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.

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UPCOMING

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BKN--HORNETS-SURGING BACKCOURT

DESCRIPTION: Kon Knueppel and LaMelo Ball have something in common with the “Splash Brothers.” The backcourt duo of the Hornets are the first teammates to finish 1-2 in in the league in 3s made since Golden State’s Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. It seems clear the Charlotte organization heading in the right direction, regardless of whether they reach the NBA playoffs this season. By Steve Reed. 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/14/2026 5:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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SOC--WCUP-SOCCER BALL ARTIST

DESCRIPTION: A Miami artist has a unique way to hype the World Cup. She’s painting soccer balls to depict great moments in the game’s history. And her work has previously captured the attention of Lionel Messi, among others. By Tim Reynolds. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/14/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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HKN--SABRES CLINCH

DESCRIPTION: First, the Buffalo Sabres stopped the franchise’s long playoff drought. Then Alex Tuch and company won the Atlantic Division. They have no intention of stopping now. Buffalo is aiming high after a 5-1 victory at Chicago secured the franchise’s first division title since the 2009-10 season and seventh overall. By Jay Cohen. UPCOMING: 550 words, photos by 6 a.m. ET.

UPCOMING: By 04/14/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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FBC--MICHIGAN-MOORE

DESCRIPTION: Fired Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore is set to be sentenced after pleading no contest to two misdemeanors last month in a deal to resolve a felony criminal case that arose immediately after he was fired for having an inappropriate relationship with his executive assistant. Moore pleaded no contest to trespassing and malicious use of a telecom device in a relationship. Prosecutors dropped other charges including felony home invasion and stalking.

UPCOMING: By 04/14/2026 2:00 p.m. EDT, Text, LiveVideo, Video, Photo

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HKN--PLAYOFF RULES-EXPLAINER

DESCRIPTION: Why is one of the top 10 teams in the NHL guaranteed to be eliminated in the first round? What do teams need to do now that a playoff salary cap is in place? A look at rules new and old on the way to the Stanley Cup being awarded. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/14/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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HKN--GOALTENDING ADJUSTMENT

DESCRIPTION: NHL goaltenders are stopping fewer shots than at any point this century. The average save percentage is under .900 for the first time since 1996 and may be the lowest since ’94. Goalies have only gotten better, but improvement of skilled shooters and the speed of hockey is forcing a recalculation of what is considered success at the sport’s most important position. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/14/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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NBA POSTSEASON COVERAGE

BKN--CLIPPERS-SEASON OF DRAMA

DESCRIPTION: Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers are headed to the playoffs. That’s an accomplishment in itself after starting 6-21 and under the weight of an NBA investigation into an endorsement deal involving Leonard that may have circumvented salary cap rules. By Beth Harris.

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BKN--TRAIL BLAZERS-SUNS

DESCRIPTION: The Phoenix Suns host the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA’s play-in tournament on Tuesday night. The winner will earn the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference playoffs while the loser will get one more chance to advance against the winner of a Clippers-Warriors game on Friday. By David Brandt. 300 words, photos from 7 p.m. PT tipoff.

UPCOMING: By 04/14/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BBO--JUDGE VS. TROUT

Mike Trout vs. Aaron Judge turns into starry slugfest of 3-time MVPs as Yanks edge Angels 11-10

SUMMARY: Mike Trout and Aaron Judge turned a baseball game into a slugfest, each hitting two home runs. Trout’s second homer gave the Angels a two-run lead in the eighth inning, but the Yankees came back to win 11-10. Trent Grisham tied the game in the ninth with his second homer, and José Caballero scored on a wild pitch. This marked the first time in 70 years that two three-time MVPs each hit two homers in the same game. The Yankees ended a five-game losing streak, and Judge praised Trout’s performance, calling him one of baseball’s greatest players.

WORDS: 964 - MOVED: 04/14/2026 1:39 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d9bf3942919c0a8623c0ecc8c8c7ff87&mediaType=text

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BKL--WNBA DRAFT

Dallas Wings select Azzi Fudd of UConn No. 1 in WNBA draft with a $500,000 payday waiting

SUMMARY: Azzi Fudd is on her way to Dallas as the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft with a $500,000 payday waiting for the former UConn star. Fudd will pair again with former Huskies teammate Paige Bueckers, who was the Wings’ No. 1 pick last year. The new collective bargaining agreement that was ratified last month gave huge pay raises to rookies. Fudd will make nearly seven-times what Bueckers earned last season as the top choice. UCLA had quite a night with five players drafted in the first round breaking the record held by the 2002 UConn team and six overall.

