Category: Sports

Netflix has selected veteran broadcaster Matt Vasgersian to serve as the primary voice for the streaming platform’s inaugural Major League Baseball coverage.

The experienced announcer will call the action when the New York Yankees travel to face the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on March 25, marking Netflix’s first venture into live regular-season baseball broadcasting. Vasgersian is anticipated to continue as the primary play-by-play voice for Netflix’s complete MLB programming lineup throughout the season.

The streaming service has assembled a broadcast crew featuring established baseball personalities alongside its new in-house talent. Elle Duncan will serve as the main host, joined by former stars Albert Pujols and Anthony Rizzo providing analysis from the studio. In the broadcast booth, Vasgersian will work alongside former pitchers CC Sabathia and Hunter Pence, while Lauren Shehadi handles field reporting duties.

This assignment adds to Vasgersian’s already busy schedule. The announcer will continue his established role with MLB Network while also covering NBC’s Opening Day broadcast on March 26, featuring the Pittsburgh Pirates against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Starting in May, he’ll join Peacock’s “MLB Sunday Leadoff” broadcast team. Meanwhile, NBC’s new “Sunday Night Baseball” programming will feature Jason Benetti as the primary announcer, with rotating local analysts selected based on the teams playing.

Baseball fans heading to Arizona’s Cactus League spring training games may want to pack extra sunscreen and water bottles as an extreme heat wave approaches the desert.

Central Arizona is bracing for potentially record-breaking temperatures over the coming 10 days, with the mercury expected to climb into the 90s by week’s end and possibly exceed 105 degrees Fahrenheit next week.

Phoenix National Weather Service meteorologist Katherine Berislavich reported Wednesday that forecasters predict approximately a 55% probability of temperatures surpassing 105 degrees by next Wednesday, March 18. Those odds increase to 70% for March 19 and jump to 85% for March 20.

The Phoenix metropolitan area hosts 15 of Major League Baseball’s 30 franchises for their exhibition season. While MLB doesn’t control spring training schedules, individual teams have the flexibility to shift daytime contests to evening hours if conditions warrant.

Spring training traditionally features afternoon games where spectators enjoy comfortable temperatures typically ranging from the 70s to 80s.

Should temperatures fall short of 105 degrees, triple-digit heat remains highly probable. Phoenix’s earliest 100-degree reading occurred on March 26, 1988 — the sole instance of the city reaching that milestone during March.

The sweltering conditions may challenge even elite professional athletes. Arizona Diamondbacks skipper Torey Lovullo acknowledged awareness of the approaching heat and indicated possible scheduling modifications.

“We know it’s going to be smoking hot next week, but we’ve got to get work done,” Lovullo stated. “There’s nothing that you can do sometimes to replace going out and actually doing it. We’ll find a way to get it done and make sure these athletes are healthy, strong, hydrated and ready for the next day.”

“But we may make some adjustments.”

NEW YORK — Professional women’s basketball officials and player representatives continued contract negotiations Wednesday following an exhausting overnight bargaining session that concluded at 5 a.m. without reaching an agreement on a new collective bargaining deal.

The lengthy discussions wrapped up early Wednesday morning after 12 hours of talks, but both parties reconvened that afternoon and were still meeting as evening approached.

Speaking Wednesday morning, union executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson expressed optimism, noting there were “a lot of conversations going in the right direction.”

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert briefly addressed media outside the Manhattan hotel hosting the negotiations.

“It’s complex, but we’re working towards a win-win deal like we’ve been saying, transformational deal for these players. That balances all the things we’ve been trying to balance with continued investment by our owners,” Engelbert stated. “So, we’re working hard towards that and still have work to do.”

The players’ union brought executive committee members Nneka Ogwumike, Breanna Stewart, Alysha Clark and Brianna Turner to join Jackson and union staff. League representatives included Engelbert, head of league operations Bethany Donaphin and New York Liberty owner Clara Wu Tsai. Connecticut Sun president Jen Rizzotti joined Wednesday’s negotiating team.

During the overnight marathon session, neither party departed the hotel. The following day, both groups stepped outside during breaks to enjoy Manhattan’s unusually mild mid-March weather.

According to a source close to the negotiations who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the talks, both parties have been presenting proposals during the past two days of bargaining.

Major disagreements center on revenue sharing arrangements and housing provisions, along with disputes over franchise player designations and benefits for former players.

League officials previously stated that at minimum, a preliminary agreement would need completion by Tuesday to maintain the planned season schedule.

“We’ve got to get this deal done. We’ve got to get it done soon,” Engelbert told reporters without accepting questions.

Once negotiators reach an agreement in principle, the league indicates several weeks will be required to finalize the collective bargaining agreement. Following completion, expansion drafts for new Portland and Toronto franchises would occur between April 1-6, based on a timeline provided to the Associated Press.

Teams would issue free agent qualifying offers, including franchise tags, on April 7-8. Organizations would then have three days to negotiate with more than 80% of players entering free agency. The signing window would run from April 12-18.

Training camps would begin the following day, allowing the season to commence May 8.

However, reaching that timeline requires resolving the revenue sharing structure. The union’s recent proposal requested an average of 26% of gross revenue throughout the contract period, starting at 25% in year one. League officials called that figure unrealistic.

The WNBA’s latest offers have proposed more than 70% of net revenue, with increases tied to continued league growth.

Baltimore Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta revealed his disappointment after the team’s ambitious plan to create a dominant pass-rushing combination fell apart this week.

The Ravens had envisioned fielding Pro Bowl edge rushers Maxx Crosby from Las Vegas and newly-acquired Trey Hendrickson simultaneously, which could have dramatically enhanced their defensive capabilities.

However, by Tuesday morning, those aspirations crumbled when Baltimore abandoned its agreement to obtain Crosby from the Raiders, just one day prior to finalizing a substantial free-agent deal with Hendrickson.

“Nobody’s more upset about this than me — gutted by it, actually,” DeCosta stated during Wednesday’s press conference at the team’s facility. “And so a regret, a big regret for me, but we will move on as a football team.”

Last Friday, Baltimore had committed to trading two first-round draft selections to Las Vegas in exchange for Crosby, with the transaction scheduled to become official when the NFL’s new league year commenced Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the Ravens conducted Crosby’s mandatory physical examination after he visited their facility. The defensive end had undergone knee surgery in January, and various media outlets reported that Baltimore could not proceed with the agreement following their review of the medical evaluation.

While DeCosta acknowledged Crosby’s visit to the facility, he stated the organization “couldn’t complete the process.” He refused to provide additional details regarding Crosby, who has accumulated 69.5 sacks across 110 career games.

The aftermath proved swift and dramatic as Baltimore quickly shifted focus to Hendrickson, who boasts 81 sacks in 117 regular-season contests. The Ravens secured a four-year, $112 million contract with the former Cincinnati star less than 24 hours after abandoning the Crosby deal.

This rapid sequence of events led many to speculate that Baltimore reconsidered the financial commitment to Crosby and opted for an alternative pass rusher. DeCosta disputed this interpretation, emphasizing that the organization intended to pursue both players.

According to DeCosta, discussions with Hendrickson began Monday after learning that center Tyler Linderbaum was traveling to Las Vegas, and these conversations initially centered on complementing Crosby rather than replacing him.

“We live in that age of skepticism,” DeCosta commented. “I’ve got a responsibility to the Ravens, to this community, to our fans and to (majority owner) Steve Bisciotti to do what we think is best for the club.”

DeCosta minimized concerns about potential lasting consequences from the collapsed trade, noting that his phone continues to ring with opportunities and maintaining that the Ravens’ league-wide relationships remain intact.

While the PGA Tour has stepped back from calling this week’s tournament the “fifth major,” most professional golfers would acknowledge that capturing victory at TPC Sawgrass ranks as the second-most prestigious prize in golf after the four major championships.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy’s participation remains uncertain as he deals with back spasms, while two-time winner Scottie Scheffler looks to make history by becoming only the second golfer alongside Jack Nicklaus to claim three Players Championship titles. The tournament consistently attracts golf’s biggest stars, with 47 of the world’s top 50 players competing in this year’s field.

Golf analysts are offering their tournament predictions and wagering recommendations for this week’s competition.

TOURNAMENT DETAILS

Venue: Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, March 12-15

Golf Course: TPC Sawgrass (Par 72, 7,352 Yards)

Prize Money: $25 million (Champion receives $4.5 million)

Current Title Holder: Rory McIlroy

FedEx Cup Points Leader: Collin Morikawa

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Television Coverage: Thursday-Friday: 1-7 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); Saturday: 2-7 p.m. (NBC); Sunday: 1-6 p.m. (NBC)

Online Streaming (ESPN+): Thursday-Friday: 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. ET; Saturday: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Social Media: @ThePlayers

WAGERING RECOMMENDATIONS

Robert MacIntyre over Brooks Koepka (-190 at DraftKings): Koepka’s tournament history shows his strongest result was a tie for 11th place in 2018 across six appearances, indicating poor performance at TPC Sawgrass. MacIntyre currently sits eighth in world rankings and achieved a ninth-place finish at this venue last season, despite recent inconsistent play.

Playoff Finish (+350 at BetMGM): Recent tournament history shows five of the last six championships were determined by single-stroke margins, with TPC Sawgrass’s challenging final holes creating dramatic finishes.

Water Balls on 17th Hole Over 37.5 (-265 at DraftKings): Since 2003, players have hit 1,068 balls into the water hazard on the famous 17th hole. The peak was 93 balls in 2007, while recent years have averaged 39. The reduced field size keeps expectations moderate for this popular betting option.

TOP CONTENDERS

Scottie Scheffler (+450 at BetMGM) captured back-to-back victories in 2023-24 and pursues historic status as only the second three-time champion alongside Jack Nicklaus. Despite recent first-round struggles, Scheffler maintains the tour’s longest active streak with 69 consecutive made cuts. His odds have slightly increased from the opening +400 despite leading in total betting action at 9.7%.

Rory McIlroy (+1600) has won twice at TPC Sawgrass but arrived Wednesday after pulling out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational due to back spasms. His tournament participation will be determined Thursday morning before the opening round.

Collin Morikawa (+1600) tops the FedExCup standings following strong recent performances including a seventh-place tie at the Genesis, fifth place at the Arnold Palmer, and victory at Pebble Beach. Bettors have made him the biggest liability, backing him with 8.2% of total wagers and 12.6% of prize money bets. His odds have dropped significantly from the opening +2200.

Ludvig Aberg (+2000) finished third at Bay Hill and placed eighth here in 2024 before missing the cut last year. The Swedish rising star has seen his odds improve from +2800 and ranks as the second-biggest betting liability with 6.6% of total bets and 7.5% of prize money.

Chris Gotterup (+4500) presents attractive odds as the only golfer with two victories this season. Public support has made him the third-largest liability with 4.4% backing in both betting categories.

Sepp Straka (+4500) offers longshot value despite his ninth-place world ranking. He tied for second at Pebble Beach and finished 13th last week.

TOURNAMENT FACTS

All six recent champions entered the week ranked within the top 10 globally.

This marks the first of five tournaments this season awarding 750 FedExCup points to the winner, with victory earning a five-year PGA Tour exemption.

Players in their twenties have captured seven of the first nine events this season.

Joel Dahmen, Taylor Moore, Seamus Power and Andrew Putnam earned field spots through their FedExCup standings after the Cognizant Classic.

Since 2016, only three golfers have converted 54-hole leads into victories: Jason Day (2016), Webb Simpson (2018) and Scottie Scheffler (2023).

Brooks Koepka joins the field through the Returning Member Program. The field expanded to 123 players with additions of Patton Kizzire and Seamus Power, still marking the smallest tournament field in history.

2021 champion Justin Thomas makes his second appearance since returning from November back surgery.

Fourteen first-time participants include seven tour rookies.

Greg Norman’s 1994 score of 264 remains the tournament record.

MIAMI — With Miami holding a commanding 25-point advantage over Washington and under three minutes remaining, the contest appeared decided. However, when Bam Adebayo received an offensive foul call during those final moments, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra immediately challenged the decision with unusual intensity.

The reason became clear: Adebayo had already tallied 77 points, and Miami desperately wanted to help him reach even greater heights.

The Heat center ultimately finished with 83 points Tuesday evening, claiming the second-highest single-game scoring performance in NBA history. His total surpassed Kobe Bryant’s legendary 81-point effort while falling short of Wilt Chamberlain’s untouchable 100-point record.

“The thing you love about it, and why everybody roots for Bam, is because he does all the winning things,” Spoelstra said. “He does the things that aren’t recognized. He puts his body out there, he’s available, he is a rugged competitor.”

While Miami celebrated their 150-129 victory, Adebayo’s historic night drew mixed reactions across the basketball world. Critics immediately questioned the legitimacy of his extraordinary statistics, which included 43 field goal attempts, 22 three-point shots, and NBA records of 36 successful free throws on 43 attempts.

Former Heat guard Jason Williams expressed skepticism on social media, saying: “Look, bruh had 83 points. Bruh shot 43 foul shots. I don’t know if I shot 43 foul shots in one season.” Records show Williams attempted just 41 free throws combined during his final two NBA campaigns.

Multiple instances occurred during the game’s closing minutes where Heat players intentionally fouled Washington to regain possession and continue feeding Adebayo. This strategy mirrored what Philadelphia employed during Chamberlain’s historic 100-point performance against New York on March 2, 1962.

“We had three guys collapsing around him to keep him from getting close to the basket, but he took us with him with his tremendous strength,” Knicks player Darrall Imhoff said following Chamberlain’s record night. “Late in the game, the Warriors fouled us deliberately to regain possession and that guy really tore down the floor to keep his record assault going.”

Washington responded by surrounding Adebayo with multiple defenders in the final period, sometimes assigning four players to guard him. The Wizards also resorted to fouling other Heat players to prevent Adebayo from scoring, though they primarily targeted him directly. He was fouled 26 times — the highest total for any player over the past two decades and 12 more than his previous career high.

“The fourth quarter just turned into not a real basketball game,” Wizards coach Brian Keefe said.

Adebayo’s scoring progression showed remarkable consistency through three quarters: 31 points in the first, 12 in the second, and 19 in the third, giving him 62 points entering the final period. Washington’s defensive adjustments proved futile against his dominant performance.

“The whole first 3 1/2 quarters … I was like, all right, they’re just going to let me go,” Adebayo said. “And then, you turn around and you’ve got four people guarding you.”

Miami’s fourth-quarter strategy centered entirely on maximizing Adebayo’s scoring opportunities, similar to how Los Angeles approached Bryant’s 81-point game on January 22, 2006. The Lakers took 38 second-half shots that night, with Bryant attempting 28. In the fourth quarter alone, he took 13 of their 17 shots and all 13 free throw attempts.

“We left him in,” then-Lakers coach Phil Jackson said following Bryant’s performance, “until he got to 80.”

Not everyone celebrated when news of Adebayo’s achievement spread. Lakers public address announcer Lawrence Tanter delivered what he called “a rather melancholy footnote in NBA history” when informing the Los Angeles crowd that Adebayo had surpassed Bryant’s total, drawing boos from some fans.

Houston’s Kevin Durant acknowledged the physical demands of attempting 43 shots in a single game, noting Adebayo’s visible exhaustion afterward. The Heat star’s red jersey appeared significantly darker than his teammates’ uniforms by game’s end, completely saturated with perspiration despite typically changing at halftime.

“It doesn’t matter how you get there. All that matters is that you got it,” Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo said. “Like in 30 years from now, nobody’s going to remember how many free throws he shot. I don’t think I remember how many shots Kobe had or how many free throws he made or 3s. All you remember is 81. Wilt, 100. At the end of the day, he got 83 points.”

