Category: Sports

WASHINGTON — What may have been Alex Ovechkin’s last home game as a Washington Capital turned into an unforgettable afternoon filled with emotion and uncertainty about the hockey legend’s future.

The sellout crowd at Capital One Arena made their feelings clear early in Sunday’s contest against Pittsburgh, erupting in chants of “One more year!” directed at their beloved captain. When asked about the fans’ plea after the game, Ovechkin offered a cryptic response while flanked by his two young sons.

“I’ll think about it,” he said with a wry smile.

The emotional day concluded with a 3-0 victory over the Penguins, keeping Washington’s playoff hopes alive. Ovechkin, who will turn 41 in September, contributed an assist on the empty-net goal that sealed the crucial win.

Despite his age, the NHL’s all-time goal scoring champion with 929 career goals continues to perform at an elite level. He tops the Capitals in both goals (32) and points (63) this season, showing little sign of decline in what could be his 21st and final NHL campaign.

“It’s a big moment for us right now,” Ovechkin said. “Everybody was dialed in.”

The atmosphere felt different from the opening faceoff, when Ovechkin lined up against longtime rival Sidney Crosby at center ice for their 100th career meeting.

“You could tell, the game felt different and the night felt different,” Washington head coach Spencer Carbery observed. “A lot of great moments.”

Carbery admitted he found himself simply watching and absorbing the significance of the moment, particularly during the ceremonial opening draw.

“The opening draw, I got a kick out of that,” Carbery said. “I just caught myself watching in certain moments, taking it all in.”

Crosby, who has faced Ovechkin more than any other opponent, praised his rival’s remarkable career achievements.

“He came in with such high expectations, and he passed them,” Crosby said. “To be the greatest goal scorer of all time and to do what he’s done, its impressive.”

Washington’s playoff fate now rests on Tuesday’s season finale in Columbus, where they must win while hoping Philadelphia fails to capture victory in either of their remaining contests.

Regardless of how the playoff race unfolds or whether Ovechkin decides to return, the veteran forward will treasure Sunday’s special atmosphere.

“I’ll remember this moment, the atmosphere that was tonight,” he said.

Coach Carbery expressed gratitude for his association with “The Great 8,” acknowledging the privilege of coaching during historic moments.

“If it is the end of his career, I smile thinking of those moments because been blessed to be his coach when he broke the all-time goals record and I was the coach that was with him at the end,” Carbery said. “I don’t take that for granted one minute.”

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Following a week of comprehensive coverage at Augusta National Golf Club, from the legendary clubhouse to extensive time at the renowned “Amen Corner,” here are five key observations from the unforgettable 2026 Masters Tournament.

SCHEFFLER’S FANBASE EXPANDING

Scottie Scheffler generated significant excitement at Augusta National on Sunday, opening with two birdies in his first three holes to close within two shots of the leaders early in his round. His enthusiastic fist pump after a crucial par save on the par-3 sixth hole suggested the world’s top-ranked golfer might be mounting a spectacular comeback.

While that momentum plateaued with 11 straight pars over several hours, the massive crowds following Scheffler continued providing the day’s most thunderous applause. He validated their loyalty with renewed energy, sinking a long putt for his week’s first birdie on the par-5 15th hole, then adding another on No. 16. Though Scheffler’s comeback ultimately fell one stroke short, he has cultivated an impressive fanbase.

While Scheffler lacks Arnie’s Army and doesn’t command the massive crowds that once followed Tiger Woods, with fans climbing trees for glimpses during his peak, he clearly emerged as Sunday’s crowd favorite.

Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose also attracted substantial followings, and Cameron Young gained support as the day’s leading American, but none matched Scheffler’s devoted fan contingent.

A lighthearted moment occurred when Scheffler and playing partner Haotong Li shared laughs walking from the 10th tee, with the Chinese golfer looking at Scheffler and exclaiming, “Dude! Dude!,” followed by remarks about a fan interaction involving a golf glove.

KNAPP TIME?

Jake Knapp’s yardage book displays “Knapptime,” and the 31-year-old appears poised to emerge as a PGA Tour breakthrough star. Recognized for his ability to post extremely low scores, including a 59 in last year’s Cognizant Classic opening round and a course-record 61 at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, Knapp has historically struggled with consistency across four rounds.

He secured one of the final Masters qualifying spots by reaching the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking during the last cutoff week in March. Competing in just his second Masters, Knapp finished Sunday with a 70 to claim 11th place.

This result guarantees Knapp’s return to Augusta National next year, while the former nightclub security worker builds a following with his fluid swing and West Coast confidence. Knapp also received endorsement from an Augusta National authority.

“I think Jake Knapp can win here. I really do,” said Fred Couples, the 1992 champion who partnered with Knapp during practice rounds this week.

AN UNPRECEDENTED AUGUSTA?

Predicting Augusta National’s playing conditions remains perpetually difficult. This year featured an exceptionally rare combination of no rainfall, minimal wind, and elevated temperatures. The course displayed more brown patches than usual, and the iconic television-ready azaleas had not yet bloomed.

After players encountered limited birdie chances Thursday afternoon, Ireland’s Shane Lowry suggested this might be the most challenging Masters in recent memory, given forecasts for even higher temperatures. However, those extreme conditions never developed, despite the dried areas and firm putting surfaces.

The fairways played fast with extended roll, providing players shorter approach shots and enhanced ball-spinning opportunities. Following Friday’s 72.85 scoring average, Saturday’s 70.63 average established a new third-round Masters record.

Sunday proved slightly more demanding as anticipated, though the greens remained generally receptive. The final round scoring average reached just 72.09, barely above par.

“Have you ever seen looking down the property how yellow the patron areas and how brown and purple parts of the greens and fairways are?” Spain’s Jon Rahm asked rhetorically. “It will be a long time until we see it like this. Definitely have some things in mind for future editions where it gets to this level.”

DOES RORY’S SUCCESS POSE A PROBLEM?

McIlroy’s pursuit of consecutive Masters victories dominated weekly coverage, rightfully so. He stated that 2026 didn’t begin with exclusive focus on Masters repetition and that he remains driven toward achieving new career milestones.

When asked for specifics about those goals, McIlroy declined details beyond saying the targets continue to “keep nudging a little bit further and further out of reach.”

However, McIlroy’s weekly comments might concern PGA Tour commissioner Brian Rolapp.

Discussing his Masters preparation, McIlroy revealed weeks of Augusta National practice. Some days involved dropping his daughter Poppy at school, flying to Augusta for practice rounds, and returning home for dinner.

This singular Augusta National focus meant McIlroy skipped PGA Tour events between The Players Championship and the Masters. He stated this week, “I honestly just don’t like the three tournaments leading up to this event. I’d rather come up here.”

This sentiment likely troubled PGA Tour headquarters and sponsors of the Valspar Championship, Texas Children’s Houston Open, and Valero Texas Open.

During his post-round press conference, McIlroy provided clarification, explaining that arriving at majors a week early was advice from Jack Nicklaus. He added that he doesn’t plan three-week competitive breaks before every major.

Certainly, McIlroy has earned the right to choose his schedule. However, given his global golf prominence and PGA Tour Enterprises’ for-profit status, it doesn’t help when McIlroy bypasses marquee events while expressing open dislike for other second-tier tournaments fighting for relevance in today’s landscape.

MASTERS’ MASTERY

Augusta National Golf Club and Augusta city have created a special formula making the Masters genuinely unique for all participants.

It starts with municipal pre-planning that virtually eliminates traffic congestion around the course. Backups rarely occur, parking costs nothing, and fans enter stress-free. Once inside, volunteer teams ensure foot traffic flows smoothly throughout the grounds.

While exact ticket distribution numbers remain unknown, even with leaders on Sunday’s back nine, spectators could always find direct views of any player or hole of interest.

Scheffler described the entire Masters experience as “enjoyable” this week, while Couples called Augusta National “the greatest walk you could ever have.”

Stepping onto AGNC property feels like entering sacred, history-rich grounds. The club obviously invests heavily ensuring everyone’s experience within its gates remains enjoyable.

It likely helps having resources from a massive merchandise operation that some press members hear generates approximately $1 million per hour.

AUGUSTA, Georgia – English golfer Justin Rose experienced the sting of another close call at Augusta National this week, but says the overwhelming fan support will provide lasting motivation despite missing out on his first Masters championship.

The 45-year-old veteran golfer momentarily grabbed the lead during Sunday’s final round before falling back to finish in a four-way tie for third place, ending two strokes behind champion Rory McIlroy. This marked another painful near-miss for Rose, who lost to McIlroy in a playoff just one year ago.

Rose, a former U.S. Open winner who has come in second place three times at the Masters, was particularly touched by the reception from spectators as he made his way up the 18th fairway following another disappointing finish.

“I felt like the crowd was amazing to me all week long … I felt their encouragement and support,” Rose commented after the round.

“At the end it kind of goes a little flat. It’s more of a sympathy than anything. But it was still nonetheless very beautiful.

“But, yeah, another little stinger.”

The English golfer started strong with five birdies on the front nine and believed he had positioned himself well to make a serious run at the title before things went sideways at the notorious Amen Corner section of the course.

“I was really in control. First 10 holes, I felt like I was,” Rose explained.

“And the mentality was to run through the finish line not just try and get it done.”

However, damaging bogeys on holes 11 and 12 killed his momentum, and his hopes were effectively ended when he failed to make a short par putt on the 17th hole, sealing another year without the coveted Green Jacket.

“Today I felt like there was an opportunity to do better, so obviously that is frustrating,” Rose admitted.

Despite the disappointment, Rose remains optimistic about his future chances, citing his strong performance over the past two seasons as evidence he can continue competing at golf’s highest level.

“In the last two years I’ve really kind of re-kicked on and re-energized my career and I have a lot of belief in myself that there is a lot of runway ahead,” he said.

“These are the tournaments I focus on. These tournaments are why I practice. These are the tournaments that get me going that extra mile.”

Rose believes Augusta National’s distinctive challenges will continue to favor his game as he ages, pointing to longtime competitors like Fred Couples and Bernhard Langer who have remained competitive at the Masters well into their later years.

“Those guys get around this golf course,” he noted.

When asked about the strong connection he’s formed with Augusta’s galleries, Rose provided a straightforward answer.

“I think people just know I play hard. I try hard. I’ve been close,” he said.

“I think they just appreciate the effort.”

SAN ANTONIO — Denver’s three-time Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic will take the court Sunday evening when the Nuggets face San Antonio in their season finale, marking his 65th appearance to meet NBA award requirements.

San Antonio All-Star Victor Wembanyama will be sidelined for the matchup after securing his eligibility threshold in his last outing.

The Serbian center has appeared in 64 contests this season and carried a questionable designation due to a right wrist injury.

The Nuggets must defeat San Antonio to claim the Western Conference’s third playoff position. Should Denver fall while the Los Angeles Lakers emerge victorious, the Nuggets would slip to fourth place as the Lakers claim third.

League regulations mandate that players participate in a minimum of 65 games to qualify for MVP, All-NBA Team, and Defensive Player of the Year recognition.

Jokic must log at least 15 minutes of playing time against the Spurs to meet the requirement.

NBA policy permits two exceptions where games lasting 15 to 19:59 minutes count toward the official total. Jokic has one such exception available.

“Yeah, he’ll play the first half,” Denver head coach David Adelman stated. “Then we’ll reconvene at halftime and see where he’s at, where the game’s at. It’s what the rules provide. So we’ll follow the rules.”

The center, who captured MVP honors in 2021, 2022 and 2024, has earned All-NBA Team selection in seven of his 11 professional seasons.

Wembanyama reached award qualification by competing in his 65th contest Friday during San Antonio’s 139-120 triumph over Dallas.

The French phenom participated in 64 regular-season contests plus the NBA Cup Final, which doesn’t affect regular-season records or statistics but counts as an official game appearance.

Wembanyama sustained a left rib injury and missed the second half of Monday’s 115-102 win against Philadelphia. He returned Friday to record 40 points and 13 rebounds across 26:13 of action versus Dallas.

He received a questionable listing for injury management purposes and was ruled out following San Antonio’s afternoon walkthrough session.

“Yeah, he’s doing well, but just a little sore and felt it was the appropriate decision,” San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson explained. “He was probably, to be honest, the closest call of the group, but just right in that kind of in between.”

Spurs guard Stephon Castle received an upgrade to available status after missing two games with left foot discomfort.

Masters Tournament officials at Augusta National witnessed an unusual scene Sunday when 2017 champion Sergio Garcia destroyed his driver in a fit of rage, forcing the Spanish golfer to complete his final round without the club.

The incident occurred early in Garcia’s round at the par-five second hole, where he started the day trailing the tournament leaders by 16 strokes and was already one stroke over par. After his tee shot landed in the right fairway bunker, Garcia’s frustration boiled over.

The former Green Jacket winner repeatedly slammed his driver into the ground before breaking the club completely when he struck a nearby cooler next to the tee box.

Tournament regulations prohibited Garcia from replacing the broken driver since the damage resulted from his angry outburst, leaving him to navigate the remaining 16 holes without his longest club.

When reporters asked if his frustration had been mounting, Garcia responded: “Through the year. Yeah. Just obviously not super proud of it, but sometimes it happens.”

The unusual round included a strange moment where spectators saw Garcia carrying fellow competitor Jon Rahm’s golf bag down one of the fairways.

Masters officials approached Garcia at the fourth hole to discuss the incident, though the golfer refused to reveal details of their conversation.

“I’m not going to tell you,” Garcia stated when pressed about the officials’ comments.

Despite the early drama, Garcia managed to salvage par on the second hole where the incident occurred. However, his performance deteriorated throughout the remainder of the round, ultimately finishing eight strokes over par.

When asked about the difficulty of playing without his driver, Garcia offered a sarcastic response: “It makes it very easy. I just have to hit 3-wood all the time. I didn’t have to choose another club.”

Garcia’s performance at Augusta National has declined significantly since his breakthrough victory seven years ago. When questioned about his recent struggles at golf’s first major championship, he provided terse explanations.

“Bad golf,” Garcia said initially.

Reporters seeking more detailed analysis received an equally brief response: “Bad shots.”

“Well, if you don’t hit good shots, you’re not going to score well here. It’s very simple,” Garcia concluded.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy etched his name deeper into golf history Sunday, capturing his second consecutive Masters championship and becoming just the fourth player ever to achieve back-to-back victories at Augusta National.

McIlroy took command during a final round that saw three different golfers hold two-shot leads at various points. The turning moment came at the treacherous Amen Corner, where McIlroy executed a daring shot across Rae’s Creek on the par-3 12th hole, landing within seven feet of the pin for a crucial birdie. He followed that with a thunderous 350-yard drive on the 13th hole that positioned him perfectly for another birdie, extending his advantage to three strokes.

Drama persisted until the final hole, where McIlroy’s wayward tee shot sailed toward the 10th fairway. Despite the miscue, he managed to salvage a bogey with a simple tap-in, finishing with a 1-under 71 and securing a one-shot triumph.

This victory follows McIlroy’s playoff win over Justin Rose last year, which completed his career Grand Slam. By claiming another green jacket, the Northern Irishman joins an exclusive group of consecutive Masters winners that includes Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo, and Jack Nicklaus.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Former Masters champion Sergio Garcia remained tight-lipped with the media following Sunday’s disappointing final round at Augusta National.

However, his explosive behavior on the golf course spoke volumes about his current state of mind.

An early-round breakdown on the second hole resulted in Garcia destroying his driver and earning himself an official conduct violation warning from tournament officials.

The Spanish golfer acknowledged that his outburst stemmed from ongoing struggles this season with his Fireballs team, which currently sits eighth out of 13 teams in LIV Golf competition, rather than issues specific to the Masters tournament.

“Just obviously not super proud of it, but sometimes it happens,” Garcia said.

After dropping a stroke on the opening hole — the first of five bogeys he would record during the round — Garcia stepped up to the tee at the second hole. When his drive headed straight toward a fairway bunker, the golfer immediately took two aggressive swings at the ground in anger.

Still not satisfied after damaging his club, Garcia proceeded to slam the broken driver against a nearby cooling station before completely removing the dangling clubhead himself.

Ironically, the par-5 second hole became the only one among Garcia’s opening four holes where he managed to avoid dropping a shot, as he went on to record bogeys on both the third and fourth holes.

Following his performance on the fourth hole, Augusta National’s competition committee chairman Geoff Yang approached Garcia to deliver the conduct warning.

When asked about Yang’s conversation with him, Garcia declined to elaborate, stating, “I’m not going to tell you.”

Garcia’s final-round 75, three shots over par, left him at 8-over for the tournament and tied for the third-worst score among players who made the weekend cut. Only Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard (10 over) and South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel (12 over) finished with higher scores.

