Category: Sports

The New York Jets have secured running back Breece Hall with the franchise tag, according to a source close to the situation, guaranteeing the star player remains with the team for at least another season.

An individual with knowledge of the move confirmed to The Associated Press that New York applied the non-exclusive franchise tag to Hall, which locks in a one-year deal valued at approximately $14.3 million. The source requested anonymity as the organization has not yet made an official announcement.

SNY was first to break the news of this decision.

This makes Hall the third player across the league to receive the franchise tag during this offseason, joining Dallas wide receiver George Pickens and Atlanta tight end Kyle Pitts, who both received their tags well ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.

Under franchise tag rules, players can still negotiate offer sheets from other teams once free agency begins March 11, though their original franchises have five days to match any proposal or receive two first-round draft picks in return.

Other players being considered for potential franchise tags include Indianapolis quarterback Daniel Jones and receiver Alec Pierce, Cincinnati pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, Seattle’s Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III, and Chargers edge rusher Odafe Oweh.

This year’s three franchise tags already exceed last season’s total of two, which marked the lowest number since 1994, according to NFL records. Between 2020-24, teams averaged more than nine franchise tags annually.

The 24-year-old Hall, who will turn 25 in May, was selected in the second round of the 2022 draft from Iowa State. Unlike first-round teammates Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson, Hall did not receive a contract extension last offseason, creating questions about his long-term future with the organization and sparking trade speculation before last year’s deadline.

However, head coach Aaron Glenn emphasized the team’s commitment to keeping Hall as their offensive cornerstone. The Jets had planned to utilize a three-back rotation featuring Hall alongside Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, but Allen’s knee injury that placed him on injured reserve left Davis as a clear backup option.

With new offensive coordinator Frank Reich on board, the Jets face a quarterback search this offseason, but the franchise tag on Hall ensures they retain their dynamic playmaker while potentially working toward a long-term contract extension.

Hall achieved a career-best 1,065 rushing yards in 2025 despite sitting out the season finale due to a knee issue, becoming the first Jets player to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season since Chris Ivory accomplished the feat in 2015. Hall joins just five other players in franchise history to record 1,000 yards from scrimmage in three consecutive seasons.

Among NFL running backs, only 2024 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley is scheduled to earn more than $14 million next season, with the Philadelphia Eagles paying him $16.75 million.

Pickens’ franchise tag carries a value of roughly $27.3 million for the upcoming season as Dallas works to retain the receiver they acquired from Pittsburgh last offseason.

The 25-year-old Pickens, who celebrates his birthday Wednesday, posted career-high numbers with 93 receptions, 1,429 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns while playing for one of the NFL’s top offenses last season. Despite their offensive success, Dallas struggled defensively and finished 7-9-1, missing the playoffs for consecutive years.

Pitts’ tag is valued at approximately $15 million for next season. The 2021 fourth overall draft pick earned second-team All-Pro recognition after recording a career-high 88 catches and five touchdowns last season. His 928 receiving yards ranked second among NFL tight ends, trailing only Arizona’s Trey McBride.

Organizations have until July 15 to negotiate long-term contracts with franchise-tagged players, otherwise those players will compete under one-year agreements for the 2026 season.

The Indianapolis Colts are racing against Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline to make a crucial decision about quarterback Daniel Jones, who could receive the franchise tag if contract extension talks don’t reach an agreement before the cutoff.

While Jones continues his recovery from an Achilles tear, the Colts face the possibility of losing him to another team in free agency if they allow negotiations to extend past Tuesday’s franchise tag deadline.

The organization appears ready to move on from quarterback Anthony Richardson, who submitted a trade request last week. All indications suggest Indianapolis plans to build their future around Jones.

General Manager Chris Ballard expressed confidence in Jones’ recovery progress and work ethic during recent comments.

“He’s on track,” Ballard stated. “With the Achilles, it’s the three-month mark where you’re kind of past the danger zone. What is he at now? Seven weeks, eight weeks. Y’all have been around Daniel enough to know, he’s pretty diligent in everything he does. You almost have to bring him back a little bit, but we feel good enough about where he’s at and where he’s going.”

The quarterback franchise tag carries a hefty price of $43.895 million, which could impact the team’s ability to retain other key players like unrestricted free agent wide receiver Alec Pierce.

Despite his injury concerns, Jones would likely attract significant attention on the open market. Several teams including the Vikings, Dolphins, Jets, and Cardinals are searching for quarterback solutions. Minnesota particularly needs help after both Jones and Sam Darnold departed following the team’s 14-win playoff season.

Ballard acknowledged the importance of retaining both players when discussing the franchise tag strategy.

“Daniel and Alec are such big pieces,” Ballard commented at the NFL Scouting Combine. “We move and fit from there.”

The Colts could alternatively use the franchise tag on Pierce for $27.298 million, but that approach carries the risk of losing Jones if they haven’t already locked him up with a long-term deal.

While getting ready to defend his title at this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, golfer Russell Henley shared his perspective on whether The Players Championship deserves status as golf’s fifth major tournament.

Speaking with media on Tuesday at Bay Hill, Florida, Henley expressed strong support for the idea.

“I think it’s a major. It’s our home tournament. I don’t know the statistics on like what they say, like best field in golf or whatever, but, I mean, it is,” Henley stated during his press conference.

The 36-year-old golfer elaborated on what makes the tournament special, emphasizing the course’s demanding nature and rich tradition.

“And the history with that tournament? I mean, I’ve always considered that a major in my mind. It’s just such a tricky golf course and it rewards great shots, typically. It visually is very intimidating. I feel like if you have a good week there you’ve done a lot of really good things,” he explained.

Henley captured his fifth PGA Tour victory at Bay Hill Club and Lodge last season, though he has yet to claim his first major championship. Following his narrow one-shot victory over Collin Morikawa at last year’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, he finished tied for 30th at The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

When discussing the tournament’s competitive history, Henley noted its unpredictable nature.

“You look at the past champions (of The Players) and nobody is really, it hasn’t really favored any one player. People typically don’t win it back-to-back, unless you’re Scottie (Scheffler, 2023-24),” Henley observed. “But it’s a tournament I always look forward to, I love the challenge of it, and it’s one of, yeah, I consider it a major.”

Asked about how highly he would value a Players Championship victory among other major wins, Henley emphasized the course’s demanding test.

“I mean, winning there, when you win on a golf course like that, with that kind of history, I mean it proves you can do it anywhere, I think, for sure,” he said. “Those closing holes are really tough, I would imagine, when you’re carrying a lead.”

Looking back at his dramatic victory last year, Henley recalled the crucial eagle chip-in at the par-5 16th hole that helped secure his first win since the 2022 World Wide Technology Classic.

“Once that chip went in on 16, I knew the tournament was far from over, I only had a one-shot lead, and I had two really difficult holes to play, so I knew I had a lot of work cut out for me,” he reflected. “I knew Collin was playing great and I knew he would play great under pressure like he always does. Just a lot of different ups and downs of emotions and really proud of myself for just hanging tough all day and seeing it all the way through.”

Should Henley successfully defend his title this week, he would become the first golfer to win consecutive Arnold Palmer Invitational tournaments since Matt Every accomplished the feat in 2014 and 2015.

Escalating tensions involving Iran’s conflict with the United States and Israel have created widespread disruptions across the international sports world, forcing event cancellations and leaving athletes stranded at airports worldwide.

Paralympic Athletes Face Travel Challenges

The International Paralympic Committee announced Tuesday it’s actively seeking solutions after multiple athletes encountered significant travel obstacles reaching the Milano Cortina Winter Paralympic Games. Middle Eastern airport disruptions have created logistical nightmares for competitors.

“The closure of airspace in the Middle East is impacting the arrival of some stakeholders… we are working diligently with Milano Cortina 2026 to find solutions for those affected,” the IPC stated on Tuesday.

UAE Tennis Tournament Suspended Over Security Concerns

Competition at the Fujairah Challenger tennis event came to an immediate halt Tuesday following a security emergency, with organizers cancelling the remainder of the day’s matches. Local officials in Fujairah dealt with a blaze sparked by debris after air defense systems intercepted an incoming drone over the oil sector.

Soccer Competitions Across Region Called Off

Iranian authorities have suspended all athletic competitions indefinitely, including matches in the nation’s premier Persian Gulf Pro League. Monday and Tuesday’s Asian Champions League Elite fixtures throughout the Middle East were also delayed.

Qatar’s Football Association has put all domestic soccer matches on indefinite hold, creating uncertainty around a high-profile March 27 exhibition between Spain and Argentina scheduled for Doha.

Tennis Stars Stranded in Dubai

Russian tennis professionals Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, who competed in last week’s Dubai Tennis Championships, are experiencing difficulties reaching California for the upcoming Indian Wells Open tournament. The ATP Tour is closely monitoring their situation along with other affected players dealing with similar travel complications.

Formula One Races Under Review

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem emphasized that safety considerations will drive decisions regarding next month’s Formula One competitions in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

“Safety and wellbeing will guide our decisions as we assess the forthcoming events scheduled there for the FIA World Endurance Championship and the FIA Formula One world championship,” he announced Monday.

Badminton Champion Forced to Withdraw

Olympic medalist PV Sindhu spent several days trapped at Dubai’s airport while attempting to reach the All England Open, ultimately returning to India Tuesday. The Badminton World Federation confirmed the former world champion’s tournament withdrawal.

“Back home in Bangalore and safe. The last few days have been intense and uncertain, but I’m truly grateful to be back to my house,” Sindhu posted on social media platform X.

Cricket Teams Extend India Stay

Both West Indies and Zimbabwe cricket squads announced Monday they’re postponing their departures from India following their Twenty20 World Cup elimination. Zimbabwe’s team had planned to return via Dubai but remains safely in India, according to their cricket association. Cricket West Indies is coordinating with the International Cricket Council to arrange secure transportation for players and support staff.

MIAMI — After nearly two decades in professional basketball, Kevin Durant has witnessed plenty of NBA seasons where championship favorites emerged clearly by March. This year tells a different story entirely.

The current campaign presents an unusually competitive landscape, featuring numerous legitimate title hopefuls across both conferences. Durant, now playing for the Houston Rockets who find themselves among those contending teams, welcomes this competitive balance.

“Thank God for second aprons and the first aprons,” Durant commented.

Those words would have seemed unlikely just a few seasons ago, yet the current collective bargaining agreement’s salary restrictions have transformed team-building strategies. These payroll thresholds severely restrict roster flexibility when exceeded, creating the parity Durant appreciates.

Detroit has surprisingly positioned itself atop the Eastern Conference, while defending champion Oklahoma City leads the West as anticipated. Second-place Boston and San Antonio represent unexpected developments — the Celtics have managed without Jayson Tatum, while the Spurs haven’t captured a playoff series since Victor Wembanyama turned 13.

Multiple Eastern Conference teams including Detroit, Boston, New York, and Cleveland could realistically advance to the Finals. Similarly, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Houston, Minnesota, and Denver all possess legitimate Western Conference championship credentials, with several other franchises harboring similar aspirations.

When questioned about this season’s competitive balance over the weekend, Durant’s enthusiasm became evident.

“We wanted some parity and I think the last few years we’ve gotten exactly that,” he explained. “I mean, it’s fun for everybody watching the game, not knowing exactly who’s going to be around at the end of the season. And as a team, it gives you confidence to know that even though you don’t play your best ball around this time, nobody really is. … Teams are trying to figure out which lineups they want to use, (after) trades, all of that stuff, so it’s a fun time to be in the league.”

That word choice — fun — carries particular significance given current circumstances.

The Western Conference maintains its traditionally brutal competitiveness. Houston occupied third place Monday, holding just a two-game advantage over sixth-place Los Angeles Lakers and only 3.5 games ahead of seventh-place Phoenix. For the third consecutive season, a .600 regular season winning percentage likely won’t guarantee home-court advantage in the opening playoff round.

Fun?

“I don’t know if fun’s the word,” Rockets head coach Ime Udoka responded. “You try to handle your own business and take care of yourself and be playing the right way and try to get healthy, healthier, as healthy as you can be going into the playoffs. You can’t afford to have off nights in our conference. You can go from 3 to 7 pretty quickly.”

Oklahoma City remains the betting favorite according to BetMGM Sportsbook at nearly even odds (+150), followed by Denver (+700) and San Antonio (+750). Cleveland leads Eastern Conference championship odds, with Boston and Detroit trailing closely.

The NBA has entered an unprecedented parity period — seven different franchises have claimed titles over the past seven seasons, a streak never before achieved in league history. An eighth different champion appears entirely possible. Durant hopes Houston joins that exclusive list, though numerous other organizations share similar championship ambitions.

Remarkably, playoff action begins next month. The remaining 20 regular season games serve different purposes — some teams focus on seeding positioning, others build momentum, all seeking optimal preparation for high-stakes competition.

“You never know who can make a run in the playoffs,” Durant concluded. “We’re looking forward to using these games to continue to get better and keep growing and we’ll see what happens.”

Japan enters this year’s World Baseball Classic with superstar Shohei Ohtani at the helm, aiming to capture their fourth championship while facing stiff competition from Team USA and other international powerhouses including the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.

The tournament kicks off Thursday with high expectations following the thrilling 2023 edition, which concluded with Ohtani delivering a strikeout against his former Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout to clinch Japan’s title in what many called a defining moment for Japanese baseball.

Since that dramatic finale, Ohtani has joined the Los Angeles Dodgers and claimed two consecutive World Series championships. However, this time around, the two-way sensation will focus exclusively on hitting rather than pitching as he manages his workload before returning to the Dodgers for another championship pursuit.

“It’s been a great offseason. Mostly business as usual,” Ohtani said through an interpreter in comments published on MLB’s website. “I think the good thing is that I wasn’t hurt this year or had any injury… I’m very healthy. Glad that I am.”

While Japan won’t utilize Ohtani’s pitching talents, they maintain a strong rotation featuring Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Yuki Matsui, combined with offensive firepower and stellar defense that has helped the nation reach at least the semifinals in every WBC tournament.

The sixth installment of baseball’s top international competition runs March 5-17 across four cities: Tokyo, Puerto Rico, Houston, and Miami.

Twenty nations will compete in four initial pools, with the top two teams from each group advancing to single-elimination rounds played exclusively in the United States.

As the only country with multiple WBC victories, Japan will host their pool matches at home, beginning Friday against Taiwan before facing South Korea, Australia, and the Czech Republic.

Team USA arrives with what some experts believe represents one of the most talented baseball rosters ever assembled, fueled by growing international interest following the memorable 2023 tournament.

The Americans, hungry for revenge and their first WBC crown since 2017, feature captain Aaron Judge, a three-time American League MVP, along with Cal Raleigh, who topped the AL with 60 home runs last season, plus 2025 Cy Young Award winners Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal.

Team USA opens Friday against Brazil in Houston before meeting Britain, Mexico, and Italy in Pool B competition.

“Playing with Team USA builds a really good bond, and we’ve shared that with each team that I’ve been on for the last five times,” American infielder Alex Bregman commented. “I’m looking forward to doing it with these guys.”

Puerto Rico stands as the favorite in Pool A action in San Juan, competing against Canada, Colombia, Cuba, and Panama.

Pool D in Miami showcases powerhouses Dominican Republic and Venezuela alongside two-time semifinalists Netherlands, plus Israel and Nicaragua.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Dominican outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr., who sat out the previous WBC due to a doping suspension. “It’s what I wanted as a kid. Being able to do it now, at this stage of my life and my career, it’s a special moment.”

Professional golfer Jon Rahm delivered harsh criticism Tuesday explaining his decision not to join eight other LIV Golf competitors who agreed to participate on the DP World Tour.

Eight players including Laurie Canter, Thomas Detry, Tyrrell Hatton, Tom McKibbin, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, David Puig and Elvis Smylie accepted the conditions established by the DP World Tour, previously called the European Tour. These golfers committed to paying outstanding penalties, participating in a required number of tournaments, and withdrawing current appeals.

The Spanish golfer characterized these demands as “extorting players like myself.”

Media outlets report Rahm faces penalties ranging from $2 million to $3 million with the DPWT. The tour would also mandate his participation in six tournaments, with the organization selecting two of those events.

“I don’t know what game they’re trying to play right now,” Rahm stated, “but it just seems like in a way they’re using us to (capitalize on) our impact in tournaments and fining us and trying to benefit both ways from what we have to offer, and it’s just in a way they’re extorting players like myself and young players that have nothing to do with the politics of the game.”

“So I don’t like the situation and I’m not going to agree to that.”

“Now, I did tell them, funny enough, lower that to four events, like the minimum says, and I’ll sign tonight. They haven’t agreed to that. I just refuse to play six events. I don’t want to, and that’s not what the rules say.”

The 31-year-old athlete continued, “I just don’t like the situation. I think we should be able to freely play where we want and have the choice to play where we want and not be dictated what we do. Especially myself. I can’t speak for others, only myself.”

“I’ve always committed to play the minimum requirement (on the DPWT), and I think I’ve played four events, including the Spanish Open, every year except one as a pro, and I commit to do that. That’s not going to change. I still fully intend to do that.”

Maintaining his current stance would prevent Rahm from representing Europe in the 2027 Ryder Cup scheduled for Limerick, Ireland. He has competed for the European team in four consecutive competitions, claiming victory three times with a 9-5-3 individual record.

Meanwhile, Hatton, who has appeared on four European teams and holds an 8-4-3 Ryder Cup record, secured his eligibility by accepting the DPWT’s conditions.

“I’ll gladly pay my way to go on the Ryder Cup, not have to pay to still be a member of the DP World Tour and fulfill a commitment that I’m fully willing to commit,” Rahm explained.

