AP Sports Digest

Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.

For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, including agate, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.

The New York sports desk can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918; graphics, ext. 7636.

——————————

UPCOMING

——————————

MARCH MADNESS

BKC--NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP

DESCRIPTION: UConn faces Michigan in the NCAA championship game, with the Huskies trying to win their third title in four years. 700 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 8:50 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 04/06/2026 11:30 p.m. EDT, Video, Photo, Text, DigitalPlans

BKC—NCAA-UCONN-REED'S JOURNEY

DESCRIPTION: UConn center Tarris Reed Jr. started his career at Michigan. But when then first-year coach Dusty May decided to bring in two, new 7-footers, Reed thought he was out of a job. So he transferred to UConn and on Monday night will finish his college career by playing against his former team for the national championship. By Michael Marot. 950 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/06/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Video, Photo, Text, DigitalPlans

___

BKW--LOOKING AHEAD

DESCRIPTION: Cori Close and the UCLA Bruins are going to have to work hard to repeat as champions. The lose their top six players to graduation after putting on one of the most dominant performances in NCAA championship history to win their first title, routing South Carolina by 28 points.. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg.

UPCOMING: By 04/06/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

___

BKW--NCAA-CHAMPIONSHIP BLOWOUTS

DESCRIPTION: This year’s women’s Final Four looked like it might be a classic, featuring a quartet of the game’s marquee programs along with a number of veteran stars and iconic coaches. Three sloppy basketball games later, it feels like another missed opportunity. By David Brandt. 550 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/06/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

___

BBO--THIS WEEK IN BASEBALL

DESCRIPTION: The Dodgers and Yankees are off to impressive starts, and their MVPs -- Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge -- are just starting to hit. By Baseball Writer Noah Trister. 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/06/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

___

HKN--EAST PLAYOFF RACE RESET

DESCRIPTION: The Eastern Conference playoff race has a distinctly different look now than it did in late March. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/06/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

___

BKN--NBA-PLAYOFF CHASE-GUIDE

DESCRIPTION: A daily look at the NBA’s playoff chase.

UPCOMING: By 04/06/2026 10:00 a.m. EDT, Text

___

BKW--T25-WOMENS POLL

DESCRIPTION: The Associated Press releases the final AP Top 25 women’s basketball poll of the season.

UPCOMING: By 04/06/2026 12:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text, DigitalPlans

___

HKN--ISLANDERS-DEBOER

DESCRIPTION: Peter DeBoer takes over as coach of the New York Islanders after getting hired to replace Patrick Roy with four games left and the team’s playoff hopes in serious jeopardy. Losing four in a row and seven of 10 dropped them out of a spot, and this move is as much about the future as salvaging this season. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text.

UPCOMING: By 04/06/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text

___

BBO--MARINERS-EMERSON

DESCRIPTION: Top Seattle Mariners prospect Colt Emerson signed a $95 million, eight-year contract last week, one which carries both risks and rewards for the team and the player. The way Emerson sees it, any inherent risks with his new deal don’t come close to outweighing the rewards. By Andrew Destin. 700 words. Photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/06/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text

___

BBO--EARLY TRENDS

DESCRIPTION: A look at trends for robot umpires, offense and pitching in the first 12 days of the season. By Baseball Writer Ronald Blum. 650 words, photos, by 5 p.m.

UPCOMING: By 04/06/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

————————————————————

NEW AND DEVELOPING

————————————————————

BKN--CURRY’S RETURN

After missing more than 2 months with right knee injury, Stephen Curry returns for Warriors

SUMMARY: Stephen Curry swished a 3-pointer on his second shot from deep and raised his arms in delight when the ball went through. He was looking to do the same on the last possession with Golden State down a point, but missed a long, straightaway 3-pointer. No matter the result, Curry is back and healthy at long last for the Warriors after a right knee injury, and everyone at Chase Center celebrated right along with him in Golden State’s 117-116 loss to Houston on Sunday night. Coming off the bench in the regular season for the first time in 14 years, Curry finished with 29 points on 11-for-21 shooting and became the 26th player in NBA history with 9,000 field goals. He played 25 minutes.

WORDS: 1061 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 1:37 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e81fd75b2ddd5b44e282f3e8bac1cb8c&mediaType=text

___

BKN--LAKERS-MAVERICKS

Cooper Flagg scores 45 points and Mavs beat LeBron James and injury-depleted Lakers 134-128

SUMMARY: Cooper Flagg scored 45 points and the Dallas Mavericks ended their longest home losing streak in 32 years at 14 games with a 134-128 victory over the depleted Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James had 30 points and 15 assists for the playoff-bound Lakers. They led for just 13 seconds in the opening minutes of their first game since injuries sidelined Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves for the rest of the regular season. Flagg had nine assists and eight rebounds while recording consecutive 40-point games for the first time. Two nights earlier the 19-year-old rookie No. 1 pick scored 51 to become the first NBA teenager with a 50-point outing.