“Well, if you don’t hit good shots, you’re not going to score well here,” Garcia said. “It’s very simple.”

While Garcia’s struggles may have been particularly painful given his status as a former Masters winner, his poor showing continues a troubling pattern at Augusta National. Since capturing the green jacket in 2017, Garcia has failed to make the cut in six of his eight Masters appearances. His best result during that period was a tie for 23rd place in 2022.

The final round at Augusta National has delivered intense drama as Rory McIlroy positioned himself for consecutive Masters victories, currently sitting at 13 under par with a two-stroke advantage over Scheffler and Rose heading into the tournament’s final stretch.

The Northern Irishman regained control of the leaderboard after Justin Rose encountered difficulties on the 12th hole, where mounting tournament pressure appeared to affect his performance. Rose’s chip shot came up short of the green, leading to his second consecutive bogey and allowing McIlroy to reclaim the top position.

Earlier in the round, McIlroy stood at 11 under par while Rose fell into a four-way tie for second place alongside Tyrrell Hatton, Russell Henley, and Cameron Young, all positioned at 10 under.

The leaderboard experienced rapid changes throughout the day, with Rose previously holding sole possession of the lead after sinking a birdie on the eighth hole while Young stumbled with a bogey on the seventh. Rose, who fell to McIlroy in last year’s playoff, had briefly seized the momentum.

Cameron Young emerged as an early threat, establishing a two-shot lead after five holes as he attempted to join an exclusive group. The golfer aimed to become the third consecutive player to capture both the Players Championship and Masters in the same season, following Scottie Scheffler’s 2024 double victory and McIlroy’s matching achievement the previous year.

Young’s strongest Masters performance came in 2023 when he secured a tie for seventh place, making this year’s run particularly significant for the rising star.

The tournament took a dramatic turn when McIlroy suffered a double-bogey on the fourth hole, temporarily handing Young sole possession of the lead at 12 under with a two-shot cushion.

However, McIlroy quickly responded with a birdie on the par-5 third hole, climbing back to 12 under and creating a deadlock with Young after the latter needed a crucial 6-foot putt to salvage par on the same hole.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler remained within striking distance, sitting three shots behind the leaders at 9 under after recording birdies on two of his opening six holes. The two-time Masters champion sought to become the first golfer since Danny Willett in 2016 to claim victory from outside the final pairing.

The final round began with McIlroy and Young sharing the lead at 11 under, after McIlroy surrendered a record-setting 36-hole lead of six strokes during Saturday’s disappointing 73. Young’s exceptional 65 on Saturday, tied for the tournament’s lowest round, propelled him into contention with a one-shot advantage over Sam Burns.

Scheffler entered Sunday’s action four shots behind the leaders at 7 under, immediately making his presence known with a birdie on the challenging par-4 opening hole.

The world’s top-ranked player had mounted an impressive comeback during Saturday’s second round, matching Young’s tournament-best 65 to position himself for a potential third green jacket. This scenario would mark Scheffler’s first come-from-behind victory at Augusta National, contrasting his previous wins where he held leads entering the final round.

Despite ranking first in tee-to-green performance and ballstriking through three rounds, Scheffler’s putting struggles kept him from the lead. The four-time major champion’s near-last ranking on the greens represented his primary obstacle to victory.

Tournament organizers scheduled the final groups strategically, with players at 5 under beginning shortly after 1 p.m. EDT. The progression included notable pairings such as Collin Morikawa with Patrick Reed, followed by Patrick Cantlay and Russell Henley.

Scheffler paired with Haotong Li at 1:52 p.m., while Justin Rose joined Jason Day at 2:03 p.m. Sam Burns and Shane Lowry comprised the penultimate group before McIlroy and Young’s 2:25 p.m. tee time on the 445-yard par-4 first hole.

The tournament featured an unusual incident involving 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia, who destroyed his driver following an angry outburst on the second tee box. After hitting his tee shot into a bunker, Garcia struck a table with his club, severing the driver’s head. Masters officials issued Garcia a code of conduct warning through competitions committee chairman Geoff Yang.

Weather conditions remained consistent with the week’s pattern, featuring hot, dry, and sunny skies that allowed course officials maximum setup flexibility. The forecast suggested challenging conditions with firm, fast greens and demanding pin placements for the final round.

“When greens are firm and targets are tight, even a light wind can add another layer of difficulty,” explained John Feerick, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather. “Players who manage launch, spin and landing spot most effectively may have the clearest edge.”

Off the course, speculation surrounded the future of the popular Masters gnome merchandise, with rumors suggesting this year might mark the final production run. The 13 1/2-inch collectible, featuring a bearded figure in golf attire holding an umbrella and Masters cup, sells for $59.50 at Augusta National but commands over $600 on secondary markets.

Masters chairman Fred Ridley has neither confirmed nor denied the discontinuation rumors, while limited daily availability of 1,000 gnomes continues to create early morning lines as they regularly sell out within an hour of availability.

Milwaukee Brewers star Christian Yelich exited Sunday’s 8-6 defeat against Washington after experiencing left hamstring tightness during the game.

The veteran player was serving as designated hitter and went hitless in two plate appearances before feeling discomfort in his hamstring during his second trip to the plate, manager Pat Murphy explained. Gary Sanchez replaced Yelich as a pinch-hitter in the fifth inning.

Following the game, Murphy shared his pessimistic outlook regarding the injury during his media session.

“We’re most likely to get some bad news on Yelich,” Murphy said.

This season, Yelich has posted a .314 batting average along with one home run and 10 RBIs across 15 contests.

The 34-year-old outfielder captured National League MVP honors in 2018 and has earned two batting titles plus three All-Star selections throughout his career. However, injuries have plagued him in recent seasons, particularly issues with his troublesome back.

Yelich enjoyed a productive 2025 season, hitting .264 with 29 home runs and 103 RBIs over 150 games. His 100-RBI performance marked just the second time in his career he reached that milestone, following his 110 RBIs during his MVP season.

Following five seasons with Miami from 2013-17, Yelich has remained with Milwaukee for the remainder of his major league tenure.

San Diego Padres pitcher Nick Pivetta was forced to exit Sunday’s matchup against the Colorado Rockies during the fourth inning after what appeared to be an arm injury sidelined him from play.

The right-hander had been dealing effectively through the early innings, getting out the first nine batters he encountered, including four strikeouts. Pivetta delivered a 92-mph fastball to batter Edouard Julien that evened the count to 2-2 when the fourth inning began, but team manager Craig Stammen and medical personnel immediately made their way to the pitcher’s mound following that throw.

Following a quick discussion on the field, Pivetta departed the game and headed straight through the tunnel toward San Diego’s locker room area, holding his hand over his mouth as he exited the field.

Relief pitcher Kyle Hart stepped in to replace Pivetta and successfully got out all three batters he faced, maintaining San Diego’s 2-0 advantage through three and a half innings. However, Colorado managed to score twice off Hart during the fifth inning, narrowing the gap to 3-2.

Through four appearances this season, Pivetta carries a 1-2 win-loss record along with a 4.50 earned run average.

Meanwhile, Colorado faced their own pitching complications when their planned starter, left-handed pitcher Kyle Freeland, was pulled during warm-ups due to what the team described as soreness in his left posterior shoulder.

The Colorado Rockies had to make a last-minute pitching change Sunday when Kyle Freeland was unable to take the mound against the San Diego Padres due to discomfort in his left posterior shoulder.

Freeland had been performing well this season with a 1-1 record and 2.30 ERA through his first three outings. Right-handed pitcher Jimmy Herget stepped in to fill the void, marking his second appearance as an opener during this series against the Padres. Herget had previously started Thursday’s contest, delivering a clean first inning.

However, Herget’s Sunday performance didn’t match his earlier success. The Padres managed to score in the opening frame when Manny Machado drove in Ramon Laureano with a sacrifice fly.

Chase Dollander took over pitching duties in the second inning and was expected to handle the majority of the remaining innings as the team’s primary reliever. This marked Dollander’s second bulk relief appearance of the series, having previously thrown 4 1/3 innings on Thursday while giving up just one run.

Iowa State basketball star Milan Momcilovic announced Sunday his intention to pursue the NBA draft while simultaneously placing his name in the transfer portal.

The talented shooter broke school records this season, connecting on 136 three-point shots at an impressive 48.8% clip to lead all college players nationwide. Momcilovic contributed 16.9 points per game across 37 contests for the Cyclones, who secured a No. 2 tournament seed and advanced to the Sweet 16 for the second occasion during his time with the program.

In a social media statement, Momcilovic reflected on his collegiate experience. “The last three years have been the best of my life, and (Iowa State fans) have been a major part of that,” he wrote. “It has always been a dream of mine to play in the NBA.”

“At this time, I’m turning my full focus to the NBA Draft, while also entering my name in the Transfer Portal, with the goal of being in the 2026 NBA Draft,” Momcilovic continued.

The 6-foot-8 forward has accumulated 260 career three-pointers across three collegiate seasons, tying him for second place in Iowa State history alongside Naz Mitrou-Long (2012-17). Jake Sullivan (2000-04) holds the program record with 270 made three-pointers.

Throughout his Cyclones career, Momcilovic posted 13.2 points per game over 102 appearances, starting 101 of those contests.

Head coach T.J. Otzelberger addressed his player’s decision in an official statement. “Milan and I have had meaningful discussions about his future over the last couple of weeks,” Otzelberger explained. “He needs to focus on what is best for him and his family.”

“We can’t thank him enough for what he has done for our program. We look forward to following him as he pursues his dream of playing in the NBA,” the coach added.

Iowa State concluded the season with a 29-8 record before falling to Tennessee in Sweet 16 action.

The University of Louisville basketball program scored a major recruiting victory Sunday when two elite transfer portal prospects announced their commitments following campus visits over the weekend, according to multiple sports media outlets.

Former Kansas center Flory Bidunga and ex-Oregon point guard Jackson Shelstad both pledged to join the Cardinals, with ESPN indicating that Louisville presented the highly-sought players as a combined recruitment package. The network noted that the university was “aggressive in laying out a vision for building (a) championship roster.”

Bidunga brings impressive credentials to Louisville after earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors and being widely regarded as the premier talent available in this transfer cycle. During his sophomore campaign with Kansas, the 6-foot-10, 235-pound athlete posted 13.3 points per game while leading the Jayhawks with 9.0 rebounds and contributing 2.6 blocks across 35 contests, starting 34 times. His shot-blocking prowess ranked him fourth among all Division I players.

Shelstad arrives after three seasons with Oregon, where he established himself as a premier playmaker. This past season, he recorded career-best numbers with 15.6 points and team-leading 4.9 assists while maintaining just 1.8 turnovers per game, though his campaign ended December 28th due to tendon and ligament injuries to his right hand. The previous year, he earned third-team all-Big Ten recognition by averaging 13.7 points and helping Oregon secure a No. 5 NCAA Tournament seed. ESPN ranks him as the ninth-best portal player, while On3 places him 17th.

Under head coach Pat Kelsey, Louisville has reached consecutive NCAA Tournaments but fell to Michigan State in the second round this past March. The Cardinals are seeking their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2015.

The Chicago Sky completed a significant roster move Sunday, obtaining forward Rickea Jackson from the Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for guard Ariel Atkins, according to team announcements.

Jackson, a 25-year-old talent who was selected fourth overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, compiled statistics of 14.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per game across 78 contests (starting 72) during her two-year tenure with Los Angeles. Her scoring average increased to 14.7 points during the most recent season.

Chicago’s general manager Jeff Pagliocca expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition in an official statement: “It’s thrilling to acquire one of the great young talents in this league in Jackson. Rickea is only going to continue to ascend, and the organization is excited to witness that growth firsthand.”

The forward’s arrival addresses the roster gap left after Chicago sent Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream earlier this week.

In additional roster moves, the Sky announced they have secured free agent guard/forward DiJonai Carrington and brought back veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot.

The 28-year-old Carrington brings career statistics of 8.5 points and 3.5 rebounds across 162 games (56 as a starter) with previous stops including Connecticut (2021-24), Dallas (2025), and Minnesota (2025). She contributed 9.8 points per game in 31 appearances last season split between Dallas and Minnesota. Carrington earned WNBA Most Improved Player honors and placed fourth in Defensive Player of the Year consideration in 2024 while with Connecticut.

“We’re thrilled to bring DiJonai to the Sky,” Pagliocca commented. “She brings speed, defense, versatility and a fierce competitive spirit, and we can’t wait to see her electrify Skytown.”

Vandersloot, 37, reportedly agreed to a two-year contract worth $1.5 million to rejoin Chicago while continuing her recovery from an ACL tear suffered last June. The five-time All-Star selection has played 13 of her 15 professional seasons with the Sky and holds the second-highest assist total in league history with 2,886, trailing only Hall of Fame player Sue Bird’s record of 3,234.

“I truly believe the Sky are building something special, which made it a no-brainer to sign back,” Vandersloot stated. “Finishing last season with an injury was disappointing, but I’m eager to be back on the court.”

Atkins became available for trade following Chicago’s signing of seven-time All-Star guard Skylar Diggins on Saturday.

The 29-year-old Atkins posted averages of 13.1 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.4 rebounds in 34 games for Chicago in 2025. She joined the Sky before the 2025 season after spending her initial seven professional years with Washington.

Atkins earned All-Star recognition in both 2021 and 2022. She received first-team All-Defensive honors in 2022 following four consecutive seasons as a second-team selection.

The guard played an important role on Washington’s championship team in 2019.

Throughout her career, Atkins has maintained averages of 13.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.5 steals across 251 games (246 starts). She shoots 36.2% from three-point distance.

Multiple media outlets are reporting that the Sacramento Kings plan to bring back Doug Christie as their head coach for the upcoming 2026-27 season.

Christie wraps up his first full season under a three-year coaching contract he inked with Sacramento on May 1st. The Kings finished with a disappointing 22-59 record, matching Utah for the Western Conference’s poorest performance and ranking fourth-worst across the entire NBA as the regular season concludes Sunday.

The 55-year-old Christie stepped into the interim coaching role on December 27, 2024, following the dismissal of Mike Brown. Sacramento removed the interim designation when they offered him the three-year agreement last May, which sources indicate guarantees two years at roughly $2 million annually.

During his playing career from 1992 to 2007, Christie spent five seasons with the Kings organization, suiting up for more games in Sacramento (355) than with any other franchise across his 15-year NBA tenure. His statistics with the Kings included averages of 10.6 points, 4.3 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game. As Sacramento’s coach, Christie holds a 49-83 record.

Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar will remain behind while his team travels for their next two road contests after suffering facial fractures and a corneal abrasion when struck by a puck during Saturday’s 3-2 overtime defeat against the Vegas Golden Knights.

The 54-year-old coach will be absent from the bench when Colorado faces Calgary on Monday and Edmonton on Tuesday. The injury occurred early in the third period when a puck deflected off Vegas forward Keegan Kolesar’s stick and struck Bednar in the face.

During Bednar’s absence, assistant coaches Dave Hakstol and Nolan Pratt will take charge of the team’s operations for the upcoming road swing.

Since taking the helm of the Avalanche a decade ago, Bednar has compiled a coaching record of 442 wins, 262 losses, and 75 overtime/shootout losses, achieving a .616 winning percentage. His most notable achievement came in 2022 when he guided the franchise to a Stanley Cup championship.

For the first time in Masters Tournament history, a player received a code-of-conduct warning when Sergio Garcia destroyed his driver in a fit of rage on Augusta National’s second hole.

The incident occurred after Garcia opened with a bogey, prompting an explosive tantrum on the second tee. Garcia violently struck his club against the ground twice before swinging it at a nearby table holding a green cooler. The outburst left his driver head barely attached to the shaft, which Garcia then ripped off entirely. Geoff Yang, serving as competitions committee chairman, approached Garcia at the fourth tee to deliver the historic warning.

In other Masters developments, what seemed like a runaway victory for Rory McIlroy has transformed into a wide-open championship race. McIlroy’s commanding six-shot advantage through two rounds has completely disappeared following a disappointing 73 in Saturday’s third round.

McIlroy now shares the lead with Cameron Young entering Sunday’s final round, with six additional players positioned within four strokes. The pairing marks a rare occurrence, as McIlroy ranks second globally while Young sits third. The last time two top-three ranked players competed together in the Masters final group was 2001, featuring Tiger Woods at number one and Phil Mickelson at number two.

In NBA news, Sacramento Kings coach Doug Christie will continue for another complete season despite overseeing one of the franchise’s most disastrous campaigns. According to a source speaking anonymously to The Associated Press, Christie will fulfill the second year of his contract, which includes a team option through 2027-28. The Kings concluded the regular season with a devastating 22-59 record, matching the second-highest loss total in team history.