Despite off-course controversies, Rahm continues excelling competitively. He placed second in both opening LIV events this season in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Adelaide, Australia, while preparing for Thursday’s Hong Kong tournament.

“Happy with my play so far,” Rahm commented. “I wish I could have converted one of those wins.”

The Dallas Stars made franchise history Monday evening, defeating the Vancouver Canucks 6-1 on the road to capture their ninth consecutive victory and break their previous team record.

Lian Bichsel found the net twice, with his second goal proving to be the game-deciding score. The Stars’ previous longest winning streak was eight games, achieved during the 2023-24 season.

Contributing to the offensive explosion, Colin Blackwell, Matt Duchene, and Jason Robertson each tallied one goal and one assist. Adam Erne rounded out the scoring for Dallas, which has earned points in seven of their last eight matchups against Vancouver (posting a 6-1-1 record). Miro Heiskanen and Sam Steel each provided two assists, while goaltender Jake Oettinger turned away 13 shots.

For Vancouver, Evander Kane managed the team’s only goal, and Nikita Tolopilo made 31 saves in the losing effort. The Canucks have now dropped six consecutive games (0-4-2) and have managed just two victories in their last 22 contests (2-16-4).

Blue Jackets 5, Rangers 4 (OT)

Kiril Marchenko netted his second goal of the contest on a 2-on-1 break just 64 seconds into overtime, leading visiting Columbus to victory over New York after surrendering a four-goal advantage in the final period.

The victory marked the end of Columbus’ first losing skid under new head coach Rick Bowness. Marchenko opened the scoring with a power-play tally in the first period and assisted on Adam Fantilli’s goal before the Blue Jackets allowed four third-period goals. Sean Monahan and Mathieu Olivier also found the net, Charlie Coyle recorded two assists, and Elvis Merzlikins stopped 29 shots.

The Rangers mounted their comeback when Vladislav Gavrikov and rookie Gabe Perreault scored within 24 seconds of each other early in the third period. Will Borgen added a goal at 12:52, and Perreault tied the game with 4:46 remaining in regulation. Igor Shesterkin made 23 saves as New York fell to 3-11-3 over their past 17 contests.

Kraken 2, Hurricanes 1

Goaltender Joey Daccord stopped 35 shots as Seattle defeated visiting Carolina, bringing an end to the Eastern Conference-leading Hurricanes’ 12-game point streak (10-0-2).

Kaapo Kakko and Ben Meyers provided the goals while Adam Larsson contributed two assists for Seattle, which improved to 2-0-0 during their current six-game homestand. Defenseman Jamie Oleksiak established a personal best with 11 hits and blocked three shots.

Nikolaj Ehlers scored for Carolina, ending their five-game winning streak. Frederik Andersen made 13 saves on 15 shots as the Hurricanes began a four-game road trip through the Western Conference.

Red Wings 4, Predators 2

Defenseman Albert Johansson broke a deadlock with a short-handed goal late in the second period, helping Detroit secure a victory over host Nashville.

Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat each recorded one goal and one assist, with Emmitt Finnie also scoring for the Red Wings, who have won two of their previous three games. John Gibson stopped 10 of 11 shots before exiting after the first period due to an upper-body injury. Cam Talbot replaced him and made 18 saves on 19 shots.

Filip Forsberg and Jonathan Marchessault scored for the Predators, who are 1-2-2 in their last five outings. Juuse Saros made 27 saves in the loss.

Flyers 3, Maple Leafs 2 (SO)

Trevor Zegras scored the deciding goal in a shootout as visiting Philadelphia defeated Toronto.

The Flyers went 2-for-2 in the shootout, with Matvei Michkov also converting. Toronto managed 1-for-3, getting a goal from William Nylander before Flyers goalie Dan Vladar stopped attempts by Auston Matthews and Max Domi. Nylander’s late third-period goal tied the contest shortly after Noah Cates had given Philadelphia the lead. Christian Dvorak also scored for the Flyers, who have won three straight.

Dakota Joshua tallied for the Maple Leafs, who are 0-3-1 since the Olympic break. Anthony Stolarz turned aside 23 shots.

Avalanche 4, Kings 2

Martin Necas and Gabriel Landeskog each contributed one goal and two assists as visiting Colorado defeated short-handed Los Angeles.

Nathan MacKinnon recorded one goal and one assist, setting up Devon Toews for the go-ahead goal with 4:55 remaining. Mackenzie Blackwood made 19 saves for the Avalanche, who have won four of their last five to maintain the NHL’s best record.

Angus Booth scored in his NHL debut, Brandt Clarke also tallied, and Anton Forsberg stopped 35 shots for the Kings, who spoiled interim coach D.J. Smith’s debut by losing for the sixth time in seven games (1-5-1).

The San Diego Wave has acquired Brazilian striker Gabi Portilho from Gotham FC in a Monday transaction worth $175,000 in intraleague transfer money.

The 30-year-old athlete recorded three goals and three assists across 17 regular-season matches during the previous campaign, contributing to Gotham’s victories in both the 2025 NWSL Championship and the Concacaf W Champions Cup.

“Gabi has been an important part of our club’s success since she joined us, and we’re thankful for everything she brought to Gotham FC,” general manager Yael Averbuch West said. “We wish her all the best as she moves forward in her career.”

Before arriving at Gotham, Portilho spent five years with Brazilian club Corinthians from 2020 through 2024. On the international stage, she contributed to Brazil’s triumph in the 2022 Copa America Femenina and earned a silver medal representing her country at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Two international cricket teams found themselves stranded in India on Monday following their elimination from the Twenty20 World Cup, as escalating Middle Eastern tensions forced the closure of major flight routes.

Both the West Indies and Zimbabwe squads announced Monday that their planned departures from India have been postponed due to widespread airspace restrictions throughout the Gulf region, where conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel has intensified.

The West Indies squad was knocked out of tournament contention following a five-wicket defeat to host nation India on Sunday, failing to advance to the semifinal round. Zimbabwe’s team had already been eliminated after suffering defeats in all three of their Super Eights competition matches.

Thousands of flights have been grounded across Gulf nations, creating major disruptions at some of the planet’s most heavily trafficked aviation centers and leaving the cricket teams with no clear path home.

Zimbabwe Cricket confirmed their team’s situation through a social media announcement, stating: “The Zimbabwe men’s team remains safe and well in India… the squad was scheduled to return home via Dubai.”

Officials from Cricket West Indies indicated they are coordinating with the International Cricket Council to arrange secure transportation options for their players and support staff back to their home countries.

The Dubai-based ICC had previously announced the activation of backup travel protocols for their own staff members, who were also scheduled to transit through Dubai on their way to various destinations.

Cricket West Indies emphasized their priorities in a statement, saying: “The safety and well-being of our players, coaches, and officials remain our highest priority.”

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo may finally make his comeback from a nagging calf injury that has kept the two-time MVP off the court for Milwaukee’s past 15 contests.

According to the team’s latest injury update, the 31-year-old forward is listed as questionable for Monday evening’s matchup against the Boston Celtics.

Antetokounmpo last took the court on January 23rd during Milwaukee’s narrow 102-100 defeat to the Denver Nuggets, when he suffered the right calf strain. This marks the second time this season that calf problems have derailed his availability, as a similar injury kept him out of action for three weeks in December.

The Greek star has been absent for a career-worst 29 games this season, with 23 of those absences directly tied to calf strain issues. Milwaukee’s record tells the story of his importance: they’re 15-15 when he plays compared to 11-18 without him.

His potential comeback arrives at a crucial juncture as the Bucks fight to secure their place in the play-in tournament and extend their playoff streak to a decade.

Currently sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference rankings, Milwaukee trails 10th-place Charlotte by three games. The conference’s seventh through tenth-place finishers will battle in a tournament format for the final two playoff positions in the East.

While Milwaukee managed an impressive 8-2 run without their star player between February 3rd and 25th, they’ve stumbled in recent outings, dropping their last two contests by a total of 52 points. Sunday’s devastating 120-97 defeat in Chicago was particularly concerning, as the Bucks were dominated 33-8 in the final quarter against a Bulls team that had lost 11 consecutive games.

When healthy, Antetokounmpo has been putting up stellar numbers this season, posting averages of 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. Those statistics would place him eighth in NBA scoring and ninth in rebounding if he had enough games played to qualify for league rankings.

Despite earning his 10th consecutive All-Star selection this season, his injury forced him to miss the midseason showcase game.

As college athletes showcase their talents at the NFL scouting combine, professional teams are simultaneously planning significant roster changes while assessing potential draft selections.

Heisman Trophy recipient Fernando Mendoza stands as the overwhelming favorite to be chosen first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders, with questions remaining about whether any other quarterback will be taken in the opening round.

However, considerable discussion surrounded veteran quarterbacks potentially switching franchises during the action-packed Indianapolis event.

The Atlanta Falcons have already notified Kirk Cousins that he will be cut loose once the new league year begins March 11. Miami may decide to move on from Tua Tagovailoa, though doing so could result in a massive $99.2 million dead money penalty that might be divided over two years with a post-June 1 designation.

After seven years with Arizona, Kyler Murray might be seeking a fresh start elsewhere. The Cardinals must pay him $36.8 million in guaranteed money this season, with another $19.5 million becoming guaranteed for 2027 if he remains on the roster through the third day of the new league year.

Despite helping the Philadelphia Eagles capture a Super Bowl title, three-time Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Brown has emerged as a potential trade candidate, though the organization would rather retain his services.

Las Vegas has indicated willingness to entertain proposals for five-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Maxx Crosby, although general manager John Spytek expressed desire to bring him back.

Six-time Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans of Tampa Bay intends to explore free agency and might receive an irresistible opportunity elsewhere.

Mendoza, who guided Indiana to their inaugural national title, chose not to participate in combine drills but conducted media interviews and team meetings.

The quarterback chosen after Mendoza may face a lengthy wait. Alabama’s Ty Simpson delivered an outstanding combine performance and despite being a single-season starter requiring additional development, his upside could warrant first-round consideration.

LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and Miami’s Carson Beck enhanced their draft positioning at the combine. Arkansas’ Taylen Green displayed impressive athletic ability, recording a blazing 4.36-second 40-yard dash time.

Both Clemson’s Cade Klubnik and Penn State’s Drew Allar demonstrated excellent arm strength during throwing sessions.

The defensive line position features exceptional depth with multiple first-round prospects. NFL organizations prioritize players capable of pressuring quarterbacks, especially following two consecutive Super Bowls dominated by defensive units, further emphasizing the importance of elite front-four talent.

Texas Tech’s David Bailey, Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, and Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. project as top-10 selections. Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell, and Miami’s Akheem Mesidor represent additional first-round possibilities.

Wide receiver offers substantial talent throughout the draft class, providing teams numerous options for offensive playmakers.

Ohio State’s Carnell Tate leads this group and should hear his name called within the first 10 picks. USC’s Makai Lemon, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr., Washington’s Denzel Boston, and Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion all possess first-round capabilities.

Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields, Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell II, and Georgia’s Zachariah Branch will generate significant interest. The receiver position runs so deep that undrafted players from this class could make meaningful contributions.

Milwaukee’s superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo made his comeback following a 15-game absence due to a strained right calf injury, but the Bucks couldn’t avoid a crushing 108-81 defeat at home against the Boston Celtics on Monday evening.

Boston’s Payton Pritchard led all scorers with 25 points while dishing out nine assists. Rookie Hugo Gonzalez delivered career-best performances with 18 points and 16 rebounds, while Derrick White contributed 18 points and nine assists. The Celtics connected on an impressive 20 of their 50 three-point shots.

Despite missing their top scorer Jaylen Brown due to illness and starting center Neemias Queta who was resting, Boston dominated the contest. Brown has been averaging 29.0 points per game this season, and Queta had posted 27 points and 17 rebounds in Sunday’s victory over Philadelphia.

Antetokounmpo, making his first appearance since January 23rd, recorded 19 points and 11 rebounds to pace Milwaukee. The Greek Freak entered the contest averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists this season.

Nuggets 128, Jazz 125

Jamal Murray exploded for 45 points and added eight assists as Denver defeated Utah on the road.

Murray connected on 8 of 13 attempts from beyond the arc, helping the Nuggets end a two-game skid. Nikola Jokic recorded 22 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, while Julian Strawther contributed 15 points. Denver shot an efficient 54.1% from the floor and knocked down 16 of 39 three-point attempts.

Utah was paced by Keyonte George’s 36 points and four steals, with Kyle Filipowski adding 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Ace Bailey scored 18 points while Svi Mykhailiuk chipped in 15.

Rockets 123, Wizards 118

Alperen Sengun poured in 32 points and Kevin Durant added 30 as Houston defeated Washington on the road.

The Rockets controlled the game after halftime in a contest that became physical during the second half. Washington’s Bilal Coulibaly scored a season-high 23 points with five three-pointers to lead the Wizards, who extended their losing streak to five games. Sharife Cooper provided 21 points off the bench in just 17 minutes of action.

Houston’s Amen Thompson recorded 22 points and 12 rebounds while Reed Sheppard added 19 points and 10 assists. The Rockets dominated the boards 59-27, with Sengun grabbing a game-high 13 rebounds, and outscored Washington in the paint 62-40.

Clippers 114, Warriors 101

Kawhi Leonard scored a game-high 23 points in just 29 minutes as Los Angeles rallied from a 17-point deficit to defeat Golden State in San Francisco.

Darius Garland contributed 12 points in his first game as a Clipper, coming off the bench. Bennedict Mathurin scored 17 points and Kris Dunn added 16 as Los Angeles won their second straight contest.

Golden State was led by Brandin Podziemski’s 22 points, with 20 coming in the opening half. The Warriors dropped their fifth game in seven outings while playing without Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III, Kristaps Porzingis, Gary Payton II and Will Richard.

Seattle Kraken netminder Joey Daccord delivered a stellar 35-save performance Monday night, leading his team to a 2-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes and bringing an abrupt halt to the Eastern Conference leaders’ remarkable 12-game point streak that stood at 10-0-2.

Goals from Kaapo Kakko and Ben Meyers, along with a pair of assists from Adam Larsson, powered Seattle’s offense as the Kraken moved to 2-0-0 during their current six-game home stretch. Defenseman Jamie Oleksiak delivered a punishing performance with a personal-best 11 hits while also blocking three shots.

Carolina’s lone tally came from Nikolaj Ehlers, as the Hurricanes saw both their five-game winning streak and extended point streak come to an end. Goaltender Frederik Andersen made 13 saves on 15 attempts as Carolina began a four-game road trip through the Western Conference.

Carolina dominated the shot count 13-7 during a goalless opening frame.

Seattle broke through first during a 2-on-1 opportunity at the 3:22 mark of the middle period. Kakko brought the puck down the right side into Carolina’s zone and fired a wrist shot from inside the faceoff dot that beat Andersen cleanly.

The Kraken thought they had doubled their advantage when Jaden Schwartz converted a power-play feed from Kakko at the 8:00 mark, but Carolina successfully challenged for offside after a swift video review overturned the goal.

Seattle found the back of the net again just 48 seconds afterward.

Meyers advanced the puck through center ice before feeding Frederick Gaudreau along the right boards. Taking a return feed, Meyers fired from in close, with Andersen making the initial stop, but the rebound caromed off the right goalpost and deflected off sliding defenseman Alexander Nikishin in the crease before crossing the goal line.

The Hurricanes answered back at the 18:30 mark of the second frame.

Jordan Martinook retrieved the puck behind Seattle’s net and attempted a centering pass that he nearly whiffed on completely. The puck rolled slowly toward Kraken defender Vince Dunn, who appeared to have an easy clearing opportunity, but it slipped beneath his stick blade directly to Ehlers, who snapped a quick wrist shot from the high slot past Daccord.

Seattle defenseman Ryan Lindgren remained sidelined for his third straight contest with an upper-body ailment.

Kawhi Leonard poured in a team-high 23 points across 29 minutes of play, leading the Los Angeles Clippers in a remarkable comeback victory over the Golden State Warriors, 114-101, during Monday night’s matchup in San Francisco.

The Clippers erased a 17-point deficit with contributions from six players reaching double digits in scoring, moving Los Angeles to within 1.5 games of Golden State in the battle for the Western Conference’s eighth seed.

Making his first appearance for the Clippers off the bench, Darius Garland added 12 points in the victory that tightened the playoff race between these two teams.

Golden State’s Brandin Podziemski topped all Warriors scorers with 22 points, with 20 of those coming in the opening half when the home team established a commanding 44-27 advantage.

The Warriors extended their lead to 16 points early in the third quarter following an Al Horford basket, but that proved to be the turning point as Los Angeles seized control for the remainder of the evening.

The Clippers mounted their surge during the third period, with Leonard contributing eight points and Garland adding five during a decisive 35-21 run that brought them within striking distance at 79-77 heading into the final quarter.

Los Angeles maintained their momentum after the break, using their deeper roster to take permanent control when Garland’s mid-range jumper gave them an 82-81 edge. The visitors steadily pulled away against a short-handed Warriors squad that dressed only 10 players, including two recent additions from the G League.

Leonard connected on 9 of 14 field goal attempts while also recording eight rebounds, four assists and two steals for the Clippers, who were completing the second game of consecutive nights.

Kris Dunn provided strong support with 16 points on efficient 7-of-10 shooting plus a team-leading seven assists, helping Los Angeles take a 2-1 advantage in this season’s head-to-head series with one meeting remaining.

The Clippers’ bench depth proved decisive, with four reserves scoring in double figures. Yanic Konan Niederhauser led all players with nine rebounds while contributing 11 points, joining Garland, Bennedict Mathurin’s 17 points, and Jordan Miller’s 12-point effort. Los Angeles’ second unit outproduced Golden State’s reserves 52-41.

