Category: Sports

NEW YORK — The New York Mets will be without star outfielder Juan Soto for the next two to three weeks after he suffered a strained right calf muscle.

The team placed the four-time All-Star on the 10-day injured list on Monday, with the move dating back to Saturday. According to the Mets, this type of muscle strain typically requires approximately two to three weeks of recovery time before players can return to action.

To fill the roster spot, the organization brought up infielder Ronny Mauricio from their Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse.

The 27-year-old Soto is currently in his second year of a historic $765 million contract spanning 15 seasons. Through eight games this season, he has posted impressive numbers with a .355 batting average, one home run, and five RBIs. Last year in his debut season with New York, Soto compiled a .263 average along with 43 home runs, 105 RBIs, 38 stolen bases, 127 walks, and a .921 OPS.

The injury occurred during Friday evening’s contest when Soto attempted to advance from first base to third base in the Mets’ 10-3 victory over San Francisco.

NEW YORK — During Major League Baseball’s inaugural week of robot umpire challenges, catchers significantly outperformed batters in successfully overturning calls, with the Detroit Tigers and David Dingler setting the pace.

Teams achieved an overall 55.2% success rate (299 of 542) with the Automated Ball-Strike System challenges, while defensive squads won 59.7% of their appeals (175 of 293), including a 60.4% success rate for catchers (169 of 280).

“I like it a little more. I was pretty staunch against it, which I still may be to some degree,” New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.

Pitchers made only 13 challenges, succeeding on six occasions. Hitters managed a 49.8% success rate (124 of 249).

“I think it’s fun. It’s its own game inside the game, almost,” Tampa Bay catcher Hunter Feduccia said.

The success rate improved from last year’s Triple-A performance of 49.5%, where defensive teams won 53.7% and batters succeeded 49.5% of the time.

Detroit topped all teams with a 75% success rate (15 of 20), followed by Arizona at 71%, while Baltimore and Cincinnati both achieved 67%.

Minnesota issued the most challenges with 32, winning 20 for a 63% rate. Texas made the fewest appeals, succeeding on 4 of 10 attempts.

Cleveland struggled most at 32% success, with Washington at 38% and both St. Louis and Texas at 40%.

Detroit’s catchers went perfect at 8-0, with Dingler accounting for seven victories.

The system’s influence became evident during Atlanta’s visit to Arizona last Thursday. With the Braves leading 2-1, Arizona’s Ryne Nelson delivered a 3-2 curveball to the upper, outside corner against Ozzie Albies that umpire Malachi Moore called a strike. Albies appealed and walked toward first base before the automated system revealed the pitch missed the strike zone by 1.1 inches. That walk sparked an eight-run rally in a 17-2 victory.

“In some of these games, it’s had a more of a swinging effect on outcomes of at-bats and how things change than maybe even you thought,” Miami manager Clayton McCullough said.

Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe recorded the most individual wins, succeeding on 10 of 12 challenges. Miami’s Agustín Ramírez won 7 of 9 appeals and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith succeeded 8 of 11 times.

Seattle’s Cal Raleigh won 4 of 9 challenges while Oakland’s Shea Langeliers succeeded 3 of 9 times.

Among hitters, New York Mets’ Mark Vientos and Iván Herrera both went 3-0. Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout finished 3-1 alongside Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber and Tampa Bay’s Jake Fraley.

Colorado’s Hunter Goodman and Washington’s Luis García Jr. both went 0 for 3.

Boone noted that Yankees personnel and players examine challenges made and missed opportunities on a daily basis.

Players continue adapting to the system. Washington’s Jorbit Vivas tapped his helmet requesting an appeal on March 31 after the Nationals had already used their two allowed challenges.

Regarding umpires, Mike Estabrook had 11 of 12 decisions overturned (91.7%), Andy Fletcher saw 15 of 17 reversed (88.2%), while Ron Kulpa and Paul Clemons each had 7 of 9 overturned (77.8%) and Chris Segal 10 of 13 (76.9%), according to taptochallenge.com.

Will Little had only 1 of 10 decisions reversed while Erich Bacchus maintained perfection with no overturned calls in five challenges. Additional umpires with low reversal rates among those with at least five challenges included Emil Jiménez (1 of 5), Jordan Baker (2 of 8), Ryan Additon and Nick Mahrley (both 2 of 7) and David Rackley (3 of 10).

Offensive production continued to struggle through the season’s first 139 games of 2,430 total.

The major league batting average of .234 dropped from .239 during last year’s opening week, when it concluded at .245. Averages typically rise as temperatures increase. The all-time low of .237 was established in 1968.

Mean fastball velocity reached 94.6 mph, rising from 94.1 mph during last year’s first week. The season-ending figure has climbed each of the past five years to a record 94.5 mph in 2025. It measured 91.9 mph when MLB began tracking in 2008.

“I wish I was facing the same pitching as I did my rookie year back when guys were throwing 88-mile-an-hour sinkers over the plate,” said 33-year-old Cleveland catcher Austin Hedges. “That pitch doesn’t exist anymore.”

World Athletics announced Monday that Craig Reedie, a prominent leader in Olympic sports and anti-doping initiatives, passed away at 84 years old.

Reedie began his career as a competitive badminton player representing Britain before transitioning into sports leadership roles that would define his legacy on the international stage.

Throughout his distinguished career, Reedie held several high-profile positions including leading the World Anti-Doping Agency as president, serving as chairman of the British Olympic Association, and holding a vice presidency with the International Olympic Committee.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe honored Reedie’s memory with a detailed tribute, describing his character and leadership style.

“Craig was a sportsman at heart, but he had the mind and tenacity of a politician. He was equal parts opinionated, wise, canny, and, most of all, loyal to those who legitimately wanted to serve sport,” Coe stated.

Coe continued his praise, noting Reedie’s direct approach and unwavering principles.

“He certainly did not suffer fools gladly, was authentic, and would speak his mind.

“He was laser-like in his directness, would go into battle to defend what he believed was right, and was in the lead tank during every battle. And, on the rare occasions he was wrong, he would admit so, explain his position, and apologise.”

The University of North Carolina’s hunt for a new basketball coach has generated mixed signals, with different media outlets pointing to two distinct NBA figures as the leading candidates.

According to The Field of 68’s Sunday report, the Tar Heels are concentrating their efforts exclusively on Billy Donovan, who currently leads the Chicago Bulls and previously guided the University of Florida to consecutive national titles in 2006 and 2007.

However, ESPN contradicted this Monday, stating that North Carolina plans to bring in Michael Malone, who captured an NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets in 2025 but lacks experience as a college head coach.

The 60-year-old Donovan built an impressive 467-186 coaching record at Florida between 1996 and 2015 before transitioning to professional basketball. His NBA tenure includes a 243-157 mark with the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2015 to 2020, followed by a 224-253 record with Chicago, including this season’s 29-48 performance.

Malone, age 54, has spent this season providing analysis for ABC and ESPN after Denver dismissed him on April 8, 2025. His head coaching career spans 510-394 across his time with the Nuggets from 2015-2025 and a brief stint with Sacramento in 2013-14. Before becoming a head coach, he served as an assistant with Golden State, New Orleans, Cleveland, and New York in the NBA.

His college experience includes assistant coaching positions at Manhattan from 1999-2001, Providence between 1995-98, and Oakland in 1994-95.

The Tar Heels dismissed Hubert Davis following their opening-round NCAA Tournament defeat to VCU last month. Other potential candidates, including Michigan’s Dusty May and Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd, have chosen to stay with their current programs.

The Chicago Cubs are planning to bring outfielder Seiya Suzuki back from the injured list this Friday as they prepare to host the Pittsburgh Pirates for a three-game series at home.

Suzuki hasn’t appeared in any games for Chicago this season after suffering a sprained knee ligament while representing Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic earlier this year.

During his rehabilitation stint with Double-A Knoxville, Suzuki has recorded three hits in eight at-bats, along with one walk and one RBI across three games.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell addressed reporters about Suzuki’s return, saying: “We’re probably dealing with at-bats as much as anything here. He didn’t get a full spring. Multiple weeks off. It’s just making sure he’s ready to go offensively.”

While playing for Knoxville, Suzuki has logged 10 defensive innings across two games in right field, and the Cubs organization plans to give him additional defensive work this week before his activation.

The 31-year-old outfielder enjoyed his best campaign with Chicago last season, launching 32 home runs while driving in 103 runs. Throughout his four-year tenure with the Cubs, Suzuki has maintained a .269 batting average with an .818 OPS, accumulating 87 home runs and 296 RBIs across 532 games.

AUGUSTA, Georgia — The ceramic collectible gnomes that have become legendary souvenirs at the Masters Tournament could be approaching their final chapter, with speculation that 2026 might mark their last year of production.

These small figurines have dominated Augusta National Golf Club’s merchandise sales for the past decade, consistently selling out in under an hour with strict one-per-customer limits and generating astronomical prices on secondary markets.

Rumors circulating at the prestigious golf club indicate the gnomes may conclude their run in 2026, transforming these already precious collectibles into even more treasured items among golf enthusiasts.

Fans who successfully obtain one of these ceramic figures during their visit to Augusta National’s pristine grounds display them proudly, especially as this year’s first major championship begins Thursday.

The 2026 version features a white-bearded figure wearing a blue Masters vest, holding a coffee cup in one hand and a working miniature umbrella in the other, retailing for $49.50.

However, secondary market values tell a dramatically different tale. These gnomes, which debuted as Masters merchandise in 2016, are already commanding prices approaching $1,000 for the current 2026 model on resale platforms, while a complete collection spanning 2016-2025 has been listed on eBay for $39,999.

Lisa Endredi from Augusta, Georgia, demonstrated the dedication required to secure these items by arriving at the club at 4 a.m. Monday and waiting three hours in line before she and her spouse each obtained one.

“I got one for my best friend and she’s got tickets for (the opening round) Thursday so I am going to trade her a gnome for a ticket,” Endredi explained, noting that her second gnome will be displayed on her home mantel. “Don’t underestimate the power of the gnome.”

True to Augusta National’s tradition of maintaining strict confidentiality about club operations — from membership information to merchandise sales figures — the gnomes’ future remains officially unconfirmed. The club has not responded to requests for verification regarding whether this represents the collectibles’ final year.

Ava Powell, traveling from nearby Aiken, South Carolina, refused to risk missing out. After three previous unsuccessful attempts, she finally secured a full-sized gnome during her fourth Masters visit.

“I would die if I didn’t get this gnome this year,” Powell declared. “This will be in my home and it will be brought out during Masters week just like a Christmas decoration would be brought out.”

Augusta National’s social media reveal of this year’s gnome included footage showing the bearded figure holding a green and white umbrella bearing the tournament logo. The video then shows the gnome using the opened umbrella for shelter while a groundskeeper waters nearby yellow flowers.

Chris Flanagan from Detroit, Michigan, attending his first Masters, learned about the gnome phenomenon through experience. Missing the opportunity for a full-sized version, he settled for the miniature alternative, which maintains a consistent caddie appearance rather than the themed costume variations of the larger editions.

“I’d heard it was a holy grail item so of course you want to have something that’s special like that,” Flanagan said. “We didn’t know how early you had to get here to get one so we found out now that you have to get here by at least 5:30 a.m. to wait.”

For future gnome hunters, consider this advance notice of the commitment required.

The Ottawa Charge announced Monday that head coach Carla MacLeod will be taking a leave of absence to focus on her ongoing battle with breast cancer.

The 43-year-old coach first revealed her breast cancer diagnosis back in November. Team officials have not specified how long MacLeod will be away from her coaching duties.

“She remains in good spirits and is focused on her health and recovery,” the team said. “The entire organization fully supports Carla and her family and asks that her privacy is respected.”

Assistant coach Haley Irwin will step up to serve as the team’s interim head coach. This isn’t Irwin’s first time in this role – she previously filled in during a December 2nd game when MacLeod first began her medical treatment.

Ottawa currently sits in fifth position in the PWHL standings after 25 games, trailing the fourth-place Toronto Sceptres by just one point. The team’s next matchup is scheduled for Wednesday evening when they host the Seattle Torrent.

MacLeod has been leading the Ottawa franchise since the professional women’s hockey league launched its first season in 2024.

As a player, MacLeod achieved remarkable success representing Canada on the international stage. The Alberta native earned Olympic gold medals in both 2006 and 2010, and captured a world championship title in 2007. She also collected three world championship silver medals in 2005, 2008, and 2009 during her distinguished playing career as a defender.

Baltimore has promoted right-handed pitcher Brandon Young from their Triple-A Norfolk team to take the mound for Monday’s series opener against the Chicago White Sox.

The Orioles made space on their roster by placing left-handed reliever Dietrich Enns on the 15-day injured list due to a foot infection, with the move backdated to Saturday.

A starting pitcher position became available after Zach Eflin was placed on the 15-day injured list last week with right elbow discomfort. Eflin exited his March 31 start against the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning and is currently consulting with additional medical specialists.

Young earned recognition as the Orioles’ 2024 Minor League Pitcher of the Year and appeared in 12 major league starts during 2025, posting a 1-7 record with a 6.24 ERA. His most memorable performance came on July 8 when he achieved an immaculate inning versus the New York Mets, striking out three consecutive batters using just nine pitches during the fifth inning.

In his most recent Triple-A appearance, Young pitched five innings against Memphis on April 1, surrendering one earned run on five hits while recording four strikeouts without issuing any walks.

Young has not previously pitched against the White Sox during his professional career.

The Chicago Sky announced Monday they have sent power forward Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream as part of a deal that brings the team two future first-round draft selections.

The 23-year-old player, who entered the WNBA as the seventh pick in the 2024 draft, emerged as one of the league’s most prominent figures alongside Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark during her rookie season.

Throughout her time with Chicago, Reese dominated the boards, topping the league in rebounds for both the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

According to reports, Atlanta will send Chicago their first-round selections for the 2027 and 2028 drafts in return for acquiring Reese.

Chicago General Manager Jeff Pagliocca explained the move in an official statement, saying the transaction aims to create better team composition and benefits everyone involved.

“Angel has achieved many record-breaking milestones in her first two years in the WNBA and has been a competitive force for the Sky,” Pagliocca stated.

“We are thankful for her many important contributions to this league and this game, and we know she will continue to have a big impact on the court and beyond. We wish Angel all the best in her next chapter.”

During Reese’s tenure, the Sky faced challenges on the court, missing playoff qualification in both of her seasons with the franchise.

Known by her nickname “Chi Barbie,” the forward shared her thoughts about leaving Chicago through a video message posted on her social media accounts.

“To the city of Chicago, you showed me real love from day one,” Reese said. “Thank you, Chicago. Always Chi-Town Barbie.”

The Atlanta Dream acquired two-time All-Star forward Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky in a Monday trade that sent shockwaves through the WNBA.

Chicago will receive Atlanta’s first-round draft selections for both 2027 and 2028, plus the ability to exchange second-round picks in 2028 as part of the deal.

The 23-year-old Reese has dominated the boards during her brief professional career, topping the WNBA in rebounds for two consecutive seasons with averages of 13.1 per game in 2024 and 12.6 in her rookie year. Both figures represent the highest single-season totals in league history.

Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca addressed the move in an official statement, saying: “This trade is designed to achieve roster balance and represents a great opportunity for all parties. Angel has achieved many record-breaking milestones in her first two years in the WNBA and has been a competitive force for the Sky. We are thankful for her many important contributions to this league and this game, and we know she will continue to have a big impact on the court and beyond.”

“We wish Angel all the best in her next chapter,” Pagliocca added.

Throughout her 64 career games, Reese has accumulated 49 double-doubles while maintaining averages of 14.1 points, 12.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals per contest.

Reese expressed enthusiasm about joining her new team, stating: “I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to join the Atlanta Dream organization. I’m focused on continuing to grow my game, competing at the highest level, connecting with the fans, and giving everything I’ve got to the Dream.”

The Dream posted a franchise-best 30-14 record last season, making them an attractive destination for the former LSU standout who was selected seventh overall in the 2024 draft.

Dream general manager Dan Padover praised the acquisition, commenting: “Angel is a dynamic talent and a perfect fit for what we are building in Atlanta. She has already proven herself as one of the most impactful players in the league, and her competitiveness, production and drive to win align seamlessly with our vision. This is an exciting moment for our organization and our fans.”

The trade comes after Reese voiced dissatisfaction with Chicago’s direction following their disappointing 10-34 season.

In September comments to the Chicago Tribune, Reese said: “I’m not settling for the same s–t we did this year. We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That’s a non-negotiable for me. I’m willing and wanting to play with the best.”

“… I’d like to be here for my career, but if things don’t pan out, obviously I might have to move in a different direction and do what’s best for me. But while I am here, I’m going to try to stay open-minded about what I have here and maximize that as much as I can,” she continued.

Those remarks resulted in Chicago suspending Reese for half of their September 7th game for conduct considered “detrimental to the team.” She ultimately missed the season’s final four contests with what was reported as a back injury, though she later issued an apology to her teammates.

NEW YORK — Philadelphia coach Rick Tocchet knew the importance of the moment, but he didn’t want to add pressure on his players before they took the ice.

“They know,” Tocchet said. “They see the standings.”

The Eastern Conference standings have undergone a dramatic transformation since late March. Most notably, Tocchet’s Flyers have broken into playoff position for the first time since January 12.

At the top, the Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens have secured their postseason spots, while Detroit has tumbled from what appeared to be a safe position to outside the playoff picture. The situation became so dire for the New York Islanders that they dismissed coach Patrick Roy, and Washington appears to be running short on time to potentially give Alex Ovechkin another playoff run at age 40.

“It’s just frustrating,” Washington coach Spencer Carbery said following an 8-1 defeat to the New York Rangers. “It’s frustrating because we fought as hard as we have to get back into this spot where we’re within striking distance.”

When play commenced on March 26, just four points divided Montreal (88), Columbus (87), Pittsburgh and Boston (86), Ottawa and the Islanders (86), and Detroit (84). With Philadelphia sitting at 80 points, it appeared seven clubs were competing for five playoff berths.

Montreal captured six straight wins and secured their playoff spot on Sunday before their eight-game victory streak that started March 21 finally ended. Pittsburgh claimed five wins in seven contests, and Boston posted a 4-2-1 record to eliminate any uncertainty about spring hockey in those cities.

“With where the league’s at, our division, there’s pressure every night on every team,” said Montreal winger Cole Caufield, who is approaching becoming the team’s first 50-goal scorer since 1990. “That’s what makes this thing so fun. It’s just the guys in this group, in this room that are pushing each other and the staff that we have is unreal. We’re just going to keep this thing going.”

Philadelphia’s overtime victory against Boston on Sunday, featuring top prospect Porter Martone’s debut NHL goal, propelled the Flyers past the Islanders into third place in the Metropolitan Division. Well before Martone joined the team after completing his college career at Michigan State, Philadelphia sat 13th among 16 Eastern teams following the Olympic break and has since captured 14 victories in 21 contests to emerge as a contender.

“These past 10 or so games, they’ve been playoff games and we’ve been playing the right way,” forward Noah Cates said. “It’s been the simple things, the little things that just kind of get us over the hump and in the win column.”

Detroit held the Atlantic Division lead and was tied for the most points in the East on January 15. Their advantage over the conference’s ninth-place team stood at 12 points.

Following a game where they trailed by three goals, rallied to tie, then lost 5-4 in regulation to Minnesota on Sunday, the Red Wings have compiled an 8-9-3 record since that high point and now trail by two points with five contests remaining.

“Obviously, we would have loved to be in a playoff spot, but that’s not the case,” forward Lucas Raymond said after a disappointing 4-1 defeat to the Rangers on Saturday. “We’ve got a great opportunity here. We’ve got these games left here to really do something special with this team. The faith is high in here. We have a lot of faith in ourselves, in our team, so it’s just about going out there and getting it done.”

Raymond and his Red Wings teammates have been shut out in the opening period in 43 of 77 games, leading the league in that unwanted category.

“I wish I had the answer,” coach Todd McLellan said. “We can get out of the gate quicker: don’t dip our toe in the water.”

Columbus switched from Dean Evason to Rick Bowness behind the bench in mid-January and proceeded to win 19 of 27 games to climb to second in their division. The Blue Jackets have since dropped seven consecutive games.

Since March 18, when they appeared headed for a comfortable playoff berth during Matthew Schaefer’s outstanding rookie campaign, the Islanders have managed just three wins in 10 games, including a four-game losing streak. First-year general manager Mathieu Darche fired Roy and brought in Peter DeBoer on Sunday with four games remaining, hoping a coaching change could spark their playoff push.

Washington is not considering any coaching moves with Carbery, the current Jack Adams Award winner who is expected to guide the franchise through its eventual post-Ovechkin era. Veteran defenseman John Carlson and depth center Nic Dowd were dealt at the trade deadline as part of a youth movement, but an 8-3-2 stretch from March 9 through Saturday had made the playoffs seem achievable.

Their lopsided loss to the already-eliminated Rangers exposed defensive weaknesses that Carbery believed had been present for approximately a dozen games but were masked by solid goaltending, offensive production and fortunate bounces. Washington now needs considerable luck and assistance, sitting three points behind with four games left.

“It’s tough we put ourselves in this spot,” forward Aliaksei Protas said. “But those big games, I feel like they can really show who we are as a team and where we’re at as a team.”

DALLAS (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers received devastating news when they learned Austin Reaves would miss the remainder of the regular season, adding to their woes after already knowing Luka Doncic’s injury would sideline him indefinitely.

LeBron James discovered the extent of Reaves’ left oblique strain after waking up from a nap, having already processed the grim news about Doncic’s left hamstring injury. Doncic currently leads the NBA in scoring.