Manchester City delivered a powerful message in the Premier League title chase, demolishing Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge. Pep Guardiola’s squad now trails leader Arsenal by just six points with a game in hand, perfectly positioned for next weekend’s crucial head-to-head showdown. Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi, and Jeremy Doku found the net during City’s explosive second-half display, capitalizing on Arsenal’s surprising loss to Bournemouth.

The NBA regular season concludes today with teams falling into three distinct categories. Ten franchises including Oklahoma City, Boston, and Cleveland have secured their playoff positions. Another ten teams like Denver, the Lakers, and Miami still have seeding implications to resolve. The remaining clubs are simply playing out meaningless season finales.

Golden State Valkyries strengthened their roster by signing All-Star Gabby Williams to a multi-year contract during WNBA free agency’s second day. Williams posted career-best numbers last season with Seattle, averaging 11.6 points and 4.2 assists while leading the league with 2.3 steals per game. The 29-year-old earned her first All-Star selection and All-Defensive First Team honors, joining a Valkyries franchise that made playoff history as the first expansion team to qualify in their inaugural season.

The baseball world mourns Phil Garner, who passed away Saturday at age 76 following a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Known as “Scrap Iron” for his gritty playing style, Garner enjoyed a 16-year career with Oakland, Pittsburgh, Houston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, earning three All-Star selections. He later managed the Astros to their first World Series appearance.

Chicago Sky acquired promising young talent Rickea Jackson from Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for Ariel Atkins. Jackson, selected fourth overall in the 2024 WNBA draft, contributed 14.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game as a rookie. Chicago had previously designated Atkins with the franchise tag after she averaged 13.1 points in 34 games last season.

This year’s Stanley Cup playoffs guarantee a new champion after defending titlists Florida Panthers missed the postseason due to injuries. Colorado enters as the betting favorite following their dominant regular season and best overall record. However, regular season success rarely translates to playoff glory, making both conferences completely unpredictable.

Jannik Sinner captured his first Monte Carlo Masters title, defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (5), 6-3 to reclaim the world’s number one ranking. The victory marked Sinner’s 27th career title and reduced Alcaraz’s head-to-head advantage to 10-7 in their ongoing “Sincaraz” rivalry. The four-time Grand Slam champion celebrated by dropping to his knees before rushing to embrace his support team.

The Sacramento Kings have decided to retain Doug Christie as their head coach for another complete season, even after experiencing one of the most disappointing campaigns in the organization’s history.

An anonymous source with knowledge of the situation confirmed Sunday that Christie will continue in his role for the second year of his contract, which includes a team option extending through the 2027-28 season. The individual requested anonymity since the organization has not made an official announcement, though The Athletic initially broke the story.

Christie originally stepped into the role on a temporary basis following the dismissal of Mike Brown during the early stages of the 2024-25 campaign. Under Christie’s leadership, Sacramento posted a 27-24 record for the remainder of that season before their playoff hopes ended in the play-in tournament.

Following that season, the Kings brought in Scott Perry as their new general manager and chose to keep Christie as the permanent head coach. However, this past season proved far more challenging, as injuries to crucial players including Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, and DeAndre Hunter severely impacted the team’s performance from the beginning.

By mid-February, Sacramento held the NBA’s worst record at 12-46, which included a devastating 16-game losing streak. The team managed to show improvement in their final games, posting a 10-13 record leading up to Sunday’s season finale, though this late surge may negatively impact their draft lottery position. Currently, the Kings share the league’s fourth-worst record with Utah.

Entering Sunday’s final game against Portland, Sacramento’s 59 losses represent the second-highest total in franchise history, trailing only the 65 losses recorded during the 2008-09 season. While rookies Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud, and Dylan Cardwell provided bright spots, the organization is counting on lottery luck to secure a foundational player after trading away star point guard De’Aaron Fox during the previous season.

The Kings’ playoff drought continues, having reached the postseason only once over the past two decades – a first-round exit to Golden State in 2023 during Brown’s inaugural season as head coach.

Since Vivek Ranadive became the team’s owner in 2013, Sacramento has compiled the NBA’s fourth-worst overall record. During this period, the franchise has cycled through five top executives and nine different head coaches, including interim appointments.

Phil Garner, the tenacious All-Star infielder who earned the nickname ‘Scrap Iron’ and later guided the Houston Astros to their inaugural World Series appearance, passed away Saturday at age 76.

Family members announced Sunday that Garner had succumbed to pancreatic cancer after battling the disease for more than two years.

“Phil never lost his signature spark of life,” his son Ty said in a family statement. “He was so well known for or his love for baseball, which was with him until the end.”

The hard-nosed competitor earned his ‘Scrap Iron’ moniker through his gritty, workmanlike style during a 16-season playing career that spanned five teams: the Oakland Athletics (1973-76), Pittsburgh Pirates (1977-81), Houston Astros (1981-87), Los Angeles Dodgers (1987), and San Francisco Giants (1988).

Garner’s finest moment as a player came during Pittsburgh’s remarkable 1979 World Series championship run. He appeared in 150 games that season with an .800 OPS, then delivered clutch performances in the postseason. He hit .417 during the Pirates’ National League Championship Series sweep of Cincinnati and was even better in the World Series, batting .500 with 12 hits in 24 at-bats as Pittsburgh overcame a 3-1 series deficit to defeat Baltimore.

His excellence earned him All-Star selections three times – once with Oakland in 1976 and twice with Pittsburgh in 1980 and 1981.

“Phil Garner was a fierce competitor, a respected leader, and a cherished part of the Pirates family,” Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said in a statement. “His contributions to the 1979 World Series championship team will forever be part of Pirates history. We always appreciated welcoming Phil back to Pittsburgh, and it was evident how deeply this city, this team, his teammates, and our fans meant to him.”

“He will be remembered not only for the grit, passion, and heart he brought to the game, but also for the way he carried himself as a devoted family man and respected member of the baseball community.”

Throughout his playing career, Garner compiled a .260 batting average with 109 home runs, 738 RBIs, and 225 stolen bases across 1,860 regular-season contests. His versatility allowed him to start more than 700 games at both second base and third base.

After retiring as a player, Garner transitioned into managing and spent 15 years leading major league clubs. His managerial record stood at 985-1,054 across stints with Milwaukee (1992-99), Detroit (2000-02), and Houston (2004-07). He held Milwaukee’s record for most managerial victories until Craig Counsell broke it in 2022.

“He was a very highly respected and beloved individual who was known for his caring nature, wisdom and sense of humor,” the Brewers organization stated.

Garner took control of the Astros during the 2004 season following Jimy Williams’ dismissal and immediately turned the team around with a 48-26 record over the final months. Houston finished 92-70, defeated Atlanta in the NL Division Series, but squandered a 3-2 advantage against St. Louis in the NL Championship Series.

The following season brought Garner’s greatest managerial achievement. He led the Astros to an 89-73 record and guided them through victories over Atlanta in the NLDS and St. Louis in the NLCS, earning their first-ever World Series berth before falling to the Chicago White Sox in a four-game sweep.

A Tennessee native, Garner excelled at the University of Tennessee, which honored him by retiring his No. 18 jersey in 2009.

Former Major League Baseball player and manager Phil Garner has died at the age of 76 following a battle with pancreatic cancer, his family announced Sunday.

Garner passed away Saturday evening surrounded by loved ones after fighting the disease for more than two years, according to a family statement released Sunday.

“(He) passed away peacefully last night, April 11, surrounded by family and love after a two-plus-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Phil never lost his signature spark of life he was so well known for or his love for baseball which was with him until the end,” the family said.

Garner received his cancer diagnosis in February 2024.

Known by the nickname “Scrap Iron” for his aggressive style of play, Garner earned three All-Star selections during a 16-year playing career that spanned from 1973 to 1988.

The versatile infielder finished his career with a .260 batting average, 109 home runs, and 738 RBIs across 1,860 games. He played for the Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Francisco Giants. Garner was part of Pittsburgh’s 1979 “We are Family” championship squad that captured the World Series title.

After his playing days ended, Garner transitioned to managing, leading the Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers, and Houston Astros to a combined 985-1,054 record. His most notable achievement as a skipper came in 2005 when he replaced Jimy Williams and guided the Astros to their first National League pennant, though they fell to the Chicago White Sox in a four-game World Series sweep.

The Astros paid tribute to Garner on what would have been his 76th birthday, April 30, 2025, inviting him to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before their game against Detroit.

During his tenure with Milwaukee from 1992-99, Garner compiled a 563-617 record across seven and a half seasons.

“The Brewers are saddened to learn of the passing of former manager Phil Garner,” Milwaukee said in an official statement. “Following a distinguished playing career, Phil served as our manager from 1992-99 and went on to manage the second-most games in franchise history.”

“He was a very highly respected and beloved individual who was known for his caring nature, wisdom and sense of humor. Our deepest condolences go out to Phil’s wife, Carol, and all of his family, friends and fans,” the Brewers added.

The Columbus Aviators will take the field Sunday without their head coach after Ted Ginn Jr. was arrested on driving while intoxicated charges in Texas over the weekend.

The former NFL receiver was taken into custody Saturday and processed at the Tarrant County jail around 3:30 p.m. local time before posting bond and being released at 8 p.m. that same day.

Ginn, who celebrated his 41st birthday on Sunday, was brought on to lead the Aviators during their first season after being hired in December. The former Ohio State second-team All-American addressed the incident through social media.

“I want to address the situation that took place over the weekend. I made a serious mistake and take full responsibility for my actions. I’ve always believed in accountability and now it’s my turn to live that standard,” Ginn said in a post on his X account.

“I understand the responsibility that comes with being a leader & role model, and falling short of this is not something I take lightly. I’m committed to learning from this, making better decisions, and earning back the trust of my players, our organization, and the fans.

“I appreciate the support of my family and the United Football League, and I respect the process as it moves forward. My focus now is on taking the necessary steps to grow from this and represent the Columbus Aviators and this community the right way.”

With Ginn unavailable, offensive coordinator Todd Haley will step in as interim head coach for Sunday’s matchup against Dallas in Frisco, Texas, according to a UFL announcement.

UFL president and CEO Russ Brandon acknowledged the situation in an official statement.

“We are aware of an incident involving Head Coach Ted Ginn Jr. over the weekend and are in the process of gathering more information,” Brandon said.

The struggling Aviators enter the contest winless at 0-2, having dropped both games since the franchise began play under Ginn’s leadership. Before transitioning to coaching, Ginn enjoyed a 14-season NFL career as a receiver, recording 412 catches for 5,742 yards and 33 touchdowns while playing for Miami (2007-09), San Francisco (2010-12), Carolina (2013, 2015-16), Arizona (2014), New Orleans (2017-19) and Chicago (2020). He also contributed seven return touchdowns and two rushing scores during his professional playing career.

All-Star basketball player Kelsey Plum has committed to staying with the Los Angeles Sparks for another season, accepting a contract worth $999,999 according to ESPN’s Sunday report.

The veteran guard chose to take approximately $400,000 less than her maximum eligible salary of $1.4 million, deliberately providing the Sparks with additional roster-building flexibility under the salary cap.

During her debut season in Los Angeles, the 31-year-old Plum posted impressive numbers, scoring an average of 19.5 points while dishing out 5.7 assists per game across 43 contests, starting every single matchup.

Throughout her professional career, Plum has maintained solid production with career averages of 15.1 points and 4.3 assists across 278 games, including 236 as a starter. She entered the league as the first overall selection in the 2017 WNBA Draft when she was picked by what was then the San Antonio Stars franchise, which later became the Las Vegas Aces.

The accomplished guard brings championship experience to Los Angeles, having captured two WNBA titles and earning four All-Star selections during her career that began after her college days at the University of Washington.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder and designated hitter George Springer has been added to the 10-day injured list following a fractured big toe sustained during Saturday’s matchup with the Minnesota Twins.

The injury occurred when Springer made contact with an 0-1 pitch from Twins pitcher Joe Ryan, sending the ball directly into his left foot. Despite the painful collision, the veteran player completed his at-bat, ultimately grounding out to the third baseman before being substituted by Myles Straw in the sixth inning.

To fill the roster spot, Toronto has brought up outfielder Eloy Jimenez from their Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons.

The 36-year-old Springer has struggled at the plate this season, posting a .185 batting average with two home runs and six RBIs across 14 games. Since joining Toronto in 2022, he has maintained excellent durability, appearing in no fewer than 133 games each season.

Springer began his major league career with the Houston Astros, where he played from 2014 through 2020. His standout achievement came in 2017 when he captured World Series MVP honors during Houston’s championship run.

Throughout his professional career, the outfielder has compiled a .266 batting average alongside 295 home runs and 802 RBIs.

Meanwhile, Jimenez, age 29, has recorded a .257 batting average with one home run and five RBIs through 11 games with Buffalo this season.

A fresh Stanley Cup champion is guaranteed this season following the defending Florida Panthers’ elimination from playoff contention due to injury troubles.

Florida isn’t alone among traditional powerhouses missing the postseason, while approximately six new teams have secured spots in the 16-team tournament. The Buffalo Sabres are among those newcomers, and Pittsburgh has returned to playoff action.

Colorado has shown exceptional performance throughout the season since October, entering as the top contender after securing the league’s best regular season record. However, regular season success rarely translates to Cup victory after four playoff rounds, making both Eastern and Western Conference outcomes highly unpredictable.

“Every team in the playoffs can win,” Dallas Stars defenseman Tyler Myers said. “Every series is a tough series. That’s what’s so amazing about the NHL playoffs: It brings out the best in everybody, in every team, and it creates an unbelievable battle no matter who’s playing.”

Buffalo concluded the NHL’s longest postseason absence at 14 years, achieving this milestone despite losing 18 of their initial 29 contests.

“It’s something that we strived for from Day One,” said Lindy Ruff, who is among the favorites to be coach of the year. “You’ve got to feel good about getting there. It’s hard. We’re in a division that’s been extremely hard to get there. You’ve got to look back and say that we did a lot of good things to get to this point.”

Buffalo appears capable of making significant impact in the Eastern Conference without Florida’s presence, having performed exceptionally well since the Olympic break.

Pittsburgh also finished strong, earning their first playoff berth since 2022 under first-year head coach Dan Muse. Despite being 6-1 longshots on BetMGM Sportsbook in October, the Penguins’ veteran core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang secured another postseason opportunity.

“A lot of people doubted us and I guess counted us out, and it just put fuel on the fire for us,” said defenseman Ryan Shea, who’s set to make his NHL playoff debut at 29. “I’ve been in the playoffs in the AHL, which was fun, but this is the best league in the world.”

Utah reached the playoffs in just their second season since relocating to Salt Lake City. Anaheim also qualified with their developing roster under three-time Cup winner Joel Quenneville.

Colorado rightfully holds championship favorite status. Nathan MacKinnon stands as a potential MVP candidate, Cale Makar could claim top defenseman honors, and Nazem Kadri’s trade deadline return provides the depth necessary for another Denver celebration, four years after their previous title.

However, they must navigate either Dallas or Minnesota in the second round just to reach the Western Conference finals.

“Confident for sure: Believe in this group. I know we have what it takes,” captain Gabriel Landeskog said. “It’s going to be a long, tough road and mentally, physically grinding. I think we’re ready for it.”

The Dallas-Minnesota opening matchup creates immediate excitement, featuring two top-seven teams in a series guaranteeing one elite squad’s early elimination by mid-May. This results from the division-based format that Commissioner Gary Bettman credits with creating superior first-round competition.

“That makes for great matchups,” Bettman said. “If you’re a fan of the game and you’re looking for excitement, you’re looking to be entertained, you’re looking for intriguing stories, this format does it.”

Multiple U.S. Olympic gold medalists have opportunities to add Stanley Cup victories to their 2024 achievements.

Colorado’s Brock Nelson contributed 30 goals after his Olympic performance in Milan. Carolina’s Jaccob Slavin, Buffalo’s Tage Thompson, Tampa Bay’s Jake Guentzel, Minnesota’s Matt Boldy, Quinn Hughes and Brock Faber, Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson all remain in contention, alongside goaltenders Jeremy Swayman from Boston and Dallas’ Jake Oettinger.

Canadian stars view their Olympic silver medals as disappointments and seek redemption. This includes Edmonton’s Connor McDavid following consecutive Cup final defeats, and Crosby, whose injury prevented him from playing in the gold medal game as he pursues a fourth NHL championship.

“That’s the best time of year,” Crosby said. “That’s why you play.”

AUGUSTA, Georgia — The stage is set for a thrilling finale at Augusta National as defending Masters champion Rory McIlroy prepares to battle Cameron Young for the green jacket after watching his massive lead disappear in dramatic fashion on Saturday.

