Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

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Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

MORE MLS COVERAGE

MLS Apr 7

Inter Miami has Kevin De Bruyne's MLS discovery rights in possible move: Report

MLS Apr 4

5 best MLS fits for Premier League legend Kevin De Bruyne

MLS Mar 19

United Soccer League to start promotion/relegation system, a contrast to MLS

Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

Blanco, 44, a native of the Caribbean island, played 56 games with the Washington Nationals during their inaugural season in 2005, including the first game in franchise history.

As of Wednesday, the collapse has left more than 120 people dead, and over 150 others have been transported to local hospitals, police confirmed.

The cause of the collapse is still under investigation. It occurred while renowned merengue singer Rubby Pérez was performing at the nightclub’s famous “Jet Set Mondays” event.

In a Facebook post, MLB added that Blanco played nine professional seasons in the United States and eight in Japan.

Blanco spent only one year in Major League Baseball but played eight seasons in the minor leagues.

Baseball in mourning

Former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel was rescued alive but later died from his injuries.

Nelsy Milagro Cruz Martínez, the sister of seven-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz and the governor of Montecristi, a province in the northwest of the Dominican Republic, was also among the victims of the collapse.

MLB Commissioner Robert D. Manfred expressed his condolences to the players and the official on social media.

“Major League Baseball is deeply saddened by the passings of Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco, Nelsy Cruz, and all the victims of last night’s tragedy in Santo Domingo,” the statement read.

“We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of all those who have been affected and to our colleague Nelson and his entire family. The connection between baseball and the Dominican Republic runs deep, and we are thinking of all the Dominican players and fans across the game today.”

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Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

MORE MLS COVERAGE

MLS Apr 7

Inter Miami has Kevin De Bruyne's MLS discovery rights in possible move: Report

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5 best MLS fits for Premier League legend Kevin De Bruyne

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Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

MORE MLS COVERAGE

MLS Apr 7

Inter Miami has Kevin De Bruyne's MLS discovery rights in possible move: Report

MLS Apr 4

5 best MLS fits for Premier League legend Kevin De Bruyne

MLS Mar 19

United Soccer League to start promotion/relegation system, a contrast to MLS

Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

The first of golf‘s four annual majors takes place from Thursday to Sunday, and it’s the most prestigious of the bunch: the Masters Tournament.

Nearly 100 players will hit the course at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia with dreams of putting on the green jacket. But, for some, that dream will be over before the weekend.

That’s because the Masters has a cut where golfers below a certain spot on the leaderboard are eliminated halfway through the tournament. Those inside the cut line then finish out the event.

So, how is the cut line determined? Here’s what to know:

How many golfers are in the 2025 Masters field?

There are 95 golfers competing in this year’s Masters. The field includes reigning champion Scottie Scheffler, who last year became the 18th player to win the major more than once and now looks to join an exclusive group of repeat Masters winners.

Is there a cut at the Masters?

Yes, the Masters has a cut.

When is the cut for the Masters?

The field is cut after the second round on Friday.

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How many golfers have won consecutive Masters Tournaments?

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How is the Masters cut line determined?

The top 50 golfers, plus ties, on the leaderboard following the second round advance to the weekend.

What is the cut line at the Masters?

This year’s actual cut line won’t be known until after Round 2.

What was the 2024 Masters cut line?

The cut line at last year’s Masters was 6 over, seeing 60 golfers remain in the field. The 2023 cut line was 3 over.

What is the average Masters cut line?

The average cut line at the Masters is 147.7, according to Golfweek, which is between a score of 3 over and 4 over.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

MORE MLS COVERAGE

MLS Apr 7

Inter Miami has Kevin De Bruyne's MLS discovery rights in possible move: Report

MLS Apr 4

5 best MLS fits for Premier League legend Kevin De Bruyne

MLS Mar 19

United Soccer League to start promotion/relegation system, a contrast to MLS

Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

Mattel, the makers of Barbie, announced on Wednesday that the Los Angeles Lakers superstar will be the first professional athlete to get his own Ken doll in his likeness.

James will become Mattel’s first “Kenbassador” in a collaboration with the LeBron James Family Foundation, with the hopes of “inspiring and contributing to a better world for all”

“As a young kid, I was fortunate to have role models who not only inspired me but also showed me what’s possible through hard work and dedication,” James said in a press release. “Now, as an adult, I understand how vital it is for young people to have positive figures to look up to.

“That’s why partnering with Barbie to release the LeBron James Kenbassadors doll is such an honor. It’s an opportunity to recognize the powerful impact of role models who instill confidence, inspire dreams, and show kids that they, too, can achieve greatness.”

When does the LeBron James Ken doll come out?

The LeBron James Kenbassador doll hit shelves on Monday, April 14. Cost is $75 per doll.

In-store availability includes select Target locations, while online purchases can be made at Target, Amazon, Walmart and Mattel Creations.

Mattel will donate a copy of James’ children’s book, “I Am More Than,” to Save the Children for every doll sold at Target and Target.com from April 14-19, up to 5,000 copies.

Additionally, Barbie is making a donation to the LeBron James Family Foundation to “help inspire the limitless potential of every child and invest more resources to create generational change for the kids and families of James’ hometown” of Akron, Ohio.

“For the LeBron James Family Foundation and the families we serve, this is so much more than a doll. It represents the reality that a kid from anywhere can make a difference,” said Michele Campbell, executive director of the LeBron James Family Foundation. “We are incredibly honored to partner with Barbie to continue inspiring the next generation and to celebrate LeBron’s unwavering commitment to his community by giving back through the LeBron James Kenbassadors doll.”

Closer look at the LeBron James Ken doll

James has been turned into an action figure before. But unlike the toy versions from McFarlane Toys and Starting Lineup that depict him in an NBA uniform, the Ken doll features an adjustable, multi-accessary outfit akin to a pregame tunnel look.

The dolls comes clad in a custom varsity jacket over the LeBron James Family Foundation’s signature “We Are Family” T-shirt, Nike Terminator High sneakers, Beats headphones, sunglasses, a fanny pack, a watch and his perennial “I Promise” band.

The doll not only captures James’ style, but also his height. It will be one inch taller than the standard Ken doll and come in larger, custom packaging.

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Why is Mattel celebrating Ken?

Ken, Barbie’s longtime best friend and supporter, will celebrate his 65th anniversary in 2026.

“We are excited to bring fans a new presentation of Ken that celebrates LeBron as a role model, his icon status, lasting impact on culture and dedication to setting a positive example for the next generation to reach their limitless potential,” said Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and global head of dolls at Mattel.