Nate Williams paced the Warriors’ bench with 18 points for a Golden State team already missing Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III and Kristaps Porzingis, and further depleted by the absence of Gary Payton II and Will Richard.

Horford finished with 17 points and Moses Moody contributed 10 for the Warriors, while Gui Santos grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds in the losing effort.

Professional tennis officials announced Monday they are keeping close watch on Middle Eastern tensions after flight disruptions stranded several players in Dubai following last week’s tournament.

Tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel have forced airspace shutdowns and numerous flight cancellations throughout Gulf region areas, creating major problems at a crucial international travel hub and making it difficult for tennis professionals to reach their upcoming competition in Indian Wells.

Russian player Daniil Medvedev, who won the Dubai championship by walkover on Saturday, is among those experiencing travel complications, alongside countryman Andrey Rublev.

“The ATP is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East and remains in regular contact with our players, their support teams and relevant local authorities,” the tennis organization stated, noting that players remaining in Dubai “are being accommodated in the tournament’s official hotels.

“We are in direct communication with those affected, as well as with tournament organisers and security advisors… We will continue to provide appropriate support to ensure players and their teams can depart safely when conditions allow.”

Competition at Indian Wells is set to start Wednesday, though seeded competitors receive opening-round exemptions and won’t play until later in the week.

Medvedev holds the 11th seed position for Indian Wells, while Rublev earned the 17th seed for the California Masters 1000 competition.

Veteran Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack has decided to postpone retirement and will enter the free agency market for the 2026 season, according to a Monday report from NFL Network.

The 35-year-old defensive veteran is expected to “explore options” as a free agent, though a return to the Chargers remains a possibility for another campaign.

Throughout his distinguished career, Mack has earned nine Pro Bowl honors while accumulating 113 quarterback sacks across 179 games with 177 starts. The Oakland Raiders selected him fifth overall in the 2014 NFL Draft. This past season, he appeared in 12 contests for Los Angeles, starting 11 games and recording 5.5 sacks.

During his 12-year NFL journey, Mack has been traded on two occasions and has never remained with any franchise longer than four seasons. After his initial four-year stint with the Raiders, Chicago acquired him via trade in 2018. The Chargers then obtained his services through another trade in 2022.

Since the 2018 campaign, Mack has reached double-digit sack totals only once, achieving 17 sacks during the 2023 season.

Three American Olympic hockey champions brought their gold medal celebration to late-night television this week, appearing on Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show following their triumphant return from Milan.

Veterans Hilary Knight and brothers Jack and Quinn Hughes took the stage Monday evening, just two days after their memorable Saturday Night Live appearance alongside women’s goal scorer Megan Keller.

Fallon ribbed Jack Hughes about losing a tooth during the championship match before netting the decisive overtime goal, while celebrating Knight’s achievement in capturing gold at her fifth Olympic Games.

When Fallon questioned which experience created more anxiety – competing in the Olympics or performing on SNL – Knight didn’t hesitate with her answer: “SNL.” The host also highlighted how Knight declared her Olympic hockey dreams to her mother when she was just five years old.

“I’m just dialed like that,” Knight explained. “We didn’t even have women’s hockey in the Olympics at the time. I just must have seen it on TV and was like: ‘That’s what I’m doing. I want to play hockey.’”

The show featured Fallon reading aloud from a personal letter Jack Hughes had written before becoming the top selection in the 2019 NHL draft, which included these prophetic words: “Maybe we all represented the United States at the Olympics. Maybe we won a gold medal or gold medals together. What an honor that would be.”

The three athletes shared a fist bump as the studio crowd, including youngest Hughes brother Luke, burst into applause.

The Hughes siblings shared amusing stories about rooming together in the Olympic village and their exchange following Jack’s injury during the gold medal contest against Canada, when Sam Bennett’s high stick caught him in the mouth.

“Quinn, he was the first guy closest to me, and I remember him coming up to me at the TV timeout, and he was like: ‘It’s not that bad. it’s only chipped,’” Jack Hughes recalled. “That was like four minutes left in the game, like when we were serious trying to win this thing and he came up and said that.”

Despite the cinematic ending of losing a tooth and scoring the championship-winning goal, Jack Hughes assured Fallon the gap-toothed smile “won’t be my thing.”

“That is the most hockey thing I could even think of ever happening in the world,” Fallon responded.

The host also discussed Knight’s fairytale experience in Milan, including her engagement to American speedskater Brittany Bowe, who attended the taping. Fallon questioned her decision to propose on a metal grate rather than on nearby grass and asked whether she feared losing the ring.

“Almost,” Knight admitted. “I like high-pressure situations, I guess.”

At 36, Knight secured her second Olympic gold in what she’s announced will be her final appearance on the world’s premier international sports stage. She accomplished this feat while battling a torn medial collateral ligament in her knee, an injury she disclosed earlier Monday during a CBS Mornings interview.

“I’m not walking around the best, and I’m missing a few games for the (PWHL’s) Seattle Torrent,” Knight shared on CBS. “To be able to play through injury was definitely a mental sort of gymnastic challenge for myself and also physical, but we’ve got some amazing support staff that did their best to get me out there and perform at my best — as best as I could.”

Knight scored the equalizing goal against Canada with slightly more than two minutes remaining in regulation time. Following their return, Knight, teammate Kendall Coye Schofield, and Canada’s Erin Ambrose were all placed on long-term injured reserve by their respective PWHL clubs as the season resumed.

A federal judge has imposed restrictions on Chris Gabehart’s new role at Spire Motorsports following a legal challenge from his former employer, Joe Gibbs Racing.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Susan C. Rodriguez in North Carolina’s Western District issued a partial restraining order that blocks Gabehart from performing competition director responsibilities – the same position he previously held at JGR, which has filed a lawsuit against him.

Joe Gibbs Racing had requested the court completely stop Gabehart’s employment at Spire Motorsports.

The court’s decision does allow Gabehart to continue working with Spire’s Truck Series, Late Model and Sprint Car programs, as well as Andretti Autosport IndyCar operations, all of which fall under the TWG Global organization.

Last month, JGR initiated legal action against Gabehart, claiming he disclosed proprietary information and trade secrets while preparing to leave for a position with the competing team. The lawsuit, seeking at least $8 million in damages, was subsequently expanded to include Spire as a co-defendant.

Joe Gibbs Racing issued a statement Monday saying, “We are pleased with today’s ruling by the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina for a temporary restraining order enforcing the terms of our contract with Chris Gabehart. We will continue the legal process to protect our information and fight for what is right for our race team, our employees, and our partners.”

The 44-year-old Gabehart spent 13 years with JGR, serving as Denny Hamlin’s crew chief for an extended period before moving into the competition director position. Reports indicate his annual base pay reached $1 million, not including performance bonuses.

According to Motorsport.com, JGR’s internal investigation discovered that Gabehart created a computer folder linked to his personal cloud account containing sensitive team information, including salary details and performance evaluations for drivers, crew chiefs and pit crew members.

The racing organization claims Gabehart accessed these confidential files while completing his departure process on the same date he met with Spire co-owner Jeff Dickerson.

Joe Gibbs Racing is the NASCAR team owned by 85-year-old Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs, who led Washington to three Super Bowl victories. His NASCAR operation has captured five Cup Series titles and four Daytona 500 wins, earning Gibbs induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

The Minnesota Wild announced Monday that forward Marcus Foligno has been added to the injured reserve list due to a lower body injury.

Team officials have not provided specific information about the nature or severity of Foligno’s injury.

Foligno’s last appearance came during Minnesota’s 5-2 defeat against the Utah Mammoth on Friday, where he spent 12 minutes and 34 seconds on the ice across 19 shifts and accumulated four penalty minutes. He was absent from Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to the St. Louis Blues.

To fill the roster vacancy, Minnesota has picked up forward Robby Fabbri from the Blues’ waiver wire. This season, Fabbri has contributed one goal and three assists across 15 games with St. Louis while also spending time with the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL.

Since joining Minnesota for the 2017-18 campaign, Foligno has served as an alternate captain for the Wild. During his nine-year tenure with the team, he has accumulated 218 points through 97 goals and 121 assists in 576 games.

Throughout his 15-year NHL career with both Buffalo (2011-17) and Minnesota, Foligno has registered 334 total points, including 146 goals and 188 assists.

Detroit Tigers’ marquee offseason signing Framber Valdez delivered a stellar first spring training performance despite his team falling 5-2 to the Atlanta Braves in Lakeland, Florida.

The left-handed pitcher, who inked a lucrative three-year, $115 million deal with Detroit after eight seasons in Houston, dominated over three innings without surrendering a run. Valdez struck out three batters while giving up only two hits, delivering 30 strikes on 43 total pitches. His most impressive frame came in the second inning when he recorded three consecutive strikeouts. The veteran hurler is slated to take the mound for Detroit’s season opener at home on April 3.

Atlanta extended their advantage to 3-0 when DaShawn Keirsey Jr. launched a two-run blast in the sixth frame. Braves pitcher Bryce Elder matched Valdez’s effectiveness early, tossing three scoreless innings while surrendering three hits and recording one strikeout.

Detroit avoided a complete shutout when Brett Callahan connected for a solo homer in the seventh inning. Tomas Nido added another long ball for the Tigers in the ninth frame.

Pirates 4, Rays 1

Pittsburgh maintained their exceptional spring form with consecutive home runs from Yordany De Los Santos and Javier Rivas in the seventh inning, defeating Tampa Bay in Bradenton, Florida.

The Pirates now boast the top record across both spring leagues at 9-2. Pittsburgh starter Mike Clevinger, who compiled 38 victories for Cleveland between 2017-19 before battling injury issues, tossed three scoreless frames while striking out three.

Pittsburgh grabbed an early 1-0 advantage in the third when Alika Williams crossed home plate on a botched pickoff throw by Tampa Bay’s Mason Englert. The Rays evened the contest in the fourth on Logan Davidson’s single to left field.

Red Sox 7, Blue Jays 6

Nathan Hickey delivered the decisive blow with a two-out, two-run homer in the eighth inning, breaking a 5-5 deadlock to lift Boston past Toronto in Dunedin, Florida.

Mickey Gasper and Allan Castro each collected two hits and home runs for Boston, with Gasper contributing three RBIs as the Red Sox accumulated 12 hits against Toronto’s pitching staff. Boston’s Johan Oviedo struck out four while allowing just two hits across three innings.

Toronto mounted a five-run rally in the fifth inning to claim a 5-4 lead, highlighted by Addison Barger’s grand slam to right field.

Cardinals 3, Marlins 2

Colton Ledbetter’s clutch two-out single in the ninth inning brought home pinch-runner Michael Antico, giving St. Louis a narrow victory over Miami in Jupiter, Florida.

St. Louis right-hander Andre Pallante surrendered one run on three hits while striking out two over three innings. The Cardinals rallied to tie the game 2-2 in the seventh when Yohel Pozo and Jeremy Rivas each drove in runs.

Miami’s Kemp Alderman went 2-for-3 with a fourth-inning home run. Marlins starter Adam Mazur was nearly perfect through two innings, allowing only one walk.

Nationals 3, Astros 3

Houston’s disappointing spring continued as they fell to 1-6-3 after settling for a tie with Washington in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Astros starter Hunter Brown gave up one run while striking out three in 2⅔ innings. Houston scored single runs in the seventh and eighth innings to force the tie, with the equalizer coming on James Nelson’s single to left.

Washington catcher Keibert Ruiz broke a 1-1 tie with a solo homer to right in the fourth inning. Brady House, who finished 2-for-3, added an RBI double to left field one inning later. Andrew Alvarez, who made five appearances for Washington last September, pitched three scoreless middle innings with three walks and three strikeouts.

Washington Wizards newcomer Trae Young found himself thrown out of a game before he’s even suited up for his first contest with the team.

The point guard, who is scheduled to take the court Thursday evening when Washington faces Utah, received an ejection during Tuesday’s 123-118 defeat to Houston after leaving the bench area.

Young, a four-time All-Star who joined Washington from Atlanta through a trade completed in early January, walked onto the playing surface during the third quarter to argue what he felt was a missed foul call involving Houston’s Tari Eason. Officials responded by giving Young a technical foul and tossing him from the game.

Eason also received an ejection from the contest.

The veteran guard has been dealing with MCL and quadriceps injuries that date back to before his trade to Washington. His most recent game action came on December 27, when he contributed nine points and 10 assists during Atlanta’s 128-125 defeat to New York.

Throughout his career, Young averages 25.2 points per contest along with 9.8 assists per game. Earlier Tuesday, he used social media to announce his intention to return to action Thursday night.

American soccer midfielder Weston McKennie has committed his future to Italian soccer powerhouse Juventus, inking a new deal that will keep him in Turin until 2030.

The U.S. men’s national team star finalized his contract extension with the Serie A giants on Monday, just one week after reports surfaced that negotiations were nearing completion. According to ESPN, McKennie’s new agreement guarantees him $7 million annually over four years with no additional options included.

McKennie joined Juventus in 2021 and has remained with the club since then, except for a brief loan spell with Leeds United in 2023. His previous deal was scheduled to run out following this season.

During his tenure with Juventus, McKennie has found the back of the net 26 times across 220 matches in all competitions since arriving in 2021. This campaign has been particularly productive for the midfielder, who has netted eight goals in 38 appearances. On the international stage, McKennie has contributed 11 goals over 62 matches for the United States since earning his first cap in 2017.

The timing of McKennie’s contract extension positions him as a key figure for the U.S. national team heading into this summer’s World Cup, where all American matches will take place on American territory.

SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis remains out of action due to an ongoing health condition that has kept him off the court for more than a week.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr described the situation as puzzling before Monday night’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. “It’s a little mysterious,” Kerr explained. “We’re obviously working with him and hoping that he can get some clarity and he can kind of break through and get to a point to where he’s consistently healthy. But that’s something that the medical staff is working hard on with him.”

The towering center had rejoined team practice on Friday and appeared on the injury report as questionable for Saturday’s home defeat to the Lakers. However, he was unable to suit up Monday night, marking his fifth consecutive absence due to illness. Team officials haven’t confirmed whether Porzingis will join the squad for their upcoming three-game road series.

Kerr revealed he had a conversation with Porzingis on Monday morning. “We had a good chat. He’s doing fine,” the coach stated. “He’s obviously wanting to be back and wanting answers and we’ll keep supporting him.”

The 7-foot-2 player from Latvia first took the court for Golden State on February 19th against his previous team, the Boston Celtics, following a trade deal with Atlanta. Since that debut performance, he hasn’t been able to return to game action. This season, Porzingis has only participated in 18 contests, posting averages of 16.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.

PHOENIX (AP) — Team USA manager Mark DeRosa announced Monday that San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb will take the mound as the starting pitcher when the United States faces Brazil in their World Baseball Classic opener this Friday evening.

DeRosa also revealed his pitching rotation for the tournament’s pool play phase, naming two-time American League Cy Young Award recipient Tarik Skubal as Saturday’s starter against Britain, while National League Cy Young winner Paul Skenes is slated to pitch against Mexico on Monday.

The manager indicated that New York Mets right-handed pitcher Nolan McLean is provisionally set to start Tuesday’s final pool game against Italy, though McLean missed Monday’s team practice due to illness and his status remains uncertain.

“It’s set up,” DeRosa explained. “There are obviously guardrails for the tournament to begin with, pitch-count wise, but there’s also guardrails for guys having to throw on certain days to get ready for their team’s opening day.”

Before heading to Houston for the Brazil matchup, Team USA will participate in a pair of exhibition contests in Arizona on Tuesday and Wednesday. Skenes is scheduled to start Tuesday’s exhibition against the Giants, with DeRosa confirming that Matthew Boyd, Gabe Speier, David Bednar, Griffin Jax and Mason Miller will also see action on the mound.

According to DeRosa, Skubal will make only one World Baseball Classic appearance for the United States before returning to the Detroit Tigers to continue spring training preparations.

Detroit Lions management decided Monday to part ways with veteran offensive lineman Graham Glasgow, ending his seven-year tenure with the franchise.

The decision will provide Detroit with $5.5 million in salary cap relief, coming on the same day the organization traded running back David Montgomery to Houston.

Glasgow, who became a cornerstone of Detroit’s offensive line throughout his time there, shared an emotional goodbye message on social media following his departure.

“I’m grateful for the 7 years I’ve spent as a Detroit Lion,” he wrote. “I’m thankful for the great teammates, coaches, and friends I had along the way. I love this city and the fans that have supported me for the better part of a decade. There truly was no place I would have rather been.”

The veteran lineman continued his heartfelt message, reflecting on his entire experience with the organization.

“Whether the times were good or bad, I’m proud of the time that I was able to spend here. Detroit and being a Lion has had a huge impact on making me into the man that I am today, and because of that, it will always hold a special place in my heart,” Glasgow added.

He concluded by expressing his continued support for his former team and teammates.

“I wish the Lions, especially my former teammates, nothing but the best. I will always be a fan of the guys who I took the field with, and I’ll always be a fan of the team that changed my life. Thank you!”

At 33 years old, Glasgow now faces the choice of either hanging up his cleats or seeking opportunities with another NFL franchise.

Detroit selected Glasgow in the third round of the 2016 draft, and he immediately established himself as a reliable starter, playing both guard and center positions. After his initial four-year stint with the Lions, he joined Denver as a free agent in 2020, spending three seasons with the Broncos before rejoining Detroit in 2023 as the team was building momentum as an NFC contender.

Throughout his NFL career, Glasgow has participated in 147 games with 136 starts to his credit. Last season demonstrated his discipline, as he was flagged for only two penalties across 895 total snaps, including 872 on offense.

