NEWS
Luka Dončić Records First Lakers Triple-Double in Revenge Game vs. Mavericks

Luka Dončić made his first appearance against the Dallas Mavericks since the blockbuster trade that sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers, and he ensured his old team would remember what they lost. Doni recorded his first triple-double as a Laker in a 107-99 victory in a highly anticipated matchup at Crypto.com Arena. His stat line included 19 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists, three steals, and two blocks, showcasing his all-around brilliance on both ends of the floor.
Despite an inefficient shooting night, hitting just 6-of-17 shots from the field, Dončić was the heart of the Lakers’ offense, controlling the pace and setting up his teammates with his signature playmaking. He was determined to leave his mark, and it was evident from the opening tip that he had a point to prove.
Doni played aggressively against the Mavericks’ defense from the start and made his presence felt on every possession. After sinking an early three-pointer, he turned towards the Mavericks’ bench and locked eyes with the coaching staff, as if to remind them exactly who they let go.
His enthusiasm was absorbed by the Crypto.com Arena crowd, and throughout the night, chants of “Thank you, Nico” reverberated in the stands, a rebuke to Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, who was present. Even though Doni was the center of attention, not every Laker had an impact. LeBron James, who is 40 years old and still defies age, played well and turned up the intensity in the second half. The Lakers kept control of the game despite Dallas’ attempts to come back, thanks in large part to Austin Reaves. One particularly electric moment came when Doni found James on a fast break for an emphatic finish. James and Doni, who are now one of the most formidable duos in the league, combined for key plays down the stretch.
The game started with the Lakers asserting dominance early, jumping to an eight-point lead after the first quarter. Dončić’s passing brilliance was on full display, none more impressive than a jaw-dropping no-look, behind-the-head pass to Austin Reaves for a bucket that sent the crowd into a frenzy. However, the Mavericks persevered and came back in the second quarter to keep the game within reach by halftime. Dallas increased its defensive pressure after the break, disrupting the Lakers’ rhythm and temporarily taking control. The Mavericks’ defense forced the Lakers into uncomfortable possessions, slowing their offensive flow. However, the Lakers, led by their veteran stars, found another gear as the game entered its final stages.
James took over in the last minute and scored big points and made crucial plays to win the game. The Lakers extended their lead to multiple possessions with just under two minutes remaining, securing the victory and preventing any Dallas heroics in the final minutes. Even though this game was important, it was only the beginning of a thrilling story that will continue between Doni and his former team. The true spectacle will come on April 9 when Dončić makes his long-awaited return to Dallas. Mavericks fans will undoubtedly express their opinions on the trade that resulted in the departure of their franchise’s cornerstone, making that matchup likely to be even more emotional and dramatic.
One of the most shocking moves in NBA history was the Doni to Los Angeles trade. Reports have indicated that the Slovenian star was blindsided by the decision, learning about the move in the middle of the night. Many have speculated that his relationship with the Mavericks’ front office had been strained for some time, but few expected such a drastic move. Now, as a Laker, Dončić appears determined to make his former team regret their decision, and Tuesday night was just the beginning of his campaign to do so.
The addition of Doni has rekindled the Lakers’ hopes of winning a championship. Pairing him with James, even in the twilight of the latter’s career, has given Los Angeles one of the most potent offensive duos in the league. With Anthony Davis anchoring the defense and a supporting cast filled with capable contributors, the Lakers are positioning themselves as legitimate contenders for the NBA title.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks now face the challenge of moving forward without the player who once seemed destined to be their franchise leader for years to come. While they remain competitive, Tuesday’s game was a stark reminder of what they gave up. The team fought hard, but ultimately, the Lakers had the last laugh, and Dončić’s performance was the exclamation point.
As the dust settles on this latest chapter, one thing is clear: this story is far from over. Dončić’s rivalry with his former team will be one of the NBA’s most compelling narratives moving forward. The basketball world will be keeping an eye on everything from April 9 in Dallas to a possible playoff matchup.
NEWS
Timberwolves’ championship odds improve after three Game 1 upsets

The second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs has zagged, and the championship odds of the Minnesota Timberwolves came into sharp focus. This weekend, three of the most powerful and talented squads in the form of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, and Cleveland Cavaliers were all stunned early as they each dropped their first games of their respective series. All three were heavy favorites — all of them eight-point favorites or more — and all failed to win on their own courts. Those early upsets have further staggering the playoffs and drastically moving betting markets.
The Timberwolves are among the biggest beneficiaries of these results. Their odds to win the championship have certainly improved. Heading into May 2, their odds were, +1700 but after the string of Game 1 upset victories, those odds had improved to +1100. In implied probability terms, that leap means rising from a 5.56 percent likelihood of winning the championship to 8.3 percent, a significant jump in a crowded postseason.
