Category: Sports

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A costly mistake by Kansas City Royals rookie Carter Jensen led to his removal from Thursday’s starting lineup against the Minnesota Twins when the young catcher failed to wake up on time.

The 22-year-old Jensen admitted to reporters that he simply slept through his alarm clock. “I didn’t wake up to my alarm. Slept through it,” Jensen explained to The Kansas City Star and other media outlets. “Don’t really have an excuse — nor should I. It sucks. It happens. I feel like I let teammates down, coaches down. Just learn from it and just know it won’t happen again.”

While Jensen did make it to the ballpark, his late arrival prevented him from completing the necessary pregame preparation to start behind the plate. He was able to enter the contest during the final inning of Kansas City’s 5-1 defeat.

The scheduling mishap forced Salvador Perez, who had been slated to serve as the team’s designated hitter, to take over catching duties for the first eight frames of the game.

Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino expressed initial concern for his teammate’s wellbeing when Jensen couldn’t be reached. “First and foremost, I’m glad Carter’s OK,” Pasquantino shared with reporters. “I mean, that was kind of the initial thought when you’re trying to get a hold of his parents and everything like that — just make sure he’s OK.”

However, Pasquantino also emphasized that the rookie must use this incident as a learning opportunity. “There are some things that cannot happen, and that’s one of them,” Pasquantino stated. “So he’s going to have to wear it on the chin — same way anybody would have to. It can’t happen, and hopefully it doesn’t happen again. But it’s one of those things that you just can’t afford mistakes like that in this game. Just got to move forward the best that he can. I know he feels really bad.”

Despite the disappointment, Pasquantino indicated the team remains supportive of Jensen while acknowledging the seriousness of the situation. “I know it was not his favorite drive to the field this morning, but it wasn’t our favorite morning either, trying to figure out what was going on. He’ll learn from it, grow a little bit. We’re here for him, though. It’s not like anybody’s mad at him. Things happen. But you’ve got to learn from mistakes like that — and maybe get another alarm clock or something.”

DETROIT — Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards has lost his chance at NBA postseason recognition after the team benched him Thursday evening against the Detroit Pistons due to a knee problem and illness.

The talented guard has appeared in 59 contests this season, though only 58 qualify under league standards, leaving him short of the required 65-game threshold with six regular season matchups remaining for Minnesota.

Edwards sat out the Detroit contest just one game after his return from a two-week absence, where he contributed 17 points in 23 minutes during a victory over Dallas. His comeback against the Mavericks followed a six-game stretch on the sidelines due to his troublesome right knee.

The accomplished player, who has earned four All-Star selections and two all-league honors, placed seventh in MVP consideration during both of the previous two campaigns.

Despite posting a personal-best average of 29.3 points per contest this season, Edwards will fall short of the 70-plus game mark he achieved in each of his initial five NBA seasons.

Family lawyers for a junior college basketball player from Oklahoma who passed away following a head injury sustained during competition are claiming the young athlete did not receive adequate medical attention before being allowed to return to play.

Twenty-year-old Ethan Dietz passed away on November 25 following a head injury he sustained during a basketball contest in Texas three days prior. Dietz was enrolled at Connors State College located in Warner, Oklahoma.

Following Dietz’s passing, the educational institution released limited information regarding the circumstances of his injury and the medical response provided. When contacted Thursday, a representative from the junior college, which enrolls approximately 3,000 students, declined to address inquiries about the medical treatment Dietz received following his injury.

“Connors State College’s top priority at this time remains caring for Ethan’s family, the team and the CSC community as they continue to mourn this heartbreaking loss,” the statement said. “The college is unaware of any active or pending litigation related to this matter and is unable to comment on any potential claim.”

In the weeks following Dietz’s passing, the institution announced that Bill Muse, who had served as both the men’s basketball head coach and athletics director at CSC for many years, would be leaving his position citing “personal reasons.”

Family attorney Michael Holden claimed in his statement that Dietz was not given immediate medical assessment and was allowed to continue participating in the game following his injury.

According to Holden, Dietz traveled back with his teammates on the two-hour bus journey home and was subsequently hospitalized after experiencing seizures while in his dormitory room. The legal team indicated they are conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death but have not yet initiated legal proceedings.

Attempts to reach the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office by phone and email on Thursday were unsuccessful. Holden’s statement referenced a coroner’s examination that determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head along with bleeding between the skull and brain.

The 6-foot-8 forward from Conway, Arkansas, was scoring an average of 11 points per game across eight contests during the previous season.

In the statement provided through Holden, Krystal Dietz expressed that her son aspired to play Division I basketball.

“He grinded year-round to better himself for the upcoming season,” Dietz said. “He had the discipline, dedication, and work ethic required to see that kind of dream through, had he only been given the time.”

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama will be absent from Thursday evening’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers after suffering a right ankle injury.

The French sensation’s absence comes just 24 hours after he delivered a spectacular performance against the Golden State Warriors, recording 41 points, 18 rebounds, and three blocks in San Antonio’s decisive 127-113 road win.

Following that impressive showing, Wembanyama expressed his strong desire to capture the league’s Most Valuable Player Award, while he’s already viewed as a leading candidate for Defensive Player of the Year recognition.

“I do care deeply about it,” Wembanyama shared with media regarding his MVP aspirations. “I think that of the greats that are in the Hall of Fame — or the best of all time — they have fought and grabbed everything they could grab early on in their career. If I want to make my spot among the greats, I got to try to not miss any occasion to put my name up there.”

The young center has appeared in 61 games this season but still needs to reach the 65-game minimum to qualify for major league honors. Following Thursday’s missed contest, he must participate in at least four of the Spurs’ remaining five regular season matchups to maintain his award eligibility.

The 22-year-old is posting impressive numbers this season, contributing 24.7 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per contest while connecting on 117 three-point attempts.

San Antonio enters the game with a 58-18 record after winning their last 10 games, positioning them just two games behind the defending champion Oklahoma Thunder for the Western Conference’s top playoff seed.

Five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore has officially called it quits, announcing his retirement Thursday after a distinguished 13-year NFL career.

The 35-year-old defensive back, who earned NFL Defensive Player of the Year recognition during his career, sat out the entire 2025 season before making his retirement official.

“I have had an incredible 13 years in the League, and I cannot wait to see what this next chapter holds,” Gilmore wrote in his announcement on Instagram.

Throughout his professional career spanning 180 games with 173 starts, Gilmore recorded impressive statistics including 32 career interceptions, eight forced fumbles, and 617 total tackles while suiting up for six different franchises.

The cornerback’s career began with the Buffalo Bills from 2012 through 2016, followed by his most successful stint with the New England Patriots from 2017 to 2020. His final four seasons saw him play for a different team each year.

Gilmore reached his peak performance during the 2019 campaign with New England, when he topped the league with six interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns, while also deflecting 20 passes for the second consecutive year.

During New England’s championship run in the 2018 playoffs, Gilmore contributed two crucial interceptions that helped propel the Patriots to their Super Bowl victory. He earned first-team All-Pro recognition in both 2018 and 2019.

His career concluded with stops at the Carolina Panthers in 2021, Indianapolis Colts in 2022, Dallas Cowboys in 2023, and Minnesota Vikings in 2024.

The Rock Hill, South Carolina native played his college ball at the University of South Carolina from 2009 through 2011, where he intercepted eight passes for the Gamecocks before becoming the 10th overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft by Buffalo.

INDIANAPOLIS — The University of Illinois basketball team’s path to Saturday’s Final Four matchup against UConn tells a unique story of international recruitment and strategic trust in overseas talent.

Head coach Brad Underwood built his championship-contending roster by placing faith in assistant coach Geoff Alexander’s ability to identify and recruit what they call the “Balkan Bloc” — a collection of European players who now form the core of the Fighting Illini’s success.

The strategy paid off dramatically, with four of Illinois’ leading six scorers hailing from southeastern Europe. This marks the team’s fifth NCAA Tournament game this season as they prepare for their national semifinal rematch with the University of Connecticut.

“We knew we needed positional size. We knew we were recruiting shooting. They do it as well as anybody in the world in my opinion,” Underwood explained Thursday. “Geoff has spent many, many trips going over there, developing relationships, and now Orlando (Antigua) comes back and we’ve just invested heavily in doing that. We believe in it.”

This international approach isn’t new territory for Underwood, who previously utilized similar recruiting strategies at Western Illinois alongside Antigua. The coaching staff has successfully developed overseas talent including Kasparas Jakucionis, who became the 20th overall pick by the Miami Heat in last year’s draft, and Canadian player Will Riley, selected 21st by Utah and later traded to Washington.

The current roster showcases this international foundation through players like All-American Keaton Wagler, whom Underwood recruited sight unseen based on Alexander’s recommendation, transfer Andrej Stojakovic, and returning hometown player Kylan Boswell.

Boswell, a Champaign native who transferred back from Arizona, has become a cornerstone of the team’s success. “I think going home has helped. The way he has handled himself. He’s just been elite,” Underwood said of Boswell. “He’s been a joy to coach. He’s been unselfish. He’s been a guy that is all about winning.”

Freshman David Mirkovic from Montenegro has emerged as a tournament standout, posting 27 and 19 points in the opening victory over Penn. The 19-year-old stands 6-foot-9 and weighs 250 pounds, providing crucial rebounding alongside the team’s twin towers.

The Ivisic brothers, Zvonimir and Tomislav — nicknamed Z and Tommy by their coach — represent the team’s 7-foot tandem that anchors the frontcourt. “Their chemistry is unbelievable. Their competitiveness is unbelievable. They go at each other all the time,” Underwood observed. “They’re very different people, even though they’re twins, and yet their synergy is really fun to see.”

The coach credits the twins with helping other international players adjust to American college basketball. “I think for lack of a better word, those two set the tone for the other guys from over there. And just their comfort of being in the States, even though Z wasn’t with us the whole time, they’ve helped ease some of the transition and the challenges that lie for the others.”

Stojakovic has overcome injury setbacks, including preseason knee problems and an in-season ankle issue that limited him to 21 starts. When Boswell returned from his own hand injury, Stojakovic embraced a bench role and has excelled as a reserve player.

“The one thing he’s done is he’s accepted defending. He’s accepted rebounding,” Underwood noted. “We all know his offense can come and that he’s a very capable guy there. But now he has just adjusted. I couldn’t have asked for anything more coming off the bench. He’s done that in a way that has helped us grow and play our best basketball.”

Detroit Pistons star guard Cade Cunningham will undergo another medical assessment next week as he continues his recovery from a collapsed left lung injury, team officials confirmed Thursday.

The All-Star player has been sidelined for eight contests since sustaining the injury during Detroit’s March 17 matchup with the Washington Wizards.

With four additional games scheduled during his continued absence, Cunningham appears unlikely to meet the NBA’s 65-game minimum requirement for postseason award consideration. Having appeared in 61 contests this season, only two games would remain on the schedule if his recovery timeline proceeds as anticipated.

The NBA’s playoff tournament is scheduled to commence April 18.

This season, the 24-year-old guard has posted averages of 24.5 points per game along with 9.9 assists and 5.6 rebounds.

Since Detroit selected him as the first overall draft choice in 2021, the two-time All-Star has compiled career averages of 22.6 points, 7.9 assists and 5.4 rebounds across 269 games, all as a starter.

HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders have secured veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins in a new agreement announced Thursday by his representative Mike McCartney, positioning the experienced signal-caller to mentor anticipated top draft selection Fernando Mendoza.

Under the financial arrangement, Atlanta will cover $8.7 million of Cousins’ salary this season while Las Vegas pays the remaining $1.3 million. An additional $10 million in guaranteed compensation is scheduled for next March, with the Raiders holding a two-year option worth $80 million.

Cousins acknowledged his new team by posting “The Autumn Wind…” on social media, referencing the iconic Raiders anthem that plays before each home contest and gained recognition through NFL Films.

The move aligns with statements from Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak and general manager John Spytek, who previously indicated their preference against starting a rookie quarterback immediately. The rookie in question is widely expected to be Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy recipient who guided Indiana to an improbable national championship.

“Ideally, you don’t want him to start from Day One,” Kubiak explained Tuesday during the NFL owners meetings. “You’d love him to be able to learn behind somebody. That’s in a perfect world. It doesn’t always work out that way. Sometimes they have to play from Day One and it’s our job as coaches to get them ready to go. I think it does help the player if they can sit behind a mature adult and watch how they run the show.”

The 37-year-old Cousins brings 14 years of professional experience, most recently spending two seasons with Atlanta. The Falcons had committed to a four-year, $180 million contract before surprisingly selecting Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall just six weeks afterward.

During his Atlanta tenure, Cousins compiled a 12-10 record while starting 22 of 34 possible games. However, his 16 interceptions in 2024 topped the league despite appearing in only 14 contests. Atlanta subsequently released him before free agency began.

Throughout his career with Washington, Minnesota, and Atlanta, Cousins holds an 88-77-2 record as a starter. His most successful campaign came in 2022 when he led Minnesota to a 13-4 season.

Mendoza showcased his abilities Wednesday during a pro day workout at Indiana’s facility, with representatives from all 32 NFL teams in attendance.

PITTSBURGH — Baseball’s most highly-regarded prospect will make his major league debut this Friday when the Pittsburgh Pirates face Baltimore in their home opener.

According to a source with knowledge of the team’s plans, the Pirates will promote 19-year-old shortstop Konnor Griffin, who is widely considered the sport’s premier prospect. The source requested anonymity since the roster decision has not been formally announced.

Griffin’s arrival in the majors was never a question of if, but rather when, and his blazing start at Triple-A Indianapolis provided the answer. In just 16 at-bats, the teenager posted a remarkable .438 batting average while collecting three doubles, driving in one run, and swiping three bases.

Standing 6-foot-3, Griffin was selected ninth overall in last year’s amateur draft and has advanced rapidly through Pittsburgh’s minor league system. During the 2025 season, he compiled impressive numbers across Single-A and Double-A levels, hitting .333 with 21 homers, 94 RBIs, and 65 stolen bases over 122 games.

The young prospect participated in Pittsburgh’s major league spring training and nearly made the opening day roster. Despite launching three home runs during exhibition play — more than any teenager in spring training over the past 20 years — Griffin also struggled with strikeouts, fanning more than a dozen times.

Pittsburgh began the season with Jared Triolo manning shortstop and Nick Gonzales at third base. Griffin’s promotion will likely shift Triolo, who won a Gold Glove as a utility player, to third base.

Although the Pirates have discussed a long-term contract extension with Griffin that would cover his arbitration-eligible years, the source indicated his promotion is based purely on performance. The organization views Griffin as their strongest option at shortstop.

Griffin joins a Pirates squad that stands 3-3 after winning two of three games in Cincinnati. The team boasts one of baseball’s most promising young pitching staffs, headlined by defending Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes, who earned his first win of the season on Wednesday.

Pittsburgh addressed their offensive struggles during the offseason by acquiring All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe through a trade and signing free agents Ryan O’Hearn and Marcell Ozuna. Lowe has already connected for three home runs this season, contributing to the Pirates’ 10 homers through six games — tied for the major league lead with Los Angeles Angels. Last season, Pittsburgh finished with the fewest home runs in baseball by a significant margin.

NEW YORK — After an eight-year hiatus, Topps is making its return to the NFL trading card market following a new licensing agreement secured by Fanatics Collectibles with the National Football League and its Players Association.

The company’s comeback will begin with the 2025 Topps Chrome Football collection, scheduled for release on April 15th. This inaugural set will feature exclusive one-of-one Rookie PREM1ERE Patch Autograph Cards alongside one-of-one NFL Honors Gold Shield Autograph Cards.

The special rookie collectibles will showcase fabric pieces from jerseys worn during players’ debut regular-season appearances, including materials from top draft selection Cam Ward. Meanwhile, the NFL Honors series will highlight gold shield patches from 2024’s award recipients: Josh Allen who claimed MVP honors, Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley, Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II, Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels, and Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse.

Fanatics Collectibles became Topps’ parent company through a 2022 acquisition. Their new partnership grants exclusive trading card licensing rights for the NFL and NFLPA, extending to worldwide distribution channels.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and his actress wife Hailee Steinfeld have become first-time parents with the birth of their daughter.

The announcement came Thursday through Steinfeld’s personal newsletter, though the couple chose not to reveal when the baby was born or share her name.

“We’re feeling incredibly grateful and blessed and savouring these early moments. Thank you so much for the love and well wishes,” Steinfeld wrote. “Love, Hailee and Josh.”

The actress recently received praise for her performance in the film “Sinners.” She and Allen tied the knot in May of last year and revealed they were expecting their first baby through the same newsletter back in December.

Allen, who claimed the 2024 NFL MVP award, underwent surgery following Buffalo’s overtime defeat to Denver in the AFC divisional playoffs. The quarterback broke a bone in his foot during a Week 16 matchup and had been wearing a protective boot, which he no longer needs. He’s anticipated to be fully recovered when the Bills begin their offseason training program.

The Bills organization celebrated the news by sharing an image of Allen flashing a thumbs-up with the caption: “Girl dad.”

St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn escaped without major harm after being involved in a solo vehicle accident Wednesday evening following his team’s victory over the New York Mets.

The 24-year-old player was driving alone on Interstate 64 near Busch Stadium when his car struck a slick section of roadway, team officials reported.

The incident happened just hours after Winn delivered the decisive hit that secured a 2-1 victory for the Cardinals against New York in an 11-inning contest.

According to a team statement, Winn received immediate assistance from local law enforcement officers along with Cardinals security personnel and medical staff. He was transported to a local medical facility for evaluation.

“Masyn … was attended to by local police and Cardinals security and medical staff. He was examined at a nearby hospital and suffered no serious injuries,” the Cardinals said in a statement. “We are grateful that he is OK, and thank the first responders in our community who helped Masyn.”

The Cardinals have Thursday off before beginning a six-game series of away games starting Friday in Detroit.

So far this season, Winn has recorded a .160 batting average through six games, collecting four hits in 25 at-bats along with two doubles, one RBI and one stolen base.

Selected in the second round of the 2020 draft, the recent Gold Glove Award recipient has maintained a .250 career batting average with 26 home runs and 121 RBIs across 322 games since joining the major leagues in 2023.