WASHINGTON — Point guard Trae Young is gearing up to take the court for his inaugural game with the Washington Wizards when they face off against the Utah Jazz on Thursday evening.

The basketball star signaled his readiness through social media, sharing an Instagram video of his workout session while wearing his new Wizards uniform, concluding the post with “3/5” — referencing Thursday’s date.

Speaking to reporters on Monday prior to Washington’s matchup against Houston, head coach Brian Keefe indicated that Young was progressing well toward being cleared for game action against Utah. Keefe noted that the point guard would face playing time limitations of approximately 17 to 20 minutes, with most of his court time coming during the opening half.

Before joining Washington, Young appeared in 10 contests for the Atlanta Hawks during the current season, putting up 19.3 points per game while dishing out 8.9 assists on average. His season was cut short due to injuries affecting his knee and quadriceps. Washington obtained Young through a January trade deal that sent CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert to Atlanta.

NEW YORK — Oakland emerged as the most successful team at utilizing baseball’s new automated umpire technology during spring training’s opening stretch, successfully overturning ball and strike decisions in 69.2% of their appeals over the initial 10-day period.

The San Francisco Giants claimed second place with a 66.7% success rate, while Cincinnati, Miami, and San Diego each tied for third at 61.9%, according to Major League Baseball’s announcement on Monday.

In contrast, the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers struggled with the system, achieving only a 21.4% success rate on their appeals to the Automated Ball-Strike System. Baltimore managed just 25% successful challenges, while the New York Mets reached 35.3% and Texas hit 38.1%.

Across all MLB teams, the overall success rate stood at 51.3%, with clubs averaging 2.3 challenges per contest.

The New York Yankees led all teams in challenge frequency, averaging 3.8 appeals per game while winning 52.6% of them. Minnesota followed closely at 3.6 challenges per game with a 58.3% success rate, then Boston at 3.2 challenges (55.2% success), and Colorado and San Francisco both at 3.0 challenges per game.

Baltimore used the fewest challenges, averaging only 1.2 per game. The Dodgers averaged 1.4 challenges while Detroit sat at 1.5 per game with a 46.7% success rate.

Major League Baseball previously tested the ABS technology during last year’s spring training, when teams achieved a 52.2% success rate on ball and strike challenges, winning 617 out of 1,182 appeals. The league has been experimenting with the system in minor league play since 2019.

Under the current rules, each team may challenge up to two calls per game. Teams keep their challenge opportunity when successful, mirroring the existing video replay system that started with home run calls in August 2008 and expanded significantly for the 2014 season.

Teams that exhaust their challenges during regulation play would receive one additional challenge for each extra inning in tied games.

Washington is preparing to cut ties with cornerback Marshon Lattimore following a brief stint that lasted just one and a half seasons, CBS Sports has learned.

The 29-year-old defender, who earned Pro Bowl honors four times and claimed Defensive Rookie of the Year recognition in 2017, is in the last year of his massive five-year contract worth $97.6 million that he inked with New Orleans back in 2021. Lattimore will celebrate his 30th birthday this May.

His scheduled salary for 2026 was $18.5 million, but since none of that money was guaranteed, Washington faces no financial penalty for cutting him loose.

Originally selected 11th overall by New Orleans in the 2017 NFL Draft, Lattimore joined Washington via trade last November. His time with the Commanders included just 11 total appearances – two games following the 2024 trade and nine contests this past season before suffering an ACL tear.

Legal troubles surfaced in January when Ohio authorities arrested him on weapons-related charges, including carrying a concealed weapon and improper firearm handling in a vehicle.

Throughout his eight-year NFL career, Lattimore has been a consistent starter, appearing in all 95 regular-season contests he’s been available for. His career statistics include 16 picks with two returned for scores, 98 pass breakups, five forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, and 436 total tackles.

A source with knowledge of the transaction tells The Associated Press that the Detroit Lions have sent veteran running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans in exchange for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, plus fourth and seventh-round draft selections.

The individual confirmed the trade details to the AP on Monday while requesting anonymity since the teams have not yet made an official announcement.

The move allows Detroit to acquire crucial offensive line reinforcement and additional draft capital while parting ways with a veteran back seeking expanded playing time.

Montgomery is expected to compete for a starting position with his new Houston team.

In Detroit, the running back found himself relegated to a reserve role with minimal opportunities to see the field behind Jahymr Gibbs, who has earned Pro Bowl recognition in each of his first three professional seasons.

This past season saw Montgomery post the lowest numbers of his career in both rushing attempts (158) and total rushing yards (716). Despite the reduced workload, he managed eight touchdown runs and averaged 4.5 yards per carry, just shy of his career-high 4.6 yards per attempt from 2023, when he accumulated 1,015 rushing yards and 13 ground scores in his first year wearing a Lions uniform.

The 28-year-old back brings substantial experience to Houston, having compiled 6,115 rushing yards and 59 rushing touchdowns throughout his seven-year career, along with 1,890 receiving yards and four receiving scores split between four seasons in Chicago and three in Detroit.

With Montgomery’s departure, Detroit will likely pursue another backup running back through either free agency signings this month or the upcoming April draft.

Houston originally drafted Scruggs during the second round of the 2023 selection process. The lineman could potentially fill a starting role at either center or guard for Detroit, where strengthening what was once a dominant offensive line has become a crucial offseason objective after the unit’s struggles contributed to the team’s playoff absence.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray faces potential release this month if the team fails to secure trade offers, according to NFL Network reports.

The former Heisman Trophy winner from 2018 and two-time Pro Bowl quarterback sat out 12 contests last season due to a foot injury. Throughout the past five seasons, Murray has completed a full regular-season campaign only once.

Despite injury concerns, the 2019 first overall draft selection would likely attract significant interest as a free agent. Multiple franchises dealing with quarterback uncertainty are reportedly monitoring Murray’s situation, including the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Arizona brought in Mike LaFleur as their new head coach in February, replacing Jonathan Gannon. LaFleur, who previously served as the Rams’ offensive coordinator and is the brother of Green Bay’s Matt LaFleur, recently attended the NFL Scouting Combine with Cardinals officials to evaluate quarterback prospects. The team holds the third pick in the upcoming 2026 draft.

Throughout his seven-year tenure with Arizona, Murray has thrown 121 touchdown passes against 60 interceptions across 87 regular-season appearances. He played under both Gannon and former coach Kliff Kingsbury during his time with the organization.

The Cardinals retain quarterback Jacoby Brissett as a potential starting option, as he performed well while filling in for the injured Murray during the previous season.

Major League Soccer announced Monday that its 2026 All-Star Game will bring back the popular format featuring top players from MLS competing against Liga MX stars on July 29 in Charlotte.

This will mark the fifth occasion overall that the competing North American soccer leagues have squared off in this All-Star format, continuing a trend that has run for three consecutive years.

Bank of America Stadium will host the event just 10 days following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup championship match, with the tournament being jointly hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Fan voting will determine 11 spots on the 26-player MLS All-Star squad, while the All-Star head coach will choose 13 players and MLS Commissioner Don Garber will select the final two roster spots.

“The 2026 MLS All-Star Game presented by Chime will feature a can’t-miss rematch between the best of MLS and LIGA MX,” said MLS executive vice president Camilo Durana. “With the energy and momentum our Leagues will experience coming out of a historic World Cup on home soil, we are thrilled to showcase our All-Stars and put on a great show for fans in Charlotte and those watching around the world on Apple TV.”

Liga MX officials have yet to reveal how they will choose their 26-player roster for the summer showcase.

“We are excited that LIGA BBVA MX will once again be part of the MLS All-Star Game for the 2026 edition,” said Francisco Iturbide, Liga MX director of operations, competitions and development. “This event reflects the value of our collaboration with MLS and provides us with an important opportunity to showcase the quality and competitiveness of our players. We are certain that it will be a great week for fans of all three countries.”

MLS enters the contest with a strong track record, having captured victory in three of the four previous All-Star battles against Liga MX, most recently defeating their Mexican counterparts 3-1 in Austin, Texas last year.

Charlotte will also host the 2026 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge on July 28 at Truist Field as part of the weekend festivities.

Multiple sources confirmed Monday that the Detroit Lions have reached an agreement to send running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans in a multi-asset deal.

According to NFL Network, Detroit will acquire offensive lineman Juice Scruggs along with fourth- and seventh-round selections in the upcoming draft as compensation for the veteran back.

ESPN had reported Sunday that Montgomery was seeking a departure from Detroit following three campaigns with the franchise, hoping to find an opportunity where he wouldn’t be sharing backfield responsibilities with Jahmyr Gibbs.

The 28-year-old Montgomery carries a $6 million salary commitment for the 2026 campaign.

Houston’s ground game struggled significantly this past season, ranking 22nd league-wide with just 108.9 rushing yards per contest after Joe Mixon missed the entire year due to injury. First-year player Woody Marks paced the team’s rushing attack with 703 yards, while 30-year-old Nick Chubb contributed 506 yards.

Montgomery experienced his least productive season statistically, accumulating 716 rushing yards and eight scores across 17 appearances without a single start in 2025.

Throughout his NFL tenure, he has compiled 6,115 rushing yards with 59 touchdowns while adding 231 receptions for 1,890 yards and four receiving scores over 105 games (79 starts) between Chicago (2019-22) and Detroit. The Bears selected him in the third round of the 2019 draft.

The deal cannot be finalized until March 11, when the new league year officially begins.

Houston also reportedly reached terms earlier Monday to send starting right tackle Tytus Howard to Cleveland in exchange for a fifth-round draft selection.

The 26-year-old Scruggs has appeared in 37 contests with 20 starts since Houston selected him in the second round two years ago.

Meanwhile, Gibbs earned his third consecutive Pro Bowl selection in 2025 after rushing for 1,223 yards and 13 touchdowns in 17 starting assignments. He will celebrate his 24th birthday on March 20.

Cleveland Browns officials have reached an agreement to bring offensive tackle Tytus Howard to their roster from the Houston Texans, trading away a fifth-round draft selection, according to a source with knowledge of the transaction who spoke to The Associated Press on Monday.

The source requested anonymity since neither franchise has publicly confirmed the transaction, which cannot be finalized until the NFL’s new league year begins on March 11.

Howard, entering his eighth professional season, is anticipated to receive a three-year contract extension valued at $63 million. Houston selected him in the first round of the 2019 draft, and he has made 93 starts during regular season play.

While Howard is projected to fill the right tackle position, he brings versatility having previously lined up at left tackle and right guard.

This transaction marks Cleveland’s initial move toward reconstructing an offensive line where the majority of starters face free agency. Last season, the Browns utilized 10 different offensive line configurations due to various injuries.

Dawand Jones remains the only returning Week 1 starter at left tackle, though he’s currently rehabilitating from knee surgery. Left guard Joel Bitonio, who appeared in all 17 Browns contests last season as the unit’s only constant, has yet to determine whether he’ll retire following 12 seasons or potentially return to the team.

During last week’s NFL Scouting Combine, General Manager Andrew Berry expressed admiration for how the Chicago Bears approached their offensive line reconstruction last year.

Chicago implemented four new starters through various methods: two via trades, one through free agency, and one second-round draft selection. The Bears also brought in new head coach Ben Johnson while retaining General Manager Ryan Poles.

Cleveland recently hired Todd Monken as their new head coach following Kevin Stefanski’s dismissal, while Berry enters his seventh campaign as general manager.

“If you think about it, they did a combination of internal development, veteran editions and draft, right?” Berry said about the Bears. “You had Darnell Wright, who he really came into his own at right tackle this past year. They traded for Joe Thuney, they traded for Jonah Jackson, they signed (Drew) Dalman in free agency and they drafted Ozzy Trapilo in the second round. So it’s a nice mixture of youth and experience and I think that we would look to take a similar approach if the player markets line up for us.”

Cleveland enters next month’s draft with nine selections, including both the sixth and 24th picks in the opening round.

Phoenix Suns guard Jamaree Bouyea has landed his first standard NBA contract, according to ESPN reports released Monday.

The two-year agreement marks a significant milestone for the 26-year-old player, who has spent the past four seasons navigating the league through temporary contracts and short-term deals across six different franchises.

This season, Bouyea has contributed 6.5 points per game while coming off the bench for Phoenix, along with 1.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists across 33 appearances, playing an average of 15.5 minutes per contest.

Since going undrafted following his college career at San Francisco in 2022, Bouyea has played for multiple organizations including Miami, Washington, Portland, San Antonio, and Milwaukee before joining the Suns. Across 52 total NBA games with just one start, he has maintained a 5.1 points per game average.

Washington’s NFL franchise has locked up veteran offensive lineman Nick Allegretti with a two-year contract extension, according to Monday reports from NFL Network.

The extension adds two additional seasons to Allegretti’s existing deal, keeping the lineman in Washington through the 2027 campaign. He previously had just one season remaining under his current contract.

The 29-year-old lineman stepped into a crucial role late last season, taking over at center for Washington’s final two contests when Tyler Biadasz went down with an injury. Reports indicate the team is planning to part ways with Biadasz.

Throughout his seven-season NFL career, Allegretti has appeared in 107 games with 34 starts, spending his first five years with Kansas City before joining Washington. The Chiefs selected him in the seventh round of the 2019 draft, and he was part of three championship teams during his tenure there. While he has primarily lined up at guard throughout his professional career, his versatility to play center adds value to Washington’s offensive line depth.

Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews has been placed on day-to-day status following a left thumb bruise sustained when a pitch struck him during live batting practice.

Medical imaging revealed no fractures after Crews took the hit on Saturday, MLB Network reported.

The injury forced Crews out of Sunday’s game lineup. Through his first four spring training appearances, he’s recorded a .111 batting average with one run batted in.

The outfielder, who celebrated his 24th birthday last week, posted a .208 batting average during the previous season, connecting for 10 home runs, driving in 27 runs, and stealing 17 bases across 85 contests with Washington.

Selected as the second overall pick in Washington’s 2023 draft class, Crews has compiled a .211 batting average with 13 home runs, 35 RBIs, and 29 stolen bases over 116 major league games since his 2024 debut season.

The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to part ways with right tackle Jawaan Taylor unless they can secure a trade deal, according to multiple media reports. The move would create more than $20 million in salary cap relief for the 2026 season.

Taylor inked a massive four-year contract worth $80 million when he arrived in Kansas City as a free agent two years ago. The 2026 campaign represents the concluding year of that lucrative agreement.

Kansas City found themselves facing a significant financial crunch, sitting nearly $60 million above the projected salary cap following the conclusion of the 2025 season. Despite the league’s salary cap climbing to over $300 million – higher than many anticipated – general manager Brett Veach still faces considerable pressure to trim costs.

The organization has already made several financial adjustments, including parting ways with defensive end Mike Danna and reworking quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ contract structure. Additional cost-cutting measures are anticipated in the coming weeks.

The 28-year-old Taylor would likely see his roster spot filled by Jaylon Moore along Kansas City’s offensive front.

During his tenure with the Chiefs, Taylor accumulated a league-leading 49 penalties over 45 games, with 41 of those infractions being accepted by officials.

Throughout his professional career, Taylor has appeared in 111 games as a starter, beginning with Jacksonville from 2019-2022 before joining Kansas City. The Jaguars selected him in the second round as the 35th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

The Cincinnati Bengals have locked in guard Dalton Risner for another season, announcing Monday that they’ve reached a one-year contract extension that will keep him with the team through 2026.

According to his representatives Drew Rosenhaus and Shawn O’Dare, who spoke with ESPN, the contract could be worth as much as $5 million.

During his inaugural campaign with Cincinnati in 2025, the offensive lineman took the field for 14 contests, earning starting positions in 11 of those games while logging 768 snaps on offense.

The 30-year-old veteran has accumulated experience across 101 NFL games with 92 starts throughout his professional career. His journey has taken him from the Denver Broncos, where he spent four seasons from 2019 through 2022 after being selected in the second round of the 2019 draft, to a two-year stint with the Minnesota Vikings from 2023 to 2024, before joining the Bengals.

Dallas Cowboys rookie defender Donovan Ezeiruaku is on the road to recovery after undergoing hip surgery and may remain out of action through the beginning of training camp, according to an ESPN report released Monday.

The second-round selection from the 2025 NFL Draft had surgery to fix a torn labrum approximately five weeks ago, though he’s expected to be cleared for limited participation during organized team activities, the report indicates.

The 22-year-old player is set to make a position change this season, shifting from his previous role as a defensive end to outside linebacker as Dallas implements a 3-4 defensive system under newly appointed defensive coordinator Christian Parker.

During his first NFL season in 2025, Ezeiruaku saw action in every game throughout the 17-game schedule, earning starting assignments in nine contests. His rookie statistics included two quarterback sacks, 12 quarterback pressures, 40 total tackles with nine resulting in losses, one forced fumble, and one safety. He logged 604 defensive snaps along with 85 special teams plays.

The escalating conflict in the Middle East is creating major uncertainty for international sporting events, potentially disrupting the schedules of global superstars including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lewis Hamilton.

Event cancellations and travel restrictions have already begun following Saturday’s military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran. Sports organizers now face urgent decisions about whether major soccer matches and Formula 1 races can proceed as planned.

Over the past ten years, Middle Eastern countries have established themselves as essential players in the global sports arena, serving as event venues, financial supporters, and employers for elite athletes worldwide.

Time is running short for organizers to decide the fate of the “Finalissima” match set for March 27, featuring Spain versus Argentina – the European and South American champions respectively. This high-stakes game could provide Messi with another opportunity to add to his impressive collection of trophies.

Qatar announced Sunday that all soccer competitions would be suspended indefinitely. Argentina had been set to face Qatar in a friendly match on March 31.