Here are the latest odds for your favorite golfers, with all updated numbers courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. The Thunder were +155 and the Celtics were +185 to win the conference prior to the game. The Cavaliers’ odds, meanwhile, held at +500, which means that while they lost, the market isn’t selling them just yet. On the flip side, the Timberwolves, Nuggets and Knicks and Pacers all got a big break. And no team had a swing quite like Denver, which went from +5000 to +1500, the move indicative of more and more of you believing in their ability to cash in the postseason.
This shift in momentum couldn’t be playing out at a worse time for the Timberwolves, who open Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series by hosting the Golden State Warriors. Minnesota is favored to win by 6.5 points, and a win would only further solidify their place in the hearts of betting lines and analysts everywhere. The Timberwolves arrived in the playoffs with only the ninth-best championship odds, but their continued presence and the foibles of higher-ranked squads are starting to draw more interest.
Visiting teams winning Game 1 have been a rarity in N.B.A. history, but so far in this round, the victorious Game 1 teams all have been the road teams. The Timberwolves hope to buck it Tuesday night by taking care of their home court. If they can win this series against the Warriors, not only will their series chances appear better, but their long-term championship forecast will get even brighter.
Factor in that part of the drama is the Spurs still not knowing who, if anyone, of All-Star guard Steph Curry would play for the Warriors because of his ailing hamstring. This could even further tilt the scales in Minnesota’s favor for Game 1. And there have been humorous scenes, such as when Warriors forward Buddy Hield arrived at a media session wearing the wrong shorts for Game 1, or when Draymond Green had to walk back his promise not to get suspended, referencing a scuffle he had with the Jazz’s Rudy Gobert.
Though some fans are (understandably) pessimistic regarding the possibility of Minnesota going all the way to the NBA Finals, betting trends and recent performances indicate that they’re becoming a serious force. The team is resilient, recovering from difficult times, and in a better place than most probably thought it would be at this point. Their odds are based on a combination of their strong play and the flaws exhibited by the teams trying to catch them.
Betting odds can and will change and nothing is definitive in the unpredictable world of playoff basketball, but it’s actually evident that as much as they’re not a favorite just yet, Minnesota is no longer viewed as a long shot. They have gone from under-the-radar contenders to legitimate threats, and if they can keep up this level of play, a deep postseason campaign, or even a title shot, no longer sounds like just a pipe dream.
And as the playoffs move forward, it will be interesting to see, regarding both fans and bettors, just how closely people are watching the Timberwolves, who are suddenly a team generating a lot of interest. Their story just keeps getting better and better every game, and the numbers are finally starting to reflect what could be an earth-shattering moment for the franchise.
NEWS
Kohl’s just fired its brand new CEO for unethical behavior

Kohl’s Kohl’s has had headline-grabbing shareholder activism that included the abrupt ousting of its C.E.O., Ashley Buchanan, only months into the job. He is leaving as the company reels from accusations of unethical behavior that have jolted the business and prompted larger questions about how accountable leadership is and about corporate oversight. Buchanan, who was hired as its chief executive in January 2025, had been meant to help right the ailing department store chain. Instead, he is departing under a cloud of scandal after an internal investigation found that he broke serious rules of the company during his time in charge.
The company said it had fired Buchanan “for cause,” an unusual and major decision in the corporate realm. An outside investigation determined he had ordered the company to engage in transactions with vendors that presented undisclosed conflicts of interest. In simpler language, he was using his role to help conduct business that could have profited him or close associates, without informing the company. The company said that these actions did not involve Kohl’s financial reporting or other employees, but a decision to fire a chief executive just months into the job is also one with outsize implications.
Previously, Buchanan was the CEO of arts and crafts retail chain Michaels. His appointment had been hailed as a bold move to help turn around Kohl’s, which is struggling amid weakening sales and mounting competition in a challenging retail landscape. Yet his stint in office was also followed by further reversals. According to a review of preliminary financial results from Kohl’s, the company’s sales declined by 4.3 percent during his brief time on the job — far short of the turnaround that shareholders were looking for.
The company’s board of directors has named Michael Bender, the current chairman, interim CEO as they search for a new permanent CEO. But the market actually applauded the departure of Buchanan, it surprisingly rose. Shares in Kohl’s jumped as much as 8 percent after the announcement, indicating that investors may have already lost faith in his leadership or are hopeful that new leadership can turn the company around.
Retail analysts are less sanguine. The firing comes as a distraction for the company at a particularly bad moment, said Neil Saunders, managing director at GlobalData Retail. “While the dismissal may have nothing to do with overall company performance, it does add to the perception outside the company that things are a bit shaky. Saunders said it was a “blow upon a bruise,” meaning the move exacerbates already existing problems instead of addressing them.
Like many traditional department stores, Kohl’s has been under extreme pressure in recent years. Shifting consumer tastes, the rise of online shopping and persistent inflation have made it difficult for brick-and-mortar companies to stay profitable. On top of Western leadership woes, the company also is facing the reality of declining foot traffic and ever-more price-sensitive shoppers.