MIAMI — Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum admits he’s uncertain when he’ll return to peak performance following his Achilles injury recovery.

That admission might send chills down opponents’ spines.

Playing in just his 12th contest since returning from an Achilles tear suffered during last year’s playoffs, Tatum accomplished something unprecedented in his career and extremely rare in Celtics history — something no Boston player had achieved since 2010.

Wednesday evening’s performance versus Miami showcased remarkable numbers: 25 points, 18 rebounds, and 11 assists. This impressive triple-double came while Tatum continues working toward full recovery after sitting out nearly an entire year.

“I wish I had a definitive answer,” Tatum said when asked after the game how much longer he’ll need to feel like he’s back to where he was before tearing the Achilles. “It sounds cliche. I feel a little bit better every game. I don’t know how long it’s going to take to be back to who I was, or hopefully better. But the goal is just to continue to stack days.”

Rajon Rondo previously recorded a triple-double with similar point, rebound, and assist totals during Boston’s 2010 playoff run. Hall of Famer Larry Bird accomplished the feat twice during regular season action — once in 1982 and again in 1990. Prior to Wednesday night, those represented the only three instances in franchise history.

“I can tell he’s still out of shape,” Miami star Bam Adebayo said, smiling, when asked about his U.S. Olympic teammate. “But when you consider somebody like that your brother — we’ve known each other since we were like 12 — and you see what he’s gone through, obviously checking up on him through the rehab phase and the down days that he’s had, you’re proud of him for pushing through it and putting himself out there this season.”

“He’s still trying to find his way, still trying to impact winning. You tip your hat off to somebody who’s been through that and still trying to play.”

Tatum’s shooting accuracy remains a work in progress, currently sitting at 40% from the floor during his return. However, he’s posting averages of 21.3 points and 9.8 rebounds across his initial dozen games back, statistics indicating he’s approaching the elite, All-NBA caliber he’s maintained in recent seasons.

“To me, since he’s been back, he hasn’t missed a beat,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said.

Boston has six remaining regular season contests before likely beginning the Eastern Conference playoffs as the second seed. They trail first-place Detroit by four games while holding a 2.5-game advantage over third-place New York, making the No. 2 position their probable playoff positioning.

Questions surrounded Tatum’s availability when the season began, and even after his return, uncertainty lingered regarding his potential impact level.

Those doubts have been put to rest. Forty-six weeks have passed since his surgical procedure — a milestone he mentally tracks each Tuesday. While he may not feel completely restored to his former self, his statistical output suggests he’s either reached that level or stands on the verge of doing so.

“Definitely the hardest thing I ever went through,” Tatum said. “I mean, I never took that much time off from basketball. The challenges that you have to face mentally and the long, dark moments and dark days … I mean, it is tough. It is. But I’m proud of the fact that I’ve made it this far.”

The NCAA Division I Cabinet is reviewing proposed rule changes that would prevent student-athletes from college competition if they enter professional sports drafts and choose not to withdraw from them, following controversial basketball cases this season.

The Academics and Eligibility Committee introduced these recommendations on Wednesday, with the cabinet potentially making decisions in the coming weeks. Should these regulations be approved, they would apply to students beginning college this fall.

Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman, who leads the cabinet, explained the reasoning behind the proposals. “These proposed changes reflect ongoing work by Division I members to modernize our rules to align with the current era of college sports,” Whitman stated. “As Division I members proceed with reviewing all eligibility rules in the months ahead, our focus will be establishing rules that have objective criteria that can be consistently applied for both prospects and current student-athletes.”

The key proposal would mandate that potential college athletes remove themselves from professional league drafts that require opt-in participation, such as the NBA draft, creating consistency between pre-enrollment and post-enrollment draft regulations. Baseball and men’s ice hockey would remain unaffected since those sports don’t use opt-in draft systems.

These recommendations stem from situations involving two basketball players this season: Alabama’s Charles Bediako and Baylor’s James Nnaji, both of whom competed collegiately after declaring for the 2023 NBA draft.

Bediako’s case proved particularly complex. After completing two seasons at Alabama and entering the draft without being selected, he spent three years playing in the G League, the NBA’s developmental league. When the NCAA rejected Alabama’s appeal to restore his college eligibility this season, Bediako pursued legal action.

His legal team contended that Bediako remained within his five-year collegiate eligibility period, an NCAA regulation currently facing multiple legal challenges. Initially, a judge granted a temporary restraining order allowing him to compete while litigation continued, and he participated in five games. However, a different judge subsequently removed the order, a ruling that the Alabama Supreme Court upheld.

Nnaji’s situation differed significantly. The Nigerian player was chosen by the Detroit Pistons in the second round but competed professionally overseas before enrolling at Baylor as a first-year student in December. He received eligibility approval because he had never signed an NBA contract or participated in G League games.

The committee also recommended allowing prospective students to establish relationships with agents before college enrollment. Current NCAA regulations restrict agent agreements to name, image and likeness matters only, with exceptions for baseball and hockey players who may work with agents following draft selection.

Additionally, the proposals would permit athletes to accept prize money from competitions in their sports without jeopardizing their eligibility status. Present rules limit prize money acceptance to covering actual and necessary expenses, though tennis players may receive up to $10,000 in prize money.

Miami’s Sandy Alcantara delivered a dominant pitching performance Wednesday, tossing a three-hit shutout on just 93 pitches to power the Marlins to a commanding 10-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox at home.

Alcantara (2-0) was nearly flawless on the mound, recording seven strikeouts without issuing a single walk. The stellar outing marked his fifth complete-game shutout and represented the second “Maddux” of his career – a shutout completed in fewer than 100 pitches.

Offensively, Liam Hicks provided plenty of run support with a four-RBI performance, going 3-for-4 with his third home run of the young season. The victory improved Miami’s record to 5-1, while Chicago dropped to 1-5.

White Sox starter Shane Smith (0-2) struggled mightily, surrendering eight runs – seven of them earned – on eight hits across just three innings of work.

Braves 5, Athletics 1

Drake Baldwin’s four-RBI day backed Chris Sale’s outstanding pitching as Atlanta defeated Oakland in the series finale.

Sale (2-0) was nearly untouchable through six innings, allowing just one run on a single hit while facing 19 batters and retiring 18 of them. The veteran left-hander now sits at 2,858 career strikeouts, just 19 shy of former Braves legend Tom Glavine for 29th place all-time.

Oakland’s lone bright spot came from Shea Langeliers, who connected for his major league-leading fifth homer in the fourth inning. Langeliers finished 2-for-4, boosting his average to .375.

Orioles 8, Rangers 2

Baltimore’s offense exploded for eight runs, with Leody Taveras, Taylor Ward and Jeremiah Jackson each driving in two runs to help the Orioles salvage the final game of their three-game set against visiting Texas.

Dylan Beavers and Samuel Basallo each launched solo homers, with Beavers collecting three hits and scoring three times. Trevor Rogers (2-0) continued his strong start to the season, working six innings while allowing two runs on six hits.

Texas saw their four-game winning streak come to an end despite a homer from Corey Seager. Josh Jung finally broke out of an 0-for-18 slump with two singles for his first hits of the season. Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi (0-2) was tagged for six runs on eight hits in four innings.

Pirates 8, Reds 3

Oneil Cruz homered for the second consecutive game and Paul Skenes rebounded from a difficult season opener to guide Pittsburgh past Cincinnati on the road.

Cruz delivered the big blow in the first inning, crushing an 81 mph curveball from Cincinnati starter Andrew Abbott (0-1) 407 feet over the right field wall with two runners aboard, staking Pittsburgh to a 3-0 advantage. Skenes (1-1) responded with five solid innings, permitting one run on three hits.

Abbott lasted 5 2/3 innings, giving up four runs on five hits. The Reds got a two-run blast from Eugenio Suarez.

Rockies 2, Blue Jays 1 (10 innings)

Pinch-hitter Tyler Freeman delivered the decisive blow with an RBI single in the 10th inning, giving visiting Colorado a series-clinching victory over Toronto.

Freeman, who was activated prior to the game, came through against Brendon Little (0-1) by driving home Brenton Doyle from second base. Jimmy Herget closed out the win with a perfect 10th inning for his first save, while Brennan Bernardino (1-0) threw a clean ninth.

The Blue Jays wasted an excellent start from Kevin Gausman, who worked six scoreless frames while scattering two hits with 10 strikeouts and no walks. Toronto managed just one run on a Davis Schneider single in the third but stranded the bases loaded.

Cardinals 2, Mets 1 (11 innings)

Masyn Winn capped an exciting finish with a walk-off RBI single in the 11th inning, giving St. Louis a series victory over New York.

Gordon Graceffo (1-0) earned the win by recording the final two outs of the 11th, getting Brett Baty to ground into a force play at home before retiring Marcus Semien on a fly ball. Nolan Gorman provided the Cardinals’ earlier run with an RBI single in the sixth.

Juan Soto homered in the sixth for New York, but the Mets struggled with runners in scoring position, going 0-for-11 in those situations and falling to 1-2 in extra-inning games this season.

Cubs 6, Angels 2

Nico Hoerner led Chicago’s offensive attack with a 3-for-5 performance that included two doubles, while Matt Shaw contributed two hits and two RBIs in the Cubs’ series-deciding victory over Los Angeles.

Matthew Boyd (1-1) bounced back from an Opening Day setback to earn the victory, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits across 5 2/3 innings while striking out 10. Michael Busch added two hits and a run for Chicago.

The Angels managed only four hits on a frigid 39-degree afternoon with strong winds. Zach Neto had two hits and scored a run for Los Angeles, which finished their season-opening road trip at 3-4. Yusei Kikuchi (0-1) allowed five runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Royals 13, Twins 9

Jonathan India blasted his fifth career grand slam and Kyle Isbel went deep among his four hits, powering Kansas City to a high-scoring victory over Minnesota at home.

Maikel Garcia drove in three runs as the Royals received tremendous production from their bottom four hitters – India, Jac Caglianone, Isaac Collins and Isbel – who combined to go 10-for-16 with eight RBIs and nine runs scored. Noah Cameron (1-0) won his season debut by allowing one run on four hits over five innings.

Minnesota rallied with eight runs over their final three at-bats, highlighted by Josh Bell’s three-run homer in the ninth, before Lucas Erceg retired both batters he faced to secure his second save.

Astros 6, Red Sox 4

Carlos Correa’s clutch two-out, three-run homer in the fifth inning proved to be the difference as Houston completed a three-game sweep of visiting Boston.

Both Correa and Christian Vazquez went deep for the Astros, while Yordan Alvarez finished 2-for-3 with a double and two runs. Houston has now won five straight after starting the season 0-2. Mike Burrows (1-1) worked five innings while allowing two runs.

Boston mounted a late comeback attempt with home runs from Wilyer Abreu in the eighth and Roman Anthony in the ninth, but fell short. Garrett Crochet (1-1) was charged with five runs (four earned) over five innings.

Phillies 6, Nationals 5 (10 innings)

Edmundo Sosa tied the game with a two-run single in the ninth inning, then Justin Crawford delivered a walk-off single in the 10th to cap Philadelphia’s dramatic comeback victory over visiting Washington.

Crawford, playing in just his fifth major league contest, lined the first pitch from Cole Henry (0-1) past the drawn-in infield to trigger a dugout celebration. Philadelphia trailed 5-1 through seven innings but rallied to win consecutive games for the first time this season.

CJ Abrams connected for a three-run homer for Washington, while Joey Wiemer continued his hot start with two hits, a walk and two runs.

Brewers 8, Rays 2

Christian Yelich broke a tie with a two-run single during a decisive six-run eighth inning, leading Milwaukee to a comeback victory over Tampa Bay at home.

Both Yelich and Garrett Mitchell went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run, while Brice Turang added a two-run homer. The win was Milwaukee’s fifth in six games to start the season. Jacob Misiorowski allowed two runs on four hits over six innings, and Aaron Ashby (2-0) threw a scoreless eighth.

Tampa Bay got a two-run homer from Yandy Diaz and two hits from Chandler Simpson. Starter Drew Rasmussen pitched five innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits with eight strikeouts.

Diamondbacks 1, Tigers 0

Corbin Carroll became the sixth left-handed batter to homer off Tarik Skubal, and that solo shot held up as Arizona completed a three-game sweep of Detroit in Phoenix.

Carroll drove a 97 mph fastball over the left-center field fence as the second batter of the bottom of the first inning for his second homer of the season. Zac Gallen and three Arizona relievers made the early lead stand up.

Two-time defending Cy Young Award winner Skubal (1-1) scattered six hits over seven innings in defeat. Gallen (1-1) allowed four hits across six scoreless frames.

Guardians 4, Dodgers 1

Gavin Williams dominated with 10 strikeouts over seven shutout innings, while Gabriel Arias and Jose Ramirez homered to lead Cleveland past Los Angeles in the series finale.

Williams (1-1) surrendered just two hits and three walks as the Guardians finished their season-opening road trip with a 4-3 record.

Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto (1-1) permitted two runs on four hits across six innings. Freddie Freeman spoiled the shutout bid with a two-out homer in the ninth.

Yankees 5, Mariners 3

Cam Schlittler tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings to lead New York past Seattle on the road.

The Yankees won five of six games on their season-opening trip, outscoring opponents 24-6. Paul Goldschmidt launched a three-run homer and Ben Rice added a solo shot for New York, which took the final two games after dropping the series opener.

Schlittler (2-0) allowed two hits while striking out seven without issuing a walk. David Bednar worked the final 1 1/3 innings for his third save. Seattle got a two-run single from Cal Raleigh, while George Kirby (1-1) surrendered four runs on five hits over six innings.

Padres 7, Giants 1

Ramon Laureano launched a two-run homer and Nick Pivetta allowed just one hit across five shutout innings as San Diego avoided a series sweep against visiting San Francisco.

Pivetta (1-1) struck out eight while walking two in his dominant outing. Mason Miller closed out the final 1 1/3 innings for his second save. Laureano, Manny Machado and Gavin Sheets each collected two hits for the Padres.

Giants starter Adrian Houser (0-1) gave up three runs, one earned, over 5 1/3 innings in his season debut. Luis Arraez had three of San Francisco’s four hits.

San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama delivered a spectacular performance Wednesday night, scoring 41 points and grabbing 18 rebounds to power the Spurs to a dominant 127-113 victory over the undermanned Golden State Warriors in San Francisco.

The stellar showing helped San Antonio (58-18) secure their 10th straight victory, pulling them within just two games of the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top spot in the Western Conference. Stephon Castle and Julian Champagnie each contributed 15 points to support Wembanyama’s offensive explosion.

Wembanyama’s 41-point outburst came in only 29 minutes of action, equaling his season-best mark from San Antonio’s previous contest against Chicago on Monday. After collecting 16 rebounds in that Bulls game, Wembanyama made franchise history by becoming the first Spurs player ever to post back-to-back games with 40 points and double-digit rebounds.

For Golden State (36-40), Nate Williams paced seven players reaching double figures with 18 points, just one shy of his career best. The loss dropped the Warriors 2.5 games behind Portland in the battle for ninth place in the Western Conference.

In other NBA action, Jaylen Brown exploded for 43 points while Jayson Tatum recorded a triple-double with 25 points, 18 rebounds and 11 assists as Boston demolished Miami 147-129. Sam Hauser connected on five three-pointers and added 23 points for the Celtics, who shot an impressive 58.3% from the field.

Bam Adebayo topped Miami with 29 points and 10 rebounds, while Davion Mitchell chipped in 21 points. The Heat have now dropped eight of their last 10 contests, surrendering at least 121 points in each of those eight defeats.

Paul George established a new high as a Philadelphia player with 39 points, leading the 76ers to a 153-131 rout of Washington despite playing without Joel Embiid. George shot 15-of-22 from the floor and knocked down six three-pointers in 30 minutes of work. Tyrese Maxey contributed 28 points and rookie VJ Edgecombe added 23 as Philadelphia shot a season-best 61.6% from the field.

Anthony Gill paced Washington with 21 points off the bench, including three long-range shots. Will Riley scored 18 and Tristan Vukcevic contributed 17 for the Wizards.

New York snapped a three-game slide with a 130-119 wire-to-wire victory over Memphis, shooting an incredible 70.7% from the floor in the first half. OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 25 points, scoring 17 in the final quarter, while Mikal Bridges added 24 points. Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a triple-double with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, with Jalen Brunson sidelined due to a right ankle injury.

Memphis received 20 points from GG Jackson, 17 from Olivier-Maxence Prosper and 15 from Cedric Coward. The injury-ravaged Grizzlies, who had four players on 10-day contracts, have now lost seven of their last eight games and were dominated on the boards 49-20.

Atlanta crushed Orlando 130-101 behind Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s 32 points and a near triple-double from Jalen Johnson. Alexander-Walker shot 11-of-16 overall and 5-of-9 from three-point range as the Hawks captured their third consecutive victory and 18th win in 21 games since the All-Star break. Johnson finished with 18 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists.

Jamal Cain led Orlando with 17 points off the bench, while the Magic were outscored 105-73 after the opening quarter. Franz Wagner returned from a 22-game absence due to a high ankle sprain and scored 12 points.

In Salt Lake City, Jamal Murray tied his career record with 10 three-pointers and scored 37 points as Denver defeated Utah 130-117 for their 10th consecutive victory over the Jazz. Nikola Jokic posted his 196th career triple-double with 15 points, 17 rebounds and 12 assists, while Cameron Johnson added 19 points for the Nuggets’ seventh straight win.

Brice Sensabaugh made six three-pointers and scored 28 points for Utah, with Kyle Filipowski contributing 25 points and 12 rebounds. The Jazz extended their losing streak to seven games and have now lost 19 of their past 22 contests.

Pascal Siakam scored 25 points and rookie Ethan Thompson posted a career-high 24 as Indiana rolled past Chicago 145-126, setting a season-high point total. The Pacers completed a four-game season series sweep of the Bulls while winning back-to-back road games for only the second time this season.

Chicago trailed by as many as 28 points en route to their fifth straight defeat. Guerschon Yabusele led the Bulls with 20 points, while Matas Buzelis recorded 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

Reed Sheppard scored 27 points and Alperen Sengun added 25 as Houston held off injury-riddled Milwaukee 119-113 to extend their winning streak to four games. Sheppard connected on a career-high nine three-pointers while Sengun shot 9-for-13 and pulled down nine rebounds.