Mattel said that, along with the LeBron James doll, it will honor other Kenbassadors.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

MORE MLS COVERAGE

MLS Apr 7

Inter Miami has Kevin De Bruyne's MLS discovery rights in possible move: Report

MLS Apr 4

5 best MLS fits for Premier League legend Kevin De Bruyne

MLS Mar 19

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Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

MORE MLS COVERAGE

MLS Apr 7

Inter Miami has Kevin De Bruyne's MLS discovery rights in possible move: Report

MLS Apr 4

5 best MLS fits for Premier League legend Kevin De Bruyne

MLS Mar 19

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Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

MORE MLS COVERAGE

MLS Apr 7

Inter Miami has Kevin De Bruyne's MLS discovery rights in possible move: Report

MLS Apr 4

5 best MLS fits for Premier League legend Kevin De Bruyne

MLS Mar 19

United Soccer League to start promotion/relegation system, a contrast to MLS

Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

The iconic green jacket, a gold medal and a trophy that depicts the Augusta National Clubhouse are just some of the perks that come with winning the competition.

And, of course, a healthy amount of money — the higher one finishes, the better.

With the 2025 Masters Tournament approaching, here’s what to know about the prize money involved for participants:

When is the 2025 Masters Tournament?

The 2025 tournament will begin Thursday, April 10 and end on Sunday, April 13.

What is the total purse for the 2025 Masters Tournament?

The total purse for the 2025 Masters Tournament is expected to be $20 million, up two million from 2023 and the same as 2024.

How much does the winner of the 2025 Masters Tournament get?

Whoever finishes in first place of the 2025 Masters Tournament will receive $3.6 million in prize money. The rest of the purse is distributed in increments depending on placement.

For example, the second-place finisher would get $2.1 million and third place would collect $1.3 million. Those figures are up from $1.58 million for second place and $744,000 for third, which was the case in 2023.

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Who won the 2024 Masters Tournament?

Scottie Scheffler won the 2024 Masters for his second victory in the major. He first won it in 2022 and became the 18th golfer to win more than one Masters.

How much was the first Masters Tournament purse?

Before it was called the Masters, the tournament was named the “Augusta National Invitation Tournament.” Horton Smith won the first ever edition in 1934 and claimed a prize of $1,500.

Who has won the most Masters Tournaments?

American golfer Jack Nicklaus has won the most Masters Tournaments with six. The years he won were 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975 and 1986.

Tiger Woods, who will not be able to compete this year, is second with five wins (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019).

The 2024-2025 NBA season has had its fair share of shocking moments on and off the court. There have been stunning superstar trades, disappointing All-Star laden teams, oddly timed coach firings, and much more.

The latest bombshell came Tuesday when the Denver Nuggets fired head coach Michael Malone with three games remaining in the regular season. The Nuggets, who in 2023 under Malone won their first championship in franchise history, currently hold the fourth seed in the Western Conference with a 47-32 record.

Malone’s success, and the timing of his dismissal with the playoffs set to begin, was a shocker. But it wasn’t the most shocking moment of the season, trailing only a stunning midseason trade.

Here’s a look back at some other shocking moments from the season.

The Luka Doncic trade

Everyone assumed Shams Charania was hacked. ESPN’s NBA Insider made a social media post saying the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick. The deal was executed without any rumors of either Doncic and Davis even being available on the market, creating what was arguably the most shocking trade in NBA history.     

Grizzlies fire Taylor Jenkins

Before Michael Malone was fired, the most stunning termination of the season had been when Taylor Jenkins was let go by the Memphis Grizzlies on March 29 with nine games left in the regular season. The Grizzlies at the time held the No. 5 seed in the West at 44-29 under Jenkins, the franchise’s all-time leader in coaching victories. 

Suns disappoint

Playoff teams are firing coaches, while Mike Budenholzer is still roaming the sidelines in the desert. Budenholzer’s Phoenix Suns — with its All-Star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal — are unlikely to make the play-in tournament. The team entered Tuesday at 35-43 under Budenholzer, a two-time Coach of the Year who is in the first year of a five-year deal with the Suns. 

Cavs surprise

The NBA season was more than a month old before the Cleveland Cavaliers lost their first game. The Cavs won their first 15 games, matching the second-best start in league history behind the 2015-2016 Golden State Warriors who started 24-0. The Cavs’ first loss came on Nov. 19 against the Boston Celtics.

Celtics sell for $6 billion

Buying the defending champions isn’t cheap. The Celtics, just months after winning their 18th title, were sold to a group led by William Chisholm, a private equity executive, for $6.1 billion in March. It was the largest total paid for a sports team in the United States.

NBA Apr 8

Nuggets fire head coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth in stunning move

NBA Feb 2

What's the most shocking trade in NBA history? Where Luka Doncic to Lakers ranks

All-Star Game debacle

The NBA All-Star Game needs fixing, but this was not the solution. The new format included a four-team, single-elimination tournament with a target score of 40 points for each round. It did not go over well with many players and fans. The league quickly announced it will not be keeping the tournament format.

Tracy Morgan gets sick at Knicks game

A courtside cleanup was needed after comedian and New York Knicks superfan Tracy Morgan got ill during the third quarter of the team’s game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden. The game was delayed for more than 10 minutes. Morgan made a social media post the following day saying it was due to food poisoning.

The Jimmy Butler saga

It was a messy ending to the Jimmy Butler era in Miami. Seeking a contract extension, Butler was suspended by the Heat three times during the season, twice for conduct detrimental to the team and one for missing a team flight. The six-time All-Star, who led the Heat to the Finals twice, was traded to the Warriors in February for Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and a protected 2025 first-round pick.

Games postponed due to California wildfires

The Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers each postponed games in January following the devastation caused by the Southern California wildfires. The Lakers, whose head coach J.J. Redick lost his house in the fires, rescheduled home games against the Charlotte Hornets and San Antonio Spurs. The Clippers’ home game against the Hornets was also postponed.

Atlanta Hawks game postponed due to winter storm

A winter storm postponement might be expected in certain parts of the country, but Atlanta? The Hawks’ game against the Houston Rockets that was scheduled for Jan. 11 was postponed after snow and ice in the area led to dangerous conditions and power outages.

LeBron James vs. Stephen A. Smith

LeBron James confronted ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith courtside during the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ win over the New York Knicks in March. Smith had been critical of James’ son and teammate Bronny James earlier this season, saying in late January that he belonged in the developmental G-League and not the NBA. James, appearing on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show” after the confrontation, criticized Smith for making personal attacks as opposed to discussing on-court play when talking about the NBA.