McIlroy, the world’s second-ranked golfer, entered Saturday’s third round with a historic six-stroke advantage — the biggest 36-hole cushion in Masters tournament history. However, the Northern Ireland star struggled on what should have been a scoring day, posting a disappointing 73 while Young mounted an incredible comeback charge.

Young, who started the day trailing by eight strokes, delivered a masterful 65 that stands as one of the most impressive Saturday performances in Masters lore. The world No. 3 golfer becomes the first player in tournament history to erase a deficit of eight or more shots after two rounds to share the lead heading into the final day.

Both players now stand at 11-under par as they prepare for Sunday’s final round, scheduled to begin at 2:25 p.m. under clear skies.

For McIlroy, who captured his first Masters title last year to complete golf’s career Grand Slam, Sunday represents a chance at rare history. A victory would place him among just four golfers to win consecutive Masters tournaments, with Tiger Woods being the last to accomplish the feat in 2001-2002. McIlroy has maintained the lead or shared it after each round this week, attempting to join the exclusive group of just three wire-to-wire winners at Augusta in the past 45 years.

Young enters Sunday chasing his first major championship, having established himself as a force with his remarkable third-round surge that rewrote Masters record books.

The final pairing marks only the second time in Masters history that the last group on Sunday features two players from the world’s top three rankings.

Several other contenders remain within striking distance. Sam Burns sits just one shot behind the leaders, while Ireland’s Shane Lowry — who recorded the tournament’s 35th hole-in-one on Saturday — trails by two strokes in fourth place.

Jason Day and 2025 Masters runner-up Justin Rose find themselves three shots back, tied for fifth position. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler surged back into contention with his own seven-under 65 on Saturday, matching the day’s best score to position himself four shots off the lead alongside China’s Li Haotong.

With multiple storylines converging and golf history hanging in the balance, Augusta National appears poised to host a memorable championship Sunday.

The Golden State Valkyries announced Sunday they have secured All-Star forward Gabby Williams with a multi-year contract agreement.

Financial details of Williams’ new deal remain undisclosed by the franchise. The 29-year-old athlete previously played four seasons with the Seattle Storm.

“For a player of Gabby’s caliber to choose us in just our second year … means everything,” Valkyries general manager Ohemaa Nyanin said in a statement. “She is world-class. One of the best defenders in the world, an WNBA All-Star, and someone who makes everyone around her better.”

During the previous season, Williams achieved personal milestones with 11.6 points, 4.2 assists, and 2.3 steals per game across 44 contests, starting every matchup.

The 2025 All-Star selection accumulated 99 steals throughout the season, falling just short of Teresa Weatherspoon’s league record of 100 steals established in 1998.

Since entering the league as Chicago Sky’s fourth overall draft selection from the University of Connecticut in 2018, Williams has compiled averages of 8.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists across 191 career appearances, including 135 as a starter.

CF Montreal terminated head coach Marco Donadel from his position on Sunday morning following the team’s struggling performance this season.

Philippe Eullaffroy has been named temporary head coach for CF Montreal, which holds a 1-6-0 record with just three points and sits in second-to-last place in the Eastern Conference. The team suffered a 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night.

Saturday’s victory marked Philadelphia Union’s first win of the current season.

According to CF Montreal’s announcement, assistant coaches Jacopo Falanga and Lorenzo Pinzauti have also been dismissed from the organization.

The club had promoted Donadel from interim status to permanent head coach on October 21st.

The 42-year-old Donadel initially stepped into the interim coaching role on March 24, 2025, when Montreal dismissed Laurent Courtois after the team started that season with an 0-4-1 record.

The Italian-born Donadel spent four seasons as a player with Montreal between 2015 and 2018, then rejoined the organization as an assistant coach on December 29, 2024.

MONTE CARLO – Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner captured his fourth consecutive Masters 1000 championship on Sunday, defeating Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(5) 6-3 in the Monte Carlo Masters final to regain his position as the world’s top-ranked player.

The two tennis stars hadn’t competed against each other in almost five months, with their previous encounter being Sinner’s victory over Alcaraz at the ATP Finals championship match. Playing in windy weather conditions, the Italian once again emerged victorious after a match that lasted two hours and 15 minutes.

This latest triumph marks Sinner’s fourth consecutive Masters 1000 championship, following his previous wins in Paris, Indian Wells, and Miami before transitioning to Monte Carlo’s distinctive red clay surface. The victory brings his total Masters series titles to eight overall.

TCU basketball star Olivia Miles has made history by becoming the first upcoming rookie to join Unrivaled, the professional 3×3 basketball league, ahead of Monday’s WNBA Draft where she’s projected as an early pick.

The 5-foot-10 guard has inked a multi-year contract with the league, though financial terms were not disclosed. Miles is scheduled to begin playing in Unrivaled’s 2027 season next winter. The league, now entering its third year, was established by WNBA standouts Naphessa Collier and Breanna Stewart.

“I couldn’t be more excited to join the long list of incredible players playing in Unrivaled,” Miles stated in Sunday’s announcement. “This league is building something special for the women’s game and I’m excited to be a part of its long-term growth. I can’t wait to hit the floor next winter to compete alongside the absolute best in the world.”

The New Jersey native completed four years at Notre Dame before making the move to TCU for her final season of college eligibility in 2025-26. Under her leadership, the Horned Frogs secured an NCAA Tournament berth but were eliminated by eventual national runner-up South Carolina, 78-52, in the Sweet 16 round.

Miles earned second-team Associated Press All-American honors for the third straight year, posting impressive statistics with 19.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game this season.

Jack Eichel delivered the decisive goal just 1:19 into the extra period, propelling the Vegas Golden Knights into the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory against the Colorado Avalanche in Denver on Saturday evening.

The veteran center collected the puck in Colorado’s defensive zone, maneuvered along the left wing, and fired a shot from the faceoff circle that beat netminder Mackenzie Blackwood for the game-deciding tally. This triumph secured Vegas’s eighth postseason qualification in their nine-year franchise history.

Mark Stone and Pavel Dorofeyev contributed the other goals for Vegas, while goaltender Carter Hart turned aside 30 shots in the winning effort.

Nick Blankenburg and Devon Toews found the net for the Central Division-leading Avalanche, who have already secured the Presidents’ Trophy. Blackwood made 26 saves in the losing cause.

Lightning 2, Bruins 1

Defenseman Emil Lilleberg netted a crucial rebound with 1:35 remaining in regulation, lifting visiting Tampa Bay past Boston in a tight contest. Despite the setback, the Bruins still secured their playoff position later that evening.

Following Boston’s failure to clear the puck from their zone, Lilleberg capitalized on Jake Guentzel’s shot attempt to give Tampa Bay the victory. The Lightning ended a three-game losing streak, while Boston punched their playoff ticket when Detroit fell to New Jersey.

Brandon Hagel also tallied for Tampa Bay, and Andrei Vasilevskiy recorded 19 saves for the Lightning, who overcame a 1-0 third-period deficit for their 23rd comeback victory of the campaign. Morgan Geekie scored for Boston, and Jeremy Swayman stopped 22 shots for the Bruins, who are winless in their past five contests (0-3-2).

Senators 3, Islanders 0

Ridly Greig converted a short-handed opportunity in the opening frame, and Jake Sanderson added a power-play marker in the final period as Ottawa blanked New York in Elmont, N.Y.

Michael Amadio sealed the victory with an empty-net goal late in regulation, while Linus Ullmark earned the shutout by stopping all 23 shots he faced. The Senators extended their winning streak to four games and later clinched their second consecutive playoff berth when New Jersey defeated Detroit.

Ilya Sorokin made 13 saves for the Islanders (43-32-5, 91 points), who failed to convert on five power-play opportunities. New York dropped to 1-1-0 under new head coach Peter DeBoer and suffered their fifth loss in six games.

Kings 1, Oilers 0

Anton Forsberg delivered a stellar 27-save performance for Los Angeles against visiting Edmonton, recording his third shutout this season and 11th of his 11-year NHL career.

Artemi Panarin provided the game’s only scoring for the Kings, who captured their fourth consecutive victory to maintain their grip on the second wild-card position in the Western Conference with three games left to play.

Connor Ingram turned away 20 shots for Edmonton, who secured their playoff spot thanks to Winnipeg’s defeat. The Oilers suffered their third 1-0 loss this season and fell to 1-2-1 over their last four outings.

Hurricanes 4, Utah 1

Andrei Svechnikov and Jordan Staal scored opening-period goals as Carolina defeated Utah in Salt Lake City.

The victory moved Carolina four points ahead of idle Buffalo for the top seed in the Eastern Conference, with both teams having two games remaining. Sebastian Aho and Sean Walker also scored, while Nikolaj Ehlers, Jordan Martinook, and Shayne Gostisbehere each contributed two assists. Frederik Andersen made 26 saves in his first career start and victory against Utah.

Dylan Guenther scored for Utah, and Karel Vejmelka stopped 26 shots as the team’s five-game winning streak came to an end. Utah maintains the top wild-card position in the Western Conference, holding a three-point advantage over Los Angeles with both clubs having three games to play.

Stars 2, Rangers 0

Jason Robertson scored a power-play goal with 7:11 left in regulation, leading Dallas to victory over visiting New York.

Robertson added an empty-net goal with 59 seconds remaining to tie teammate Wyatt Johnston for the team lead with 44 goals. The victory, combined with Minnesota’s loss to Nashville, secured home-ice advantage for Dallas against the Wild in their first-round playoff matchup.

Jake Oettinger posted his fourth shutout of the season and second in his last four starts, making 22 saves to win his fourth straight game. Igor Shesterkin kept New York competitive, stopping 17 of 18 shots.

Capitals 6, Penguins 3

Ilya Protas scored his first NHL goal and added two assists as visiting Washington kept their playoff hopes alive with a victory over a short-handed Pittsburgh squad.

Ryan Leonard scored twice, while Aliaksei Protas and Tom Wilson each contributed a goal and an assist for the Capitals, who remain three points behind Philadelphia for third place in the Metropolitan Division.

Anthony Mantha, Noel Acciari, and Kevin Hayes scored for Pittsburgh, who were missing Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and other key contributors due to day-to-day injuries.

Devils 5, Red Wings 3

Jesper Bratt’s second goal broke a late third-period tie as New Jersey rallied for a victory over host Detroit.

The defeat eliminated Detroit from playoff contention. Bratt also added an assist, Jack Hughes recorded a goal and an assist, and Cody Glass and Dawson Mercer also found the net for New Jersey, whose playoff hopes ended earlier this week. Jake Allen made 25 saves.

Emmitt Finnie had a goal and an assist, while defenseman Justin Faulk and David Perron also scored for Detroit, which is 2-5-1 in its last eight games. Dylan Larkin contributed two assists, and John Gibson made 28 saves.

Additional Results:

Steven Stamkos had a goal and an assist as Nashville defeated visiting Minnesota 2-1, staying within a point of Los Angeles for the final Western Conference wild-card spot.

Charlie Coyle scored twice as Columbus kept playoff hopes alive with a 5-2 road victory over Montreal, moving within two points of Philadelphia in the Metropolitan Division.

Sean Couturier had two goals and an assist as Philadelphia moved closer to a playoff berth with a 7-1 rout of host Winnipeg.

Vancouver defeated San Jose 4-3 in a shootout, with Macklin Celebrini recording his 109th and 110th points of the season for the Sharks.

St. Louis held off Chicago 5-3, Seattle defeated Calgary 4-1, and Florida topped Toronto 6-2 in other Saturday action.

The Baltimore Orioles evened their series against San Francisco with a commanding 6-2 victory on Saturday evening, powered by Gunnar Henderson’s ongoing home run streak and strong pitching from their bullpen.

Henderson’s latest long ball extends his remarkable start to the season, bringing his total to six home runs. Four of those have come in just his past five games, tying him with St. Louis’ Jordan Walker for the major league lead.

Jeremiah Jackson also contributed a home run for Baltimore, while Colton Cowser collected two hits and Coby Mayo knocked in a pair of runs. Relief pitcher Grant Wolfram earned his first victory of the season with a scoreless inning of work, leading a group of five relievers who followed starter Chris Bassitt.

San Francisco saw their three-game winning streak come to an end despite solid offensive contributions from Heliot Ramos, who drove in two runs, and Jung Hoo Lee, who recorded two hits. The Giants had surrendered only three runs during their winning streak. Starting pitcher Logan Webb took the loss after allowing four runs on five hits and three walks over six innings while striking out six batters.

In other Saturday action, Seattle rallied from five runs down to defeat Houston 8-7 on J.P. Crawford’s walk-off single with the bases loaded in the ninth inning. Julio Rodriguez had his first two extra-base hits of the season with a double and home run.

Philadelphia snapped a three-game skid by beating Arizona 4-3 behind consecutive home runs from Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper in the third inning. The back-to-back blasts helped Taijuan Walker secure his first win of the campaign.

Washington handed Milwaukee its fourth straight defeat with a 3-1 victory, as James Wood doubled home two runs and Foster Griffin combined with three relievers on a two-hitter. The Brewers managed just one hit until William Contreras homered to open the ninth.

Detroit’s Riley Greene drove in four runs with a homer and single in a 6-1 triumph over Miami. Greene has reached base safely in all 15 games this season and leads a Tigers offense that has won two consecutive games after dropping five straight.

Pittsburgh prevailed 4-3 in 11 innings over Chicago when a throwing error by Cubs pitcher Caleb Thielbar allowed Nick Gonzales to score the deciding run. Oneil Cruz went 4-for-5 with three stolen bases for the Pirates.

Tampa Bay outlasted the Yankees 5-4 in 10 innings as Jonathan Aranda chopped an infield single against a five-man infield to drive home the winning run. The Rays scored twice in the extra frame without hitting a ball out of the infield.

Minnesota defeated Toronto 7-4 behind Trevor Larnach’s three-run homer and seven effective innings from Joe Ryan. Blue Jays outfielder George Springer suffered a fractured left big toe after fouling a ball off his foot.

Kansas City recorded its second consecutive 2-0 shutout victory over Chicago, with Michael Wacha striking out seven over eight innings and Maikel Garcia hitting a leadoff home run.

Oakland’s Tyler Soderstrom homered twice in an 11-6 victory over the Mets, including a three-run blast in the eighth inning. The Athletics have won four straight games and five of their last six.

Cleveland blanked Atlanta 6-0 as rookie Parker Messick continued his impressive start with 6⅔ strong innings. Jose Ramirez provided the early offense with a first-inning home run.

Cincinnati evened its series with Los Angeles Angels by winning 7-3, highlighted by Spencer Steer’s home run and Nathaniel Lowe’s three-run double.

Boston dominated St. Louis 7-1 as Ranger Suarez scattered three hits over six scoreless innings. Jordan Walker hit his sixth homer for the Cardinals, tying him for the major league lead.

San Diego overcame an early 4-0 deficit to defeat Colorado 9-5, with home runs from Manny Machado and Ramon Laureano leading the comeback effort.

Los Angeles Dodgers jumped on Texas early with a four-run first inning, featuring a leadoff homer from Shohei Ohtani and a three-run shot from Teoscar Hernandez, in a 6-3 victory over the Rangers.

UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed that a heavyweight bout featuring Derrick Lewis and Josh Hokit will join the UFC Freedom 250 lineup scheduled for the White House this summer, following a direct request from President Donald Trump.

The matchup pairs Lewis, who maintains a 29-13 mixed martial arts record and holds the UFC’s knockout record with 16 finishes, against Hokit, an undefeated fighter at 9-0 who secured a victory over Curtis Blaydes during Saturday’s UFC 327 event in Miami. This bout will serve as the seventh contest on the June 14 card, which celebrates America’s 250th anniversary.

During Saturday’s post-event press conference, White revealed that Trump, who attended the Miami event, questioned Lewis’s absence from the White House lineup.

“I’m sure you guys just saw the Hokit fight,” White explained. “About an hour ago, the president leans over to me and says, ‘Why is Derrick Lewis not on the White House card?’ and I said, ‘Hold on, Mr. President.’ I stepped away and called Derrick Lewis and said, ‘Derrick, the president just asked why you’re not on the card. Do you want to fight on the White House card?’ He said, ‘Of course.’”

According to White, the bout was finalized moments later when he spoke with Hokit following his unanimous decision victory, which extended his UFC winning streak to 3-0.

Dallas Wings officials announced Saturday evening they have acquired free agent forward Alanna Smith, who earned co-Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2025 alongside Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson.

According to ESPN, the 29-year-old player has committed to a three-year maximum deal, as confirmed by her representative Sammy Wloszczowski from Sports International Group agency. Smith previously played two seasons with the Minnesota Lynx.