Despite missing their top six scorers, Milwaukee fought back from a 20-point third-quarter deficit. Ousmane Dieng set career highs with 36 points and 10 assists while adding seven rebounds, Cormac Ryan scored a career-best 25 points, and Pete Nance added 23. Jericho Sims grabbed a career-high 20 rebounds for the Bucks.

DeMar DeRozan and Precious Achiuwa each scored 28 points as Sacramento upset their former team Toronto 123-115. DeRozan tallied 26 of his points in the second half to reach 26,688 career points, passing Dominique Wilkins for 17th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Achiuwa grabbed 19 rebounds as the Kings ended a four-game losing streak.

RJ Barrett and Collin Murray-Boyles each scored 20 points for Toronto, which has lost two in a row. Jakob Poeltl contributed 18 points while Scottie Barnes recorded 14 points and 10 assists.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Medical examiners have confirmed that a former professional rugby player from New Zealand who took his own life last year was suffering from severe chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain condition caused by repeated head trauma.

Coroner Ian Telford revealed the findings Thursday during preliminary proceedings examining the death of Shane Christie, who was 39 when he died in August.

The brain condition, known as CTE, gradually destroys brain tissue and can trigger mood disorders, reckless behavior, and severe depression. Medical professionals can only identify the disease through examination after death.

Christie had represented New Zealand Maori and suspected he was battling CTE. He became an advocate for better awareness of the condition following the suicide of his close friend Billy Guyton, another professional rugby player.

Similar brain abnormalities have been connected to deaths among National Football League athletes and competitors in hockey and soccer.

Those close to Christie expressed that he wished for his medical results to be shared publicly to help educate other athletes experiencing similar symptoms.

The former Crusaders and Highlanders Super Rugby player stepped away from the sport in 2018 due to ongoing complications from multiple head injuries.

According to the coroner, pathologist Dr. Clinton Turner determined Christie had chronic traumatic encephalopathy at an advanced level. Turner conducts research at the University of Auckland brain research facility, where both Guyton and Christie had arranged to donate their brain tissue.

The coroner emphasized that Turner’s findings represent medical opinion, and that Christie’s official cause of death will be established through the formal investigation process.

New Zealand Rugby’s chief executive Steve Lancaster acknowledged to local media that his organization understands the connection between repetitive head trauma and CTE, calling it a serious concern.

“New Zealand Rugby acknowledges the CTE pathology results for Shane Christie confirmed by The Neurological Foundation Human Brain Bank. We also acknowledge and respect the role of the coroner to determine the nature of any inquiry they may hold examining the cause and circumstances of Shane’s passing,” Lancaster stated.

“We share the concerns about the potential long-term effects of repeated head knocks in rugby and support the need for ongoing research into this,” he added.

In one of the most surprising upsets of the NHL season, the Vancouver Canucks managed to defeat the Colorado Avalanche 8-6 in Denver Wednesday night, despite nearly surrendering a commanding four-goal advantage.

Brock Boeser led the charge for Vancouver with his seventh regular-season hat trick while also contributing an assist. The victory marked a season-high scoring performance for the Canucks (22-44-8, 52 points), who snapped a six-game losing streak against the league’s top team.

Teddy Blueger found the net twice for Vancouver, while Marcus Pettersson tallied one goal and two assists. Max Sasson chipped in with a goal and assist, Jake DeBrusk also scored, and both Drew O’Connor and Marco Rossi recorded two assists each.

Goaltender Kevin Lankinen made 24 saves for the Canucks, who currently sit at the bottom of the NHL standings with the fewest points. Meanwhile, Colorado holds the league’s best record with 108 points.

The Avalanche (49-15-10, 108 points) mounted an impressive comeback from a 6-2 deficit, eventually tying the game when Sam Malinski netted his second goal of the evening at the 13:58 mark of the third period. However, Pettersson responded just 23 seconds later, and Boeser sealed the victory with an empty-net goal at 18:31.

Nathan MacKinnon reached a milestone for Colorado, scoring his league-leading 50th goal of the season. Malinski also registered an assist, Brent Burns contributed a goal and assist, and Gabriel Landeskog and Parker Kelly added goals for the Avalanche.

In other NHL action, Trevor Moore scored 1:56 into overtime to give Los Angeles a 2-1 victory over visiting St. Louis. Adrian Kempe scored in regulation and Anton Forsberg stopped 23 shots as the Kings jumped into the second wild-card position in the Western Conference, leapfrogging Nashville.

Robert Thomas scored for St. Louis, which has now lost consecutive games after a four-game winning streak. Jordan Binnington made 24 saves in the losing effort.

San Jose completed a dramatic comeback against visiting Anaheim, winning 4-3 on goals by Macklin Celebrini and Alexander Wennberg in the final two minutes. After pulling goalie Yaroslav Askarov for an extra attacker, Celebrini tied the game 3-3 with 1:39 remaining on a wrist shot from above the left circle, marking his 40th goal of the season. Wennberg then scored the winner from the high slot off a Celebrini pass with 31 seconds left.

Celebrini finished with two goals and two assists, Will Smith had a goal and two assists, and Askarov made 28 saves for San Jose, which sits one point behind the West’s second wild-card spot. For Anaheim, which leads the Pacific Division, Ryan Poehling, Alex Killorn and Troy Terry scored, Drew Helleson had two assists, and Lukas Dostal stopped 17 shots.

Slovakia’s Alex Molcan delivered a stunning performance Wednesday, defeating Canada’s top-seeded Gabriel Diallo 6-2, 6-2 in second-round action at the Tiriac Open in Bucharest, Romania. The victory marked Molcan’s return to ATP Tour competition for the first time since 2024.

The 28-year-old Molcan has experienced a dramatic slide in the world rankings, dropping from his peak position of 38th four years ago down to 189th entering this week’s tournament. Despite his lower ranking, Molcan demonstrated clutch play when it mattered most, successfully defending six of seven break point opportunities against Diallo.

Other notable results from Bucharest included Portugal’s fourth-seeded Nuno Borges suffering an elimination, losing 7-6 (1), 6-4 to Damir Dzumhur from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Argentina’s seventh-seeded Mariano Navone dominated Denmark’s Elmer Moller with a convincing 6-2, 6-1 victory, while the Netherlands’ eighth-seeded Botic Van De Zandschulp overcame Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko 7-5, 6-1.

At the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship in Houston, defending titlist Ben Shelton began his campaign with a hard-fought 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3) triumph over China’s Zhizhen Zhang in second-round play.

The top-seeded American, who received a bye in the opening round, dominated the serve count with a 21-12 advantage in aces. Both competitors held serve throughout the entire match, with each player successfully saving one break point opportunity.

Shelton’s quarterfinal opponent will be Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante, who demolished American Mackenzie McDonald 6-2, 6-0.

Two additional Argentine players secured advancement, with sixth-seeded Tomas Martin Etcheverry rallying from a set down to defeat Australia’s Alex Bolt 6-7 (5), 6-0, 6-3. Roman Andres Burruchaga also moved forward, dispatching Australia’s Adam Walton 6-2, 6-3.

The evening concluded with American fourth seed Tommy Paul mounting a comeback victory over Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.

At the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech, Morocco, Italy’s top-seeded Luciano Darderi prevailed in an all-Italian battle against Mattia Bellucci 6-4, 6-2.

Despite Bellucci’s 8-2 edge in aces, he failed to create any break point chances against Darderi’s serve. Darderi’s superior second-serve performance proved decisive, winning 14 of 17 points compared to Bellucci’s 6 of 25, while converting three of nine break opportunities.

Argentine qualifier Marco Trungelliti pulled off an upset against Poland’s fifth-seeded Kamil Majchrzak 7-6 (4), 6-3. France’s third-seeded Corentin Moutet dominated local favorite Taha Baadi of Morocco 6-0, 6-2, and sixth-seeded Vit Kopriva eliminated Serbia’s Hamad Medjedovic in three sets 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-2.

Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua entered a rehabilitation program before facing a recent lawsuit that accuses him of assault and battery, his legal representative confirms.

Attorney Levi McCathern told The California Post that the All-Pro player had already been in treatment for “a substantial period of time before any of these allegations broke” and “he’s scheduled to be there for a while longer.”

The legal action was filed late last month by a woman claiming Nacua attacked her on New Year’s Eve, allegedly making an antisemitic comment and biting her shoulder during the incident.

According to McCathern, Nacua’s rehabilitation wasn’t a reaction to the legal troubles but rather an effort “to improve his overall behavior in every aspect of his life.”

The incident follows a December apology from Nacua after he made a gesture referencing antisemitic stereotypes during an online livestream appearance.

Since joining the Rams as a fifth-round draft pick from Brigham Young University in 2023, Nacua has established himself as one of the NFL’s most effective receivers. During the previous season, he topped the league with 129 receptions while accumulating 1,715 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns across his first three professional campaigns.

The talented receiver becomes eligible for a contract extension with Los Angeles during the upcoming offseason.

Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua voluntarily admitted himself to a rehabilitation center in March, his legal representative confirmed Wednesday.

Lawyer Levi McCathern revealed that Nacua enrolled in the facility before a woman filed for a temporary restraining order and initiated civil litigation against the player.

“Puka takes responsibility for his well-being and increasing his performance during the offseason,” McCathern stated in a release shared with NFL Network. “So, in early March … Puka voluntarily entered a holistic care facility to focus on his personal growth.”

The 24-year-old receiver earned All-Pro honors after leading the NFL with 129 receptions for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns in 16 games during the previous season, though recent controversies have overshadowed his on-field success.

Last December, Nacua drew criticism for performing what appeared to be an antisemitic gesture during a touchdown celebration on a live broadcast. He subsequently issued an apology, stating he “had no idea this act was antisemitic in nature.”

The current legal case involves allegations stemming from a New Year’s Eve incident that became public last week. The lawsuit accuses the young receiver of making antisemitic comments at a dinner gathering and allegedly biting two women during separate encounters.

McCathern has disputed claims about any offensive remarks and characterized the biting incidents as “horseplay.”

Speaking to multiple media outlets Wednesday, McCathern attempted to present his client more favorably, explaining that Nacua sought treatment to “improve his overall behavior in every aspect of his life.”

The attorney’s statement to NFL Network emphasized that “He is committed to using this time constructively so that he can return in the best possible position — both personally and professionally — to continue contributing to his team and the game he loves.”

According to the statement, Nacua plans to finish the rehabilitation program before the Rams begin their organized team activities, which typically occur in late May or early June.

The civil complaint against Nacua includes charges of gender violence, assault and battery, and negligence.

Since being selected by Los Angeles in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft from BYU, Nacua has earned two Pro Bowl honors across three seasons, accumulating 313 catches for 4,191 yards and 19 touchdowns. His performance makes him eligible for a contract extension.

Rams officials have remained cautious about publicly discussing extension plans, instead emphasizing the importance of Nacua’s development both on and off the playing field.

“We are hopeful that he’s a Ram for a really long time, but he understands what the responsibility is, not exclusive to just the production on the field,” head coach Sean McVay commented earlier this offseason.

Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke found himself behind bars Wednesday afternoon after being taken into custody in Arkansas on multiple charges, including drug possession and trafficking of a controlled substance.

The 29-year-old basketball player was processed at the Cross County, Arkansas detention facility at 1:03 p.m. Central Time, according to records from the Cross County Sheriff’s Office. Along with the drug-related allegations, Clarke faces two traffic violations: improper passing and fleeing in a vehicle while speeding.

The arrest occurred in Cross County, Arkansas, which sits roughly 55 miles to the west of Memphis.

Sheriff’s office records do not specify whether the charges against Clarke are classified as misdemeanors or felonies. A booking photograph of the NBA player appears on the facility’s website.

When asked about the situation, Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo acknowledged he was “aware of the reports” but declined to provide additional commentary regarding Clarke’s legal troubles before Wednesday evening’s matchup against the New York Knicks at home.

Clarke is currently in his seventh year playing for Memphis. His 2024 season has been severely limited, appearing in only two contests. A right knee injury sidelined him at the season’s start, and after returning to action in mid-December, he suffered a right calf injury during his second game back.

The team officially declared Clarke out for the remainder of the season on March 24.

Throughout his Memphis career, Clarke has maintained statistical averages of 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds across 309 games, with 50 of those being starts.

Chicago Bears leadership is expressing confidence about finalizing their new stadium plans following NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s recent comments that time is running short for the franchise to make a decision.

Team president and CEO Kevin Warren shared his optimism during Wednesday’s NFL league meetings, stating the organization is in a strong position. “I recently said that the target is to make sure that we have a decision made by springtime here soon. Late spring, early summer would be that from a target,” Warren explained.

The Bears began pursuing a new venue five years ago when they acquired 326 acres in Arlington Heights, Illinois, a northwestern suburb of Chicago. However, the project has faced obstacles related to public financing, while Indiana has emerged as an alternative with proposals for a covered stadium in Hammond, just 35 miles from Chicago.

Both the Arlington Heights location and the Indiana option would feature indoor facilities. Bears chairman George H. McCaskey has set his sights on opening the new venue for the 2029 NFL season.

The team’s current venue, Soldier Field, dates back to 1924, making it the NFL’s most antiquated facility. While the Bears relocated there from Wrigley Field in 1971, the stadium lacks contemporary features found in newer arenas. With only 61,500 seats, it holds the distinction of being the league’s smallest capacity venue, and the Bears don’t have ownership rights, limiting their control over parking revenue, concession sales, and facility branding.

A renovation completed in 2002 has been widely criticized as an unsuccessful redesign effort.

Commissioner Goodell addressed the stadium situation during Tuesday’s proceedings. “They need to find a solution for a stadium,” Goodell stated at his annual meeting press conference. “They have looked not only in Indiana but also in Illinois at other sites, and invested in a site. I think they have been responsible in that fact.”

“I think it’s really important that they come to a resolution on this relatively soon. … This is an important time to get this resolved sooner rather than later,” Goodell added.

McCaskey has indicated he’s prepared to accept either location, even if it means leaving Illinois behind. “When the Bears moved from Wrigley Field to Soldier Field, it required an adjustment,” McCaskey noted. “When we went to Champaign, it required an adjustment. And whether we go to Arlington Park or to Hammond, there is going to be an adjustment period. People are going to have to be allowed some time to get used to it. I think Bears fans are up to it.”

Veteran Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo disclosed that he came very close to accepting the head coaching position with the Phoenix Suns during the previous offseason, revealing the difficult decision involved his former player Mat Ishbia, who owns the NBA team.

The 71-year-old coach shared these details during an appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show” this Wednesday while discussing his past opportunities to coach in the professional ranks.

“I was a lot younger, but I have (had) more than a couple of job offers in the NBA and looked at one last year with Phoenix,” Izzo explained during the interview.

“My former player, Mat Ishbia — that was hard. That was a hard thing to turn down because … I kind of wanted to go with him.”

Ishbia played as a walk-on guard for the Spartans, participating in 48 games across three seasons from 1999 to 2002 and contributing to Michigan State’s 2000 national championship squad.

When Patrick inquired whether Izzo received a formal offer for the Phoenix position, the coach responded carefully.

“Well, we talked seriously about it, let’s say that,” Izzo stated. “And then No. 2 is, I’ve been pretty vocal about it, I don’t like what’s going on in college athletics, but by the way, neither do 99.98% of the football and basketball coaches in America.”

Instead of Izzo, Ishbia ultimately selected Jordan Ott for the role, who previously served as a video coordinator at Michigan State. Ott spent five seasons working under Izzo before departing following the 2012-13 campaign to join the Atlanta Hawks in a similar capacity.

Under Ott’s leadership, the Suns have compiled a 42-34 record this season and remain competitive for a top-six playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Throughout his three-decade tenure at Michigan State, Izzo has previously weighed NBA opportunities with the Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers. The Atlanta discussions occurred immediately following Michigan State’s 2000 championship victory, while he declined Cleveland’s offer after the Spartans’ 2010 Final Four elimination by Butler.

Izzo’s impressive Michigan State career includes a 764-310 overall record and eight Final Four appearances with the program.

This past season, the Spartans finished 27-8 before falling to UConn in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 round.

The accomplished coach received induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.

MIAMI — Boston achieved something unprecedented in their franchise’s long and celebrated history during Wednesday night’s matchup against Miami.

The Celtics exploded for 53 points during the game’s first 12 minutes, establishing a new team record for most points scored in an opening quarter against the Heat.

This offensive explosion ranks as the second-highest first-quarter point total in NBA regular season history. Only Golden State’s 55-point opening frame against Portland on April 9, 2023, surpassed it, while Miami previously matched the 53-point mark in their November 7 contest versus Charlotte.

The performance marked Boston’s second-highest scoring quarter overall in team history. The Celtics previously scored 54 points during a fourth quarter against San Diego on February 25, 1970. For Miami, it represented the most points they’ve ever surrendered in any single quarter, eclipsing the 50 points they allowed during a fourth quarter at Seattle on January 5, 1990.

Boston connected on 11 three-point shots during the opening frame, with Sam Hauser delivering a perfect 5-for-5 performance from long range while playing every minute of the quarter. Jaylen Brown contributed 20 points individually during the period — marking his ninth career 20-point quarter including postseason play — while Hauser added 17 points.

The Celtics held a commanding 53-33 advantage after the first quarter, having shot an impressive 20-for-28 from the floor and 11-for-15 from three-point territory.

University of Kansas basketball coach Bill Self has confirmed he will continue leading the Jayhawks program through the 2026-27 season, following conversations with his family about his coaching career.

The 63-year-old coach expressed his continued passion for guiding the Jayhawks toward championship success.

“Jayhawk Nation, with renewed clarity and the ongoing support from our administration, I remain focused and committed to Kansas Basketball competing for a National Championship,” Self stated in a university social media post. “I look forward to seeing and hearing the best fans in college basketball next season at Allen Fieldhouse.”

Self has captured two national championships across his 23-year tenure at Kansas, beginning his leadership role in 2003. However, recent years have brought significant health challenges for the veteran coach.