The rise of the Pistons

The most shocking team of the season? The Detroit Pistons. After finishing the 2023-2024 season with the league’s worst record at 14-68, the Pistons became the first NBA team to triple their win total from their previous 82-game season when they captured their 42nd victory.

Half-court game winner

In what was one of the most shocking finishes to an NBA game, the Chicago Bulls won on a…

Just watch…

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

MORE MLS COVERAGE

MLS Apr 7

Inter Miami has Kevin De Bruyne's MLS discovery rights in possible move: Report

MLS Apr 4

5 best MLS fits for Premier League legend Kevin De Bruyne

MLS Mar 19

United Soccer League to start promotion/relegation system, a contrast to MLS

Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

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Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

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Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

Concessions at the Masters are always a hot topic, and inflation still hasn’t hit Augusta for 2025.

Prices for the concession stands have surfaced as spectators arrive for this week’s action. And, without fail, almost nothing has changed.

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Fresh mixed fruit, up from $2 to $2.50, is the only price change from 2024 to 2025. The most expensive items for sale are white wine, domestic beer, imported beer and Crow’s Nest craft beer, which cost $6 each. Sandwich prices still range from $1.50 to $3 and you can get breakfast for $2 to $3.

Here’s the full menu, which adds up to $77 for one of every item:

The signature items on the menu — egg salad and pimento cheese sandwiches — cost just $1.50, as they have 2002 (!). There’s one new item on the menu, the savory tomato pie, which is available for $3.

The snack menu includes plain and BBQ chips ($1.50), peanuts ($1.50), southern cheese straws ($2), cookies ($1.50), Georgia pecan caramel popcorn ($2) and Georgia peach ice cream sandwiches ($3).

The 2025 Masters begins with the opening round on Thursday, April 10, and concludes on Sunday, April 13.

Just weeks after the Memphis Grizzlies moved on from Taylor Jenkins, the Denver Nuggets are firing Michael Malone.

ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the news on Tuesday, and later added that general manager Calvin Booth has also been fired. Assistant coach David Adelman, who has worked for Malone since 2017, will serve as the interim head coach. The team later confirmed Charnaia’s reports in a press release.

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Malone led the Nuggets to their only championship less than two years ago in 2023. He had been Denver’s head coach since 2015, compiling a 471-327 record with 44 playoff wins over that span.

Booth took over as Nuggets general manager in 2022 when Tim Connelly left for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite Booth winning the title in his first season at the helm, many of the roster moves that set up the victory were made by Connelly.

This season has started to unravel for the Nuggets in recent weeks, with the team going 3-7 in their last 10 games. Denver has lost four straight games to fall to 47-32, good for fourth in the West — but tied with the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth seeds in the loss column.

Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic has never played for another coach since being drafted, his rookie season was Malone’s first in Denver.

The Nuggets have three games left in the regular season — Wednesday at the Sacramento Kings, Friday against the Grizzlies and Sunday at the Houston Rockets.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

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Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

MORE MLS COVERAGE

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Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

MORE MLS COVERAGE

MLS Apr 7

Inter Miami has Kevin De Bruyne's MLS discovery rights in possible move: Report

MLS Apr 4

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MLS Mar 19

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Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

In a battle of No. 1 seeds, the Gators erased a double-digit second-half deficit to stun the Houston Cougars in the men’s NCAA Tournament championship Monday.

Houston had the last chance to win the game, with star guard L.J. Cryer passing up the ball to Emanuel Sharp. But Sharp thought twice when his attempted shot could’ve been blocked, and Florida scooped up the loose ball as time ran out.

Florida first appeared in the national championship game in 2000, but didn’t win until going back to back in 2006 and 2007. This was the program’s first appearance for the title since then.

The Gators needed to play catch up for most of the game, eventually taking their first second-half lead at the 46-second mark. Florida led for just 1:04 minutes in the entire gaem. But that was all they needed to steal victory from Houston’s grasp as the program desperately sought its first ever men’s basketball triumph.

The Cougars took a narrow 31-28 lead at halftime, with things not exactly going to plan for either team. Both Cryer and Walter Clayton Jr., the leading scorer of both sides, struggled to find a rhythm.

Cryer had five points on 2 of 6 shooting (1 of 5 from deep) while Clayton Jr. stunningly went scoreless, missing all four attempts. Instead, Mylik Wilson and Ja’Vier Francis came off the bench to be Houston’s top individual scorers, while Will Richard led the Gators with 14 on 5 of 8 shooting (4 of 6 from deep).

Neither team got going from long range, either, as the Cougars made just 2 of 14 (14.3%) to Florida’s 4 of 14 rate (28.6%). Houston did take a 29-21 lead after a Cryer triple followed by an energetic fastbreak alley oop, but Florida kept its composure to trim the deficit before the interval.

Houston again increased its lead to double digits (12) in the early proceedings of the second half, but Florida managed to drop it back to three near the halfway mark before eventually tying it at 48.

From there, it became a back-and-forth affair, with Houston looking the more likely team to pull away. But Florida didn’t bow down, and eventually came through in the end.

Clayton Jr., who entered the game averaging over 18 points to lead the team, struggled mightily but involved himself more in the second half. He finished with 11 points on 3 of 10 shooting (1 of 7 from long range), eight assists, two rebounds, two steals and a block.

The 6-foot-3 senior Clayton Jr. took home the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award for his contributions throughout the team’s run.

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Richard led Florida with 18 points after cooling down in the second, while Alex Condon bounced back from a poor start to end with 12 points, seven rebounds and four steals.

Cryer was the only Cougar to eclipse double-digit figures, reaching 19 on 6 of 18 shooting (4 of 11 from deep). Wilson and Francis combined for 17 bench points, while Sharp went 1 of 7 from 3-point land for eight points.

Interior big J’wan Roberts struggled down low as well, going just 3 of 13 from the field for eight points, though he logged three of the team’s six blocks with eight rebounds.

Neither team ever got going from distance. Both teams made six, with Florida attempting 24 and Houston 25. Another key difference came down to assists, with Florida managing 14 dimes to Houston’s five. Clayton Jr. out-assisted Houston himself with his eight aforementioned assists.

The free-throw disparity also stood out, with the Gators making 17 of their 21 foul-line chances. Houston got to the line 14 times, but made only nine (64.3% to Florida’s 81%).

Houston made back-to-back appearances in 1983 and 1984, but failed to win both. This was the Cougars’ first time back since then, with the drought ongoing.

Ashlyn Harris is making a huge play at honesty.