The 6-foot-4 forward not only claimed the prestigious defensive award but also earned a spot on the All-Defensive first team in 2025, following her second-team selection the previous year.

During the 2025 season, Smith recorded impressive defensive statistics, finishing third league-wide in blocked shots with 80 and tying for tenth in steals with 55. Her contributions helped Minnesota achieve the WNBA’s top regular-season record at 34-10 while maintaining the second-best scoring defense at 76.7 points per game.

Wings general manager Curt Miller praised the acquisition in an official statement: “As the reigning Co-Defensive Player of the Year, she is one of the top two-way players in the WNBA who consistently impacts both sides of the ball. From a defensive standpoint, Alanna gives our coaching staff unbelievable versatility — she can play multiple coverages and drastically affect shots around the paint. Offensively — we are excited to pair her with our outstanding guards, showcasing her ability to play inside or outside.”

Smith’s 2025 regular season performance included averages of 9.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.9 blocks across 26.5 minutes per game in 42 starts for Minnesota. Her playoff contributions featured 6.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.5 blocks over 23.5 minutes in six postseason appearances.

Throughout her professional career, the Australian native has compiled averages of 7.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.2 blocks across 20.9 minutes per game in 183 regular-season contests. Her journey has included stops with Phoenix Mercury (2019-21), Indiana Fever (2022), Chicago Sky (2023), and most recently Minnesota (2024-25), with 117 career starts.

Smith expressed gratitude for her Minnesota experience through a social media post: “It’s hard to put into words what my time in Minnesota has meant to me. This team and this city embraced me and I am so grateful for all the love and support and how this Aussie girl was welcomed with open arms. Forever will hold a special place in my heart.”

The Phoenix Mercury originally selected Smith as the eighth overall pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft following her collegiate career at Stanford University.

MIAMI — Before any fighters stepped into the octagon Saturday evening, President Donald Trump became the center of attention at UFC 327 in Miami.

The president made his entrance at the Kaseya Center around 9 p.m., arriving to catch the light heavyweight championship match featuring Jiri Prochazka against Carlos Ulberg. Trump’s entourage included Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White and multiple Trump family members.

With Kid Rock’s music pumping through the venue’s sound system, Trump made his way to his ringside seat where Secretary of State Marco Rubio awaited his arrival. U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor was also positioned nearby.

The president took time to interact with fight fans on the arena floor, making sure to personally acknowledge Joe Rogan, the popular podcast host who serves as a color commentator for UFC events.

Throughout the evening, Trump appeared comfortable in front of the cameras, flashing smiles for photographers and videographers.

Before reaching the venue, Trump’s Truth Social platform shared what looked like promotional material for a potential UFC event scheduled for the White House on June 14, which would coincide with Trump’s 80th birthday celebration.

Spectators gathered outside the arena to record video footage of the presidential motorcade as it arrived at the facility.

The main event featured Ulberg (14-1-0) facing off against Prochazka (32-5-1) after former champion Alex Pereira gave up his title to pursue the interim heavyweight championship at UFC Freedom 250, set for the White House.

The evening’s co-main event showcased light heavyweights Azamat Murzakanov (16-0-0) against Paulo Costa (15-4-0) in what could serve as an elimination bout to determine the next challenger for whoever emerges victorious from the Ulberg-Prochazka matchup.

In heavyweight action, fifth-ranked Curtis Blaydes (19-5-0) squared off against unbeaten Josh Hokit (8-0-0).

The card also featured a light heavyweight clash between 10th-ranked Reyes (15-5-0) and 12th-ranked Johnny Walker (22-9-0).

In featherweight competition, veteran Cub Swanson (31-14-0) defeated Nate Landwehr (18-8-0).

University of Illinois first-year basketball player Keaton Wagler announced Saturday via social media that he plans to enter the 2026 NBA Draft following a record-breaking freshman campaign.

The guard, who earned consensus second-team All-American honors, helped guide the Fighting Illini to a 28-9 season record and the program’s first Final Four appearance in nearly two decades.

“This past year has been the journey of a lifetime,” Wagler wrote on his Instagram account. “I never could have imagined what this season had in store for us. Our Final Four run is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

The 6-foot-6 player from Shawnee, Kansas, made history as the first freshman in Illinois basketball history to receive consensus All-America recognition. The university plans to honor his jersey at State Farm Center in Champaign.

Wagler posted impressive statistics throughout the season, leading Illinois with 17.9 points per game and 4.2 assists while starting every contest across 37 games. He also contributed 5.1 rebounds per game, shot 44.5% from the floor, and connected on 39.7% of his three-point attempts, recording 34 steals total.

His freshman campaign set new program milestones for first-year players, including total points scored (663) and points per game average. He also matched the freshman record for three-pointers made with 87.

Among his accolades, Wagler received the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year award, earned first-team All-Big Ten recognition, and was named the conference’s top freshman.

“The Illini fans are the best in the world,” Wagler wrote. “I’ll never forget the feeling of hearing State Farm Center go crazy for the kid from Shawnee, Kansas. Thank you to Coach (Brad) Underwood and the entire Illinois staff for believing in me when others did not. Since I was a kid, I’ve dreamt of playing basketball on the biggest stage. After speaking with my family and reflecting on this amazing journey, I’ve decided it’s time to turn that dream into reality. I will be declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft. Champaign, Illinois will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Draft analysts project Wagler as a potential lottery selection in the upcoming NBA Draft.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Golf professionals competing in this year’s Masters tournament expressed surprise at how manageable Augusta National’s course conditions were during Saturday’s third round, with many describing the legendary course as unusually accessible.

A record-setting 19 competitors among the 54 who survived the cut managed to score in the 60s during Saturday’s play, with both Scottie Scheffler and Cameron Young leading the charge with impressive 65s. The day saw 35 golfers finish below par, contributing to a field average of 70.63 strokes — marking the lowest third-round scoring average in the tournament’s storied history.

Following Thursday’s challenging start where players averaged 74.65 strokes, Ireland’s Shane Lowry had anticipated this tournament would be among the most difficult in recent memory due to dry, firm playing conditions. However, Lowry managed an ace on Saturday that helped propel him to a 4-under 68 and positioned him at 9-under for the competition.

Friday’s scoring improved to an average of 72.85, prompting many competitors to expect tournament organizers would increase the difficulty level for the weekend. Instead, most found the greens remained receptive with pin placements that invited aggressive play.

“Pretty easy,” commented Max Homa when describing the course conditions following his round of 71, which he considered disappointing. “The front nine is pretty — I mean, very gettable. I didn’t feel like it was too fast, too firm. Obviously the weather is amazing, so it helps.”

Co-leader Rory McIlroy, despite carding a 1-over 73 on Saturday, recognized that opportunities for low scoring were abundant.

“The course was obviously gettable,” McIlroy observed. “There was a lot of good scores out there, and the quality of the chasing pack is obvious. There was a lot of guys that shot good scores.”

Earlier in the week, Patrick Reed had expressed hopes that officials would increase the challenge level. Adam Scott shared similar sentiments, particularly noting the absence of traditional winds that typically add complexity to Augusta National.

“I think the firmer and faster they can get it, the better,” Scott explained. “I mean, there’s no wind. The greens are still very, very friendly.”

“I don’t think it’s the scariest I’ve ever seen it here, but I love seeing the fairways play firmer. On some of these holes that turn, having the ball run and you’re having to be more precise with your line off the tee is an important defense of the golf course.”

Jason Day expressed satisfaction after recording a 4-under 68 that placed him in a fifth-place tie, trailing the leaders by just three strokes at 8-under overall.

“I expected to see it a little bit different than what I saw today. I mean, you were hitting shots in there that were spinning,” Day noted. “Typically sometimes you get to Saturday at Augusta and they’re bouncing. It’s really difficult to hold some shots.”

“So, I thought the green speeds were lovely. I thought the green firmness was great. It was very fair, and I think that’s why you’re seeing a lot of, like, decent scores out there, which brings in a lot of the crowd, which is great.”

Scheffler capitalized on an early starting time, making the turn at 5-under 31 en route to his personal-best Masters round of 65, though he felt it could have been even better. He’ll tee off in Sunday’s fourth-to-last pairing, when course conditions are expected to be at their most challenging.

“It depends on what the leadership here wants to do,” Scheffler said. “If they want to see some lower scores, they can make them softer if they want. They’re already pretty firm, so they can just go full Bay Hill (at the Arnold Palmer Invitational) and just let them die.”

“It’s Augusta. They’ll figure it out after that.”

Baltimore’s starting catcher Adley Rutschman has been sidelined with left ankle inflammation, prompting the Orioles to place him on the 10-day injured list before Saturday’s matchup with the San Francisco Giants at home.

Originally scheduled to bat third and handle catching duties in Saturday’s contest, Rutschman was pulled from the lineup prior to first pitch. Ryan Mountcastle took his spot in the batting order, while designated hitter Samuel Basallo shifted to catcher.

To fill the roster spot, Baltimore brought up catcher Maverick Handley from their Double-A Chesapeake affiliate and moved pitcher Chayce McDermott to the designated for assignment list.

The 2019 first overall draft selection had been performing well early this season, posting a .294/.385/.471 slash line along with six doubles. Last year proved challenging for Rutschman, who landed on the injured list twice due to oblique muscle strains on both sides and appeared in just 90 games, the fewest of his career.

The two-time American League All-Star also endured offensive struggles during those limited appearances, managing only a .220 batting average and nine home runs across 322 at-bats.

Handley brings limited major league experience, having played 16 games for Baltimore last season where he collected three hits and three RBIs in 41 plate appearances.

Twenty-one-year-old prospect Basallo, considered a potential breakout player, is expected to handle the majority of catching responsibilities during Rutschman’s absence.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — A field of twenty golfers will tee off for Sunday’s final round at the Masters with a chance to claim victory, as each competitor sits within six strokes of the leaders heading into the tournament’s conclusion. The victor will walk away with a massive $4.5 million payday from Augusta National’s unprecedented $22.5 million total prize fund.

Augusta National Golf Club announced the complete payout structure on Saturday, revealing an increase from last year’s champion prize of $4.2 million and total purse of $21 million. This marks the largest prize pool ever offered at any major championship in professional golf.

Currently, only The Players Championship offers a larger total purse in professional golf. Cameron Young, who shares the 54-hole lead with Rory McIlroy entering the final day, captured $4.5 million from that tournament’s $25 million prize fund just last month.

Sunday’s runner-up will collect $2.43 million, while the third-place finisher receives $1.53 million and fourth place earns $1.08 million.

The complete 2026 Masters prize distribution includes: first place at $4.5 million, second at $2.43 million, third at $1.53 million, fourth at $1.08 million, and fifth at $900,000. Payouts continue down through the field, with sixth place receiving $810,000, seventh earning $753,750, eighth taking $697,500, ninth collecting $652,500, and tenth place awarded $607,500.

Prize money extends through the entire leaderboard, with 11th through 15th places earning between $562,500 and $405,000. The 16th through 20th positions receive payouts ranging from $382,500 to $292,500. Lower finishing positions continue to receive substantial compensation, with 21st through 30th places earning between $270,000 and $153,000.

Even golfers finishing in positions 31 through 50 will receive meaningful prize money, with payouts declining from $146,250 for 31st place down to $56,700 for 50th place.

Of the original 91-player field, fifty-four competitors successfully made the cut after 36 holes. Those remaining players who finish beyond 50th place will receive prize money starting at $55,350, with amounts decreasing based on final tournament position.

Every player who failed to make the weekend cut will still receive $25,000 for their participation in the tournament.

AUGUSTA, Georgia – What began as a seemingly effortless march toward a second consecutive Masters title turned into a battle for survival Saturday as Rory McIlroy watched his historic lead disappear at Augusta National.

The Northern Ireland golfer entered the third round holding the largest 36-hole advantage in tournament history, appearing destined for a comfortable final day. Instead, McIlroy’s commanding six-stroke cushion vanished in just 12 holes, with the notorious Amen Corner dealing the most devastating blows.

“This golf course has a way of, you know, when you’re not quite feeling it, you struggle,” said McIlroy.

The collapse began at the 11th hole, where McIlroy held a three-shot lead from the fairway. His approach shot struck the front edge of the green and rolled into the water hazard, resulting in a double-bogey. The damage continued at the par-three 12th, where his tee shot landed behind the green, leading to another dropped stroke.

The five-time major winner had previously navigated those same three holes at three-under-par through the first two rounds, but Saturday’s struggles erased that advantage. McIlroy showed resilience with birdies at the 14th and 15th holes to reclaim the lead, only to see another poor drive at the 17th result in yet another bogey that left him visibly frustrated.

“I have to look at the positives even though there isn’t that many to take today,” said McIlroy. “But I did bounce back. I hit some good shots coming in.”

Sunday’s final round will test McIlroy’s ability to close out his second consecutive green jacket, with Cameron Young now tied atop the leaderboard after starting the day eight shots behind. Should McIlroy succeed, he would join an exclusive group as only the fourth golfer to win back-to-back Masters tournaments, and the first to accomplish the feat since Tiger Woods in 2001-2002.

“There was a lot of guys that shot good scores,” said McIlroy. “I’m still tied for the best score going into tomorrow, so I can’t forget that, but I do know I’m going to have to be better if I want to have a chance to win.”

The situation brings back memories of McIlroy’s 2011 Masters collapse, when he surrendered a four-shot final-round lead in spectacular fashion. That meltdown sparked years of speculation about whether he could ever capture the elusive green jacket. Last year’s playoff victory finally silenced those doubts and completed his career Grand Slam.

McIlroy believes having that previous Masters victory will serve him well in Sunday’s pressure-packed final round.

“I’d like to think that I’ll play a little bit freer and I’ll play, you know, like I’ve already got a Green Jacket, which I do,” said McIlroy. “Sometimes I may just have to remind myself of that.”

AUGUSTA, Georgia – What started as a distant dream became reality for Cameron Young at Augusta National on Saturday, as the golfer transformed an eight-stroke deficit into a share of the Masters Tournament lead heading into Sunday’s final round.

Young delivered the round of the day with a spectacular seven-under 65, vaulting him to 11-under par for the championship and earning a coveted spot in the final pairing alongside defending champion and world No. 2 Rory McIlroy.

The journey to this moment has been anything but quick for Young, whose professional career exemplifies persistence paying off.

Following seven second-place finishes across his initial 93 PGA Tour events, Young finally captured his maiden victory last August at the Wyndham Championship.

“It’s been a slow climb,” Young explained. “The hardest thing to do, I think, is develop some confidence when things aren’t going great. Through the middle of last year I was able to take some positives out of some average results and out of some close calls.”

“Now I feel just much more comfortable, I would say, than before. It’s hard to say exactly what it is, but I feel like it’s just been very small things over the course of the last year or so that have just built up some steam,” he added.

That momentum has accelerated dramatically in recent months.

Young earned his inaugural Ryder Cup selection last September, then delivered the performance of his career in March by claiming The Players Championship – golf’s fifth major in everything but name. His tournament-winning moment came via a thunderous 375-yard drive on the final hole at TPC Sawgrass, edging out Matt Fitzpatrick for the title.

“I said it, I think in my press conference afterward, that really what I was trying to do was get ready to be playing late on Sunday at Augusta,” Young reflected.

“Now I’m here with what will be a late tee time on Sunday at Augusta, and that’s the best prep I could have asked for.

“I’ll try to run much the same process, same mindset as I did that day.”

Young’s Masters week has showcased remarkable mental fortitude and course management skills.

Despite struggling to four-over par through his opening 11 holes of the tournament, he has since dominated the remaining 43 holes with a stunning 15-under performance.

Acknowledging Sunday’s challenge, Young recognizes that crowd support will heavily favor his playing partner McIlroy.

“I don’t get the sense I’ll be the fan favourite, but yeah, I feel like the support, some fans that cheer for me have gotten louder over the last year,” Young noted.

“It will still be lopsided, I think. Rory’s kind of a world favourite in the golf world.”

The Golden State Valkyries have locked up guard Veronica Burton with a multi-year contract extension, the franchise confirmed on Saturday. Burton claimed the WNBA’s Most Improved Player honor during the previous campaign.

The 25-year-old guard delivered outstanding performance throughout the season, recording personal bests with 11.9 points per game, 6.0 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per contest. Burton appeared in the starting lineup for all 44 games during the expansion team’s debut season. She dominated the Most Improved Player voting, capturing 68 out of 72 possible votes from the national media panel.

Prior to this breakthrough campaign, Burton had only made 20 starts across her first three WNBA seasons.

“Veronica was the backbone of this team in our inaugural season,” stated Valkyries general manager Ohemaa Nyanin. “She started every single game, led us in nearly every statistical category, and was the connective tissue between our locker room and our coaching staff.”