During 2023, Self was sidelined from both the Big 12 and NCAA Tournaments due to serious cardiac complications. Medical procedures included inserting two stents to address blocked arteries.

Additional cardiac stents were placed in July 2025.

This past January, Self required hospitalization at Lawrence Memorial Hospital after experiencing illness, receiving intravenous treatment and missing the team’s road game against Colorado.

Following Kansas’s 24-11 season that ended with a second-round NCAA Tournament defeat to St. John’s, Self had indicated he would consult with family members before determining his future plans.

Under Self’s guidance, the Jayhawks claimed national championships in 2008 and 2022. However, since that most recent title, Kansas has compiled a 68-35 record across three consecutive seasons with double-digit losses, marking the first such stretch since the late 1980s.

Self’s Kansas record stands at 648-167, with NCAA Tournament appearances in every season of his tenure.

His overall coaching record reaches 855-272, including previous positions at Oral Roberts from 1993-97, Tulsa from 1997-2000, and Illinois from 2000-2003.

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inducted Self in 2017.

Michigan’s starting point guard Elliot Cadeau remained behind when his teammates departed for Indianapolis on Wednesday after suffering an allergic reaction to food, team officials announced.

The junior guard is scheduled to join the Wolverines later Wednesday night as the team gears up for their national semifinal showdown against Arizona this Saturday.

“Before the team departed the Player Development Center today, Elliot alerted the medical staff that he may have had an allergic reaction to something that he ate,” Michigan spokesperson Tom Wywrot said in the statement. “The doctors evaluated Elliot and he is fine. Out of an abundance of caution, he is receiving medical supervision and will be traveling to Indianapolis later today.”

The former North Carolina player has been a key contributor for Michigan this season, starting every one of the team’s 38 games in his first year wearing the maize and blue. Cadeau has posted career-high numbers with 10.2 points per contest while pacing the Wolverines with 5.8 assists per game. The junior ranks among three Michigan players who have knocked down more than 60 three-point shots this season, shooting an impressive 37.7 percent from long range.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced this week that the Tisch family no longer holds ownership of the New York Giants and that league investigators found no violations of conduct policies following their review of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents.

The announcement comes after Steve Tisch’s name appeared 440 times in Justice Department files connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which were made public on January 30, 2026. Following the document release, Steve Tisch and his siblings Laurie and Jonathan moved forward with plans to transfer their ownership interests to trusts established for their children.

The NFL has given approval for these ownership transfers. Despite no longer being owners, all three family members continue in their management positions with the Giants organization. Steve Tisch, age 76, maintains his role as Executive Vice President and board chairman, while Laurie serves as a board director and Jonathan holds positions as both treasurer and board director.

Speaking at league meetings in Phoenix, Goodell addressed the investigation’s findings. “As we said (prior to Super Bowl LX), we were going to follow the facts,” Goodell explained. “We have been doing that. We’ve been very focused on making sure we understand everything that’s out there. We’ve engaged with others to make sure we have that information.”

The commissioner continued, “As you know, the Tisch family also made some family changes. Steve and Jon and Laurie actually did some transactions as part of their estate planning. They’re no longer owners. But we have not found anything that’s a violation at this stage.”

The Tisch family originally acquired their 50 percent interest in the Giants organization from the Mara family back in 1991.

Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke found himself in legal trouble Wednesday after being taken into custody in Arkansas on multiple charges involving controlled substances and traffic violations.

The Cross County Sheriff’s Department booked Clarke Wednesday afternoon on charges that included improper passing, controlled substance possession, fleeing, speeding violations, and trafficking a controlled substance. The department’s website displayed Clarke’s booking photograph.

Clarke’s legal troubles come during a season where injuries have severely limited his playing time. The forward has appeared in just two games this season and has been declared out for the remainder of the current campaign by the Memphis organization.

When asked about the arrest before Memphis faced New York on Wednesday evening, Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo offered little comment. “I’m aware of the report, but don’t have any comments,” Iisalo stated.

The 6-foot-7 player is currently in his seventh NBA season after playing college basketball at Gonzaga. Clarke’s injury woes have kept him off the court for 73 games total – initially missing 26 contests while recovering from right knee surgery, followed by 46 additional games due to a right calf strain.

On March 24, the Grizzlies provided an update on Clarke’s condition, announcing that while he continued his rehabilitation process, recent medical evaluations indicated he required additional healing time before doctors would clear him for intensive basketball activities. The team confirmed Clarke would miss the rest of this season but anticipates his return for the upcoming campaign.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — At Indiana University’s most significant pro day in school history, Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza once again proved why he’s considered the top prospect in this month’s NFL draft.

The quarterback began his workout Wednesday by warming up with his former college roommate as nearly two dozen teammates ran through 40-yard dash drills. What followed was another stellar display from the player widely expected to hear his name called first on draft night.

Representatives from all 32 NFL franchises attended the event, along with more than 100 credentialed media members and numerous family and friends of former Hoosiers. The massive turnout centered around seeing Mendoza perform, and he used the opportunity to help showcase his former teammates’ talents for professional scouts.

“I feel like it went great,” Mendoza commented after completing approximately 56 throws inside the John Mellencamp Pavilion. “You know quarterbacks have passed, have done shorter pro days than that. However, I just wanted to make sure everybody could showcase their abilities in front of all 32 NFL teams and really run routes that are applicable to the timing we’re going to be running in the NFL.”

During his workout, Mendoza demonstrated his versatility by completing passes at various distances and directions, including throws while moving outside the pocket. The 6-foot-5, 22-year-old wasn’t flawless, missing receiver Elijah Sarratt on a deep route by about half a yard among several incomplete attempts.

However, perfection wasn’t necessary for the former California prep standout and Cal transfer, who appears to have already secured his position as the likely top selection for the Las Vegas Raiders. The Boston native has long admired Raiders minority owner Tom Brady, making the potential pairing seem ideal.

Brady’s attention was certainly captured by Mendoza’s championship season, as the NFL legend attended January’s national title game in Miami alongside Raiders majority owner Mark Davis and general manager John Spytek.

Last season, Mendoza posted remarkable statistics, connecting on 72% of his attempts for 3,535 yards with 41 touchdown passes against just six interceptions. He demonstrated his athleticism with a spectacular scrambling touchdown in the championship game and led Indiana past elite programs including Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon, and Miami to claim the school’s first solo Big Ten championship since 1945 and inaugural national football title.

While Mendoza opted out of workouts at February’s NFL scouting combine, he participated fully in Wednesday’s throwing session under the watchful eye of coach Curt Cignetti and television cameras positioned in both end zones. His commitment to professional preparation was evident in his physical transformation.

The quarterback appeared at 236 pounds, gaining 11 pounds from his listed college weight. This added bulk should help him withstand hits from the larger, more athletic pass rushers he’ll face at the professional level.

Despite his success, Mendoza acknowledged he still has areas for improvement.

“I’m putting all of my efforts toward just trying to be the best quarterback possible for the season,” he explained. “But I know at the next level, there’s going to be a lot more snaps under center and that’s a big adjustment. I need to get used to that and just the nature of the game. Not only that, the hash (marks) are more condensed and the speed of the game is faster. So all those things, I look forward to learning.”

Regarding his interactions with Las Vegas, Mendoza revealed he’s already met with the Raiders twice – once during the combine and again via video conference. One additional meeting is planned before the franchise makes its selection on April 23. Now he can only wait as the draft approaches.

The pro day also provided an emotional moment for Mendoza to reflect on his final college season with his teammates, who concluded their workout by sprinting to the end zone for a group embrace.

“You have to take a second to kind of realize what we have all accomplished together here,” Mendoza said, referencing his teammates. “It was a little bit of a moment of a gratitude, looking at those guys and really seeing the special moments I’ve had with each individual. It’s unlikely we’ll all play on the same team again, but, hopefully, I’ll get to play against and with some of those guys again.”

Legendary Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo revealed that he came close to leaving college basketball last year after having substantial conversations about taking the helm of the Phoenix Suns.

During a Wednesday appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show” from his campus office, the 71-year-old coaching icon confirmed the discussions were meaningful. “We talked seriously about it,” Izzo stated during the virtual interview.

Instead of making the leap to professional basketball, Izzo decided to continue his remarkable tenure with the Spartans, marking his 31st season at the helm. His decision helped extend his impressive streak of 28 straight NCAA Tournament appearances, though this year’s run ended with a Sweet 16 loss to Connecticut.

This isn’t the first time Izzo has declined NBA opportunities, having previously passed on coaching positions with Cleveland and Atlanta. Just last week, he mentioned that UConn’s Dan Hurley sought his guidance after the Los Angeles Lakers presented Hurley with a six-year, $70 million offer in 2024.

The Phoenix connection runs deep through Izzo’s Michigan State network. Team owner Mat Ishbia, who played as a walk-on guard for Izzo’s 2000 national championship squad, has filled key Suns positions with former Spartans personnel. Ishbia brought in Jordan Ott, a former Michigan State video coordinator, as the team’s current head coach. He also appointed former Spartans assistant Brian Gregory as general manager and gave former teammate Mateen Cleaves a role in player development.

Under Ott’s leadership, Phoenix has positioned itself for a potential playoff run, a significant improvement from the team’s struggles under Mike Budenholzer, who finished 10 games below .500 in his lone season with the franchise.

MIAMI — Sandy Alcantara refused to let setbacks define his career.

The Miami Marlins ace overcame Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for all of 2024 and a disappointing 2025 campaign that saw him finish 11-12 with a 5.36 ERA. Through it all, Alcantara maintained his confidence.

“I always kept the faith,” the pitcher said.

That faith paid off Wednesday when Alcantara delivered Major League Baseball’s first complete game of the season, dominating the Chicago White Sox in a 10-0 victory that required just 93 pitches.

The masterful performance represents Alcantara’s second career “Maddux” — a complete game shutout accomplished in fewer than 100 pitches, named after Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux. The outing also marked his 13th career complete game and fifth shutout.

“Many negative things happened last year but that didn’t hold me back trying to be better,” Alcantara explained. “This year, I am going to give my best every time, win more games and be more aggressive in counts. Today, as a club, we did a tremendous job.”

Chicago’s offense never threatened, failing to advance a runner past first base against Alcantara (2-0), who allowed just three hits while striking out seven and hitting one batter. Following a strong season-opening performance against Colorado, the 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner has now thrown 15 consecutive scoreless innings.

Alcantara’s arsenal proved unstoppable, featuring six different pitches. While relying primarily on his changeup and four-seam fastball, he also effectively mixed in his slider, sweeper, sinker and cutter to keep White Sox hitters off balance.

“Everything was working. Everything was good today,” Alcantara noted. “I think I did a great job, trying to not miss much.”

Catcher Liam Hicks provided offensive fireworks while working behind the plate, launching a home run and adding two singles while driving in four runs. His 12 RBIs currently lead the major leagues.

“It was fun,” Hicks said about catching Alcantara’s dominant outing. “He had a lot of pitches working. When you’re back there and he’s rolling like that, it’s cool to see. It makes your job catching easy.”

Manager Clayton McCullough’s decision to let his ace finish became increasingly obvious as Alcantara worked efficiently through the lineup. After needing only three pitches to retire Chicago in the eighth inning, the choice was clear.

“I gave him a thumbs up and he gave me a thumbs up,” McCullough recalled.

The skipper praised the exceptional performance, calling it remarkable.

“It’s hard to do that today, to go nine innings with how you view workload,” McCullough observed. “Hitters are good. He was so efficient and guys played great behind him.”

Complete games have become increasingly rare in modern baseball. Last season featured just 29 complete games across the majors, while pitchers managed only 13 shutouts — the fewest in a full season since 1873.

CINCINNATI — Paul Skenes put his difficult season opener behind him in impressive fashion Wednesday night.

The defending National League Cy Young Award winner bounced back from his worst major league outing to stifle the Cincinnati Reds, surrendering just one run across five innings while fanning five batters in Pittsburgh’s commanding 8-3 victory.

“I’m pretty insulated from a lot of stuff that’s out there. The stuff that I do see or hear, I don’t really care anyway because it doesn’t have anything to do with the play. I’m just thinking about getting back to execution and executing my pitches,” Skenes said. “Nothing matters except for the game and the pitches.”

The right-handed ace issued a walk to Cincinnati’s TJ Friedl before settling into a groove, setting down eight consecutive batters with three strikeouts mixed in. After walking Friedl for a second time in three frames, Skenes surrendered the Reds’ initial hit when Elly De La Cruz connected for a single. Two at-bats later, Nathaniel Lowe drove home De La Cruz with a double, snapping Skenes’ remarkable 31-inning shutout streak versus Cincinnati.

That scoreless stretch ranks as the fourth-longest by any Pirates hurler against a single opponent dating back to 1961. Vernon Law owns the franchise record, blanking the New York Mets across 40 consecutive innings from 1965-66.

Skenes handled four of his final five batters successfully before exiting after 77 pitches, with 51 finding the strike zone.

“Definitely progress. Nice to get some volume and be out there for more than two-thirds,” said Skenes, who now boasts a perfect 5-0 record with a microscopic 0.53 ERA in six career appearances against Cincinnati. He’s accumulated 45 strikeouts against just four walks while limiting the Reds to a .197 batting average.

The Pirates provided excellent offensive backing for their ace, plating three runs in the opening frame on Oneil Cruz’s blast to right field.

“With Skenes on the mound, you hate to give them anything early because you know you’re going to have to fight to get anything you can get,” Reds manager Terry Francona said.

Pirates skipper Don Kelly explained his cautious approach with Skenes’ workload, particularly following the pitcher’s abbreviated 37-pitch, two-thirds-inning performance in last Thursday’s season-opening defeat to the Mets. Skenes surrendered five runs in that 11-7 setback, matching a career-worst while recording two walks and one strikeout.

“When you’re going off one outing and 37 pitches, we had targeted 80 for him,” Kelly said. “It was something that we need Paul for the long haul, and he did a great job getting through five. As we go, he’s going to be throwing more than five (innings) and 77 (pitches).”

Through his initial 57 major league starts, Skenes maintains a 2.10 ERA, which represents the fourth-best mark by any pitcher since 1920. That figure also stands as the lowest by any Pittsburgh pitcher across any 57-start span since Babe Adams posted a 2.06 ERA between 1918 and 1920.

The Philadelphia Flyers have secured defenseman David Jiricek’s future with the organization, announcing a two-year contract extension worth $3 million on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old Czech defenseman became a Flyer through a March 6 trade deal that saw forward Bobby Brink head to the Minnesota Wild. While Jiricek has not yet appeared in a game for Philadelphia’s NHL roster, he remains with the organization.

Since joining the Flyers system, Jiricek has been making his mark with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Philadelphia’s American Hockey League team. In 10 appearances with the Phantoms, he has contributed 10 points through two goals and eight assists.

Originally selected sixth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2022 NHL Draft, Jiricek brings NHL experience to his new contract. Throughout his professional career spanning 84 games between Columbus and Minnesota, he has accumulated 13 points with two goals and 11 assists.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza demonstrated his professional football readiness during Wednesday’s pro day workout, delivering an impressive performance that caught the attention of NFL scouts, particularly from the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Heisman Trophy winner completed an outstanding 53 of 56 passes during his 20-minute throwing session, appearing bigger, stronger and faster than when he first declared for the draft months ago. Mendoza has bulked up to 236 pounds, adding 11 pounds since the national championship game.

“I’m trying to be the best me possible. Whatever team picks me, you only need one team to believe in you,” Mendoza stated. “Whether I’m the first pick or the last pick, I’m trying to be the best quarterback possible in September.”

The Raiders have shown clear interest in Mendoza, with this marking their third meeting. The team previously conducted a Zoom call and formal interview at February’s NFL Scouting Combine. On Wednesday, at least 10 Raiders organization members attended the workout, including General Manager John Spytek and Head Coach Klint Kubiak, who watched intently throughout the session.

Mendoza’s performance was nearly flawless, with only one overthrown pass on a 60-yard attempt to Elijah Sarratt. His precision throw to EJ Williams – launched from one 40-yard line and caught in stride at the 6-yard line – drew audible reactions from watching scouts at Indiana’s indoor practice facility.

“I think the main goal today was to serve my teammates,” Mendoza explained, noting he skipped the NFL Scouting Combine workout to bring more attention to his Indiana colleagues. “I think I was able to do that. Be able to put them in position to be able to make plays.”

Other Hoosiers also impressed during the workout. Cornerback D’Angelo Ponds ran a blazing 4.31-second 40-yard dash, complementing his 43.5-inch vertical jump recorded at the combine.

Running back Roman Hemby, who began draft preparation immediately after the championship game, praised Mendoza’s leadership and character.

“That’s a guy that’s a great leader, a great person,” Hemby said. “He doesn’t have to do some of the things he does. He wanted to go out there and showcase the guys. That shows the type of person he is. That’s why we love him.”

With the Raiders holding the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh later this month, Mendoza’s name appears likely to be called early in the selection process.

A young Baltimore Orioles catcher etched his name in baseball history Wednesday night by becoming the first major league player to end a game with a winning challenge using the new Automated Ball-Strike System.

Samuel Basallo, just 21 years old, made the historic call during the ninth inning of Baltimore’s 8-3 victory over the Texas Rangers. With two outs and Albert Suárez pitching for the Orioles, home plate umpire Manny Gonzalez called Suárez’s 1-2 pitch to Evan Carter a ball. Basallo immediately challenged the call.

The replay review revealed that most of the baseball had crossed through the upper outside edge of the strike zone, overturning the original call and ending the game in Baltimore’s favor.

“I think we had two (challenges left) at that point,” Basallo explained through a translator after the game. “I thought why not use it? Better to use it and see what happens instead of holding onto it.”

The rookie catcher, who also launched a 437-foot home run during Wednesday’s contest, showed some nervous energy during the replay review before celebrating with Suárez on the pitcher’s mound. Suárez had thrown three innings to earn his first save since 2017.

“I wasn’t thinking it was a strike, and then when he challenged I was like, ‘OK, let’s see,’” Suárez commented. “Good thing we got it.”

This marks the inaugural season that the automated ball-strike technology has been implemented in regular-season major league baseball games.