The retired soccer star recently opened up about her difficult past, detailing her misuse of amphetamines while battling sports injuries in college at the University of North Carolina.

“I was getting really heavily addicted to Adderall and misusing it,” Harris said on the March 21 episode of the “Question Everything with Danielle Robay” podcast. “I was taking it all the time. I would go days without sleeping. It was wild. I felt like I was gonna give myself a heart attack. I was crushing it. I was snorting it. It was so problematic.”

The 39-year-old — who confirmed her relationship with “One Tree Hill” alum Sophia Bush in April 2024 — continued of her college soccer career, “Then I was like, ‘Oh, it makes me skinny. It curbs my appetite.’ It was just a toxic, toxic time for me because it was the first time that I started to have my character tested because I started to get injured.”

But despite her addiction struggle while recovering from her multiple ACL and labrum injuries, Harris’ college soccer coach Anson Dorrance was there to support her.

READ: Where Ashlyn Harris and Ex Ali Krieger Stand After Breakup

“It got really, really dark and I had to make some serious adjustments,” she explained, “and Anson would have me read books. I started reading this book called [Man’s Search] for Meaning and it’s about suffering and reframing it and it changed my life.”

In the aftermath of her college experience, the two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champ is now focused on using the hard-won lessons she learned to build a better future for her children, Sloane, 4, and Ocean, 2, who she shares with ex-wife Ali Krieger.

“I have a lot of trauma in my life and I have a lot of scars. I do not want to project and place that on my children,” Harris shared. “When you become a mom and you’re molding young humans, your perspective in life changes. You have to get your s— together because they see and hear everything.”

She added, “I just want to give my kids the best tools to be whoever they want to be. But at the core of them, they need to be good people. They have to be good people. How they serve their community, how they show up for their friends, that matters.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, call the national hotline for drug abuse at 1-888-633-3239 to receive information regarding treatment and recovery.

Azzi Fudd and the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team dominated South Carolina to win the 2025 NCAA championship.

“I knew I was going to give it my all, leave everything on that floor for 40 minutes,” she said after the game.

The 22-year-old was absolutely electric in that game, scoring 24 points. She was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player.

“I knew when I saw her in fifth grade that she was going to be a star,” St. John’s College High School varsity girls’ basketball coach Jonathan Scribner said.

Fudd played high school basketball at St. John’s in D.C.

“Just to watch her out there play the way we always knew she played, and to do that on the national stage, I mean, that pride and happiness and joy just can’t even begin to describe it,” Scribner said.

Her sophomore year, Fudd was named Gatorade’s National Player of the Year — an award presented to her by former Washington Mystics star and WNBA legend Elena Delle Donne.

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Fudd was ranked the No. 1 recruit before she committed to playing for the Huskies. But injuries have limited her playing time.

She credits her success to her faith and her teammates.

“I really don’t have words to describe what this feels like, what it means to me, but I’m super grateful and I’m super proud of this entire team,” she said.

Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman sees a world where both premier events happen in the same place.

It’s not a new conversation, but Ackerman believes the exponential growth of women’s basketball in a landscape long dominated by the men makes now an ideal time for a joint Final Four.

“You will get people to say that it shouldn’t happen,” said Ackerman, who has been commissioner of the Big East since 2013. “That the women’s tournament is doing just fine. And that’s not without merit. I’m saying if the NCAA is looking for growth — and it is — and is looking for revenue growth — and it is. I can’t think of many ways you could accomplish that in a significant way versus in an incremental way than combining the two Final Fours.”

The men and women’s basketball tournaments would hold their semifinals and title games in the same city on the same weekend, with similar staggered scheduling as there currently is. Though a combined Final Four likely couldn’t take place until at least 2032, with sites on both sides locked in until 2031.

NCAA President Charlie Baker isn’t opposed to the idea, which would have to be approved by a committee of NCAA, but he acknowledged there would be challenges.

“It’s not something they don’t discuss,” Baker said. “They do. I think there are two big issues with it. The biggest one is just finding a place that would be able to make that whole thing work. Just logistically (it) would be challenging.”

Combined Final Four could increase revenue opportunities

Combining the tournaments was also recommended several years ago after an external review of gender disparities between the men’s and women’s tourneys. The scathing report was released in August 2021 by a law firm hired by the NCAA, sparked by social media and player complaints about glaring differences in amenities at the men’s and women’s sites.

Ackerman said the idea she’s been pushing for over 10 years should at least be considered. She wrote a paper for the NCAA in 2013 proposing ideas for more equity in the championships, including combining both Final Fours.

With different sites, many commissioners, athletic directors and school officials find themselves having to choose which tournament to attend, Ackerman said. And because more ancillary events and sponsorship activations happen at the men’s site, those officials often end up at that one instead of the women’s tournament.

“There’s a symbolism there that shouldn’t be overlooked,” Ackerman said, “which is, we’re trying to build women’s basketball. We need everybody on board to do that. We need the athletic directors here (at the women’s tournament). … We’re losing that sort of spiritual support, if you will, for women’s basketball because it’s head to head with the men’s Final Four, which is a magnet for all the networking and business activity.”

Ed Desser, the sports media executive who co-authored that 2021 gender equity analysis, said it makes financial sense to combine the tournaments, as it creates a central location for everyone, including NCAA staff, to operate from.

“Secondly, you have the opportunity, which may have seemed like a bit of a fantasy a few years back, but nowadays, the notion of filling up a dome to see the women’s finals makes a lot of sense,” Desser said. “And that creates operating efficiencies and creates substantial additional revenue opportunities.”

Las Vegas was one of the large metropolitan areas that Ackerman said could work for a combined tournament. The city, which has the WNBA’s Aces, the NFL’s Raiders and the NHL’s Golden Knights, has hosted the NBA Summer League — with 30 teams — since its inaugural season in 2004.

There are also concerns that the women could be overshadowed by the men if the tournaments were held in the same place.

John Kosner, a digital media consultant, who co-authored the gender equity report with Desser, said women’s basketball’s expanding reach should quell those apprehensions.

Last year’s women’s NCAA championship game drew a bigger television audience than the men’s title game for the first time, with an average of 18.9 million viewers watching undefeated South Carolina beat Iowa and superstar Caitlin Clark.

This year’s tournament has seen a slight decrease in ratings so far, which shouldn’t come as a surprise with Clark now in the WNBA. Still, the early rounds were the second-most watched ever, as many tuned in to see big names like Paige Bueckers and UConn gear up for their national championship run.