“UEFA is monitoring and carefully assessing all developments of the situation in cooperation with (South American soccer body) CONMEBOL and the (local organizing committee),” European soccer governing body UEFA stated to The Associated Press on Monday.

Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabian team Al Nassr has already felt the impact through widespread cancellations of Asian Champions League matches. The team had been set to compete Wednesday in Dubai.

Formula 1 has upcoming races planned for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia next month. Since F1 teams and personnel typically begin shipping equipment and staff weeks ahead of events, decision-making time is rapidly diminishing. The sport’s governing body FIA states that “safety and wellbeing” remains their top concern.

Both men’s and women’s tennis circuits and the European golf tour recently completed their Middle Eastern tournament schedules and won’t return to the region for several months.

Iran’s men’s soccer squad is expected to travel to the United States for the World Cup in approximately three months, with their opening match against New Zealand scheduled for June 16 in Inglewood, California.

Questions remain about Iran’s participation in the tournament. Iranian soccer federation president Mehdi Taj expressed uncertainty, stating “we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope.”

The U.S. government has indicated it will provide travel ban exemptions for athletes and coaches participating in events such as the World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Even if competitions proceed, athletes and teams face significant concerns about safe travel to and from the region.

Former U.S. Open tennis champion Daniil Medvedev is among several players currently stranded in Dubai following last week’s tournament conclusion. Their travel delays could impact the BNP Paribas Open beginning Wednesday in Indian Wells, California.

Cricket and basketball athletes are encountering similar difficulties, along with thousands of international visitors, while Formula 1 staff are exploring alternate routes to avoid the region while traveling to this week’s Australian Grand Prix.

The Middle East’s role in international sports has expanded dramatically in recent years, with nations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar becoming major event hosts and financial contributors.

Beyond soccer and motorsports, Qatar is scheduled to host a World Endurance Championship sportscar event this month, a MotoGP motorcycle race, a gymnastics World Cup next month, and the season-opening Diamond League track and field meet in May. Qatar also owns Paris Saint-Germain, the Champions League-winning soccer club.

Saudi Arabia, designated to host the 2034 men’s soccer World Cup, has invested heavily in the LIV Golf series and emerged as a significant force in professional boxing.

The Cleveland Browns are addressing their offensive line needs by landing Houston Texans veteran Tytus Howard in an upcoming trade that will become official when the new NFL league year begins March 11.

The 29-year-old Howard brings significant versatility to Cleveland, having started at left guard, right guard, and right tackle during his seven-year tenure with Houston. Over his career, he has accumulated 93 starts and played multiple positions for the Texans last season.

When asked about the trade by KPRC2, Howard expressed understanding about the move. “I wasn’t surprised,” Howard said. “They’re trying to get younger and pay some guys. I ain’t mad. I kind of knew it was going to happen.”

The trade reunites Howard with former Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, marking another player exchange between these two franchises in recent years. Howard entered the NFL as the 23rd overall selection in the 2019 draft from Alabama State, while Watson joined the Browns via trade in 2020.

According to ESPN’s reporting, Cleveland will surrender a fifth-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft to complete the deal. Howard is anticipated to ink a three-year contract extension, with multiple sources indicating the agreement could reach a maximum value of $63 million.

The Browns face significant uncertainty along their offensive line, with only tackle Dawand Jones currently under contract for 2026. The 25-year-old Jones is working his way back from a lateral collateral ligament injury that ended his 2025 season in Week 3, adding to a concerning injury history that has prevented him from completing a full campaign. However, general manager Andrew Berry indicated at last week’s NFL Scouting Combine that Jones should be ready for training camp.

Houston has been active in reshaping their offensive line, having sent starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil to Washington at the beginning of last year’s league period. The Texans also dealt tackle Cam Robinson to Cleveland to help address the Browns’ injury-plagued line, though Robinson has since become a free agent.

Olympic skiing champion Lindsey Vonn has returned to her home following a catastrophic injury that nearly cost her leg during last month’s Milan Cortina Olympics. The 41-year-old athlete took to social media Sunday to share that she faces “a hard and painful journey” during her recovery process.

Vonn sustained a severe fracture to her left tibia after hitting a gate and careening off the course just 13 seconds into her downhill run on February 8th. The injury required five separate surgical procedures since the accident occurred.

The skiing legend revealed that amputation was a real possibility until Team USA’s orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Tom Hackett, provided immediate treatment for compartment syndrome by performing an emergency fasciotomy. This condition occurs when excessive pressure from bleeding or swelling within a muscle compartment cuts off blood circulation, potentially causing permanent damage without swift medical intervention.

Following her initial treatment, Vonn remained hospitalized in Italy for nearly two weeks, undergoing four surgeries before returning to the United States for a fifth procedure and additional recovery time prior to traveling home Sunday.

“Home sweet home. Feels good to sleep in my own bed,” Vonn posted on Instagram. “I’m focused now on therapy and getting healthy. It’s going to be a hard and painful journey but I am putting all of my energy into it, like I always do.”

Adding to her physical challenges, Vonn is also grieving the loss of her beloved dog Leo, whom she rescued from a shelter in 2014. She revealed earlier this month that Leo had been diagnosed with lung cancer after previously battling lymphoma eighteen months ago.

“The day I crashed, so did Leo,” Vonn had posted, noting February 9th as the date of his death.

In Sunday’s post, she reflected on the emotional difficulty of returning home, writing: “wheeling through the front door without Leo greeting me like always was a very hard reality. A reality I had to face. Along with many other hard realities that lay in front of me as I move forward….”

The veteran athlete told her followers she plans to “take some time for myself” and will share updates when possible, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support she has received.

Vonn had emerged from retirement despite having a partially reconstructed right knee, and was viewed as a strong medal contender before her devastating crash. Just one week prior to the accident, she had torn her left ACL during a World Cup downhill race, though she maintained she could still compete in the Olympics.

The accomplished skier was pursuing her second Olympic gold medal in downhill, having previously won in Vancouver in 2010. Her Olympic collection also includes two bronze medals. Throughout her career, she has accumulated 84 World Cup victories, including two wins this season alone.

The Los Angeles Lakers delivered a dominant performance at home Sunday, crushing the Sacramento Kings 128-104 behind stellar showings from their star duo.

Luka Doncic led all scorers with 28 points while dishing out nine assists, and LeBron James chipped in 24 points as the Lakers successfully completed their second straight victory. The win came just one day after Los Angeles snapped a three-game skid with an impressive road triumph over Golden State.

Supporting contributions came from Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton, who each tallied 12 points in the comfortable home victory.

The Lakers were nearly unstoppable offensively, connecting on 50.0% of their field goal attempts (47 of 94) while draining an impressive 46.2% from beyond the arc (18 of 39). The victory kicks off a favorable seven-game homestand for Los Angeles, with seven of their next eight contests scheduled at home through March 14.

Sacramento got strong individual efforts from Nique Clifford, who exploded for 26 points, and Maxime Raynaud, who recorded a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. The loss dropped the Kings to 2-2 since they finally broke their franchise-worst 16-game losing streak.

Former Laker Russell Westbrook managed 14 points against his previous team as Sacramento concluded a five-game road swing with a 2-3 record.

Los Angeles now holds a 3-1 season series advantage over the Kings with Sunday’s victory.

The Lakers seized control from the opening tip, building their first double-digit cushion at 19-8 with 5:55 left in the initial frame. Just four minutes later, that margin had ballooned to 34-14, and Los Angeles closed the first quarter ahead 36-18 after Doncic poured in 12 first-quarter points.

The second quarter saw the Lakers extend their lead to as much as 22 points before settling for a 64-49 halftime advantage. Los Angeles shot an efficient 51.2% from the field in the opening half while capitalizing on 12 Sacramento turnovers. Despite Sacramento holding a 27-18 edge on the boards, the Kings struggled mightily from three-point territory, making just 2 of 14 attempts.

Sacramento opened the third quarter with an 11-6 spurt to trim the deficit to 70-60, but the Lakers quickly answered with a decisive 13-2 surge that pushed their lead to 83-62 with 4:40 remaining in the period. James capped the quarter with a buzzer-beating three-pointer that sent Los Angeles into the final frame holding a commanding 96-76 advantage.

Any hopes of a Kings comeback were extinguished early in the fourth quarter when a Marcus Smart steal led to a fast-break dunk by James, giving the Lakers a 105-81 cushion with 9:43 on the clock. Sacramento never mounted a serious threat the rest of the way.

The New York Knicks put an end to the San Antonio Spurs’ impressive 11-game winning streak on Sunday afternoon, defeating the visiting team 114-89 at home behind strong performances from Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson.

Bridges led the Knicks with 25 points, shooting efficiently at 10-of-17 from the field and connecting on 5-of-9 three-point attempts. The forward also grabbed five rebounds and recorded five steals in the victory. Brunson contributed 24 points while dishing out seven assists and making four shots from beyond the three-point line.

Karl-Anthony Towns rounded out the Knicks’ balanced attack with 12 points and 14 rebounds. The victory marked New York’s 14th win in their last 18 contests and served as payback for a 134-132 loss to San Antonio on New Year’s Eve.

For the Spurs, star center Victor Wembanyama posted 25 points and pulled down 13 rebounds in the losing effort. Devin Vassell chipped in 18 points while Stephon Castle added 13 points. The defeat was San Antonio’s first since falling to the Charlotte Hornets 111-106 on January 31st. The Spurs were also limited to their lowest point total of the season.

In other NBA action around the league:

Cavaliers 106, Nets 102

Cleveland’s James Harden returned from a two-game absence due to a fractured right thumb and made an immediate impact with 22 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists in a narrow victory over Brooklyn in New York. Former Net Jarrett Allen contributed 20 points while Evan Mobley added 17 as the Cavaliers managed their third consecutive game without injured star Donovan Mitchell. Michael Porter Jr. paced Brooklyn with 26 points, while rookie Danny Wolf achieved a career-high 23 points and nine rebounds.

Celtics 114, 76ers 98

Neemias Queta exploded for a career-best 27 points and 17 rebounds to help Boston defeat visiting Philadelphia. Jaylen Brown matched Queta’s scoring output with 27 points while adding eight rebounds and eight assists. Derrick White contributed 21 points for the Celtics, who dominated the boards 59-37. Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey led all scorers with 33 points despite the loss.

Lakers 128, Kings 104

Luka Doncic tallied 28 points and nine assists while LeBron James added 24 points as Los Angeles completed a successful back-to-back series with a home victory over Sacramento. The Lakers bounced back from a three-game skid with the convincing win. Sacramento’s Nique Clifford scored 26 points in the losing effort.

Bulls 120, Bucks 97

Josh Giddey recorded a triple-double with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists as Chicago snapped an 11-game losing streak by defeating visiting Milwaukee. The Bulls used a devastating 27-0 run spanning the third and fourth quarters to secure their first victory since January 31st. Collin Sexton led all scorers with 22 points.

Timberwolves 117, Nuggets 108

Anthony Edwards scored 21 points and Jaden McDaniels added 20 as Minnesota defeated Denver on the road to move one game ahead of the Nuggets in the Western Conference standings. Despite Nikola Jokic’s near triple-double of 35 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists, Denver suffered their fourth loss in six games following the All-Star break.

Additional Results:

Memphis defeated Indiana 125-106 with Taylor Hendricks hitting a career-high five three-pointers. Atlanta extended their winning streak to four games with a 135-101 victory over Portland. Detroit’s Cade Cunningham recorded 29 points and 11 assists in a 106-92 win over Orlando. Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his historic scoring streak with 30 points in a 100-87 victory over Dallas. Los Angeles Clippers ended a three-game slide by beating New Orleans 137-117.

Mason McTavish delivered the decisive goal in a shootout to lift the Anaheim Ducks past the Calgary Flames 3-2 on Sunday, extending the team’s hot streak to five consecutive victories.

The Ducks received a two-goal performance from Cutter Gauthier in the triumph. Anaheim has captured 12 victories in their last 14 contests, positioning them just one point behind Vegas for first place in the Pacific Division while holding a game in hand. Netminder Lukas Dostal turned away 32 shots during regulation and overtime, allowing just one goal in the shootout.

McTavish clinched the victory in the third round of the shootout, displaying patience before finding an opening and sliding the puck home. The Ducks maintain an unblemished 7-0 mark in shootouts this campaign. Leo Carlsson also converted his shootout attempt.

Calgary received regulation goals from Joel Farabee and Yegor Sharangovich as they concluded a three-game California road swing with a 1-1-1 record. Goaltender Devin Cooley made 34 saves through overtime but couldn’t deliver the same heroics in the shootout.

Islanders 5, Panthers 4

Anders Lee netted the game-winner with just 30.9 seconds remaining as New York rallied from another two-goal deficit to defeat Florida in Elmont, N.Y.

Lee gained a step on Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad, extended his reach to draw out goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, and buried a forehand shot into the open left side of the net. Rookie Matthew Schaefer found the net twice, while Carson Soucy and Bo Horvat also tallied for the Islanders, who have captured five straight victories. New York has overcome 2-0 deficits in each of their last three wins. Goalie David Rittich registered 29 saves.

Sam Bennett scored a pair of goals while Sandis Vilmanis and Sam Reinhart each added one for Florida, which has dropped seven of nine games (2-7-0). Bobrovsky made 21 saves.

Penguins 5, Golden Knights 0

Arturs Silovs stopped 22 shots for his second shutout of the campaign as Pittsburgh dominated Vegas at home.

The performance marked Silovs’ second career shutout in 47 starts. Bryan Rust, Ben Kindel and Justin Brazeau each contributed a goal and assist, Erik Karlsson recorded two helpers, and Egor Chinakhov and Rickard Rakell also found the net for Pittsburgh, which has gone 10-1-4 since January 13.

Adin Hill made 17 saves for Vegas, which suffered its second consecutive defeat. Golden Knights forward Mark Stone departed near the end of the first period and did not return after receiving what appeared to be a harmless stick check to his upper left arm from defenseman Kris Letang. Stone dropped to one knee before immediately heading to the locker room.

Blues 3, Wild 1

Pavel Buchnevich scored the go-ahead goal with 3:39 remaining as St. Louis defeated Minnesota in Saint Paul, Minn.

Logan Mailloux and Robert Thomas also tallied for the Blues, who recovered from a loss to New Jersey the previous day. St. Louis has won twice in its last three outings. Goaltender Joel Hofer stopped 22 of 23 shots for the victory, improving to 14-11-3 and moving within one win of 50 career victories.

Kirill Kaprizov scored Minnesota’s only goal as the Wild lost their second straight game. Goaltender Filip Gustavsson made 21 saves on 23 shots.

Sharks 2, Jets 1 (OT)

Michael Misa scored 1:40 into overtime as San Jose came from behind to defeat visiting Winnipeg.

Misa carried the puck through the middle, split the defense and moved left before firing a wrist shot over Connor Hellebuyck’s blocker on the short side. Will Smith also scored, and Alex Nedeljkovic made 27 saves for San Jose, which has won two in a row following a five-game losing streak.

Morgan Barron tallied for Winnipeg, and Hellebuyck stopped 31 shots for the Jets, who have lost four of five games (1-1-3).

Blackhawks 4, Utah 0

Arvid Soderblom made 22 saves for his first career shutout as Chicago blanked Utah in Salt Lake City.

The milestone came in Soderblom’s 104th career appearance. Teuvo Teravainen scored on both the power play and short-handed, while Nick Foligno and Landon Slaggert also tallied for Chicago, which ended a three-game skid. The Blackhawks had also lost five of their previous six contests.

Karel Vejmelka stopped 24 shots for Utah, which suffered just its second loss in five games.

Golden State Warriors announced Sunday that superstar Stephen Curry will be sidelined for at least five additional games while dealing with a right knee condition before medical staff reassess his status.

The point guard has been absent from action since January 30 and will definitely miss Monday’s matchup at home versus the Los Angeles Clippers due to “right patellofemoral pain syndrome,” commonly known as “runner’s knee.” This condition results from overuse and causes discomfort in the area surrounding the kneecap.

Beyond Monday’s Clippers matchup, Curry will be unavailable for Golden State’s upcoming road games against Houston, Oklahoma City, and Utah, plus their home contest versus Chicago scheduled for March 10. The earliest possible return date for the star player would be March 13 when the Warriors host the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Team officials report that while Curry is showing improvement in his recovery, he has not yet resumed on-court activities.

The Warriors currently hold a 31-29 record, placing them eighth in the Western Conference standings. Without their star player, the team has struggled to a 4-6 record in games played before and after the All-Star break during his absence. Most recently, the Los Angeles Lakers dominated Golden State in a 129-101 victory on Saturday.

Fourth-seeded Peyton Stearns claimed her second professional tennis championship by defeating Taylor Townsend, another American player, in the ATX Open championship match on Sunday in Austin, Texas, winning 7-6 (8), 7-5.

The marathon contest lasted two hours and 22 minutes, with Stearns managing to prevail by delivering eight aces while successfully defending four of seven break point opportunities against her. The former University of Texas standout, who was previously an All-American, national singles champion, and member of two NCAA championship teams in Austin, benefited from playing on familiar territory.

Stearns faced early trouble in the opening set when Townsend broke her initial service game, later finding herself trailing 5-3 and staring down two set points. However, she managed to save both opportunities and then dominated by capturing 10 of the following 11 points. Though she couldn’t capitalize on four of her own set point chances during the tiebreaker, Stearns ultimately prevailed after defending yet another Townsend set point to claim the first set.

Meanwhile, at the Merida Open Akron in Mexico, Spain’s Cristina Bucsa achieved her breakthrough moment by defeating Poland’s Magdalena Frech 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 to earn her maiden tour-level championship.