“Her work ethic, leadership and voice were exactly what we needed in year one, and we cannot wait to see her continue to grow here in Golden State. Building this roster has always started with character, and Veronica is exactly the type of person we continue to build around,” Nyanin added.

Burton’s defensive prowess also earned recognition, as she was named to the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team. She tallied 50 steals and recorded 27 blocks during the season.

The former Northwestern standout spent her first two professional seasons with Dallas from 2022-23, then played for Connecticut in 2024 before joining Golden State through the expansion draft process.

The Chicago Sky announced Saturday they have successfully signed veteran guard Skylar Diggins as a free agent, landing the seven-time All-Star in what reports indicate is a two-year contract.

Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed by the organization.

The 35-year-old veteran brings impressive career statistics to Chicago, having compiled averages of 16.4 points, 5.3 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals across 335 games during her 11-year professional career.

Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition in a team statement. “Skylar is a player we have coveted for years. We are ecstatic to bring her to Chicago,” Pagliocca said. “She is one of the all-time elite passers in our game and continues to play at a high level on both sides of the ball.”

Diggins holds the eighth position in WNBA history for career assists with 1,768 and ranks 25th all-time in scoring with 5,489 points. During her most recent campaign with the Seattle Storm, she contributed 15.5 points and 6.0 assists per game across 43 appearances.

Chicago head coach Tyler Marsh praised the veteran’s impact potential. “Diggins is the kind of player who elevates everyone around her,” Marsh stated. “Skylar is a true veteran leader, and she possesses unmatched speed and shot creation potential. I can’t wait to work with her.”

Saturday proved busy for Chicago’s front office, as they also secured forward Azura Stevens on a reported three-year contract and obtained guard Jacy Sheldon from Washington in exchange for their 2028 first-round draft selection.

The Sky made headlines earlier this week by trading standout Angel Reese to Atlanta, receiving two first-round picks in 2027 and 2028 plus a 2028 second-round pick swap option in return.

LONDON – Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury dominated Russian fighter Arslanbek Makhmudov on Saturday night, earning a decisive victory by unanimous decision before issuing a dramatic challenge to fellow British boxer Anthony Joshua.

The bout at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium marked Fury’s return to the ring following his second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last October, where he unsuccessfully attempted to reclaim the WBC title he had previously lost to the Ukrainian fighter.

Joshua observed the action from ringside as Makhmudov initially found some success in the opening rounds, aggressively pressuring Fury against the ropes. However, the Russian struggled to inflict significant damage during these early exchanges.

The tide turned when the 37-year-old Fury began utilizing his jab effectively to maintain distance and control the pace. He started alternating his stance, moving defensively, and targeting his opponent with uppercut combinations. Whenever the 36-year-old Makhmudov attempted to clinch, Fury responded with powerful strikes to both the body and head.

As Makhmudov’s energy waned, Fury increasingly dominated the latter portions of the 12-round contest, carefully selecting his attacks while remaining largely out of harm’s way.

The judges unanimously awarded Fury the victory, with two scorecards reading 120-108 and the third scoring it 119-109.

Following his triumph, Fury seized the microphone to publicly challenge the 36-year-old Joshua in what would potentially become the most significant fight in British boxing history.

“Next, I want to give you the fight you’ve all been waiting for. I want you AJ, Anthony Joshua, let’s give the fight fans what they want, the Battle of Britain. And here’s my challenge. I challenge you, Anthony Joshua, to fight me, the Gypsy King, next – do you accept my challenge?” he bellowed.

When given an opportunity to respond, Joshua declined to immediately accept but indicated the fight could materialize if negotiations proceed successfully.

“Tyson, I’ve never had a problem getting in the ring with you,” Joshua said. “I’ll stand across that ring from you in due time. You ain’t going to tell me what to do.

“I’ve been chasing you for the last 10 years. When you’re ready, you come and see me and tell me your terms and conditions, and I’ll have you in the ring when I’m ready.”

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer broke his left big toe during Saturday’s home matchup with the Minnesota Twins after a foul ball struck his foot, according to team officials.

The injury occurred in the third inning when Springer made contact with a 1-0 count pitch from Twins pitcher Joe Ryan, sending the ball directly into his left foot. Despite the painful impact, Springer remained in the batter’s box to complete his plate appearance, ultimately grounding out to the third baseman.

The veteran outfielder was later substituted by Myles Straw when the sixth inning arrived.

Earlier in the contest, Springer had drawn a walk during the opening frame and came around to score when teammate Dalton Varsho connected for a home run.

The 36-year-old veteran is currently in his sixth campaign with Toronto, posting a .189 batting average through 13 contests this season, along with two homers and six runs batted in. Since the 2022 campaign, Springer has appeared in no fewer than 133 games per season for the Blue Jays.

Before joining Toronto, Springer played his first seven major league seasons with the Houston Astros from 2014 through 2020, capturing World Series MVP recognition during Houston’s 2017 championship run.

Throughout his professional career, Springer maintains a .266 batting average with 295 home runs and 802 RBIs to his credit.

AUGUSTA, Georgia – While attention at Augusta National centered on Rory McIlroy’s commanding six-stroke lead at the tournament’s midpoint, world number one Scottie Scheffler delivered a powerful reminder Saturday that golf’s premier player should never be counted out of any competition.

Starting Saturday’s round trailing by what appeared to be an impossible 12 strokes, Scheffler mounted one of the most impressive third-round comebacks in recent Masters history. His flawless seven-under 65 tied the tournament’s best score and catapulted him back into championship contention.

“I did what I needed to do,” Scheffler commented after reaching seven-under for the tournament. “Went out and executed to give myself some opportunities, and more of that tomorrow, and I think I’ll be in a good spot.”

Scheffler’s performance showcased masterful course management and precise execution. He sank a six-foot eagle at the second hole, then added four birdies across a spectacular five-hole run at the turn, even as McIlroy was surrendering a stroke at the opening hole.

The two-time major champion from this season nearly moved even closer to the lead. His approach shot at the ninth hole barely missed dropping for another eagle, instead stopping four feet from the pin and generating thunderous applause from the crowded galleries.

“I didn’t fix anything,” Scheffler explained regarding his nine-stroke improvement from Friday’s round. “I felt like yesterday I played a lot better than my score, and then today early in the round I felt like I got a lot out of it.”

Scheffler came tantalizingly close to matching Augusta National’s course record of 63, shared by Nick Price from 1986 and Greg Norman from 1996. His pursuit ended at the 17th hole when an eight-foot birdie attempt slipped past the right edge of the cup.

Despite the near-miss, Scheffler displayed remarkable resilience at the final hole. After his tee shot found trouble beneath a bush, he skillfully recovered to the fairway and placed his third shot within a foot for par, preserving his outstanding round.

Historical precedent suggests Scheffler remains well within reach of victory. The largest 54-hole comeback in Masters history stands at eight shots, accomplished by Jack Burke Jr. in 1956.

“I feel like I left a few shots out there but overall it was a good day,” said Scheffler, who captured Masters titles in 2022 and 2024. “I don’t feel like I am out of the tournament.”

The Atlanta Dream made a major commitment to their core roster Saturday, announcing they’ve brought back guard Rhyne Howard along with four additional players for the upcoming season.

The franchise also retained Allisha Gray, Brionna Jones, Naz Hillmon and Jordin Canada as part of the signing announcement.

“This is a group that believes in Atlanta, believes in each other and is united in the pursuit of a championship,” Dream general manager Dan Padover said in a statement. “Allisha, Brionna, Jordin, Naz and Rhyne represent the standard we are building here in Atlanta; talented, unselfish and fully committed to winning. Their decision to continue building together, in this city and with each other, speaks to their belief in our vision and culture — one built to win, with great players and even better people.”

Dream coach Karl Smesko praised the returning players’ impact on the franchise. “These players have established the standard for Atlanta Dream basketball. Their work ethic, competitiveness and belief in one another drive everything we do. We’re excited to continue building with this group.”

The roster decisions follow Atlanta’s major trade earlier this week, when they obtained two-time All-Star Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky on Monday.

Howard, who turns 25, put up impressive numbers last season with 17.5 points per game while adding 4.6 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals. The Kentucky product entered the league as the first overall selection in the 2022 WNBA Draft.

Atlanta will begin their campaign May 10 with a road matchup against the Minnesota Lynx.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Defending Masters champion Jon Rahm struggled through his third round at Augusta National on Saturday, dropping to 50th place on the leaderboard at 5-over par after 54 holes.

The Spanish golfer found himself trailing leader Rory McIlroy by 17 strokes after closing his round with a bogey on the 18th hole, marking his third score of five on a par-4 during Saturday’s back nine.

“Well, the only thing about a weekend like today, once things are not going well enough, is you can start trying things just to see how it feels or how you can do it in competition, right?” Rahm explained. “Just a bit of what I did today. Probably what I’ll do tomorrow. Hitting it on the range is one thing; doing it on the golf course is a different thing.”

The 2023 Masters winner enters Sunday’s final round tied with fellow Spaniard and LIV Golf member Sergio Garcia. After barely making the cut following an opening round 78, Rahm bounced back with a 70 on Friday before Saturday’s third-round setback.

His Saturday round began promisingly with birdies on holes one and three, putting him at 2-under before things unraveled. He finished the round with a 73 after recording bogeys on the 5th, 11th, 14th, and 18th holes.

The former world number one admitted he used the later holes of his third round to experiment with aspects of his game that he typically wouldn’t attempt during tournament play.

When asked about adjusting from LIV Golf competition back to PGA Tour events, Rahm dismissed any concerns. “Golf is golf,” he stated, noting his strong performance in LIV events where he recorded 17 top-five finishes in his first 30 starts.

Rahm acknowledged he has theories about his poor performance this week but declined to share specifics. He did hint that putting, rather than swing mechanics, might be the issue.

“I’ll tell you one thing: My putting hasn’t been the best and I’ve been putting the line the last two days which I rarely ever do, right, just to help me a little bit,” he revealed.

With his position far down the leaderboard, Rahm’s chances for his 77th career top-10 finish appear slim, and even a top-25 finish would require an exceptional final round. He had expressed pessimism about his chances even before Saturday’s round.

“I’m going to need an absolute miracle,” he said Friday.

That miracle failed to materialize, and Rahm now faces the possibility of watching McIlroy capture the green jacket while maintaining his commanding lead.

McIlroy has been vocal about the LIV Golf situation and recently criticized Rahm’s unwillingness to meet DP World Tour requirements for Ryder Cup eligibility, calling the tour’s offer “a really generous deal.”

Looking ahead, Rahm has never captured the PGA Championship, which takes place May 14-18 at Aronimink Golf Club, followed by the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills in June. He claimed the U.S. Open title in 2021 and has two top-10 finishes in 10 PGA Championship appearances.

AUGUSTA, Georgia – Irish golfer Shane Lowry created one of Saturday’s most thrilling moments during the third round of the 2026 Masters tournament, recording a spectacular hole-in-one on Augusta National’s sixth hole.

Using a seven-iron on the 190-yard par-three known as Juniper, Lowry’s shot landed on the green, bounced twice, and rolled perfectly into the cup’s left edge, sending spectators into wild celebration.

The emotional response from Lowry was immediate and unrestrained – he threw his head back, pumped both fists toward the sky, then embraced his caddie Darren Reynolds and playing partner Tommy Fleetwood in pure joy.

When Lowry collected his ball from the hole, he continued celebrating with the crowd, playfully pretending to toss the ball before tucking it away as a keepsake while flashing a huge smile.

The remarkable shot propelled Lowry to eight-under par for the tournament, placing him in a second-place tie just four strokes behind overnight leader Rory McIlroy.

This achievement makes Lowry the first golfer in Masters history to record two holes-in-one, having previously aced the par-three 16th hole in 2016.

Saturday’s ace marks the tournament’s first hole-in-one since Stewart Cink accomplished the feat at the 16th hole in 2022, and represents the 35th ace in Masters tournament history.

The Hawks delivered a commanding performance against the Hornets, cruising to an 11-4 victory behind exceptional individual efforts from two standout players.

Gonzalez Perez provided the offensive fireworks, launching two home runs to fuel the Hawks’ scoring attack. His power display helped propel the team to double-digit runs in the decisive win.

On the mound, De Jesus achieved a personal milestone by recording his first collegiate pitching victory. The right-hander’s strong outing on the hill proved crucial in securing the Hawks’ triumph over their opponents.

The lopsided victory showcased the Hawks’ balanced attack, combining explosive hitting with effective pitching to overwhelm the Hornets throughout the contest.

Michigan basketball coach Dusty May has earned a contract extension after leading the Wolverines to their second national championship and the most successful season in the program’s history.

Athletic director Warde Manuel made the announcement Saturday that May has agreed to the contract extension terms.

“He will be the leader of this basketball team for many years to come,” Manuel stated during Saturday’s championship celebration at Crisler Center.

The 49-year-old coach has completely transformed the Wolverines program in just two years, compiling an impressive 64-13 record since his arrival. The team finished this season with a stellar 37-3 record, culminating in their 69-63 championship victory over UConn on Monday.

This remarkable turnaround came after Michigan endured a program-worst 24 losses in the season before May’s hiring.

“I’m very grateful, and during the (NCAA) Tournament, I just told Warde I’m not leaving,” May told Big Ten Network. “And I probably ruined any leverage I could have had. It’s an honor to coach at this great institution, and I just look forward to what’s next.”

Before joining Michigan, May made headlines by leading Florida Atlantic to an unexpected Final Four appearance in 2023. During his six-year tenure at FAU from 2018-24, he posted a 126-69 record before taking over for Juwan Howard at Michigan.

Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull has agreed to a new contract with the franchise, the team announced Saturday.

Hull, who was a restricted free agent, made her return official through a TikTok video featuring Fever standout Caitlin Clark. The organization did not reveal financial details of the agreement.

“Indy has been my home over the last four years, and there was no other place I could imagine playing right now. We still have unfinished business, and I’m so excited to continue building on all that we accomplished last season,” Hull said.

The 26-year-old guard enjoyed her most productive professional campaign last year, posting personal bests with 7.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game across 44 appearances, including 30 as a starter.

Throughout her WNBA career, Hull has maintained averages of 5.5 points and 3.0 rebounds per contest since Indiana selected her sixth overall in the 2022 draft following her Stanford career.

Fever chief operating officer and general manager Amber Cox emphasized the importance of retaining Hull’s services.

“Ensuring Lexie’s return was a high priority for us,” Cox said. “She represents the heart of our team, and that was never more evident than in our playoff run last season. She impacts every aspect of the game on both ends of the floor and is a vital member of our core group. We are thrilled to have her back in a Fever uniform.”

All-Star forward Dearica Hamby has reached agreement on a three-year deal worth nearly $3.5 million to continue her career with the Los Angeles Sparks, according to ESPN reports released Saturday.

The contract is fully guaranteed for the 32-year-old player who has made three All-Star appearances during her WNBA career.

This signing follows Friday’s announcement that Nneka Ogwumike would also be returning to the Sparks roster.

During the previous season, Hamby achieved personal bests with an 18.4 points per game average while shooting 57.2% from the field across 44 games, all as a starter. She also contributed 7.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per contest.

Hamby previously earned Sixth Player of the Year honors in both 2019 and 2020, and captured a WNBA championship with the Las Vegas Aces in 2022. Throughout her professional career spanning 366 games with 188 starts, she has maintained averages of 11.2 points and 6.3 rebounds.

Ogwumike, who previously won WNBA MVP honors, played her initial 12 seasons with Los Angeles before spending two years with the Seattle Storm.

In a stunning upset that sent shockwaves through the tennis world, Belgium eliminated the heavily favored United States team on Saturday to earn a spot in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. The Americans, who have captured the title 18 times, fell victim to one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.

The decisive moment came in Ostend, where Greet Minnen, ranked 149th in the world, delivered the knockout blow with a straight-sets triumph over Iva Jovic, winning 7-5, 6-3. This victory sends Belgium back to the finals stage for the first time in two years.

Meanwhile, Great Britain earned their finals berth with a convincing 3-1 triumph over Australia in Melbourne. The British team wrapped up their victory in the doubles competition after establishing a commanding 2-0 advantage following Friday’s individual matches.

The duo of Harriet Dart and Jodie Burrage put the finishing touches on Britain’s success, defeating Storm Hunter and Ellen Perez 6-3, 6-4. Their victory ended the Australian pair’s remarkable winning streak in doubles competition that stretched back to November 2022.

Defending champions Italy also punched their ticket to the finals following a 3-1 home victory against Japan on clay courts in Velletri. After carrying a 2-0 lead into Saturday, Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani sealed Italy’s advancement with a 6-2, 7-5 doubles victory over Shuko Aoyama and Eri Hozumi.