Statistical analysis reveals how rare Adebayo’s sustained excellence was throughout the contest. Over the past 30 seasons, players have scored at least 15 first-quarter points 2,873 times during regular season and playoff games combined.

Among those strong starts, players maintain that production by scoring double digits in the second quarter only 9.5% of the time. Just 3.3% manage double-digit scoring in both the second and third quarters, while merely 0.8% achieve double figures in every quarter.

Adebayo’s performance created global social media buzz, with “Bam” and “Kobe” alternating as the top trending topics on X throughout Tuesday evening.

The timing held special significance, as Tuesday marked exactly 15 years since Bryant’s frustrating loss to Miami on March 10, 2011. Following that defeat, Bryant remained on the court for a 90-minute shooting session while his teammates went to dinner, punishing himself for his poor performance.

Despite never meeting Bryant personally, Adebayo wore his signature sneakers for years and treasures a Bryant jersey received at the 2020 All-Star Game, distributed roughly one month after the Lakers legend died in a helicopter accident.

“Someone I idolized,” Adebayo said. “This is crazy to me.”

Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry will remain out of action for at least another 10 days while recovering from persistent right knee problems, the team announced Wednesday.

The veteran guard, who celebrates his 38th birthday this Saturday, has already been absent for 15 straight games due to patellofemoral pain syndrome. Following his latest medical evaluation, team officials report that Curry continues making positive strides in his recovery and has resumed individual basketball workouts on the court, which will gradually increase in intensity.

Medical staff will reassess Curry’s condition in 10 days, after which he would typically need to complete a structured return-to-play protocol involving practice sessions and full-contact scrimmages before receiving clearance for game action.

This timeline means Curry will be unavailable for at least six more contests, including Golden State’s road matchup in Atlanta on March 21, leaving just 11 regular season games remaining after that point.

The Warriors had originally anticipated Curry’s return following the All-Star break, though he opted to skip this year’s All-Star festivities due to his injury.

Curry’s absence has been felt significantly by Golden State, as he leads the team with 27.2 points per game. His last appearance came on January 30 against Detroit, and the Warriors have posted a disappointing 5-10 record during his current injury stint, with an overall mark of 9-17 when he’s unavailable this season.

The team’s struggles continued Tuesday night with a 130-124 overtime loss to the Chicago Bulls at home, marking their third consecutive defeat and fifth loss in their last six outings.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has entered free agency for the first time in his career.

The Cardinals parted ways with Murray on Wednesday, concluding his seven-year tenure with the organization and opening the door for him to join a new team.

According to reports, the Minnesota Vikings have identified Murray as a top target. Murray isn’t the sole veteran quarterback to hit the market on Wednesday’s opening day of the league year.

The Atlanta Falcons also parted ways with Kirk Cousins, cutting short his Atlanta career after just two years of a four-year, $180 million contract he inked when departing Minnesota in March 2024.

Arizona’s decision to cut Murray before March 15 allowed the team to limit their 2026 financial commitment to $36.8 million. Had they waited until Saturday, a $19.5 million guarantee would have become active. The team used a post-June 1 designation for Murray, a financial strategy that spreads his remaining contract impact across two seasons for salary cap management.

The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback was sidelined for 12 contests last season due to a foot ailment and has completed a full regular-season schedule only once over the past five seasons.

Murray, who was selected first overall in the 2019 draft after winning the 2018 Heisman Trophy, worked under two different head coaches during his Arizona tenure. The team recently brought in Mike LaFleur as their third coach, replacing Jonathan Gannon.

In Indianapolis, the Colts lifted the transition tag from Daniel Jones after the quarterback agreed to a two-year, $88 million deal.

Jones was experiencing a career resurgence before suffering a leg injury last season. His attempt to continue playing while injured ultimately led to a season-ending Achilles tear in December.

During 13 games in 2025, Jones completed 68.0 percent of his passes for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.

Throughout his career, Murray has accumulated 121 touchdown passes against 60 interceptions across 87 regular-season appearances. Should he select Minneapolis as his destination, Murray would potentially team up with running back Aaron Jones, who recently agreed to a restructured one-year contract to remain with Minnesota.

Reports suggest Cousins could be among the veteran options Arizona considers. He has a connection with LaFleur from their Washington days, where Cousins started his NFL journey backing up Robert Griffin III.

In Atlanta, the Falcons signed former Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a one-year agreement. With Cousins no longer in the picture and Michael Penix Jr. recovering from ACL surgery, Tagovailoa provides new head coach Kevin Stefanski with an experienced starter should Penix not be ready for the season opener.

The New York Jets acquired Geno Smith from Las Vegas before the Raiders could release the 35-year-old signal-caller. NFL Network reported that Smith received a $1 million increase to his $18.5 million salary to facilitate the deal, with Las Vegas covering more than $13 million in 2006.

Baltimore secured a pass rusher just one day after the Maxx Crosby deal collapsed due to a failed physical examination.

The Ravens landed Trey Hendrickson on a four-year contract reportedly valued at $112 million. The 31-year-old Hendrickson appeared in seven games last season before core muscle surgery ended his campaign.

After leading the NFL with 35 total sacks in 2023-24, Hendrickson managed just 4.0 sacks in his injury-shortened 2025 season.

Safety Kevin Byard III rejoined Mike Vrabel in New England, inking a one-year, $9 million contract with the Patriots.

Byard topped the NFL with seven interceptions last season while playing for Chicago. He previously suited up for Vrabel’s Tennessee squad, which selected him in the third round of 2016. Vrabel led the Titans from 2018 through 2023.

New England also brought in wide receiver Romeo Doubs from Green Bay on a four-year deal and guard Alijah Vera-Tucker from the Jets on a three-year contract.

Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb agreed to a three-year, $43.5 million contract with Buffalo, according to multiple reports.

He joins wide receiver DJ Moore, who Buffalo officially obtained from Chicago in exchange for a second-round selection. These signings were enabled by quarterback Josh Allen, who restructured his deal to create over $12 million in salary cap room, per multiple reports.

Miami officially released Chubb on Wednesday with a post-June 1 designation, and he quickly signed with the AFC East rival Bills.

Chubb carried a $31.2 million cap hit for 2026, and Miami made several roster cuts to meet Wednesday’s 4 p.m. ET salary cap deadline.

Chubb paced Miami with 8.5 sacks in 2025. Buffalo’s Joey Bosa remains a free agent and is not anticipated to return.

Tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo joined the Washington Commanders, who had an active day filling roster needs.

Okonkwo posted career-high statistics with Tennessee in 2025, recording 56 catches for 560 yards. He has scored eight touchdowns across 68 games since Tennessee drafted him in the fourth round of 2022.

Additional moves confirmed by teams as official Wednesday transactions:

Cornerback Trent McDuffie was traded from Kansas City to the Los Angeles Rams for a 2026 first-round pick (29th overall), a 2026 fifth-round selection, a 2026 sixth-round choice, and a 2027 third-round pick.

Linebackers Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean both signed three-year deals with Las Vegas.

Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce re-signed on a one-year contract worth a reported $12 million.

The Jets acquired safety Minkah Fitzpatrick from the Miami Dolphins.

Cleveland obtained right tackle Tytus Howard from Houston in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick.

Pittsburgh defensive end Cameron Heyward re-signed on a one-year deal worth a reported $18 million.

Center Elgton Jenkins signed a two-year contract worth a reported $24 million with Cleveland.

Baltimore Ravens have landed one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers, signing four-time Pro Bowl defender Trey Hendrickson to a massive four-year contract worth $112 million, according to a source familiar with the agreement who spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The source requested anonymity since the deal cannot be officially completed until the new league year begins at 4 p.m. Eastern time.

This signing comes after Baltimore withdrew from a major trade deal for Las Vegas Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby on Tuesday night. According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Crosby did not pass his medical examination. The source spoke anonymously due to the confidential nature of medical information.

With the failed Crosby trade behind them, Baltimore retained the pair of first-round selections they would have sent to Las Vegas and immediately shifted focus to landing the top available pass rusher in free agency.

The 31-year-old Hendrickson earned All-Pro recognition with Cincinnati in 2024, topping the league with 17.5 quarterback sacks. His 2023 campaign was limited to just seven contests due to injury concerns, during which he recorded four sacks.

Throughout his nine-year professional career split between New Orleans and Cincinnati, Hendrickson has accumulated 81 career sacks. He has achieved double-digit sack totals in four different seasons, including back-to-back 17.5-sack campaigns in 2023 and 2024.

The Nashville Predators mounted an impressive comeback Tuesday night, overcoming a two-goal deficit to defeat the Seattle Kraken 4-2 in a crucial Western Conference matchup.

Defenseman Ryan Ufko celebrated his first NHL goal while goaltender Juuse Saros delivered a stellar performance with 43 saves for Nashville. Tyson Jost, Reid Schaefer and Steven Stamkos also found the net, with Jonathan Marchessault contributing two assists in the victory.

The win helped Nashville balance their current five-game road trip at 1-1-0 and moved them to within one point of Seattle in the race for the Western Conference’s second wild-card playoff spot.

For Seattle, Kaapo Kakko and Matty Beniers provided the offense, but the Kraken suffered their third consecutive loss. Joey Daccord made 23 saves in the losing effort. The Kraken will face league-leading Colorado on Thursday to wrap up their six-game home stretch.

Nashville’s turnaround came entirely in the middle frame, where they netted three consecutive goals to flip a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 advantage. Stamkos sealed the victory with an empty-net goal with just five seconds remaining in regulation.

The Predators’ rally began at 4:14 of the second period when Jost converted a setup from Fedor Svechkov. Svechkov carried the puck along the right boards before cutting toward the middle and finding Jost on the left side for a wrist shot that beat the sprawling Daccord.

Nashville drew even at 10:19 when Matthew Wood maneuvered through the slot between two Seattle defenders and fed Schaefer for an easy finish at the top of the goal crease.

Ufko completed the remarkable turnaround at 14:25, dancing through three Kraken defenders before deking Daccord and sliding a forehand shot inside the right goalpost for his milestone first NHL tally. The defenseman was playing in just his fourth career game.

Seattle had dominated the opening period, outshooting Nashville 19-7 while building their two-goal cushion.

Kakko struck first at 2:14 when he pounced on a rebound after Saros had stopped Shane Wright’s initial attempt from the right corner. Kakko buried the loose puck from just beyond the crease.

Beniers extended Seattle’s lead at 9:46 with a sharp-angled wrist shot from the right wing that found its way past Saros high on the near side.

The Kraken were missing forward Jaden Schwartz, who remains sidelined indefinitely after taking a skate blade to the face during Saturday’s game against Ottawa. Newly acquired forward Bobby McMann, obtained in Friday’s trade with Toronto, is still awaiting work visa processing and was unavailable.

The Atlanta Hawks pushed their winning streak to seven games with a 124-112 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at home, powered by a dominant fourth-quarter performance from Jalen Johnson.

Johnson delivered when it mattered most, putting up 13 of his game-high 27 points in the final period to secure Atlanta’s longest winning run since the 2021-22 campaign. The victory also snapped a four-game skid against Dallas while extending the Mavericks’ struggles to eight straight defeats, their worst stretch since the 2016-17 season.

The pivotal moment came with the score knotted at 97-97. Johnson stepped up with a crucial three-point play followed by a long-range shot, giving Atlanta a 105-99 advantage and preventing the Hawks from surrendering what had been an 18-point second-half cushion.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker contributed 29 points for Atlanta, including consecutive three-pointers late in the fourth quarter that sealed the outcome. Onyeka Okongwu posted 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while Dyson Daniels recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 assists.

For Dallas, Klay Thompson provided the biggest offensive spark coming off the bench, connecting on five three-point attempts for 21 points. Khris Middleton added 16 points, and Cooper Flagg, Daniel Gafford, and Naji Marshall each chipped in 14 points. Flagg also pulled down 12 rebounds and dished out five assists.

Atlanta jumped out early, building a 10-2 advantage that grew into a commanding 40-26 lead after the opening quarter.

Dallas made a push in the second period with a 9-1 run that trimmed the deficit to 45-39. Hawks coach Quin Snyder used a timeout to regroup his team, and Atlanta responded with six unanswered points to rebuild their double-digit cushion. The Hawks maintained a 64-53 halftime advantage.

The third quarter saw Atlanta unable to put the game away despite holding an 18-point lead with 5:08 remaining. Dallas countered with a 20-6 surge, cutting the margin to just four points at 93-89 on a Thompson three-pointer with 1:01 left in the period. Atlanta entered the final quarter leading 95-91, but the Mavericks managed to even the score at 97-97 on a Middleton basket with 9:02 remaining before Johnson’s heroics took over.

The Hawks continued to play without Jonathan Kuminga, who missed his third consecutive game due to a left knee bone bruise.

America’s men’s national soccer team has selected the Great Park Sports Complex in Irvine, California as their official training headquarters for the 2026 World Cup tournament this summer.

The U.S. Soccer Federation made the announcement Tuesday, revealing their choice of the Southern California facility.

The training site sits strategically within 50 miles of SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, where the American squad will compete in two of their three preliminary round contests. Their remaining group match is scheduled for Seattle.

If the United States finishes first in their group, their opening elimination round game would take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

The Great Park facility boasts 24 soccer fields, featuring a stadium with more than 5,000 seats that serves as home to Orange County SC of the USL Championship league. The national team will conduct their training sessions at the stadium, with practices closed to spectators.

Matt Crocker, U.S. Soccer’s sporting director, expressed enthusiasm about the selection. “We are delighted to have Great Park as our training site for the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” Crocker stated. “The facilities are simply outstanding and will provide the perfect training environment for our team to prepare to be successful at the World Cup.”

Irvine’s Mayor Larry Agran also welcomed the decision. “We are honored that the U.S. Men’s National Team has chosen to train at the Great Park during the FIFA World Cup,” Agran commented. “This decision reflects the caliber of the Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium and the professionalism of the staff who operate it. Irvine is proud to welcome the players, coaches, and supporters from around the world to our great city for one of the world’s most celebrated sporting events.”

Reports from The Athletic indicate that U.S. Soccer initially pursued UC Irvine as their training base, but negotiations between the university and FIFA failed to produce an agreement. The federation subsequently shifted their focus to the Great Park location.

Before World Cup competition begins, the American team has scheduled four exhibition matches: Belgium on March 28 and Portugal on March 31, both in Atlanta; Senegal on May 31 in Charlotte; and Germany on June 6 in Chicago.

The United States kicks off Group D competition against Paraguay on June 12 in Inglewood, followed by Australia on June 19 in Seattle. Their final group stage encounter on June 25 in Inglewood will pit them against whichever team emerges from a UEFA playoff involving Slovakia, Kosovo, Turkey, or Romania.

The Denver Broncos have secured their top ground game performer, announcing Tuesday that running back J.K. Dobbins will remain with the franchise under a two-year extension.

The agreement becomes official Wednesday when the NFL’s new league year commences.

The 27-year-old running back topped Denver’s rushing statistics in his debut season, accumulating 772 yards and four touchdowns across 153 carries while contributing 11 catches for 37 yards as the Broncos advanced to the AFC championship game.

Throughout his NFL career beginning in 2020 with Baltimore, Dobbins has maintained impressive efficiency metrics, ranking third among running backs with at least 500 carries in both rushing average at 5.2 yards per attempt and “big play” percentage at 14.7 percent for runs of 10 yards or more.

Across six NFL seasons spanning Baltimore (who drafted him in the second round in 2020), Los Angeles, and Denver, the former Ohio State standout has accumulated 3,024 rushing yards on 582 attempts with 25 touchdowns through 47 games and 30 starts. His receiving statistics include 70 catches for 367 yards and one score.

During his four playoff appearances, including one start, Dobbins has produced 173 rushing yards and one touchdown on 43 carries, while adding eight receptions for 88 yards and another score.