Following her upset victory over top-seeded Italian Jasmine Paolini in the semifinals, Bucsa successfully converted five break point opportunities and won 32 of 43 first serve points (74.4%) in her match against Frech. She started aggressively by breaking Frech’s opening service game and, despite losing her own serve once, dominated the first set.

The second set marked Bucsa’s first set loss of the entire tournament, but she rebounded strongly in the deciding third set by building a 4-1 advantage. Though she had an opportunity to close out the victory on her own serve, Frech managed to break back. Bucsa immediately responded by breaking Frech’s next service game to secure both the match and the title.

A University of Colorado football player lost his life early Sunday morning when his vehicle crashed in Boulder County, according to head coach Deion Sanders.

Dominiq Ponder, age 23, was operating a 2023 Tesla when the single-vehicle collision occurred around 3 a.m. Sunday, according to reports from DNVR Buffs and FOX 31.

Sanders took to social media platform X to share his grief over losing the young athlete.

“God please comfort the Ponder family, friends & Loved ones,” Sanders wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Dom was one of my favorites! He was Loved, Respected & a Born Leader. Let’s pray for all that knew him & had the opportunity to be in his presence. Lord you’re receiving a good 1. Comfort us Lord Comfort us.”

Fellow quarterback Colton Allen, who shared the position room with Ponder, expressed his sorrow through an Instagram tribute.

“Dom, you were a blessing to so many people,” Allen wrote on Instagram. “You had a presence about you that just made everything better. You brought so much joy to me and everyone around you. I’m grateful for every lift, every practice, every rep, every conversation we got to share. I’ll carry those with me for the rest of my life. What happened feels so final. It feels heavy. It hurts.”

The Opa Locka, Florida native was beginning his third season with the Buffaloes after taking a redshirt year at Bethune-Cookman in 2023 before making the move to Colorado. During the 2025 season, Ponder appeared in two contests as a backup, completing one passing attempt and rushing twice.

Ponder was expected to compete for a higher position on Colorado’s quarterback depth chart heading into 2026. The tragic accident occurred just one day before the team was set to begin spring practice sessions.

The University of Southern California announced Sunday that their top scorer, Chad Baker-Mazara, has left the basketball program.

Baker-Mazara’s exit comes at a crucial time, with only two regular season contests remaining before the Trojans travel to Chicago for the Big Ten tournament. USC is currently struggling through a five-game losing streak.

University officials did not specify why the graduate transfer departed the team. During Saturday’s home defeat against 12th-ranked Nebraska, Baker-Mazara was spotted sitting among spectators along the baseline instead of with his teammates on the bench throughout the second half.

Given ongoing legal challenges to NCAA eligibility regulations, Baker-Mazara’s extensive 145-game collegiate career appears to have concluded.

The 26-year-old player has competed for five different college programs across six seasons, which included one year at a junior college level. Following single seasons at both Duquesne and San Diego State, he attended Northwest Florida State College during the 2022-23 academic year.

Baker-Mazara experienced his most successful period at Auburn, where he posted averages of 11.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists across 73 contests, starting 43 of those games. However, he was removed from an NCAA Tournament first-round matchup against Yale in 2024 after receiving a flagrant 2 foul for elbowing an opposing player; Yale subsequently defeated the fourth-seeded Tigers in an upset.

Despite that setback, Baker-Mazara contributed to Auburn’s rise to the top ranking in the nation for much of the 2024-25 season and their advancement to the Final Four, where they fell to SEC rival and eventual champion Florida.

During his time with USC, Baker-Mazara started 22 of his 26 games and recorded career-high averages of 18.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per contest.

The head of Iran’s soccer federation has cast doubt on whether the country’s national team will compete in World Cup matches scheduled on American soil, citing recent military strikes involving Iran and Israel. Federation president Mehdi Taj expressed uncertainty about his team’s participation in an interview with sports website Varzesh3.

“What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” Taj stated as Iran and Israel exchanged military strikes in an escalating regional conflict. Iran’s team has been placed in Group G for the tournament and is set to compete in two matches in Inglewood, California, with an additional game planned for Seattle.

In NASCAR history-making news from Austin, Texas, Tyler Reddick achieved an unprecedented feat by capturing his third consecutive victory to open the Cup Series season at Circuit of Americas. No driver had previously won the opening three races of a NASCAR Cup Series season until Reddick’s dominant performance on Sunday.

Racing a Toyota owned in part by basketball legend Michael Jordan, Reddick previously claimed victory at the season-opening Daytona 500 and followed up with a win in Atlanta before taking the checkered flag from pole position in Sunday’s road course event. Reddick successfully defended against a strong challenge from Shane van Gisbergen of Trackhouse Racing during the final 20 laps, while Jordan celebrated with the 23XI pit crew as his driver crossed the finish line. Van Gisbergen’s defeat ended his pursuit of a record-tying sixth straight road course victory. This marks Reddick’s 11th career win, adding to his previous COTA triumph in 2023.

At PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Colombian golfer Nico Echavarria claimed the Cognizant Classic title after Shane Lowry suffered a dramatic collapse in the tournament’s final holes. Despite trailing by three strokes with just three holes remaining, Echavarria managed a remarkable comeback to secure a two-stroke victory over Lowry.

The 31-year-old Echavarria carded a 5-under 66 to reach 17-under 267 for the tournament, earning his third PGA Tour title and his first victory on American soil. This win secures Echavarria’s second Masters Tournament appearance. Lowry’s chances crumbled when he sent his tee shot into the water on both the par-4 16th hole, resulting in a double bogey, and repeated the mistake on the par-3 17th.

The Los Angeles Kings made a coaching change Sunday, dismissing Jim Hiller and appointing D.J. Smith as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. The decision came after the team dropped five of their last six contests and slipped out of playoff contention.

This represents the first coaching move by general manager Ken Holland, who had retained Hiller when he assumed front office duties last May. Hiller was only in his second complete season leading the Kings, who appeared lifeless during Thursday’s 8-1 defeat to the Edmonton Oilers.

USC’s men’s basketball program announced that Chad Baker-Mazara, the team’s second-highest scorer, is no longer with the team, though the university provided no explanation for his departure. Baker-Mazara contributed 14 points in the first half of Saturday’s loss to No. 12 Nebraska before taking a hard fall near the baseline.

After playing just three minutes in the second half, Baker-Mazara did not return to the game. Coach Eric Musselman revealed that Baker-Mazara informed him he was unable to continue playing. The 26-year-old graduate student from the Dominican Republic had attended five different colleges during his career, including Auburn, where he helped the team reach last season’s Final Four.

The United States women’s national soccer team extended its shutout streak to six games with a 2-0 victory over Argentina in the SheBelieves Cup in Nashville, Tennessee. Lindsey Heaps contributed both a goal and an assist, while Jaedyn Shaw also found the net in Sunday’s triumph.

Under coach Emma Hayes’ leadership, the U.S. squad has outscored opponents 27-1 across their past seven matches. The team hasn’t suffered a defeat since a 2-1 loss to Portugal in Chester, Pennsylvania, on October 23. The match saw Lily Reale leave due to a right leg injury, and Argentina’s Milagros Martín received a yellow card during stoppage time for pushing Trinity Rodman.

Paralympic champion Oksana Masters represents a unique group of elite athletes who compete in both Summer and Winter Paralympic Games, requiring mastery of completely different athletic disciplines every two years. Masters holds the distinction of being America’s most decorated Winter Paralympian.

Approximately 120 athletes have participated in both Summer and Winter Paralympics over the past two decades. Masters, a double leg amputee, has competed in every Paralympics since 2012, earning medals in Para cross-country skiing and Para biathlon during winter competitions, while also medaling in Para cycling and Para rowing in summer events.

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama expressed surprise at his team’s performance following their 114-89 defeat to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, which ended an impressive 11-game winning streak. The Spurs struggled against New York’s defensive intensity and never recovered from a devastating 26-2 run by the Knicks in the opening half.

Wembanyama had anticipated better resistance from his team at the iconic venue, but the Spurs couldn’t match their February dominance. San Antonio had posted a perfect 11-0 record in February, becoming the first NBA team in history to remain undefeated while scoring at least 110 points in every game during a month with 10 or more contests.

Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone exited his team’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins due to an undisclosed injury sustained in the first period. The injury occurred when Kris Letang delivered what appeared to be a routine stick check to Stone’s left arm in the neutral zone late in the opening period.

Stone immediately showed signs of pain, dropped to one knee, and skated off the ice. The 33-year-old winger has dealt with various injuries throughout his NHL career spanning more than a decade. Stone ranks as the Golden Knights’ second-leading scorer with 60 points in 42 games this season and recently helped Canada reach the Olympic final before falling to the U.S. in overtime.

During a “Saturday Night Live” appearance, U.S. women’s hockey team captain Hilary Knight delivered a comedic moment alongside the recent controversy involving both American gold medal-winning hockey teams. Knight appeared with teammate Megan Keller and men’s team brothers Jack and Quinn Hughes during host Connor Storrie’s opening monologue.

Knight jokingly mentioned that initially only the women’s team was invited to appear, but they decided to include the men as well. Her comment referenced the recent dispute that arose when President Trump invited only the men’s team to attend his State of the Union address, later joking that he would need to invite the women’s team as well to avoid impeachment.

Multiple professional tennis players find themselves trapped in Dubai following the closure of regional airspace after U.S. military operations against Iran over the weekend.

Among those unable to leave the United Arab Emirates is Daniil Medvedev, the former top-ranked player who just captured his 23rd ATP championship at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Saturday. The Russian star is accompanied by his family and coaching staff.

Also stranded are Tallon Griekspoor, who was forced to withdraw from the final due to injury, and Andrey Rublev. The airspace shutdown occurred following Saturday’s American military strikes on Iranian targets, creating uncertainty about when travel will resume.

The 2021 U.S. Open winner shared his situation with Bolshe Tennis, explaining that departure plans remain completely unclear. All affected players are expected to participate in the upcoming BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, where main draw competition begins Wednesday.

“The situation is unusual, but basically, the only thing is that the airspace is closed, naturally,” Medvedev explained to the Russian outlet, as reported by tennisuptodate.com. “So, no one knows when we’ll be able to fly out. It’s not clear whether this will last long or not.”

“We’re just waiting to see what happens in the coming hours or days. They keep gradually pushing back the airport reopening time,” he added.

Despite the uncertain circumstances, the 30-year-old Russian maintains his composure and reports feeling well under the challenging situation.

“As strange as that sounds, on the court, I’m very emotional, but in real life, it might actually help me to be more emotional at times – so, for me, everything is normal,” Medvedev explained. “Naturally, I’ve received a lot of messages from friends and family, and everyone is worried, but I can say for my part that everything is fine.”

Both Medvedev and Rublev are scheduled to participate in Tuesday’s Eisenhower Cup mixed doubles exhibition at Indian Wells. Medvedev will partner with rising Russian talent Mirra Andreeva, while the 28-year-old Rublev is paired with American player Amanda Anisimova.

This marks Medvedev’s second Dubai championship, having previously won the tournament in 2023. The world No. 11 entered last week’s competition ranked outside the top 10.

Griekspoor, the 25th-ranked Dutch player, suffered a left hamstring injury during his semifinal victory over Rublev, who holds the 18th position in world rankings.

The stranded group extends beyond singles players to include doubles champions and runners-up from the Dubai tournament. Finland’s Harri Heliovaara and Britain’s Henry Patten, who won the doubles title, remain stuck alongside defeated finalists Mate Pavic of Croatia and El Salvador’s Marcelo Arevalo.

Tennis coaches, tournament officials, and sports journalists covering the Dubai event also find themselves unable to depart the emirate.

Baseball’s top-rated prospect Konnor Griffin continued his remarkable spring training performance on Sunday, launching another home run to power the Pittsburgh Pirates past the St. Louis Cardinals 6-1 in Jupiter, Florida.

The 19-year-old shortstop, who celebrates his 20th birthday on April 24, delivered a two-run blast in the opening frame – marking his third long ball in just six spring contests and 14 plate appearances. According to MLB Pipeline’s rankings, Griffin sits atop all baseball prospects and is building a compelling argument for Pittsburgh’s Opening Day shortstop position. Remarkably, all three of his hits this spring have left the ballpark.

Pittsburgh received additional offensive support from Jhostynxon Garcia, who also went deep, helping the team establish a commanding 4-0 advantage by the second inning. On the mound, Pirates hurler Hunter Barco – another top-100 organizational prospect – dominated through three hitless frames, recording three strikeouts while issuing two free passes.

St. Louis managed only one hit courtesy of Yohel Pozo, with their lone run coming via a double play. The Cardinals struggled offensively, managing just two at-bats with runners in scoring position.

In other spring action, the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays battled to a 4-4 deadlock in Lakeland, Florida. Toronto’s offense roughed up two-time reigning Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, who surrendered two runs and four hits across three innings after cruising through his initial spring outing. Detroit collected nine hits from nine different players, with Riley Greene contributing the team’s only extra-base knock – an RBI double.

Jonatan Clase paced Toronto’s attack with three hits, including a two-run double off Skubal in the third inning. Blue Jays pitcher Grant Rogers turned in three flawless innings on the hill.

The New York Mets edged the Houston Astros 4-3 in Port St. Lucie, Florida, behind home runs from Tyrone Taylor and Chris Suero, plus a double from Cristian Pache. Despite managing only six hits, three went for extra bases in New York’s prospect-heavy lineup. Clay Holmes impressed in his second spring start, fanning four batters over four innings while allowing one run.

Houston received hits from Jose Altuve and Joey Loperfido, scoring runs via sacrifice fly, walk, and wild pitch before Yonatan Henriquez delivered a walk-off single for the Mets.

The New York Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3 in Clearwater, Florida, breaking a 1-1 tie with a four-run seventh inning rally. Duke Ellis tripled and Yanquiel Fernandez doubled during the decisive frame. Yankees starter Will Warren established early momentum with 3⅔ innings of one-hit ball and three strikeouts, lowering his spring ERA to 1.42 across 6⅓ innings through two starts.

Philadelphia’s Bryson Stott connected for his second spring homer, but the team’s top three hitters – Trea Turner, J.T. Realmuto, and Alec Bohm – combined for an 0-for-9 performance with three strikeouts. Reliever Zach Pop absorbed the loss after surrendering four runs in ⅔ of an inning.

Atlanta’s split squad defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3 in North Port, Florida, with consecutive home runs from Austin Riley and Ben Gamel providing the winning margin. Gamel, a veteran competing for a roster spot, has launched three homers in 11 at-bats this spring, while Riley has two. Michael Harris II contributed a two-run single, and Reynaldo Lopez delivered three innings of one-hit shutout relief.

Tampa Bay received second spring homers from Yandy Diaz and Jacob Melton, while Drew Rasmussen tossed three perfect innings. The right-hander has surrendered just one hit across five scoreless spring innings.

In Fort Myers, Florida, another Atlanta split squad tied Minnesota 2-2 behind home runs from Brewer Hicklin and John Gil. The Twins received outstanding work from Mick Abel, who struck out six while allowing one hit over three scoreless frames. Minnesota acquired Abel from Philadelphia in last year’s Jhoan Duran trade. The Twins plated their runs on sixth-inning sacrifice flies by Kody Clemens and James Outman.

The Baltimore Orioles narrowly defeated the Boston Red Sox 8-7 in Fort Myers, with Heston Kjerstad collecting three hits and top prospect Samuel Basallo driving home two with a double. Fourth-ranked prospect Enrique Bradfield Jr. contributed a single, walk, and two runs for Baltimore. Offseason acquisition Chris Bassitt made his spring debut, allowing two runs over two innings.

Boston’s key winter addition Willson Contreras blasted his second spring homer – a three-run shot – as part of a two-hit, two-run performance at designated hitter. Allan Castro added a two-run single for the Red Sox, who squandered an early 6-1 advantage.

Finally, the Miami Marlins blanked the Washington Nationals 3-0 in West Palm Beach, Florida, using three extra-base hits to secure victory. Christopher Morel delivered an RBI triple, Daniel Johnson contributed an RBI double, and Heriberto Hernandez launched his first spring homer. Offseason signing Chris Paddack anchored a dominant pitching effort with three strikeouts over two shutout innings.

Washington managed four singles while going hitless in four at-bats with runners in scoring position. Brad Lord, who debuted in the majors last season, surrendered two runs on five hits across 2⅓ innings.

NEW YORK — Victor Wembanyama couldn’t hide his astonishment. The San Antonio Spurs, who had been unstoppable throughout February, stumbled badly as March began.

The Spurs crumbled under New York’s defensive intensity on Sunday, watching their impressive 11-game winning streak come to a halt in a lopsided 114-89 defeat.

The aggressive defense wasn’t anything new for San Antonio to face. That’s why Wembanyama anticipated his team would handle it much better at Madison Square Garden, but they never bounced back after the Knicks unleashed a devastating 26-2 scoring surge in the opening half.

“We gave them life,” Wembanyama said. “We should have been better, especially on that run in the first quarter.”

San Antonio had posted a perfect 11-0 record in February, making NBA history as the first franchise to remain undefeated while putting up 110 or more points in every contest during a month with at least 10 games. Things looked promising early when they jumped out to a 19-7 advantage on Sunday.

However, New York completely stifled them from that point forward, using their massive scoring run to flip the momentum and limiting San Antonio to their season-low point total.

“I was surprised, yeah,” Wembanyama said. “It feels like they’re a good basketball team, they are good actual basketball players. They’re not the nastiest, ugly team, you know? They’re not an ugly team to watch but they made our game ugly.”

The All-Star center finished with 25 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks, recovering offensively after managing just 12 points in his previous two outings. However, he turned the ball over seven times and criticized himself for playing too cautiously, particularly from three-point range where he connected on only 1 of 7 attempts.