“It was a shot to the heart and to the chest and the main frame with Luka, and we got that news kind of quick,” James commented following the Lakers’ 134-128 defeat to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday evening. “And (Reaves), he’s kind of dealing with the pain, we’re saying, ‘OK, whatever the case may be.’”

“I woke up from my nap yesterday and then saw that news, I was like … (expletive),” James added, taking a lengthy pause before completing his statement.

The playoff-bound Lakers must now rely heavily on James as their main offensive weapon and court general, despite the 41-year-old veteran completing his historic 23rd NBA campaign.

James delivered 30 points and 15 assists versus Dallas but faltered during the fourth quarter after igniting a second-quarter comeback. He managed just 2 of 7 field goals in the final 12 minutes and missed both free throw attempts with his team trailing by eight points and 3:50 left on the clock.

“I think we have to be mindful of that. I think that’s a valid question,” head coach JJ Redick stated before the contest. “For all our guys, him included, we want to put them in positions to be successful. Certain guys are gonna be tasked with doing stuff they haven’t done a lot of this year.”

Both Doncic and Reaves, who serves as LA’s second-leading scorer, sustained their injuries during Thursday night’s lopsided defeat to Oklahoma City.

Doncic remains central to these discussions as an MVP contender who will conclude the season one game shy of the 65-game minimum required for eligibility for that honor and other end-of-season accolades.

“I just know that he’s gonna do everything he can to try to be back,” Redick explained. “I talked to him Friday, I talked him again (Saturday), I talked with him again (Sunday) morning. He’s gonna go through all the necessary things to be back at some point, and it’s our job again to extend the season so that both those guys can get back.”

ESPN reported Sunday that Doncic plans to travel to Europe for specialized hamstring treatment, according to his representative Bill Duffy from WME Basketball.

Redick discussed implementing a point guard rotation system, made essential by Marcus Smart’s absence due to a right ankle injury. The coach mentioned LeBron’s son Bronny James among potential contributors, alongside Luke Kennard, Nick Smith Jr., and rarely-used Kobe Bufkin.

Kennard achieved his first career triple-double with 15 points, a personal-best 16 rebounds, and 11 assists, though he struggled offensively against Dallas, connecting on just 5 of 17 attempts. Among Redick’s other options, only Bronny James logged significant minutes, contributing five points across nine minutes of action.

“I think simplicity wins,” Redick noted. “It’s nothing too crazy. But it’s just being really simple with the menu and hopefully over the next five games, we can really figure out what works for this group. And that’s obviously trial and error.”

James recorded a triple-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists in their recent win over Washington when Doncic was suspended for one game after accumulating his 16th technical foul of the season.

Sunday’s loss dropped Los Angeles into a third-place deadlock with Denver in the Western Conference standings. Fifth-seeded Houston could potentially challenge for first-round home-court advantage, especially given the Lakers’ current injury troubles.

Rui Hachimura contributed 12 of his 21 points during the opening quarter against Dallas, who established a 22-point halftime advantage before withstanding James’ impressive performance and 23 points from reserve center Jaxson Hayes.

Los Angeles shot 52% while recording 36 assists, falling just two short of their season-high mark, but allowed Dallas to match that same 52% shooting percentage. The Mavericks, typically among the league’s poorest three-point shooting teams, connected on 14 of 32 attempts (44%).

“We’ve got a week left of the regular season and then a week to prepare and we’ve gotta have the commitment to do it on both ends,” Redick said following the game. “That’s the reason that we’ve put ourselves in the position to be in the playoffs is because we became a really good offensive team and a really good defensive team. So it’s gotta be the commitment to both ends.”

The Atlanta Hawks have added experienced center Tony Bradley to their roster, the team revealed Monday. Financial terms of the agreement were not made public.

The 28-year-old big man brings eight years of NBA experience from five different franchises, with his most recent stint coming with the Indiana Pacers.

During the current season with Indiana, Bradley posted averages of 4.0 points and 2.8 rebounds while logging 10.9 minutes per game across 38 appearances, including three as a starter.

Originally selected in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, Bradley has compiled career statistics of 4.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 11.0 minutes per contest over 231 games with 21 starts. His professional journey has taken him through the Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Chicago Bulls, and most recently Indiana. Throughout his career, he has maintained an impressive 62.1% shooting percentage from the floor.

The Hawks currently hold a 45-33 record and occupy fifth position in the Eastern Conference standings as they prepare for Monday night’s home matchup against the New York Knicks, with just four games left in their regular season schedule.

The WNBA launched its free agency period Monday, creating a busy marketplace with over 100 players available just seven days ahead of the 2026 WNBA Draft.

The unusually large pool of available talent stems from contracts that were linked to the former collective bargaining agreement’s 2025 expiration date, setting up what promises to be an intense week of negotiations.

Players entering free agency will benefit significantly from the recently agreed-upon CBA, which boosts team salary caps by $5.5 million. This increase translates to substantial pay raises for both seasoned veterans and incoming rookies.

The new agreement dramatically transforms rookie compensation, with the top draft selection now commanding $500,000 per year. This represents a massive jump from 2024, when Indiana Fever selected Caitlin Clark first overall for just over $76,000 annually.

Elite players like Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson stand to benefit enormously, with potential earnings climbing from approximately $200,000 to more than $1 million under the updated pay structure.

The free agency timeline spans several days, with Monday and Tuesday reserved for designation periods when teams can extend qualifying offers and identify core players. Negotiations between players and their agents are scheduled for Wednesday through Friday, with contract signings permitted starting Saturday.

Several marquee players have already announced their intentions, including Wilson who confirmed plans to remain with the Aces. New York Liberty stars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu have similarly indicated they will continue with their current team.

Two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson made his presence known Monday as the Baltimore Ravens kicked off their voluntary offseason training program, becoming the league’s first franchise to begin workouts.

There had been uncertainty surrounding whether the veteran signal-caller would participate while he and the organization continue negotiations on a contract extension.

The Ravens shared a brief clip on social media showing Jackson’s entrance at the Under Armour Performance Center.

Jackson’s attendance holds particular significance as Baltimore embarks on its inaugural offseason with new head coach Jesse Minter and newly appointed offensive coordinator Declan Doyle leading the way.

Speaking about Jackson during last week’s NFL owners meetings in Phoenix, Minter expressed enthusiasm about their developing partnership.

“I just think that he’s excited for us to connect, for us to build a relationship, for us to trust each other, for us to be able to talk through things,” Minter said of Jackson.

“You don’t become the level of player that he has without a great work ethic, without being a great teammate, and without being a leader. I am just excited for him to continue to grow, evolve, and become an even better version of Lamar.”

The 29-year-old quarterback and the Ravens failed to reach the postseason last year under veteran coach John Harbaugh. Jackson completed the season with 2,549 passing yards, 21 touchdown passes and seven interceptions across 13 starts, finishing with a 6-7 record while contributing 349 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers have both launched their seasons with strong 7-2 records, and their superstar players are beginning to find their offensive groove.

Shohei Ohtani struggled to produce RBIs early on but broke through on Friday with his first run driven in, followed by home runs in that contest and again on Sunday. Both he and Aaron Judge are now riding three-game streaks with multiple hits.

Judge hasn’t been required to single-handedly power the Yankees’ success, as the team had surrendered just 15 runs all season before Sunday’s 7-6 defeat to Miami. Cam Schlittler has delivered two shutout performances, and New York displayed aggressive baserunning against the Marlins, including a stolen base by Giancarlo Stanton.

Los Angeles initially saw struggles from their power-hitting foursome of Ohtani, Kyle Tucker, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman during the opening week. However, they exploded offensively during their Washington series, combining for 31 runs across three contests. With Andy Pages delivering an impressive 16-for-34 performance to start the year, the Dodgers can remain patient with their established stars.

This patience extends to Betts, who was placed on the injured list due to an oblique strain.

The Dodgers will now travel to Toronto for a three-game set, marking the first encounter between these clubs since Los Angeles defeated the Blue Jays in Game 7 of last year’s World Series on Canadian soil.

Speaking of teams thriving while waiting for stars to find form, Pittsburgh completed a three-game sweep of Baltimore to reach 6-3. The Pirates have won five consecutive games despite Paul Skenes allowing six earned runs over 5 2/3 innings in his first two outings.

Top prospect Konnor Griffin hasn’t contributed much offensively either, going 1-for-9 since his call-up, though he remains undefeated in games he’s appeared in. Pittsburgh will play 10 of their next 13 contests at home, with Skenes scheduled to start Tuesday against San Diego.

Jo Adell managed just one hit in three at-bats on Saturday, but his defensive heroics proved game-changing. The Angels outfielder made three spectacular home run-saving catches to preserve a 1-0 victory over Seattle.

Adell’s most dramatic grab came when he crashed into the stands while robbing J.P. Crawford of a potential leadoff homer in the ninth inning. He also denied Cal Raleigh what would have been the catcher’s first long ball of the season.

Arizona overcame a four-run deficit on Tuesday night, rallying for six runs in the eighth inning to defeat Detroit 7-5. The Tigers held a 96.4% win probability after seven innings, according to Baseball Savant.

Corbin Carroll delivered a bases-loaded double that brought home two runs, while Jose Fernandez connected for a three-run homer. It marked Fernandez’s second home run of the contest in his major league debut.

Regarding an interesting sports trivia question about when the same state produced both NCAA basketball and World Series champions in the same year: UCLA captured the national title while the Oakland Athletics won the World Series in 1973. That same pairing also occurred in 1972.

A recent close call happened in 2021 when Baylor claimed the NCAA Tournament while the Houston Astros fell to the Atlanta Braves in the World Series. The only possibility for this rare double this year would require Michigan winning in basketball and the Tigers capturing the World Series.

Stephen Curry made his return to the court after missing two months due to injury, putting up 29 points in his comeback performance, but Alperen Sengun delivered the decisive blow for Houston with a clutch inside basket in the final 11.1 seconds, securing a 117-116 victory for the Rockets over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday evening in San Francisco.

Former Warriors star Kevin Durant, making his first appearance in San Francisco as a member of the Rockets, led all scorers with 31 points for Houston (49-29). The victory puts the Rockets just one game behind both the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets in the tight race for the Western Conference’s third seed.

The Warriors (36-42) received solid support for Curry from Brandin Podziemski, who contributed 18 points. With this loss, Golden State has essentially locked themselves into the 10th position for the Western Conference play-in tournament.

The superstar guard had been sidelined for 27 consecutive games following a knee injury sustained on January 30 against Detroit. During his 26 minutes of action, Curry connected on 11 of 21 field goal attempts. The Warriors struggled without their leader, posting a disappointing 9-18 record while he rehabilitated his sore right knee.

Golden State also got contributions from Gui Santos with 15 points and Payton with 14. However, the Warriors suffered a setback when Kristaps Porzingis fouled out after just 23 minutes, managing only nine points despite grabbing a team-leading eight rebounds. Draymond Green facilitated the offense with a game-high 12 assists while adding seven points.

Celtics 115, Raptors 101

Jaylen Brown led the scoring attack with 26 points while Jayson Tatum recorded 23 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists as Boston defeated Toronto at home.

The Celtics received valuable contributions from Neemias Queta (18 points, seven rebounds), Payton Pritchard (17 points) and Derrick White (10 points). Nikola Vucevic made his return after fracturing his right ring finger on March 6, contributing four points and four rebounds in his first game back.

Boston extended their home dominance over Toronto to nine straight victories. The Raptors haven’t tasted victory in Boston since 2021, and the Celtics have now won 21 of their past 24 regular-season matchups against Toronto. Ja’Kobe Walter paced Toronto with 16 points, while Brandon Ingram and RJ Barrett each added 15.

Mavericks 134, Lakers 128

Cooper Flagg followed up his remarkable 51-point showing with another spectacular performance, recording 45 points, nine assists and eight rebounds to power Dallas past a depleted Los Angeles squad at home.

The Mavericks built their advantage to as many as 22 points with help from P.J. Washington’s 15 points, 13 each from Naji Marshall and Brandon Williams, and Klay Thompson’s three three-pointers en route to 11 points supporting Flagg’s effort.

LeBron James nearly recorded a triple-double with 30 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds as he tried to compensate for Los Angeles being without their leading scorers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, both sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. Luke Kennard achieved his first career triple-double with 15 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists.

Suns 120, Bulls 110

Devin Booker tallied 30 points, Jalen Green contributed 25 and Dillon Brooks connected on crucial shots in the closing moments as Phoenix defeated Chicago on the road.

Phoenix’s starting five all reached double figures, with Mark Williams shooting efficiently at 6-of-8 for 14 points and eight rebounds, while Jordan Goodwin added 12 points on perfect 5-of-5 shooting along with seven rebounds.

Tre Jones paced Chicago with 29 points on 12-of-20 shooting. Collin Sexton nearly achieved a double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Leonard Miller grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds and scored 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting.

Cavaliers 117, Pacers 108

Donovan Mitchell exploded for 38 points and James Harden added 28 points with seven assists as playoff-bound Cleveland rallied from an early deficit to defeat Indiana at home.

Thomas Bryant recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds for Cleveland, which trailed throughout the first half before mounting their comeback for their eighth victory in 10 games. The Cavaliers are close to securing fourth place in the Eastern Conference, which would provide home-court advantage in the opening playoff round.

Indiana, playing with only nine available players and holding the league’s second-worst record, got 21 points each from Micah Potter and Obi Toppin. Jalen Slawson achieved a career-best 19 points, and Quenton Jackson chipped in 15.

Hornets 122, Timberwolves 108

LaMelo Ball scored 35 points on efficient 13-for-22 shooting as Charlotte pulled away for a convincing road victory over Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Miles Bridges provided strong support with 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for Charlotte, which extended their winning streak to four games. Coby White added 17 points coming off the bench.

Julius Randle led Minnesota with 26 points and eight rebounds. Bones Hyland contributed 18 points as a reserve, and Rudy Gobert posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. The Timberwolves played without Anthony Edwards (right knee inflammation) and Jaden McDaniels (left knee soreness).

Magic 112, Pelicans 108

Desmond Bane scored 27 points as Orlando erased a 15-point third-quarter deficit to upset New Orleans on the road.

Paolo Banchero recorded 23 points and 16 rebounds for the Magic, who took control after gaining the lead midway through the final quarter to win their third contest in four tries.

Saddiq Bey led New Orleans with 32 points, but the Pelicans fell to their eighth consecutive defeat. Jeremiah Fears added 19 points, Yves Missi contributed 18 and Zion Williamson scored 17 for New Orleans.

Clippers 138, Kings 109

Kawhi Leonard scored 26 points and John Collins added 25 as Los Angeles climbed into eighth place in the Western Conference with a dominant road win over Sacramento.

Darius Garland and Kobe Sanders each contributed 17 points, while Kris Dunn and Jordan Miller added 13 apiece as the Clippers snapped a two-game losing streak. Los Angeles now holds the eighth seed via tiebreaker over Portland after winning two of three head-to-head meetings.

Devin Carter led Sacramento with 21 points and Nique Clifford added 18 as the Kings saw their two-game winning streak end. Maxime Raynaud recorded 11 points and 15 rebounds for Sacramento, which has battled injuries all season but managed a 7-8 record since March 8.

Bucks 131, Grizzlies 115

Ryan Rollins scored 24 points, Cormac Ryan contributed 21 and Myles Turner finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds as Milwaukee defeated Memphis at home.

Milwaukee also received 19 points from Taurean Prince, who shot 7-of-8 from the field including 5-of-5 from three-point range. The team shot 60.2% overall and 50% from beyond the arc, maintaining control throughout the second half despite Memphis cutting the deficit to one point twice early in the fourth quarter.

Rayan Rupert made history for Memphis with a 30-point triple-double, just the third in franchise history, finishing with 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Walter Clayton Jr. added 20 points for the Grizzlies, who dropped their fourth straight game and 17th in 19 contests.

Nets 121, Wizards 115

Rookie Nolan Traore established a career high with 23 points and dished out a game-high seven assists as Brooklyn held off Washington in a battle between Eastern Conference cellar dwellers in New York.

Jalen Wilson added 19 points and five rebounds, while Josh Minott and E.J. Liddell each scored 15 as the Nets captured just their second victory in 14 games. Brooklyn also claimed the season series against Washington 3-1.

Will Riley shot 9-for-16 from the field to pace Washington with 30 points. The rookie has led the Wizards in scoring in five of the last six games, averaging 22.5 points during that span. Julian Reese contributed 17 points and 16 rebounds for Washington.

Olympic silver medalist Sha’Carri Richardson claimed victory Monday at one of Australia’s most prestigious running events, charging from the back of the pack to win the Stawell Gift handicap race.

The competition, Australia’s longest-running and most lucrative handicap sprint, awards A$40,000 (approximately $27,628) to the winner. Contestants race 120 meters uphill on grass, with starting positions determined by their athletic abilities and past sprint performances.

Richardson, who earned silver in the 100-meter dash at the Paris Olympics and helped the United States capture gold in the 4×100 relay, finished with a time of 13.15 seconds to claim first place. Australian teenager Charlotte Nielsen took second despite starting nine meters ahead of the 26-year-old American.

The Olympic champion secured her spot in the six-woman championship race after advancing through a semifinal that required a photo finish to determine the winner.

“Thank you. The love, the support, the true enjoyment that I had on the track, I know everybody’s having here. I had a great time,” Richardson told Channel 7 following her victory.

Richardson’s triumph makes her just the third female athlete to capture the women’s Stawell Gift starting from the back position since the event launched its women’s division in 1989. Bree Rizzo accomplished the feat in 2025, while Melissa Breen did so in 2012.

In the men’s competition, Richardson’s boyfriend Christian Coleman, the 2019 world 100-meter champion, was eliminated during semifinal rounds. Australia’s Olufemi Komolafe ultimately won the men’s title.

The historic race takes place annually during Easter weekend in the small Victorian community of Stawell, where it has been held since 1878. The event was only interrupted for four years during World War Two and once in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg delivered another spectacular performance Sunday, recording 45 points, nine assists and eight rebounds as Dallas defeated the injury-plagued Los Angeles Lakers 134-128 at home.

The impressive showing came just two days after Flagg made NBA history by becoming the youngest player ever to reach 50 points in a single game, achieving that milestone with 51 points against Orlando on Friday. In Sunday’s contest, the rookie nearly achieved his first career triple-double while putting up 26 points in the opening half alone.

Flagg’s explosive start helped Dallas (25-53) maintain control throughout most of the game against a Lakers squad (50-28) severely weakened by injuries.

The Lakers entered the matchup already missing MVP candidate Luka Doncic, who will be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season after suffering a Grade 2 left hamstring injury during Thursday’s lopsided defeat in Oklahoma City.

Los Angeles faced additional challenges when the team announced Saturday that Austin Reaves, their second-highest scorer this season, would also miss the rest of the regular season due to a Grade 2 left oblique strain.

LeBron James stepped up for the undermanned Lakers, coming close to a triple-double with 30 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds. James paced all five Los Angeles starters who reached double digits in scoring, including Luke Kennard, who recorded his first career triple-double with 15 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists.

However, Los Angeles struggled with depth issues as Dallas’ reserves outscored the Lakers’ bench 46-35, while the Mavericks capitalized on turnovers for 21 points off 12 Los Angeles mistakes.

The Mavericks established a commanding 22-point advantage with strong supporting performances from P.J. Washington’s 15 points, along with 13 points each from Naji Marshall and Brandon Williams. Klay Thompson contributed 11 points off the bench, including three successful three-point attempts.

Thompson’s shooting helped Dallas dominate from long range, connecting on 14 of 32 three-point attempts compared to Los Angeles’ 8 of 27 performance from beyond the arc.

World number one tennis player Carlos Alcaraz expressed his excitement about returning to clay court competition in Monaco this week, as he begins preparation for defending his French Open championship.

The Spanish tennis star captured his fifth Grand Slam championship by defeating Jannik Sinner in a thrilling Roland Garros final last June, which followed his successful 2025 clay court victories in Monte Carlo and Rome, plus a second-place showing in Barcelona.

“This is probably one of the best times of the season for me,” Alcaraz shared with media members in Monaco on Sunday.

“I miss clay every time the clay season is over. It’s been a long time since Roland Garros that I haven’t touched clay. In my first practices, I said to my team that it’s time to get the socks dirty again. It feels amazing to be back on clay.”

The 22-year-old athlete, who was sidelined from last year’s Madrid Open due to injury, expressed hope for completing a full tournament schedule before the French Open main draw commences on May 24.

“Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome … that’s the plan,” the young champion stated.

“It’s very demanding physically and mentally. The week in Barcelona is perhaps when I should rest, but Barcelona is a very important tournament for me.”

“My plan is to take care of my body as much as possible during matches and tournaments.”

The seven-time Grand Slam winner credited his Monte Carlo victory as a pivotal moment in his previous season’s success.

“After the feeling that I got here, I just got better and better,” he explained.

“I understood and I realised how I should play after this week. That’s why I did an exceptional year.”

Alcaraz is scheduled to begin his Monaco tournament run in the second round against either Stan Wawrinka or Sebastian Baez.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic plans to travel overseas for specialized medical care to address his Grade 2 left hamstring injury, according to his representatives who spoke with ESPN.

The injury occurred during Thursday’s devastating 139-96 defeat against Oklahoma City. Following an MRI examination on Friday, the team confirmed Doncic would be sidelined for the rest of the regular season at minimum.

Medical experts typically expect a Grade 2 hamstring injury to require approximately four weeks of recovery time. Given that only one week remains in the regular season, this timeline threatens to keep the NBA’s top scorer (averaging 33.5 points per game) and Los Angeles’ leader in both assists (8.3) and steals (1.6) off the court for potentially their entire opening playoff round.