The world’s top-ranked pickleball player, Anna Leigh Waters, is preparing to step onto the international stage for the first time when she competes at Vietnam’s Hanoi Cup next month, tournament organizers announced Tuesday. This marks a significant milestone as the rapidly growing paddle sport expands its reach across global markets.

Waters currently holds the number one ranking in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles on the Carvana PPA Tour. She’s scheduled to team up with Anna Bright for women’s doubles competition and partner with Ben Johns in mixed doubles during the April 1-5 tournament.

The competition will take place at My Dinh Indoor Athletics Arena and offers 1,000 ranking points to winners as part of the Professional Pickleball Association’s worldwide ranking structure.

The sport blends aspects of tennis, table tennis, and badminton using paddles and a specialized court.

“I’ve experienced the sport’s growth in the U.S., and I am honoured to be part of the first PPA Tour Asia event in Hanoi,” Waters said in a statement.

After the tournament concludes, Waters will head to Ho Chi Minh City on April 6-7 to conduct training clinics and participate in a demonstration event working with equipment company Franklin Sports.

Waters has become one of the sport’s biggest stars as pickleball experiences explosive growth throughout the United States and internationally.

She began her professional career at age 12 and has since commanded the professional tour, contributing to increased interest in pickleball as the sport spreads worldwide.

LOS ANGELES — NBA superstar Luka Doncic has revealed he’s no longer engaged to the mother of his two young children and is currently battling for custody rights.

According to reports from TMZ on Tuesday, Anamaria Goltes has filed legal documents in California seeking child support payments and legal fees. Following these reports, Doncic issued a public statement explaining that he recently called off his engagement to Goltes due to difficulties bringing his daughters to America during basketball season.

“I love my daughters more than anything and I’ve been doing everything I can for them to be with me in the U.S. during the season, but that hasn’t been possible, so I recently made the tough decision to end my engagement,” the Lakers star told ESPN. “Everything I do is for my daughters’ happiness and I will always fight to be with them and give them the best life I can.”

The 27-year-old basketball star and Goltes had maintained a romantic relationship spanning ten years after first meeting as teenagers in Slovenia. The couple announced their engagement in July 2023, welcoming their first daughter in November 2023 and their second daughter Olivia in December 2025. Doncic actually left the Lakers temporarily to return to Slovenia for Olivia’s birth.

The All-Star player joined the Lakers organization through a trade with Dallas that sent Anthony Davis the other direction in February 2025. This past summer, he committed his future to Los Angeles by signing a lucrative three-year deal worth $165 million.

Currently, Doncic leads all NBA players in scoring with an average of 32.5 points per game this season, while also contributing 7.8 rebounds and ranking third league-wide with 8.4 assists per contest.

The Phoenix Suns brought Charlotte’s remarkable 10-game road winning streak to an end with a commanding 111-99 victory at home on Sunday, powered by outstanding performances from Devin Booker and supporting cast members.

Booker delivered a stellar double-double performance with 30 points and 10 assists, while Jalen Green and Collin Gillespie contributed 24 points each as Phoenix pulled away in the second half. The Suns dominated from the free-throw line, converting 23 of 26 attempts, with Booker going perfect on all 15 of his foul shots to establish a season-high in makes and match a career-best for accuracy in a single contest.

Rookie forward Rasheer Fleming enjoyed a breakout performance, establishing personal bests with 16 points and four three-pointers made. The victory marked Phoenix’s fourth win in their last five outings.

Charlotte received strong offensive contributions from LaMelo Ball, who finished with 22 points and connected on four shots from beyond the arc. Miles Bridges chipped in 16 points while Kon Knueppel added 15 points for the Hornets, who were beginning a four-game road trip.

The defeat marked Charlotte’s first road loss since falling to Golden State 136-116 on January 17. Despite the setback, the Hornets maintained an impressive 16-5 record over their previous 21 games.

In other NBA action around the league:

Celtics 109, Cavaliers 98

Jaylen Brown posted 23 points, nine rebounds and eight assists as Boston established a commanding 26-point advantage en route to victory over Cleveland at home. Jayson Tatum contributed 20 points despite shooting 6-of-16 from the field for the Celtics, who currently sit second in the Eastern Conference behind Detroit. Cleveland received a game-leading 30 points from Donovan Mitchell and 24 points with eight rebounds from Evan Mobley. The loss ended the Cavaliers’ season-best seven-game home winning streak, though they remain 22-9 since December 29. Boston’s bench provided crucial support with Payton Pritchard scoring 18 points and dishing seven assists, Baylor Scheierman recording 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Sam Hauser adding 15 points on five three-pointers.

Lakers 110, Knicks 97

Luka Doncic exploded for 35 points as Los Angeles controlled the game from start to finish against visiting New York, despite some fourth-quarter struggles and playing without LeBron James. James was sidelined due to a bruised left elbow suffered in Thursday’s loss to Denver when he collided with Nikola Jokic, along with left foot arthritis affecting the 41-year-old star. Austin Reaves stepped up with 25 points and made crucial defensive stops against Jalen Brunson in the closing minutes. Rui Hachimura started in place of James and added 13 points. Karl-Anthony Towns paced New York with 25 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, plus 16 rebounds. Brunson finished with 24 points, six rebounds and seven assists but struggled with his shooting at 8-of-19 and committed seven of the Knicks’ 19 turnovers.

Raptors 122, Mavericks 92

RJ Barrett erupted for a season-high 31 points as Toronto dominated visiting Dallas in a lopsided affair. Scottie Barnes contributed 17 points for the Raptors, who had dropped their previous two contests and four of five overall. Jakob Poeltl recorded 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Brandon Ingram and Ja’Kobe Walter each scored 11 points and Sandro Mamukelashvili added 13. Daniel Gafford delivered a perfect shooting performance for Dallas, going 10-for-10 from the field for a season-high 21 points while grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds. Rookie Cooper Flagg contributed 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists, two steals and three blocks for the Mavericks, who have now lost seven consecutive games.

Additional Scores:

New Orleans defeated Washington 138-118 behind Trey Murphy III’s 24 points and Saddiq Bey’s 23-point, 10-rebound double-double. The Pelicans set a franchise record with 37 free-throw points made.

Portland cruised past Indiana 131-111 as Scoot Henderson scored a season-high 28 points on efficient 10-of-15 shooting. The Pacers extended their losing streak to nine games.

Orlando routed Milwaukee 130-91 with Paolo Banchero leading the way with 33 points. The Magic won their fourth straight while the Bucks fell for the fifth time in six games.

Miami extended its winning streak to five games with a 121-110 victory over Detroit, led by Tyler Herro’s 25 points despite missing several key players.

San Antonio scored a season-high 145 points in defeating Houston 120, with Victor Wembanyama contributing 29 points. The Spurs have won 15 of their last 16 games.

Sacramento snapped a lengthy skid with a 126-110 win over Chicago, getting 30 points from Malik Monk off the bench and Russell Westbrook’s 208th career triple-double.

The Los Angeles Lakers secured a commanding 110-97 victory against the New York Knicks on Sunday, led by Luka Doncic’s impressive 35-point performance despite playing without superstar LeBron James for the second consecutive game.

James remained sidelined due to a bruised left elbow injury he suffered during Thursday’s matchup against Denver when he collided with Nikola Jokic. The 41-year-old veteran also dealt with ongoing left foot arthritis, according to team officials.

This marked James’ first back-to-back absence since missing the season’s opening 14 games earlier this year due to sciatica affecting his back and leg.

Doncic dominated the third quarter with 14 points, helping Los Angeles outscore New York 34-20 during that period. The star player connected on 11 of 25 field goal attempts and nailed two crucial three-pointers during a decisive 20-8 surge in the final seven-plus minutes of the third quarter, expanding a narrow 68-61 advantage into a comfortable 88-69 cushion heading into the final frame.

Despite building a substantial lead entering the fourth quarter, the Lakers struggled offensively for most of the period before closing strong. They endured a cold streak of 10 consecutive missed shots until Doncic converted a banked layup with 2:34 remaining to establish a 104-91 lead, then sealed the victory with another three-pointer with 65 seconds left on the clock.

Austin Reaves contributed 25 points and made crucial defensive stops against Jalen Brunson in the closing minutes. Rui Hachimura earned another start in place of James and added 13 points, while bench player Luke Kennard provided 12 points as the Lakers finished shooting 43.2 percent from the field, including a disappointing 7-for-24 in the fourth quarter.

Karl-Anthony Towns paced the Knicks with 25 points, including 11 in the final quarter, while grabbing 16 rebounds. Brunson contributed 24 points, six rebounds and seven assists, though he struggled with his shooting at 8-of-19 from the field and turned the ball over seven times as part of New York’s 19 total turnovers.

The visiting Knicks shot 42.7 percent overall and managed just 8-of-34 from three-point range, a stark contrast to their previous meeting when they connected on 18 three-pointers in a 12-point home victory over Los Angeles on February 1st.

Doncic established his rhythm early with 12 first-quarter points, helping the Lakers build a 31-23 lead after Kennard drained a corner three-pointer with 13.9 seconds remaining in the opening period. With Brunson resting, Los Angeles extended their advantage to 45-33 following a Jarred Vanderbilt three-pointer with 7:32 left in the second quarter.

After Vanderbilt’s successful shot, the Lakers went cold with nine straight misses before Reaves beat the halftime buzzer with a difficult five-foot shot to take a 54-49 lead into the break. Los Angeles used a 12-2 run to build a 68-56 advantage on a Reaves three-pointer with 8:18 remaining in the third quarter, saw their lead shrink to seven points on a Hart basket moments later, then pulled away again for good.

NFL superstar tight end Travis Kelce is planning to extend his professional football career beyond his 13-year tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs and may consider joining a different franchise, according to a Sunday report from The Athletic.

The veteran player, who turns 37 this October, has earned 11 Pro Bowl selections and four first-team All-Pro honors during his time in Kansas City, which selected him in the third round of the 2013 draft.

Kelce has spent recent months considering whether to return for a 14th NFL season and has contemplated retirement during the previous two offseasons. A new factor this year is his status as an unrestricted free agent following the completion of his two-year, $34.25 million contract extension last season.

According to The Athletic’s report, Kelce’s agents plan to engage in discussions with several NFL organizations.

The Chiefs organization, facing financial constraints due to salary cap limitations, has maintained a cautious wait-and-see stance regarding Kelce’s decision about retirement or another season.

“We’ve kind of prepared for either scenario,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach stated during the NFL Scouting Combine on Feb. 24. “We’re trying to position ourselves that either way, we have a plan moving forward.”

Veach mentioned plans to meet with Kelce’s representatives after the combine, noting that “you need some sort of timeline and deadline,” while describing discussions with his team as “positive.”

Head coach Andy Reid confirmed he maintains regular communication with Kelce, who experienced a comparatively modest season by his Hall of Fame standards.

During the most recent campaign, Kelce recorded 851 receiving yards and five touchdowns, with his 76 catches marking his fewest since tallying 72 in 2015. The team’s backup tight end Noah Gray also faces unrestricted free agency.

“Travis is the best, he’s an icon and hopefully he comes back,” Veach commented in his February interview. “We’ll just kind of let that process play out. It’s not your typical 27-year-old first-time-in-free agency.

“Travis has done everything. He’s accomplished everything. He’s about to get married, got a lot going on. We’re just going to continue to have positive dialog and see where this thing ends.”

Before the 2025 season began, Kelce acknowledged considering retirement. He also discussed how his personal life has evolved since beginning his relationship with global pop superstar Taylor Swift, to whom he is now engaged.

The three-time Super Bowl winner holds every major Chiefs receiving record, including receptions (1,080), receiving yards (13,002) and touchdown catches (82).

Third-ranked Michigan capped off a historic Big Ten season with a 90-80 victory over eighth-ranked Michigan State on Sunday afternoon at home in Ann Arbor. The win gave the Wolverines a season sweep of their in-state rivals.

Yaxel Lendeborg led all scorers with 27 points for Michigan (29-2, 19-1 Big Ten), while Morez Johnson Jr. contributed 18 points and seven rebounds. Roddy Gayle Jr. added 15 points and Trey McKenney chipped in 12 points coming off the bench. The victory secured Michigan’s best conference record since Indiana went undefeated in Big Ten play during the 1975-76 season.

Michigan State (25-6, 15-5) was paced by Jaxon Kohler’s 23 points and eight rebounds, while Jeremy Fears Jr. contributed 22 points and nine assists. The Spartans will enter this week’s Big Ten tournament in Chicago as the third seed.

The heated rivalry matchup featured three technical fouls within the first 10 minutes of play. Officials issued a technical to Fears at the 14:24 mark after replay showed he used his leg to strike Michigan’s Elliot Cadeau following a foul call. Michigan’s Aday Mara received a technical just over a minute later for pushing Carson Cooper (19 points) from behind. McKenney drew the third technical with 10:44 remaining after knocking the ball from Kohler’s hands during an inbound attempt following his breakaway score.

In other Top 25 action, ninth-ranked Nebraska defeated Iowa 84-75 in overtime to tie the program record for wins in a season at 26-5. The Cornhuskers secured the second seed in the Big Ten tournament after finishing the game with a 9-0 run in the extra period.

Eleventh-ranked Illinois topped Maryland 78-72 in College Park, with David Mirkovic recording 22 points and 11 rebounds. The Fighting Illini earned a top-four seed in the conference tournament with the victory.

Tennis sensation Coco Gauff had to withdraw from her third-round match at the Indian Wells tournament on Sunday after experiencing ongoing left elbow discomfort.

The 21-year-old athlete, who holds two major championship titles, made the difficult decision to retire from her match against Alex Eala while down 6-2, 2-0. This marks just the second time in Gauff’s professional career that she has been unable to complete a match.

Before the final game, Gauff requested a medical timeout and then approached the net to inform her opponent of her withdrawal.

“I’m sorry. You were playing great,” Gauff said to Eala as the two players hugged at the net.

The injury comes as a disappointing setback for the world’s fourth-ranked player, who had dominated Eala in their previous encounter just three weeks earlier in Dubai, winning 6-0, 6-2 in the quarterfinals. Gauff had been hoping to capture her first championship at the prestigious California tournament.

Eala, a 20-year-old player who has gained significant recognition in the Philippines for her victories against top-tier opponents, now advances to the round of 16 where she will compete against Czech player Linda Noskova.

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams are on the verge of finalizing a landmark contract extension with cornerback Trent McDuffie that would establish him as the NFL’s highest-paid player at his position, according to a source familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press.

The source requested anonymity Sunday evening as the agreement has not yet been completed. The Rams remain unable to officially announce they have even obtained McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs through a trade involving multiple draft selections that was agreed upon last Wednesday.

According to ESPN’s reporting, the extension spans four years and totals $124 million, with $100 million in guaranteed money.

McDuffie is currently earning $13.6 million during the fifth year of his rookie deal in 2026, but the new extension would secure his services with his native Los Angeles team until 2030.

Once completed, Los Angeles will again boast the league’s top-paid cornerback, a distinction previously held when Jalen Ramsey signed his five-year, $105 million extension with the Rams in 2020.

Following their heartbreaking loss just one victory away from the Super Bowl last season, the Rams have made a bold move to shore up their most significant roster deficiency by securing one of the league’s elite cornerbacks and backing it up with substantial financial investment. Los Angeles possesses the cap space necessary for such a major commitment after operating one of the NFL’s most economical defenses last season.

That defensive unit struggled during the final stretch of regular season play and throughout the postseason, but McDuffie will serve as the foundation of its transformation this fall. The Rams have also locked up safeties Quentin Lake and Kam Curl with recent extensions, and the organization appears poised to bring in at least one additional defensive back to complement likely returning players Emmanuel Forbes and Kamren Kinchens.