The Orioles previously utilized a challenge in another high-pressure situation on Sunday, converting what would have been a full-count walk into a strikeout during their 8-6 victory over Minnesota. That challenge resulted in Twins manager Derek Shelton being ejected from the game, as he argued the challenge signal wasn’t made quickly enough.

Suárez had been recalled to the major leagues after Zach Eflin was forced to exit Tuesday’s start due to elbow discomfort. Following an early morning flight Wednesday, Suárez was able to provide much-needed relief for the team’s bullpen.

When asked about his overall opinion of the Automated Ball-Strike System, the 36-year-old pitcher offered a candid response.

“I think I like it more after what happened today,” Suárez said.

With the Final Four on the horizon, television viewership for the 2024 men’s NCAA basketball tournament has reached levels not seen in more than three decades, according to new data from Nielsen released Wednesday.

The tournament’s opening two weekends drew an average of 10.3 million viewers across CBS Sports and TNT Sports through the Elite Eight round, marking the highest-watched March Madness since 1993. This represents a 9% jump in audience numbers compared to the previous year.

The Elite Eight matchup between UConn and Duke proved particularly captivating for viewers, drawing 13.4 million people on average and reaching a peak audience of 18.9 million during the game’s dramatic finish.

Sweet 16 action during the early evening time slot last week also delivered impressive numbers, averaging 14.2 million viewers for games including Duke versus St. John’s and Michigan against Alabama. This 38% increase made it the most-watched early evening Sweet 16 broadcast since 1992.

Tournament organizers saw improvement across the board, with every Sweet 16 and Elite Eight contest outperforming last year’s corresponding games in terms of audience size.

The viewership data comes from Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel system, a measurement approach that received accreditation just over a year ago. This method combines traditional cable and satellite viewing information with data from internet-connected televisions, drawing from approximately 45 million homes and 75 million devices nationwide, according to industry publication Variety.

MILWAUKEE — A veteran baseball umpire was forced to exit Wednesday’s matchup between the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers after taking a direct hit from a foul ball to his protective face gear.

C.B. Bucknor, who was officiating behind home plate, was struck during the second inning when Rays batter Nick Fortes made contact with a 100-mph fastball thrown by Milwaukee pitcher Jacob Misiorowski. The ball ricocheted backward and collided with Bucknor’s face mask.

The 63-year-old official immediately dropped to his knees following the impact while Brewers catcher William Contreras rushed to assist him. Milwaukee’s medical personnel quickly arrived on the field to evaluate Bucknor before he was escorted off the playing surface.

Following Bucknor’s exit, Chad Fairchild moved from his first-base umpiring position to take over home plate duties, reducing the officiating crew to three members. The incident caused approximately 13 minutes of game delay.

Colorado Avalanche’s standout defenseman Cale Makar will be sidelined for multiple games following an upper-body injury, according to head coach Jared Bednar’s announcement on Wednesday.

“(He’s) going to be OK. He’s going to miss some time here. Nothing serious, though,” Bednar stated during his Wednesday appearance on Altitude radio.

The injury occurred in the second period of Monday’s commanding 9-2 victory over the Calgary Flames at home in Denver. Makar was unable to return for the final period of play.

Despite recording three assists in the game, Makar absorbed a significant hit from Adam Klapka but managed to complete that shift and participate in two additional shifts before being declared out for the remainder of the contest late in the third period.

The 27-year-old defenseman currently sits third among Avalanche players in scoring with 75 points, including 20 goals and 55 assists this season.

Makar achieved a notable milestone last June when he became one of only a select group of players to capture multiple Norris trophies before reaching age 27. This exclusive group includes Hockey Hall of Fame legends Bobby Orr (eight victories), Denis Potvin and Paul Coffey (three each), and Rod Langway (two), along with current Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson, who also claimed the award twice before his 27th birthday.

The National Basketball Association’s ambitious plan to establish a European league has captured enormous investor attention, with numerous parties offering investments of $1 billion or more, according to Wednesday reports from The Athletic.

Sources indicate that over 120 different investors submitted varying financial proposals before Tuesday night’s deadline for preliminary, non-binding offers.

“We have received significant interest from a range of prospective teams and investors for permanent franchise spots in a new league in Europe,” NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said in a statement to The Athletic.

“The level of engagement and the scale of the bids reflect the marketplace’s belief in our proposed model and the enormous, untapped potential for European basketball. We will now review the bids in more detail and shortlist the partners who share our vision and commitment to accelerating the growth of the game across the continent.”

According to reports, the NBA is looking for investments ranging from $500 million to $1 billion for permanent membership in the European venture.

The league has identified 12 major European cities as potential homes for permanent franchises: London, Manchester, Paris, Lyon, Rome, Milan, Barcelona, Madrid, Berlin, Munich, Athens and Istanbul.

The proposed structure would feature these 12 “licensed” franchises competing alongside four additional teams each season that would qualify through performance in smaller European leagues.

Recent discussions have centered on potential collaboration between the NBA and existing EuroLeague operations, though the relationship could become competitive depending on how the NBA Europe initiative develops.

“I think for the betterment of European basketball, the best outcome would be if we came together with the EuroLeague here and that we came up with a systematic approach to growing the game throughout Europe,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said last week.

Silver continues to target October 2027 as the launch date for NBA Europe operations.

SAN FRANCISCO — Last December, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry deliberately flashed a smile before calmly sinking two crucial free throws with just 12 seconds remaining, helping secure a 119-116 victory over Phoenix.

Despite appearing composed, the veteran guard later admitted he felt anything but calm inside. Even after 17 seasons in professional basketball and at age 38, Curry still experiences nerves during high-pressure situations.

“That’s more mental warfare for me to just enjoy the moment,” Curry said at the time. “I don’t care how many free throws you’ve made, when you need two of them, you do get nervous, so the smile is more to kind of embrace the moment and enjoy it instead of overthinking or worrying about mechanics or anything. So I’ve been doing that a lot lately, like last couple years, just playing mind games with myself and enjoying the moment.”

Fellow professional athletes draw encouragement from Curry’s honest admission about his struggles with anxiety, particularly given his elite status in basketball. The willingness of stars to discuss mental challenges publicly represents a significant shift, reflecting broader conversations about mental health awareness and seeking support during difficult times.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, whose team has captured the last two World Series championships, witnessed Curry’s clutch performance from the Chase Center stands on December 20th.

Having observed numerous Dodgers players excel during high-stakes October playoff games, Roberts understands the mental challenges involved.

“I think that’s telling that Steph would say that and there is an innate fear in people to fail in big spots or to be nervous. I think it’s just important to admit it at times and then kind of move on from there,” Roberts explained this spring. “We were talking about it a couple days ago, those moments I think you mitigate the fear or the nerves from preparedness. I think Steph has shot so many free throws when he’s tired in big spots, so to admit that he’s nervous, he knows at the end of the day that he’s prepared for that spot. Most of our guys, we talk about that a lot, so I think that’s how they can get past that fear or nerve hurdle.”

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan conducted an informal survey among his players this season, asking whether they viewed a free throw with one second remaining in a tied contest differently from one attempted during the opening quarter of a tied game. The response was unanimously affirmative.

“I said, ‘Why is it different?’ and they explained all the consequences of what would happen, but the reality is it’s still the same exact shot it is in the first quarter or the second quarter,” Donovan explained. “And I find that guys in those moments have the ability to block out the consequences or what the ramifications are and really lock in to what they can control and the routine. The basket’s still 15 feet away, it’s still 10 feet high. And just because the circumstances may be different, the routine should be exactly the same.”

Mental performance specialist Graham Betchart recommends a specific strategy for managing nervousness that involves converting fear of failure into positive energy.

“The biggest surprise to most people is that great pro athletes have the same feeling that a kid has, they just reframe it,” Betchart explained. “I remember one of the first pros I worked with, I said, ‘What’s pressure like for you?’ He said, ‘Graham, what you call pressure, I call joy.’ I said, ‘What does joy feel like?’ He said, ‘Joy feels like I’m going to pee in my pants, 10,000 butterflies in my stomach, heart is pounding, self doubt everywhere.’ I said, ‘That’s joy?’ He said, ‘Yeah, ’cause when I feel that I’m about to go do what I love, which is play ball.’ So we call that reframing. I think this is one of the biggest unlocks in the entire world.”

Hall of Fame player and current Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd, who enjoyed a 19-season NBA career as a 10-time All-Star and 1994-95 Rookie of the Year, believes fans sometimes overlook that professional athletes are human beings who experience natural stress responses.

“It is healthy. I think that just lets everyone know you’re human. Steph is human,” Kidd observed. “There are feelings and emotions but I don’t know if he gets nervous. Free throws are like layups for him, like 2-foot putts. But it’s also great that he is open to sharing that about his feelings, that’s pretty cool.”

Warriors guard De’Anthony Melton follows a daily routine of attempting to sink 10 consecutive free throws during practice. This preparation helps him maintain perspective during actual games: “Whatever happens, happens, you’ve just got to live with the results, but sometimes getting to the free-throw line can help you get into a rhythm and get your shot going, too.”

Even coaches experience similar pressures. Doc Rivers acknowledges uncertainty about making optimal decisions during critical moments.

“There’s nerves with everything. I can draw up a play as a coach and I know it’s a good play, but I’m nervous if we’re going to run it right or is it going to work. As a player, I was an 80-percent free-throw shooter, but it’s still there. That’s why you breathe deep and that’s where routine comes in. The more you do the routine, the more it becomes normal. But there’s nothing normal in life when you’re shooting a free throw and there’s 20,000 people screaming to make you miss, that’s not normal in life. So you have to breathe your way through it.”

Oakland Athletics pitcher Luis Severino, who spent his first nine major league seasons playing for New York teams including the Yankees and Mets, understands how external pressure can intensify personal struggles on challenging days.

“I think it’s more of how you’re feeling that day. If Stephen Curry is feeling like he always feels, there’s nothing to worry about,” Severino said, laughing. “If that day I’m feeling good, I have nothing to worry about. If I’m struggling with command and or a pitch, not commanding my breaking balls, I will get a little bit nervous, but if I’m good that day I have nothing to worry about.”

San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames found validation in learning that Curry also battles nerves during pivotal moments.

“I think it’s a great thing, I think it’s something that you have to embrace and know that it’s OK to feel it,” Adames said. “I always try to tell myself, ‘if you feel a little nervous or a little anxious, just embrace it like it’s OK, it’s OK to feel it. But just know that you’ve got to take a deep breath and try to make sure that you’re under control.”

Betchart believes professional athletes discussing their nervousness publicly will help others develop better coping strategies. Through his work with Army personnel who initially claimed to be fearless, he discovered they actually experience fear but accept it as an occupational reality.

“They’re not fearless, they feel the fear, and then they lean into it,” he explained. “So it’s really a power of vulnerability, it’s a victory of the vulnerable.”

Chelsea Football Club revealed Wednesday they suffered pre-tax financial losses totaling 262.4 million pounds ($350 million) during their most recent reporting period, setting a new record for the highest deficit in Premier League history.

The London-based soccer team, which is owned by American private equity investors, cited “increased operating costs” during the 2024-25 season as a contributing factor to the substantial financial shortfall compared to the prior year.

According to Britain’s Press Association, the previous record for Premier League pre-tax losses belonged to Manchester City, who reported 197.5 million pounds (approximately $263 million in current value) during the 2010-11 campaign.

Despite the record deficit, Chelsea generated 490.9 million pounds ($650 million) in total revenue for the fiscal year concluding June 30, 2025, marking the club’s second-best financial performance in terms of income. A portion of those earnings came from prize money received during their successful Club World Cup championship campaign.

The Premier League determined that Chelsea met all financial compliance standards for the three-year assessment period ending in 2024-25. League regulations permit clubs to accumulate maximum losses of 105 million pounds ($140 million) during that timeframe, though expenditures on infrastructure improvements, youth player development programs, and women’s soccer operations are excluded from loss calculations.

The National Hockey League has official backing for LGBTQ+ initiatives, though individual franchises determine their own level of involvement in Pride celebrations. Team participation ranges dramatically, with some organizations choosing not to host Pride events while others create extensive festivities.

The Nashville Predators represent one of the most committed organizations, recently hosting drag performers for the national anthem and temporarily modifying their team logo to feature Pride flag colors. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers have scheduled their Pride celebration during Holy Week this year.

LeBron James made basketball history Tuesday night, securing his record-breaking 1,229th career victory as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 127-113 at home.

The milestone win moved James past Hall of Fame legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most combined regular season and playoff victories in NBA history. James, who already holds the league’s all-time scoring record, contributed 14 points, five rebounds, and six assists in the victory against his former team, where he played 11 seasons across two different periods.

Luka Doncic led the Lakers’ offensive charge with an impressive 42-point, 12-assist performance. The victory marked Los Angeles’ 13th win in their past 14 contests and secured both a playoff berth and the Pacific Division championship after Phoenix fell earlier in the evening.

The Lakers now hold the third position in the Western Conference standings, maintaining a two-game cushion over the Denver Nuggets.

Doncic, returning from a one-game suspension, achieved another milestone by becoming the third-youngest player to reach 15,000 career points at 27 years and 31 days old. James still holds that record, achieving the feat at 25 years and 79 days.

For Cleveland, Jarrett Allen topped the scoring with 18 points, while James Harden contributed 17. The Cavaliers remain one game behind the third-place New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference.

In other NBA action Tuesday:

Detroit dominated Toronto 127-116 behind Jalen Duren’s 31 points and nine rebounds. Daniss Jenkins added 21 points for the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons, who have won 10 of their last 13 games. RJ Barrett paced the Raptors with 24 points.

Orlando snapped a recent slump by beating Phoenix 115-111, with Desmond Bane scoring 21 points and Jalen Suggs adding 20. The Magic had lost seven of eight before the victory. Devin Booker led Phoenix with 34 points in the losing effort.

Charlotte crushed Brooklyn 117-86 in a dominant performance, with Brandon Miller scoring 25 points in just three quarters of play. Miles Bridges contributed 19 points as the Hornets improved to 29-13 over their past 42 games.

Houston rolled past New York 111-94, led by Kevin Durant’s game-high 27 points. Reed Sheppard provided 20 points off the bench as the Rockets shot 53.8% from the field. Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 22 points in their third straight loss.

Milwaukee ended a four-game losing streak by defeating Dallas 123-99. Ryan Rollins scored 24 points with nine assists and seven rebounds, while Kyle Kuzma added 20 points. Cooper Flagg had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the struggling Mavericks.

Portland earned a crucial 114-104 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, moving within half a game of the eighth playoff spot in the Western Conference. Jrue Holiday led the Trail Blazers with 30 points, while Deni Avdija recorded 28 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. Kawhi Leonard scored 23 points for the Clippers.

Philadelphia Phillies rookie Andrew Painter made an impressive first impression in the major leagues Tuesday night, fanning eight batters over 5 1/3 innings to help his team defeat the Washington Nationals 3-2.

The organization’s most promising pitching prospect earned his first career victory (1-0) by surrendering just one run on four hits and one walk against a Washington lineup that came into the contest tied for baseball’s highest-scoring offense. Home runs from Kyle Schwarber and Adolis Garcia powered the Phillies, who had dropped three of their opening four contests.

Washington’s Daylen Lile collected three hits in the losing effort for a Nationals squad that had won three of its first four games. The visitors nearly forced extra innings when James Wood stepped to the plate in the ninth with the tying run on second base and two outs, but Brandon Marsh hauled in his deep fly ball to left field to secure the victory.

The Phillies built a 3-0 advantage for their rookie starter by scoring once each in the third, fourth, and fifth frames against Washington starter Zack Littell (0-1). Jhoan Duran closed out the game in the ninth inning to record his second save of the young season.

In other MLB action Tuesday:

Giants 9, Padres 3

Willy Adames launched a leadoff home run and matched a career high with four hits, driving in two runs as San Francisco’s offense came alive in a road victory over San Diego. Jung Hoo Lee contributed three hits and three RBIs, while Matt Chapman added a solo homer and Rafael Devers chipped in two hits as the Giants collected 16 total hits. The visitors went 6-for-12 with runners in scoring position while defeating the Padres for the second consecutive night. Giants starter Logan Webb (1-1) surrendered three runs on three hits across six innings. Jackson Merrill and Miguel Andujar drove in runs for San Diego, which has dropped four of five to open the season. German Marquez (0-1) struggled in his Padres debut, allowing two home runs in just three innings while giving up four runs on eight hits.

Yankees 5, Mariners 0

Max Fried tossed seven innings of three-hit baseball as New York shut out Seattle at home, marking the Yankees’ third shutout victory in five games this season. Giancarlo Stanton went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs as New York evened the three-game series. Trent Grisham, Cody Bellinger, and Ben Rice each recorded two hits for the Yankees. Fried (2-0) walked one and struck out six in the dominant performance. Seattle’s Josh Naylor broke an 0-for-20 slump with a fourth-inning single, his first hit of the season. The Mariners managed just two other hits off Fried, both coming in the seventh inning. Logan Gilbert (0-1) took the loss, allowing five runs on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings.

Dodgers 4, Guardians 1

Two-way star Shohei Ohtani made his season pitching debut in style, holding Cleveland to one hit over six scoreless innings while Max Muncy homered in Los Angeles’ victory. Andy Pages had two hits and two RBIs, and Teoscar Hernandez recorded his first RBI of the season. Ohtani (1-0), slotted fifth in the rotation as the Dodgers manage his workload, walked three and struck out six. Cleveland right-hander Tanner Bibee (0-1) allowed one run on four hits over four innings after his start was questionable due to shoulder inflammation from his Opening Day outing. Brayan Rocchio prevented the shutout with an RBI single in the ninth.

Cardinals 3, Mets 0

Andre Pallante and four relievers combined on a three-hit shutout as St. Louis defeated New York in the middle game of their series. Ivan Herrera delivered a two-run double in the third inning, and Ramon Urias added a leadoff home run in the seventh for the Cardinals, who recorded their first shutout since September 16 of last season. Pallante (1-0) allowed all three hits over five-plus innings. Kodai Senga suffered a tough-luck loss despite striking out nine over six innings. The Mets were shut out for the first time since a season-ending 4-0 loss to Miami last September 28.