Ukraine earned a consecutive finals appearance with an impressive 4-0 sweep of Poland in Gliwice. Sisters Lyudmyla Kichenok and Nadiia Kichenok provided the clinching point with a hard-fought 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-3 victory over Maja Chwalinska and Martyna Kubka. Oleksandra Oliynykova then capped off Ukraine’s dominant weekend with a 6-4, 6-1 win against Linda Klimovicova.

Spain secured an insurmountable 3-1 advantage over Slovenia in Portoroz, with Aliona Bolsova and Sara Sorribes Tormo completing the qualification with a 6-4, 6-3 doubles triumph over Veronika Erjavec and Nika Radisic.

Kazakhstan advanced after Yulia Putintseva survived an epic three-hour and 39-minute battle against Canada’s Bianca Andreescu in Astana. Putintseva’s grueling 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-6(4) victory provided her team with an unbeatable 3-1 lead in their best-of-five matchup.

In other action, Linda Noskova kept the Czech Republic’s hopes alive by defeating Belinda Bencic 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(9) to even their series with Switzerland at 2-2, setting up a winner-take-all final singles match.

The Billie Jean King Cup Finals are scheduled to take place in Shenzhen from September 22-27, with host nation China automatically qualifying for the event.

Forward Satou Sabally, a three-time WNBA All-Star, has committed to a multi-year agreement with the New York Liberty, according to ESPN reports from her agents on Saturday.

Representatives from WME Basketball chose not to reveal specific contract details for Sabally, who was born in New York.

During the previous season with the Phoenix Mercury, the forward led her team in scoring with 16.3 points per game while also contributing 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists across 39 games, starting in every contest. Sabally played a key role in the Mercury’s run to the WNBA Finals, though a concussion suffered in the third game of the series prevented her from participating in the championship series finale.

Throughout her professional career spanning 136 games with both the Dallas Wings and Phoenix Mercury, the 27-year-old has maintained averages of 15.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, starting in 126 of those contests.

The NBA regular season wraps up Sunday with an unprecedented level of uncertainty surrounding playoff positioning and matchups.

Currently, only 10 teams have secured their exact playoff seeding positions in both the Eastern and Western Conferences, while 10 other franchises know their campaigns will conclude Sunday. The remaining 10 squads enter the season’s final day with various degrees of uncertainty about their postseason fate.

When Sunday’s games conclude, only four opening-round playoff series will be determined, along with the initial four play-in tournament matchups scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder expressed his team’s enthusiasm despite the uncertainty surrounding their playoff positioning. The Hawks have clinched a playoff spot but remain unsure whether they’ll claim the No. 5 or No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference.

“We’re just excited to be in this situation,” Snyder commented. “Whoever we play is going to be really good. It’s hard to even try to figure that out. It’s possible that certain teams want to play us. … We don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s hard to predict all these games that are going on. Wherever it falls is how it falls.”

While no franchise requires a victory Sunday to continue their season, the stakes remain high for playoff positioning. Among the 20 teams guaranteed at least one additional game beyond the regular season, seeding battles could significantly impact bracket positioning.

Should San Antonio defeat Denver, the Spurs would avoid potential matchups with Oklahoma City or the Nuggets until reaching the Western Conference finals. Meanwhile, a Denver loss combined with a Lakers victory over Utah would secure the No. 3 Western Conference seed for LeBron James and Los Angeles.

Lakers coach J.J. Redick acknowledged the competitive landscape his team faces entering the postseason.

“I’m sure everybody wants to play us,” Redick stated. “Let’s get that out there — everybody wants to play us. There are probably teams that are in a position where they can start looking forward to potential second-round matchups as well.”

Current playoff seeding includes Detroit claiming the top Eastern Conference spot, with Oklahoma City securing the Western Conference’s No. 1 position. Boston holds the East’s second seed, while San Antonio claims the West’s No. 2 spot. Additional confirmed positions include New York (East 3), Cleveland (East 4), Houston (West 5), Minnesota (West 6), Phoenix (West 7 play-in), and Golden State (West 10 play-in).

Several teams remain in limbo regarding their final positioning. Denver and the Lakers will battle for the West’s 3 or 4 seeds, while Atlanta awaits determination of their 5 or 6 Eastern Conference placement.

Toronto, Orlando, and Philadelphia have secured playoff or play-in berths with seeding still undetermined. The Clippers, Portland, Charlotte, and Miami have clinched play-in positions but await final seeding.

Ten franchises will see their seasons conclude Sunday: Milwaukee, Chicago, New Orleans, Memphis, Dallas, Sacramento, Utah, Brooklyn, Indiana, and Washington.

Individual statistical championships have been virtually decided barring extraordinary circumstances. Luka Doncic leads scoring at 33.5 points per game, though he won’t play Sunday and will miss the 65-game threshold for award eligibility. Denver’s Nikola Jokic leads both rebounding (12.9 per game) and assists (10.9 per game), while San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama tops blocked shots at 3.1 per game.

The draft lottery picture has largely crystallized, with Washington securing the worst record and best lottery odds at 14%. Indiana and Brooklyn will join Washington with equal 14% chances at the top pick, while Washington cannot fall below fifth in the lottery order.

Utah and Sacramento could both benefit from losses Sunday regarding draft positioning, particularly the Jazz, who could guarantee keeping a top-eight protected pick with a defeat.

The Los Angeles Angels have removed veteran infielder Jeimer Candelario from their roster on Saturday following a struggling start to the regular season that saw him collect just two hits across seven games.

As part of the roster move, the team brought back infielder Vaughn Grissom from the injured list to fill the open spot.

Candelario joined the Angels organization as a free agent signing on February 9th and received a spring training invitation despite struggling through two disappointing seasons while playing for Cincinnati. The 32-year-old veteran managed to secure a place on the team’s Opening Day roster after posting a .235 batting average during Cactus League play, though he did show promise with four home runs and 11 RBIs during spring training.

However, that offensive production failed to carry over into regular season play. Through his seven appearances with the Angels, Candelario managed a 2-for-18 performance at the plate, with both hits being doubles. He failed to record any RBIs while striking out eight times during his brief stint with the team.

The veteran player brings 11 years of major league experience to his record, having accumulated 110 career home runs, 384 RBIs, and a lifetime .236 batting average while playing for five different organizations.

Grissom, who is 25 years old, joined the Angels through an offseason trade with the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor league outfielder Isaiah Jackson.

The returning infielder has spent the majority of the previous two seasons playing for Triple-A Worcester but brings major league experience to the roster. Between 2022 and 2024, he appeared in 95 games for both the Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox, posting a .255 batting average with 82 hits. During that span, he contributed five home runs and 33 RBIs while scoring 39 runs.

A three-member appeals panel has rejected the NFL Players Association’s challenge to an earlier arbitration decision, dismissing claims that teams conspired to limit quarterback contract guarantees during 2022 negotiations.

The Friday ruling confirmed arbitrator Christopher Droney’s January 2025 decision in a dispute centered on whether franchises engaged in coordinated efforts to suppress contract values for quarterbacks Kyler Murray, Lamar Jackson, and Russell Wilson.

While the appeals panel found the NFL acted “improper” in inviting teams to “participate in collusion,” they determined the evidence failed to demonstrate that clubs actually engaged in the alleged coordinated behavior.

The players’ union argued that Deshaun Watson’s unprecedented five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed deal with Cleveland in March 2022 prompted ownership to coordinate their response, resulting in the three quarterbacks receiving significantly lower guaranteed money.

Murray, currently playing for Minnesota, secured a five-year, $230.5 million extension with Arizona on July 21, 2022, featuring $159 million in guarantees.

Baltimore’s MVP quarterback Jackson signed his five-year, $260 million extension on April 27, 2023, with $185 million guaranteed.

Denver traded for Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson and signed him to a five-year, $242.5 million deal with $161 million guaranteed on September 1, 2022. Following two disappointing seasons, Denver released Wilson, who has since signed one-year deals with Pittsburgh and the New York Giants.

These contract details come from Spotrac, which tracks Wilson’s career earnings at approximately $316 million, ranking fourth in NFL history.

Watson’s trade came amid sexual misconduct allegations from more than 20 massage therapists who filed lawsuits against him. On March 18, 2022, Houston traded Watson and a future fifth-round pick to Cleveland for three first-round selections, plus third and fourth-round picks.

Watson enters his contract’s final year and will hit free agency when the league year ends. Cleveland has restructured his deal multiple times for salary cap flexibility, but he’ll still receive the full contract value.

Due to suspension and injuries, the 30-year-old Watson has played only 19 games across four Cleveland seasons, posting a 9-10 record. With those seasons valued at $184 million, he’s earned nearly $9.7 million per game appearance.

Chicago Sky officials announced Saturday they have obtained guard Jacy Sheldon from Washington in a trade that sends a first-round 2028 draft selection to the Mystics.

The 25-year-old guard has compiled statistics of 6.3 points per game, 2.2 assists, and 2.0 rebounds across 70 professional contests, including 43 as a starter. Her WNBA journey has taken her through Dallas Wings in 2024, Connecticut Sun in 2025, and most recently Washington in 2025.

Sky General Manager Jeff Pagliocca praised the acquisition, stating: “Jacy made an impression on us with her toughness, competitiveness and ability to compete on both ends of the court. She has proven to be a great young player who can shoot the ball and defend in this league. Jacy fits what we are looking for seamlessly.”

Dallas selected Sheldon as the fifth player taken in the 2024 WNBA Draft following her collegiate career at Ohio State University.

The Sky will begin their 2026 campaign on May 9th with a road matchup against the newly formed Portland Fire expansion franchise.

Miami Marlins outfielder Griffin Conine is scheduled to undergo surgical repair of a torn left hamstring next week, with an expected recovery time of six to eight weeks, MLB.com reports.

The Marlins added Conine to their 10-day injured list on Friday following the hamstring tear diagnosis. The surgical procedure will be performed by Dr. Dan Cooper in Dallas.

The 28-year-old player sustained the injury during the sixth inning of Thursday’s 8-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds at home. Conine felt discomfort following an unsuccessful attempt to make a diving catch in left field.

Through 11 games this season, Conine has posted a .273 batting average, going 6-for-22 at the plate with two home runs, four RBIs, and two stolen bases.

This marks the second consecutive year that Conine has faced a significant injury setback, as he sat out the majority of the 2025 season following surgical repair of a dislocated left shoulder.

The Chicago Sky welcomed back forward Azura Stevens on Saturday after the free agent spent three seasons playing for the Los Angeles Sparks.

While Chicago did not reveal contract details, ESPN sources indicate the 6-foot-6, 30-year-old player secured a three-year deal with her former team.

Stevens had a previous stint with the Sky spanning 2020 through 2022, during which she helped capture a WNBA title in the 2021 season.

“I’m truly excited to be coming home to join the Chicago Sky,” Stevens said in a statement. “This city means everything to me. The culture, the people, the passion for the game. To have the opportunity to come back to Chicago is amazing. I’m ready to get to work, embrace the moment, and give everything I have. Let’s work.”

During her most recent campaign, Stevens earned recognition as runner-up for Most Improved Player, while her 2022 finale with Chicago saw her finish second for Sixth Player of the Year honors.

Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca expressed enthusiasm about the reunion, stating: “We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bring back Azura, a pivotal part of our championship team. Stevens brings a versatile element to our frontcourt as a shooter and shot blocker that we’re confident will pair nicely with the players we have under contract.”

Stevens delivered her strongest statistical performance during the 2025 season with Los Angeles, recording personal bests of 12.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game across 44 contests, all as a starter. She connected on 38.1% of her three-point attempts and ranked sixth league-wide with 47 blocked shots.

Throughout her professional career, Stevens maintains averages of 10.1 points and 5.6 rebounds across 220 games with 134 starts, having played for Dallas Wings (2018-19), Chicago, and Los Angeles. The Wings selected her sixth overall in the 2018 draft.

Chicago begins their upcoming campaign on May 9 with a road matchup against the expansion Portland Fire.

AUGUSTA, Georgia – Defending Masters champion Rory McIlroy enters Saturday’s third round at Augusta National with a substantial six-stroke advantage as he seeks to strengthen his position for another Green Jacket victory.

The golfer from Northern Ireland delivered another outstanding round on Friday, capitalizing on a strong back-nine performance that included multiple birdies to post a 12-under-par total. Sam Burns and Patrick Reed, both from the United States, share second place at six-under par.

The 36-year-old McIlroy appears to be playing with increased confidence this season following his breakthrough Masters victory last year, which allowed him to achieve the career Grand Slam and remove the weight of long-standing expectations.

However, Augusta National has been the site of previous disappointments for McIlroy, and those difficult memories still linger in his mind.

Saturday’s third round will feature McIlroy paired with Burns in the final group, as sunny skies and hot temperatures are forecast to create challenging conditions on Augusta’s famously fast and undulating putting surfaces.

Three golfers from the British Isles – England’s Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood, along with Ireland’s Shane Lowry – are currently deadlocked for fourth place at this year’s opening major championship.

Should McIlroy successfully defend his title, he would become only the fourth player in Masters history to win consecutive Green Jackets, joining the exclusive company of Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods.

The tournament champion will receive the iconic Green Jacket along with a winner’s prize of $4.5 million from the event’s total purse of $22.5 million.

The newly formed Toronto Tempo has made WNBA history by securing two star guards with maximum-value contracts worth over $1 million each, marking the league’s first seven-figure backcourt duo.

Marina Mabrey, 29, has agreed to a two-year deal that will pay her $1.2 million per season, according to reports. Brittney Sykes, 32, also signed a two-year maximum contract that qualifies for seven-figure compensation, establishing an unprecedented financial milestone for the women’s professional basketball league.

Both the franchise and the players’ representatives have confirmed the signings, with ESPN providing details about the contract values.

Toronto acquired Mabrey through the sixth overall selection in last week’s WNBA expansion draft.

“Marina plays with a level of confidence and edge that stands out,” Toronto general manager Monica Wright Rogers said in a news release on Saturday. “She’s a player who isn’t afraid of big moments, can create offense in a variety of ways, and brings a strong competitive presence every game. Identifying her in the Expansion Draft and now officially welcoming her to Toronto is an exciting step for our organization.”

During the previous season with Connecticut Sun, Mabrey posted averages of 14.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists across 35 games with 34 starts. Throughout her professional career beginning in 2019, she has compiled averages of 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists over 230 games and 152 starts while playing for four different franchises.

Sykes comes to Toronto through free agency following her inaugural All-Star appearance in 2025, during which she played for both Washington Mystics and Seattle Storm.

“Brittney is an elite competitor who impacts winning on both ends of the floor,” Wright Rogers said. “Her defensive versatility, toughness, and leadership set a standard, and adding a player of her caliber and All-Star experience is a significant step as we continue to build our roster.”

Last season, Sykes contributed 14.1 points, 4.0 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game over 39 contests with 38 starts. Since entering the league in 2017, she has maintained career averages of 12.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists through 279 games and 211 starts across four teams, earning All-Defensive team recognition four times.

The Tempo also announced Saturday the addition of veteran guard Julie Allemand. The 29-year-old was Toronto’s second overall selection in the expansion draft.

Allemand contributed 5.4 points, 5.0 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game in 34 appearances for Los Angeles Sparks last season, starting 27 contests. The Belgian player has participated in 81 games with 53 starts across three franchises since her WNBA debut in 2020.

“Julie is a true point guard who brings poise, intelligence, and a team-first approach every time she steps onto the floor,” Wright Rogers said. “She has played and led at the highest levels internationally and in the WNBA, and her experience, voice, and feel for the game are incredibly valuable as we continue to build our identity.”

Dallas Cowboys defensive back Markquese Bell was taken into custody Friday in a Texas suburb on drug-related charges, according to law enforcement officials.

The 27-year-old player was booked in Prosper, Texas, facing a felony charge for controlled substance possession along with a misdemeanor marijuana possession count, the Collin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.

Authorities have not yet released additional information about the circumstances surrounding Bell’s arrest, and the Dallas Cowboys organization has remained silent on the matter.

During the previous season, Bell appeared in every game for Dallas, making three starts while tallying 41 tackles, forcing one fumble, and securing his inaugural career interception. The team had anticipated Bell would vie for an expanded role in the upcoming season.

The defensive player recently inked a three-year extension in March 2025 valued at up to $12 million, but now faces potential disciplinary action from the league following his arrest. His salary cap impact stands at $2.833 million for the 2026 campaign.

Bell joined Dallas as an undrafted free agent from Florida A&M University in 2022. Throughout his professional career spanning 48 games with 11 starts, he has accumulated 142 tackles, defended seven passes, and forced three fumbles for the Cowboys.