Los Angeles captured the Super Bowl championship four years ago with Ramsey operating in a flexible capacity — what the Rams call the “star” position — throughout their defensive scheme. Lake currently handles that responsibility for the Rams, functioning both as a slot corner and a physical defensive back near the line of scrimmage — but McDuffie’s addition will provide even greater versatility to the Rams’ defensive approach.

McDuffie brings dual capabilities as both a coverage specialist and a physical presence. Throughout his career, he has recorded three interceptions and 5 1/2 sacks while pacing all cornerbacks with 34 quarterback pressures and eight forced fumbles across his four NFL campaigns. He earned first-team AP All-Pro recognition in 2023 and second-team honors in 2024.

The Rams surrendered the 29th overall selection in the upcoming draft — while retaining the 13th overall pick acquired from Atlanta — plus fifth-round and sixth-round choices this season and a third-round selection next year in the Kansas City trade.

McDuffie grew up in the Los Angeles area, completing his high school career at prestigious St. John Bosco High School before attending the University of Washington, where he played under current Rams defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake.

A young tennis player from Southern California experienced an emotional homecoming at Indian Wells this weekend, competing on the same court where he once sat as a young fan.

Learner Tien, 20, from Irvine, defeated fellow American Ben Shelton 7-6(3) 4-6 6-3 during Sunday’s third-round action at the desert tournament. The victory held special significance for the rising star, who attended the event as a child.

“The court I played on today, I remember exactly where I was sitting in that same stadium when I was a kid, so it’s really cool, it’s a full-circle moment for me,” Tien explained after his win.

During his match on Stadium One under bright California sunshine, Tien couldn’t resist looking toward his old viewing spot. “From where I was sitting on the bench, it was to my left, in the corner. I remember those seats. I remember a lot of it still,” he recalled.

The 25th-seeded player credited his Southern California upbringing for his tennis development, noting the region’s strong tennis culture and year-round playing conditions.

“There’s a lot of tennis, a lot of tennis courts, a lot of tennis players, and a lot of parents putting their kids into tennis programs,” Tien said. “There were a lot of tournaments around. I wouldn’t have to travel that far most of the time, and it wasn’t that hard to find open courts. I consider myself pretty lucky to have grown up in this area.”

Despite facing the eighth-ranked player in the world, Tien acknowledged the challenge presented by Shelton, who was battling illness but still brought his powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes to the match.

“Tricky match, for sure. Going out there, I heard that maybe he wasn’t feeling that great. So it wasn’t super surprising to me that he was just taking big cuts, he was going for a lot of balls. Just overall a tough match to navigate,” Tien said.

“I think I played the match without having a whole lot of rhythm, just because of how big he was playing. I also felt a little bit of the nerves in some of those points. But just happy to get through.”

The victory improves Tien’s record against top-10 opponents to 6-5 in his career. His next opponent will be Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, currently ranked 19th in the world.

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trent McDuffie secured a record-setting contract Sunday night, signing a four-year extension worth $124 million, ESPN reports.

The massive agreement features $100 million in guaranteed money, establishing McDuffie as the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback ever.

Kansas City traded the 25-year-old defensive back to Los Angeles on March 5, receiving the 29th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft plus the Rams’ fifth- and sixth-round picks in 2026 and a third-round choice in 2027.

Kansas City activated McDuffie’s fifth-year option last April. During the previous season, he compiled 63 tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble across 13 starts before a knee injury sidelined him for the season’s final four contests.

The two-time Super Bowl winner has accumulated 246 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 34 pass deflections, and three interceptions throughout 56 career starts since Kansas City selected him 21st overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.

The former University of Washington standout received first-team All-Pro recognition in 2023 and earned second-team honors in 2024.

Chicago has locked up defensive end Daniel Hardy with a fresh two-year deal valued at roughly $5 million, according to NFL Network reports released Sunday. The contract includes incentives that could push the total value close to $6 million.

The 27-year-old Hardy appeared in all 17 regular season contests for Chicago in 2025, primarily contributing as a special teams specialist. He made a single start during the season and recorded 22 total tackles. Hardy’s workload consisted mainly of special teams duties, participating in 78% of those snaps (355 total) while seeing limited defensive action at just 5% of snaps (54 total).

Hardy entered the NFL when Los Angeles selected him in the seventh round of the 2022 draft following his college career at Montana State. His rookie campaign began on injured reserve, and he managed to appear in six games that season. The Rams cut Hardy in August 2023, but Chicago quickly claimed him for their practice squad just two days later.

Throughout his professional career spanning 40 games, Hardy has accumulated 38 total tackles. Of those appearances, 34 came during his tenure with the Bears across the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

Philadelphia 76ers star point guard Tyrese Maxey faces at least a two-game absence after sustaining a finger injury during Saturday’s contest against the Atlanta Hawks, according to team officials who made the announcement on Sunday.

The injury occurred when Maxey collided with teammate Adem Bona while both players pursued a loose ball during the closing moments of Philadelphia’s 126-116 defeat. With just 16 seconds left on the clock, Maxey hurt his right pinkie and was seen clutching his hand immediately following the incident. Following the game, head coach Nick Nurse indicated that X-rays would be taken to assess the extent of the damage.

Team officials stated Sunday that further medical evaluations will be conducted before determining Maxey’s treatment approach. The organization plans to withhold additional updates until after completing their upcoming road matchup against Cleveland on Monday evening and their home contest versus Memphis on Tuesday night.

Before suffering the injury, the two-time All-Star had delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a team-high 31 points against Atlanta. This season, Maxey has emerged as Philadelphia’s top offensive weapon, averaging 29 points per contest, which places him fourth league-wide in scoring. He also contributes 6.7 assists and two steals per game.

Currently holding a 34-29 record, the 76ers occupy the eighth position in the Eastern Conference standings as of Sunday, maintaining a 1.5-game advantage over the ninth-seeded Hawks.

HOUSTON — Detroit Tigers star pitcher Tarik Skubal finds himself reconsidering his World Baseball Classic participation after experiencing unexpected emotions during Team USA’s dominant 9-1 victory over Britain on Saturday evening.

The two-time American League Cy Young Award winner had initially committed to making only a single appearance for the United States before returning to spring training with his club team. However, his perspective shifted following his performance on the mound.

“I didn’t expect these types of emotions to run through my brain or my thoughts to differ,” Skubal explained to the media. “I was pretty committed to making a start and getting back to camp. Things have changed, obviously. That’s why I’m going to have some conversations and try to figure out a plan for me. But yeah, I don’t know either way.”

The left-handed pitcher, who could enter free agency following this season and is anticipated to secure a substantial contract, revealed he’s discussing the matter with his representative Scott Boras and Detroit’s front office. He acknowledged being “not in the right headspace to make a decision right now.”

Previously, Skubal had stated his intention to limit his World Baseball Classic involvement to one game, wanting to maintain his typical spring preparation routine and focus on getting ready for the regular season opener with the Tigers.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch spoke with reporters on Sunday from Florida, confirming he had a brief conversation with his ace pitcher Saturday evening.

“I don’t think anything’s been determined,” Hinch commented, as reported by MLB.com. “I think he’s incredibly emotional about the experience. It’s a difficult time that weighs heavily on players because they want to do it all.”

Hinch indicated they would continue their discussions in the coming days.

“We agreed to talk again as things settled down a little bit and he got a good night’s sleep,” Hinch noted. “He’ll wake up and get a good work day in today.”

For Skubal, the dilemma represents “one of the tougher decisions I’ve made in my career so far.”

The pitcher also praised Team USA’s understanding approach to his situation.

“They’ve been extremely supportive of everything,” Skubal said. “They totally get what’s going on with my situation — it’s unique. I’ve had these discussions with people, and most of it is, they’re extremely supportive of me being here in the first place. And I’ve got a ton of respect for that. But it’s just hard. When you get in these environments, and you get this team, it’s hard to walk away from that.”

During Saturday’s contest, Skubal surrendered a home run to Nate Eaton on his opening pitch but recovered to allow only one additional hit while recording five strikeouts across three innings of work. The victory pushed the United States to 2-0 in tournament play, setting up a Monday evening matchup against Mexico featuring National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes as the starting pitcher.

Cuba maintained its perfect record in World Baseball Classic competition Sunday, defeating Colombia 7-4 in Pool A action at San Juan, Puerto Rico, behind explosive early offense that set the tone for the entire contest.

The Cuban squad wasted no time establishing control, as Ariel Martinez and Erisbel Arruebarrena launched home runs during the opening frame that brought home four teammates and gave Cuba a commanding 4-0 advantage just five batters into the game. The early power surge put Cuba at 2-0 in Pool A standings.

Yoelkis Guibert contributed with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate, while Yiddi Cappe provided crucial late-game insurance with a two-run triple during the sixth inning that stretched Cuba’s advantage to 7-2.

The offensive explosion proved necessary as Cuban pitchers struggled with control throughout the game, issuing 10 walks while recording just nine strikeouts. Starting pitcher Denny Larrondo earned the win despite surrendering four walks during his two-inning stint on the mound.

Colombia, now 0-3 in pool play, received solid individual efforts from Gio Urshela, who drew two walks and delivered an RBI single. Tito Polo managed two RBIs for the Colombian side despite failing to record a hit, scoring teammates via a sacrifice fly and being hit by a pitch. Colombian starter Luis Patino endured a difficult outing, surrendering four runs on two hits while recording just one out.

In other World Baseball Classic action, Italy rallied from an early deficit to defeat Great Britain 7-4 in Houston. Andrew Fischer and J.J. D’Orazio connected on consecutive home runs to fuel the Italian comeback, with Italy improving to 2-0 in Pool B while Great Britain fell to 0-3.

The Dominican Republic dominated the Netherlands 12-1 in a seven-inning mercy rule victory in Miami. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Junior Caminero, Austin Wells and Juan Soto all homered for the Dominican squad, which moved to 2-0 in Pool D play.

The Hawks baseball team fell to the Blue Devils by a score of 6-1 in the second matchup of their ongoing series.

While the Hawks were unable to mount a successful offensive effort in the contest, Gonzalez Perez provided a bright spot by driving in a run that marked his 15th RBI of the current season. This performance keeps Perez at the top of his team’s run-batted-in statistics.

The defeat puts the Hawks in a challenging position as they continue their series against the Blue Devils, who demonstrated strong offensive capabilities throughout the game.

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo will be sidelined for Sunday evening’s matchup against the Orlando Magic, bringing his total missed games this season to 30.

The Greek Freak recently made his comeback from a right calf strain that kept him off the court for 15 consecutive games. Milwaukee’s coaching staff has decided to rest him during the second game of back-to-back contests as a precautionary measure for his ongoing injury management.

During Saturday’s dominant 113-99 victory over the Utah Jazz at home, Antetokounmpo contributed 27 minutes of play, putting up 27 points while grabbing nine rebounds, dishing out eight assists, and snatching four steals. Since returning to action, he’s posted averages of 23.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.7 steals across three contests.

The former two-time Most Valuable Player is currently posting season averages of 27.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 5.5 assists through 33 appearances. This season has already guaranteed that Antetokounmpo will log his fewest games in any of his 13 campaigns with Milwaukee. His previous career-low was 61 games during the 2020-21 season.

Throughout his distinguished career, the 10-time All-Star selection has maintained averages of 24.0 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 5.0 assists across 892 total games, including 827 as a starter.

Olympic figure skating champion Alysa Liu announced Sunday on social media that she will not compete in the upcoming World Figure Skating Championships scheduled for Prague from March 24-29.

The 20-year-old athlete made history at the recent Milano Cortina Games by becoming the first American woman to earn Olympic gold in women’s singles figure skating in more than two decades, since 2002.

In her Instagram announcement, Liu shared: “As some of yall already know, I withdrew from Worlds.”

She continued: “There’s been a lot of exciting things happening since my return from Milan, so I’m taking some time for that … see yall next season,” though she did not elaborate on what those opportunities might be.

Liu was anticipated to compete as the defending champion after claiming the 2025 world title in Boston, making her the first American to secure that championship since 2006.

Her Boston victory represented an extraordinary return to competition after she had temporarily stepped away from the sport following the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

U.S. Figure Skating announced that Sarah Everhardt will take Liu’s spot on the American team for the world championships.

Beyond her individual Olympic triumph, Liu also contributed to the United States’ gold medal performance in the Olympic team competition. Her withdrawal joins other notable absences from the championships, including Japanese Olympic pairs champions Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi, who have also pulled out of the competition.

The Northern Iowa Panthers have earned their way back to March Madness for the first time in a decade, overwhelming UIC 84-69 to capture the Missouri Valley Conference tournament championship Sunday in St. Louis, Missouri.

Entering as the sixth seed, Northern Iowa (23-12) delivered their most impressive offensive performance of the year when it mattered most, converting 31 of 49 field goal attempts for a stellar 63.3% shooting percentage. The Panthers also knocked down 52.2% of their three-point attempts in the decisive victory.

Veteran guard Trey Campbell led the scoring attack with 23 points, connecting on eight of 13 shots including six three-pointers. Reserve Ben Schwieger contributed 18 points while making seven of eight field goal attempts. Leon Bond III and Will Hornseth each added 10 points, with Tristan Smith pulling down eight rebounds. The Panthers’ ball movement was exceptional, recording a season-best 25 assists as a team.

UIC (19-15) received a strong individual effort from Elijah Crawford, who scored 28 points on 13-of-29 shooting while adding four rebounds and five assists. Ahmad Henderson II contributed 13 points for the Flames, while Rashund Washington Jr. and Jayce Nathaniel each scored 10.

In Sunday’s other conference championship game, High Point secured its second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance with a 91-76 victory over Winthrop in the Big South Conference final in Johnson City, Tennessee.

The top-seeded Panthers (30-4) pulled away in the second half against the second-seeded Eagles to earn just their second NCAA Tournament bid in program history. High Point has emerged as a mid-major force, accumulating 86 victories since 2023 – a total exceeded only by Houston, Duke, and UConn among Division I programs.

Rob Martin powered High Point’s offense with 24 points and seven assists, while Cam’Ron Fletcher delivered 17 points and 19 rebounds coming off the bench. Winthrop (23-11) got 22 points and seven rebounds from Kareem Rozier, with Daylen Berry adding 18 points, Logan Duncomb contributing 17, and Kody Clouet chipping in 12.

Free throw shooting proved crucial in the outcome, as Winthrop converted just 18 of 31 attempts (58.1%) compared to High Point’s 27-of-32 performance (84.4%). The Panthers were particularly effective at the line in the second half, making 24 of 26 free throws.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced on Sunday that relief pitchers Porter Hodge and Jordan Wicks will begin the season on the injured list due to arm problems.

Hodge is battling a flexor strain in his right elbow and will be shut down from throwing activities for several weeks to promote healing. Meanwhile, Wicks has been sidelined with nerve irritation in his left throwing arm and hasn’t pitched since appearing in three games during February spring training.

The 25-year-old right-handed Hodge had an impressive debut campaign in 2024, posting a 1.88 ERA across 43 innings pitched. However, his 2025 performance declined significantly with a 6.27 ERA over 33 innings. His spring training struggles continued this year, surrendering seven earned runs and issuing seven walks in just two innings across three outings.

Wicks, age 26, has compiled a 5.21 ERA during his Cubs tenure over the past three seasons, appearing in 26 games including 17 starts. Across 95 innings of work, he has recorded 79 strikeouts while walking 32 batters.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James will sit out Sunday afternoon’s matchup against the New York Knicks due to injury concerns.

The veteran player was initially listed as questionable but has now been officially ruled out with a left elbow contusion and arthritis in his left foot.