The Lakers face additional challenges as Austin Reaves (averaging 23.3 points and 5.5 assists per game) will also miss the regular season’s conclusion due to a Grade 2 left oblique strain. Medical reports indicate Reaves faces a four to six-week recovery period.

Currently sitting at 50-28 with four games remaining, Los Angeles matches Denver’s record but maintains the advantage for the third playoff seed through tiebreakers. This positioning would likely result in a first-round matchup against Minnesota.

The Lakers risk dropping to fourth or fifth place during the final week, which would eliminate their home-court advantage in the opening round.

Playing without both Doncic and Reaves for the first time, Los Angeles suffered a defeat at Dallas on Sunday. Their remaining schedule includes hosting Oklahoma City, visiting Golden State, and concluding the regular season at home against Phoenix and Utah.

Philadelphia rookie Porter Martone found the back of the net for the first time in his NHL career during overtime, delivering the Flyers a crucial 2-1 victory against the Boston Bruins at home on Sunday.

The game-winning sequence unfolded rapidly when Boston was assessed two penalties just seven seconds apart during the extra period. Philadelphia capitalized on the two-man advantage within 15 seconds, as Christian Dvorak fed a pass into the slot where Martone initially had his shot denied by goaltender Joonas Korpisalo. However, the young winger – appearing in only his fourth professional game – converted the rebound for the decisive tally.

Goaltender Dan Vladar turned aside 18 shots while Dvorak contributed the other Philadelphia goal. The victory propelled the Flyers past the New York Islanders into third place within the Metropolitan Division standings. Philadelphia had entered Sunday trailing the Islanders by one point and was part of a four-team deadlock for the Eastern Conference’s final wild-card position.

Pavel Zacha tallied Boston’s only goal, though the Bruins maintain their position atop the wild-card standings despite suffering their third consecutive defeat. Korpisalo finished with 29 saves, highlighted by a spectacular late-regulation sequence where he denied Jamie Drysdale’s shot and followed with an outstanding pad save on Tyson Foerster’s rebound attempt.

Senators 6, Hurricanes 3

Brady Tkachuk found the net twice during Ottawa’s final four-goal surge in a victory over visiting Carolina.

Dylan Cozens, Tim Stutzle and Shane Pinto each contributed one goal and one assist as the Senators secured a vital victory, winning for just the second time in their previous six contests. Ottawa currently occupies the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card position. Claude Giroux added an empty-net goal with 57 seconds left, while goaltender Linus Ullmark recorded 25 saves for the Senators, who converted twice on the power play.

Logan Stankoven, Andrei Svechnikov and Taylor Hall scored for Carolina, which suffered only its second loss in six games. Jackson Blake registered two assists and Frederik Andersen made 25 saves. The Hurricanes remain one point away from securing the Metropolitan Division title with five contests remaining.

Wild 5, Red Wings 4

Kirill Kaprizov completed a hat trick, capping it with the winning goal with 1:51 left on the clock, as visiting Minnesota overcame Detroit.

After Minnesota surrendered a 4-1 advantage during the opening 15 minutes of the final period, Kaprizov delivered his third goal of the game and 43rd of the campaign on a power-play opportunity. He fired a shot from the right circle past Detroit’s Cam Talbot following a feed from Matt Boldy. Boldy and Vladimir Tarasenko also found the scoresheet.

Axel Sandin-Pellikka and Patrick Kane each recorded a goal and assist for Detroit, though Kane drew the tripping penalty that resulted in Minnesota’s game-winner. Albert Johansson and J.T. Compher also scored for the Red Wings, who have dropped four of their last five games and nine of their previous 13 matchups.

Penguins 5, Panthers 2

Rickard Rakell scored twice while Evgeni Malkin contributed two assists as Pittsburgh defeated visiting Florida.

The triumph marked Pittsburgh’s second consecutive victory over the Panthers and completed a season series sweep. Sidney Crosby tallied once and added two assists, while Bryan Rust recorded a goal and assist for the Penguins, who extended their lead over the third-place New York Islanders to seven points in the Metropolitan Division.

Arturs Silovs made 29 saves for Pittsburgh, which improved to 4-1 in its last five outings. Cole Schwindt and Carter Verhaeghe scored for the Panthers (37-37-3, 77 points), who have lost consecutive games and been eliminated from playoff contention. Daniil Tarasov stopped 18 shots for Florida, which has fallen in five of seven games.

Devils 3, Canadiens 0

Jacob Markstrom earned his first shutout of the campaign as visiting New Jersey defeated Montreal, ending the hosts’ eight-game winning streak.

Timo Meier, Cody Glass and Connor Brown scored for the Devils to maintain their slim playoff aspirations. Markstrom made 18 saves for his 25th career shutout, including two spectacular stops that prevented Montreal’s dynamic forward Cole Caufield from reaching the 50-goal milestone.

New Jersey sits seven points outside playoff position with five games left and gained some revenge after dropping a 4-3 shootout decision to Montreal on Saturday. The Devils have now won 11 consecutive games in Montreal. Third-string goaltender Jacob Fowler made 17 saves for Montreal, which had already clinched a playoff berth before the game.

Rangers 8, Capitals 1

Will Cuylle scored twice within a 2:40 span during a five-goal second period en route to his first career hat trick, leading host New York to a dominant victory that prevented Washington from gaining ground in the competitive Eastern Conference playoff race.

Washington fell three points behind the Ottawa Senators for the second and final wild-card spot. The Capitals also trail the New York Islanders by two points and sit one point behind both the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets. Charlie Lindgren made 24 saves but matched a career high by allowing eight goals for the second time.

Rookie Adam Sykora and Adam Fox also scored during the explosive second period as the Rangers won for the fifth time in six games following a six-game losing streak. Igor Shesterkin recorded 20 saves.

Davis Martin delivered six solid innings on the mound, guiding the Chicago White Sox to a 3-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, capping off an unexpected three-game sweep at home.

Martin improved to 2-0 on the season, surrendering four hits and issuing two walks during his outing. Bryan Hudson and Jordan Leasure combined to cover the seventh and eighth innings before Chris Murphy closed out the game despite allowing a leadoff walk in the ninth to secure the save.

The White Sox built their lead through timely hitting in the early frames, with Austin Hays, Miguel Vargas, and Lenyn Sosa each contributing RBI hits within the first four innings. Luisangel Acuna paced Chicago’s offense with two hits.

Toronto managed just two hits from Ernie Clement and continued their offensive struggles, going hitless in six attempts with runners in scoring position. The loss extended the Blue Jays’ losing streak to four games. Eric Lauer suffered the defeat, falling to 1-1 after allowing two runs on three hits and three walks during his brief two-inning start.

Cubs 1, Guardians 0 (Game 1)

Chicago’s pitching staff held Cleveland to a single hit as the Cubs squeaked out a victory in the opening game of their doubleheader.

Miguel Amaya delivered the game-winning hit, driving in Dylan Carlson from second base with an eighth-inning single off Connor Brogdon (2-1). Carlson had entered as a pinch-runner after Michael Conforto drew a leadoff walk. Caleb Thielbar (1-0) earned the victory despite allowing a walk over 1 1/3 innings of relief work, while Daniel Palencia secured his first save by retiring Cleveland in order during the ninth.

The Guardians’ offensive struggles overshadowed an excellent performance from starter Slade Cecconi, who matched Chicago by allowing just one hit while striking out six and walking one across six innings.

Guardians 6, Cubs 5 (Game 2)

Gabriel Arias drove in the go-ahead run with a single during Cleveland’s three-run eighth inning rally, helping the Guardians avoid a doubleheader sweep against Chicago.

CJ Kayfus went 2-for-2 off the bench, contributing a pinch-hit RBI single in the sixth and adding a home run in the eighth. Parker Messick limited Chicago to one run over five innings, while Shawn Armstrong (1-0) earned the victory despite surrendering the lead earlier. Cade Smith preserved the win by striking out the final batter with two runners in scoring position during the ninth for his third save.

Matt Shaw and Dansby Swanson each connected for their first home runs of the season for Chicago. Cubs starter Shota Imanaga allowed one run on three hits over five-plus innings, but Jacob Webb (0-1) took the loss after giving up three runs in just one-third of an inning.

Angels 8, Mariners 7 (11 innings)

Nolan Schanuel’s sacrifice fly brought home the winning run as Los Angeles outlasted Seattle in an 11-inning thriller in Anaheim.

Reliever Shaun Anderson (1-0) escaped a bases-loaded jam by striking out Cal Raleigh to end the top of the 11th. Adam Frazier went 3-for-4 with an RBI and scored the decisive run, while Schanuel and Jorge Soler each drove in two runs for the Angels.

Chase Young’s three-run homer gave Seattle a 5-4 advantage in the fifth inning, and Leo Rivas contributed two RBIs on a 1-for-3 performance. Gabe Speier (0-2), Seattle’s seventh pitcher of the contest, was charged with the loss.

Athletics 12, Astros 10 (10 innings)

Brent Rooker launched two home runs, including a three-run walk-off blast in the 10th inning, powering Oakland to a wild victory over Houston in West Sacramento.

Elvis Alvarado (1-0) earned the win after retiring the final two batters following Houston’s run in the 10th. Tyler Soderstrom went 1-for-4 but crossed the plate three times and drove in three runs, while Rooker finished with six RBIs.

Yordan Alvarez and Christian Walker each hit two-run homers for Houston, with Cam Smith going 2-for-5 and driving in three runs. Closer Bryan Abreu (0-1) suffered the loss, retiring just one of four batters he faced in Oakland’s 10th.

Diamondbacks 6, Braves 5 (10 innings)

Ketel Marte lined a walk-off double to lift Arizona past Atlanta in Phoenix, earning a series split for the Diamondbacks.

Corbin Carroll went 3-for-4 with an RBI triple, while Ildemaro Vargas contributed two RBIs on a triple. Taylor Rashi (1-0) earned his first career victory with a perfect 10th inning in his season debut.

Drake Baldwin went 3-for-5 with his fourth home run and four RBIs for Atlanta, which rallied from three separate deficits before falling short. Joel Payamps (0-1) was tagged with the loss after throwing just one pitch, which Marte drove to right field to score automatic runner Jorge Barrosa.

Rays 4, Twins 1 (10 innings)

Richie Palacios hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the 10th inning as Tampa Bay secured its first series victory of the season with a win over Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Junior Caminero, who had homered solo in the fourth inning, later drove in Tampa Bay’s fourth run via a walk. Kevin Kelly notched his second save in relief of Bryan Baker (1-0), who struck out two during a perfect ninth inning.

Nick Martinez delivered his second consecutive quality start for the Rays, allowing only a solo home run – the lone hit he surrendered – across six innings while striking out four and walking one. Matt Wallner homered for Minnesota, which managed just three hits in their second straight loss.

Padres 8, Red Sox 6

Jackson Merrill’s leadoff home run in the eighth inning snapped a late tie and propelled San Diego to a series-clinching victory over Boston.

Merrill finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs and three runs scored to pace the Padres, who collected 12 hits and overcame an early 4-0 deficit. Jeremiah Estrada (1-1) earned the victory with a scoreless inning of relief, while Mason Miller struck out three straight batters for his second consecutive save.

Wilyer Abreu (double, triple, RBI, two runs) and Masataka Yoshida (3-for-4, two doubles, three RBIs) accounted for six of Boston’s nine hits. Tyler Uberstine (0-1) suffered the loss in his major league debut, allowing one run on three hits over 2 2/3 innings.

Marlins 7, Yankees 6

Pinch hitter Graham Pauley delivered a go-ahead two-run double with the bases loaded against Jake Bird (1-1), sparking a four-run eighth inning that helped Miami hold on for victory over New York following a rain delay exceeding three hours.

Xavier Edwards, who drove in three runs total, followed with a two-run single off Ryan Yarbrough that proved crucial when Jazz Chisholm Jr. cut the deficit to one with a two-run double in the ninth before J.C. Escarra struck out to end the game.

Ben Rice smashed a three-run homer in the first inning for New York, which saw ace Max Fried allow his first three runs of the season over 6 2/3 innings after tossing 13 1/3 scoreless innings in his first two outings. John King (1-0) recorded the victory by retiring the final batter of New York’s seventh after Chris Paddack followed two openers with 4 2/3 scoreless innings.

Pirates 8, Orioles 2

Braxton Ashcraft struck out a career-high eight batters and Ryan O’Hearn drove in four runs to power Pittsburgh past Baltimore at home.

O’Hearn and Oneil Cruz each connected for two-run homers, helping the Pirates complete a three-game sweep of Baltimore and extend their winning streak to five games. Ashcraft (1-1) surrendered an RBI double to Pete Alonso in the fourth but limited further damage, working six innings without issuing a walk while allowing just four hits.

Taylor Ward led Baltimore’s offense with three hits, and Jeremiah Jackson added an RBI single. Starter Chris Bassitt (0-2) lasted only two innings, surrendering six runs on six hits.

Dodgers 8, Nationals 6

Shohei Ohtani, Dalton Rushing, and Teoscar Hernandez homered as Los Angeles rallied to defeat Washington, completing a three-game sweep.

The Dodgers scored four runs in the eighth inning to take the lead permanently. Former National Alex Call contributed two hits and scored twice. Jack Dreyer (1-0) worked a scoreless seventh inning for the victory, while Edwin Diaz earned his third save despite starter Roki Sasaki allowing six runs over five innings.

James Wood hit a three-run homer and Luis Garcia Jr. added a two-run shot for Washington, which has now lost five straight. Cionel Perez (0-1) was charged with the loss, spoiling a strong outing from Foster Griffin, who allowed one run on five hits across five innings.

Reds 2, Rangers 1

Elly De La Cruz singled home the decisive run in the eighth inning as Cincinnati edged Texas to complete a three-game sweep in Arlington.

De La Cruz collected two hits and scored once, while Will Benson also had two hits for Cincinnati. Reliever Sam Moll (1-0) earned the victory, and Brock Burke struck out three straight batters in the ninth for his first career save. Starter Chase Burns carried a shutout into the seventh inning.

Joc Pederson homered for Texas, which managed only four runs in the entire series and has now dropped four consecutive games. Robert Garcia (0-1) suffered the loss in relief.

Mets 5, Giants 2

Pinch hitter Luis Torrens delivered a go-ahead two-RBI double during a four-run eighth inning as New York rallied to defeat San Francisco.

The Mets strung together five consecutive one-out hits against two Giants relievers to secure their third straight victory. Jorge Polanco started the rally with a one-out double off Keaton Winn (0-1), followed by a Luis Robert Jr. single and stolen base.

Torrens, batting for Jared Young who had gone 3-for-3, greeted Erik Miller with an opposite-field double to right that gave New York the lead.

Matt Chapman and Rafael Devers had back-to-back RBI hits for San Francisco to chase Kodai Senga. Senga struck out seven over 5 2/3 innings, while Logan Webb threw seven innings of one-run ball for the Giants.

Rockies 4, Phillies 1

Former Philadelphia first-round selection Mickey Moniak hit two home runs and TJ Rumfield also went deep as Colorado salvaged the series finale in Denver.

Hunter Goodman collected two hits and starter Tomoyuki Sugano (1-0) worked six strong innings to earn his first victory for Colorado. Victor Vodnik recorded the final three outs for his first save.

Adolis Garcia homered and singled for Philadelphia. Starter Taijuan Walker (0-2) struggled in his second outing of the season, allowing four runs on seven hits across five innings.

Brewers 8, Royals 5

Gary Sanchez hit a two-run home run and William Contreras had two hits and two RBIs in Milwaukee’s series-clinching victory over Kansas City.

Brewers starter Kyle Harrison (1-0) earned the win by scattering three hits and two runs over 5 1/3 innings. Kris Bubic (1-1) took the loss for Kansas City, surrendering four hits and four runs across five innings.

Trevor Megill recorded his third save of the season. Contreras went 2-for-3 with a run and two walks for Milwaukee. Maikel Garcia was 2-for-5 with a two-run homer and three RBIs, while Vinnie Pasquantino went 2-for-5 with two RBIs for the Royals.

Cardinals 5, Tigers 3

Ivan Herrera’s tiebreaking two-run single capped a four-run fifth-inning explosion as St. Louis topped Detroit on the road.

Pedro Pages contributed an RBI single for the Cardinals, who salvaged the finale of their three-game series. St. Louis starter Kyle Leahy (1-1) allowed two runs and five hits across five innings. Riley O’Brien secured the final three outs for his second save.

Kerry Carpenter hit a two-run homer for Detroit, while Spencer Torkelson reached base four times. Tigers starter Keider Montero (0-1) gave up three runs (two earned) and three hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Slovenian cycling star Tadej Pogacar secured his third Tour of Flanders victory on Sunday, matching a tournament record, but now finds himself potentially facing legal consequences after ignoring a red signal at a railroad crossing.

During the race, Pogacar and several other leading cyclists pushed through the railway intersection despite stop signals as they attempted to catch up with a breakaway group, while the remaining riders in the main pack stopped as directed.

The four-time Tour de France winner defended his actions, claiming race officials failed to provide adequate notice to brake for the crossing.

“Suddenly three guys jump on the middle of the road and start waving to stop,” he explained during a post-race media session. “How can you stop in one second? I think they could prevent this by stopping us before, no? Not 10 metres before the crossing.”

“I was thinking, maybe it’s like some protesters or something crazy is going on,” Pogacar added.

According to Belgian publication Het Laatste Nieuws, the East Flanders Public Prosecutor’s Office plans to pursue charges against the cyclists involved. The potential penalties could include monetary fines between 320 euros and 4,000 euros (approximately $4,609), along with an eight-day suspension from competition.

Lauren Coughlin dominated the competition from start to finish, claiming victory at the first-ever Aramco Championship in Las Vegas on Sunday. The triumph marks her third LPGA Tour win overall and first since capturing two titles in 2024.

Playing the challenging Shadow Creek Golf Course, Coughlin posted an even-par 72 in her final round to finish at 7-under-par 281, comfortably ahead of second-place finishers Nelly Korda and Ireland’s Leona Maguire by five strokes.

The victory held special significance for Coughlin, who fell short at the same venue twelve months earlier when she lost to Madalene Sagstrom in the championship match of the T-Mobile Match Play tournament.

“I just know I played really, really great all week,” Coughlin said. “Had a lot of fun. I’m just happy. You know, definitely left a sour taste in my mouth last year not getting the W given how well I played all week, so makes it extra special this week.”

Coughlin began the tournament with a 5-under 67, sharing the early lead with Japan’s Nasa Hataoka and Miyu Yamashita. She seized control during Friday’s second round, shooting the day’s best score of 69 despite windy conditions to build a five-shot advantage. Though Korda closed the gap to just two strokes entering Sunday’s final round, Coughlin never relinquished her lead.

The champion established her dominance early on Sunday with a birdie on the opening hole. A crucial two-shot swing occurred at the eighth hole, where Coughlin made birdie while Korda recorded a bogey, creating what proved to be an unbeatable six-shot margin.

Despite her commanding position, Coughlin remained focused until the very end of her round.

“Probably after I hit that wedge shot on 18 into it. I was like, all right, I think I got it now,” she said.

Korda struggled throughout her final round, managing just one birdie on the 18th hole while shooting 3-over 75. Maguire completed her tournament with a 71 in the final round.

“I just didn’t play good golf today,” Korda said. “I was hitting it pretty poorly off the tee and just finding myself in really tough positions going into the greens, and then hitting it in places where I shouldn’t be around the greens.”

“… Props to Lauren. She played some unbelievable golf. It was really fun to see today and it was fun to play alongside her.”

The challenging desert conditions at Shadow Creek proved difficult for most of the field, with Yamashita being the only other player to finish under par. She claimed fourth place at 1-under following a final-round 74. Japan’s Akie Iwai and Australia’s Karis Davidson shared fifth place at even-par 288.

This victory continues Coughlin’s recent success on tour, following her breakthrough 2024 season when she captured both the CPKC Women’s Open and the Women’s Scottish Open for her first two LPGA titles.

PHOENIX — The UCLA Bruins captured their first NCAA women’s basketball championship in stunning fashion Sunday, overwhelming South Carolina 79-51 in a performance that ranks as the third-most lopsided title game victory in tournament history.

Led by standout performances from Gabriela Jaquez and Lauren Betts, the Bruins completed a remarkable season that saw them finish 37-1 and ride a 31-game winning streak to the championship.

UCLA head coach Cori Close expressed confidence before the game even tipped off.

“I really did expect us to win today,” Close said. “I felt very peaceful all day. It wasn’t about whether we got the ‘W’ or not. I wanted us to be able to play our best when our best was needed, and we delivered on that.”

Jaquez delivered a stellar all-around performance with 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, while the 6-foot-7 Betts contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds for her 15th double-double of the season. Betts received Most Outstanding Player recognition for her tournament efforts.

The senior-laden Bruins knew they had championship potential from the beginning of the season.

“Since the roster was made, we just knew we had the tools,” said Jaquez, one of five senior starters. “It was just about staying focused and working hard to be the versions of ourselves. That led us to this moment.”

Jaquez, whose brother Jaime Jr. plays for the Miami Heat and previously starred at UCLA, had extra motivation with family watching from the stands.

“Of course I have bragging rights,” Gabriela said.

The Bruins established control early and never let up. A fast-break score by Jaquez stretched UCLA’s advantage to 48-26 in the third quarter, and consecutive three-pointers from Jaquez and Gianna Kneepkens sparked a 13-0 surge that put the game out of reach at 61-32 heading into the final period.

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley acknowledged the challenge Jaquez presented throughout the contest.

“Hard matchup,” Staley said of Jaquez. “You come into a game, you know exactly what she’s going to do and she does it. She’s relentless.”

