AP National Sports

By DAVE HOGG Associated Press DETROIT (AP) — Brandon Williams scored 23 points and Ben McLemore added 21 as the patchwork Portland Trail Blazers ended a four-game losing streak with a 119-115 win over the Detroit Pistons. Detroit, which trailed by 23 in the third, took a 106-105 lead on Luka Garza’s free throw with

By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier each scored 17 points and the Charlotte Hornets came back to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 106-103 for their fifth straight win. Miles Bridges added 15 points and Mason Plumlee had 11 points and 10 rebounds for Charlotte, which trailed

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James scored 38 points, notched another triple-double and sparked memories of his time in Cleveland, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 131-120 win over the Cavaliers. It was James’ only visit home this season and the star from nearby Akron thrilled fans who warmly

By TERESA M. WALKER AP Sports Writer KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Sara Puckett hit a 3-pointer with 17.5 seconds left to put Tennessee ahead to stay as the fourth-seeded Lady Vols held off neighbor Belmont 70-67 Monday night to advance to their first Sweet 16 since 2016. The Lady Vols improved to 23-1 on their

CONWAY, S.C. — Rudi Williams scored 24 points as Coastal Carolina topped Florida Gulf Coast 84-68 in the second round of The Basketball Classic. Essam Mostafa added 23 points for the Chanticleers. Tavian Dunn-Martin led the Eagles on Monday night with 17 points.

Former Green Bay outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith has been in Minnesota for a free agent visit with the Vikings. Smith was released by the Packers a week ago. His 2021 season was ruined by a back injury. He played in only one game. The Vikings could use another proven pass rusher but lack salary cap

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes have signed forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi to an eight-year extension, which would keep the 21-year-old forward with the franchise through the 2029-30 season. The team said the deal will have an average-annual value of $4.82 million. Carolina announced the deal Monday, the same day the Hurricanes acquired forward Max

The Under-18 women’s world championship will be held in Madison, Wisconsin, in June after the coronavirus pandemic led to the tournament being canceled in Sweden in January. USA Hockey announced the eight-nation tournament will run from June 6 to 13 and split between the University of Wisconsin’s LaBahn Arena and Bob Suter’s Capitol Ice Arena,

By JOHN WAWROW AP Hockey Writer Marc-Andre Fleury is back in the playoff picture after the Minnesota Wild acquired the three-time Stanley Cup-winner in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks. The New York Rangers were among the busiest teams in shoring up depth needs by acquiring forwards Andrew Copp and Tyler Motte and defenseman Justin

By CLIFF BRUNT AP Sports Writer NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Dara Mabrey scored a season-high 29 points, and No. 5 seed Notre Dame rolled past No. 4 Oklahoma 108-64 to earn a spot in the women’s Sweet 16. Mabrey made 11 of 19 field goals, including seven 3-pointers. Sonia Citron scored 25 points and Maya

CANTON, Ohio (AP) — The late Broncos offensive line coach Alex Gibbs and longtime NFL public relations steward Joe Browne are among the inaugural winners of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Awards of Excellence. The program was created to recognize significant off-the-field contributors to football. The categories are: assistant coaches, athletic trainers, equipment managers

By LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Naz Hillmon had 27 points, 11 rebounds and five steals to help third-seeded Michigan pull away and beat No. 11 Villanova 64-49 in the second round of the women’s NCAA Tournament. The Wolverines earned a second straight trip to the Sweet 16 and will

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — A federal appeals panel has affirmed a lower court’s decision to unseal a letter from baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman detailing an investigation into sign stealing. The panel made the decision in upholding the April 2020 decision by U.S. District

By TOM DAVIES Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana’s Republican governor has vetoed a bill banning transgender females from participating in girls school sports. Opponents of the transgender sports bill argued it was a bigoted response to a problem that doesn’t exist. Gov. Eric Holcomb’s also signed a bill Monday eliminating the state’s permit requirement

By CHUCK KING Associated Press JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — At a time when many starters are throwing two innings before hitting the showers, Max Scherzer pitched five innings of one-run ball in his New York Mets spring debut. He cruised against a Miami Marlins lineup stacked with major leaguers. Scherzer, 37, took the mound focused

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Carlos Correa has wasted no time making new friends with the Minnesota Twins. His new team is predictably excited about his arrival. Correa agreed to a three-year contract that guarantees him $105.3 million. He will be paid $35.1 million annually and can opt out and become a free agent after

By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer The Las Vegas Raiders signed free agent linebackers Kyler Fackrell and Micah Kiser to add depth to a thin group. The Raiders were in need of help at linebacker after Nicholas Morrow signed with the Bears and Las Vegas released Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski as salary cap

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys have added defensive end Dante Fowler and receiver James Washington in free agency as tight end Dalton Schultz signs his $10.9 million franchise tag. The additions of Fowler and Washington come after the Cowboys lost free agent pass rusher Randy Gregory to Denver and traded No. 1 receiver