The 41-year-old sustained the elbow injury during Thursday’s 120-113 defeat to the Denver Nuggets on the road. James took a hard tumble to the floor while attacking the basket in the fourth quarter. Although he managed to return briefly, he ultimately left the game again with less than a minute remaining.

This season, the four-time NBA champion and 22-time All-Star has posted averages of 21.4 points, 7.0 assists, and 5.6 rebounds across 44 games, starting in each contest.

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Bucks will be without star player Giannis Antetokounmpo for Sunday evening’s matchup against the Orlando Magic, as team officials continue managing his recovery from a right calf strain that sidelined him for 15 consecutive contests.

Milwaukee’s decision to rest the superstar forward comes as they face their second game in back-to-back nights. The 6-foot-11 player delivered an impressive performance Saturday, contributing 27 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists during 27 minutes of play as Milwaukee ended a four-game losing streak with a commanding 113-99 win over Utah.

Since coming back from the calf injury that kept him out for five weeks, Antetokounmpo has appeared in just three contests. The 31-year-old has dealt with right calf strain issues on two different occasions during this campaign.

Sunday’s absence will bring Antetokounmpo’s total missed games this season to 30, establishing a new personal record. His previous high for games missed in any single season was 21.

Through 33 games played this year, Antetokounmpo is posting averages of 27.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per contest.

Milwaukee will also be without their second-highest scorer Kevin Porter Jr. for the third consecutive game due to swelling in his right knee.

LOS ANGELES — Basketball superstar LeBron James remained on the bench for his second game in a row Sunday evening as the Los Angeles Lakers took on the New York Knicks, continuing to recover from injuries to his left elbow and left foot.

Lakers officials confirmed James would not participate approximately 75 minutes prior to tip-off. Despite going through pregame warm-up exercises to evaluate his condition, the team made their decision well before game time rather than waiting until the last moment, as head coach JJ Redick had indicated they might do.

The veteran player, now 41 years old, was also absent from Los Angeles’ win against Indiana on Friday due to what team officials characterized as a bruised left elbow and arthritis affecting his left foot.

This season has seen James struggle with multiple minor ailments, and Sunday’s absence against New York marked the 20th game he has missed during the Lakers’ opening 64 contests. Earlier in the campaign, he sat out the initial 14 games while dealing with sciatica that prevented him from participating in any training camp or preseason activities as he began his historic 23rd NBA campaign.

During Thursday’s matchup with the Denver Nuggets, James achieved a milestone by breaking the NBA record for career field goals made. However, he also sustained his elbow injury during a late-game encounter with Nikola Jokic. Following that contest, James described his elbow as “pretty sore… It feels like a funny bone situation.”

Prior to this recent absence, James had participated in the Lakers’ first eight contests following the All-Star break, during which he also made his record-setting 21st appearance in the midseason exhibition game.

Despite being the league’s all-time leading scorer and maintaining solid production this year with averages of 21.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists per contest, James has been unavailable for too many games to earn consideration for what would have been his remarkable 22nd consecutive All-NBA team selection.

By sitting out this high-profile matchup with the Knicks, James postponed his chase of Robert Parish’s record for most career games played. James currently stands at 1,606 regular-season appearances, just five games short of Parish’s mark of 1,611.

The Lakers, who hold a 38-25 record, are currently navigating a demanding five-week period without any back-to-back days off. They have three additional home contests scheduled for next week before beginning a challenging six-game road trip.

The Colorado Avalanche announced Sunday that team captain Gabriel Landeskog will be sidelined week-to-week due to a lower body injury.

The setback comes after Landeskog had just returned to action following a 14-game absence caused by an upper body injury that kept him out before the Olympics. Since coming back to the ice, the veteran forward had contributed seven points with two goals and five assists across six contests.

The 33-year-old has endured a challenging injury history, missing three complete seasons due to knee problems that required multiple surgical procedures, including cartilage replacement surgery. His comeback culminated when he took the ice against the Dallas Stars during Game 3 of the Western Conference first-round playoff series in 2025.

Through 47 games this season, Landeskog has recorded 29 points on nine goals and 20 assists for Colorado.

Running back James Conner will remain with the Arizona Cardinals for another season after both sides agreed to restructure his existing contract, according to NFL Network reports from Sunday.

The original deal would have counted $9.8 million against the team’s salary cap this upcoming season. Details about the financial terms of the revised agreement have not been disclosed.

The veteran back, who celebrates his 31st birthday in May, appeared in only three games during the previous campaign following a season-ending ankle injury. Prior to that setback, Conner had delivered consecutive 1,000-yard rushing performances for Arizona in both 2022 and 2023.

Since joining the Cardinals in 2021, the two-time Pro Bowl honoree has participated in 60 games for the franchise following his four-year stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Throughout his entire NFL career spanning 110 games with 84 starts, the 2017 third-round draft selection has accumulated 6,065 yards rushing with 60 touchdowns on the ground, plus 2,255 receiving yards and 12 receiving scores.

Arizona also restructured cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting’s contract after he sat out the entire previous season due to a knee injury. His original deal carried a projected $9.2 million salary cap impact for the coming season.

The 28-year-old Murphy-Bunting has appeared in 82 career contests with 65 starts across stints with Tampa Bay (2019-22), Tennessee (2023), and Arizona (2024). His career statistics include 297 tackles, 34 passes defended, and 11 interceptions.

Denver has locked up another crucial piece of their defense as the Broncos have reached agreement on a three-year contract worth $18 million with linebacker Justin Strnad, according to multiple media reports on Sunday.

The deal includes $5.1 million guaranteed upon signing, with total guaranteed money reaching $10 million, sources indicate.

The 29-year-old Strnad enters his sixth year with Denver after being selected by the Broncos in the fifth round of the 2020 draft.

While his early career was spent primarily contributing on special teams units during his sophomore and junior campaigns, Strnad has evolved into a consistent defensive contributor. Over the previous two seasons, he has earned starting assignments in 16 contests for Denver.

Throughout his five-year tenure with the Broncos, Strnad has appeared in 83 games with 21 starts. His statistical production includes 7.5 quarterback sacks, 177 total tackles, six defended passes and one interception.

Boston College has dismissed men’s basketball head coach Earl Grant following five seasons leading the program, according to multiple media reports released Sunday.

The 49-year-old coach compiled a 72-92 overall record with the Eagles, finishing this past season with an 11-20 record and a disappointing 4-14 conference record in Atlantic Coast Conference play.

The Eagles secured a 77-69 win against Notre Dame on Saturday, temporarily positioning themselves for the 15th and final spot in the ACC tournament bracket. However, Pittsburgh claimed that final berth later that day with their victory over Syracuse.

Before joining Boston College, Grant spent seven seasons leading the College of Charleston program, where he achieved a 127-89 record. During his tenure with the Cougars, he successfully guided the team to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2018.

The coaching change comes just one week after Boston College also terminated women’s basketball head coach Joanna Bernabei-McNamee, marking a complete overhaul of the school’s basketball programs.

Mixed martial arts will make history this summer when the Ultimate Fighting Championship stages what’s believed to be the first professional sporting event ever conducted at the White House.

UFC Freedom Fights 250 is scheduled for June 14, with Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje headlining the card in a battle for the lightweight championship. The historic event will showcase six total matches.

Another major championship bout will see Alex Pereira take on Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight belt. Should Pereira emerge victorious, he would make UFC history by becoming the organization’s first fighter to claim titles in three different weight divisions.

The fight lineup was unveiled Saturday evening during UFC 326 in Las Vegas.

UFC President Dana White first announced the groundbreaking White House event last August following discussions with President Donald Trump. The unique venue choice ties into the broader festivities marking America’s 250th anniversary this year.

The remaining matchups include former Penn State NCAA wrestling standout Bo Nickal facing Kyle Daukaus. Additional bouts feature Diego Lopes taking on Steve Garcia, Sean O’Malley squaring off against Aiemann Zahabi, and Michael Chandler meeting Mauricio Ruffy.

Fans will be able to watch the historic event through live streaming on Paramount+.

Baltimore Ravens backup quarterback Tyler Huntley will remain with the team after agreeing to a new two-year contract valued at $5 million, according to multiple media reports.

The deal includes potential incentive bonuses that could bring the total value up to $6 million.

The 28-year-old signal-caller has been with Baltimore for five of his six professional seasons after the Ravens picked him up as an undrafted free agent back in 2020.

Miami briefly acquired Huntley from Baltimore’s practice squad during the 2024 season before he returned to the Ravens organization in 2025.

Throughout his career, Huntley has stepped into the starting role 16 times – filling in for injured Ravens star Lamar Jackson in 11 contests and taking over for Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa in five additional games. His record as a starter stands at 7-9.

Over 30 total game appearances, Huntley has connected on 66.2% of his passing attempts, accumulating 3,212 yards through the air with 13 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. On the ground, he’s contributed 795 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.

Eastern Michigan University announced Sunday that basketball coach Stan Heath will step down from his position after five seasons leading the Eagles program.

The 61-year-old Heath, who grew up in Detroit and played for the Eagles as a student, compiled a 57-99 overall record during his tenure. This past season, Eastern Michigan struggled to a 10-21 overall record and went 4-14 in Mid-American Conference play.

“I appreciate the opportunity to coach at my alma mater,” Heath said. “I am disappointed for our fans and the Eastern community that we were not able to reach the level of success that is possible at EMU. I wish Eastern Michigan University the best going forward.”

Throughout his coaching career spanning more than two decades, Heath has accumulated a 266-306 record as a head coach. His previous stops included Kent State from 2001-02, Arkansas from 2002-07, and South Florida from 2007-14 before returning to Eastern Michigan in 2021.

Athletic Director Scott Wetherbee praised Heath’s dedication to the program and university community.

“We are grateful for Coach Heath’s commitment to this program, which spans five years as head coach and more than four decades as a student-athlete and proud alumnus of this University,” Wetherbee said. “He cares deeply about Eastern Michigan, and I wish him and his family the very best.”

The university will launch a nationwide search to find Heath’s replacement, according to Wetherbee.

Western Michigan University dismissed basketball head coach DJ Stephens on Sunday following four disappointing seasons leading the program.

The 54-year-old Stephens received his first opportunity as a head coach in 2022 following an extensive career as an assistant under Tom Izzo at Michigan State University.

His tenure with the Broncos proved challenging, as the team compiled a 42-84 record across his four years in charge.

The program’s struggles continued this season, with Western Michigan dropping 12 of their last 15 contests to end with a 10-21 record overall. In conference play, the Broncos managed just four wins against 14 losses, placing them in a tie for 11th in the Mid-American Conference standings.

The coaching change comes as the university prepares to transition its basketball and hockey programs to a new $300 million arena scheduled to open in 2027.

Athletic Director Dan Bartholomae, who serves as university vice president, acknowledged Stephens’ contributions in a statement.

“Coach Stephens has elevated our men’s basketball program in many ways during his tenure as our Head Coach,” Bartholomae said. “He has represented our Broncos with integrity and class, and we are grateful for his contributions.”

“As the world of intercollegiate athletics continues to evolve, and as we anticipate the opening of the finest basketball training and competition venue in the country, we believe it is in our best interests to seek new leadership and direction for our program. These decisions are challenging, and we will move forward with a focus on championship level success in an exciting new home environment.”

Multiple sources confirm that Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Sean Rhyan has secured a three-year contract extension valued at $33 million, with potential earnings reaching $39 million through incentives.

The 25-year-old lineman demonstrated remarkable adaptability last season when he transitioned from his usual guard position to center following a season-ending injury to two-time Pro Bowler Elgton Jenkins in November.

During the most recent campaign, Rhyan participated in every game of the 17-game season, earning starting assignments in 11 contests. This performance came after a previous season where he started all 17 games at right guard.

Since Green Bay selected him in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft from UCLA, Rhyan has suited up for 47 games and earned 28 starting assignments with the franchise.

Meanwhile, the organization is anticipated to move on from Jenkins through either a trade arrangement or outright release.

Georgia Tech has terminated basketball coach Damon Stoudamire following a disappointing season that ended with the Yellow Jackets posting their worst record in years, according to ESPN reports on Sunday.

The university made the decision to dismiss Stoudamire after Georgia Tech wrapped up their campaign with a narrow 79-76 defeat to Clemson on Saturday, marking their twelfth consecutive loss to close out the season.

The Yellow Jackets struggled throughout the year, finishing with an 11-20 overall mark and managing just 2 wins against 16 losses in Atlantic Coast Conference play. Their poor performance left them at the bottom of the ACC standings and eliminated them from conference tournament consideration.

According to ESPN’s reporting, the school will owe Stoudamire $2.6 million for the remaining two years left on his coaching contract.

The 52-year-old coach compiled a 42-55 record during his three-year tenure with the program.

Georgia Tech brought Stoudamire aboard prior to the 2023-24 season from his position as an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics. His previous head coaching experience included a five-year stint at Pacific from 2016 to 2021, where he posted a 71-77 record.

As a player, Stoudamire overcame his smaller stature as a guard at the University of Arizona to become the seventh overall selection in the 1995 NBA Draft. He enjoyed a successful 13-year professional career, suiting up for the Toronto Raptors, Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies, and San Antonio Spurs.

Stoudamire earned NBA Rookie of the Year honors in 1996 during his first professional season.

English golfer Dan Bradbury captured his second Joburg Open championship on Sunday, delivering a clutch final round performance at Houghton Golf Club in South Africa. The tournament concluded with Bradbury finishing at 17-under-par after shooting a stellar 65 in the final round.

The victory came down to the wire as Bradbury needed only a par on the final hole to secure the win. Despite finding his second shot off the green on the 18th hole, he executed a brilliant chip shot that landed within a foot of the cup, sealing the one-stroke victory.

South African golfer Casey Jarvis, who had captured the previous two DP World Tour events, fell just short of completing a hat-trick of wins. Jarvis finished tied for second place alongside England’s Brandon Robinson-Thompson, with both players carding final rounds of 66.

Following his victory, Bradbury reflected on his challenging start to the final round. “I thought I had lost in on the front nine, I had so many chances and did not take them,” Bradbury said. “But it feels really good to put it together on the back nine.”

The champion also praised his competitors, stating, “Casey and Brandon played amazing, it was pretty tight but I somehow managed to get it done in the end.”

This marks Bradbury’s third career victory on the European tour. His inaugural triumph also came at the Joburg Open in 2022, and he added another title at the 2024 FedEx Open de France.

Japan staged a dramatic comeback victory over Australia 4-3 on Sunday at Tokyo Dome in World Baseball Classic Pool C action, with the historic game witnessed by Emperor Naruhito in a rare public appearance.

Australia took the early advantage in the sixth inning when outfielder Aaron Whitefield scored following a throwing mistake by Japan’s catcher Kenya Wakatsuki.

Japan responded in the seventh inning when Masataka Yoshida launched a crucial two-run homer beyond the right-center field wall. The home team added two additional runs for cushion in the eighth inning to secure the victory.

Star player Shohei Ohtani, who had delivered home runs in Japan’s previous two tournament games, struggled to contribute offensively on Sunday. The Los Angeles Dodgers sensation had a golden opportunity with bases loaded in the third inning, but teammate Shugo Maki was caught off base by Australian catcher Robbie Perkins, ending the threat.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Yoshida, who also went deep in Japan’s win against South Korea the previous day, now has accumulated 19 RBIs during his World Baseball Classic career, ranking third all-time in tournament history.

The World Baseball Classic, now in its sixth edition since launching in 2006, represents a major source of national pride for Japan. The country consistently sends its top talent and leads all nations with three tournament titles.

Emperor Naruhito’s attendance from a box seat above home plate highlighted the event’s significance, marking the first time a reigning Japanese emperor has attended professional baseball since 1966, according to the Yomiuri newspaper.