The Gamecocks (31-4) struggled offensively all evening, managing just 29.0% shooting from the field while UCLA controlled the boards 49-37. Tessa Johnson led South Carolina with 14 points, while Agot Makeer added 11 points. The deficit never dropped below 28 points in the fourth quarter.

UCLA’s defensive dominance continued a pattern from their semifinal victory over Texas, where they held the Longhorns to 30.8% shooting in a 51-45 win.

The Bruins jumped out to early leads of 13-4, 21-10 and 30-15, taking a 36-23 advantage into halftime before pulling away in the second half.

Staley, who was seeking to become just the fourth coach in NCAA history with four women’s championships, acknowledged her team’s struggles.

“We just didn’t have it today,” said Staley. “They were the better team today. Obviously we got smacked today. We got to figure out how we smack back.”

UCLA’s balanced attack featured all five senior starters reaching double figures. Kneepkens finished with 15 points, Charlisse Leger-Walker scored 10 points, and Kiki Rice contributed 10 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Rice earned a spot on the all-Final Four team alongside Jaquez and South Carolina’s Johnson and Taniya Latson.

The championship marked UCLA’s second consecutive Final Four appearance, a program milestone. While they previously won the 1978 AIAW national title, this represents their first championship since the NCAA began sponsoring women’s basketball in 1982.

For South Carolina, the loss ended their bid for back-to-back titles after defeating Iowa in 2024. The Gamecocks were making their third straight championship game appearance and fourth in five years, having also lost to UConn in the previous season’s final.

UCLA experienced the other side of a championship game blowout just one year ago, falling 85-51 to eventual champion UConn in the semifinals.

“I just never wanted to feel that way ever again,” Betts said. “I feel like ever since then we’ve really just grown in our preparation. When duty called, everyone answered, so I’m just really proud of this group.”

SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry made his highly anticipated return to the court Sunday evening against Houston, playing approximately 25 minutes after being sidelined for over two months due to a right knee injury.

Head coach Steve Kerr indicated prior to the matchup that Curry’s participation in upcoming games remains uncertain, considering the Warriors face five games within an eight-day span featuring back-to-back contests. The team doesn’t anticipate Curry will participate in consecutive games.

“We’re going to manage it accordingly. The plan for tonight would be shorter bursts and we’ll see on the minutes,” Kerr explained. “But first game back he’s not playing 48 minutes.”

Decisions regarding Curry’s playing schedule will depend on how the veteran guard feels physically, along with guidance from Vice President of Player Health and Performance Rick Celebrini.

The superstar guard participated in multiple scrimmages during the past week to evaluate his injured right knee. On Saturday, Curry mentioned that ending his season early was never under consideration. Kerr expressed optimism about finally having Stephen and his younger sibling Seth play alongside each other.

While Kerr had indicated Saturday that Curry was anticipated to return for his first appearance since the January 30th matchup against Detroit, the Warriors still designated him as questionable on their injury report.

“He’s scheduled to play,” Kerr confirmed before Sunday’s game.

Following Saturday’s team practice, Curry acknowledged that managing discomfort has become his “new normal” and that the upcoming offseason will require substantial rehabilitation.

The 38-year-old initially anticipated returning shortly after the All-Star break, but his recovery timeline extended due to challenging periods where he would feel healthy, increase his activity level, then experience setbacks the following day.

Curry tops the Warriors’ scoring charts with an average of 27.2 points per game, making his absence particularly challenging for the team.

The Warriors entered Sunday’s game with a 36-41 record, having dropped three consecutive contests. Without Curry this season, the team posted a 13-25 record, including a 9-18 mark during his absence due to patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The UCLA Bruins have captured their first-ever NCAA women’s basketball championship with a commanding 79-51 victory over South Carolina in Phoenix. Gabriela Jaquez led the charge with 21 points, while Lauren Betts contributed 16 points in the decisive win.

The overwhelming victory marked the completion of an extraordinary tournament run for UCLA, which began after their Final Four defeat to UConn the previous season. The Bruins dominated opponents throughout the year, finishing with a remarkable 37-1 record, their sole defeat coming against Texas during a November Thanksgiving tournament.

Senior leadership proved crucial for UCLA, with Betts and fellow upperclassmen guiding the team to victory. Jaquez, who spent all four years with the program, recorded a double-double with 10 rebounds and five assists. Her brother Jaime, a Miami Heat player, traveled to witness his alma mater’s historic triumph.

Meanwhile, college basketball faces another potential dynasty as UConn prepares to face Michigan for the men’s national championship in Indianapolis. The Huskies are attempting to become the first program since John Wooden’s legendary UCLA teams of the 1960s and ’70s to capture three titles in four seasons, while Michigan seeks to cap off their own dominant March Madness performance.

In NHL news, the New York Islanders dismissed coach Patrick Roy following a troubling four-game losing streak. General Manager Mathieu Darche made the surprising announcement after the team dropped seven of their last 10 contests, jeopardizing their playoff position with only four games remaining. Peter DeBoer, who previously guided two franchises to Stanley Cup Finals and led Dallas to three straight Western Conference finals, was named as Roy’s permanent replacement.

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley faces the challenge of rebuilding after her team’s disappointing championship game performance, where the Gamecocks managed just 29% shooting from the field. The 28-point defeat represents one of the largest margins in title game history, yet Staley’s program remains well-positioned for future success.

Duke’s Cameron Boozer, the Associated Press men’s national player of the year, continues recovering from both physical and emotional wounds sustained during his team’s Elite Eight loss to UConn. Boozer revealed he suffered multiple facial fractures during the contest but played through the injury, finishing with 27 points despite visible swelling around his eye.

In professional golf, J.J. Spaun claimed victory at the Valero Texas Open with a final-round 67, earning his first tournament win since capturing the U.S. Open last summer. Spaun’s clutch birdie and eagle on holes 16 and 17 at TPC San Antonio secured the victory over Robert MacIntyre, who held the lead for much of the competition.

Lauren Betts emerged as the catalyst for UCLA’s championship run, recording 14 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks in the title game. The 6-foot-7 senior’s defensive presence altered numerous shots and earned her Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors following her dominant semifinal performance against Texas.

An interesting family dynamic will unfold during Monday’s men’s championship as Josh Mullins, a lifelong Michigan supporter who named his son after Wolverines receiver Braylon Edwards, will be cheering for UConn when his son Braylon Mullins takes the court for the Huskies.

UCLA legend Ann Meyers Drysdale expressed immense pride watching her alma mater claim the NCAA title, nearly five decades after she helped the Bruins win the AIAW championship in 1978. Despite significant changes in women’s college basketball over the years, Meyers Drysdale’s connection to the program remains strong.

In English soccer, Leeds United advanced to the FA Cup semifinals for the first time since 1987 after defeating West Ham 4-2 in a penalty shootout. The dramatic match saw Leeds surrender a two-goal advantage in stoppage time before ultimately prevailing in the shootout, setting up a semifinal clash with Chelsea.

American tennis standout Jessica Pegula successfully defended her Charleston Open championship on Sunday, defeating Ukrainian player Yuliia Starodubtseva in straight sets with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 performance that lasted just 82 minutes.

The tournament’s top seed demonstrated exceptional defensive skills, successfully defending seven of eight break point situations while capitalizing on five of her six break point chances. This championship marks Pegula’s second tournament victory this season, following her Dubai triumph in February, and represents the 11th title of her professional career.

At 32 years old, Pegula now holds the WTA tour lead with 24 match victories this season, moving just ahead of Aryna Sabalenka in the win column.

The final represented a career milestone for 26-year-old Starodubtseva, who earned her spot in the main tournament draw after another competitor withdrew. Despite recording five consecutive victories to reach the championship match, she encountered difficulties on Sunday, managing only 11 winners while committing 41 unforced errors. Her impressive tournament run will elevate her world ranking to a personal-best 53rd position when updated Monday.

In other WTA action, top-seeded Marie Bouzkova captured the Copa Colsanitas championship in Bogota, Colombia, overcoming eighth-seeded Panna Udvardy 6-7 (7), 6-2, 6-2 in the final.

Bouzkova displayed remarkable resilience under pressure, saving 10 of 14 break point opportunities to secure her third WTA tour championship and first title earned outside her home country of Czech Republic. Udvardy, a Hungarian player ranked 92nd globally, was competing in her first professional final.

The Hungarian competitor mounted an impressive comeback in the opening set, rallying from a 5-3 deficit to force a tiebreaker. She then overcame a 5-0 tiebreaker disadvantage and saved two set points before claiming the first set. However, Bouzkova controlled the remainder of the match, winning 57.3% of her service points and claiming more than half of her return opportunities with 49 successful returns out of 96 attempts.

The Houston Astros have sidelined their star starting pitcher Hunter Brown after placing him on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a shoulder strain.

The 27-year-old right-handed pitcher had been having an outstanding season, posting a 12-2 record with an impressive 2.43 ERA in 2025. His most recent outing showcased his dominance as he delivered six stellar innings in Houston’s commanding 9-2 win against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday evening. In that performance, Brown surrendered just one hit while walking two batters and recording eight strikeouts to secure the victory.

Manager Joe Espada revealed that Brown experienced shoulder discomfort while throwing during a routine practice session on Friday. The team immediately sent Brown back to Houston for a thorough medical evaluation by team physicians.

Espada informed MLB.com that Brown’s recovery timeline remains uncertain pending additional medical assessments.

To fill the roster spot, Houston promoted right-handed pitcher Christian Roa from their Triple-A affiliate Sugar Land before Sunday’s matchup against the Athletics. The team made Brown’s injured list placement effective retroactively to Thursday.

Brown has established himself as a reliable starter for the Astros, achieving double-digit wins in each of the past three seasons. Over his five-year major league career spanning 102 appearances, including 94 starts, he maintains a 3.44 earned run average.

Houston Astros star pitcher Hunter Brown will miss at least two weeks after the team placed him on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right shoulder strain.

The team made the roster move retroactive to Thursday, meaning Brown could return sooner than expected.

The 27-year-old right-hander had been off to a dominant start this season, posting a perfect 1-0 record with an impressive 0.84 ERA across two outings. In just over 10 innings of work, Brown had already racked up 17 strikeouts.

Brown’s most recent appearance came Tuesday in a victory over the Boston Red Sox, where he delivered six strong innings. He allowed just one run on one hit while walking two batters and striking out eight.

The Astros have not provided a timeline for Brown’s return. The team announced his placement on the injured list before manager Joe Espada’s pre-game media session ahead of Sunday’s road matchup with the Athletics.

Last season marked a breakout year for Brown, who earned his first All-Star selection while compiling a 12-9 record with a 2.43 ERA over 31 starts. He set a personal best with 206 strikeouts and maintained an excellent 1.03 WHIP. His stellar performance earned him third place in American League Cy Young Award voting.

Since making his major league debut in 2022, Brown has compiled a 37-31 record with a 3.44 ERA across 102 appearances, including 94 starts.

To fill Brown’s roster spot, Houston called up right-handed pitcher Christian Roa from Triple-A Sugar Land. The 27-year-old Roa appeared in two relief outings for the Astros earlier this season, posting a 6.75 ERA. He has pitched one scoreless inning for Sugar Land this year.

The University of Alabama has secured men’s basketball coach Nate Oats with a new contract extension that elevates him into the ranks of college basketball’s top five highest-paid coaches, athletic director Greg Byrne revealed Sunday on social media.

Byrne shared in his statement that “Appropriate members of The Board of Trustees have been notified of the proposed terms of the new agreement and it will soon be formally approved through the Board process.”

On his personal social media account, Byrne expressed confidence in the arrangement, writing “We are good! He’s not going anywhere.”

The new agreement represents Oats’ third contract extension within a four-year span. His most recent extension from early 2024 was set to run until March 2030, with compensation reaching $6.02 million for the 2026-27 academic year.

While specific financial terms of the latest deal remain undisclosed, USA Today reports that the nation’s five highest-compensated coaches at public universities earned no less than $6.1 million during the 2024-25 season. Oats previously ranked ninth nationally with a $5 million base salary.

The salary increase is expected to place Oats alongside elite coaches including Kansas’ Bill Self, Arkansas’ John Calipari, UConn’s Dan Hurley, Michigan State’s Tom Izzo, and Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd. Arizona recently announced Lloyd’s five-year extension beginning at $7.2 million, reportedly to prevent his departure for the vacant North Carolina position.

Alabama’s motivation for the new contract may stem from similar concerns about losing their successful coach.

When questioned about potential interest from North Carolina on March 26, Oats stated: “As long as we’re able to compete to win championships here — SEC, national championships. We haven’t done that here yet — I’d love to be the coach to bring us our first national championship.”

He continued: “To me, there’s absolutely no reason to leave here. While it’s flattering that a high school guy that caught a couple of breaks would be mentioned with some of these jobs, because they’ve got a lot of tradition, I’m not a guy that’s looking to get out of here any time soon.”

The 51-year-old coach has guided Alabama since 2019, accumulating a 170-73 record with a .700 winning percentage across seven seasons. Under his leadership, the Crimson Tide achieved a program milestone by reaching six consecutive NCAA Tournaments.

Alabama’s current season ended with a Sweet Sixteen loss to Michigan, who will compete for the National Championship on Monday.

Oats reached his greatest postseason success during the 2023-24 campaign when he guided Alabama to the Final Four as a No. 4 seed. The Crimson Tide’s run concluded with a defeat to eventual champion UConn.

Throughout his tenure, Oats has led Alabama to at least two NCAA Tournament victories in five of his six tournament appearances with the program.

Nineteen-year-old Rafael Jodar from Spain claimed his breakthrough ATP tournament victory on Sunday, defeating Argentine qualifier Marco Trungelliti 6-3, 6-2 in the Grand Prix Hassan II championship match in Marrakech, Morocco.

The young Spaniard’s rise has been meteoric – exactly one year ago, he held the No. 911 position in global tennis rankings. After making his professional tour debut at this year’s Australian Open, Jodar has experienced a remarkable climb up the rankings in recent months. His victory makes him the youngest player ever to win the Marrakech tournament.

Jodar dominated from the opening game, breaking his opponent’s serve immediately in a lengthy first game that went to six deuces. The teenager controlled the match with superior shot-making, recording 21 winners compared to Trungelliti’s five. He successfully defended against the single break point he faced while converting four of his nine break opportunities. His second serve proved particularly effective, winning 15 of 17 points for an impressive 88.2 percent success rate.

Trungelliti, 36, was also competing in his first career championship match after defeating the tournament’s first, third, and fifth seeds during his run to the final. The veteran will reach a career milestone on Monday when he enters the top 100 rankings for the first time, becoming the oldest player ever to achieve that feat. The 17-year age difference between the finalists represents the fifth-largest gap in any ATP final since 1990.

In other ATP action, Argentina’s Mariano Navone, seeded seventh, captured the Tiriac Open title in Bucharest, Romania, overcoming Spanish qualifier Daniel Merida 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 in a match lasting 2 hours and 17 minutes.

Navone established early control by winning 19 of 21 first serves and breaking Merida’s serve twice in the opening set. Despite dropping the second set and falling behind early in the deciding third set, Navone rallied to break his opponent’s serve in three of the final four games to secure victory.

The title represents Navone’s first ATP championship after losing in straight sets in this same final last year. His victory is expected to elevate him 18 positions to No. 42 in the world rankings, surpassing his previous career-high of No. 47 achieved in 2024.

Meanwhile, at the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship in Houston, Texas, fourth-seeded American Tommy Paul was scheduled to face Argentina’s Roman Andres Burruchaga in the final.

The New York Islanders made a coaching change Sunday, dismissing head coach Patrick Roy and naming Pete DeBoer as his successor.

New York currently holds a 42-31-5 record with 89 points but has struggled recently with four consecutive losses. The team maintains third place in the Metropolitan Division, holding just a one-point advantage over both Philadelphia and Columbus. The Islanders won’t return to action until Thursday when Toronto visits.

The 60-year-old Roy compiled a 97-78-22 coaching record during his three-year tenure after succeeding Lane Lambert behind the bench.

DeBoer, age 57, comes to New York after leading Dallas to three consecutive Western Conference finals before his dismissal on June 6. His time with the Stars produced a 149-68-29 record.

Throughout his coaching career, DeBoer has accumulated a 662-447-152 record while leading Florida, New Jersey, San Jose, Vegas, and Dallas. He guided New Jersey to the 2012 Stanley Cup Final and took San Jose to the championship series in 2016.

During his playing career, Roy captured four Stanley Cup championships and earned three Vezina Trophy awards as the league’s top goaltender.

This marks the fourth coaching dismissal this season across the NHL. Columbus replaced Dean Evason with Rick Bowness on January 12, Los Angeles brought in D.J. Smith for Jim Hiller on March 1, and Vegas installed John Tortorella in place of Bruce Cassidy on March 29.

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts has been placed on the 10-day injured list following confirmation of an oblique strain through MRI imaging on Sunday.

Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts indicated Sunday that the star player faces a potential absence of four to six weeks, though he expressed optimism that the recovery period might fall on the shorter end of that timeline.

The injury occurred during Saturday’s contest against Washington, forcing Betts to leave the game in the opening frame with what was initially described as lower right back discomfort. The Dodgers went on to defeat the Nationals 10-5.

Miguel Rojas stepped in as Betts’ replacement and will occupy the second spot in the batting order for Sunday’s matchup with Washington.

To fill the roster spot, the Dodgers promoted infielder Hyeseong Kim from their Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City. Kim appeared in 71 contests for Los Angeles last season, posting a .280 batting average, but failed to secure a roster position coming out of spring training. Through six games at Oklahoma City this season, he’s batting an impressive .346 on 9-for-26 hitting.

Kim is expected to contribute at shortstop as well during Betts’ absence.

The 33-year-old Betts, a former American League batting champion, has struggled at the plate early this season with a .179 average through 28 at-bats, following a career-worst .258 performance in 2024. Despite the low average, he has contributed two home runs and seven RBIs across eight games.

The New York Islanders made a dramatic coaching change Sunday, dismissing Patrick Roy and bringing in Peter DeBoer as his replacement with only four games left in the regular season.

General Manager Mathieu Darche made the surprising announcement to remove Roy from his position as the team struggles through a devastating late-season collapse. The Islanders are currently mired in a four-game losing skid and have dropped seven of their last ten contests, watching their once-secure playoff position slip away in the highly competitive Eastern Conference.

This marks the second NHL coaching dismissal in just over a week, following the Vegas Golden Knights’ decision to part ways with Bruce Cassidy and bring in John Tortorella on an interim basis.

DeBoer steps into the role permanently after recently serving as an assistant coach for Team Canada at the Milan Cortina Olympics. The 57-year-old brings extensive experience, having guided two franchises to Stanley Cup Finals appearances. His most recent position was with the Dallas Stars, where he led the team to three straight Western Conference finals before his dismissal following last year’s playoff elimination.

Roy, the legendary former goaltender and Hall of Famer, was brought aboard by previous General Manager Lou Lamoriello in January 2024 to replace the dismissed Lane Lambert. His arrival initially energized the club, helping them secure a playoff berth that season, though they fell to Carolina in the opening round. The team’s performance has declined significantly since that playoff run.

The timing of Roy’s departure comes during a pivotal period for the franchise. Eighteen-year-old Matthew Schaefer, widely considered the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year honors, has exceeded expectations in his debut NHL campaign, while additional promising prospects are developing within the organization.

This represents Roy’s second stint as an NHL head coach, following his three-season run with the Colorado Avalanche from 2013-16. During that tenure, he earned the Jack Adams Award as the league’s top coach before unexpectedly stepping down during the offseason.

NEW YORK — Despite Major League Baseball’s efforts to speed up the game, Saturday night’s contest between the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins proved that some matchups will still test fans’ endurance.

The Yankees’ 9-7 victory stretched to 3 hours and 49 minutes, establishing a new record for the lengthiest nine-inning contest since baseball implemented its pitch clock before the 2023 season, data from the Elias Sports Bureau confirms.

To put this marathon in perspective, MLB hadn’t seen a nine-inning game exceed this duration since Boston defeated Baltimore 13-9 in a 3-hour, 57-minute affair on September 27, 2022, according to Elias records.

Before Saturday’s lengthy affair, the Oakland Athletics held the post-pitch clock record with their 3-hour, 45-minute victory over the New York Mets on August 15, 2024, winning 7-6.

Several factors contributed to Saturday’s extended duration: both teams utilized 13 different pitchers who threw a combined 379 pitches, while Miami’s hurlers issued 10 walks, bringing their two-game series total to 21 free passes. Additionally, 21 baserunners were stranded, with the Marlins leaving 12 men on base.

The pitch clock has proven effective overall in shortening game duration. Average nine-inning game times plummeted from 3 hours and 4 minutes in 2022 to 2 hours and 40 minutes when the clock debuted in 2023, then further decreased to 2 hours and 36 minutes in 2024 — the shortest since 1984’s 2-hour, 35-minute average. Last year saw a slight uptick to 2 hours and 38 minutes.

Game length became a significant concern after 2016, when average times first exceeded three hours. The problem peaked at a record 3 hours and 10 minutes in 2021 before electronic pitch-calling technology helped reduce it to 3 hours and 4 minutes in 2022, setting the stage for the pitch clock’s introduction.

Despite capturing two national titles in the last three seasons, UConn faces long odds when they take the court Monday evening against Michigan in the championship game.

The reason for the underdog status is clear: top-seeded Michigan has absolutely dominated their NCAA Tournament path, cruising through five games with victories averaging 21.6 points. Their Saturday night performance against fellow top seed Arizona exemplified this dominance, with an 18-point victory that felt even more lopsided than the final margin suggested.