“The Women’s Final Four has been incredibly exciting,” said Florida men’s basketball coach Todd Golden. “I think it would be pretty neat to be able to bring the fan bases, both the men’s and women’s side, together and have an experience like that. There is never too much great basketball that you can have going on at the same place at the same time, especially in the collegiate ranks.”

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Not all women’s coaches want a combined format

UConn coach Geno Auriemma and LSU’s Kim Mulkey weren’t happy with the current Super Regional format for the women’s tournament because of what they described as travel inconveniences and an inability for much of their fanbases to get to their games in Spokane, Washington.

It’s the third season that the four women’s regionals have been consolidated into two sites. This year, the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight were played in Spokane and Birmingham, Alabama.

The Huskies traveled cross-country from Connecticut to Washington, then flew nearly 3,000 miles back to Tampa for the semifinals the day after their Elite Eight game. Auriemma criticized the format again during the Final Four.

“We don’t want to shortchange” the players, he said. “We don’t want to sell them short, you know? … You shouldn’t be trying to make more money by shortchanging their experience. I don’t think there’s anybody on the guys’ side and the committee is going, ‘I think we can save a couple dollars if we do this.’ I don’t think they worry about that.”

Baker said the goal of the Super Regional was to increase attendance and improve the quality of the experience for the players, which seems to be in line Ackerman’s proposal.

“It worked,” Baker said. “I mean, the attendance is up dramatically over the last three years in the regional rounds as a result of that.”

Baker also estimated the NCAA spent at least $15 million on the women’s tournament over the past few years.

“I’m sure when the tournament’s over, people will sit down,” he said, “the committee will take all the feedback they got from everybody they heard from and make decisions for the future.”

___

AP Sports Writers Eddie Pells and Aaron Beard contributed from San Antonio, Texas.

Why not add another icon to the mix?

It actually could be very possible. Miami holds the Major League Soccer discovery rights for Kevin De Bruyne, who is set to leave Manchester City this summer and become a free agent, The Athletic’s Paul Tenorio reported, citing sources briefed on the potential move.

When De Bruyne first announced his departure on April 4, one unknown MLS team held his rights, though it wasn’t new expansion team San Diego FC, the first side to be linked to the Belgian in 2024.

But with San Diego reportedly no longer interested, other MLS teams, including interest abroad from Saudi Arabian clubs and more, can present their best packages for the all-time great midfielder.

So, how does Miami make sense? The team already has its three designated player spots filled in Messi, Busquets and Alba. That means De Bruyne cannot earn a wage beyond the league’s salary cap, so his paycheck would be limited.

What Miami could do is instead sign De Bruyne to a “targeted allocation money” — or TAM — contract instead. It’s what LA Galaxy did when bringing in iconic Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Galaxy issued him a two-year, $3 million deal, then tore it up the following season and agreed to a $7.2 million figure.

Some MLS teams complained, but nothing of substance came out of it.

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Alba had signed a TAM spot for the first season and a half he spent in Miami before ultimately being elevated to a DP spot.

However, all of Messi, Suarez, Busquets and Alba are on expiring deals at the end of this season. Suarez is 38, Messi will turn 38 in June, Busquets will be 37 in July and Alba is 36.

De Bruyne will hit 34 in June, so David Beckham, co-owner of Miami, and Co. will need to navigate the situation properly.

De Bruyne can earn DP salary if one of Messi, Alba or Busquets agrees to a non-DP deal, or if they don’t stay in Miami beyond their current deals.

Messi led Miami to a Leagues Cup win in his debut 2023 season, while the team also won the Supporters’ Shield in 2024 for the best regular-season record. However, Messi and Co. fell victim to a first-round playoff upset by Atlanta United and are seeking the club’s first ever MLS Cup triumph.

De Bruyne would certainly provide even more attacking juice to the side, but manager Javier Mascherano could also benefit from defensive reinforcements, which cost Miami last postseason

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

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Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

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Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

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Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday that the U.S. will be revoking all visas of South Sudanese passport-holders because of the transitional government’s refusal to accept U.S. deportees from the country in a “timely manner.” 

For Maluach, whose team lost in the Final Four of the NCAA tournament against the University of Houston just hours after the announcement, a future in the U.S. is now uncertain.

“It is time for the Transitional Government of South Sudan to stop taking advantage of the United States,” Rubio said in a statement. 

Frank Tramble, vice president of communications, marketing and public affairs at Duke, said in a statement that the school is aware of the announcement from the State Department. 

“We are looking into the situation and working expeditiously to understand any implications for Duke students,” Tramble said. 

According to State Department travel data, 46 nonimmigrant visas were issued to South Sudanese nationals in January. It’s a smaller figure compared to some other East African countries to which the U.S. issued nonimmigrant visas numbering in the hundreds in that same month, such as Uganda and Tanzania. The sweeping visa ban, which also includes a pause on any further issuance of new visas, is effective immediately. Rubio said in the statement that the policy would be reviewed “when South Sudan is in full cooperation.”

The State Department did not immediately respond to NBC News’ requests for comment. 

For many basketball fans, the news came as a shock as Maluach has been poised to be a first-round pick in the NBA draft in June. Maluach, a freshman center, shined during March Madness, recording double figures in the Sweet Sixteen game against University of Arizona and the Elite Eight game against the University of Alabama, before his team exited the tournament after losing the semifinals. 

Maluach, who represented South Sudan at the Olympics last year, said that his journey to the prestigious Blue Devils basketball program has been shocking, even to him. 

“It never really crossed my mind that one day I’ll be playing for Duke,” Maluach told NBC News last week. “I didn’t know I was going to go to college,” much less “be able to play in a Final Four.”

The visa news comes as tensions have been growing in South Sudan, which could be headed for another civil war. A 2018 power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar ended five years of civil war. But as of last month, violent clashes between the factions have ramped up once again. 

This story first appeared on NBCNews.com. More from NBC News:

• Men’s national championship: Will Houston or Florida come out on top?
• Hearing on landmark $2.8 billion NCAA settlement could lock in seismic changes for college sports
• Women’s national championship: UConn dominates South Carolina 82-59 to win its 12th title

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

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Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

King, a groundbreaking sports figure and graduate of Long Beach Poly High School, became the first woman to receive a star in the sports entertainment category.

King was honored for her work as an executive producer of the 2023 Public Broadcasting Service documentary series, “Groundbreakers” — which paired King and other such legendary female athletes as Basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman, two-time Women’s World Cup champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Julie Foudy and track and field world record holder Jackie Joyner-Kersee — with current stars four-time tennis singles Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, two-time Olympic gold medal-winning snowboarder Chloe Kim and two-time Olympic gymnastics gold medalist Sunisa Lee, Ana Martinez, the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s producer, told City News Service.