The international tournament spans March 5-17 across venues in Tokyo, Puerto Rico, Houston and Miami, featuring 20 national teams competing in preliminary pools. The top two squads from each group advance to quarterfinal play.

Having already defeated Taiwan and South Korea in Pool C competition, Japan had previously clinched their spot in the Miami playoffs before Sunday’s contest.

Japan enters as the reigning WBC champions after defeating the United States in last year’s championship game. Both nations are considered leading contenders to meet again in this year’s title match.

Red Sox slugger Masataka Yoshida delivered the decisive blow with a clutch two-run home run in the seventh inning, propelling defending World Baseball Classic champion Japan to a 4-3 triumph over Australia in Tokyo on Sunday, securing the top spot in Group C.

The dramatic moment came after Australian pitcher Jon Kennedy couldn’t handle a throw from shortstop Jarryd Dale that would have completed an inning-ending double play. Yoshida capitalized on the defensive mistake, launching Kennedy’s 0-1 slider over the right-center field wall to put Japan ahead 2-1.

Japan added crucial runs in the eighth frame when Teruaki Sato drove in a run with a double and Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki earned a bases-loaded walk for additional insurance.

Despite managing only five hits throughout the contest, Japan took advantage of 12 walks issued by Australian pitching to maintain their perfect 3-0 record in pool competition.

Australia mounted a late rally in the ninth inning as Alex Hall and Rixon Wingrove both connected for solo home runs, but it wasn’t enough to prevent their first loss. The Australians now sit at 2-1 and can still advance to the quarterfinals by defeating Korea (1-2) in Monday’s matchup.

The tournament format sends the top two teams from each of the four groups to the quarterfinal round, which will take place in Miami and Houston. Miami will host both semifinal games on March 15-16 and the championship contest on March 17.

Australian standout Aaron Whitefield, formerly of the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels, contributed three of his team’s eight hits and crossed home plate in the sixth inning following a defensive miscue. Whitefield doubled to right field and attempted to steal third base when Japan catcher Kenya Wakatsuki’s throw sailed wide into left field territory, allowing him to race home with the game’s first run.

Japan nearly broke the scoreless deadlock earlier when superstar Shohei Ohtani came to bat with bases loaded and two outs in the fourth inning. However, Australian catcher Robbie Perkins made a heads-up play, catching Shugo Maki wandering too far from second base and firing a perfect throw to Dale for the tag to escape the jam.

A Ugandan distance runner made history on Sunday when he crossed the finish line in Portugal with a new world record for the half marathon.

Jacob Kiplimo, 25, completed the 13.1-mile race in Lisbon in an impressive 57 minutes and 20 seconds, breaking the previous world record by 10 seconds. The former record belonged to Ethiopian runner Yomif Kejelcha, who set it in Valencia in 2024.

This marks a return to the top for Kiplimo, who previously held the world record in 2021 when he ran 57:31 on the identical Lisbon course.

Last year in Barcelona, Kiplimo posted an even faster time of 56:42, but World Athletics officials did not recognize that performance as official due to violations involving illegal pacing assistance.

Two Kenyan athletes rounded out the top three finishers, though they were well behind Kiplimo’s record-setting pace. Nicholas Kipkorir took second place with a time of 58:08, while Gilbert Kiprotich claimed third in 58:59.

Following his historic run, Kiplimo expressed his excitement about the achievement. “I’m so happy to break the world record,” Kiplimo said. “After the first 10km, I thought the world record was possible. I tried to keep pushing the pace in the final two kilometres.”

American skiing legend Mikaela Shiffrin expanded her commanding World Cup championship lead Sunday by making a strategic appearance in a super-G race in Italy’s Val di Fassa, while her closest competitor Emma Aicher of Germany crashed out without earning any points.

Shiffrin, who holds the record for most World Cup victories and is pursuing her sixth overall Crystal Globe trophy, placed 23rd in the race but collected eight crucial points that widened her advantage over Aicher to 125 points with just six races left across all skiing events.

The American typically avoids downhill competitions and has concentrated on technical events this season, making only one super-G appearance in December — her first in two years — as preparation for last month’s Milano Cortina Olympics. A single victory awards 100 points.

The super-G season championship will come down to a final showdown in Norway on March 22, where Italy’s Sofia Goggia holds a 63-point edge over New Zealand’s Alice Robinson.

Goggia secured ninth place in Sunday’s race while Robinson, now the sole remaining challenger for the super-G crown, tied for fourth alongside France’s Romane Miradoli.

“I feel confident. We’ve got one more race so I’m happy to give that everything, but it’s a little bit frustrating,” Robinson commented. She must finish at least second in the final competition to maintain any hope of claiming the title.

Goggia acknowledged equipment difficulties, saying: “I had no control over them at all. Luckily I could contain a little bit the damage in the upper part (of the piste).”

Italy’s Elena Curtoni claimed victory with a time of one minute 29.07 seconds, followed by Norway’s Kajsa Vickhoff Lie who finished 0.26 seconds behind. Italy’s Asja Zenere delivered a stunning performance, racing from 33rd position to capture third place and her first World Cup podium finish.

Aicher’s crash eliminated her from super-G title consideration, leaving her 145 points behind Goggia in the standings.

The triumph marked Curtoni’s fourth career victory and her first World Cup win since 2022, capping off a spectacular weekend for Italian skiers on their home slopes following Laura Pirovano’s back-to-back downhill victories on Friday and Saturday. Italian skiing legend Alberto Tomba was present to award Curtoni her winner’s trophy.

“I knew I still had it. But when the victory and the podium don’t come, then you start to ask yourself questions,” Curtoni reflected. “Today I was able to find that confidence… it’s very nice to be there at the front even now after so many years.”

The Big East Conference issued a $25,000 fine to University of Connecticut basketball coach Dan Hurley following his ejection during Saturday’s surprising defeat against Marquette. The incident occurred in the closing moments of the game when Hurley received two technical fouls for unsportsmanlike behavior.

The fourth-ranked Huskies (27-4, 17-3 Big East) suffered a stunning 68-62 defeat to the Golden Eagles (12-19, 7-13) in Milwaukee, with Hurley’s departure coming after he disputed what he believed was an uncalled foul.

The controversy began with Marquette ahead 64-62 when UConn’s Silas Demary Jr. took a challenged shot in the lane against defender Ben Gold. After officials didn’t call a foul, Hurley approached referee John Gaffney and loudly argued that Demary had been fouled.

Television broadcasters suggested during the game that Hurley may have made physical contact with Gaffney, which could have led to his removal. However, Hurley denied this claim, and the conference later released a statement noting that “a review by the conference office of the officials’ game report and available game footage could not confirm physical contact.”

“You could screenshot whatever you want to screenshot,” Hurley said. “I don’t feel like I made any contact with John. I don’t believe I did.”

The conference’s statement did acknowledge that Hurley “failed to leave the court in a timely manner” following his ejection.

“We hold our coaches to high standards of sportsmanlike conduct during game competition, and inappropriate interactions with our officials will not be tolerated,” Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman said in a statement on Saturday night.

Following Demary’s missed shot, Marquette’s Chase Ross grabbed the rebound and was fouled. With one second remaining, Ross went to the free-throw line and converted four of six attempts (including four shots for the two technical fouls) to secure the 68-62 victory.

Saturday’s loss prevented UConn from sharing the Big East regular-season championship with No. 18 St. John’s (25-6, 18-2). The Red Storm had already secured the conference tournament’s top seed, with the tournament beginning Wednesday in New York.

As the No. 2 seed, the Huskies will meet the winner of the matchup between seventh-seeded Marquette and 10th-seeded Xavier in Thursday’s quarterfinal round.

A crucial defensive stop by Ben Gold with just two seconds left sealed Marquette’s shocking 68-62 victory over fourth-ranked UConn on Saturday in Milwaukee, preventing the Huskies from securing a share of the Big East regular season championship.

The Golden Eagles (12-19, 7-13 Big East) were led by Nigel James Jr.’s 19 points before Gold delivered the game’s most important play. With 14 seconds remaining, James missed a shot and Jayden Ross grabbed the rebound for UConn. Silas Demary Jr. pushed the ball downcourt and drove into the lane for what could have been a game-tying basket, but Gold contested the attempt without drawing a foul call.

The non-call infuriated UConn head coach Danny Hurley, who was ejected by official John Gaffney. Chase Ross then sealed the victory by converting four free throws with one second on the clock, finishing with 14 points.

Demary paced the Huskies (27-4, 17-3) with 17 points while Tarris Reed Jr. contributed 16, but UConn struggled offensively throughout the contest. The Huskies shot just 35.6% from the field and managed only three makes on 24 three-point attempts. Braylon Mullins and Alex Karaban combined to shoot 1-of-15 from beyond the arc and 4-of-21 overall.

In other Top 25 action, top-ranked Duke dominated second-ranked North Carolina 76-61 at home. Cameron Boozer powered the Blue Devils with 26 points and 15 rebounds as Duke (29-2, 17-1 ACC) avenged their lone ACC defeat. Maliq Brown added 15 points and Isaiah Evans scored 11 for the Blue Devils, who secured the top seed in the ACC tournament despite dealing with injury concerns.

Second-ranked Arizona (29-2, 16-2 Big 12) set a program record for regular season victories with an 89-79 win at Colorado. Freshmen Koa Peat and Brayden Burries were unstoppable, combining for 56 points on 21-of-31 shooting. Burries scored a career-high 31 points while Peat added 25 in the finale.

Fifth-ranked Florida extended its winning streak to 11 games with an 84-77 road victory over Kentucky. Thomas Haugh led the Gators (25-6, 16-2) with 20 points, nine rebounds and three steals as Florida completed SEC regular season play unbeaten at home.

Other notable results included sixth-ranked Iowa State rolling past Arizona State 86-65, seventh-ranked Houston rallying to beat Oklahoma State 82-75, and BYU stunning 10th-ranked Texas Tech 76-82 after overcoming a 13-point deficit.

Mercedes driver George Russell is calling for patience with Formula One’s controversial new regulations following his victory at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday.

The sweeping rule changes have drawn harsh criticism from several top competitors, including four-time world champion Max Verstappen and defending champion Lando Norris, who have expressed frustration with the new hybrid engine systems that prioritize power management and energy recovery.

Russell, who secured the win from pole position with teammate Kimi Antonelli finishing second in a Mercedes one-two finish, suggested his competitors might view the changes differently if they had claimed victory at Albert Park.

“Everyone’s very quick to criticise things. You need to give it a shot,” Russell stated during the post-race media session.

“We’re 22 drivers. When we’ve had the best cars and we’ve been happiest, everyone moans the racing’s rubbish,” he continued. “Now drivers aren’t perfectly happy and everyone said it was an amazing race. So you can’t have it all.”

Norris, who placed fifth on Sunday, maintained his negative stance on the regulations after previously stating the cars had deteriorated from the “best to the worst” following Saturday’s qualifying session.

“It’s a shame, it’s very artificial, depending on what the power unit decides to do and randomly does at times,” Norris explained. “You just get overtaken by five cars or you can just do nothing about it sometimes. There’s nothing we can change about it, so there’s no point in saying any more, but not for me.”

Verstappen expressed hope that Formula One officials and the governing FIA would address driver concerns and implement modifications.

“If it’s drivers, fans, we just want the best for the sport. It’s not that we are critical just to be critical,” Verstappen said. “We are critical for a reason, we want it to be Formula One you know, proper Formula One on steroids. Today, of course, again, that was not the case.”

The race featured an exciting battle between Russell and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who finished third, as they exchanged the lead seven times during the opening nine laps.

Despite the spectacle for spectators, Leclerc noted that the new engine technology has altered how drivers approach passing maneuvers.

“Before it was more about who is the bravest at braking the latest,” the Monaco native observed. “Now there’s a bit more of a strategic mind behind every move you make because every boost activation you know you’re going to pay the price after that.”

New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes delivered a spectacular performance Saturday night, netting three goals and adding an assist to propel his team to a commanding 6-3 victory over the New York Rangers in Newark, New Jersey.

The hat trick marked Hughes’ fourth career three-goal game and his second of the current season. The Olympic standout found the back of the net on a power play before capitalizing on a breakaway opportunity with 3:04 remaining in the final period. Hughes sealed his hat trick by firing into an empty net with just 32 seconds left on the clock.

Supporting Hughes’ heroics, Devils teammate Jesper Bratt contributed one goal and two assists, while captain Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer each added goals of their own. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom turned away 17 shots to secure the victory.

The Devils dominated special teams play, converting all three of their power-play opportunities to fuel their fourth straight triumph.

Despite the lopsided final score, the Rangers showed offensive life through Will Cuylle, who scored his third goal in two contests, and defensemen Vladislav Gavrikov and Will Borgen, who both found the net. Gavrikov’s tally extended his scoring streak to three straight games. Rangers goalie Jonathan Quick made 29 saves but couldn’t prevent his team’s continued struggles.

The loss dropped the Eastern Conference’s last-place Rangers to a dismal 4-12-3 record over their past 19 outings.

In other NHL action Saturday:

Bruins 3, Capitals 1

Viktor Arvidsson’s third-period goal at the 4:28 mark proved decisive as Boston defeated visiting Washington, extending the Bruins’ home winning streak to 12 games. Pavel Zacha and Elias Lindholm also scored for Boston, with Lindholm sealing the win on an empty-netter with 23.2 seconds remaining. David Pastrnak recorded two assists while Jeremy Swayman made 22 saves. Aliaksei Protas scored Washington’s only goal, and Logan Thompson stopped 27 shots for the Capitals, who dropped their third consecutive game following recent trades of veterans Nicolas Roy and John Carlson.

Jets 3, Canucks 2 (OT)

Josh Morrissey returned from an upper-body injury to score the overtime winner and add an assist as Winnipeg rallied past Vancouver at home. Morrissey’s shot from the high slot deflected off Vancouver’s Filip Hronek and into the net 1:49 into overtime. Mark Scheifele tallied one goal and two assists, Gabriel Vilardi also scored, and Connor Hellebuyck made 21 saves for the Jets. Linus Karlsson and Liam Ohgren scored for Vancouver, with Teddy Blueger adding two assists and Kevin Lankinen stopping 32 shots.

Flyers 4, Penguins 3 (SO)

Trevor Zegras scored the decisive shootout goal while Dan Vladar made 20 saves and stopped all three shootout attempts to lift Philadelphia over Pittsburgh. Alex Bump scored in his NHL debut for the Flyers after helping Western Michigan capture its first NCAA hockey championship in 2025. Owen Tippett and Denver Barkey also tallied for Philadelphia, as head coach Rick Tocchet earned a victory in his 700th game as an NHL coach. Rickard Rakell had a goal and assist for Pittsburgh, while Egor Chinakhov contributed two assists. Erik Karlsson and Tommy Novak also scored for the Penguins, who fell to 1-9 in shootouts this season.

Mammoth 5, Blue Jackets 4 (OT)

Logan Cooley scored twice, including the overtime winner, as Utah improved to 3-0-0 on their five-game road trip with a victory in Columbus. Alexander Kerfoot and Michael Carcone each recorded a goal and assist for the Mammoth, Dylan Guenther also scored, and Karel Vejmelka made 27 saves. Columbus got goals and assists from Adam Fantilli, Mason Marchment, Damon Severson, and Mathieu Olivier, but saw their three-game winning streak end despite Elvis Merzlikins’ 18 saves.

Additional games saw the Islanders edge San Jose 2-1 in overtime, Tampa Bay snap a four-game skid by beating Toronto 5-2, Buffalo extend their winning streak to six with a 3-2 victory over Nashville, Montreal rally past Los Angeles 4-3, Calgary upset Eastern Conference-leading Carolina 5-4, and Ottawa defeat Seattle 7-4.

Serbian tennis champion Novak Djokovic has set his sights on competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where he hopes to defend his gold medal despite the challenge of being 41 years old.