WORDS: 368 - MOVED: 04/05/2026 10:23 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9f182af6875a1d3b740a33d5c955284a&mediaType=text

___

GLF--LPGA TOUR

Lauren Coughlin wins the Aramco Championship by 5 shots at Shadow Creek

SUMMARY: Lauren Coughlin made sure victory was never truly in doubt Sunday in the Aramco Championship in rolling to a five-shot win over Nelly Korda and the rest of the star-studded field. Coughlin shot an even-par 72 for 7-under total and her first victory in two years. She earned $600,000. Korda was runner-up yet again after shooting a 75 and finishing at 2 under. This was her third consecutive second-place finish after opening her season by winning in Florida.

WORDS: 767 - MOVED: 04/05/2026 10:14 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1cecd77274d54907dd7d506784733094&mediaType=text

___

BKL--WNBA FREE AGENCY

WNBA free agency set to open Monday, with a fast-track window for offers

SUMMARY: The WNBA and its players’ union agreed to start free agency on Monday, the league announced Sunday. Teams will have two days to send qualifying offers to players who they have reserved rights for. Teams will also have a chance to offer a franchise tag to one player who is eligible to be cored. Then, starting on Wednesday, teams can begin meeting with unrestricted free agents, with the ability to offer them contracts starting Saturday. More than 80% of the league’s players are free agents this year, as players had signed deals that expired at the end of last season.

WORDS: 264 - MOVED: 04/05/2026 9:59 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f822f0f63fed197535e0007955d5b3b7&mediaType=text

___

GLF--TEXAS OPEN

J.J. Spaun rallies to win Texas Open for first title since US Open

SUMMARY: J.J. Spaun delivered two crucial shots to secure a win at the Valero Texas Open. He finished with a 5-under 67, marking his first title since last summer’s U.S. Open. Spaun’s victory at TPC San Antonio was his second, but unlike four years ago, he already has a spot at Augusta National. This win was significant as he hadn’t finished in the top 20 in seven starts this year. Robert MacIntyre led much of the tournament but finished second. Spaun’s birdie and eagle on the 16th and 17th holes were key to his victory.

WORDS: 588 - MOVED: 04/05/2026 9:12 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:863f7ea444f73997a7b5a74e38be71d7&mediaType=text

___

BKW--NCAA-UCLA-BETTS

Lauren Betts used lessons learned to lead UCLA to its 1st NCAA national championship

SUMMARY: UCLA women’s basketball has won its first NCAA national championship with a 79-51 blowout of South Carolina. Lauren Betts was the catalyst at both ends of the floor, as she’s been throughout her career. The 6-foot-7 senior finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds and two blocked shots, altering and preventing even the thought of several others at the rim to give UCLA its first national championship since a 1978 AIAW title. Betts had a similar impact in UCLA’s 51-44 shutdown of Texas in the national semifinals, a 16-point, 11-rebound, three-block performance that set the stage for her to win Final Four most outstanding player.

WORDS: 765 - MOVED: 04/05/2026 8:57 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ac90845a6c99884e975357f3c883177a&mediaType=text

___

GLF--MASTERS

It’s a boy! Scottie Scheffler arrives at Masters with 9-day-old son and a game he hopes is ready

SUMMARY: Two-time Masters champion Scottie Scheffler has brought his entire family to Augusta National. All four of them. He confirms his wife gave birth to their second son on March 27. They named him Remy. Scheffler tends to keep his golf separate from his home life, so there hadn’t been any word until Sunday. His wife was pushing the newborn in a stroller. The Sunday before the Masters is unlike at any other major. There was the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals and Masters champions awarding trophies. There was 90-year-old Gary Player sharing the green with an 8-year-old boy from Las Vegas.

WORDS: 784 - MOVED: 04/05/2026 8:42 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6dc2e89dfdb07ea13dee658b2f290ee5&mediaType=text

___

SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP

Leeds beats West Ham in penalty shootout to reach FA Cup semifinals for first time since 1987

SUMMARY: Leeds throws away a two-goal lead in second-half injury time and has a double scare in extra time before going on to beat West Ham in a penalty shootout and reach the FA Cup semifinals for the first time since 1987. Mateus Fernandes and Axel Disasi struck in the 93rd and 96th minutes as West Ham leveled the score at 2-2 at London Stadium and forced extra time where two goals for West Ham were chalked off for offside before Leeds won the shootout 4-2. Stoppage time, extra time and the shootout were played in front of a half-empty stadium after the exodus of home fans. Leeds plays Chelsea in the semifinals and second-tier Southampton takes on Manchester City.