King’s other entertainment credits include being an executive producer of “The Battle of the Sexes,” a 2013 documentary on her 1973 match against Bobby Riggs; portraying a judge on a 2007 episode of the long-running NBC crime and legal drama, “Law & Order”; and portraying herself on episodes of such series as “Fresh Off the Boat,” “Arli$$” and a 1973 episode of “The Odd Couple” that featured Riggs.

Basketball Hall of Famer Earvin Magic Johnson, a fellow member of the Dodgers’ ownership group with King, and Oscar-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis, a longtime friend of King’s, joined her in speaking at the ceremony at 6284 Hollywood Blvd., adjacent to the W Hotel.

“What I love about BJK is she uses her platform to bring about change,” Johnson said.

The star is the 2,807th since the completion of the Walk of Fame in 1961 with the initial 1,558 stars.

King is a pioneer in the women’s rights and gender-equality movements. In 1970, she was part of the “Original Nine” women’s professional tennis players who broke away from the governing bodies of tennis to form their own professional tour, the Virginia Slims Circuit, which later evolved into the modern Women’s Tennis Association Tour.

King was also among the founders of World Team Tennis, the first co-ed professional sports league. She is a member of the Professional Women’s Hockey League Founding Advisory Board. The league’s Most Valuable Player award is named for her.

King won 39 Grand Slam titles — 12 in singles competition, 16 in women’s doubles and 11 in mixed doubles. In 1971, King became the first woman athlete to earn $100,000 in a year.

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King was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987. In 1990, Life magazine named her one of the “100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century.”

The category was announced in 2021 by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which administers the Walk of Fame. It honors individuals, not teams or sports affiliated groups, who have made significant contributions to the world of entertainment and demonstrated “longevity of excellence” in their sport, according to Ana Martinez, the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s producer.

New York Giants Hall of Fame defensive end turned “Good Morning America” anchor Michael Strahan was the first recipient in the category in 2023. The second recipient was the late Carl Weathers, honored for a nearly 50-year acting career best remembered for his portrayal of Sylvester Stallone’s boxing nemesis-turned-friend and mentor Apollo Creed in the first four “Rocky” movies.

Weathers, also a Long Beach Poly High School grad, played linebacker for San Diego State, the Oakland Raiders and Canadian Football League’s BC Lions before his acting career.

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

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Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

MORE MLS COVERAGE

MLS Apr 7

Inter Miami has Kevin De Bruyne's MLS discovery rights in possible move: Report

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Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

MORE MLS COVERAGE

MLS Apr 7

Inter Miami has Kevin De Bruyne's MLS discovery rights in possible move: Report

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MLS Mar 19

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Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken said she would hear from attorneys and some of those objecting to the plan before adjourning.

“I’m not going to rule from the bench,” Wilken said at the start of the hearing.

In addition to comments from attorneys, testimony was expected from critics of the sprawling plan that was hashed out last year by attorneys representing the NCAA and other defendants and those representing thousands of current and former athletes. LSU gymnast and influencer Olivia Dunne was among the 18 people scheduled to testify, though she was expected to appear via Zoom.

Wilken already has granted preliminary approval of the settlement involving the NCAA and the nation’s five largest conferences. The changes would begin July 1, clearing the way for each school to share up to $20.5 million each with their athletes.

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Universities across the country have been busy making plans, under the assumption Wilken will put the terms into effect.

“We’re going to have a plan going into July 1, then we’re probably going to spend the next year figuring out how good that plan is and how we need to modify it going forward,” said Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin, whose department is among the biggest in the country and includes a Gators men’s basketball team playing for the national title Monday night against Houston.

The so-called House settlement, named after Arizona State swimmer Grant House, actually decides three similar lawsuits that were bundled into one. The defendants are the NCAA and the Southeastern, Big Ten, Atlantic Coast, Big 12 and Pac-12 conferences, all of whom have been touting the settlement as the best path forward for their industry.

“It’s a huge step forward for college sports, especially at the highest level,” said NCAA President Charlie Baker, whose organization continues to seek antitrust protections from Congress. “My biggest problem with the way the whole thing works right now is the schools have been removed from the primary relationship with the student-athletes.”

The most ground-shifting part of the settlement calls on schools from the biggest conferences to pay some 22% of their revenue from media rights, ticket sales and sponsorships — which equals about $20.5 million in the first year — directly to athletes for use of their name, images and likeness (NIL).

Still allowed would be NIL payments to athletes from outside sources, which is what triggered the seismic shift that college sports has endured over the last four years. For instance, Cooper Flagg of Duke reportedly makes $4.8 million in NIL deals from groups affiliated with the school and others.

The settlement calls for a “clearinghouse” to make sure any NIL deal worth more than $600 is pegged at “fair market value.” It’s an attempt to prevent straight “pay for play” deals, though many critics believe the entire new structure is simply NIL masquerading as that.

Another key element is the $2.8 billion in back damages to athletes who played sports between 2016 and 2024 and were not entitled to the full benefits of NIL at the time they attended schools. Those payments are being calculated by a formula that will favor football and basketball players and will be doled out by the NCAA and the conferences.

The settlement also calls for replacing scholarship limits with roster limits. The effect would be to allow every athlete to be eligible for a scholarship while cutting the number of spots available.

There will be winners and losers under such a formula, though some fear it could signal the end of the walk-on athlete in college sports and also imperil smaller sports programs that train and populate the U.S. Olympic team.

___

AP College Football Writer Eric Olson contributed. Pells reported from San Antonio.

Washington Capitals fans, the NHL and many across the D.C. area are celebrating Ovechkin’s 895^th career goal to come out on top of the record books.

At 39 years old, Ovechkin is now the greatest goal scorer in NHL history.

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Ovi completed his “Gr8 Chase” on Sunday with former record holder Wayne Gretzky in attendance at the game in New York against the Islanders.

Even though Ovechkin didn’t break the record in D.C., he sure has an entire city stoked.

If any fans want to have a piece of history, the Ovi Shop will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. It’s at Capital One Arena’s entrance on 7^th Street NW. The team is selling exclusive 895 gear including shirts, hats and pucks.

As for a larger Ovechkin celebration? We understand the team is planning something around their home game this Thursday.

The historic goal coincides with Fan Appreciation Week, which is happening through Sunday. The team is holding a sweepstakes and plans to give out Baby Caps kits to newborns and their families at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

Team store discounts, watch parties and specials are also on tap leading up to Fan Appreciation Night on Sunday. Find more details here.