The 24-time Grand Slam winner considers his victory over Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics to be the pinnacle achievement of his legendary tennis career, but acknowledges the significant age obstacle he’ll face in four years.

Speaking to media following his second-round victory against Kamil Majchrzak at Indian Wells on Saturday, Djokovic expressed his Olympic ambitions. “That’s one of the long-term goals, to reach the Olympics. That would be nice,” he stated.

“It’s still a long way off. I think at my age and this stage of my career, every year seems like a longer period than it is for anyone who is younger,” Djokovic explained. “But I’ll try to make it, definitely one of the motivations, so I’ll try to be there.”

Should Djokovic successfully defend his Olympic title, he would join Andy Murray as the only male player to win consecutive Olympic singles gold medals. The Serbian star previously earned bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

In his return to competition after an impressive Australian Open campaign that featured a dramatic five-set semifinal victory over Jannik Sinner, Djokovic showed some early struggles before finding his rhythm to defeat Majchrzak 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.

“It’s good to be back on tour,” Djokovic commented after the match. “Five weeks with no official match, I knew that the first match in such a long time will be a little bit tricky with conditions that are quite challenging,” he added, noting the windy conditions in the California desert.

The third-seeded player will face American Aleksandar Kovacevic in his next match at the tournament.

NEW YORK (AP) — The script didn’t arrive until Saturday at noon, just 12 hours before cameras would roll.

Saturday Night Live’s opening segment was about to rescue a national celebration that had gone off track following Team USA’s Olympic hockey triumphs. Rather than enjoying the spotlight after defeating Canada twice in overtime for both men’s and women’s gold medals, athletes including Hilary Knight, Megan Keller, Jack Hughes, and Quinn Hughes found themselves answering questions about political controversies and gender issues.

Show producer Lorne Michaels informed the athletes that the program planned to address the situation with humor.

Former President Trump’s joke during a phone call with the men’s team — saying he’d face impeachment if he didn’t also invite the women to the White House — generated both laughter from some players and widespread criticism. The men’s team’s attendance at the State of the Union address, which the women’s team skipped citing scheduling conflicts, further pushed media coverage toward political territory.

The celebration struggled through the week until Saturday, when ‘Heated Rivalry’ actor Connor Storrie hosted SNL. During his opening remarks, he praised the hockey champions for appearing together, setting up Knight’s memorable response:

“It was going to be just us,” Knight said, “but we thought we’d invite the guys, too.”

The studio erupted in applause and laughter, with broad grins visible on stage, including Jack’s distinctive gap-toothed smile. Two days later, the Hughes brothers and Knight exchanged fist-bumps on The Tonight Show after Jimmy Fallon celebrated their Olympic victories.

This lighthearted approach helped redirect a national story that threatened to overshadow the historic moment when the United States captured both hockey gold medals for the first time.

Moving from tension to relief required extensive coordination, according to Associated Press interviews with dozens of individuals across various agencies, leagues, and networks working to refocus attention on the teams’ Milan achievements.

On February 19, hours after Keller’s overtime winner against Canada, Professional Women’s Hockey League representatives contacted NBC, the primary U.S. Olympic broadcaster, to explore victory celebration opportunities. USA Hockey, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and Wasserman agency, which represents Knight, quickly joined the effort.

The following evening, as the U.S. and Canada prepared for the men’s final, NHL corporate communications VP Nirva Milord created a comprehensive schedule for every player from both teams covering the next two weeks. While competition continued in Italy, Milord strategized rapid deployment after Sunday’s championship game, with NHL action resuming Wednesday in North America.

“We had to know when they were going to be off because obviously they’re not going miss a game,” NHL content and events president Steve Mayer explained.

Jack Hughes scored his overtime winner just before 11 a.m. Eastern on Sunday. Pat Brisson, representing all three Hughes brothers through Creative Arts Agency, was immediately overwhelmed with appearance requests.

“When Jack scored the goal, we got so many calls,” Brisson recalled, estimating between 50 and 75 requests.

Saturday Night Live’s invitation for the goal-scorer was among them. Jack and Quinn Hughes made an ideal pairing, as did Knight and Keller’s combination.

“Nirva had the relationship at ‘Saturday Night Live’ and immediately put it into action because we knew right off the bat, ‘Hey, let’s take this and run with it,’” Mayer said. “These are moments that when you have those opportunities, you seize on them.”

Before departing Italy, both teams shared time in the athletes’ village dining area after the closing ceremony, gold medals draped around their necks.

“We’re telling stories, have a few drinks and just countless laughs,” forward Matthew Tkachuk said. “It’s been unbelievable, celebrating with them — them winning first was a great motivator for us — and just becoming close with a lot of the girls on the team.”

The original strategy called for everyone to fly from Milan to New York, the ideal location for mainstream media coverage of a sport that typically receives less attention than the NFL and NBA in America.

Weather intervened when a blizzard threatened the East Coast. The women’s team was rerouted to Atlanta while charter flights carrying NHL players were redirected to Miami. By this time, Trump’s remarks had become a major talking point alongside his State of the Union invitation.

Most of the men’s team chose to attend the White House visit and Tuesday’s speech, complicating post-Olympics scheduling. The women had already planned to return home and weren’t participating. Suddenly, coordination became far more complex than anticipated.

Following Trump’s address, players returned to their teams for regular season games while maintaining media commitments.

Both Keller and Jack Hughes appeared on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show through their agencies’ arrangements. Knight was featured on CBS Mornings and Ilona Maher’s House of Maher podcast.

NBC readily agreed to the SNL and Tonight Show appearances. The challenge was making the logistics work.

Quinn Hughes had flexibility after the Minnesota Wild’s Friday night game in Utah. Knight, dealing with a torn knee ligament from the Olympics, still wanted to attend her PWHL Seattle Torrent team’s Friday return game, so she took a red-eye flight to New York.

Jack Hughes played Saturday afternoon in St. Louis with the New Jersey Devils, then was rushed from the arena to owner David Blitzer’s private aircraft for a flight to Teterboro Airport. A helicopter transported him into the city, followed by ground transportation to Rockefeller Center.

Keller was competing with the Boston Fleet in Ottawa but managed to arrive on time with fortunate travel connections.

The television appearances successfully salvaged hockey’s global moment. Knight and Keller changed from “USA” gear to PWHL jerseys for the show’s conclusion, the Hughes family spent time with Michaels, and much of the controversy dissipated.

“The best couple weeks of my life,” Jack said. “To be on that and share it with the women’s team, the men’s team was just a pretty cool moment.”

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev will be sidelined for the remainder of the hockey season after undergoing core muscle surgery Wednesday, according to a team announcement.

The Maple Leafs organization reports that Tanev should be ready to return when training camp begins in September.

The 36-year-old defenseman has been out of action since suffering a groin injury on December 28th. The Toronto-born player has recorded two assists and maintained a plus-8 rating across 11 games during the current season.

Throughout his NHL career, Tanev has accumulated 210 points, including 36 goals and 174 assists, over 878 games played. His professional journey has taken him through stints with the Vancouver Canucks from 2010 to 2020, the Calgary Flames from 2020 to 2024, a brief period with the Dallas Stars in 2024, and his current tenure with the Maple Leafs during the 2024-25 season.

Los Angeles FC continued their perfect start to the season Saturday evening, defeating FC Dallas 1-0 at home while maintaining their streak of not conceding a single goal through three matches.

David Martinez provided the decisive moment in the 55th minute, unleashing a powerful left-footed strike from well outside the penalty area that found its way past FC Dallas goalkeeper Michael Collodi despite the keeper getting a hand to it.

The victory improved LAFC’s record to 3-0-0 with 9 points, while they’ve now outscored their opponents 6-0 across all three contests this campaign. Goalkeeper Hector Lloris earned his third consecutive clean sheet, making five saves including a crucial diving stop against Petar Musa during the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time.

FC Dallas (1-1-1, 4 points) remained competitive throughout thanks to outstanding goalkeeping from Collodi, who made five saves including two impressive second-half stops on attempts from LAFC’s Denis Bouanga. The visiting team managed to outshoot Los Angeles 14-10, though LAFC held a slight 6-5 advantage in shots on target.

Martinez’s winning goal marked his second of the young season and ninth in 49 career MLS appearances for the 20-year-old midfielder. The strike came after he collected possession outside the box and fired a laser that deflected off Collodi’s hand before nestling into the net.

LAFC had multiple opportunities to extend their lead, with Bouanga creating two excellent chances in the 70th and 79th minutes, but Collodi’s reflexes kept FC Dallas within striking distance. The Dallas keeper also made a key first-half save on Bouanga in the 23rd minute and stopped Son Heung-Min’s attempt in the 44th minute.

FC Dallas created their share of scoring chances as well, with Bernard Kamungo forcing Lloris into a diving save in the 28th minute when he struck a left-footed shot from distance. Musa sent a header over the crossbar early in the second half before his late attempt that required Lloris’s heroics.

The defeat extended FC Dallas’s struggles when visiting LAFC, dropping their all-time record at the venue to 0-7-1 while being outscored 14-3 in those eight matches. For Lloris, the clean sheet represented his 27th in 68 starts with the club.

Ryan Strome made an immediate impact in his Calgary debut, contributing a goal and assist as the Flames stunned the Eastern Conference-leading Carolina Hurricanes 5-4 on Saturday night at home.

Joel Farabee led the offensive charge with two goals and an assist, while the Flames used a dominant three-goal second period to overcome an early deficit and end their four-game losing streak.

Morgan Frost contributed one goal and two assists, and Blake Coleman added a goal and assist for Calgary, which had just traded away veteran stars MacKenzie Weegar and Nazem Kadri during the week. Goalie Dustin Wolf turned aside 25 shots for the victory.

Carolina got strong performances from Seth Jarvis, who recorded one goal and two assists, and Andrei Svechnikov, who had one goal and one assist. Sean Walker and Alexander Nikishin also found the net for the Hurricanes, who suffered just their second regulation loss in their last 16 games.

Sebastian Aho contributed three assists while goaltender Brandon Bussi made 20 saves, seeing his personal nine-game winning streak come to an end.

The Hurricanes jumped ahead early when Jarvis scored on Carolina’s first shot of the game just 44 seconds into the opening period.

Calgary responded after the first break, with Strome – obtained from Anaheim in a recent trade – evening the score with a sharp-angle shot just 19 seconds into the middle frame. Olli Maatta, also making his Flames debut after coming over from Utah in the Weegar transaction, earned an assist on the play.

Farabee gave the home team their first lead four minutes later, capitalizing on a rebound opportunity during a strong Calgary shift. Frost then extended the advantage to 3-1 with a power-play goal at 7:06, converting a loose puck in the slot.

Coleman increased Calgary’s lead to 4-1 at 2:24 of the final period when he capitalized on a Bussi misplay, tapping in the rebound after the Carolina goalie mishandled the puck and Farabee created the initial scoring chance.

Carolina mounted a comeback attempt when Walker scored at 4:41 following a Calgary turnover, and Nikishin brought the Hurricanes within one goal just 62 seconds later with a power-play blast from the point.

Farabee sealed the victory with what proved to be the game-winner, finishing a breakaway opportunity set up by Frost with 2:18 left in regulation.

Svechnikov added a late goal with 11.9 seconds remaining, but Carolina ran out of time to complete the comeback.

The Hurricanes played without defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, who was sidelined with a lower-body injury sustained Friday night in Edmonton. Calgary lost defenseman Zach Whitecloud late in the first period after he fell awkwardly into the boards and suffered an upper-body injury.

Multiple reports confirm the Dallas Cowboys have successfully brought their payroll into compliance with the NFL’s 2026 salary cap ceiling of $301.2 million through strategic contract modifications.

According to ESPN, the organization reworked the financial agreements of three key players: quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and offensive lineman Tyler Smith.

The Cowboys faced a significant financial hurdle, with their payroll sitting approximately $55 million above the league’s spending limit. The contract adjustments have generated roughly $66 million in additional cap room by reducing each player’s base pay to under $2 million for 2026 and converting the remaining amounts to signing bonuses.

The restructuring dramatically altered the players’ compensation structure. Prescott’s original $40 million base salary for 2026 was slashed, along with Lamb’s $20 million-plus salary and Smith’s $10.5 million agreement.

However, these financial maneuvers carry long-term consequences, pushing larger cap obligations into future seasons. Prescott’s cap impact will balloon to more than $75 million in 2027 and exceed $85 million in 2028.

Additional contract modifications may be forthcoming in Dallas. At last week’s NFL Scouting Combine, General Manager Jerry Jones announced the organization plans to restructure agreements with defensive tackles Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, and Osa Odighizuma.

This defensive trio is expected to consume a combined $63 million against the 2026 salary cap. Renegotiating their contracts would generate additional financial flexibility for what Jones has suggested will be an aggressive approach to free agency this offseason.

Los Angeles has completed a major trade with Kansas City, bringing All-Pro defensive back Trent McDuffie to the Rams in exchange for significant draft capital, according to ESPN’s Wednesday report.

Kansas City will receive Los Angeles’ 29th selection in the 2026 NFL Draft as the centerpiece of the deal, along with the team’s fifth and sixth-round choices that same year and a third-round selection in 2027.

Despite trading away the late first-round pick, Los Angeles retains the 13th overall selection in 2026, which they obtained from Atlanta in a draft-day swap this past April.

The 25-year-old McDuffie is anticipated to ink a long-term contract extension with his new team, ESPN reports.

During the most recent season, McDuffie appeared in 13 contests as a starter, compiling 63 total tackles while adding one interception and forcing a fumble.

Since Kansas City selected him 21st overall in the 2022 draft, the two-time championship winner has started all 56 games of his professional career, accumulating 246 tackles, 5.5 quarterback sacks, 34 defended passes, and three picks. He earned All-Pro recognition following the 2023 campaign.

PHILADELPHIA — San Antonio Spurs sensation Victor Wembanyama, known for his global adventures, recently shared stunning Instagram photos from his maiden voyage to Alaska where he witnessed the aurora borealis.

“The show I had was I think a historic, maybe a once-in-a-lifetime event even for northern lights chasers,” he said. “It was the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in my life. Ranks No. 1.”

That sentiment mirrors how the Spurs organization views their French phenom.

The extraordinary 7-foot-4 talent from Le Chesnay, France has propelled San Antonio into serious NBA title contention with just 21 games remaining in the regular season.

Though perhaps not quite as stunning as the northern lights, the Spurs delivered a brilliant 8-1 performance during their extended road swing, required each year when the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo takes over their home venue. Rookie sensation Dylan Harper contributed 22 points and connected on 18 three-pointers as the Spurs demolished an outmatched Philadelphia 76ers squad 131-91 on Tuesday evening.

San Antonio recorded their most lopsided victory since February 2018 and climbed to a league-leading 12-1 mark since the start of February. The Spurs dominated by as much as 49 points and made Philadelphia the first franchise in NBA history to suffer three home defeats of 40 or more points in a single campaign.

“When we’ve committed to just not getting bored with our success at times and staying with what’s working,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said, “we’ve had some really good stretches.”

The only spectators showing signs of boredom were Philadelphia supporters who abandoned their seats after three quarters. Those who remained made their displeasure known by jeering their team as the final buzzer sounded.

San Antonio secured the rebound victory they sought following Sunday’s loss to the New York Knicks, which ended their 11-game winning run. That defeat marked their first setback since January 31st against Charlotte.

There were no concerns about consecutive losses against Philadelphia.

“What happened in New York, I think we wanted to prove to everyone that we’re still here,” Harper said.

San Antonio finished February with a perfect 11-0 record, becoming the first NBA team to complete a month undefeated while scoring at least 110 points in every contest when playing a minimum of 10 games.