Wembanyama also acknowledged making an error on what both he and head coach Mitch Johnson described as a crucial moment. San Antonio failed to secure the rebound after Knicks center Mitchell Robinson missed a free throw while the Spurs held a 21-14 advantage late in the opening quarter. New York closed the period with an 8-0 surge to grab the lead and then dominated early in the second quarter.

Prior to that sequence, Johnson noted that “the first 10 minutes roughly couldn’t have gone almost any better for us.” Following that stretch, his squad barely resembled the team that had climbed to the Western Conference’s No. 2 position.

“I think if you watched us even a little bit this year, the best version of us is fast, activity, space, pace,” Johnson said, “whether that’s ball movement, body movement or a combination of. And at that point through that stretch we were it felt like in quicksand a lot, both ways.”

Despite the setback, Wembanyama dismissed any concerns following the Spurs’ first defeat since January 31 against Charlotte.

“No, I don’t see any regression,” the All-Star center said. “I think it’s good for us to see this kind of adversity.”

PITTSBURGH — The Vegas Golden Knights lost their team captain during Sunday’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins when Mark Stone was forced to exit the game due to an injury that has not been disclosed by the team.

The incident occurred during the closing minutes of the opening period when Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang made contact with Stone’s left arm using his stick in the neutral zone. While the contact appeared minor, it may have struck Stone in an unprotected area between his shoulder and elbow padding. Stone immediately showed signs of discomfort, dropped to one knee on the ice, and headed to the locker room.

The 33-year-old forward has struggled with various injuries throughout his NHL tenure spanning more than ten years, most recently dealing with a wrist problem earlier this season. Since joining the league as a regular player with Ottawa during the 2014-15 campaign, Stone has never managed to appear in a complete 82-game season.

Currently, Stone ranks as Vegas’s second-most productive offensive player this season, accumulating 60 points across 43 contests. The Canadian winger recently competed in the Olympics, where he helped his national team advance to the championship game before falling to the United States in an overtime defeat.

North Carolina’s Elina Aarnisalo achieved her second consecutive career-best scoring performance, tallying 22 points to lead the 21st-ranked Tar Heels past 12th-ranked Duke 74-69 on Sunday in Chapel Hill, wrapping up their regular season with an impressive victory.

The Tar Heels (25-6, 14-4 ACC) found themselves down by two points at the break, but Aarnisalo’s flawless shooting from beyond the arc in the third period – connecting on all three attempts – propelled the home team ahead. Aarnisalo’s stat line also included seven boards, four assists and two steals.

Nyla Harris contributed 19 points and seven rebounds while converting 9-of-10 attempts from the charity stripe. When North Carolina fell behind 60-59 with 4:53 remaining on the clock, Aarnisalo and Harris sparked an 8-1 surge that included six successful free throws. The Tar Heels dominated at the foul line 20-10 and controlled the boards 45-33 to even their season series with the Blue Devils.

Duke’s Ashlon Jackson finished with 17 points on five three-pointers while Riley Nelson contributed 13 points for the Blue Devils (21-8, 16-2), who had previously secured at least a portion of the ACC championship. Delaney Thomas and Toby Fournier each scored 12 points but both fouled out during the final quarter.

In other top-25 action, fourth-ranked Texas defeated 24th-ranked Alabama 72-65 as Madison Booker recorded 21 points and nine rebounds in Tuscaloosa. Jordan Lee and Kyla Oldacre each scored 11 for the Longhorns (28-3, 13-3 SEC), who built a 17-point advantage before Alabama’s 7-0 fourth-quarter surge cut the deficit to 49-44. Jessica Timmons led Alabama with 24 points while Essence Cody added 16, but the Crimson Tide’s 19 turnovers resulted in 21 Texas points.

Meanwhile, 13th-ranked Ohio State dominated 15th-ranked Michigan State 87-68 behind Jaloni Cambridge’s 33-point explosion and Chance Gray’s 21-point effort in East Lansing. Cambridge and Gray combined for 14 three-pointers on 23 attempts, with Cambridge setting a personal best and Gray matching her season high. The Buckeyes (24-6, 13-5 Big Ten) used a decisive 15-0 second-quarter run to take control and led by 30 at halftime. Grace VanSlooten paced the Spartans (22-7, 11-7) with 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Australian golfer Wade Ormsby has been selected to replace Phil Mickelson in this week’s LIV Golf Hong Kong tournament as the legendary golfer remains absent due to an ongoing family health situation, according to an announcement from HyFlyers FC on Sunday.

The 55-year-old Mickelson announced on February 1st his intention to skip the season’s opening two tournaments in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Adelaide, Australia, due to an unspecified family health concern. Ollie Schniederjans filled in for the first tournament in Saudi Arabia, while Ormsby took his place during the Adelaide event.

Now Mickelson will be absent from Thursday’s tournament start in Hong Kong as well.

HyFlyers FC expressed enthusiasm about Ormsby’s return in a social media post, stating: “We are excited to have Wade join the team again in Hong Kong as he steps in for Phil. As a two-time winner of The Hong Kong Open, Wade brings a great deal of familiarity to Hong Kong Golf Club.”

The veteran Mickelson boasts an impressive career with six major championship victories, including three Masters titles. His most recent major triumph came at the 2021 PGA Championship, where at age 50 he became the oldest major winner in golf history and earned a five-year exemption to the U.S. Open.

Sunday’s US half marathon championship turned chaotic when a navigation error by a guide vehicle completely upended the women’s race results, leading the top three competitors down the wrong path with under two miles left to run.

The incident occurred as Jess McClain held a commanding lead over Ednah Kurgat and Emma Hurley. All three runners followed the guide vehicle as it veered away from the designated route, creating an opening for competitors who remained on course.

Molly Born, who had been trailing the leaders by more than 60 seconds, seized the unexpected opportunity to capture the championship title. Carrie Ellwood and Annie Rodenfels rounded out the top three finishers.

The navigation mistake proved costly for the original front-runners. McClain dropped to ninth place, while Hurley and Kurgat finished 12th and 13th respectively. The men’s competition proceeded without similar problems, with Wesley Kiptoo taking the victory.

USA Track & Field rejected an appeal regarding the incident, even while admitting the course lacked proper markings.

Since this event determined qualifiers for the 2026 World Road Running Championships, USATF indicated the selection process remains fluid.

“The team will not be officially selected until May,” the governing body stated. “USATF will review the events in Atlanta carefully.”

USATF placed blame for the guide vehicle error on local race organizers, explaining that lead vehicles “are provided and managed by the local organising committee” and referred inquiries to the Atlanta Track Club.

McClain, an experienced distance runner who placed eighth in the marathon at September’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, must now wait for USATF’s investigation to determine whether her championship aspirations can survive the course confusion.

BURIRAM, Thailand, March 1 – Italian rider Marco Bezzecchi transformed disappointment into victory Sunday, dominating the Thailand Grand Prix from start to finish at Chang International Circuit after crashing during Saturday’s sprint race.

The Aprilia rider controlled the race from pole position, securing a commanding win with more than five seconds separating him from second-place finisher Pedro Acosta of KTM and third-place Raul Fernandez from Trackhouse Racing. Defending champion Marc Marquez saw his race end abruptly due to a rear tire failure.

“Yesterday was a small mistake with a big consequence, so it was important today to try to bounce back,” Bezzecchi explained.

“My pace was good with the medium (rear tyre), we worked super well all weekend, so I knew that I could be fast if I was in front. So I tried my all to make a good start and the bike was perfect.”

The triumph marked a historic achievement for Bezzecchi, who became Aprilia’s first rider to capture three straight Grand Prix victories, a streak that began last season. Teammate Jorge Martin and Trackhouse’s Ai Ogura rounded out the top five, delivering an exceptional day for Aprilia motorcycles.

DUCATI’S REMARKABLE PODIUM RUN ENDS

Marquez’s tire trouble proved devastating for Ducati, ending an incredible streak of 88 straight races with at least one Ducati bike on the podium, dating back to 2021.

Starting from the front row, the Spanish rider couldn’t maintain competitive pace and was forced to withdraw on lap 21 when his rear tire failed at 176 kph (109 mph) during a corner, severely damaging the wheel rim as the rubber nearly separated.

The Marquez family’s troubles doubled when brother Alex crashed the following lap, giving both siblings who battled for last year’s title a forgettable Sunday.

The action began immediately as Bezzecchi took control entering the first turn. Fernandez soon overtook Marquez, followed by Martin’s move on lap four that positioned three Aprilia machines in podium spots.

Acosta, who won Saturday’s sprint, also passed the faltering Marquez, relegating him to fifth position.

As Bezzecchi and Fernandez built their lead, Acosta, Martin, and Marquez engaged in an intense battle for third place with multiple clean passes in sweltering conditions.

ACOSTA’S KTM PROVES DURABLE

Acosta maintained third place while keeping strong pace throughout the race – a notable improvement from KTM’s previous season difficulties – and capitalized when Fernandez’s tires began deteriorating to claim the runner-up position.

“It was quite difficult, especially the last five, six laps. I tried to give my maximum but I had destroyed the rear tyre,” an exhausted Fernandez stated.

Acosta now tops the championship standings with 32 points, while Bezzecchi sits second with 25 points.

“Remember how much we struggled last year here even to take points and this year we make back-to-back podiums. For this, we have to be super happy,” an elated Acosta commented.

“Thanks to KTM… Last year the start was not the one I dreamed of and we survived to make it this.”

The defending NWSL champions have cleared team captain Tierna Davidson to return from their season-ending injury list, the club announced Sunday.

The 27-year-old defender for the U.S. Women’s National Team was sidelined for the majority of the 2025 season after suffering a torn ACL.

Davidson is now beginning her third year with Gotham following a five-season stint with the Chicago Red Stars that lasted from 2019 through 2023.

The reigning NWSL title holders will kick off their 2026 regular season schedule on March 14 when they travel to face Boston Legacy on the road.

The veteran defender brings impressive international credentials to the field, having represented the USWNT in 67 matches. Her achievements include capturing the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup championship and earning Olympic gold at the 2024 Paris Games.

Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston will be absent from the Unrivaled league playoffs after sustaining an injury to her right lower leg, league officials confirmed Sunday.

The 24-year-old forward had an outstanding season in the 3-on-3 basketball league, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors just one day before the injury announcement. Boston posted impressive numbers throughout the season, scoring 18.9 points per game while pulling down 9.7 rebounds and recording 2.1 blocks across 14 contests. Her stellar performance also earned her a spot on the league’s second-team all-star roster.

Boston’s team, Phantom BC, enters the playoffs as the number one seed with an 11-3 record. They’re scheduled to take on sixth-seeded Vinyl, who finished 5-9, in Monday’s semifinal matchup in Brooklyn, New York. The victorious team will advance to Wednesday evening’s championship contest.

The South Carolina product was selected first overall in the 2023 WNBA Draft and has established herself as one of the league’s premier players. During the 2025 WNBA season, the three-time All-Star contributed 15.0 points and 8.2 rebounds per game while starting all 44 contests for Indiana.

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Kings dismissed head coach Jim Hiller on Sunday following a troubling stretch that saw the team drop five of their last six contests, causing them to slip from playoff contention.

D.J. Smith has been appointed as interim head coach for the remainder of the season, marking the first coaching decision made by general manager Ken Holland, who retained Hiller when he assumed control of the front office last May. Matt Greene, previously serving as player development coach, will join Smith’s coaching staff as an assistant.

“I want to thank Jim Hiller for his dedication, professionalism, and the commitment he showed to our players and our team every day: He is a respected coach and person, and we appreciate the work he’s done behind our bench,” Holland said. “At this point in the season, we believe a change in leadership is necessary to give our group the best opportunity to reach its potential and compete at the level we expect. These decisions are never made lightly, but our responsibility is to position this team for success now and moving forward.”

Hiller was completing just his second complete season leading the Kings, who appeared completely outmatched during an 8-1 defeat to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. Supporters repeatedly shouted “Fire Hiller!” as the Oilers dominated the second and third periods in what became Los Angeles’ most lopsided loss of the campaign.

The previous evening, Los Angeles surrendered five goals during the final period in a devastating 6-4 defeat to an undermanned Vegas squad in both teams’ initial contest following the Olympic break. A 2-0 victory over Calgary on Saturday proved insufficient to preserve Hiller’s position.

Hiller compiled a 93-58-24 record with the Kings and secured two playoff berths, though he never advanced beyond the first round.

The 56-year-old Hiller spent years as an NHL assistant before receiving his initial head coaching opportunity when the Kings elevated him to replace the dismissed Todd McLellan in February 2024. He stabilized their campaign and guided the Kings to the playoffs, though they were eliminated in the opening round by Edmonton — matching their fate in the two previous seasons under McLellan.

Los Angeles matched franchise records for wins (48) and points (105) last season during Hiller’s first complete campaign, yet they again faced the Oilers in the first round — with Connor McDavid eliminating them once more in six games.

Hiller continued McLellan’s emphasis on defensive-minded hockey as the Kings’ core philosophy, despite sometimes producing uninspiring play for spectators.

Holland attempted to address their scoring struggles by trading for high-scoring Artemi Panarin from the Rangers before the break, but the Kings subsequently lost star forward Kevin Fiala for the season when he suffered a broken leg representing Switzerland at the Olympics.

Following consecutive defeats after the break, Los Angeles now trails Seattle by three points, with the Kraken currently holding the final wild-card playoff position in the Western Conference.

“We didn’t feel good tonight,” Hiller said immediately after the 8-1 shellacking from Edmonton. “I don’t feel good standing here. Those players don’t feel good today, but we’ve got a job to do.”

Smith previously coached the Ottawa Senators from 2019 to 2023, overseeing four seasons without playoff qualification before his dismissal 26 games into his fifth season. He joined the Kings’ coaching staff when Hiller succeeded McLellan.

Smith becomes the Kings’ fifth head coach since the 2017 dismissal of Darryl Sutter, who guided Los Angeles to its only two Stanley Cup championships.

The Kings haven’t captured a playoff series since claiming that second Cup in 2014, managing just nine total victories across six first-round eliminations.

Hiller represents only the second coach dismissed in the NHL this season. Columbus replaced Dean Evason with Rick Bowness in January.

The Los Angeles Kings dismissed head coach Jim Hiller on Sunday following nearly three seasons with the organization and have appointed D.J. Smith to serve as interim head coach through the end of the current season.

Additionally, the franchise promoted player development coach Matt Greene to an assistant coaching position.

Currently holding a 24-21-14 record for 62 points, Los Angeles finds itself trailing the final Western Conference wild-card position by three points as of Sunday’s games. The team struggled immediately after the Olympic break, losing their opening two contests, including an embarrassing 8-1 defeat to Edmonton on Thursday where supporters loudly called for Hiller’s dismissal. However, they bounced back with a shutout 2-0 win against Calgary on Saturday.

The 56-year-old Hiller compiled a 93-58-24 coaching record across 175 games with Los Angeles. He initially came aboard as an assistant in July 2022, bringing experience from previous assistant roles with Detroit (2014-15), Toronto (2015-19), and the New York Islanders (2019-22).

Kings vice president and general manager Ken Holland expressed his thoughts on the decision: “I want to thank Jim Hiller for his dedication, professionalism, and the commitment he showed to our players and our team every day. He is a respected coach and person, and we appreciate the work he’s done behind our bench. At this point in the season, we believe a change in leadership is necessary to give our group the best opportunity to reach its potential and compete at the level we expect. These decisions are never made lightly, but our responsibility is to position this team for success now and moving forward.”

During his playing career, Hiller accumulated 20 points through eight goals and 12 assists along with 116 penalty minutes across 63 NHL games with Los Angeles, Detroit, and the New York Rangers. The Kings originally drafted him in the 10th round of the 1989 NHL Draft.

The 48-year-old Smith previously led the Ottawa Senators as head coach from 2019-24, recording a 131-154-32 mark before joining the Kings organization on February 5, 2024. His coaching background also includes an assistant role with Toronto from 2015-19.

Cuba’s national baseball team will move forward with plans to participate in the World Baseball Classic tournament, even after the United States rejected visa applications for eight members of their delegation.

The Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation announced late Saturday that they will not pull out of the international competition despite what they called unfair treatment by U.S. immigration officials.

“We reiterate the discriminatory, politicized, and unethical nature of the decision to deny visas to eight members of our delegation, but we will not withdraw from an event in which we have participated since its inception,” the federation stated.

The visa rejections came on Wednesday amid ongoing tensions between the United States and Cuba, as Washington has implemented what amounts to an oil embargo against the Caribbean nation, worsening fuel shortages and power outages across the island.

Most of those denied entry were support personnel, including Cuba’s baseball federation president and secretary general. However, the group also included pitching coach Pedro Luis Lazo, who was a standout pitcher during his professional playing career.

According to the Cuban federation, U.S. officials justified the visa denials by claiming Cuba has not cooperated with American immigration enforcement efforts. Cuban authorities dispute this explanation. The U.S. embassy in Havana has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.

Cuba is now preparing for the sixth edition of the World Baseball Classic, which serves as baseball’s equivalent to soccer’s World Cup. Their opening game is set for Friday in Puerto Rico, which is U.S. territory.

Before the tournament begins, the Cuban squad will face Major League Baseball teams in two exhibition matches at spring training facilities in Arizona this week.

Cuba dominated international baseball competition during the sport’s amateur era, capturing three consecutive Olympic gold medals between 1992 and 2004.

The island nation has been a regular participant in the World Baseball Classic since 2006, when the tournament became a professional competition featuring MLB players. In the most recent tournament held in 2023, Cuba advanced to the semifinals before falling to the United States.

Weather concerns have forced Major League Soccer officials to delay an upcoming match between Houston Dynamo and the New England Revolution that was set for next weekend.