The Minnesota Twins announced Saturday that they have sidelined two players due to injuries, placing both relief pitcher Cody Laweryson and third baseman Royce Lewis on the injured list.

Laweryson, age 27, has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a strained right forearm, with the designation dating back to Thursday.

Lewis, 26, was added to the 10-day injured list for a sprained left knee, effective retroactively to Friday.

To maintain their 26-player roster, Minnesota brought up utility player Ryan Kreidler and right-handed pitcher Andrew Morris from their Triple-A affiliate in St. Paul.

This season, Laweryson has appeared in five games coming out of the bullpen with a 4.26 earned run average and no wins or losses recorded. The right-handed pitcher has recorded eight strikeouts while issuing two walks across 6 1/3 innings of work.

Through 12 games this season, Lewis has posted a .222 batting average with eight hits in 36 at-bats. He currently sits in second place on the team for both home runs with two and runs batted in with eight.

Multiple media sources confirmed Saturday that the New York Mets will promote veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel from their minor league system.

The 37-year-old pitcher inked a minor league contract with New York back in January after bouncing between several organizations in recent years.

Kimbrel boasts an impressive resume as a nine-time All-Star selection and holds the fifth-highest save total in baseball history with 440. His standout rookie season in 2011 earned him National League Rookie of the Year honors while playing for Atlanta, marking the beginning of four consecutive seasons leading the NL in saves.

During his prime years, Kimbrel dominated as a closer, notching 39 saves with San Diego in 2015 and maintaining over 30 saves annually during his three-year stint with Boston from 2016 through 2018. However, his effectiveness began to wane after that period.

The veteran has moved frequently in recent years, suiting up for seven different major league clubs over the last seven seasons. In 2024, Kimbrel appeared in 42 minor league contests across three organizations – Atlanta, Texas, and Houston – while making only 14 big league appearances, with 13 coming for the Astros and one for the Braves.

Throughout his career, Kimbrel has compiled a 56-48 record with a 2.58 ERA across 851 relief outings.

Saturday’s initial reports did not specify which player would be sent down to make roster space. The move comes after right-handed starter Clay Holmes exited Friday’s 4-0 defeat to Oakland in the sixth inning due to left hamstring tightness.

MONTE CARLO, April 11 – Italy’s Jannik Sinner dominated Germany’s Alexander Zverev with a commanding 6-1, 6-4 victory Saturday, advancing to the Monte-Carlo Masters championship match.

The 24-year-old Italian, ranked second in the tournament, will compete in his first-ever final in Monaco against either top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz or French player Valentin Vacherot.

Sinner’s latest triumph continues his remarkable season after capturing both the Indian Wells Masters and Miami Open championships last month. His achievement places him among elite company – only Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have previously reached finals at Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo within a single season.

“I’m very, very happy,” Sinner said. “We came here trying to give myself some feedback. Now finding myself in the final means a lot to me.”

“Every match, every day is different. I’m very happy about today’s performance. I felt really solid from the beginning. When you’re a break up straight away, it changes the dynamic of the match. Let’s see what’s coming in the final.”

Facing Zverev for the fourth straight Masters 1000 semifinal encounter, Sinner delivered an almost perfect first set performance, quickly establishing a two-break advantage before finishing with a backhand winner.

The second set featured more competitive play, remaining tied 4-4 before Sinner took control, breaking Zverev’s serve and securing the 6-4 victory.

Discussing his upcoming final opponent, Sinner recognized the difficulty either player would present.

“Carlos has a tough match now. Valentin continues to show what he’s capable of, especially here playing with the home crowd, even though Carlos is the favourite,” he said. “Assuming he wins, I’m looking forward to it.”

“These are matches I practise for; why I wake up. It’s great to have at least one match before Roland Garros against him. That’s for sure a big test for me. At the same time, I have nothing to lose.”

Saturday’s win improved Sinner’s overall record against Zverev to nine victories and four defeats.

Max Muncy delivered a spectacular performance Tuesday night, blasting three home runs including a dramatic walk-off solo shot with two outs in the ninth inning to lift the Los Angeles Dodgers to an 8-7 victory over the Texas Rangers at home.

The thrilling finish marked Muncy’s second career three-homer performance and came after the Dodgers appeared headed for defeat. Texas rallied to tie the contest in the top of the ninth when Evan Carter launched a two-run blast and Ezequiel Duran followed with a clutch RBI single, both with two outs against Los Angeles closer Edwin Diaz, who suffered his first blown save of the campaign.

But Muncy answered immediately, connecting off Rangers reliever Jacob Latz (0-1) to secure the dramatic victory. Andy Pages also contributed significantly for the Dodgers with a home run and his fourth three-hit performance of the season. The win extended Los Angeles’ hot streak, marking their sixth victory in seven contests.

For Texas, Corey Seager and Wyatt Langford also found the seats with home runs, but the Rangers saw their three-game winning streak come to an end despite the late-inning heroics.

In other Major League action, the San Diego Padres continued their own hot streak with another walk-off victory, defeating the Colorado Rockies 5-2 on Gavin Sheets’ game-ending three-run homer. Sheets crushed a 434-foot blast to right-center off Juan Mejia (0-2) for his second long ball of both the game and season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates shut out the Chicago Cubs 2-0 behind Bryan Reynolds’ two-run homer and Carmen Mlodzinski’s 5⅓ scoreless innings. Cubs starter Shota Imanaga held Pittsburgh hitless through six innings before the Pirates broke through in the seventh.

Arizona beat Philadelphia 5-4 as Ketel Marte and James McCann each drove in two runs for the Diamondbacks’ fifth win in six games. Detroit snapped a five-game losing streak by blanking Miami 2-0, with Keider Montero tossing six strong innings and Kenley Jansen recording his 478th career save, tying Lee Smith for third all-time.

Atlanta exploded for six runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by home runs from Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson and Michael Harris II, to defeat Cleveland 11-5. Washington rallied from behind with four ninth-inning runs to beat Milwaukee 7-3, using three bunts and a hit batter to spark the unusual comeback.

The Los Angeles Angels routed Cincinnati 10-2 behind Jorge Soler’s grand slam and Jack Kochanowicz’s seven-inning, one-run performance. Toronto defeated Minnesota 10-4, with Brandon Valenzuela hitting his first career home run as part of a five-run fourth inning.

Oakland’s pitching staff combined for a six-hit shutout in a 4-0 victory over the New York Mets, while Kansas City’s Kris Bubic struck out a career-high 11 batters over seven shutout innings in a 2-0 win against Chicago White Sox.

St. Louis edged Boston 3-2 as Dustin May bounced back from early-season struggles with six solid innings. Tampa Bay spoiled Luis Gil’s season debut with a 5-3 victory over the Yankees, Seattle snapped a five-game skid by beating Houston 9-6, and San Francisco defeated Baltimore 6-3 behind strong performances from Willy Adames, Casey Schmitt and Jung Hoo Lee.

The Atlanta Hawks guaranteed themselves a spot in the playoffs with a dominant 124-102 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday evening, ending a two-year postseason drought.

CJ McCollum led Atlanta’s offensive charge with 29 points, putting up 25 of those in the opening half, while Dyson Daniels achieved his second career triple-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists. The Hawks (46-35) will secure either the fifth or sixth position in the Eastern Conference standings.

Jalen Johnson contributed 18 points and nine rebounds, with Nickeil Alexander-Walker also adding 18 points for the Southeast Division champions. McCollum was particularly effective from beyond the arc, connecting on six of his eight three-point attempts.

Atlanta took control during the third quarter, building a commanding 92-59 advantage as Alexander-Walker and Johnson each scored 11 points in the period to put the game away.

For Cleveland (51-30), James Harden tallied 20 points and five assists, while Tyrese Proctor scored 15 points in the final quarter. The fourth-seeded Cavaliers will host either Atlanta or Toronto in the opening round of the playoffs.

Lakers 101, Suns 73

LeBron James recorded 28 points and 12 assists, becoming just the fourth player in league history to surpass 12,000 career assists, as Los Angeles dominated visiting Phoenix in convincing fashion.

Luke Kennard contributed 19 points in the victory that ensures Los Angeles will finish no lower than fourth in the Western Conference with home-court advantage for their first-round series. The Lakers trail third-place Denver by one game with one contest remaining, holding the tiebreaker advantage.

Dillon Brooks led Phoenix with 12 points and Royce O’Neale added 11 off the bench for the Suns, who played without injured star Devin Booker (ankle). Phoenix managed only 25 second-half points in a meaningless game after already securing the seventh seed and a home play-in contest. Grayson Allen left in the second quarter with a left hamstring injury and did not return.

76ers 105, Pacers 94

Tyrese Maxey poured in 32 points and Andre Drummond delivered a double-double from the bench as Philadelphia guaranteed finishing no worse than eighth in the Eastern Conference with a road victory over Indiana.

With Joel Embiid sidelined due to appendicitis, Drummond stepped up with 10 points and 16 rebounds. The 76ers halted a three-game losing streak and remained in contention for the East’s sixth and final automatic playoff position.

Jarace Walker paced Indiana with 17 points, while Micah Potter recorded 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Pacers, who have dropped four of their last five contests.

Pistons 118, Hornets 100

Jalen Duren scored 20 points on efficient 8-for-11 shooting as Detroit used a strong fourth-quarter surge to defeat host Charlotte.

Duncan Robinson added 19 points, Cade Cunningham scored 14, Ronald Holland II contributed 13, and Ausar Thompson chipped in 12 for the Pistons, who have won five of their past six games. Detroit had already secured first place in the Eastern Conference.

The defeat forces Charlotte into the East’s play-in tournament, eliminating their chance for direct playoff qualification. LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 27 points, including six three-pointers, while Brandon Miller added 22 points. Coby White, returning from groin soreness, scored 11 points off the bench.

Additional Results

In other Friday action, AJ Green set a career high with 35 points in Milwaukee’s 125-108 victory over Brooklyn, while Jonas Valanciunas posted season highs of 23 points and 17 rebounds in Denver’s 127-107 win over Oklahoma City.

Utah snapped a 10-game losing streak with a 147-101 rout of Memphis, Sacramento beat Golden State 124-118, Miami crushed Washington 140-117, New York secured the third seed with a 112-95 win over Toronto, and Portland defeated the Clippers 116-97.

Orlando extended their winning streak to five games with a 127-103 victory over Chicago, San Antonio pounded Dallas 139-120 behind Victor Wembanyama’s 40 points, Boston tied an NBA record with 29 three-pointers in a 144-118 win over New Orleans, and Minnesota ended Houston’s eight-game winning streak 136-132.

Victor Wembanyama delivered a masterful performance following his recent injury layoff, putting up 40 points and grabbing 13 rebounds to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a commanding 139-120 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night in their second-to-last regular season matchup.

The impressive win pushed the Spurs’ record to 62-19, securing them the Western Conference’s second playoff seed ahead of the April 18 postseason start. San Antonio has been nearly unstoppable lately, capturing 14 victories in their last 15 outings. Their 62-win campaign marks their best performance since posting 67 wins during the 2015-16 season and ranks as the third-highest total in team history.

The French phenom also contributed five assists and two blocks before heading to the bench for good with 8:35 remaining in the final quarter, as San Antonio held a comfortable 120-100 cushion. The Spurs coasted through the closing minutes, expanding their advantage to 24 points while completing a perfect 4-0 season series against Dallas.

De’Aaron Fox chipped in 18 points and 10 assists for San Antonio, while Keldon Johnson contributed 17 points. Harrison Barnes added 15, Julian Champagnie scored 14, Dylan Harper posted 13, and Carter Bryant finished with 12 points.

Cooper Flagg paced the struggling Mavericks (25-56) with 33 points, followed by Max Christie’s 16. Khris Middleton contributed 14 points, while Ryan Nembhard and AJ Johnson each scored 13, and John Poulakidas added 12. Dallas was mathematically eliminated from playoff contention long ago.

Wembanyama, who had missed a game and a half due to a left rib injury and needed at least 20 minutes of court time to meet the NBA’s 65-game threshold for postseason honors, came out firing early. He netted 11 of San Antonio’s first 15 points and closed the opening quarter with 16 points, five boards, and one block as the Spurs built a 37-26 edge.

Dallas fought back in the second quarter, seizing a 63-62 lead when Middleton drained a three-pointer with 1:47 left before intermission, capping a 15-2 surge. Wembanyama responded by scoring six of the final eight points before halftime, giving San Antonio a 68-65 lead at the break.

Flagg topped all scorers with 25 first-half points while Christie added 13 for the visitors. Wembanyama’s 24 points led the Spurs, with all nine San Antonio players who entered the game contributing at least two points.

The Mavericks briefly regained the lead at 81-79 following Flagg’s layup with 7:55 left in the third quarter, but San Antonio answered with a devastating 20-4 run over the next five and a half minutes to seize control for good. The Spurs carried a 108-93 advantage into the final period.

Max Muncy delivered a dramatic walk-off home run with two outs in the ninth inning Friday night, completing his three-homer performance and lifting the Los Angeles Dodgers to an 8-7 comeback victory over the Texas Rangers at Dodger Stadium.

The clutch blast marked Muncy’s second career three-homer game and capped a thrilling finish that saw the Dodgers overcome their closer’s first blown save of the season. Edwin Diaz surrendered the lead in the ninth but was credited with the victory.

Los Angeles extended its hot streak with a sixth win in seven contests, recording their sixth comeback victory this season while becoming the first Major League Baseball club to reach 10 wins in 2026.

Andy Pages continued his outstanding early-season performance, connecting for his team-high fourth home run of the year – a crucial two-run blast in the eighth inning that put the Dodgers ahead 7-4. Pages also delivered a go-ahead two-run double in the sixth frame, giving Los Angeles a 5-4 advantage after trailing 4-2. The young outfielder recorded his fourth three-hit performance of the campaign.

The scoring began when Muncy launched his first homer in the second inning for a 1-0 Dodgers lead. Former Los Angeles star Corey Seager quickly responded with a three-run shot to put Texas on top.

Seager, who captured two All-Star selections, National League Rookie of the Year honors, and both World Series and NLCS MVP awards during his time with the Dodgers, connected for his second three-run homer against his former club.

Muncy’s second long ball trimmed the deficit to 3-2 in the fourth inning. Wyatt Langford then took Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow deep to extend Texas’ lead to 4-2 before Hyeseong Kim added a sacrifice fly for Los Angeles.

Pages’ eighth-inning homer appeared to put the Dodgers in command heading to the final frame, but Diaz encountered trouble in the ninth. The closer allowed a two-run homer to Evan Carter and a game-tying single to Ezequiel Duran with two outs, setting up Muncy’s heroics against Rangers reliever Jacob Latz, who suffered his first loss of the season.

Before the first pitch, the Dodgers honored the memory of Davey Lopes with a moment of silence. Lopes, who died earlier this week, served as the team’s second baseman for much of the 1970s and early 1980s as part of one of baseball’s most successful infields.

Nine-time WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner has agreed to a seven-figure contract with the Connecticut Sun, according to reports from the team’s sideline reporter and ESPN.

The announcement came Friday night that Griner, who had a disappointing statistical season with the Atlanta Dream, will receive the substantial contract from the Sun. The Dream organization is set to move to Houston in 2027.

The 35-year-old center hails from Houston and played college basketball at Baylor University.

The Phoenix Mercury made Griner the top pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft, where she developed into a two-time scoring leader and helped capture a championship in 2014.

After her highly publicized international detention in 2022, Griner played two additional seasons with Phoenix before moving to Atlanta for the previous season. During her time with the Dream, she posted career-worst numbers with 9.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game while making 25 starts in 39 appearances.

Throughout her career, Griner has earned six All-WNBA selections and claimed Defensive Player of the Year honors twice.

Connecticut struggled significantly last season, finishing with an 11-33 record and a .250 winning percentage that marked the worst performance in the franchise’s existence.

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani made baseball history Friday night, surpassing Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki’s record for the longest consecutive on-base streak by a player born in Japan.

Ohtani accomplished the feat by recording a base hit in the fifth inning against Texas Rangers pitcher Kumar Rocker, marking his 44th consecutive game reaching base safely. The streak spans across two seasons, beginning on August 24 and continuing through the final 31 contests of the previous campaign, plus all 13 games he has appeared in this year.

The previous benchmark was set by Suzuki during his time with the Seattle Mariners in 2009, when he safely reached base in 43 straight games. Ohtani has previously expressed his admiration for Suzuki during his youth in Japan.

This marks the second time Ohtani has eclipsed a record previously held by the legendary Suzuki. During the 2024 season, Ohtani swiped 59 bases, surpassing Suzuki’s mark of 56 stolen bases set in 2001 for most steals in a single season by a Japanese-born player.