UConn, seeded second in the East region, followed their shocking takedown of top-seeded Duke in the Elite Eight with a methodical victory over third-seeded Illinois. Despite these impressive wins, the Huskies find themselves as underdogs for their third straight contest.

Sportsbooks across the nation installed Michigan as 7.0-point favorites on Sunday, as the Wolverines chase history by becoming the first Big Ten program to claim a national championship since the 1999-2000 campaign.

The betting spread settled at 6.5 points at both BetMGM and DraftKings, down from an opening line of 7.5. Both sportsbooks set the over/under at 144.5 total points. DraftKings offered the best odds on Michigan winning by 3-6 points at +425, with a Wolverines victory margin of 10-13 points close behind at +450. For UConn backers, the most favorable odds were on a 3-6 point Huskies victory at +800.

Michigan represents the tenth Big Ten squad to reach the championship game since 2000, though Michigan State remains the conference’s lone title winner during that span in 1999-2000. The Wolverines are attempting to complete a remarkable transformation after posting just 8 wins against 24 losses only two seasons ago.

While UConn reaches the final for the third time in four years, they face a Michigan squad that has already made tournament history by becoming the first team ever to score 90 or more points five times in a single NCAA Tournament.

“We know it’s just one more, so we’re going to try to get it,” Michigan’s Aday Mara commented following Saturday’s dominant performance against Arizona.

The Huskies certainly possess recent championship experience, with coach Dan Hurley bringing a 350-179 career record and those two national titles into Monday’s contest. No program has managed three championships in a four-year window since UCLA’s run from 1972-75.

UConn’s defensive prowess has been evident throughout the season, limiting opponents to under 40 percent shooting in 18 different games. On Saturday, the Huskies held Illinois to just 33.9% accuracy from beyond the arc.

“We’re a group of fighters. It’s not appealing to everyone,” Hurley explained. “I’m sure there’s some people in here that it’s off-putting for. But we are a group of fighters. We are incredibly tough. We’ve got incredible will. We go into these games, we’re ready for battle.

“Again, for us it’s not a game that we’re just kind of running around in uniforms throwing the ball around, hoping it goes in. That’s not what we’re doing out there. We’re fighting. It’s a life-and-death struggle for us to get to Monday night for the opportunity to win a championship, and then just to be able to prolong this season with each other and to make the people of Connecticut proud, to make the university proud and all the former great players.”

University of Connecticut basketball star Solo Ball faces uncertainty ahead of Monday’s national championship showdown with Michigan due to what head coach Dan Hurley described as a foot sprain.

Following the Huskies’ 71-62 semifinal triumph over Illinois, Hurley informed the media that Ball has been placed in a protective walking boot and would be held out of Sunday’s practice session.

“It’s going to be tough to get an MRI on Easter, on a Sunday,” Hurley explained to reporters.

The 6-foot-4 guard delivered a solid performance against the Fighting Illini, recording 13 points and two assists over 28 minutes of play. Throughout this season, Ball has been a consistent starter for UConn, appearing in all 38 games while posting averages of 12.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per contest as the team pursues its third championship in four seasons.

Should Ball be sidelined for the title game, freshman guard Braylon Mullins would likely shoulder increased responsibilities. Additional minutes would also fall to Malachi Smith and Jayden Ross to fill the potential void in the backcourt rotation.

Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Cade Horton has been sidelined with a right forearm strain, landing him on the 15-day injured list as of Sunday.

The Cubs made the roster move effective Saturday for Horton, who departed Friday’s matchup against Cleveland after pitching just over one inning and throwing 17 pitches.

The young hurler successfully retired three batters in the opening frame before issuing a five-pitch walk to Kyle Manzardo to start the second inning. He then left the field accompanied by Chicago’s head trainer. Cleveland ultimately claimed a 4-1 victory.

“I had some tightness in my wrist and as the game went on, it went into my forearm,” Horton explained following Friday’s contest. “I wanted to err on the cautious side and not hurt anything else. I just wanted to be smart about it and make a smart decision.”

The setback comes after Horton improved his earned run average to 2.45 on Friday, following a strong performance against Washington on March 28 where he allowed just two runs across 6 1/3 innings in Chicago’s 10-2 victory. The 24-year-old is currently in his second major league campaign.

During his debut season, he compiled an 11-4 record with a 2.67 ERA.

In corresponding roster moves Sunday, Chicago brought up left-handed pitcher Riley Martin from Triple-A Iowa and designated right-hander Ethan Roberts as the 27th player for Sunday’s doubleheader against Cleveland.

Martin, age 28, has not yet appeared in a major league contest. Throughout his minor league career spanning 174 appearances (including three starts), he holds a 24-13 record with a 3.76 ERA.

MEXICO CITY – A former Mexican national team player who competed in the 1978 World Cup believes his homeland has its best chance yet to overcome a decades-long tournament barrier when the global soccer championship comes to North America this summer.

Leonardo Cuellar, the 73-year-old former midfielder who donned Mexico’s national colors nearly five decades ago, shared his optimism about breaking what’s known as the “fifth-game” jinx – the team’s historical struggle to advance beyond the round of 16.

“My heart says so, and so does part of my head,” Cuellar told Reuters during a recent interview. “I think this time we’re going to make it.”

The upcoming tournament will mark the third time Mexico serves as a World Cup host nation, sharing duties with Canada and the United States from June 11 through July 19. This expanded 48-team format means Mexico must now win an additional round-of-32 match before even reaching their traditional stumbling point, adding complexity to their quest.

Despite his confidence, Cuellar, who also competed in the 1972 Munich Olympics, cautioned the current roster against premature expectations.

“If you’re already thinking about the fifth game, you might get stuck before that and not even have the opportunity,” he advised. “They need to concentrate on game by game, let their moment build.”

The veteran player praised head coach Javier Aguirre, who’s leading “El Tri” for his third tenure, working alongside assistant coach and former star Rafael Marquez. Cuellar highlighted Mexico’s European-based talent, including Edson Alvarez, Raul Jimenez, and Julian Araujo, as potential difference-makers, though he emphasized that overseas experience alone won’t guarantee success.

Beyond the field, Cuellar voiced frustration with FIFA’s pricing strategy, arguing it has excluded Mexico’s most passionate supporters.

“Now the prices have been set very, very far above the means of our society … that die-hard fan … the one who is always there supporting, will now have to settle for a big screen.”

The former international also highlighted potential complications for Mexican supporters living in the United States under President Donald Trump’s intensified immigration enforcement policies.

“Those in the U.S. with green cards or temporary visas could find themselves caught up in legal proceedings,” Cuellar warned, noting this reality may influence many fans’ decisions about attending matches.

Amnesty International reported last month that widespread arrests and deportations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have disrupted communities and could impact World Cup festivities.

The University at Albany has selected Kelly Morrone to take over as head coach of their women’s basketball program.

Morrone comes to Albany after leading Merrimack for six years, where she coached in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. This past season earned her recognition as the 2026 MAAC Coach of the Year when the Warriors posted a 19-13 overall record and went 15-5 in conference play, earning a spot in the women’s NIT before falling to NJIT in the opening round.

“I am incredibly honored and excited to accept the position of head women’s basketball coach at the University at Albany,” Morrone stated on Saturday. “I’ve long admired the tradition and pride of the Great Danes, and I am deeply grateful to be entrusted with this important opportunity. It is a privilege to lead a program with such strong institutional support and a clear commitment to excellence.”

During her time at Merrimack, Morrone compiled a 74-92 coaching record while guiding the program through its transition from Division II to Division I competition.

Before joining Merrimack, she achieved success at John Carroll University, a Division III school located in University Heights, Ohio, where she won 117 games.

As a player, Morrone competed at South Carolina, serving as team captain for three seasons before her collegiate career concluded with a second-round NCAA Tournament loss in 2003. Her coaching journey began with assistant positions at Buffalo from 2005-08, followed by coaching stops at Davidson (2008-10), Rhode Island (2010-12), and William & Mary (2012-13) prior to taking the John Carroll position.

Morrone steps in to replace Colleen Mullen, who recently departed to take the head coaching position at Rhode Island. Under Mullen’s eight-year leadership, the Great Danes reached the NCAA Tournament once, though the program had previously enjoyed sustained success in the America East Conference.

From 2012 through 2017, Albany earned six straight NCAA Tournament appearances.

The University of Virginia has dismissed women’s basketball head coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton following her four-year tenure with the program, the school announced Saturday.

Agugua-Hamilton’s departure comes after she guided the Cavaliers through a remarkable postseason run that made history. Virginia became the first-ever First Four squad to reach the Sweet 16 in the women’s NCAA Tournament, stunning seventh-ranked Georgia 82-73 in overtime during their opening game before pulling off another major upset against second-ranked Iowa, winning 83-75 in double overtime.

The Cavaliers’ impressive tournament journey ended on March 28 when they fell to third-seeded TCU by a score of 79-69.

During Agugua-Hamilton’s time leading the program, Virginia compiled an overall record of 70-58, including a 29-42 conference record in Atlantic Coast Conference competition. This past season, the team achieved a 20-12 record.

The university released a concise statement Saturday confirming that Agugua-Hamilton would not be returning to her position and that officials plan to launch a nationwide search for her successor right away.

Monday marks a homecoming 18½ months in the making as the Tampa Bay Rays take the field at Tropicana Field before a sold-out crowd for the first time since Hurricane Milton devastated their stadium.

The distinctive domed venue, known for its slanted roof design and unusual overhead walkways, required extensive reconstruction following the storm that battered downtown St. Petersburg on October 9, 2024.

Milton’s powerful winds tore away large portions of the stadium’s original covering, exposing the playing field to months of rainfall. The resulting water intrusion led to widespread mold growth and significant harm to the facility’s electrical infrastructure, audio equipment, and broadcasting capabilities.

At one point, team officials questioned whether the Rays would ever again compete at the venue that has served as their exclusive home since entering Major League Baseball in 1998. However, the organization committed approximately $60 million toward roof replacement and comprehensive facility restoration.

During the lengthy renovation process, the Rays relocated their 2025 home schedule to Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, which typically hosts the New York Yankees’ spring training operations.

Workers completed the new roof installation in August, with crews placing the final section on November 21. The renovation project also included enhanced luxury boxes, an upgraded video scoreboard, fresh artificial playing surface, premium seating behind home plate, new clubhouse carpeting and player lockers, plus updated flooring throughout the outfield deck area.

“I think guys are excited, and rightfully so,” manager Kevin Cash commented regarding the team’s anticipated return. “Our organization has worked incredibly hard and the city and the county, to get it back up to speed. I briefly walked through there, couldn’t be more impressed with the way it looks, and excited to see our fans. I think our guys are going to appreciate just having our fans in the building, cheering us on for our opening day.”

This sellout represents the franchise’s 20th straight home opener with maximum attendance, not counting 2020 when coronavirus restrictions prevented fan attendance.

Relief pitcher Griffin Jax, who became a Ray last July, expressed enthusiasm about the return. “I’m just really excited to get back in the Trop,” Jax stated. “I always enjoy going there as a visitor. It’ll be cool to see all the new renovations and upgrades they made along the way. We’ve seen it a handful of times walking through and seeing pictures and stuff. It looks great. It’ll be good to be back in our home.”

Following a full season at the smaller minor league facility, players are eager to return to major league-caliber amenities and accommodations.

“It was difficult,” Jax reflected on the temporary arrangement at Steinbrenner Field. “I don’t think anybody expects to play in a situation like that. It’s just one of those things you have to make any adjustment you can and get ready to play because there is still baseball to be played that night. The situation isn’t great. The environment wasn’t awesome, but it’s still baseball. You just have to roll with it. I was only there for two months. Shout out to all these guys who were there for an entire year because it was not ideal.”

Despite the substantial investment in repairs, Tropicana Field may not remain the Rays’ permanent home much longer. The team’s lease extends through at least 2028, but new ownership is actively pursuing construction of a replacement stadium in Tampa, positioned near the Yankees’ spring training complex and adjacent to Raymond James Stadium, where the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers play.

The stage is set for Monday night’s college basketball championship as Michigan and UConn prepare to battle for the national title, with the Wolverines looking to overcome a key injury concern.

UConn is pursuing an unprecedented achievement – capturing three national championships within four years, something no team has accomplished in over 50 years. The Huskies plan to lean on the aggressive style of play that delivered their previous two titles, while seeking improved scoring efficiency.

Michigan dominated Arizona 91-73 in their Final Four matchup, with junior center Aday Mara delivering a standout performance of 26 points and nine rebounds. The Wolverines extended their remarkable March tournament run, becoming the first squad to exceed 90 points in five consecutive tournament games. This marks their fifth straight double-digit victory margin during the current March Madness run.

However, Michigan faces uncertainty heading into the championship game due to an injury to first-team All-American Yaxel Lendeborg. The star forward suffered a turned ankle and sprained MCL during the Arizona game, limiting him to just 14 minutes of action despite contributing 11 points. Lendeborg wore a knee brace when he returned for the second half and has indicated his intention to play in Monday’s final.

UConn secured their championship berth with a 71-62 victory over Illinois in Saturday’s other semifinal contest. Tarris Reed Jr. contributed 17 points and 11 rebounds, while freshman standout Braylon Mullins added 15 points, including a crucial three-pointer. The win extended UConn’s remarkable postseason streak to 19 consecutive victories in Sweet 16 rounds and beyond.

Coach Dan Hurley’s squad is seeking their seventh national title, all of which would have come since 1999. The Huskies’ championship hopes rest on their trademark strong interior play and tenacious defensive approach.

Michigan enters as early betting favorites despite the Lendeborg injury concern, as the Big Ten conference attempts to end a 26-year championship drought. The Monday night showdown features two programs that have reached peak performance during this year’s tournament.

In other sports news, Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell delivered what nine-time Gold Glove winner Torii Hunter called “probably the greatest defensive game I’ve ever seen.” Adell made three home run-robbing catches during a 1-0 victory over Seattle, including a spectacular ninth-inning grab while crashing into the seats near the right-field foul pole against J.P. Crawford.

The women’s basketball championship will feature South Carolina against UCLA on Sunday, with Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley seeking her fourth national title. Meanwhile, UConn women’s coach Geno Auriemma issued an apology for a heated exchange with Staley following their team’s 62-48 Final Four loss.

In golf, Colombia’s Maria Jose Marin captured the Augusta National Women’s Amateur title after California teenager Asterisk Talley suffered a dramatic collapse on the back nine, including a quadruple bogey on the par-3 12th hole.

The Buffalo Sabres ended the longest playoff drought in NHL history, clinching their first postseason berth in 14 years when the New York Rangers defeated Detroit in regulation on Saturday.

Finally, the Milwaukee Brewers have adopted an unusual new mascot – a tortoise named Bobby Jr. – after manager Pat Murphy presented the reptile during a pregame interview as a substitute for his usual “pocket pancakes” routine.

Former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder issued a direct challenge to Anthony Joshua following his split-decision victory over Derek Chisora in London on Saturday, setting up what could be a blockbuster fight between the two ex-titleholders.

The dramatic moment unfolded when Wilder approached Joshua immediately after his win, with the two fighters coming face-to-face ringside. After exchanging a fist bump, the Alabama native made his intentions clear, telling Joshua, “Let’s do it.”

Speaking to media afterward, Wilder elaborated on the encounter. “It wasn’t a few words, I dapped it up with him and I said, now let’s get it on,” the American explained when questioned about their exchange.

The 38-year-old fighter expressed confidence about taking on any challenger in the division. “I’m ready for whoever, long as these guys are in the heavyweight division, I am here. You can call me Mr Clean, because I want to clean up the whole division. The division is nothing without Deontay Wilder,” he declared.

The potential matchup represents a fight that boxing fans have anticipated for years. During their respective championship reigns, Wilder held the WBC title while Joshua possessed the WBA, IBF and WBO belts, but negotiations for a unification bout never succeeded. Both fighters subsequently lost their championships – Wilder to Tyson Fury and Joshua to Oleksandr Usyk.

Usyk currently holds all the major heavyweight titles after defeating Fury in May 2024 to become the undisputed champion.

Joshua last competed in December, scoring a knockout victory against Jake Paul. However, tragedy struck days later when the British fighter was hospitalized following a car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close friends.

Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter who witnessed the post-fight exchange, indicated his fighter would be willing to accept Wilder’s challenge. “He said, let’s do it. AJ sort of stared at him ice cold, but he would fight him no problem,” Hearn told Fight Hub TV.

A childhood spent on Punjab rooftops, cricket bat in hand, dreaming of World Cup glory for India took an unexpected turn for Jaskaran Singh when his professional cricket aspirations finally came to fruition.

The 36-year-old medium pacer achieved his World Cup dream in 2026 after 17 years in professional cricket, though fate delivered it with an unexpected twist – he competed in the Twenty20 World Cup on Indian soil while representing Canada.

“How ironic is that?” Singh reflected during an interview with Reuters. The former India A player, who previously competed for Punjab and Chandigarh in domestic Indian cricket, found himself in a situation he never could have predicted.

Though Canada’s tournament ended without a victory despite Singh’s impressive three-wicket performance against Afghanistan in their final group match, the personal significance of the moment wasn’t lost on him.

“At some point… there was a thought that okay, you worked hard, but your dream of playing and winning the World Cup for India is shattered,” Singh explained. “I went to Canada, not knowing what would happen. And then I’m given an opportunity of playing in a World Cup, and that World Cup happens to be in India, my home country… I could not ever imagine this in my wildest dreams.”

Singh described his relocation to Canada as a “compromise with destiny.” Despite his family holding Canadian permanent residency, he had initially stayed in India to pursue his cricket career.

His professional journey included taking six wickets for Deccan Chargers during the 2010 Indian Premier League season. However, multiple injuries over subsequent years limited his domestic tournament appearances, eventually leading to his Canadian move.

“I went there for my child’s citizenship, to be honest,” Singh admitted about his initial motivation for the relocation.

The transition to Canadian life presented immediate challenges for Singh, particularly the harsh winters that contrasted sharply with his previous lifestyle.

“Here, after October and November, if you have to step out of the house, you must have warm clothes, snow shoes. It was so difficult to adjust at first,” he said, noting how different it was from his habit of wearing shorts even during India’s coldest months.

Singh found work coaching at a Toronto academy while participating in club cricket, entering a sporting environment vastly different from his Indian experience.

“Because the summer is so short, they have to pack a lot of cricket in the weekends. They start from seven in the morning and finish at nine in the evening,” he described. “Wet ground, wet shoes, you slip a lot. The sight screens aren’t good, the quality of the ball varies from match to match, between tournaments.”

Despite the infrastructure challenges, Singh discovered that Canadian cricket maintained high competitive standards, driven by numerous immigrants like himself who viewed the sport as a link to their heritage.

“If you work hard, you can make your way to the top,” Singh observed about the Canadian cricket landscape.

Cricket Canada’s national body quickly identified Singh as a potential team member, with then-coach Pubudu Dassanayake (who later became the U.S. head coach) taking particular interest in his development.

“He’d ask, how long I had left to fulfil my residency obligations before I would be eligible to play for Canada,” Singh remembered about his early conversations with Dassanayake.

Singh’s Canadian debut came in April 2025 against Bermuda, where he claimed three wickets in a decisive win. He attributes his smooth integration into the national team to his IPL background.

“You mentally become confident that it’s nothing new,” he explained about drawing on his previous high-level experience.

Looking beyond Canada’s winless T20 World Cup showing, Singh remains optimistic about the team’s future prospects in both twenty-over and fifty-over World Cup competitions.

However, Singh has adopted a more philosophical approach to his own cricket future, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of his journey.

“I used to make a lot of plans… but destiny teaches you, it’s not in your control. Wherever life takes me, I’m on a boat without a radar. I’m just going to enjoy the ride, whatever destiny throws at me,” he concluded.

The Buffalo Sabres have officially broken their historic 14-year absence from the NHL playoffs, marking the end of the longest postseason drought in league history. The milestone was reached Saturday despite Buffalo falling 6-2 to Washington, as Detroit’s regulation defeat to the New York Rangers earlier that day secured the Sabres’ playoff position.

Washington goaltender Logan Thompson turned away 37 shots in the Capitals’ dominant performance against Buffalo.

The Capitals received strong offensive contributions from Jakob Chychrun, Aliaksei Protas, and Connor McMichael, who each recorded one goal and one assist. Washington has captured four victories in their last five contests and jumped ahead 3-0 within the opening two and a half minutes of play.

Buffalo got scoring from Rasmus Dahlin, who notched a goal and assist, along with Beck Malenstyn. The Sabres now sit tied on points for second place in the Atlantic Division standings.

In other Saturday action, Oliver Kapanen delivered the decisive goal in the fifth round of a shootout, extending Montreal’s winning streak to eight games with a 4-3 victory over New Jersey in Newark. Cole Caufield remains one goal short of the 50-goal milestone but contributed two assists in the triumph. Ivan Demidov, Jayden Struble, and Lane Hutson found the net for Montreal, while Jakub Dobes recorded 35 saves. Jack Hughes, Timo Meier, and Dawson Mercer scored for New Jersey, with Jake Allen making 26 stops.

Colorado defeated Dallas 2-0 in a matchup between the Western Conference’s top two teams. Martin Necas and Nathan MacKinnon broke open a scoreless contest with goals in the final 9:21. MacKinnon extended his league-leading goal total to 52 with an empty-net strike after Necas scored his career-best 36th goal. Scott Wedgewood earned his third shutout of the campaign with 17 saves, while Casey DeSmith made 20 stops for Dallas, which has struggled to a 3-6-2 record following a 14-0-1 surge.