Want to know what’s up for your weekend? Sign up for The Weekend Scene, our newsletter about events, experiences and adventures for you and for your family around the DMV.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

MORE MLS COVERAGE

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Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

No, not that stick.

Not the one he used to fire a one-timer past New York Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin for his 895^th career goal, breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals scored record during the Washington Capitals’ 4-1 loss Sunday.

He wanted the stick used by Sorokin, his fellow Russian.  

“I tell him right away I need that stick,” Ovechkin said after the game.

So, Sorokin not only gave up a historic goal, but also his stick.

Ovechkin scored the record breaker on the power-play with 12:34 remaining in the second period. He received a pass from Tom Wilson at the top of the left circle and fired past Sorokin for a goal that rewrote the history books.

Ovechkin and Sorokin embraced on the ice when the game was paused for a ceremony.

“Thank you, Ilya Sorokin, for letting me score 895,” Ovechkin said during the ceremony. “I love you, brother.”

Asked about Ovechkin’s comment by reporters after the game, Sorokin joked, “It’s okay. Anytime.”

Sorokin later personally delivered the stick to the Capitals’ locker room and posed for a picture with Ovechkin and Gretzky.

Ovechkin was asked what Sorokin asked for in return.

“He didn’t ask me,” Ovechkin said.  

Sorokin didn’t get any mementos, but he did get a victory.

Ovechkin had not scored in three previous games against Sorokin, a 29-year-old in his fifth NHL season. With the record-breaking goal, Ovechkin made his countryman the 183rd different goaltender he has scored on.

“I can say it was the first time in my life we stopped game for how many minutes and stay and play after this,” Sorokin said. “It’s a big moment for all the hockey world. Congrats to Ovi and his family. Big player and it’s an unbelievable achievement.”

Ovechkin now owns a cherished record, the stick he used to obtain it, and the stick that was unable to prevent it.

“It’s kind of a historical moment,” Ovechkin said. “A Russian scored against a Russian and set the record. It’s pretty cool. He’s such a great kid. My kids love him. It’s a tremendous moment, it’s a tremendous day for hockey, and that’s good.”

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

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Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

MORE MLS COVERAGE

MLS Apr 7

Inter Miami has Kevin De Bruyne's MLS discovery rights in possible move: Report

MLS Apr 4

5 best MLS fits for Premier League legend Kevin De Bruyne

MLS Mar 19

United Soccer League to start promotion/relegation system, a contrast to MLS

Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

“I looked at my dad,” Gretzky recently recalled, “and said, ‘Well can I enjoy this for just a couple days?'”

Gretzky enjoyed holding the record for more than 30 years – and then that someone appeared, and that someday arrived.

It was Alex Ovechkin on April 6, 2025.

The date will forever be etched in history as the day the Washington Capitals star scored his 895^th career goal to break Gretzky’s record and become the top goal scorer in league history.

The 39-year-old Ovechkin netted the record-breaking goal Sunday during the Capitals’ 4-1 loss to the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on Long Island. He scored on the power play with 12:34 remaining in the second period, firing a one-timer off a feed from longtime teammate Tom Wilson past Islanders goalie, and fellow Russian, Ilya Sorokin.

Ovechkin reached 895 goals in his 1,487th game — the same number of games Gretzky played in his NHL 20-year career.

“I’m probably gonna need a couple more days or maybe a couple weeks to realize what does it mean to be number one,” Ovechkin said after the game. “But all I can say is, I’m very proud for myself, I’m very proud for my family, for all my teammates that helped me to reach that milestone, and for all my coaches. It’s huge. It’s an unbelievable moment.”

After scoring the goal, Ovechkin celebrated with a belly-flop, sliding towards center ice on his stomach before he was mobbed by teammates. The goal sent the thousands of Capitals fans among the 17,000-plus in attendance into a raucous celebration.

The game was paused for a roughly 20-minute ceremony that marked the completion of what has been dubbed “The GR8 Chase.”

Gretzky, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and Ovechkin’s family joined Ovechkin on the ice.

“They say records are made to be broken,” Gretzky said during the ceremony, “but I’m not sure who’s going to get more goals than that.”

Records sure are made to be broken, but greatness is rarely expected to be matched. And yet, “The Great One” himself is now second greatest on the league’s most hallowed statistical list.

Ovechkin’s climb to the top required longevity, consistency and availability – all of which he has provided since being selected first overall in the 2004 draft.

In his NHL debut on Oct. 5, 2005, he scored the first two goals of what would be a 52-goal season, the third-most ever scored by an NHL rookie.

Ovechkin, during his third season, scored a career best 65 goals. He has recorded nine 50-plus goal seasons, matching the record shared by Gretzky and Islanders legend Mike Bossy. He has scored 40 or more goals in a season 14 times, which topped Gretzky’s record of 12.

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Alex Ovechkin milestone goals

• First — Oct. 5, 2005
• 100^th — Oct. 12, 2007
• 200^th — Feb. 5, 2009
• 300^th — April 5, 2011
• 400^th — Dec. 20, 2013
• 500^th — Jan. 10, 2016
• 600^th — March 12, 2018
• 700^th — Feb. 22, 2020
• 800^th — Dec. 13, 2022
• 894^th — April 4, 2025
• 895^th — April 6, 2025

Ovechkin won nine Rocket Richard Trophies for most goals scored in a season, three Hart Trophies as most valuable player, and the 2018 Stanley Cup, which was the first in Capitals franchise history.

With each goal along the way, he inched closer to greatness.

“Wayne, you’ll always be the ‘Great One’ and you had a record that nobody ever thought would be broken,” Bettman said during the in-game ceremony. “But Alex, you did it. You’ve been amazing.”

Gretzky had held the goals record since 1994 when he tallied his 802nd goal on March 23, 1994 to pass Detroit Red Wings legend Gordie Howe. Gretzky, who played primarily for the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings, scored his 894th and final goal came on March 29, 1999, as a member of the New York Rangers. He retired three weeks later at the age of 38, holding 61 NHL records at the time, including most career assists (1,963) and points (2,857), both of which still comfortably stand.

His goals record outlasted many Hall of Famers who took aim but fell short — with Jaromir Jagr scoring 766 goals before retiring in 2018 and Brett Hull netting 741 goals before closing his 19-year career in 2006.

Ovechkin in December 2022 became just the third player in league history to reach 800 career goals, joining Gretzky and Howe. He began his 20th NHL season in October needing 42 goals to top a record once believed to be unbreakable. He missed 16 games earlier this season with a fractured left fibula, pushing the record pursuit closer to the end of the season.