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani launched his campaign for baseball’s most prestigious pitching honor Tuesday night, tossing six scoreless innings in his season debut as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Cleveland Guardians 4-1 in wet conditions.

The Japanese superstar contributed at the plate as well, recording one hit in three at-bats while drawing two walks and striking out once during the rain-soaked contest.

Los Angeles has eagerly anticipated witnessing Ohtani’s complete dual-threat capabilities since signing him to a massive $700 million, 10-year contract prior to the 2024 campaign. His pitching was sidelined that entire season as he rehabilitated from his second significant elbow operation, performed in September 2023 during his tenure with the Los Angeles Angels.

During the previous season, the organization carefully managed his return to pitching duties. Ohtani compiled a 1-1 record with a 2.87 ERA, recording 62 strikeouts across 47 innings in 14 appearances. His four-seam fastball reached a personal-best average velocity of 98.4 mph.

“Last year, I felt good,” Ohtani said through a translator. “But this year I do feel a lot more loose and easy pitching overall. Looking back at today’s outing specifically, that wasn’t necessarily the case. So that’s something I want to work on. But compared to last season I felt more loose and easy.”

Ohtani’s spring preparation was restricted to just two exhibition starts since he competed for Japan in the World Baseball Classic without taking the mound.

Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts has observed that Ohtani maintains higher personal standards for his pitching performance compared to his hitting.

“He’s never going to be satisfied,” Roberts said. “There’s always something that he can improve on or get better at and that’s what fuels him.”

The right-hander has now compiled 22 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings during regular season play, extending back to his August 27, 2025 appearance against Cincinnati — establishing a new personal record. This surpassed his previous career-best streak of 21 2/3 innings achieved in June 2022 while playing for the Angels.

“If he’s able to do it the whole year, that’s just a huge boost to our pitching staff,” third baseman Max Muncy said. “I expect nothing short of almost a Cy Young out of him.”

Almost?

“I think he’s got enough pressure already,” Muncy said, “but it doesn’t seem to faze him at all.”

Cleveland managed just one hit against Ohtani — a two-out double from Rhys Hoskins during the fourth inning. The ace recorded six strikeouts while issuing three walks.

Ohtani also succeeded in his inaugural automated ball-strike challenge.

The pitcher handled his first seven batters without incident before walking Gabriel Arias in the third frame. Following another walk to Steven Kwan with two outs, runners occupied first and second base. With the count at 1-1 against CJ Kayfus, Ohtani disputed a ball call. The ruling was reversed, creating a 1-2 count, and he eliminated Kayfus with a swinging strikeout on his subsequent delivery to conclude the inning.

Steady rainfall intensified during Ohtani’s final two innings of work. The grounds crew attended to the mound’s front slope, particularly his landing area, after he issued his third walk with two outs in the sixth. Using a metal implement, he cleared accumulated dirt from his cleats. Ohtani then dispatched Hoskins with a single pitch to complete the inning.

“He’s unflappable,” Roberts said.

At the plate, Ohtani has struggled through his initial five contests. The four-time MVP is currently hitting .167 without any home runs or RBIs. He launched 55 homers during 2025.

He maintained his on-base streak at 36 games, matching his career-long achievement.

“I’ve been able to get on base and that’s a good thing,” Ohtani said. “But on pitches that I should be making impact I’m not quite able to do that to the extent that I should be able to. That’s the part that I’m not quite happy about.”

Witnessing Ohtani’s daily preparation routine has convinced Muncy that pitching represents his primary passion.

“He’s really bought into everything with pitching — his mechanics, how to attack hitters. He just focuses on it so much. You can really, really tell he loves it,” Muncy said.

Roberts indicated Ohtani will receive six days of rest before his next scheduled start.

“I believe the team should be prioritizing Yoshinobu (Yamamoto), (Tyler) Glasnow and (Blake) Snell when he’s back,” Ohtani said. “So I think it’s easy to kind of fit me into that schedule whenever the team feels that’s a good thing. What’s most important is that we’re all healthy in October.”

Basketball superstar LeBron James made NBA history Tuesday night, breaking the all-time record for career victories as the Los Angeles Lakers dominated the Cleveland Cavaliers 127-113.

James reached his 1,229th combined regular season and playoff win, surpassing Hall of Fame legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s previous mark. The four-time champion contributed 14 points, five rebounds, and six assists in the milestone victory against his former team, where he played 11 seasons across two different periods.

Luka Doncic led the Lakers’ offensive charge with an impressive 42 points and 12 assists after returning from a one-game suspension for accumulating his 16th technical foul of the season. The 27-year-old star also achieved a personal milestone, becoming the third-youngest player to reach 15,000 career points at 27 years and 31 days old.

The victory improved Los Angeles to 50-26, marking their 13th win in the past 14 contests. The Lakers secured both a playoff berth and the Pacific Division championship earlier that evening when Phoenix lost, positioning them third in the Western Conference standings, two games ahead of Denver.

For Cleveland, Jarrett Allen topped the scoring with 18 points, while James Harden added 17 and Donovan Mitchell contributed 10 points with six assists. The Cavaliers fell to 47-29 but remain just one win away from clinching their own playoff spot, sitting one game behind third-place New York in the Eastern Conference.

Los Angeles broke the game open during a dominant third quarter, outscoring Cleveland 45-30 to build a commanding 110-83 advantage. Austin Reaves chipped in 19 points for the Lakers, while Deandre Ayton recorded 18 points and nine rebounds. The victory also marked the 100th win for Lakers head coach JJ Redick.

The Lakers held a 65-53 halftime lead behind Doncic’s 20 first-half points and seven assists, plus Ayton’s 11 points and six rebounds. Allen shot efficiently for Cleveland, making nine of 11 field goal attempts for his 18 points, though Mitchell managed just two points in the opening half.

Doncic showed no rust from his suspension, immediately finding his rhythm by scoring 14 points on 10 shots while playing the entire first quarter. Cleveland actually led 34-32 after the opening period thanks to nine points from Harden and eight from Allen.

Several players missed the contest due to injuries. Lakers guard Marcus Smart sat out his fourth consecutive game with a right ankle bruise, while Cleveland was without Sam Merrill due to left hamstring soreness. Cavaliers forwards Jaylon Tyson and Dean Wade also didn’t make the trip because of toe and ankle injuries, respectively.

Viktor Arvidsson completed his fifth career hat trick by finding the net twice during the final period, while Henri Jokiharju delivered the decisive goal in Boston’s 6-3 victory over Dallas on Tuesday evening.

Boston (43-24-8, 94 points) erased a 2-2 deadlock following the second intermission by scoring four of the contest’s final five tallies, securing their fourth consecutive victory and seventh triumph in their past 10 outings (7-1-2).

Jokiharju and Elias Lindholm each contributed one goal and one assist, with Marat Khusnutdinov also finding the scoresheet and David Pastrnak providing three assists for the Bruins. Goaltender Joonas Korpisalo turned away 13 shots and faced only three attempts in the third period as Boston held a 23-16 shot advantage.

Wyatt Johnston recorded one goal and one assist for Dallas (44-19-12, 100 points), while Matt Duchene and Jamie Benn also tallied goals. Jake Oettinger made 17 saves for the Stars, who have managed just one victory in their last seven games (1-4-2).

Sabres 4, Islanders 3

Peyton Krebs netted the tie-breaking goal in the closing minutes of the third period as Buffalo defeated New York at home to reach the 2,000-win milestone in franchise history.

Jack Quinn and Tage Thompson each recorded one goal and one assist, with defenseman Bowen Byram also scoring for Buffalo. Josh Norris contributed two assists while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen turned aside 25 shots.

Brayden Schenn tallied one goal and one assist for New York, with Calum Ritchie and Anders Lee also scoring for the Islanders, who suffered their second straight defeat. Ilya Sorokin made 29 saves in the loss.

Rangers 4, Devils 1

Igor Shesterkin stopped 22 shots while Conor Sheary and J.T. Miller each scored during the opening period, propelling New York to victory over New Jersey and preventing a season series sweep.

Jaroslav Chmelar found the net in the second period and Mika Zibanejad scored in the third for the Rangers, who have captured three straight games after enduring a season-worst six-game losing skid.

Connor Brown tallied a power-play goal early in the second period for New Jersey, with Nico Hischier recording an assist to stretch his point streak to five games.

Panthers 6, Senators 3

Carter Verhaeghe scored twice while Matthew Tkachuk and Seth Jones each registered three assists during Florida’s explosive five-goal opening period in their victory over visiting Ottawa in Sunrise, Florida.

Noah Gregor and Mackie Samoskevich scored within the first 1:06 of play, with A.J. Greer also tallying during the Panthers’ commanding first period, outshooting Ottawa 18-6. Tkachuk completed his four-point performance with a second-period goal.

Drake Batherson and Jordan Spence scored in the second period while Michael Amadio added a goal and assist for Ottawa, which entered play two points behind the final Eastern Conference wild-card position but has dropped three consecutive games. Linus Ullmark was replaced with 5:24 remaining in the first period after surrendering five goals on 16 shots.

Penguins 5, Red Wings 1

Egor Chinakhov recorded one goal and one assist as Pittsburgh jumped out early and cruised to victory over visiting Detroit.

Rickard Rakell, Anthony Mantha, Justin Brazeau and Noel Acciari all scored for the Penguins, with Stuart Skinner making 22 saves. Pittsburgh has won three of their last four contests to climb into second place in the Metropolitan Division.

Dylan Larkin netted his 30th goal for Detroit’s lone tally. The Red Wings have gone 1-4-0 in their past five games and 4-7-2 over their last 13 contests.

Hurricanes 5, Blue Jackets 2

Nikolaj Ehlers scored once as part of a three-point evening while Andrei Svechnikov added one goal and one assist to lead visiting Carolina past struggling Columbus in the first game of a home-and-home series.

Shayne Gostisbehere, Logan Stankoven and Jordan Martinook also tallied for the Hurricanes, who share the Eastern Conference points lead with Buffalo.

Kirill Marchenko recorded one goal and one assist while Adam Fantilli added a goal for Columbus, which remains winless over four games and holds onto the East’s final wild-card position.

Jets 4, Blackhawks 3 (OT)

Kyle Connor netted the game-winner just 33 seconds into overtime as visiting Winnipeg edged Chicago.

Josh Morrissey and Connor each posted one goal and one assist, with Cole Perfetti and Isak Rosen also scoring for the Jets. Mark Scheifele provided three assists while Connor Hellebuyck made 18 saves.

Tyler Bertuzzi scored twice and Anton Frondell netted his first NHL goal for Chicago, which has lost four straight games (0-3-1).

Oilers 3, Kraken 0

Connor Ingram made 27 saves for his second shutout this season while Connor McDavid extended his goal streak to five games as Edmonton blanked visiting Seattle.

The shutout marked Ingram’s ninth career clean sheet on his 29th birthday. Max Jones and Kasperi Kapanen also scored for Edmonton, which stretched its winning streak to a season-best four games.

Philipp Grubauer, appearing in his 400th NHL game, finished with 21 saves for Seattle, which has lost six of its past seven contests (1-4-2). The defeat left the Kraken two points behind Nashville in the Western Conference wild-card race.

Capitals 6, Flyers 4

Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson each scored twice, Jakob Chychrun added one goal and one assist, and Pierre-Luc Dubois distributed four assists as Washington snapped Philadelphia’s eight-game road winning streak.

Ryan Leonard contributed one goal and one assist for Washington, which moved within one point of Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference playoff chase.

Travis Sanheim and Christian Dvorak each recorded one goal and one assist for the Flyers, who suffered just their second regulation loss in 11 games. Travis Konecny added two assists.

PHOENIX — When Venezuelan third baseman Jose Fernandez stepped into the batter’s box during the eighth inning of his major league debut Tuesday night, he faced a high-pressure situation against Detroit’s four-time All-Star closer Kenley Jansen.

What happened next made baseball history, as Fernandez launched a three-run blast that completed one of the most remarkable first games in modern baseball.

The Arizona Diamondbacks rookie joined an exclusive group, becoming only the seventh major leaguer since 1900 to connect for two home runs in his debut appearance. His second homer proved to be the game-winner in Arizona’s 7-5 triumph over the Tigers.

“I returned to my days as a kid — just a dream come true,” Fernandez said with a smile through an interpreter.

In an unusual coincidence, half of these historic two-homer debuts have happened within the past week. Cleveland’s Chase DeLauter accomplished the same feat just six days earlier during his first regular-season contest last Thursday, though he had previously appeared in playoff games.

The 22-year-old Fernandez wasn’t initially part of Arizona’s opening-day lineup, getting called up Monday when Pavin Smith was placed on the 10-day injured list due to left elbow discomfort. He maximized his opportunity, collecting three hits and driving in four runs.

That’s an impressive showing for someone ranked as the organization’s 27th-best prospect by MLB.com.

“He deserves all this credit,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “We’re so proud of him. He’s a player who came through our system, through our academy, and it’s a great story, a great baseball story. We’ve known about Jose for a long time. We knew he was coming.”

Fernandez started his evening with an infield single during his initial big league at-bat, then connected for a solo shot in his second plate appearance. The three-run blast that followed placed him alongside DeLauter, Trevor Story (2016), J.P. Arencibia (2010), Mark Quinn (1999), Bert Campaneris (1964) and Bob Nieman (1951) in the record books.

“Stay calm, keep the emotions in check, I knew something like that could happen,” Fernandez explained. “Just look for a pitch.”

Professional golfer Tiger Woods announced Tuesday that he will enter a treatment program following his arrest on driving under the influence charges after a vehicle accident in Florida last Friday.

The golf legend entered a not guilty plea to the DUI charges stemming from the March 27 crash that occurred on Jupiter Island, Florida, where his vehicle overturned.

Woods’ decision to seek treatment means he will be absent from the Masters tournament for the second year in a row, marking another significant interruption to his professional golf career.

The announcement came four days after the incident that led to his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence following the single-vehicle accident in Florida.

HOUSTON — A veteran Major League Baseball umpire owned up to a significant mistake that changed the course of an at-bat during Tuesday evening’s matchup between the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox, which ended in a 9-2 Astros victory.

Mark Wegner, the home plate umpire, admitted after the game that he failed to properly track the pitch count during Houston batter Cam Smith’s plate appearance in the fifth inning, resulting in Smith receiving a walk when he actually should have been called out on strikes.

The sequence began with Smith missing two consecutive cutter pitches from Boston starter Brayan Bello. During this time, Joey Loperfido successfully stole second base while Christian Walker crossed home plate due to a throwing mistake by Red Sox catcher Connor Wong. Following approximately 40 seconds of action, Smith whiffed on a sweeper for what should have been the third strike.

However, Wegner, who serves as a crew chief and is working his 29th season in the major leagues, incorrectly signaled the count as 1-2 instead of recognizing the strikeout. Smith then continued batting for six additional pitches before earning a base on balls.

“I just watched the video. I didn’t know what happened until I came in here and apparently, I somehow didn’t count the second swinging one because I said the count was 1-2. It was actually strike three,” Wegner explained to reporters following the contest. “Had anybody caught it, we can always go and call replay and check the count. I’ve never done that before. I’m not happy about it. Just made a mistake.”

According to Wegner, nobody on the field questioned the count during the moment it occurred.

Bello mentioned that Wegner had announced the count as 1-1 following his second delivery, and the pitcher chose not to challenge that call at the time.

“I thought the first pitch was a strike and I thought that he swung at the second pitch,” Bello explained through a translator, speaking in Spanish. “None of that took me out of my focus in that inning. I tried to get out of that inning, and it didn’t happen.”

Smith’s at-bat marked the final batter that Bello would face in what was his first appearance of the season. The Red Sox pitcher surrendered six runs, with five being earned, along with eight hits and three walks across 4 2/3 innings of work.

The International Olympic Committee announced Wednesday that Chang Ung, North Korea’s sole representative ever to serve on the IOC, has passed away at the age of 87.

Chang died on Sunday, prompting the IOC to express “extreme sadness” and order the Olympic flag to fly at half-staff for three days at Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland as a tribute. Officials have not disclosed what caused his death, and North Korean state media has remained silent about his passing.

Starting life as a basketball captain for North Korea’s national team in 1938, Chang transitioned into sports administration after his playing career ended. He climbed the ranks to become a deputy sports minister, deputy chairman of North Korea’s Olympic Committee, and deputy president of the Olympic Council of Asia.

Chang earned his IOC membership in 1996, making him North Korea’s first and only representative on the committee. In this role, he spearheaded challenging negotiations with South Korea aimed at fostering athletic cooperation between the divided nations.

His most significant achievement came during the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where North and South Korean athletes made history by walking together behind a “unification flag” showing the Korean peninsula. This marked the first joint procession since Korea’s 1945 partition.

Korean athletes continued these symbolic joint entrances at subsequent Olympic Games and international competitions, including the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics in South Korea. Witnessing the unified march at Pyeongchang’s opening ceremony, Chang expressed to journalists that he felt “deeply moved.”

Chang’s diplomatic efforts produced earlier breakthroughs as well, including the 1991 world table tennis championships in Chiba, Japan, where the two Koreas sent their first joint men’s and women’s teams. The Pyeongchang Games later featured the first combined Korean Olympic squad in women’s ice hockey.

However, athletic cooperation between the Koreas has deteriorated alongside worsening political relationships. No sports exchanges have occurred between the nations in recent years. North Korea has avoided dialogue with both South Korea and the United States since leader Kim Jong Un’s nuclear negotiations with former U.S. President Donald Trump fell apart in 2019. Kim has since declared South Korea a permanent adversary and dismissed reunification prospects.

The IOC credited Chang with advancing athletic participation, cultural exchanges, and sport’s societal impact. IOC President Kirsty Coventry stated: “His efforts to promote cooperation on the Korean Peninsula demonstrated the power of sport to build bridges and inspire hope.”

Chang participated in various IOC committees, including Sport for All and the International Olympic Truce Foundation. North Korea’s official KCNA news agency last referenced Chang in 2023, when he received the Olympic Order during an IOC session in Mumbai, India. The award recognizes exceptional Olympic contributions, and Chang, then serving as an honorary IOC member, participated virtually in the ceremony.

MILWAUKEE — Major League Baseball umpire C.B. Bucknor’s challenging season took another turn for the worse during Tuesday night’s game between the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays.