Los Angeles edged Toronto 7-6 in overtime, with Quinton Byfield netting his second goal of the night at 2:33 of the extra period. The Kings built a 6-4 advantage with three goals in 1:36 during the third period before Toronto forced overtime. Adrian Kempe contributed two goals and two assists for Los Angeles, while Matthew Knies recorded two goals and an assist for the Maple Leafs. Joseph Woll made 33 saves for Toronto.

Pittsburgh demolished visiting Florida 9-4 behind Evgeni Malkin’s first hat trick in over four years. Sidney Crosby moved past Steve Yzerman into seventh place on the NHL’s all-time points list with two assists, giving him 1,756 career points. A dozen Pittsburgh players earned at least one point in the victory, while Florida’s hopes of a three-peat officially ended as they became the first defending Stanley Cup champion to miss the following season’s playoffs since Los Angeles in 2015.

Winnipeg defeated Columbus 2-1 on Kyle Connor’s two-goal performance, keeping the Jets in contention for the Western Conference’s final wild-card position. The loss left Columbus tied with Ottawa, Detroit, and Philadelphia, with the Senators holding the tiebreaker advantage.

Vegas moved within one point of the Pacific Division lead with a 5-1 victory over Edmonton. Jeremy Lauzon and Brett Howden each had a goal and assist for the Golden Knights, who won their third consecutive game under new coach John Tortorella. Carter Hart stopped 31 shots for Vegas, while Edmonton’s five-game winning streak came to an end.

Carolina topped the New York Islanders 4-3, with Seth Jarvis scoring twice and adding an assist. Sebastian Aho’s short-handed goal with 3:43 left in the second period gave the Hurricanes their first lead of the game. Brandon Bussi made 13 saves to improve to 29-6-1.

Nashville moved into the Western Conference’s second wild-card spot with a 6-3 victory over San Jose. Tyson Jost set up the game-winner and insurance goal before adding an empty-netter, while Filip Forsberg scored twice and added an assist for the Predators.

Tampa Bay clinched its ninth consecutive playoff appearance with a 3-1 win over Boston, featuring a franchise-record 21st goal by defenseman Darren Raddysh. The Lightning scored three times in the third period to secure the victory.

Chicago defeated Seattle 4-2, with Sacha Boisvert scoring his first NHL goal. The loss further damaged Seattle’s playoff hopes, dropping them to seventh in the Western Conference wild-card race, six points out of the final spot.

Utah beat Vancouver 7-4 behind Clayton Keller’s third career hat trick in a four-point performance. Dylan Guenther and Lawson Crouse each had a goal and assist for Utah, which moved closer to clinching a playoff berth.

Calgary upset Anaheim 5-3, with Morgan Frost scoring twice and Joel Farabee and Matvei Gridin each recording a goal and assist. Devin Cooley made 36 saves for the Flames, while Anaheim remained winless in five games.

New York shut down Detroit 4-1, with rookie Gabe Perreault scoring twice in the third period for his first career hat trick. Jonathan Quick made 31 saves and nearly earned a shutout before allowing a goal with 33 seconds remaining.

Minnesota defeated Ottawa 4-1, with Ryan Hartman scoring twice. Jesper Wallstedt stopped 33 shots for the Wild, who won consecutive games for the first time in a month. Ottawa remains in the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot despite losing four of five.

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell turned in a defensive masterpiece Saturday night, making three spectacular home run-robbing catches to preserve his team’s narrow 1-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners in Anaheim, California.

Adell’s defensive brilliance included denying Cal Raleigh in the opening frame, Josh Naylor in the eighth, and J.P. Crawford in the ninth with outstanding catches in right field. The Angels managed just their second victory in seven games. The final catch proved most dramatic as Adell tumbled over the short wall in right field’s corner into the stands while securing the ball, though the play was reviewed and confirmed.

Starting pitcher Jack Kochanowicz (1-0) delivered 5 2/3 scoreless innings, surrendering four hits for Los Angeles. Zach Neto provided the game’s only offense with a first-inning leadoff home run, his 10th career leadoff blast, and finished with two hits.

Seattle’s Emerson Hancock (1-1) pitched effectively, giving up just one run on six hits across 6 2/3 innings. Julio Rodriguez collected two of the Mariners’ five hits, while Cal Raleigh’s power drought continued through nine games after launching 60 home runs last season.

In New York, Giancarlo Stanton delivered a crucial two-run single with two outs in the eighth inning, helping the Yankees overcome a four-run deficit to defeat the visiting Miami Marlins 9-7. Cody Bellinger contributed three RBIs as New York continued its strong season start. The Yankees managed just six hits but drew ten walks from Miami’s pitching staff. Brett Headrick (1-0) earned the victory after ending the eighth inning following Javier Sanoja’s game-tying double.

Pittsburgh rallied past Baltimore 3-2 when Nick Yorke connected for the game-winning double in the ninth inning. Dennis Santana (2-0) earned the win with one inning of shutout relief, while Yorke’s decisive hit came off Ryan Helsley (0-1). The Orioles had led since the fourth inning on RBI singles from Dylan Beavers and Leody Taveras.

Detroit powered past St. Louis 11-6 in a weather-shortened contest that ended after 8 1/3 innings due to poor field conditions. Kerry Carpenter, Zach McKinstry, and Matt Vierling each launched two-run homers for the Tigers. Jordan Walker responded with a grand slam for the Cardinals, driving in five runs total.

Chicago defeated Toronto 6-3 behind home runs from Munetaka Murakami and Colson Montgomery during a decisive sixth-inning rally. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his first home run of the season for the Blue Jays, a two-run shot that briefly gave Toronto a 2-1 advantage.

Milwaukee and Kansas City split their doubleheader, with the Brewers taking the opener 5-2 behind Garrett Mitchell’s five-RBI performance that included a double and home run. The Royals bounced back in the nightcap 8-2, sparked by Salvador Perez’s sixth-inning home run that ignited a decisive six-run frame.

Philadelphia extended its winning streak to four games with a 2-1 victory over Colorado in Denver. Jesus Luzardo (1-1) dominated with 11 strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings, while Trea Turner delivered the game-winning RBI.

Los Angeles Dodgers overwhelmed Washington 10-5 as Andy Pages collected three hits including a three-run homer, and Freddie Freeman drove in four runs with two doubles. The Dodgers managed 16 hits in the victory, though they lost shortstop Mookie Betts to lower back pain in the first inning.

San Diego edged Boston 2-1 on Ramon Laureano’s two-out RBI single in the ninth inning. Fernando Tatis Jr. set up the winning run with a clutch double over center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela’s head.

Arizona defeated Atlanta 2-1 behind Michael Soroka’s five strong innings against his former team. The Diamondbacks scored both runs without benefit of a hit in the second inning when a throwing error allowed two runners to score.

Cincinnati blanked Texas 2-0 as Rhett Lowder (1-0) tossed six shutout innings, allowing just three hits. The Reds scored both runs in the first inning on RBI singles from Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart.

Tampa Bay cruised past Minnesota 7-1 with Jonathan Aranda and Yandy Diaz each driving in two runs. Steven Matz (2-0) limited the Twins to two hits and one run over six innings.

Houston demolished Oakland 11-0 in West Sacramento, collecting 18 hits in the rout. Christian Walker and Cam Smith homered for the Astros, while Tatsuya Imai (1-0) earned his first major league victory with 5 2/3 scoreless innings.

New York Mets completed their second straight blowout victory over San Francisco with a 9-0 shutout. Tyrone Taylor capped a five-run fifth inning with a pinch-hit home run, while Clay Holmes threw seven shutout innings for his first victory of the season.

Ramon Laureano came through in the clutch Saturday night, delivering a game-winning RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning that lifted the San Diego Padres to a 3-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox in the middle game of their three-game series.

The decisive rally unfolded against Boston’s closer Aroldis Chapman (0-1), who suffered the loss. Fernando Tatis Jr. sparked the winning sequence by smashing a double that sailed over center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela’s head, positioning himself perfectly for Laureano’s clutch hit to left field that brought home the go-ahead run.

Miguel Andujar turned in an outstanding offensive performance for the Padres, collecting three hits in five at-bats while adding a double and crossing the plate once.

The Padres’ offense struggled through the middle innings, managing only two hits from the fourth through seventh frames, which allowed Boston to level the score. Adrian Morejon (1-0) picked up the victory despite surrendering a potential save opportunity, while Mason Miller locked down his third save of the season by striking out three consecutive batters in the ninth.

Boston’s offense was paced by Rafaela and Roman Anthony, who each collected a pair of hits. Anthony showcased his power with a triple during the fifth inning.

The Red Sox mounted their comeback in the eighth frame when Rafaela and Anthony opened with consecutive singles. Pinch-hitter Andruw Monasterio then worked a grueling nine-pitch at-bat that resulted in an RBI on a fielder’s choice. San Diego appeared ready to escape further damage with a potential 1-4-3 double play, but Jake Cronenworth’s error on Morejon’s throw to second base prevented the inning-ending play.

Following Boston starter Connelly Early’s escape from an early two-on, two-out situation, San Diego grabbed the initial advantage in the second inning on Bryce Johnson’s RBI groundout. The run scored Freddy Fermin, who had drawn a leadoff walk and advanced to third base on Ty France’s single that bounced off the outfield wall.

Boston answered immediately in the bottom half of the second when Willson Contreras led off with a single to left field and came around to score on Marcelo Mayer’s sacrifice fly, knotting the game at 1-1.

The Padres reclaimed the lead in the third inning through a pair of well-placed doubles. Andujar started the rally by driving a one-out double into the left-field corner, and after Manny Machado drew a walk to keep the inning alive, Fermin delivered a two-out liner that eluded the diving attempt of Boston third baseman Caleb Durbin, restoring San Diego’s 2-1 advantage.

Offensive production stalled for both clubs over the next several innings, although the Red Sox created multiple scoring chances with four hits spread across the fourth and fifth innings.

San Diego’s Randy Vasquez navigated around three singles in the fourth inning, ending the threat by striking out Mayer with two runners in scoring position. The following inning, Anthony was left stranded despite his booming two-out triple to deep right field.

Vasquez completed six solid innings, surrendering just one run while recording three strikeouts.

Early struggled with his command, requiring 88 pitches to get through only four innings. He allowed two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out four batters.

Chicago rookie Sacha Boisvert found the back of the net for the first time in his professional career as the Blackhawks handed the Seattle Kraken a costly 4-2 defeat on Saturday evening, dealing another blow to the home team’s postseason aspirations.

Ilya Mikheyev contributed both a goal and an assist for Chicago, while Teuvo Teravainen and Tyler Bertuzzi each found the scoresheet. Wyatt Kaiser recorded two helpers for the Blackhawks (28-35-14, 70 points), who are now playing the role of playoff spoiler after their own postseason elimination following Thursday’s 3-1 defeat in Edmonton. Netminder Arvid Soderblom turned away 25 shots for the victory.

For Seattle, Jaden Schwartz managed a goal and assist while Kaapo Kakko also lit the lamp for the Kraken (32-32-11, 75 points). The defeat marked their fourth consecutive loss and eighth setback in nine contests, dropping them to seventh position in the Western Conference wild-card standings, now trailing the final playoff spot by six points. Goalie Philipp Grubauer made 27 saves on 30 attempts.

Seattle mounted a comeback attempt when Schwartz narrowed the deficit to 2-1 at the 10:48 mark of the final frame during a quick transition play. Eeli Tolvanen carried the puck down the left side before delivering a feed to the goalmouth, where Schwartz battled past Kaiser to deflect the puck past Soderblom’s blocker.

The 18-year-old Boisvert, selected 18th overall in last year’s draft and appearing in only his fifth NHL contest, restored Chicago’s two-goal cushion at 13:08. The young forward received a feed from Kevin Korchinski in the high slot and fired a one-timer that beat Grubauer cleanly.

Kakko managed to capitalize on a loose puck at 14:18 to bring the Kraken back within one goal at 3-2, but Mikheyev sealed the outcome by finding the vacant net with 1:12 remaining on the clock.

The opening frame remained scoreless despite Chicago holding a 10-4 shot advantage, with all four Seattle attempts originating from their blue-line corps.

Teravainen broke the deadlock during a man-advantage situation at 9:15 of the middle period. After taking a pass from Connor Bedard near the left corner, he found himself with ample space and opted to carry the puck toward the goal. The Finnish forward managed to squeeze the puck through Grubauer’s leg pads, with the rubber barely crossing the goal line.

Chicago expanded their lead to 2-0 with just 23 seconds left in the second period during a three-on-two opportunity. Bertuzzi fed Mikheyev along the left boards as he approached the net. Despite facing away from the goal, Mikheyev delivered a backhand pass toward the slot that deflected off Schwartz’s skate and settled near the crease. Bertuzzi quickly collected the rebound and elevated it over Grubauer’s glove into the top right portion of the net.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — When a nine-time Gold Glove winner famous for spectacular catches declares what you just accomplished as “probably the greatest defensive game I’ve ever seen,” you know you’ve achieved something extraordinary.

That’s exactly what happened to Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell, who delivered a historic defensive performance by preventing three home runs during Saturday night’s 1-0 victory against the Seattle Mariners. The most dramatic moment came in the ninth inning when Adell made a spectacular jumping catch while tumbling into the seats behind the right-field foul pole.

“I’ve never seen three home run robberies in one game, and I’ve never seen a guy on the third one fall into the stands, catch the ball and keep his feet in like he’s a wide receiver,” commented 50-year-old Torii Hunter, who serves as a special assistant to the general manager and witnessed the performance from the dugout. “I was jumping up and down. I almost passed out.”

Adell, whose defensive struggles in previous seasons transformed into a Gold Glove nomination in 2024, first soared above the yellow warning line in center-right field to rob Cal Raleigh of a solo home run during the opening inning. He repeated the feat with an almost identical catch against Josh Naylor in the eighth frame.

The climactic moment arrived when J.P. Crawford opened the ninth with a drive toward the right-field corner. Adell sprinted to the ball’s location, launched himself upward to secure it, flipped over the short wall and landed in the front row before triumphantly displaying his glove to show the successful catch, which officials confirmed following video review.

“After the first one, I was pretty fired up,” Adell explained. “When I got to the second one, which looked identical to the first, I thought, ‘Wow, my routes are on point tonight.’ The third one was just grit. Top of the ninth, you have to get it done. It was crazy.

“You just get there, then it’s decision-making. The ball was hit high enough to where I could get there. I watched it (into my glove), fell over and ended up in somebody’s lap. I don’t know who it was, but it was a softer landing than I expected. The fans were as fired up as me.”

Data from Inside Edge shows Adell has prevented 10 home runs since 2020, matching Kyle Tucker of the Dodgers for the major league lead. The outfielders who prevented the most home runs throughout the entire 2025 season were Washington’s Jacob Young and San Diego’s Fernando Tatis, each with four.

Baseball historians believe this marks the first instance of a player preventing three home runs during a single contest.

“It was like a movie scene,” Hunter described regarding Adell’s final catch. “It was like the music was playing, then he caught the ball, then he went down and we didn’t see him anymore. The music paused, he came up and said, ‘Yeah!’ I started cheering and almost blacked out.”

Hunter, the former star for Minnesota, Los Angeles and Detroit, has collaborated closely with Adell on defensive fundamentals over recent years.

“His impact has been huge,” Adell acknowledged. “It’s mental when you’re out there — it’s a mindset of going to get the baseball, being aggressive. Early, I was caught in between on some plays, and sometimes that happens.

“When you err on the side of being aggressive and trying to make the plays, you’d be surprised at how many plays you make. That’s the mindset Torii had all those years, winning all those Gold Gloves.”

Denver’s Nikola Jokic put together a masterful 40-point performance, capping it off with a crucial 7-foot shot late in overtime, as the Nuggets defeated San Antonio 136-134 on Saturday night, bringing the Spurs’ remarkable 11-game winning streak to an end.

The Serbian center dominated the extra period with seven points to help Denver secure its eighth consecutive victory, despite an outstanding effort from San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama. The young French star delivered 34 points and pulled down 18 rebounds while converting an impressive 16 of 17 free throw attempts.

Supporting Jokic’s stellar night, Christian Braun contributed 21 points for the Nuggets. Jamal Murray recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 assists, while Cam Johnson added 17 points to the winning effort. Aaron Gordon chipped in 15 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. provided 10 points for Denver, which trailed by six points with just 1:39 remaining in regulation before mounting their comeback.

San Antonio received strong contributions across their roster, with Stephon Castle leading the way with 20 points. Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie each scored 18 points, while De’Aaron Fox added 14 points to the effort. Dylan Harper contributed 12 points and Keldon Johnson scored 10 for the Spurs, who entered the contest having won 27 of their previous 29 games.

In other NBA action, Detroit secured the Eastern Conference’s top seed with a decisive 116-93 road victory over Philadelphia. Tobias Harris led the Pistons with 19 points, while Daniss Jenkins recorded 16 points and 14 assists in the win.

The victory gives Detroit home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs for the first time since 2007. The Pistons have maintained their strong play despite star guard Cade Cunningham being sidelined with a collapsed lung, posting an 8-2 record during his absence.

Philadelphia struggled offensively in the second half, managing just 33 points after halftime while shooting 34.2% from the field. Tyrese Maxey scored 23 points and Paul George added 20 for the 76ers, who played without Joel Embiid on the second night of back-to-back games.

Miami dominated Washington 152-136 in another high-scoring affair, led by Jaime Jaquez Jr.’s season-best 32 points. Kel’el Ware had a standout performance with 24 points, 19 rebounds, and seven blocks for the Heat.

The Heat controlled the game early, building leads as large as 35 points in the second quarter before resting their starters. The victory marked Miami’s third 150-point game in franchise history.

Washington continued their struggles, losing their 21st game in the last 22 contests. Will Riley provided a bright spot with 31 points on efficient 12-of-17 shooting, while Sharife Cooper scored 20 points and Jaden Hardy added 19 for the Wizards.

Fourth-seeded American tennis player Tommy Paul secured his spot in the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship final after defeating compatriot and second-seed Frances Tiafoe 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7) during Saturday’s semifinal action in Houston.

The victory marks Paul’s fourth straight triumph against Tiafoe and earns him his debut appearance in an ATP clay-court final. The marathon contest lasted 2 hours and 45 minutes, with weather disruptions causing delays throughout the match, including a lengthy 90-minute rain interruption during the second set.

Paul dominated the serving statistics with 14 aces and zero double faults, while successfully capitalizing on two of his five break-point chances in the decisive third set. The final set featured dramatic momentum swings, with Tiafoe securing an early break only to see Paul immediately respond with a break of his own. The pattern repeated itself as Paul gained a service break, but Tiafoe answered back in the following game.

During the crucial tiebreaker, Paul appeared to have the match sealed with a 6-4 lead and two match points, but failed to convert either opportunity. He ultimately prevailed by claiming two consecutive points to break a 7-7 deadlock and secure the victory.

The other semifinal featured an all-Argentine matchup, with Roman Andres Burruchaga dominating Thiago Agustin Tirante 6-1, 6-1 to earn his place opposite Paul in the final. Burruchaga was flawless on serve, never facing a break point while converting five of eight break opportunities. Tirante struggled with consistency, committing 25 unforced errors compared to Burruchaga’s 10.

At the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech, Morocco, Argentine qualifier Marco Trungelliti continued his remarkable tournament run by eliminating top-seeded Italian Luciano Darderi 6-4, 7-6 (2). The 36-year-old Trungelliti, ranked 117th in the world, has now become the oldest first-time finalist in ATP Tour history.

Trungelliti’s path to the final included victories over the tournament’s fifth, third, and top seeds. He converted four of six break-point opportunities while taking advantage of Darderi’s eight double faults to prevent the Italian from defending his title from the previous year.

Spain’s Rafael Jodar will face Trungelliti in the final after dismantling Argentine Camilo Ugo Carabelli 6-2, 6-1 in just 63 minutes. The 19-year-old Jodar never lost his serve and accumulated a commanding 23-8 advantage in winners. This represents Jodar’s first tour-level clay court tournament since making his professional debut at this year’s Australian Open.

In Bucharest, Romania, at the Tiriac Open, Spanish qualifier Daniel Merida Aguilar staged a comeback victory over third-seeded Hungarian Fabian Marozsan, winning 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-1. After losing the opening set, Merida Aguilar found his rhythm and converted four of six break-point chances across the final two sets while recording 35 winners.

Despite committing 39 unforced errors, Merida Aguilar’s exceptional defensive play proved decisive as he saved 17 of 18 break points faced to reach his first tour-level final. Seventh-seeded Argentine Mariano Navone survived two match points to defeat eighth-seeded Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 5-7, 7-6 (3), 7-5.

Navone benefited from van de Zandschulp’s 65 unforced errors while breaking serve six times and maintaining an impressive 82% first-serve percentage. The Argentine will seek his first tour-level championship after falling short in the 2024 Bucharest final.

Ukrainian tennis player Yuliia Starodubtseva delivered a remarkable performance Saturday, defeating fifth-seeded Madison Keys 6-1, 6-4 to advance to the Charleston Open championship match. The former Old Dominion University player successfully defended six of eight break point opportunities during her impressive semifinal victory.

Starodubtseva’s path to the final has been unconventional – she originally entered the tournament as a qualifier but earned a spot in the main draw after another player withdrew. Now the Ukraine native has a chance to capture her first professional WTA championship.

Her opponent in the final will be top-seeded Jessica Pegula, who is seeking to defend her Charleston title. Pegula advanced with a hard-fought 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 victory over fourth-seeded Iva Jovic, recording 23 winning shots while committing 25 unforced errors. This marks the fourth consecutive match in Charleston where Pegula has needed three sets to secure victory.