Ovechkin entered Sunday having scored in four consecutive games. He scored twice on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks, including career goal No. 894 to tie Gretzky’s record total.

He broke it with just five games remaining for the Capitals in the regular season.

“Finally, I’m not gonna have those questions of when do you think you’re gonna break it,” Ovechkin said. “It’s already done. So, gonna have to figure out what the next question is gonna be. For me and for all the boys, it’s a fun time. You can see how many people traveled from all over the world to see that moment. It’s special.”

Ovechkin will now look to become the first NHL player to score 900 career goals, a club he will remain the sole member of for quite some time, if not permanently.

Until – of course – someone, someday comes along.

Correction: a previous version of this article stated the Washington Capitals won the Stanley Cup in 2017. They won the Stanley Cup in 2018.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

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Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

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Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

The men’s March Madness tournament has boiled down to two teams: No. 1 Florida and No. 1 Houston.

Florida punched its ticket to the national championship first on Saturday. The Gators trailed at halftime, but rallied in the second to outlast fellow top-seeded Auburn 79-73. Star guard Walter Clayton Jr. recorded 20 of his 34 points in the second half to go with an efficient 11 of 18 clip from the field.

Houston then followed suit. The Cougars won after a last-minute comeback against the Blue Devils, defeating the favored No. 1-seed 70-67.

The Cougars are led by senior guard L.J Cryer, who has an old-school small college guard profile that blends quickness with robust shooting. Emanuel Sharp, Miles Uzan and J’Wan Roberts are the additional double-digit scorers in Kelvin Sampson’s disposal.

Clayton Jr. averages 18.1 points per game to lead the Gators with multi-level shooting abilities. Alijah Martin, Will Richard and Alex Condon also average double figures, with Thomas Haugh and Denzel Aberdeen being extra important contributors.

So, will Clayton Jr. and Co. steer the Gators to their third men’s basketball title? Or will Cryer and Co. put their name in Houston’s history books by bringing in its first?

Here’s everything to know to watch the men’s March Madness national championship:

When is the Florida vs. Houston final?

Florida and Houston will meet on Monday, April 7.

What time is the Florida vs. Houston final?

Tipoff time from San Antonio is set for 8:50 p.m. ET, 5:50 p.m. PT.

Where to watch the Florida vs. Houston final on TV

The Florida and Houston final will be broadcast on CBS.

Where to stream the Florida vs. Houston final online

The Florida and Houston final will be available to stream on CBS.com or the CBS mobile app.

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How many national titles has the Florida men’s basketball team won?

The Gators have won two national titles, coming in 2006 and 2007. The 2025 matchup is their first appearance since winning it in 2007.

How many national titles has the Houston men’s basketball team won?

The Cougars have never won the national title, but have appeared in the game twice. Those appearances came in 1983 and 1984.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

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Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

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Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

Top-seeded South Carolina, which was No. 2 in the AP Top 25 ranking in the regular season, punched its ticket first after getting past Texas with a double-digit win in the Final Four.

UConn, the No. 3 team in AP’s ranking, entered the bracket as a No. 2 seed. But that hasn’t stopped them from decimating the competition, including No. 1 seeds. The Huskies crushed the top-seeded UCLA Bruins 85-51 to reach the final.

Paige Bueckers is the heart of the Huskies, averaging 20 points, 4.7 assists and 4.4 rebounds on a whopping 54/42/88 shooting split. Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong are the key second and third options.

The Gamecocks don’t have one standout scorer, though Joyce Edwards, MiLaysia Fulwiley and Chloe Kitts average double figures. Guard Te-Hina Paopao is seen as a top prospect for the upcoming WNBA draft.

So, will Bueckers stamp her resume and guide UConn to a record-extending 12th women’s title? Or will Dawn Staley’s side repeat and claim their fourth championship? Here’s how to watch the action:

When is the UConn vs. South Carolina final?

UConn and South Carolina will take the floor on Sunday, April 6.

What time is the UConn vs. South Carolina final?

Tipoff time in Tampa, Fla., is set for 3 p.m. ET, 12 p.m. PT.

Where to watch the UConn vs. South Carolina final on TV

UConn vs. South Carolina will be broadcast on ESPN.

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Where to stream the UConn vs. South Carolina final online

UConn vs. South Carolina will be available to stream online on WatchESPN.com and the ESPN mobile app.

How many national titles has the UConn’s women’s basketball team won?

UConn has won a record 11 national titles in women’s basketball, all under Geno Auriemma. These are the years the program hoisted the trophy: 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

How many national titles has the South Carolina women’s basketball team won?

South Carolina has won the national championship three times, all under head coach Staley. The Gamecocks first won it in 2017, followed by successes in 2022 and 2024.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

MORE MLS COVERAGE

MLS Apr 7

Inter Miami has Kevin De Bruyne's MLS discovery rights in possible move: Report

MLS Apr 4

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Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday’s second leg vs. LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals trailing 1-0, needing to overturn a deficit.

Matters were made worse in just the ninth minute when LAFC center-back Aaron Long brilliantly connected on an errant ball to make it 2-0 on aggregate, forcing Miami to score at least three goals.

It took under 20 minutes to pull one back, with Messi willing his side back in it. In the 35th minute, a well-worked move into the middle of the pitch saw Messi exquisitely finesse it home.

Miami responded with a chaotic goal of its own in the second half, leveling it on aggregate.

In the 61st minute, defender Noah Allen lifted up a pass over the LAFC defense, with midfielder Federico Redondo leaping for the header. Simultaneously, LAFC veteran goalie Hugo Lloris rushed out to stop it, but both he and Redondo didn’t connect with the ball.

A last-ditch goal-line clearance failed, and Allen was credited with the goal.

The winner predictably came from Messi when he converted a penalty in the 84th minute. LAFC confusingly committed a mind-boggling handball, and Messi calmly put the spot kick home.

MORE MLS COVERAGE

MLS Apr 7

Inter Miami has Kevin De Bruyne's MLS discovery rights in possible move: Report

MLS Apr 4

5 best MLS fits for Premier League legend Kevin De Bruyne

MLS Mar 19

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Messi’s penalty made it 3-2 on aggregate, and LAFC didn’t have another response in them in the closing minutes to force extra play.

Messi and Co. will now move onto the Champions Cup semifinals, where either Liga MX side Pumas UNAM or MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps await.

Fellow Liga MX clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul form the opposite semifinal showdown.

Inter Miami has won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield since Messi arrived, with the Champions Cup providing another trophy opportunity.