees Designate Carlos Carrasco for Assignment, Recall Yerry De los Santos

Celtics’ Porzingis Misses Second Half of Game 1 Loss to Knicks Due to Illness

Celtics Expect Jrue Holiday Back for Game 1 vs. Knicks

Royals’ Top Prospect Caglianone Crushes Two More Homers

Matthew Stafford Finalizes $44 Million Contract for 2025 Season with Rams

Derek Carr Still Weighing Potential Shoulder Surgery

Julian Edelman to Be Inducted as 37th Member of Patriots’ Hall of Fame

George Kittle Happy 49ers Aren’t Having ‘Drama-Filled’ Offseason

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