During Milwaukee’s 6-2 triumph, Bucknor served as the first-base official when he made an error so clear-cut that video replay left both team managers grinning at each other afterward.

The controversial moment occurred in the sixth inning with the Brewers ahead 4-2. Jake Bauers connected for an infield hit but was initially ruled out when Bucknor declared he failed to make contact with first base. However, replay footage clearly demonstrated Bauers stepping directly on the center of the bag.

Following the successful challenge that reversed Bucknor’s decision, Bauers proceeded to steal second base and eventually crossed home plate on a double by Brandon Lockridge during the same inning.

“I don’t know what happened,” Bauers commented, declining to elaborate further on the blown call during his media session. “I’m just thankful to get on base and thankful to come around and score.”

This incident follows Bucknor’s poor showing with MLB’s new Automated Ball-Strike System during the previous weekend. During Cincinnati’s 6-5 extra-inning victory over Boston on Saturday, teams successfully challenged six out of eight of his decisions.

Each of the six overruled calls involved strikes that were changed to balls. The remaining two upheld calls included one ball and one strike.

Brewers skipper Pat Murphy declined to criticize the officiating during his post-game press conference.

“I’m not going to criticize that,” Murphy stated.

Television footage captured both Murphy and Rays manager Kevin Cash exchanging smiles after the replay clearly showed Bauers making contact with the base. When questioned about their reactions, Murphy explained the moment.

“Kevin and I are friends,” Murphy noted. “We hadn’t had a chance to talk to each other before the game, so we just smiled back at each other.”

When reporters asked Bauers about his appreciation for MLB’s replay technology, he responded with humor.

“Yeah, grateful for that,” he said, laughing.

Former Kent State University football coach Kenni Burns has filed a lawsuit against the school and several administrators, claiming wrongful termination, contract violations, and defamation, ESPN reports.

Burns, who was dismissed in April 2025 following a disappointing 1-23 record across two seasons with the Golden Flashes, contends in his legal filing that the university orchestrated his termination as part of a scheme to reduce financial obligations.

The lawsuit names several defendants including Kent State president Todd Diacon, senior vice president for finance and administration Mark Polatajko, general counsel David Ochmann, and the university’s board of trustees.

The university terminated Burns following an administrative leave period, citing “personal, improper or unsubstantiated purchases on his school purchasing card” and investigating a substantial loan he received from a university booster, according to various media outlets.

Burns argues in his legal challenge that the school failed to provide adequate training on proper purchasing card procedures. He maintains he supplied receipts for questionable expenses and reimbursed the university more than $7,000 through a check that officials accepted and deposited.

The lawsuit details Burns’ financial difficulties while serving as head coach, including temporary housing costs due to flooding and the university’s failure to pay his complete salary on schedule.

These financial pressures led Burns to accept monetary assistance from booster and university vendor Mike Awad. Burns maintains this arrangement received approval from a university official, though Kent State’s internal investigation found “conflicting evidence” regarding whether proper disclosure occurred.

According to the legal filing, Burns received multiple monthly loans from Awad but repaid them with interest. The university’s investigation documented that Burns returned $109,000 to Awad through various payments spanning 14 months during 2023-24.

Regarding his dismissal, the lawsuit alleges the foundation was established in early 2024 during contract extension negotiations through 2028. A contract modification changed Burns’ termination compensation from a percentage of his total agreement (approximately $2 million) to a percentage of his base salary for the firing year (roughly $371,000).

“Upon information and belief, the ‘error’ in the First Amendment allowed Kent State’s plan to wrongfully terminate Kenni Burns’ to move forward, saving the University money by not having to comply with the buy-out terms of Kenni Burns’ original contract,” the lawsuit states.

The legal filing also claims that while Burns was on administrative leave, Ochmann approached him with an offer to accept payment and “quietly walk away.” Burns was reportedly given 24 hours to consider before being told the university would pursue termination for cause.

A Kent State spokesperson informed ESPN that the university does not provide comments regarding ongoing legal proceedings.

Pittsburgh Steelers ownership is waiting for Aaron Rodgers to make up his mind about his football future.

Team owner and president Art Rooney II spoke with media Tuesday during the NFL’s annual meetings in Phoenix, saying he believes the veteran quarterback will soon decide whether to return to Pittsburgh, hang up his cleats, or sign with another team.

“I have not talked to him,” Rooney said to reporters. “Coach (Mike McCarthy) has been in contact with him pretty regularly, and I think a decision is probably coming soon.”

When reporters asked if Rodgers would make his choice before the upcoming NFL draft, Rooney responded, “I would say by the draft, I expect an answer, yeah.”

The 42-year-old quarterback came to Pittsburgh last year following 18 years with Green Bay and two seasons with the New York Jets. Rodgers led the Steelers to a 10-7 record and an AFC North championship, though their season ended with a disappointing 30-6 playoff defeat to Houston. Following that loss, head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down.

Earlier on Tuesday, McCarthy declined to discuss any timeline for Rodgers’ decision when speaking with reporters. During a March 4 appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers mentioned that no one had given him a specific deadline.

Pittsburgh has already re-signed veteran quarterback Mason Rudolph, who previously played 26 games for the team with 14 starts between 2019-21, 2023, and 2025. Will Howard remains the only other quarterback currently under contract.

Last season, the four-time MVP and 10-time Pro Bowl selection threw for 3,322 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 65.7% of his attempts.

The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 23-25, with Pittsburgh holding the 21st overall selection.

Canadian tennis player Bianca Andreescu, who previously claimed the U.S. Open title, broke an eight-month winless streak on Tuesday by defeating Hungary’s Dalma Galfi in a three-set thriller at the Credit One Charleston Open in South Carolina, winning 1-6, 6-4, 6-1.

The Canadian athlete has plummeted to 140th in global rankings following an ankle injury sustained during her home country’s open tournament in Montreal last summer. She had suffered defeats in her opening four professional matches of 2026 while working to return to form. During Tuesday’s victory, Andreescu successfully defended against five of eight break point opportunities while delivering four aces against Galfi.

Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic, seeded third, overcame Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska in a hard-fought 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3 match. Russia’s eighth-seeded Anna Kalinskaya defeated Bulgaria’s Viktoriya Tomova 6-2, 6-4, and Czech Republic’s 13th-seeded Sara Bejlek dominated American competitor Akasha Urhobo 6-1, 6-1. Additional victorious players included Uzbekistan’s Polina Kudermetova, Spain’s Paula Badosa, China’s Yue Yuan, Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva, and American Ashlyn Krueger.

The evening’s concluding match will feature Russia’s seventh-seeded Diana Shnaider facing American Katie Volynets.

Copa Colsanitas

Latvia’s Darja Semenistaja achieved a stunning upset victory over Germany’s fifth-seeded Ella Seidel in first-round competition in Bogota, Colombia, winning 6-2, 6-2 after capitalizing on four of six break point chances while successfully defending all four break points against her.

Britain’s seventh-seeded Francesca Jones suffered an early exit when Spain’s Guiomar Maristany Zuleta De Reales dominated their 66-minute encounter 6-1, 6-1. Colombia’s third-seeded Camila Osorio faced early trouble before rallying to defeat American Caroline Dolehide 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-1.

Czech Republic’s top-seeded Marie Bouzkova required only 67 minutes to overwhelm Mexico’s Ana Sofia Sanchez 6-0, 6-2. Other advancing players included Spain’s second-seeded Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, Russia’s sixth-seeded Anna Blinkova, 39-year-old American Varvara Lepchenko, Argentina’s Jazmin Ortenzi, Colombia’s Emiliana Arango, and Belgium’s Hanne Vandewinkel.

Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry has committed to giving basketball shooting lessons to 95-year-old billionaire Warren Buffett, and preparations for the unusual coaching session are already underway.

The 38-year-old NBA champion plans to study video footage beforehand to figure out the best approach for instructing the legendary investor, starting with fundamental techniques if needed.

“Whether it’s a fixed basketball rim or a portable setup, I’m confident we’ll have something available so I can fulfill my commitment to teach him some technique,” Curry explained during a video conference call Tuesday following his return to full practice and team scrimmages as he recovers from an ongoing right knee problem.

“We’ll discover what he’s capable of. I haven’t witnessed any footage of Warren Buffett attempting a jump shot, but we’ll find out.”

The Warriors guard remains hopeful about returning to game action before the regular season concludes after being absent since January 30. With seven contests left on the schedule, he’ll miss Wednesday’s matchup against San Antonio and likely Thursday’s game versus Cleveland as well, head coach Steve Kerr confirmed.

However, basketball instruction represents just one aspect of Curry and Buffett’s expanding partnership.

Curry, his wife Ayesha, and the renowned investor and philanthropist are organizing a special lunch gathering on June 24 in Omaha, Nebraska, featuring one winning bidder as they collaborate to support families in need.

The Currys and Buffett will conduct a charitable auction running from May 7-14 through online bidding on eBay to generate funds for two causes: Buffett’s long-standing support of GLIDE, a San Francisco-based social justice organization providing daily meals and programs for youth and families, and the Currys’ Eat.Learn.Play. Foundation.

This represents Curry’s newest off-court partnership while the star guard has been absent from the Warriors lineup for 25 consecutive games. In February, the animated film “GOAT” that Curry developed with Sony Pictures made its theatrical debut.

This marks the first occasion the Currys have joined Buffett’s “A Seat at the Table” charitable lunch initiative, an auction program that began in 2000 to demonstrate how sharing a meal can foster community connections and hope in underserved areas.

“Mr. Buffett’s dedication to community service investment, his servant’s heart, and considering his stature and the fact that this Seat At The Table auction has generated over $55 million through the years — plus his recognition of the community work that Ayesha, our Eat.Learn.Play. team and I have accomplished here in Oakland — having this chance to raise additional funds and awareness through his generous offer to share this platform with us is incredible,” Curry stated.

“While the monetary amount raised will be tremendous, what matters more is bringing attention to the ongoing work that must continue and how we’re actively engaging in the community to make it reality.”

Buffett contacted the couple several months ago about participating in the fundraising lunch that has become his signature charitable success over two and a half decades, generating more than $50 million for GLIDE. The proceeds will be divided between that organization and the Currys’ foundation, which assists Oakland children and families through nutritious meal programs, secure recreational areas and equipment, plus educational resources including tutoring and book access.

“Often life’s most meaningful moments arrive unexpectedly,” Curry reflected, “you simply continue your efforts. When an opportunity like this presents itself, it’s incredibly meaningful.”

Italy’s World Cup drought will extend for another cycle after the four-time champions suffered a stunning penalty shootout loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina in European playoff competition on Tuesday.

The upset eliminates FIFA’s 12th-ranked Italian squad from World Cup contention for the third tournament in a row, with their last appearance dating back to 2014.

Bosnia-Herzegovina, ranked 71st globally, secured their first World Cup qualification since 2014 with the dramatic 1-1 (4-1 on penalties) victory over the heavily favored Italians.

The match turned when Italy’s Alessandro Bastoni received a red card in the 41st minute while his team held a 1-0 advantage. Bosnia capitalized on their numerical superiority when Haris Tabakovic found the equalizer in the 79th minute, sending the contest to penalty kicks where they dominated.

Bosnia-Herzegovina will compete in Group B alongside Canada, Qatar and Switzerland when the expanded 48-team World Cup kicks off June 11 and runs through July 19.

Czechia 2, Denmark 2

Czechia earned their first World Cup qualification since 2006 after prevailing 3-1 in penalty kicks following a 2-2 draw in Prague.

The match remained deadlocked at 1-1 through regulation before Ladislav Krejci put Czechia ahead in extra time. Denmark’s Kasper Hogh responded in the 111th minute to force the penalty shootout, where Czechia proved superior.

The victory propelled Czechia from 43rd to 41st in FIFA rankings after their upset of 20th-ranked Denmark. They’ll join Mexico, South Africa and South Korea in Group A.

Sweden 3, Poland 2

Viktor Gyokeres delivered the decisive blow in the 88th minute, lifting Sweden to an upset victory in Solna and their accompanying World Cup berth.

Poland controlled much of the match with 66.7% possession and advantages in shots on target (7-5) and corner kicks (9-2), but couldn’t convert their dominance into victory.

Sweden advances to Group F where they’ll face Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.

Turkiye 1, Kosovo 0

Turkiye punched their ticket to their first World Cup since 2004 with a narrow victory in Pristina, Kosovo.

The breakthrough came in the 53rd minute when Kerem Akturkoglu converted from close range with a one-timer. The triumph boosted Turkiye three positions in the world rankings to 22nd.

Turkiye claims the final position in Group D, joining the United States, Paraguay and Australia.

Professional golfer Tiger Woods announced Tuesday that he will be taking an indefinite break from competition to receive treatment and concentrate on his personal health. The announcement follows Woods entering a not guilty plea to driving under the influence charges connected to a rollover vehicle accident that occurred in Florida within the past week.

Woods stated he would be stepping away for a “period of time” as he focuses on addressing his health concerns and seeking appropriate treatment.

A technology executive who helped build one of China’s largest electronics companies has completed a groundbreaking purchase of Miami Dolphins ownership, the NFL franchise revealed Tuesday.

Lin Bin, who co-founded smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi and serves as its vice chairman, has acquired a 1% ownership portion of the Dolphins organization in a transaction that values the franchise at an unprecedented $12.5 billion.

The National Football League gave its blessing to the minority ownership deal on Tuesday, with the transaction expected to finalize within days. Beyond the football team, the purchase encompasses Hard Rock Stadium, the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix racing event, and the Miami Open tennis tournament.

This $12.5 billion price tag establishes a new benchmark as the largest valuation ever recorded for a partial ownership transaction across all professional sports.

Bin established Xiaomi alongside other partners in 2010 after building extensive experience in the technology sector. The executive completed his master’s studies at Drexel University in Philadelphia during 1992 and spent more than fifteen years developing software for industry giants Microsoft and Google before launching his own company.

“I am privileged to have the opportunity to invest in the Miami Dolphins and the amazing sports business built by the great entrepreneur Stephen Ross,” Bin said in a statement. “This world-class team operates not only the Dolphins but also the incredible Hard Rock Stadium and a host of renowned sporting events from Formula 1 racing to the Miami Open. As a huge sports fan, it’s a wonderful investment and learning opportunity for me.”

Team owner Stephen Ross, who purchased the Dolphins for $1 billion back in 2009, has conducted several partial ownership sales in recent years. During 2024, the organization welcomed investment from Ares Management funds alongside Brooklyn Nets ownership figures Joe Tsai and Oliver Weisberg. Ares Management secured a 10% ownership share, while Tsai and Weisberg combined to purchase 3% of the franchise.

The Dolphins organization is currently undergoing significant changes that include bringing aboard new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley.

Argentine tennis star Sebastian Baez made an impressive return to the Tiriac Open in Bucharest, Romania, cruising past Lithuania’s Vilius Gaubas with a commanding 6-3, 6-1 victory in Tuesday’s Round of 32 competition.

The fifth-seeded Baez, who reached the championship match at this same tournament last year, displayed dominant form by successfully defending all five break point opportunities against him while capitalizing on four of his five chances against Gaubas. The Argentine also excelled at the net, winning six of seven points when he approached.

Baez’s next opponent will be France’s Titouan Droguet, who secured his spot by defeating Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut in a three-set thriller, 6-1, 1-6, 6-1.

Tuesday’s action featured 12 matches after Monday’s competition was postponed due to rain. Several other seeded players advanced without dropping a set, including Germany’s Daniel Altmaier (sixth seed), Argentina’s Mariano Navone (seventh seed), and the Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp (eighth seed).

Additional winners included Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Damir Dzumhur, Denmark’s Elmer Moller, Croatia’s Dino Prizmic, Kazakhstan’s Alexander Schevchenko, and three qualifiers: Spain’s Daniel Merida, Slovakia’s Alex Molcan, and Greece’s Stefanos Sakellaridis.

Meanwhile, at the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech, Morocco, Poland’s fifth-seeded Kamil Majchrzak required three sets to eliminate Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo, winning 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-3. Majchrzak was nearly perfect on his first serve, winning 44 of 49 points for an 89.8% success rate.

Peru’s seventh-seeded Ignacio Buse also needed the full three sets to advance, overcoming Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in a marathon three-hour encounter, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (2), 6-4. Despite committing 47 unforced errors, Buse managed to save six of nine break points to secure the victory.

Other first-round winners in Morocco included France’s Luca Van Assche and Alexandre Muller, Argentina’s Marco Trungelliti and Camilo Ugo Carabelli, Italy’s Mattia Bellucci, and Spain’s Rafael Jodar.

At the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship in Houston, Argentina’s sixth-seeded Tomas Martin Etcheverry staged a comeback against fellow Argentine qualifier Federico Agustin Gomez, prevailing 6-1, 1-6, 6-4. While Gomez out-hit Etcheverry 30-9 in winners, he also committed 36 unforced errors that proved costly.

American wild card Nishesh Basavareddy also required three sets to advance, defeating Canadian qualifier Liam Draxl 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.

Four additional matches were scheduled for Tuesday evening in Houston, featuring fifth-seeded Brandon Nakashima against fellow American Martin Damm, and seventh-seeded Alex Michelsen of the United States taking on Coleman Wong from Hong Kong.

Professional golfer Tiger Woods displayed clear signs of impairment following his recent vehicle accident in Florida, according to a newly released law enforcement report.

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office documented that Woods appeared with dilated pupils, bloodshot and glassy eyes when deputies arrived at the crash scene. According to the report made public Tuesday, the golf star moved slowly and appeared lethargic while speaking with officers, and was perspiring during questioning. Deputies discovered hydrocodone tablets on Woods during their investigation. Woods informed officers he had consumed prescription drugs earlier that morning. Both drivers involved in the incident escaped without injuries. Representatives from Excel Sports, Woods’ management company, have not returned requests for comment.

The incident has once again thrust Woods into negative headlines as golf’s premier tournament, the Masters, approaches. The crash and subsequent DUI arrest have brought his career legacy back into scrutiny. According to Tuesday’s incident documentation, Woods was traveling at excessive speed when his SUV overturned on Friday. Law enforcement reports indicate he declined to provide a urine sample for testing. Woods explained to deputies that he had been looking at his mobile device and adjusting his vehicle’s radio system before the accident occurred. He acknowledged taking prescribed medication that morning, and officers located hydrocodone pills during their search. Woods must appear in court on April 23rd. Golf industry officials and corporate sponsors with financial interests in Woods have remained silent about the situation.