In tournament action from Bogota, Colombia, top-seeded Czech player Marie Bouzkova reached the Copa Colsanitas final with a 7-6 (5), 6-2 win over Argentina’s Jazmin Ortenzi. Bouzkova successfully saved five of seven break point opportunities during the match.

After building a 5-2 advantage in the first set, Bouzkova saw Ortenzi mount a comeback that forced a tiebreaker. However, the Czech player regained control and dominated the second set to secure her championship match berth.

Bouzkova will meet eighth-seeded Hungarian player Panna Udvardy in the final. Udvardy staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Colombia’s Emiliana Arango 6-7 (8), 6-3, 7-6 (5). The local favorite Arango held a 5-2 lead in the deciding set before Udvardy rallied to win four consecutive games and claim the victory.

The National Basketball Association continues its examination of the conflict between Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and team officials regarding the former MVP’s fitness to compete, league representatives confirmed Saturday.

The league provided an update on their inquiry one day after Antetokounmpo publicly stated to reporters from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and The Athletic that his health has returned and he desires to return to action.

The Greek forward last appeared in a game on March 15 during Milwaukee’s win against Indiana, exiting after an awkward landing following a dunk attempt. Team medical staff listed him as unavailable for Sunday’s contest versus Memphis, extending his absence to 11 consecutive games.

According to an NBA representative, the league’s Player Participation Policy review has uncovered conflicting accounts between the parties involved. “The NBA’s Player Participation Policy investigation into the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo is ongoing and certain facts remain in dispute,” the spokesperson stated. “The investigation has found that the Bucks scheduled Giannis to work out last week in three-on-three scrimmages as part of his return-to-play process, but he declined to participate. There is a disagreement as to whether the team requested that Giannis participate in a group workout earlier this week, and the league is continuing to monitor the situation.”

ESPN initially broke news of the league’s investigation.

Milwaukee’s medical staff has continuously listed Antetokounmpo as unavailable due to left knee hyperextension and bone bruising sustained in the Indiana matchup. Despite the injury designation, the star player has participated in pregame preparation activities without visible restrictions.

Speaking to media members prior to Friday’s 133-101 defeat to Boston, Antetokounmpo expressed frustration with the situation. “I’m healthy,” he declared. “I hate it when people force me to do things against my nature. I’m a player. I get paid to play.”

Milwaukee’s postseason hopes officially ended on March 28, breaking their streak of nine consecutive playoff qualifications.

This season marks a career-worst 42 games missed for the 31-year-old Antetokounmpo, who also dealt with multiple calf injuries and an adductor strain earlier in the campaign.

The veteran forward, who has spent his entire 13-season professional career with Milwaukee after being selected 15th overall in 2013, believes team leadership should understand his competitive nature better given their lengthy relationship.

“You know who you’re dealing with,” Antetokounmpo commented Friday. “So, for somebody to come and tell me to not play or to not compete, it’s like a slap in my face.”

This disagreement emerges during widespread discussion about Antetokounmpo’s long-term commitment to Milwaukee.

The star becomes eligible for a four-year extension worth as much as $275 million this October. Without signing such a deal, he could enter free agency following the 2026-27 season, potentially prompting Milwaukee to explore trade scenarios.

Head coach Doc Rivers expressed disappointment that private matters became public knowledge following Monday’s game. “I just don’t like that this is so public,” Rivers commented. “This is where grown men get in a room and they talk it out. Whether they agree or disagree, that doesn’t matter. But this should not be public, and I don’t like that.”

Rivers emphasized his preference for internal resolution, stating “this is a grown man’s game, and it should be handled that way by everybody.”

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. — Taking command of Saturday’s North Carolina Education Lottery 250 Presented by Black’s Tire following a lap 172 restart, 19-year-old William Sawalich dominated the remaining 79 circuits to capture his maiden NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series triumph at Rockingham Speedway.

The teenage driver’s breakthrough performance made him the youngest competitor to claim victory at the 0.94-mile facility across NASCAR’s three premier divisions. Sawalich commanded the race for 80 total laps.

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver crossed the checkered flag with a 0.863-second margin over teammate Brandon Jones, halting JR Motorsports’ five-race victory streak while extending JGR’s series record to six consecutive wins.

“It means everything,” Sawalich expressed after advancing three spots to 11th in championship standings. “Honestly, it was a tough year last year and a tough start to the year this year. Gosh, it feels good to get it done here at Rockingham in front of an awesome crowd.”

“Our Supra was on rails today, obviously. Good in Stage 1 (fifth), Stage 2 (second) and obviously amazing in clean air. Lapped traffic took me out last year (in a 25th-place finish), so that was running through my head a little bit, but, man, I just studied the race last year, calmed down—and everything’s fine.”

Sawalich’s triumph secures his spot in next Saturday’s inaugural Dash 4 Cash competition at Bristol Motor Speedway. The Rockingham race’s top four finishers—Sawalich, Jones, plus third and fourth-place drivers Justin Allgaier and Rajah Caruth—will battle for a $100,000 bonus, awarded to whichever driver finishes highest among the quartet.

Caruth earned his Dash 4 Cash berth through a dramatic three-wide maneuver past Sheldon Creed and Carson Kvapil with nine circuits remaining. Kvapil claimed fifth position ahead of Creed in sixth, with Taylor Gray, Parker Retzlaff, Ryan Sieg, and pole-sitter Corey Day completing the top 10.

During the race’s opening portion, Day showcased the strongest machine. The 20-year-old paced the field for a race-best 118 of 250 laps while capturing both opening stages—his first career stage victories.

However, Day surrendered five positions during a sluggish pit stop at the second stage break and couldn’t regain his earlier form. A lap 174 unscheduled stop for a loose wheel forced him to rally from 24th position through the final 70 laps, ultimately securing his seventh consecutive top-10 result.

“We had a couple of bad pit stops,” Day reflected. “We got behind there, and it was hard to dig ourselves out of the hole.”

Runner-up Jones viewed his performance as significant improvement from recent struggles.

“I left Martinsville a little frustrated at myself last week (after finishing 18th),” Jones explained. “We weren’t quite aggressive enough at times, so today, I was super adamant on being super aggressive. I am going to take all of the runs I can get. I’m going to put people in bad situations, if I can, and just move forward.”

“I think we did a really good job of it. We kept fighting both sides of it with balance today. Sam (McAuley, crew chief) did a great job taking all of my feedback and making a car, I think, capable of winning. It was just a matter of trying to get some track position, and he (Sawalich) got such a big restart on that last restart (after the seventh caution on Lap 206) that it was hard to catch him.”

Third-place finisher Allgaier departed Rockingham maintaining a commanding 126-point championship advantage over second-place Jesse Love. Love’s title hopes suffered when he contacted the outside barrier following contact from Caruth, necessitating an unscheduled pit visit on lap 153 that relegated him to a 27th-place finish, two laps behind the leaders.

Canada’s national soccer organization made a bold and playful move this weekend, targeting devastated Italian football fans after their team’s latest World Cup disappointment.

Following Italy’s elimination from World Cup qualifying after losing to Bosnia on Tuesday, Canada Soccer launched a tongue-in-cheek recruitment campaign aimed at the four-time champions’ supporters.

“Dear Italian soccer fans, Don’t wait four more years. Swap your jersey for Canada,” the governing body wrote on social media platform X on Friday, encouraging supporters to meet at Cafe Diplomatico, a well-known establishment in Toronto’s Little Italy district.

The playful outreach came after Italy experienced their third straight failure to reach the World Cup, a devastating blow that resulted in coach Gennaro Gattuso and federation president Gabriele Gravina stepping down from their positions.

Recognizing an opportunity, Canada – which will serve as a co-host nation for the upcoming World Cup along with Mexico and the United States – decided to capitalize on the moment by inviting disheartened Italian fans to join their cause.

According to local news outlets, hundreds of people lined up for the jersey swap event, though the exchange turned out to be more about goodwill than actual trading. Canada Soccer distributed 2026 tournament shirts and promotional materials to attendees without requiring anyone to surrender their Italian jerseys in return.

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers announced Saturday that guard Austin Reaves has suffered a Grade 2 oblique muscle injury that will keep him out for the remainder of the regular season, joining teammate Luka Doncic on the sidelines.

Both Reaves and Doncic sustained their injuries during Thursday’s matchup in Oklahoma City, creating a major setback for the Lakers (50-27) as they prepare for the postseason. Doncic will be unavailable for a minimum of two weeks after pulling his left hamstring during the team’s decisive defeat to the Thunder.

The two players were hurt in the opening half of Thursday’s contest but continued playing. Doncic received his diagnosis Friday for what marks his second major hamstring problem, while Reaves underwent an MRI Saturday before the Lakers declared him unavailable. The team faces Dallas on Sunday.

Medical experts typically expect both types of injuries to require a month or longer for complete recovery, though the Lakers have not made any predictions about player availability beyond their next five contests.

Reaves has emerged as a premier NBA offensive threat and has served as a crucial scoring complement to Doncic and LeBron James throughout the Lakers’ championship pursuit of the Pacific Division crown. The previously undrafted player is posting averages of 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds across 51 appearances in his fifth Lakers campaign.

The guard previously sat out 19 contests following a Christmas Day left calf strain. His scoring average would rank him 11th in the league if he had met the minimum games requirement.

Los Angeles has captured 16 victories in their past 19 outings to climb into third place in the Western Conference standings. Playoff action commences in two weeks.

Prior to learning the full extent of Reaves’ condition, Lakers head coach JJ Redick addressed media members in Dallas on Saturday, emphasizing the team’s continued focus despite Doncic’s absence.

“Our mission, it hasn’t changed,” Redick said. “The rest of these guys and my staff, we’re going after the 3-seed, and we’re going to try to win a playoff series.”

Following his breakthrough offensive performance in his first complete season playing alongside Doncic, Reaves will have the opportunity to negotiate a substantial contract extension this summer if he opts out of his player option for the 2026-27 campaign as anticipated. Both Reaves and the Lakers organization expect him to remain with the franchise.

The Lakers will conclude their regular season schedule on April 12 when they host Utah at home.

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts departed Saturday’s matchup with the Washington Nationals early after experiencing discomfort in his lower right back, according to team officials.

The injury appeared to happen as Betts was running the base paths during the opening frame. After drawing a walk, he came home to score on a two-run double by Freddie Freeman, but was seen moving gingerly as he made his way back to the team’s dugout following the play.

Team officials indicated they will provide additional details about Betts’ condition following the completion of the game.

The 33-year-old veteran has struggled at the plate early this season, managing just a .179 batting average with 5 hits in 28 at-bats across eight contests, though he has contributed two home runs and seven RBIs.

Miguel Rojas stepped in to take over shortstop duties after Betts’ departure.

Toronto has completed a transaction with San Francisco on Saturday, bringing infielder Tyler Fitzgerald to their organization in exchange for monetary compensation.

The 28-year-old player had been removed from San Francisco’s roster earlier this week following the start of the current campaign at their Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento. The Giants’ offseason signing of infielder Luis Arraez resulted in Fitzgerald moving further down their organizational depth chart.

Toronto has assigned Fitzgerald to their Triple-A club in Buffalo following the transaction.

This season, Fitzgerald has struggled offensively, going hitless through 12 plate appearances with Sacramento. During his tenure with San Francisco spanning portions of three major league seasons, he compiled a .252 batting average while contributing 21 home runs and driving in 53 runs across 178 games. His removal from the roster came after the Giants completed a deal to bring reliever Dylan Smith over from Detroit.

Miami Heat’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. faces a whirlwind weekend of coast-to-coast travel after receiving approval from coach Erik Spoelstra to support his sister in Sunday’s national championship game.

The former UCLA star will fly to Phoenix to watch Gabriela Jaquez and the Bruins take on South Carolina in the women’s basketball title contest.

While Jaquez won’t miss any Heat games, his travel itinerary will be demanding. Miami hosts the Washington Wizards on Saturday, then travels to face the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.

The journey requires a 2,000-mile flight from Miami to Phoenix, followed by a 1,900-mile trip from Arizona to Toronto.

The older Jaquez brother had a stellar college career, guiding UCLA to the men’s 2021 Final Four and capturing 2023 Pac-12 Player of the Year honors along with second-team All-America recognition. Miami selected him in the first round of the 2023 draft.

Gabriela Jaquez ranks third on UCLA’s scoring list, averaging 13.3 points per game while contributing 5.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists. The senior has been instrumental in the Bruins’ remarkable 36-1 season and their second straight Final Four run as they pursue the program’s first women’s basketball championship.

In Friday’s 51-44 national semifinal win over Texas, she contributed 10 points, two assists and four rebounds.

Connecticut basketball coach Geno Auriemma has issued an apology following a heated confrontation with South Carolina coach Dawn Staley during the closing moments of their women’s Final Four matchup in Phoenix. The incident occurred as South Carolina secured a 62-48 victory on Friday night, with an agitated Auriemma approaching Staley and appearing to criticize her actions. Coaching staff from both programs intervened to separate the two coaches. After the final buzzer, Auriemma departed directly to the locker room without participating in the traditional post-game handshakes with South Carolina personnel.

In NHL news, the Buffalo Sabres have finally broken through to end professional sports’ longest active playoff drought. After 14 consecutive seasons without postseason play – an NHL record – the Sabres secured their playoff berth on Saturday when the New York Rangers defeated Detroit in regulation. During their extended absence from the playoffs, Buffalo never finished higher than 19th in league standings. Their drought ranked as the second-longest among major North American sports franchises, trailing only the NFL’s New York Jets, who haven’t reached the playoffs since 2010.

At Augusta National, Colombia’s Maria Jose Marin captured the Augusta National Women’s Amateur championship after California teenager Asterisk Talley suffered a dramatic collapse. The Arkansas junior fired a final-round 68 to establish a tournament record at 14-under 202, becoming the third collegiate champion to win the event alongside Jennifer Kupcho and Rose Zhang. Talley’s chances evaporated during a disastrous sequence at the par-3 12th hole, where she found the water twice from a greenside bunker, resulting in a quadruple-bogey that dropped her five strokes back. Talley finished with a 75 and tied for fourth place.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced its latest class of inductees during Friday’s women’s Final Four festivities in Phoenix. WNBA stars Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne will be enshrined alongside Chamique Holdsclaw and the entire 1996 U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team. Additional inductees include former NBA players Amar’e Stoudemire, coaches Mike D’Antoni, Doc Rivers, and Gonzaga’s Mark Few, plus longtime NBA referee Joey Crawford. The formal induction ceremony is scheduled for August at the Hall of Fame facility in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The Milwaukee Brewers have acquired an unusual new team mascot after manager Pat Murphy’s television interview took an unexpected turn. During Friday’s pregame coverage, Murphy produced a tortoise named Bobby Jr. when told he couldn’t showcase his signature “pocket pancakes” – a reference to his viral moment last season when he pulled pancakes from his hoodie during a game interview. What Murphy believed was a turtle turned out to be a tortoise, and due to airline restrictions on reptiles, reporter Tricia Whitaker had to leave the creature with the team in Kansas City.

Manchester City advanced to the FA Cup semifinals with a commanding 4-0 victory over Liverpool, powered by Erling Haaland’s explosive 18-minute hat trick. The Norwegian striker opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 39th minute, added a header just before halftime, and completed his first hat trick of the season with a 57th-minute finish off the crossbar. Liverpool’s struggles were compounded by Mohamed Salah’s missed penalty, intensifying pressure on manager Arne Slot. City’s semifinal berth extends their record streak to eight consecutive seasons. Chelsea also progressed by demolishing third-division Port Vale 7-0.

Detroit Tigers veteran Justin Verlander’s homecoming has been delayed after the team placed him on the 15-day injured list with left hip inflammation. The 43-year-old pitcher, baseball’s oldest active player, was set to make his first start at Comerica Park in a Tigers uniform since August 20, 2017, when he was traded to Houston. Verlander rejoined Detroit in February on a one-year, $13 million deal after spending last season with San Francisco.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns achieved a rare milestone by becoming just the second NHL player to appear in 1,000 consecutive games. The 41-year-old veteran reached the mark during Saturday’s game against Dallas, receiving recognition from the home crowd and traveling fans alike. Burns’ streak began on November 21, 2013, while playing for San Jose and has continued through stops with Minnesota and Carolina. Phil Kessel holds the all-time record with 1,064 straight regular-season appearances from 2009-2023.

South Carolina returns to familiar territory, reaching the NCAA championship game for the fourth time in five seasons after their defensive masterpiece against UConn. The Gamecocks will face UCLA, making their first-ever title game appearance, as both teams seek basketball’s ultimate prize. South Carolina’s 62-48 semifinal victory ended UConn’s remarkable 54-game winning streak, while UCLA earned their spot with a gritty 51-44 triumph over Texas. The Gamecocks are pursuing their fourth national championship in nine years under coach Dawn Staley.

UCLA secured their historic first NCAA championship game berth with a defensive struggle against Texas, prevailing 51-44 behind Lauren Betts’ 16 points and crucial late-game block. The Bruins (36-1) dominated the team that handed them their only loss this season, effectively neutralizing All-American Madison Booker while building a 13-point fourth-quarter advantage. After being overwhelmed by eventual champion UConn in last year’s Final Four, UCLA has authored the greatest season in program history and now stands one victory away from their first national title.

DALLAS — Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns reached a remarkable milestone Saturday night, becoming only the second player in National Hockey League history to participate in 1,000 straight games during Colorado’s matchup with the Dallas Stars.

The 41-year-old veteran, known for his distinctive beard, received recognition from the Stars organization on the arena’s video display during the early moments of the contest. Both Dallas supporters and traveling Colorado fans applauded Burns for his extraordinary achievement.

The NHL record for consecutive regular-season appearances belongs to Phil Kessel, who participated in 1,064 straight contests spanning from November 3, 2009, through April 13, 2023. Kessel accomplished this feat while suiting up for Toronto, Pittsburgh, Arizona, and Vegas.

Burns’ incredible durability streak began on November 21, 2013, while he was playing for San Jose. Throughout his career, he has also worn uniforms for Minnesota and Carolina before joining Colorado this season.

In his inaugural campaign with the Avalanche, Burns has netted 11 goals, making him and Hockey Hall of Famer Nicklas Lidstrom the only defensemen in NHL history to record double-digit goal totals at age 40 or beyond.

Saturday’s contest marked Burns’ 1,572nd career regular-season appearance. He entered the game having accumulated 941 career points, consisting of 272 goals and 669 assists. The veteran blueliner spent 11 of his 22 NHL seasons with the San Jose Sharks.

DETROIT — A much-anticipated homecoming for veteran pitcher Justin Verlander has been delayed after the Detroit Tigers sidelined him Saturday due to injury.

The 43-year-old hurler, who holds the distinction of being baseball’s oldest active player, was added to the 15-day injured list because of inflammation in his left hip. Verlander had been slated to take the mound Sunday evening for his first appearance in a Tigers jersey at Comerica Park since August 20, 2017.

The veteran pitcher was traded to the Houston Astros during the 2017 trade deadline. Following a stint with the San Francisco Giants last year, Verlander rejoined Detroit in February after signing a one-year deal worth $13 million.

During his initial tenure with Detroit spanning 2005 through 2017, Verlander took the mound for 380 starts. His 2024 season debut against Arizona on Monday proved challenging, as he surrendered five runs on six hits across 3 2/3 innings and was credited with the defeat.

The Tigers have called up right-handed pitcher Keider Montero from their Triple-A affiliate in Toledo, with Montero expected to take the mound for the concluding game of their three-game series against St. Louis.

Canada’s premier soccer league has become the first professional testing ground for a groundbreaking new offside regulation that could transform the sport worldwide.

The Canadian Premier League launched its season Saturday with FIFA’s experimental “daylight” offside rule, designed to eliminate lengthy video reviews and reduce disputes over close calls while giving attacking players an advantage.

“I see this as an opportunity to grow as a coach. It’s going to give me more tools for the future,” Atletico Ottawa head coach Diego Mejia told reporters.

The revolutionary regulation changes how officials determine offside violations. Now, attacking players remain onside as long as any scoring body part stays level with or behind the second-last defender. Officials only call offside when clear space – the “daylight” – exists between the offensive player and defender.

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, currently FIFA’s global football development chief, has promoted this approach for years to minimize frustrating marginal decisions and reduce post-match controversies that can last for days.

Wenger described the Canadian trial as “an important pilot.”

The season opener between defending champions Atletico Ottawa and Forge FC provided the first real-world test, including a video review following a disputed penalty call.

Canada’s modified system permits head coaches two challenges per game for crucial decisions, with referees using video technology to examine each appeal.

The opening review lasted over five minutes, though it didn’t focus on offside positioning. Officials examined two potential offside situations, a possible foul during the buildup, and a goalkeeper-striker collision that resulted in the penalty call.

The challenge was ultimately rejected.

A subsequent offside decision using the new daylight standard proceeded smoothly without disrupting game flow.

Saturday also marked the Canadian league’s first use of video assistance technology. Some analysts noted that officials will need adjustment time for both the modified offside interpretation and the new technology. The system uses FIFA’s streamlined Football Video Support model rather than full VAR.

Canada’s adoption of this rule provides FIFA with a professional testing environment that European leagues have declined to offer.

Some critics worry the change might force defenders, especially center-backs, into more conservative positioning.

Others suggest it could create additional midfield space as defenders maintain deeper defensive lines.

Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman will be sidelined for as long as two weeks while dealing with an injury that team officials have not disclosed, head coach Kris Knoblauch announced to media on Saturday.

The 33-year-old veteran has been battling through the injury while continuing to play, recording 51 points this season with 31 goals and 20 assists across 57 games. Hyman logged 16 minutes and 40 seconds of ice time during Thursday’s 3-1 victory against Chicago at home.