Earlier this year, Kohl’s also shared plans to shutter 27 locations in the U.S. These closures have brought the company’s total store count to about 1,100, representing a significant reduction in the retailer’s store footprint. The move is part of a broader shift in the industry, in which many legacy retailers are rethinking their physical footprints as they try to adjust to a more digital economy.
The repercussions of Buchanan’s firing could be widespread. For Kohl’s, they raise questions of how closely executives are scrutinized and what kinds of internal controls should exist to keep similar problems from happening in the future. For shareholders, it casts further doubt on the direction of the company and questions about who is leading. For the general business public, the case should stand as a reminder that not even top brass is immune from examination and answerability.
The road that lies ahead for Kohl’s is unclear. With interim leadership now secured and a search for a CEO underway, the company needs to move fast to win back the trust of investors and navigate a new course. The scandal is an unnecessary wrinkle to an already difficult environment and who knows, maybe the company does come out stronger. Or maybe this is just another chapter in its struggles.
NEWS
Dwayne Johnson, is that you? See his dramatic new look as UFC fighter Mark Kerr in ‘The Smashing Machine’ trailer

Dwayne Johnson is stepping into what may be the most transformative role of his acting career, taking on the part of legendary UFC and MMA fighter Mark Kerr in the upcoming film “The Smashing Machine.” This gritty biographical drama, set to release on October 3 and directed by Benny Safdie, offers a deep dive into the life of Kerr—an athlete whose raw physical power in the ring was matched only by the personal demons he battled outside of it. Known widely for his blockbuster action roles, Johnson’s portrayal here marks a significant and deliberate shift toward more dramatic, character-driven storytelling.
In the newly released trailer, Johnson is almost unrecognizable. Though he hasn’t publicly addressed his physical transformation in great detail, it’s apparent that facial prosthetics and careful styling have helped him bear a striking resemblance to Kerr. The fighter’s story, originally featured in the 2002 HBO documentary also titled “The Smashing Machine,” captured the brutal realities of early MMA competition and revealed Kerr’s struggles with substance abuse and emotional turmoil. Johnson appears to embrace every layer of this complexity, channeling the vulnerability and intensity that defined Kerr’s life both inside and outside the ring.
The trailer provides glimpses of the brutal, adrenaline-charged world of professional fighting—raw and visceral in its execution—but it also reveals a far more intimate narrative. Central to this is Kerr’s relationship with his girlfriend, played by Emily Blunt. Reuniting with Johnson after their time together in Disney’s “Jungle Cruise,” Blunt brings a grounded emotional presence to the film. The tension between their characters, caught between love, ambition, and addiction, adds an essential human depth to the story.
In one poignant moment in the trailer, Johnson’s Kerr reflects on the intoxication of success, saying, “Winning is the best feeling in the world. It’s 40,000 people in there cheering you on. There’s no other high like it in the world.” This line encapsulates the highs and lows Kerr experiences as he navigates fame, pain, and a relentless pursuit of victory. Johnson’s delivery is full of gravitas, suggesting a layered performance that digs much deeper than anything he’s previously taken on.
For Johnson, this role is not just a creative departure but a personal challenge. In an interview with GQ last year, he shared that the opportunity to portray Kerr felt like a chance to break new ground in his career. “It was also an opportunity for me, I realized, to stretch myself in ways that I hadn’t been stretched yet,” he explained. “And also challenge myself in ways that I hadn’t been challenged.” That drive to evolve, both as an actor and a storyteller, is evident in every frame of the trailer.
While Johnson has been busy in other areas—voicing Maui once again in “Moana 2,” returning to the WWE ring, and joining the board of TKO Group Holdings following the WWE-UFC merger—“The Smashing Machine” stands apart as a pivotal moment in his career. It’s not about larger-than-life action heroes or comedic charm. It’s about stepping into someone else’s pain and perseverance, and doing so with authenticity.
Director Benny Safdie, making his solo debut after co-directing acclaimed films like “Uncut Gems” with his brother Josh, brings a raw, almost documentary-style realism to the project. His past work has been praised for its tense, emotionally charged storytelling, and “The Smashing Machine” appears to follow in that tradition. The film is likely to appeal not only to fans of MMA and biopics but also to those interested in the psychological complexities that come with public glory and private battles.
As anticipation builds for the release, “The Smashing Machine” seems poised to redefine what audiences expect from Dwayne Johnson. Known affectionately as “The Rock” by his wrestling fans, Johnson is now forging a new path—one that embraces nuance, hardship, and a kind of storytelling that doesn’t rely on spectacle alone. If the trailer is any indication, his turn as Mark Kerr could be one of the most powerful performances of the year.
With a compelling cast, a gripping true story, and a fearless lead performance, “The Smashing Machine” might not just be a film about fighting—it could be a knockout moment in Johnson’s cinematic journey.
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