Both soccer clubs made the announcement on Sunday that their March 7 game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts will be moved to a future date due to expected harsh weather conditions.

Weather forecasters are predicting rain and snow for the region on Thursday and Friday, with temperatures expected to fall into the low 30s during that period.

New York Mets utility infielder Grae Kessinger faces an extended absence of two to three months after suffering what manager Carlos Mendoza described Sunday as a “pretty significant injury” to his left hamstring.

Mendoza indicated that surgical intervention remains “on the table” for Kessinger, who had been competing for a spot on the team’s Opening Day roster as a versatile bench player.

The 28-year-old player joined the Mets organization through free agency on February 3rd. His most recent major league experience came during the 2024 campaign with the Houston Astros.

Houston selected Kessinger in the second round of the 2019 draft. During his two seasons with the Astros from 2023-24, he appeared in 48 games and posted a .131 batting average with one home run and one RBI. His defensive versatility allowed him to play shortstop, first base, second base, and third base.

The Arizona Diamondbacks released Kessinger on April 20, 2025, following his stint at Triple-A Reno where he compiled a .235 batting average with three RBIs across 11 games.

Minnesota Vikings officials have notified two veteran players they face release when the NFL’s new league year begins unless the team finds trading partners, according to an ESPN report published Sunday.

Running back Aaron Jones and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave received word from the organization about their potential departure, which would take effect March 11 at 4 p.m. Eastern Time when the new league year officially starts.

The Vikings would gain significant financial relief by parting ways with both players, freeing up $7.75 million from Jones’ contract and $10.9 million from Hargrave’s deal.

According to Spotrac’s calculations, Minnesota faces a challenging salary cap situation, currently sitting approximately $44.35 million above the 2026 season’s official limit of $301.2 million.

Jones, who turned 31, contributed 548 rushing yards across 132 attempts during the most recent season, finding the end zone twice on the ground through 12 games as a starter. His receiving statistics included 28 receptions for 199 yards and one touchdown.

The veteran back earned Pro Bowl recognition in 2020 and has accumulated 7,626 career rushing yards with 52 ground touchdowns over 126 games split between Green Bay (2017-23) and Minnesota.

Hargrave, 33, recorded 52 tackles and 3.5 quarterback sacks across 16 appearances (15 starts) in his debut season with the Vikings in 2025.

The defensive lineman has earned two Pro Bowl selections throughout his career, compiling 432 total tackles and 49.0 sacks across 146 games (130 starts) while playing for Pittsburgh (2016-19), Philadelphia (2020-22), San Francisco (2023-24), and Minnesota.

JUPITER, Fla. — The St. Louis Cardinals have locked in manager Oliver Marmol for the long haul, announcing Sunday that the skipper has agreed to a two-year contract extension that will keep him in the dugout through at least 2028.

The new agreement also features a team option for the 2029 season, according to the franchise.

“As I’ve gotten to know Oli, I’ve seen someone who cares about this organization and knows what has made the Cardinals special over time, and who understands that for us to get where we need to go, we must compete relentlessly to set new standards in everything that we do,” Cardinals president Chaim Bloom said in a statement. “He is invested in the progress of our young core and is unafraid to challenge himself and to help those around him grow.”

The 39-year-old skipper has been at the helm in St. Louis for four campaigns, guiding the team to a National League wild-card appearance during his inaugural season as manager. However, the Cardinals haven’t reached postseason play in the subsequent three years, finishing with a disappointing 78-84 record this past season.

Despite the recent struggles, the Cardinals view the last few seasons as part of a broader organizational reset, with Bloom stepping into his role after longtime executive John Mozeliak and the team working to revitalize its roster. This context makes providing continuity with Marmol a logical move, as he now ranks as the National League’s third-longest serving manager, trailing only Dave Roberts of the Dodgers and Torey Lovullo of the Diamondbacks.

Marmol’s history with the Cardinals organization dates back to 2007 during his playing career. After spending five years managing in the minor league system, he joined the major league coaching staff in 2017 before being promoted to the top job on October 25, 2021.

Through his four seasons leading the Cardinals, Marmol holds a 324-323 record.

An 18-year-old NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series newcomer was hospitalized for heat-related illness following Saturday evening’s street race in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Tyler Reif was taken to a nearby hospital after completing the race in 16th place while driving the No. 42 Chevrolet for Niece Motorsports. Medical officials released him later that evening.

“Tyler and his family would like to express their gratitude to the NASCAR officials, track medical workers and the local medical facility staff for their care,” Niece Motorsports said in a release.

The young driver began competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series this year as a first-year participant. Saturday’s event marked only his third appearance in the series, following a 17th-place result at Atlanta on February 21.

The St. Louis Cardinals announced Sunday they have secured manager Oliver Marmol with a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the helm through the 2028 season.

The organization did not reveal the financial details of the deal, though it includes a team option for the 2029 campaign.

“As I’ve gotten to know Oli, I’ve seen someone who cares about this organization and knows what has made the Cardinals special over time — and who understands that for us to get where we need to go, we must compete relentlessly to set new standards in everything that we do,” president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said.

“He is invested in the progress of our young core and is unafraid to challenge himself and to help those around him grow. I am energized to continue working with him towards the on-field success that we expect and that our fans deserve.”

The 39-year-old Marmol has compiled a 325-323 win-loss record across four seasons managing the Cardinals. His most successful campaign came in 2022 when he steered St. Louis to the National League Central division championship, though the team was eliminated by the Philadelphia Phillies in the wild-card round.

The Cardinals struggled in the most recent season, finishing with a 78-84 record that left them in fourth place within the NL Central division.

Before taking over as manager, Marmol served as a coach for the Cardinals organization from 2017 through 2021, working under former managers Mike Matheny and Mike Shildt.

A rising star in professional golf continued his impressive streak Sunday as 22-year-old Casey Jarvis captured the South African Open championship, marking his second consecutive tournament victory on the DP World Tour.

The young South African golfer secured the win with a commanding three-stroke lead, posting a total score of 14-under-par across four rounds at Stellenbosch Golf Club. His final round score of 67 brought his tournament total to 266 strokes and earned him qualification for the prestigious Masters tournament at Augusta next month.

Three players shared runner-up honors at 269 strokes: South Africa’s Hennie du Plessis, Italy’s Francesco Laporta, and France’s Frederic Lacroix.

Beginning the final round with a slim one-shot advantage, Jarvis quickly expanded his lead by sinking a birdie on the opening hole. He maintained his composure throughout the round, even when weather forced officials to halt play for nearly an hour due to dangerous lightning and thunderstorms with just one hole remaining.

Jarvis becomes the eighth consecutive South African winner of this historic championship, which ranks among the world’s oldest national open tournaments, dating back to its inaugural event in 1903.

The victory follows Jarvis’s triumph at last week’s Kenya Open in Nairobi, where he also won by three strokes. Notably, du Plessis placed third in that tournament while Laporta finished fourth, creating a familiar leaderboard for both events.

Team USA sailed to victory at the Sydney Sail Grand Prix on Sunday, capturing their first championship since claiming the title in Cadiz back in October 2023. Captain Taylor Canfield guided the American crew to triumph while Australia’s Bonds Flying Roos experienced disappointment by missing the event final for the first time ever.

The American team dominated the three-boat championship race from the start, executing a flawless approach to the initial gate and taking an early lead over Emirates GBR. They maintained their position throughout the race to claim the top spot. The defending champions from Great Britain finished in second place, with Los Gallos Spain taking third despite being the weekend’s most reliable performers.

“We’ve been putting in the effort – we said we were going to stick to our processes and that showed. We’re getting better all the time and to get a win is huge,” Canfield told reporters.

“It was a tricky race track but we came into today with a really good plan. We knew we had to keep the pedal down, stay in clean air, stay out of the pack.”

“Our starting has always been pretty good in the lighter conditions, and we got off the line well, kept our heads out of the boat and did a nice job.”

Earlier in the day, Emirates GBR’s Dylan Fletcher guided his team to a close victory in the fifth race, edging past Spain after calm winds bunched the competing boats near the first marker and created a strategic battle on the final stretch. Spain’s runner-up position in that race strengthened their lead in the overall event rankings.

During the sixth race, the American team launched perfectly from the starting line and maintained their advantage throughout the entire course. Spain fought back from last place to claim fourth, finishing behind Germany and Rockwool Denmark.

Nicolai Sehested’s Danish team captured the concluding fleet race, while both the United States and Emirates GBR earned spots in the final with fifth and sixth-place results respectively. Australia, under Tom Slingsby’s leadership, was knocked out after finishing 10th.

SailGP features international competition with high-velocity racing using matching F50 foiling catamarans that can reach speeds over 100 kilometers per hour (60 miles per hour). The championship series brings together national teams competing in regattas at prestigious venues around the globe.

Dallas completed a remarkable turnaround Saturday night, overcoming a two-goal deficit to defeat Nashville 3-2 in overtime and extend their winning streak to eight games.

Jason Robertson delivered the decisive blow just 1:47 into overtime, finishing off a pass from defenseman Miro Heiskanen for his team-leading 33rd goal of the season. The Stars had trailed 2-0 with under four minutes remaining in the second period before mounting their comeback.

Wyatt Johnston contributed a goal and assist while Nathan Bastian also found the net for Dallas. Goaltender Jake Oettinger was solid between the pipes, turning away 25 shots to help secure the victory.

Nashville’s Michael Bunting and Steven Stamkos provided the early offense that put the Predators ahead 2-0. Luke Evangelista recorded two assists and Juuse Saros made 22 saves, but the Predators couldn’t hold their lead and now stand 1-1-2 over their last four contests.

In other NHL action Saturday night, the New York Rangers ended their five-game losing skid with a 3-2 shootout victory over Pittsburgh. Vincent Trocheck scored the lone shootout goal, cutting from the left circle and beating goalie Stuart Skinner glove-side.

The Rangers had fallen behind 2-0 early, allowing goals to Anthony Mantha and Ryan Shea in the opening minutes of the first two periods. Mika Zibanejad sparked the comeback with a power-play tally late in the second, and Taylor Raddysh evened the score early in the third.

Philadelphia snapped Boston’s eight-game point streak with a 3-1 victory, scoring twice to open the third period. Travis Konecny and Jamie Drysdale each tallied and assisted on the other’s goal, while Dan Vladar made 26 saves. Charlie McAvoy extended his point streak to nine games with Boston’s lone goal.

San Jose ended their five-game slide by defeating Edmonton 5-4, with Shakir Mukhamadullin providing the game-winner on a third-period slap shot. Connor McDavid, the league’s scoring leader, collected three assists for the Oilers, while 12 different Sharks players recorded points.

The New York Islanders remained perfect in overtime, improving to 8-0 in extra time with a 4-3 victory over Columbus. Simon Holmstrom scored the winner with 3:12 remaining in overtime, completing another comeback win for the Islanders.

New Jersey halted their five-game losing streak with a 3-1 triumph over St. Louis, getting 25 saves from Jacob Markstrom. Luke Hughes returned from injury to contribute an assist in his first game since January 19.

Colorado bounced back from a disappointing home loss with a 3-1 victory over Chicago, led by Cale Makar’s two goals. The Avalanche maintain the NHL’s best record with 87 points, while the Blackhawks have dropped eight of their last nine games.

Carolina extended their winning streak to five games and point streak to 12 games with a 5-2 victory over Detroit. Taylor Hall and Shayne Gostisbehere each recorded a goal and two assists in the win.

Buffalo dominated Tampa Bay 6-2, scoring four times in the opening period to cruise to their third straight victory since the Olympic break. Josh Norris netted twice while Rasmus Dahlin added a goal and two assists.

Los Angeles goaltender Anton Forsberg recorded his second shutout of the season, making 29 saves in a 2-0 victory over Calgary. The Kings snapped a five-game losing streak with goals from Alex Laferriere and Adrian Kempe.

Montreal earned points in their seventh consecutive game with a 6-2 victory over Washington. Cole Caufield scored twice in the first period, while Alex Ovechkin tallied both goals for the Capitals.

Ottawa defeated Toronto 5-2 behind Dylan Cozens’ two goals and assist. Drake Batherson also scored twice for the Senators, who improved to 1-0-1 since the Olympic break.

Seattle opened a six-game homestand with a convincing 5-1 victory over Vancouver. Jordan Eberle recorded two goals and an assist, while the Canucks extended their losing streak to five games.

Second-ranked Arizona delivered a commanding 84-61 victory over 14th-ranked Kansas on Saturday in Tucson, getting revenge for their earlier season defeat while securing at least a share of the Big 12 regular season title.

The Wildcats (27-2, 14-2 Big 12) dominated the Jayhawks with a decisive 16-0 scoring surge, with Jaden Bradley contributing six of his 10 total points during that crucial run. This win avenged Arizona’s February 9th defeat at Kansas, which ended their historic 23-0 start to the season.

Brayden Burries paced Arizona’s offensive attack with 20 points while also grabbing 12 rebounds and dishing out five assists. Koa Peat, returning after missing three games due to a lower-leg muscle strain, contributed 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists in his comeback performance.

Kansas (21-8, 11-5) was led by Darryn Peterson’s 24 points. Peterson had been sidelined with flu-like symptoms during the teams’ previous meeting. Tre White and Melvin Council Jr. each chipped in 13 points for the Jayhawks.

In other top-25 action, top-ranked Duke overwhelmed 11th-ranked Virginia 77-51, with Isaiah Evans leading the way with 19 points. The Blue Devils built their advantage to as much as 28 points in the second half.

Sixteenth-ranked Texas Tech stunned fourth-ranked Iowa State 82-73 on the road, handing the Cyclones their first home defeat of the season. Donovan Atwell sparked the Red Raiders with 18 points, connecting on six three-pointers.

Fifth-ranked Houston snapped a three-game losing streak by demolishing Colorado 102-62, with Milos Uzan pouring in 26 points and hitting five of seven three-point attempts.

Sixth-ranked UConn edged Seton Hall 67-71 behind Alex Karaban’s 23 points on five three-pointers. The Huskies overcame an eight-point second-half deficit with a 10-0 run.

Seventh-ranked Florida clinched at least a share of the SEC regular season title with a dominant 111-77 victory over 20th-ranked Arkansas. Thomas Haugh led the Gators with 22 points in their highest-scoring game of the season.

In an upset, unranked Saint Mary’s defeated ninth-ranked Gonzaga 70-59 to claim a share of the West Coast Conference title. Mikey Lewis set career highs with 31 points and seven three-pointers for the Gaels.

Twelfth-ranked Nebraska rallied from a second-half deficit to defeat USC 82-67, with Pryce Sandfort scoring over 32 points for the second time in a week.

Other notable results included 15th-ranked St. John’s crushing Villanova 89-57 behind Zuby Ejiofor’s first career triple-double, and 17th-ranked Alabama edging 22nd-ranked Tennessee 71-69 on a late jumper by Labaron Philon Jr.

Olympic hockey champions from both the men’s and women’s U.S. teams took center stage on Saturday Night Live, using humor to address a recent controversy that dominated headlines all week.

Women’s team captain Hilary Knight, alongside teammate Megan Keller and brothers Jack and Quinn Hughes from the men’s squad, made an unexpected appearance during the opening segment with “Heated Rivalry” star Connor Storrie.

The four athletes entered wearing their Team USA uniforms with gold medals hanging around their necks, receiving enthusiastic applause from the studio audience. After the Hughes brothers initially joined Storrie on stage, Knight and Keller made their entrance.

“It was going to be just us, but we thought we’d invite the guys, too,” Knight said, drawing laughter with her pointed comment.

Her remark directly addressed the recent uproar following President Donald Trump’s congratulatory phone call to the men’s team after their 2-1 overtime victory over Canada at the Milan Cortina Games on Sunday.

During that speakerphone conversation, Trump extended an invitation to his State of the Union address to the male players, then mentioned he would need to include the women’s team as well. He joked that failing to invite the women could result in impeachment, a comment that prompted laughter from the men but drew widespread criticism as inappropriate.

Knight had previously characterized Trump’s remarks as “distasteful and unfortunate” during a Wednesday interview.

Several male team members later acknowledged their response was inappropriate. Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman admitted they “should have reacted differently” to the president’s comments.

The women’s team, which defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime three days before the men’s victory, respectfully turned down Trump’s invitation, citing scheduling conflicts. The female athletes flew commercial and arrived back in North America late Monday, significantly later than their male counterparts who returned via charter aircraft funded by the NHL and its players’ union.

Jack Hughes netted the game-winning goal in overtime for the men’s team, while Keller scored the decisive overtime goal for the women after Knight had tied their championship game in the closing moments of regulation.

Knight, who competes for Seattle Torrent in the PWHL, made the journey to New York City just one day after being placed on long-term injured reserve. Keller, a Boston player, rushed to the city following her team’s 3-2 shootout victory over Ottawa earlier that same day.

The Hughes brothers play professionally in the NHL, with Jack representing the New Jersey Devils and Quinn skating for the Minnesota Wild.

The comedic exchanges continued when Quinn Hughes mentioned that the men’s team hadn’t captured gold for 46 years, referencing the legendary 1980 Lake Placid triumph.

Knight quickly responded that the women had last won their championship in 2018, prompting Jack Hughes to laugh and say “nice burn” before addressing Storrie: “These gold medals aren’t just for us, they’re for all hockey fans, yours’ too.”

When Storrie requested to try on one of the medals, all four Olympians simultaneously declined with a firm “No.”

“Heated Rivalry” has gained significant popularity since debuting its first season on HBO Max. The series adapts Rachel Reid’s 2019 novel, focusing on a romantic storyline between two professional hockey players from rival teams who maintain a secret relationship.