“If this was a playoff game, he’d be playing,” Knoblauch explained following Saturday’s morning practice session. “We feel it’s best to give him some rest and let him be healthy and not aggravate anything.”

“A lot of our players are going through something, but it’s something that wasn’t getting better and we wanted to give him some rest (so he) can heal and then he can be 100 percent for the playoffs. Whether that’s five days or 14 days, something in that window, then we should be good.”

Throughout his NHL career spanning 710 games between Toronto (2015-21) and Edmonton (2021-present), Hyman has accumulated 494 points with 261 goals and 233 assists. The Florida Panthers selected him in the fifth round of the 2010 draft.

Meanwhile, star player Leon Draisaitl, who has been recovering from a lower-body injury since March 15, is scheduled to return to skating practice next week when the team travels for a three-game road series, according to Knoblauch. Initial expectations were that the German forward would remain out for the remainder of the regular season.

The 30-year-old Draisaitl ranks second on Edmonton’s scoring chart with 97 points, including 35 goals and 62 assists in 65 games this campaign. The former Hart Memorial Trophy winner from 2019-20 has earned three All-Star selections during his 12-year career.

Selected third overall by Edmonton in 2014, Draisaitl has amassed 1,053 career points with 434 goals and 619 assists over 855 NHL contests.

The wait is finally over in Buffalo as the Sabres have secured their first playoff appearance since 2011, ending an unprecedented 14-year absence from postseason hockey.

The team officially earned their playoff spot Saturday when the New York Rangers beat Detroit in regulation time. This historic drought spanned an NHL-record 14 seasons, making it the second-longest active streak among major North American sports, trailing only the New York Jets who haven’t reached the playoffs since 2010.

Buffalo locked up their postseason berth with six games remaining in the regular season, ahead of their Saturday night matchup in Washington. Currently sitting at 46-22-8, the Sabres are even positioned to potentially capture the Eastern Conference’s number one seed.

The transformation has been nothing short of extraordinary for a franchise that has endured 5,458 days since their last playoff game – a Game 7 first-round loss to Philadelphia on April 26, 2011, under then-coach Lindy Ruff.

During this lengthy absence from the playoffs, Buffalo has occupied the league’s basement four separate times while cycling through seven different head coaches, including Ruff’s current return, and four general managers, with Jarmo Kekalainen now at the helm.

The team’s dramatic rise coincided with Kekalainen’s promotion from senior adviser to general manager on December 15, taking over after Kevyn Adams was dismissed following more than five seasons in charge.

Buffalo had already strung together three consecutive victories when the management change took place, then proceeded to match a franchise record with 10 straight wins. The momentum has continued unabated, with the Sabres posting a 14-3-2 record since the Olympic break, and their worst stretch since December being just a three-game winless streak.

While the coaching change provided a spark, Buffalo’s improved health also played a crucial role in their success.

The return of Josh Norris and Jason Zucker strengthened the top two forward lines, while goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen overcame early-season injury troubles to split starting duties with Alex Lyon. After a shaky 4-5-1 start, Luukkonen has compiled an impressive 15-4-2 record since December 21.

Kekalainen also bolstered the roster at last month’s trade deadline, bringing in center Sam Carrick, forward Tanner Pearson, and defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn.

Leading the charge are two of Buffalo’s most experienced players: captain Rasmus Dahlin, selected first overall in 2018, and forward Tage Thompson, who arrived via the Ryan O’Reilly trade to St. Louis that same summer.

Dahlin entered Saturday ranked sixth among NHL defensemen with 67 points, while Thompson was tied for 11th league-wide with 38 goals.

Buffalo’s next challenge will be capturing their first playoff series victory since defeating the Rangers in six games during the 2007 second round.

This resurgence has reinvigorated a fanbase that had grown frustrated with consistent losing, multiple failed rebuilding attempts, and watching talented players like O’Reilly and Jack Eichel leave town only to win Stanley Cups elsewhere. Eichel was traded to Vegas in November 2021 after a prolonged dispute over his neck injury treatment.

The Sabres remain without a Stanley Cup championship in their 54-year franchise history.

Fan enthusiasm has returned in full force, with Buffalo recording 21 home sellouts this season, including 15 consecutive games, compared to just five sellouts the previous year.

The team has demonstrated remarkable resilience this season, entering Saturday with 19 comeback victories, tied for seventh in the NHL. Their most dramatic rally came against Tampa Bay last month, winning 8-7 after trailing 7-5 with only nine minutes remaining in regulation.

Tampa Bay also secured their playoff spot on Saturday.

The Los Angeles Lakers face mounting injury concerns as star guard Austin Reaves is scheduled for an MRI examination on Saturday to evaluate his midsection, according to multiple reports.

Reaves sustained the rib and oblique injury during Thursday’s defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The same contest also saw fellow star guard Luka Doncic suffer a left hamstring injury that will likely sideline him for the remaining five regular season games.

“I went back to get a rebound, overextended a little bit and I felt something,” Reaves explained following the Thunder defeat.

While Doncic has been ruled out for Sunday’s road matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, Reaves’ availability remains uncertain. The Lakers may also be without guard Marcus Smart due to an ankle issue.

Los Angeles had entered the Oklahoma City game with momentum and optimism about their playoff chances, having won 13 of their last 14 contests to climb to third place in the Western Conference standings. However, the Thunder matchup proved damaging beyond just the 139-96 defeat.

The 27-year-old Reaves has posted career-high numbers this season, averaging 23.3 points along with 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists across 51 games with 45 starts. He previously missed 19 straight games this season due to a calf problem.

Throughout his five-year career, all spent with the Lakers, Reaves has compiled averages of 15.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists over 331 games with 216 starts.

Doncic currently tops the NBA in scoring with 33.5 points per game while also contributing 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds. He recently earned Western Conference Player of the Month honors for March, during which he averaged 37.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 2.3 steals.

The head coach of the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team issued a public apology Saturday following a heated confrontation with his counterpart from South Carolina after Friday night’s Final Four matchup in Phoenix.

Geno Auriemma found himself at the center of controversy when his team fell to the Gamecocks 62-48, ending UConn’s perfect season. As time expired, both Auriemma and South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley moved toward center court in what appeared to be a customary post-game handshake.

Instead of extending his hand, Auriemma spoke to Staley, prompting an angry response from the South Carolina coach. Staff members from both teams quickly intervened to separate the coaches. After being led away initially, Auriemma returned and walked past Staley again as she continued her animated reaction before her assistants worked to calm the situation.

In his official statement, Auriemma took full responsibility for the incident. “There’s no excuse how I handled the end of the game vs. South Carolina,” Auriemma said in a statement. “It’s unlike what I do and what our standard is here at Connecticut. I want to apologize to the staff and team at South Carolina. It was uncalled for in how I reacted. The story should be how well South Carolina played, and I don’t want my actions to detract from that. I’ve had a great relationship with their staff, and I want to sincerely apologize to them.”

When questioned by ESPN immediately after the game about what sparked the disagreement, Staley expressed confusion about Auriemma’s behavior. “I have no idea. But I’mma let you know this: I’m of integrity. I’m of integrity. So if I did something wrong to Geno, I had no idea what I did,” Staley explained.

The South Carolina coach speculated about a possible misunderstanding regarding pre-game protocol. “I guess he thought I didn’t shake his hand at the beginning of the game. I didn’t know. I went down there pregame, shook everybody on his staff’s hand. I don’t know what he came with after the game. But hey, sometimes things get heated, we move on,” she added.

During her post-game press conference, Staley emphasized that Auriemma initiated the exchange. “You can ask Geno the question — he’s the one that initiated the conversation. I don’t want what happened to dampen what we were able to accomplish today,” Staley stated.

Auriemma’s frustration appeared to stem from officiating concerns during the contest. Speaking to ESPN, he voiced displeasure with the third quarter’s foul distribution. “There were six fouls called that (third) quarter, all of ’em against us. And they’ve been beating the s— out of our guys down there the entire game. Now I’m not making excuses because we haven’t been able to make a shot, but this is ridiculous. Their coach rants and raves on the sideline and calls the referees some names you don’t wanna hear. And now we got six to zero, and I got a kid with a ripped jersey and (the refs) say, ‘I didn’t see it.’”

The victory advances Staley’s Gamecocks to the championship game with a 36-3 record, positioning them one victory away from capturing their third NCAA title in five seasons and Staley’s fourth as head coach. The 55-year-old coach has built South Carolina into a national powerhouse.

For the 72-year-old Auriemma, the loss marked his team’s first defeat of the season, concluding UConn’s campaign with a 38-1 record. Despite the disappointing finish, Auriemma remains college basketball’s most successful coach with 12 national championships, including last year’s title for the Huskies.

Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson stepped back onto the ice Saturday during their matchup with the Minnesota Wild after being sidelined for over a month.

The 23-year-old defender had been out of action since March 7, when Ottawa beat Seattle 7-4, due to an upper-body injury that kept him away from the team for 13 contests.

Sanderson’s comeback couldn’t come at a better time for Ottawa, which sits at 39-26-20 with 88 points. While the Senators currently occupy the second wild-card position in the Eastern Conference based on tiebreakers heading into Saturday’s contest, their playoff spot remains uncertain. Detroit, Columbus, and Philadelphia each have identical 88-point totals and are ready to capitalize on any missteps to secure the final postseason position.

This season, Sanderson has compiled 48 points through 62 games, recording 11 goals and 37 assists to lead all Ottawa defensemen in scoring.

Ottawa selected the Montana-born player fifth overall in the 2020 NHL Draft.

Prior to Saturday’s game, Sanderson had accumulated 175 points across 298 career NHL appearances, including 36 goals and 139 assists.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Milwaukee Brewers have gone from carrying “pocket pancakes” to adopting a pocket reptile as their latest good luck charm.

The unusual story requires some background context.

Last August, Brewers manager Pat Murphy gained internet fame when he was spotted eating a pancake from his hoodie pocket during a live dugout interview against the Washington Nationals. Murphy has a reputation for keeping various snacks nearby during games, including waffles and egg rolls, but the nationally televised moment went viral instantly. The team capitalized on the attention by selling “Murph’s Pocket Pancakes” at Sunday home games.

The latest chapter unfolded before Friday’s rainout against the Kansas City Royals. During a pregame chat with Apple TV reporter Tricia Whitaker, Murphy revealed he’d been warned about his snacking habits.

“This is Bobby Jr.,” Murphy announced, producing what he called a pocket turtle after being told “under no uncertain circumstances, no pocket pancakes” during the interview. He named the creature after longtime friend Bobby Witt and his son, Royals player Bobby Witt Jr. “I didn’t want to pull out pancakes so here we are.”

After Whitaker shared the moment on social media, fans quickly corrected the identification. The reptile was actually a Sulcata tortoise, a species that can reach 100 pounds and live seven decades.

“How am I supposed to fly this home?” Whitaker wondered aloud.

That question proved prophetic. American Airlines maintains a strict policy against transporting reptiles, leaving Bobby Jr. stranded in Kansas City. Whitaker announced on social media that the Brewers would temporarily care for the tortoise.

By Saturday, the reptile had settled into the visiting clubhouse at Kauffman Stadium under a warming lamp, though team officials plan to find a permanent home soon. The tortoise won’t be joining road trips for the remainder of the season.

“It was suggested by one player,” Whitaker explained, “that they get to keep the ‘rally turtle’ if they win today. If they lose, I am hoping, consideration will be given to send me the tortoise.”

Detroit Tigers veteran pitcher Justin Verlander will have to wait longer before taking the mound at his home stadium again.

On Saturday, the Tigers moved the accomplished right-handed pitcher to the 15-day injured list due to inflammation in his left hip. The roster move takes effect retroactively from Wednesday.

The 43-year-old pitcher was scheduled to make his Sunday appearance at Detroit his first home game as a Tiger since the 2017 season.

To fill Verlander’s spot, the Tigers brought up right-handed pitcher Keider Montero from their Triple-A affiliate in Toledo. Verlander had rejoined Detroit in February after signing a one-year deal worth $13 million.

In his season opener, Verlander struggled against Arizona, giving up five runs and six hits, including a home run, during 3 2/3 innings in Detroit’s 9-6 defeat to the Diamondbacks.

Throughout his major league career, Verlander has compiled 266 wins against 159 losses with a 3.33 earned run average. He has recorded 3,554 strikeouts and issued 1,006 walks across 3,571 1/3 innings in 556 regular-season starts. His career has spanned multiple teams including Detroit (2005-17), Houston (2017-20, 2022, 2023-24), the New York Mets (2023), and San Francisco (2025). He sat out the entire 2021 campaign following Tommy John elbow surgery performed in September 2020.

The veteran pitcher earned American League Rookie of the Year recognition in 2006 and captured both MVP and Cy Young Award honors in 2011. He added two more Cy Young Awards while playing for Houston in 2019 and 2022.

Detroit originally drafted Verlander as the second overall selection in the 2004 MLB Draft from Old Dominion University.

Montero, age 25, recorded five wins and three losses with a 4.37 ERA across 20 games last season for Detroit, making 12 starts among those appearances.

Nine basketball legends will receive the sport’s highest honor when the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame welcomes its 2026 class, officials announced Saturday.

Among the distinguished group are two active head coaches and three former WNBA stars, along with the complete 1996 U.S. women’s Olympic team that captured gold in Atlanta under coach Tara VanDerveer.

The North American Committee chose Gonzaga’s Mark Few and Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers for their coaching achievements. Former NBA star Amar’e Stoudemire, who earned six All-Star selections, also made the cut, alongside longtime NBA official Joey Crawford, who worked 39 seasons in the league.

The Women’s Committee honored the entire 1996 Olympic squad while also selecting three individual players: Elena Delle Donne, a two-time WNBA MVP; Chamique Holdsclaw, a six-time WNBA All-Star; and Candace Parker, who claimed two MVP awards and three WNBA championships.

Additionally, the Contributors Committee recognized Mike D’Antoni, who coached NBA teams for 16 seasons across stops in Phoenix, New York, Los Angeles, and Houston.

Few has led Gonzaga to an unprecedented 26 straight NCAA Tournament appearances, reaching the championship game twice in 2017 and 2021. Since the 1999-2000 campaign, his Bulldogs have never won fewer than 23 games in a season.

With 1,191 career wins, Rivers sits sixth on the NBA’s all-time coaching victories list. He led Boston to the 2008 NBA championship during his 27-year coaching career. As a player, Rivers spent 13 seasons in the league, including eight years with Atlanta from 1983-91, and earned an All-Star selection in 1988.

During his 14-year playing career from 2002-16, Stoudemire made six All-Star teams while starring primarily with Phoenix in his first eight seasons. He captured Rookie of the Year honors in 2002-03 and finished with career averages of 18.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.

Crawford officiated 2,561 regular season NBA games, trailing only Dick Bavetta in league history. He also holds the record for playoff games officiated with 374 and worked 50 NBA Finals contests.

Parker claimed three WNBA titles with different franchises during her 16-season career from 2008-23, earning MVP honors in 2008 and 2013. The seven-time All-Star also won back-to-back college championships at Tennessee in 2007 and 2008, plus Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012.

Delle Donne earned WNBA MVP recognition in 2015 and 2019, leading Washington to the 2019 championship. She made seven All-Star appearances across 10 seasons split between Chicago from 2013-16 and Washington from 2017-19 and 2021-23.

The formal induction ceremony will take place August 14-15 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

San Francisco Giants pitcher Jose Butto is set to have surgery to remove a blood clot discovered in his throwing arm, following his placement on the injured list Thursday due to arm fatigue.

The right-handed reliever had been dealing with discomfort in his arm prior to making three appearances out of the bullpen this season, posting a difficult 22.50 ERA across just two innings of work. Throughout his five-year major league career split between the New York Mets and Giants, Butto holds a record of 13-10 with four saves and a 3.76 ERA.

The Giants moved Butto to the 15-day injured list earlier this week and brought up right-hander Blade Tidwell from their Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento. Tidwell made an impressive debut Thursday night, throwing three shutout innings in relief against the New York Mets to earn his first major league save.

Both Tidwell and Butto joined the Giants organization last July as part of a trade package that also included outfielder Drew Gilbert, with all three players coming from the Mets in exchange for right-handed pitcher Tyler Rogers.

The University of Georgia has announced that women’s basketball head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson will no longer lead the program, with both parties reaching a mutual agreement to separate on Saturday.

The 59-year-old coach compiled a 69-59 overall record during her four-year tenure leading the Bulldogs. Abrahamson-Henderson took over the program from Joni Taylor, who had succeeded longtime coach Andy Landers following his retirement in 2015.

The Bulldogs concluded this season with a 22-10 record after falling to Virginia 82-73 in overtime during the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Georgia also made a tournament appearance in 2022, where they were eliminated in the second round by Iowa, led by star player Caitlin Clark.

Athletic director Josh Brooks expressed gratitude for Abrahamson-Henderson’s contributions to the program. “We would like to thank Coach Abe for her leadership and wish her well moving forward,” Brooks stated. “We are committed to building on the proud tradition of Lady Bulldog basketball and will continue to support our program with the necessary resources for future success.”

Brooks also outlined the university’s approach to finding a replacement. “We have an outstanding group of alumni and a dedicated fan base. Our search for a new head coach will focus on someone who will carry on this legacy and connect with our student-athletes, alumni and supporters in an impactful way.”

Prior to joining Georgia, Abrahamson-Henderson served as head coach at Missouri State, Albany, and UCF, guiding multiple teams to NCAA Tournament berths throughout her coaching career.

PHOENIX — Basketball legends Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne will join their childhood heroes from the 1996 U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team in this year’s Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame induction class.

Parker expressed her excitement about being enshrined alongside players she grew up admiring, including Chamique Holdsclaw and the groundbreaking 1996 Olympic squad.

“I am so happy for Chamique and I am so happy that she is getting her flowers. She deserves them,” Parker shared with The Associated Press. “Obviously, Elena Della Donne and I grew up battling against one another and the ’96 team, I think we were all inspired by that. So I just think it’s, it’s truly special.”

The 2026 Hall of Fame class also features Amar’e Stoudemire, Mike D’Antoni, Joey Crawford, Doc Rivers and Mark Few, creating what Parker calls an exceptional group of honorees.

“It means so much, just to be in a club of people that I’ve always admired and looked up to and have paved the way. I think it’s super special,” Parker commented.

Parker’s illustrious career includes championships with three different WNBA franchises: Los Angeles, Chicago and Las Vegas. She holds the unique distinction of being the only player to capture both MVP and Rookie of the Year honors in a single season.

Her trophy case also contains two collegiate championships from Tennessee under legendary coach Pat Summitt, two Olympic gold medals and two WNBA MVP awards.

Holdsclaw reflected on how the 1996 Olympic team inspired her own journey, recalling the photos she kept of team members during her youth in New York. That squad launched an unprecedented streak of eight consecutive Olympic gold medals for American women’s basketball and helped establish the WNBA.

“There’s four or five players on that team who I have pictures of at my home, Lisa Leslie, Dawn Staley, Teresa Edwards,” Holdsclaw recalled.

During her time at Tennessee, Holdsclaw achieved three consecutive championships from 1996-98, making history as part of the first team to accomplish that feat. The 1998 title came during an undefeated 39-0 campaign that set NCAA records. Parker later contributed to Summitt’s final two championships in 2007-08.

“She would be so proud right now,” Holdsclaw said of her former coach. “I know she loved us both.”

Following an 11-year WNBA career, Holdsclaw credits the 1996 Olympic team with creating the foundation for professional women’s basketball leagues. The team’s undefeated performance at the Atlanta Games and their nationwide promotional tour generated unprecedented fan interest.

“The ’96 Olympic team was a really incredible group of women that were on a mission and accomplished the mission,” coach Tara VanDerveer explained. “It helped establish the ABL and the WNBA and I think it really was the rocket that was the foundation for the women’s basketball landscape now. I think it’s very exciting for all the players on the team and the coaches.”

Delle Donne earned league MVP recognition in 2015 and 2019, with her second award coming during Washington Mystics’ championship season. She made history by becoming the first WNBA player to achieve the rare combination of shooting above 50% from the field, 40% from three-point range and 90% from the free-throw line.

Among the male inductees, Stoudemire stands as the sole NBA player in this year’s class. The 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year and six-time All-Star spent his first eight seasons with Phoenix, where he played under D’Antoni’s innovative system.

“It means everything from a basketball point of view,” Stoudemire told the AP. “When you look back at my career not only as a pro, but even high school and, and nationally, and since I was a kid playing the game of basketball. I love the game. You play the game because you love it, and then you work to become the best you can possibly be, despite circumstances, and to get into the Hall of Fame, it shows that the voters appreciate it. And now we’re enshrined forever.”

Rivers brings 1,180 career victories to his Hall of Fame resume, ranking eighth all-time. He guided Boston to the 2008 NBA championship and later coached the Los Angeles Clippers during their celebrated Lob City period.

Few has accumulated 773 wins during his tenure at Gonzaga, establishing an NCAA Division I record by winning 81 games in his first three seasons. He led the Bulldogs to national championship games in both 2017 and 2021.

Crawford officiated 2,561 regular-season contests and 50 Finals games across his 39-year NBA career before retiring in 2016.

D’Antoni revolutionized basketball strategy with his fast-paced offensive approach, compiling nearly 1,200 career victories and earning NBA Coach of the Year honors twice.

For the first time, the Hall of Fame celebrated its incoming class during the women’s Final Four on Friday evening. Parker, Holdsclaw, members of the 1996 Olympic team, Stoudemire and D’Antoni all attended the special recognition ceremony.

The official enshrinement ceremony is scheduled for August at the Hall of Fame facility in Springfield, Massachusetts.