WORDS: 484 - MOVED: 04/05/2026 8:21 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:56c41fe4438f33f071a0f50dc131259c&mediaType=text

___

BKW--NCAA-UCLA-ANN MEYERS

UCLA great Ann Meyers Drysdale filled with pride watching Bruins win NCAA title

SUMMARY: Ann Meyers Drysdale will always be a Bruin. She won a title with UCLA nearly 50 years ago in the now dissolved AIAW. That was the postseason tournament for women’s college basketball before the NCAA took over in 1982. She was filled with the same joy watching UCLA defeat South Carolina for its first NCAA-era title on Sunday. A lot has changed besides the sport’s governing body in the five decades since she and her teammates hoisted that trophy, but Meyers Drysdale’s presence within the Bruins program has remained the same.

WORDS: 733 - MOVED: 04/05/2026 7:43 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:da16253f5676f7e87e96032f55413c47&mediaType=text

___

BKW--NCAA-SOUTH CAROLINA-FUTURE

After getting ‘smacked’ again in title game, South Carolina’s Staley plots program’s next moves

SUMMARY: South Carolina’s quest to win a fourth national title ended in ugly fashion for a second straight season when the Gamecocks lost to UCLA 79-51 in the NCAA women’s basketball title game. Even so, the monster program that Dawn Staley has built over the past 15 years doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere. South Carolina should be one of the top contenders to make a seventh straight Final Four in 2027 and it will have plenty of motivation after Sunday’s debacle. The Gamecocks shot just 29% from the field and the 28-point margin was among the biggest in championship game history.

WORDS: 661 - MOVED: 04/05/2026 7:12 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a3ae02aac8f171c04b14d8e7aba95b37&mediaType=text

___

BKC--NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP-NOTEBOOK

Mullins family shifts longtime allegiance from Michigan to UConn for national championship game

SUMMARY: Even though he hails from a state where Peyton Manning ruled the sports world, the Fab Five and Tom Brady turned Indiana native Josh Mullins into a dedicated Michigan fan. Just how big of a Wolverines fan? He named his oldest son after star Michigan receiver Braylon Edwards. Now, UConn’s breakout star, Braylon Mullins, will try to take down the family’s favorite program with the national title on the line Monday night. But dad says he’ll be rooting for UConn all the way when the Huskies take on the Wolverines.

WORDS: 967 - MOVED: 04/05/2026 6:32 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3dbaaadb520f0dd6256d057d06140504&mediaType=text

___

BKW--NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP

UCLA storms past South Carolina to claim its 1st NCAA women’s basketball title

SUMMARY: Gabriela Jaquez scored 21 points, Lauren Betts added 16 and UCLA routed South Carolina 79-51 Sunday to win its first NCAA championship in women’s basketball. The near-record lopsided victory completed the Bruins’ journey through this year’s March Madness that started following a loss to UConn in last season’s Final Four. The Bruins ran through their opponents this season with their only loss coming in November, to Texas in a Thanksgiving tournament. UCLA (37-1) was led by Betts and her fellow seniors and graduate students, like Jaquez — who played all four years with the Bruins. She also had 10 rebounds and five assists in front of her brother Jaime, who plays for the Miami Heat and flew in to attend the game to watch his alma mater win.

WORDS: 968 - MOVED: 04/05/2026 6:28 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1b7d7aa969d6bded7ad857fa1d760e32&mediaType=text

___

BBO--ASTROS-BROWN

Astros place ace right-hander Hunter Brown on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain

SUMMARY: The Houston Astros have placed ace right-hander Hunter Brown on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain. Brown, who won 12 games with a 2.43 ERA in 2025, pitched six strong innings to lead Houston to a 9-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night. He earned the win by allowing only one hit with two walks and eight strikeouts. Brown reported shoulder discomfort during a routine throwing session on Friday, according to manager Joe Espada. Brown then flew to Houston to be examined by team doctors.

WORDS: 182 - MOVED: 04/05/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:47b6ebe480d84b124f7872d409b78bab&mediaType=text

___

BKC--NCAA-CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

UConn must overcome Michigan’s dominance to establish a basketball dynasty in national title game

SUMMARY: There’s a dynasty brewing in college basketball. And UConn can cement that status by overcoming a Michigan powerhouse that is racking up historically impressive numbers, hoping itself to go down as one of the sport’s greatest teams. Those are the stakes in Monday night’s title game between the Huskies and Wolverines. UConn is trying to become the first program since John Wooden’s UCLA behemoth of the 1960s and ’70s to win three championships over a four-season span, while Michigan is trying to cap off a March Madness string of dominance, the likes of which were last seen by the very UConn program that won the title in 2023 and ’24.