In other professional sports news, the National Football League has implemented a temporary rule change for the upcoming season. The league’s competition committee approved a one-year measure allowing New York’s replay center to overturn obvious errors made by field officials during games, specifically in preparation for potential work stoppages involving the NFL Referees Association. This announcement came Tuesday during the league’s yearly meetings in Phoenix. The NFL plans to recruit and prepare substitute officials in coming weeks due to stalled contract negotiations with the referees’ union, according to sources familiar with the talks.

European soccer saw dramatic playoff action as Italy fought to avoid missing a third consecutive World Cup. The four-time champion nation faced Bosnia and Herzegovina in qualifying playoffs, with the match extending to overtime tied 1-1 and Italy playing with ten players. Italy failed to qualify for the previous two World Cups after playoff losses to Sweden and North Macedonia, and hasn’t participated in soccer’s biggest tournament since 2014. In other Tuesday playoff results, Sweden defeated Poland 3-2 and Turkey beat Kosovo 1-0 to secure their World Cup spots. The Czech Republic and Denmark also went to extra time with a 1-1 deadlock.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with Iran’s national soccer team in Turkey, pledging continued support for their World Cup preparations. During the team’s warmup match against Costa Rica, Iranian players and officials displayed photographs of children reportedly killed in U.S. and Israeli military strikes since February 28th while their national anthem played. Infantino posted on social media that FIFA would maintain support to ensure optimal preparation conditions for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

A groundbreaking female NFL official has filed a federal lawsuit against the league, alleging gender discrimination during her employment from 2022 to 2025. Robin DeLorenzo, one of the first three women to officiate NFL games, claims she endured gender-based criticism, humiliation, and outright hostility throughout her tenure. Her Manhattan federal court filing, submitted Friday, seeks reinstatement and unspecified monetary damages. NFL representatives stated DeLorenzo was dismissed due to three seasons of poor performance and characterized her lawsuit as without merit. The NFL Referees Association has not responded to comment requests.

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak expressed his preference that rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza not start immediately if circumstances allow. The Raiders are anticipated to select the Heisman Trophy winner with the first overall draft pick next month. Mendoza guided Indiana to its inaugural national championship and emerged as the clear favorite for the top selection. Currently, Aidan O’Connell remains the only other quarterback on the Raiders roster after the team traded away Geno Smith and Kenny Pickett. Veteran free agents Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Russell Wilson remain available.

The NCAA women’s basketball tournament, despite numerous lopsided games, has reached its Final Four with the expected teams advancing. For the first time since 1996, the same four teams returned to the Final Four from the previous year, and for the first time since 2018, all top seeds advanced this far. Friday’s opening semifinal in Phoenix features South Carolina against UConn in a rematch of the 2025 championship game. Texas will face UCLA in the second semifinal, with the title game scheduled for Sunday.

UConn guard Braylon Mullins has become college basketball’s newest sensation after his game-winning shot against Duke, bringing excitement to his hometown of Greenfield, Indiana. The typically quiet community of 25,000 residents celebrated their local hero’s clutch performance. The 19-year-old freshman standout from Greenfield-Central has helped UConn reach its third Final Four in four seasons. Saturday’s semifinal against Illinois will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, just 25 miles from Mullins’ hometown.

The world’s tallest college basketball player is changing schools. Florida’s Olivier Rioux, standing 7-foot-9 and holding the Guinness World Record as the world’s tallest teenager, announced his entry into the transfer portal, which officially opens April 7th. The 20-year-old Canadian center, despite being the most recognizable athlete on Florida’s campus, played limited minutes during his two seasons with the Gators. In 15 total minutes of action, he recorded seven points, six rebounds, and one assist. The sophomore is seeking increased playing opportunities at his next destination.

The National Football League’s competition committee has established a temporary regulation for the coming season that enables the New York-based replay center to overturn “clear and obvious mistakes made by on-field officials that impact the game” should a work stoppage occur with the NFL Referees Association.

This regulation was among several rule modifications announced during Tuesday’s league annual meetings in Phoenix.

According to two sources familiar with the situation who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the talks, the NFL plans to recruit and prepare substitute officials in the coming weeks following unsuccessful contract negotiations with the referees’ union.

Contract discussions between the league and the NFL Referees Association have been ongoing since summer 2024, with the existing collective bargaining agreement set to expire on May 31.

The NFL’s previous experience with substitute officials resulted in league-wide embarrassment when a missed call and on-field chaos during a nationally televised game ultimately ended a lockout that damaged the opening three weeks of the 2012 season.

An additional rule modification approved Tuesday enables the New York replay center to collaborate with field officials regarding potential ejections for both aggressive football-related actions and non-football conduct that wasn’t flagged during play.

This adjustment follows an incident last season when Pittsburgh wide receiver DK Metcalf avoided ejection during a game in Detroit after engaging in a confrontation with a taunting spectator. Since the field officials missed Metcalf’s swipe at the fan and didn’t issue a penalty, the replay center couldn’t remove him from the game.

While the league later imposed a two-game suspension on Metcalf, he continued playing during that contest.

The committee also approved three modifications to kickoff regulations, including allowing the kicking team to announce an onside kick attempt at any point during the game, independent of the current score. Under previous rules, only teams that were behind could execute onside kicks.

A groundbreaking female NFL referee has filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against the league, alleging she endured years of gender-based mistreatment before losing her job last month.

Robin DeLorenzo, who made history as one of the first three women to referee NFL games, filed the complaint in Manhattan federal court on Friday. She claims the league subjected her to discriminatory scrutiny, harassment, and hostile treatment throughout her tenure from 2022 to 2025.

The legal action seeks her reinstatement as an official plus unspecified monetary damages. Neither the NFL nor the NFL Referees Association responded immediately to requests for comment.

DeLorenzo’s journey to professional football began with encouragement from her father, who helped guide her through high school and college officiating ranks. In a 2023 NFL.com interview, she recalled the emotional moment when the league’s senior vice president of officiating allowed her father to share the promotion news.

“Once he gave me the news, my dad and I just stared at each other crying for about five minutes,” DeLorenzo told NFL.com. “It was the most magical night.”

However, the lawsuit paints a starkly different picture of her NFL experience. The longtime New Jersey resident claims problems began immediately when she received men’s uniforms and was instructed to display her ponytail through her hat’s back opening, apparently to emphasize her gender on the field. The constant focus on her appearance eventually made her consider cutting her hair, according to court documents.

The legal filing details a particularly embarrassing incident during training camp when a crew chief allegedly told then-Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin that DeLorenzo should perform like rookie players by singing publicly. The lawsuit states she was forced to give what she called “an utterly humiliating singing performance” before Steelers players, her male colleagues, and supervisors who recorded the event despite promising not to.

Court papers allege that her crew chief, who had previously faced accusations of mistreating another female employee, continued harassing her with profanity and inappropriate comments throughout the following weeks. By season’s end, he reportedly refused to communicate with her at all.

In 2024, despite union objections, DeLorenzo was required to participate in training designed for entry-level college officials – a mandate never imposed on male referees, the lawsuit claims.

“It was a male power play that served its purpose of humiliating plaintiff, shattering her confidence, and significantly hindering her NFL career,” the legal document states.

The league terminated DeLorenzo’s employment on February 18, 2025.

Her legal team argues she spent two decades climbing the officiating ladder, “breaking barriers, making history, and outperforming expectations at every level” only to encounter “hostility, retaliation, and systemic inequality” in a league that publicly promotes women’s opportunities.

The lawsuit contends that rather than supporting one of its few female officials, the NFL allowed “unchecked harassment,” provided unequal resources compared to men, and manipulated her training and evaluation processes before ending her career based on assessments from those who allegedly discriminated against her.

According to the filing, the damage to DeLorenzo’s career cannot be undone, while the emotional and professional harm she suffered has been enormous.

NEW YORK — National Hockey League teams will no longer be able to exploit a loophole that allowed them to hide injured players until the playoffs began, then suddenly activate high-priced talent without salary restrictions.

Beginning with this year’s postseason, every game lineup must comply with salary cap limits that previously didn’t exist during playoff competition. To help teams manage this new requirement, the league has introduced a specialized calculator within the SAP-NHL Front Office App that executives have utilized for over a year.

“Once we were going to cap-compliant rosters for playoff games, we needed something that would enable us to do it in real time,” Commissioner Gary Bettman told The Associated Press. “It was an issue that a lot of people were concerned about. I’m glad we were able to solve it conceptually, and I’m glad that SAP and Central Registry were able to create a tool that made it realistic for teams to comply with this in real time.”

This regulation modification stems from the collective bargaining agreement negotiated with the players association last summer. The change addresses longstanding grievances about the long-term injured reserve workaround, which allowed multiple franchises to acquire expensive players at trade deadlines and make extended playoff appearances, including Stanley Cup victories.

Following Carolina’s 2021 second-round elimination by Tampa Bay, Dougie Hamilton notably stated, “We lost to a team that’s $18 million over the cap.”

According to the collective bargaining agreement terms, organizations aren’t required to keep their complete playoff squad beneath the salary ceiling, but the combined annual wages of active skaters and goaltenders for each contest cannot surpass $95.5 million.

The strategic planning application, which The Associated Press received a preview of, enables users to experiment with different lineup combinations to verify salary cap compliance. The Edmonton Oilers, as an example, must address Leon Draisaitl’s $14 million salary cap impact when the star player returns from his current injury that will keep him out through the regular season’s conclusion.

“You do it and it tells you if it doesn’t work, and it lets you pick and choose and substitution,” Bettman said. “It’s absolutely ingenious.”

Originally designed for iPad devices, the application became available on iPhones in December. The playoff salary calculator that the league officially announced Tuesday has been accessible since early February, just prior to the roster freeze before the Olympic break. NHL VP of Digital Business Development Chris Foster reported that utilization has grown substantially among all 32 franchises.

“Introducing on iPhone, the playoff cap projector — those weren’t in our original timelines,” Foster said, acknowledging the scenario-building was first considered a trading and free agency tool before the CBA changes came about. “We quickly shifted. It’s a credit to our Central Registry group. They flagged right away this is going to be needed, and we knew it was coming before the teams really knew about it, so it was their leadership that helped drive this change in the roadmap.”

Daniel Beringer, SAP’s Global Head of Technology and Innovation, explained that converting contract information from traditional paper binders into digital format required significant effort, but now allows for rapid real-time modifications.

“I would argue if the commissioner would ask for an app for his new Apple Watch, he could get that in a week or two now,” Beringer said. “It’s getting easier and easier to have additional functionality.”

PHOENIX (AP) — Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak hopes Fernando Mendoza won’t be thrown into the starting role immediately if the team drafts him.

Las Vegas is anticipated to choose the Heisman Trophy champion with the top selection in next month’s NFL draft. Mendoza guided Indiana to their inaugural national title and has emerged as the clear frontrunner for the first overall pick.

“Ideally, you don’t want him to start from day one,” Kubiak said Tuesday. “You’d love him to be able to learn behind somebody. That’s in a perfect world. It doesn’t always work out that way. Sometimes they have to play from day one and it’s our job as coaches to get them ready to go. I think it does help the player if they can sit behind a mature adult and watch how they run the show.”

Aidan O’Connell remains the sole quarterback on Las Vegas’ roster following trades involving Geno Smith and Kenny Pickett. Available free agents include Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo and Russell Wilson.

Kubiak, previously the offensive coordinator for Super Bowl-winning Seattle, took over from Pete Carroll with plans to revitalize a franchise that hasn’t secured a playoff victory since their AFC championship appearance after the 2002 campaign.

The foundation begins with securing a cornerstone quarterback.

“He’s a national champion, he’s a winner,” Kubiak said of Mendoza. “He’s quick. He’s intelligent.”

Defensively, Las Vegas retained five-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Maxx Crosby after his proposed trade to Baltimore collapsed due to a failed physical examination.

Kubiak acknowledged his positive reaction when general manager John Spytek informed him about the cancelled transaction.

“We got Maxx back. Are you kidding me? That’s great. Our team just got better,” Kubiak said.

Crosby returned to the team’s training facility the following day to continue knee rehabilitation, and Kubiak frequently encounters him there.

“We’re happy to have Maxx back on the team. He’s the best player on our defense,” Kubiak said. “He’s going to be a leader on our team and a guy that we’re counting on to go win a lot of games with him.”

Baltimore coach Jesse Minter expressed the organization’s enthusiasm about potentially acquiring Crosby and their disappointment when negotiations collapsed. The Ravens quickly adjusted by signing 2024 All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson.

“So much respect for Maxx,” Minter said. “Tons of respect for him as a player and the Raiders as an organization.”

New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn maintains elevated expectations for Smith, who endured a difficult season with Las Vegas after reconnecting with Carroll.

The 35-year-old quarterback topped the league with 17 interceptions and posted a 2-13 record in Las Vegas last year. He earned Pro Bowl selections in Seattle during 2022 and 2023 after taking over for Wilson.

“I just feel like he’s the guy who’s gonna lead us to the promised land,” Glenn said.

New York holds the NFL’s longest current playoff absence at 15 seasons.

Cleveland is providing Deshaun Watson a chance to compete for the starting position alongside Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, optimistic he could become another quarterback to engineer a remarkable comeback.

Sam Darnold transformed from castoff to leading Seattle to a Super Bowl championship.

“There are a lot of quarterbacks who — it seems to be kind of the theme in the NFL — either started or did not start well and then take their team to a Super Bowl championship, right?” Browns owner Jimmy Haslam told reporters. “And what a great story that is for Sam Darnold. Deshaun started great, and the year before we signed him, he was rated the second-best quarterback in the NFL. And then the suspension and the injuries and all that piled up. Can he come back from that? He certainly had the ability at one point in time, and we’re cautiously optimistic. But we’ll see.”

Watson is completing the final year of a $230 million, five-year fully guaranteed deal that has proven catastrophic for the franchise. He’s appeared in only 19 games with a 9-10 record. Watson hasn’t competed since 2024 following two ruptures of his right Achilles tendon.

New Cleveland coach Todd Monken stated he won’t distribute practice repetitions equally, instead adjusting daily based on player performance. This approach means Sanders, who concluded last season as the starter, might begin with the majority of snaps. Monken noted Sanders has maintained a consistent presence at team facilities during the offseason.

Denver coach Sean Payton joins those questioning whether NFL players belong on Team USA’s men’s flag football squad.

“I’ll be surprised if there’s one NFL player on that roster,” Payton said.

He led one of two teams that finished 0-3 in a round-robin competition against the men’s national squad on March 21.

A source with knowledge of the negotiations confirmed Tuesday that the Seattle Mariners have finalized a historic $95 million, eight-year contract with rising star Colt Emerson.

This groundbreaking agreement, beginning with the current season and featuring a club option extending through 2034, sets a new record as the most lucrative contract awarded to any player prior to their major league debut.

The individual providing this information requested anonymity since the organization has not yet made an official announcement regarding the signing.

Seattle chose the promising 20-year-old infielder as their 22nd selection during the 2023 draft. Baseball America recognized Emerson’s potential by ranking him seventh among all prospects heading into this season.

During his brief stint with Triple-A Tacoma this year, Emerson posted impressive numbers, hitting .357 with one home run, one double, and achieving a perfect 1.000 OPS across three contests. His spring training performance with the Mariners included 18 appearances where he compiled a .268 batting average, connected for two home runs, drove in eight runs, and maintained an .828 OPS.

CLEVELAND (AP) — In what may be the most unusual real estate posting ever, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ home venue has appeared on Redfin as a property listing.

Rocket Arena was posted Tuesday on the real estate platform, showcasing the massive 823,000-square-foot downtown Cleveland venue that seats 19,432 fans and features 118 restrooms along with what the listing describes as “an open-concept design built to bring people together.”

The facility, which first opened its doors in 1994, serves as home base for the Cavaliers and will also house a WNBA franchise starting in 2028, plus an American Hockey League team.

The creative marketing approach by Redfin and the Cavaliers aims to draw attention to a special open house and garage sale event planned for Thursday at the arena, though the venue itself is not actually on the market. A massive 46-foot yard sign advertising the open house has been erected outside the building.

The collaboration makes sense given business connections between the companies. Redfin joined Rocket Companies in July, while Cavaliers owner and chairman Dan Gilbert founded and chairs the board of Rocket.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino made an unexpected appearance at Iran’s soccer match on Tuesday, demonstrating his commitment to ensuring the nation competes in the upcoming World Cup despite ongoing disputes over where their games will be held.

The FIFA leader watched Iran defeat Costa Rica 5-0 in a friendly match held in Turkey, using the opportunity to address concerns about the team’s tournament participation amid escalating Middle East conflicts.

Iranian officials have been working to move their World Cup games from United States venues to Mexico, pointing to American military actions supporting Israel in the regional conflict as their reasoning for the requested change.

The Iranian soccer federation announced earlier this month that they were negotiating with FIFA about switching venues, while Iran’s Sports Ministry has prohibited national and club teams from traveling to nations they view as hostile.

Despite these complications, FIFA has stated it expects all qualified teams to participate according to the schedule released in December.

“I am very pleased that the Iran national team is currently holding its training camp… We have only one plan for this team. Iran has qualified for the World Cup and will play in the tournament,” Infantino told Iranian media outlets at the match in Antalya.

“Personally, I will do whatever I can to make sure everything is in order.”

Iran earned their World Cup spot by excelling in Asian qualifying matches last March and is set to face Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand in Group G, with all three games currently scheduled for American cities – two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.

During his address to the Iranian players, Infantino emphasized his support while avoiding political discussions, stating they were “not pursuing politics.”

President Donald Trump recently commented that while Iran’s team could play in America, it might pose risks to their “life and safety.”

“From now until the World Cup, I will do whatever I can to support the Iran national team,” Infantino declared.

“If you want to organise a training camp or if there is any matter related to activities outside the country, whatever it is, I will help.”

“Whenever you want, please stay in contact. I am at your service and will help with anything you need.”