Their dominance carried over to league monthly honors.

Harper earned Western Conference rookie of the month recognition; Johnson claimed the coaching award while Wembanyama captured player of the month. Wembanyama posted averages of 22.5 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.5 blocks during February, while Harper, selected second overall in the draft, excelled with 12.5 points and 4.9 assists per game.

The winning surge has lifted San Antonio to a 44-17 record and second place in the Western Conference, trailing defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder by three games entering Wednesday’s slate. Even more encouraging, the Spurs can now enjoy home comforts when they begin a six-game homestand Thursday versus Detroit.

“We need that new arena,” Harper said of the lengthy road trip. “That’s the biggest thing I’ve learned.”

Johnson chuckled when informed of Harper’s remarks — perhaps understandable since it truly represents the rookie’s inaugural rodeo experience.

“He’s been here for two seconds,” Johnson said with a laugh. “He doesn’t have a vote yet.”

The Spurs’ proposed downtown facility received approval in November from Bexar County, Texas residents who endorsed a proposal allowing officials to allocate up to $311 million in venue taxes toward constructing a multipurpose arena. San Antonio has pledged at least $500 million for arena construction while covering all cost overruns — which could prove substantial.

The road trip served the Spurs well, considering they also posted an 8-1 road record during their 2003 championship season. The All-Star break occurred mid-trip, providing Wembanyama opportunities to excel in the revamped All-Star format before his brief Alaskan excursion to observe the shifting aurora displays. He remains eager to return home.

“Sleeping in my own bed,” Wembanyama said. “Eating my chef’s food. Getting back into the normal routine, the normal life.”

The Spurs are the ones generating heat throughout the NBA currently.

Wembanyama explained his fascination with the aurora because “it’s just something that looks so out of place,” much like how the five-time champion Spurs appeared in league standings after missing six consecutive postseasons.

Philadelphia learned firsthand that Wembanyama has restored San Antonio among the NBA’s elite.

“TV don’t do him justice,” Sixers All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey said.

LOS ANGELES — Two NFL franchises are currently negotiating a significant player transaction that would send Kansas City’s standout defensive back Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams in return for multiple draft selections, according to two individuals familiar with the discussions who spoke to The Associated Press.

These sources requested anonymity Wednesday as the agreement has not reached completion. Kansas City is anticipated to receive the 29th selection in this year’s draft, while ESPN has reported that Los Angeles will package fifth and sixth-round choices this spring along with a third-round selection for next year.

This transaction would address Los Angeles’ most pressing roster deficiency by bringing an exceptional cornerback to their struggling defensive backfield. The Rams ranked 19th league-wide in defending against the pass last season, hampering the efforts of their solid front seven and the NFL’s top-scoring offensive unit.

McDuffie has captured two Super Bowl titles and established himself as an outstanding coverage specialist who also demonstrated skill at rushing the quarterback and delivering impactful tackles throughout his initial four professional seasons. He earned first-team Associated Press All-Pro recognition in 2023 and second-team honors in 2024.

Selected in the opening round during 2022, McDuffie will play under his final rookie deal season and earn $13.6 million this year, although Los Angeles is likely already pursuing a long-term extension.

Kansas City would have faced challenges accommodating McDuffie’s extended contract within their spending limitations, having already committed substantial money to quarterback Patrick Mahomes, defensive players Chris Jones and George Karlaftis, plus offensive linemen Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith.

Using this additional draft compensation, the Chiefs aim to create another championship opportunity for Mahomes by strengthening the roster surrounding him. Kansas City will also maintain their recent pattern of trading away top defensive backs when they become eligible for second contracts: Two seasons ago, the organization sent L’Jarius Sneed to Tennessee.

Los Angeles’ cornerback situation represented an obvious weakness on last year’s talented squad, which advanced to the NFC championship before losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Following unsuccessful attempts to acquire meaningful secondary assistance during the campaign, general manager Les Snead stated last month that cornerback was “a position group that we’ll attack over the next few weeks.”

Snead is executing that plan through a characteristic Rams move, utilizing draft resources to strengthen a roster seeking to maximize its remaining opportunities with 38-year-old quarterback Matthew Stafford, who recently earned his first NFL MVP recognition.

Significantly, Los Angeles retains the 13th overall selection in the approaching draft after obtaining it from Atlanta last year. They also possess the financial flexibility to support an elite cornerback’s salary demands.

This move would bring McDuffie back to his roots, as he was raised in Los Angeles’ surrounding communities and attended St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower. McDuffie subsequently played at the University of Washington under head coach Jimmy Lake, who currently serves as the Rams’ defensive backs coach.

McDuffie matches Los Angeles’ preferred profile for cornerbacks who perform effectively in various defensive capacities. The Rams have already retained safety Quentin Lake, who handles the adaptable “star” position previously filled by former All-Pro Jalen Ramsey.

Throughout his professional career, McDuffie has recorded three interceptions and 5.5 sacks. According to NextGenStats, he leads all cornerbacks with 34 quarterback pressures and eight forced fumbles across his four seasons.

The Brooklyn Nets broke their lengthy losing streak in dramatic fashion Saturday night, mounting an incredible comeback from a 23-point deficit to defeat the Detroit Pistons 107-105 on the road.

Michael Porter Jr. delivered a standout performance with 30 points and 13 rebounds, leading the Nets to their first victory after 10 consecutive losses. The team’s remarkable turnaround included an impressive 18-6 scoring run to close out the game.

Ziaire Williams contributed 23 points to the victory, while Noah Clowney added 16 points and Day’Ron Sharpe chipped in 13. For Detroit, Tobias Harris topped the scoring with 18 points, supported by Jalen Duren’s double-double of 17 points and 14 rebounds, and Duncan Robinson’s 15 points.

The game’s decisive moments came in the final minutes when Williams connected on a three-point shot with 1:28 remaining, putting Brooklyn ahead 105-103. Both teams managed to score two free throws each before missing crucial possessions. Detroit’s hopes ended when Robinson’s three-point attempt fell short and Duren couldn’t convert the follow-up attempt in the game’s final seconds.

The Pistons entered the matchup having dominated recent meetings with Brooklyn, winning their previous five encounters including a commanding 130-77 victory on February 1st. However, Saturday’s loss marked Detroit’s first three-game losing streak of the current season.

Both teams dealt with significant injuries to key players. Detroit was without All-Star guard Cade Cunningham, who sat out due to a left quadriceps contusion, and starter Ausar Thompson, sidelined with a right ankle sprain. Brooklyn also missed top rookie Egor Demin, who was held out for left plantar fascia injury management.

In other NBA action Saturday, Oklahoma City extended its winning streak to five games with a 104-97 home victory over Golden State. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paced the Thunder with 27 points, including a crucial side-step three-pointer in the final minute. The victory made Oklahoma City the first team this season to reach 50 wins.

Orlando defeated Minnesota 119-92, with Paolo Banchero recording 25 points and 15 rebounds for his third straight win. The Los Angeles Clippers overcame a 19-point first-half deficit to beat Memphis 123-120, led by Kawhi Leonard’s 28 points. Atlanta completed a season series sweep of Philadelphia with a 125-116 victory, while Milwaukee topped Utah 113-99 behind Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 27 points.

George Russell delivered Mercedes their first Formula One triumph in considerable time, capturing victory at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday.

The British driver’s commanding performance at Albert Park Circuit validated Mercedes’ strong showing during pre-season testing, as he secured pole position and converted it into his maiden victory at the Australian venue.

Russell crossed the finish line with nearly a three-second margin over his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc trailed by more than 15 seconds on an overcast Sunday afternoon at the lakeside track.

The race began with intense wheel-to-wheel action as Russell and Leclerc battled for supremacy, exchanging the lead position seven times during the first nine laps in a captivating display of racing.

However, Mercedes soon established a commanding advantage over their competitors.

Following an early tire change from medium to hard compounds during a virtual safety car period, Russell managed his hard tires for 45 laps while Mercedes’ superior race pace secured the victory.

“Great job everybody, it’s been a long time since we’ve been here,” Russell radioed to his team after taking the checkered flag.

The race proved disappointing for McLaren, particularly for Australian driver Oscar Piastri, whose home race ended before it started when he crashed during a reconnaissance lap approximately 40 minutes prior to the race beginning.

Piastri’s teammate and reigning champion Lando Norris managed only a fifth-place finish, trailing Ferrari’s seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton who claimed fourth position.

Four-time champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull finished in sixth place.

The field was reduced before the race even began, with only 20 of the 22 entered cars taking the green flag after Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg was withdrawn due to mechanical issues.

Three additional vehicles failed to complete the race distance, including Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar who was among the retirements.

The world’s top tennis player Carlos Alcaraz kicked off his Indian Wells tournament with a commanding performance on Saturday, while his close friend NBA superstar Jimmy Butler watched from courtside despite being on crutches due to a career-threatening ACL injury.

The friendship between these two elite athletes has become well-known in sports circles, with Butler previously supporting Alcaraz during his historic first Wimbledon championship in 2023, while the tennis champion has returned the favor by attending professional basketball games.

“He’s my guy. I knew that he was coming,” Alcaraz commented following his dominant 6-2 6-3 second-round victory against Grigor Dimitrov.

“I am just really happy that, with everything he’s been through with the knee, that he can show up and watch my match and to have a little bit of time with him afterwards.”

The six-time NBA All-Star Butler, who has long been passionate about tennis, regularly attended matches at the Miami Open while playing for the Miami Heat and participated in charitable tennis events with Alcaraz, including appearances at the U.S. Open in 2023 and in Qatar last year.

Currently with the Golden State Warriors, Butler explained that his January injury provided an unexpected opportunity to attend the desert tournament during the active basketball season, calling it a “silver lining” to his setback.

The 36-year-old basketball veteran praised Alcaraz’s fierce competitive spirit during his tournament visit.

“Me and Carlos have been rocking since 2021,” Butler said at the tournament.

“I love the ferocity he plays with. He’s not scared of any moment, he hustles for every ball, and he never gives up. If you’re giving a kid an example of what to be in any sport – it’s Carlos.”

Alcaraz has maintained an impressive undefeated record of 13-0 this season and captured his seventh Grand Slam championship at the Australian Open in January, making him the youngest player ever to achieve a career Grand Slam at only 22 years old.

The defending two-time Indian Wells champion will face French player Arthur Rinderknech in his upcoming third-round match.

French soccer sensation Antoine Griezmann has temporarily suspended his possible move to Major League Soccer’s Orlando City, according to Wednesday reports from ESPN.

The decision follows Atletico Madrid’s successful run to the Copa del Rey championship match on April 18, after the team defeated FC Barcelona 4-3 in combined semifinal scoring.

According to ESPN’s reporting, Orlando City’s proposal, which surfaced in news reports last month, required completion during MLS’s spring transfer period that concluded on March 26.

The 34-year-old striker holds the record as Atletico’s top scorer in franchise history with 210 goals across all tournament play, though he has yet to capture a significant championship during his decade with the team spanning two separate periods (2014-19 and 2021-26).

Griezmann claimed France’s 2018 World Cup championship and earned top honors at the 2016 European Championship, netting four goals despite France’s finals defeat.

Throughout his domestic career, the forward/attacking midfielder has recorded 297 goals over 787 La Liga matches and contributed 44 goals in 137 international appearances for France prior to ending his national team career in 2024.

DURHAM, N.C. — Standing with his North Carolina teammates before their rivalry matchup against top-ranked Duke, freshman star Caleb Wilson found himself exactly where he dreamed of being at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

However, the promising NBA draft prospect could only observe from the bench.

The Tar Heels’ 76-61 defeat on Saturday night, which concluded their regular season, occurred just one day after university officials confirmed that the 6-foot-10 forward would miss the remainder of the season due to a fractured right thumb. The timing proved particularly cruel, as Wilson had been nearing his return from a broken left hand injury, potentially making it back for the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament and March Madness.

A bizarre practice accident — Wilson even shared a post-operative image on social media — has concluded what many expected would be his only collegiate campaign before entering the NBA draft as a projected high lottery pick. The injury also deals a significant setback to North Carolina’s postseason hopes.

“Obviously, there’s tremendous sadness for him,” head coach Hubert Davis stated. “It was a dream for him to play in the ACC and NCAA Tournament. And my heart is broken that he won’t be able to do that. But we finished the regular season, now it’s time to regroup and move toward the ACC Tournament.”

Injuries have plagued the Tar Heels throughout this campaign. Senior guard Seth Trimble missed nine contests early in the season with a fractured left arm. Wilson had been sidelined since suffering his initial injury during a February 10 defeat at Miami, which came in their first game after defeating Duke on Trimble’s buzzer-beating three-pointer. Additionally, center Henri Veesaar recently sat out two games due to a foot problem.

“Unfortunately we’re kind of used to it as a team,” Trimble commented.

North Carolina had compiled a 5-1 record during Wilson’s absence while he worked toward his comeback. This time, however, there’s no possibility of return — no lingering hope of getting back the fiercely competitive and dynamic player who was averaging 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists.

“He’s been devastated ever since because he really wanted to wear that UNC uniform for the NCAA Tournament, and March Madness,” Veesaar explained. “So that moment getting taken away from him, I feel like as a friend just hurts me.”

The injury occurred while Wilson was dunking during a non-contact practice drill on Thursday. According to his teammates, there were no signs of a serious problem during that training session.

“I had no idea until the next day,” Trimble revealed.

“We just thought it was a sprained thumb during practice,” Veesaar added. “He was able to kind of go through it a little bit. He just said it hurts a little bit, but he thought it was a sprained thumb. Then the next day obviously you find out the news. And that hurt.”

During Saturday’s game, Wilson positioned himself on the bench beside director of operations Eric Hoots, though he frequently stood to watch the action — sometimes joining Davis as the only two people standing like sentries along North Carolina’s sideline. While seated, he typically rested his elbow on his knee with his injured hand elevated near his chin.

When teammates Derek Dixon and Jarin Stevenson scrambled for a loose ball and drew a first-half foul, Wilson enthusiastically cheered and gestured with his uninjured left hand. Throughout timeouts, he consistently walked toward midcourt to meet returning teammates with encouraging words or celebratory high-fives.

The Tar Heels clearly feel the absence of his rim-finishing ability (he led the nation with 66 dunks before his initial injury), shot creation, and rebounding prowess. The latter weakness was especially apparent against Duke, which dominated the boards 24-10 in the second half, including an 11-0 advantage on offensive rebounds.

“I feel like the big part is going to be moving the ball and rebounding,” Veesaar noted. “Because obviously he’s a freak athlete, he’s good at rebounding the basketball. And the other part is without him, we can’t really play (isolation) ball as much as we did with him because you kind of give him the ball, he went to work and it was very effective.”

“Now we have to get the ball moving, people can’t be sticky with it.”

Moving forward, the Tar Heels must rely on the strategies that proved successful during Wilson’s previous absence to continue winning in March.

“Obviously, it sucks, I feel for him, that’s my guy,” Dixon said. “I hate to see that happen. But we’ve got to play. And we’re going to have to play going forward.”

Veteran defensive star Khalil Mack will continue his career with the Los Angeles Chargers after agreeing to an $18 million contract for one year, according to a source familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on Saturday evening.

The source requested anonymity since the contract has not been officially completed.

At 35 years old, Mack recorded 5.5 quarterback sacks during the previous season and has accumulated 113 sacks across his 12-year NFL career.

The former 2016 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year has earned nine Pro Bowl selections, with three of those honors coming during his four-year tenure with Los Angeles. Before joining the Chargers, Mack started his professional career with the Oakland Raiders and spent four seasons playing for the Chicago Bears.

Los Angeles completed the previous season with an 11-6 record but saw their playoff run end with a 16-3 defeat against the New England Patriots in the AFC wild-card round.