WORDS: 1164 - MOVED: 04/05/2026 5:11 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:03041b46370f2490a8323fc5a17efb5e&mediaType=text

___

BKW--NCAA-PREGAME HANDSHAKE

Staley embraces UCLA’s Close ahead of title game, then smirks to the crowd after handshake drama

SUMMARY: It seems there will be no pregame handshake drama at the national championship game. Two days ago in a March Madness Final Four game, UConn’s Geno Auriemma confronted South Carolina’s Dawn Staley over what he viewed was a failure to properly follow pregame handshake protocol. Before UCLA and South Carolina tipped off for Sunday’s title game, Staley embraced and shook hands with UCLA coach Cori Close, and the two chatted briefly. Staley then turned to the crowd and lifted her hands with a smirk on her face, as if making sure everyone in attendance documented the moment.

WORDS: 375 - MOVED: 04/05/2026 4:09 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3d5df52accda57125b1da30548de793b&mediaType=text

___

BBO--ANGELS-ADELL ROBS 3 HRS

Jo Adell robs 3 homers in what Torii Hunter calls the greatest defensive game he’s ever seen

SUMMARY: You’ve done something special when Torii Hunter, a nine-time Gold Glove Award winner known for his acrobatic catches, calls what you just did “probably the greatest defensive game I’ve ever seen.” That was the praise Hunter heaped on the Los Angeles Angels’ Jo Adell after the right fielder made three homer-robbing catches, the last a spectacular leaping grab against J.P. Crawford while crashing into the seats near the right-field foul pole in the ninth inning, in a 1-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night. Adell leaped high above the yellow line on the wall in straightaway right to deny Cal Raleigh in the first inning, and made a nearly identical catch to against Josh Naylor in the eighth.

WORDS: 767 - MOVED: 04/05/2026 3:48 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3ce86fbeea0b38ae0f197e42376bf93f&mediaType=text

___

BKC--DUKE-BOOZER

AP national player of the year Cameron Boozer is recovering physically, emotionally from UConn loss

SUMMARY: Duke star and Associated Press men’s national player of the year Cameron Boozer is still healing physically and emotionally after the Blue Devils’ devastating March Madness loss to UConn. Boozer said Sunday he sustained “a couple of fractures” to his face in the Elite Eight loss. Boozer was at the Final Four for Sunday’s award presentation for the AP national honor along with another from the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. Boozer took a blow to the face in the first half against UConn that caused his eye to swell noticeably. He played through it and finished with 27 points.

WORDS: 542 - MOVED: 04/05/2026 3:23 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2b76ce9004309d59669096666d3a27c2&mediaType=text

___

BKC--NCAA-INJURIES

UConn’s Solo Ball, Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg both dealing with injuries heading into title game

SUMMARY: UConn starting guard Solo Ball was skipping practice because of a sprained foot but said he expects to play when the Huskies face Michigan in the NCAA championship game Monday night. So does Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg, who hurt his left ankle and left knee Saturday. Neither was expected to practice Sunday as they received treatment to get as healthy as possible before tip-off. But as UConn coach Dan Hurley and Michigan coach Dusty May tried to lighten the mood, the obvious questions were whether the two key playmakers would play and how effective would they be Monday night.

WORDS: 741 - MOVED: 04/05/2026 3:06 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2572c9555f697fafe4d3128c3bc184b4&mediaType=text

___

GLF--MASTERS-PAMPAS

MASTERS ’26: Augusta’s ‘beautiful little hole’ at No. 7 has turned much nastier

SUMMARY: Players in the Masters will have a hard time believing Byron Nelson once drove onto the green at the par-4 seventh hole at Augusta National. But it’s not the same hole. It was Nelson’s shot in 1937 that first led the club to move back the green some 20 yards and elevate it. Then it added some trees down the left. And then 100 or so yards were added during some lengthening 20 years ago. Now it’s a hole where Scottie Scheffler says the fairway has to be hit. It plays slightly over par instead of once being a good birdie chance.

WORDS: 978 - MOVED: 04/05/2026 2:16 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f2a165a558980ea3391e7a5c09393e94&mediaType=text

___

BBO--DODGERS-BETTS

Dodgers place Mookie Betts on injured list with right oblique strain

SUMMARY: The Los Angeles Dodgers placed shortstop Mookie Betts on the injured list with a right oblique strain and recalled Hyeseong Kim from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Betts left Saturday’s 10-5 victory over the Washington Nationals after walking and scoring in the first inning. Manager Dave Roberts said the Dodgers believe Betts was initially injured on a check swing during the at-bat. While Roberts said he was hesitant to put a timeline on Betts’ return, he hopes it would be quicker than a 4 to 6 week absence. Betts is hitting .179 in Los Angeles’ first eight games. He hit .258 with 20 homers and 82 RBIs in 150 games last season.

WORDS: 330 - MOVED: 04/05/2026 1:47 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c2f909f1a3fe190c5f167e18970b1f81&mediaType=text