WORDS: 868 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 10:49 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0a00d49021a7aca63629b01c36e20d95&mediaType=text

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BKL--WNBA DRAFT-UCLA

National champion UCLA has a record night at the WNBA draft with 5 first-round picks and 6 overall

SUMMARY: The party isn’t over for UCLA’s national champions. The Bruins are having another big celebration at the WNBA draft. Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez and Kiki Rice were taken with picks Nos. 4-6 on Monday night, barely a week after helping the Bruins win their first NCAA championship. UCLA became the first team to have five first-round selections, and the first with six players selected in one draft. The 6-foot-7 Betts was selected by the Washington Mystics, with Jaquez then taken by the Chicago Sky. The expansion Toronto Tempo made Rice their first draft pick with the No. 6 selection. Angela Dugalic and Gianna Kneepkens were also taken in the first round.

WORDS: 838 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 9:56 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:49db76880e010ef1cb15015da18fdeec&mediaType=text

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BKC--NORTH CAROLINA-WILSON-NBA

Tar Heels’ Caleb Wilson makes 1-and-done leap official as top NBA prospect

SUMMARY: North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson is headed to the NBA draft after what he called “the most fun year of my life” playing for the Tar Heels. The program released a video statement Monday from the 6-foot-10 forward regarded as a top prospect in the June draft. That made Wilson’s one-and-done route official. The Associated Press second-team All-American averaged 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds in a dynamic season cut short by injury. The first was a broken bone in his left hand. The second was a broken right thumb when he was nearing a return from the hand injury.

WORDS: 245 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 7:33 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6fc7daa5fd130530bbdf651093b78505&mediaType=text

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BKL--WNBA-DRAFT-FASHION

Rookies help bring Met Gala energy to the WNBA draft’s orange carpet

SUMMARY: Walking the WNBA draft’s orange carpet allows incoming rookies not only to express their personality with high fashion flair. The attention and detail given to the draft night outfits also is good preparation for the “Tunnel Fits” that have become a major part of WNBA marketing with how the players look arriving for games during the season. Monday night’s looks spanned the gamut from dressy business pantsuits to full-on Hollywood-style glamour with lots of designer labels. LSU guard and rapper Flau’jae Johnson said being confident helps someone pull off any look.

WORDS: 552 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 7:07 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:62d064e95a7fed0f21caab8736ef703b&mediaType=text

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BKC--ESPN-VITALE-HEALTH

Famed ESPN college basketball voice Dick Vitale facing another battle with cancer

SUMMARY: Famed ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale is facing another battle with cancer. Vitale said Monday that biopsy results had confirmed a diagnosis of melanoma in his lung and liver cavity, which will have him starting immunotherapy. It marks his fifth battle with cancer. That fight sidelined him from the airwaves for two years before his return shortly before March Madness in 2025. In a statement from ESPN, the 86-year-old announcer affectionately known as “Dickie V” says he’s “fully confident I’m going to make it 5 for 5” in beating cancer.

WORDS: 460 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 6:57 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:28b3087c8eafde3c192c6e6497ec24df&mediaType=text

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FBN--PATRIOTS-VRABEL

Patriots exec says ‘Business as usual’ for Mike Vrabel ahead of the NFL draft

SUMMARY: New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel didn’t make an appearance at the team’s pre-draft news conference Monday. But a front-office executive says the coach is going about his job as usual preparing for next week’s NFL draft despite the recent scrutiny regarding the nature of his relationship with a reporter. Last year Vrabel spoke with reporters in a news conference setting before the draft but opted not to on Monday. Though reporters did bump into Vrabel, who briefly greeted them, during a tour of the team’s new facility after Patriots vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf’s news conference had concluded.

WORDS: 422 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 4:59 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f138394b643c1595dbf8855065e557a1&mediaType=text

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BKN--LAKERS-LEBRON TAKES OVER

LeBron James must try to carry yet another team to playoff success with Lakers’ Doncic, Reaves out

SUMMARY: LeBron James probably thought he was done playing this particular role. After so many seasons in which James valiantly carried otherwise ordinary teams to extraordinary achievements, the greatest scorer in NBA history was not even the Los Angeles Lakers’ focal point this year. And then Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves both went down in the Lakers’ first game of April with significant injuries likely to sideline them for several weeks. Just like that, James was alone in the spotlight once again this month, the Lakers’ fading postseason hopes resting on the 23-year NBA veteran who has already done it all.

WORDS: 863 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 4:41 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4f1599bee9608b3624997da8453ab8b0&mediaType=text

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BKN--NBA POSTSEASON-BETTING ODDS

The Thunder top NBA playoff odds, the Spurs own the season series and the Celtics hover close

SUMMARY: The Thunder and Spurs lead the NBA playoff odds for a Western Conference showdown. The Thunder are favored to repeat as champions, followed by the Spurs and Celtics. Boston’s odds improved with Jayson Tatum’s return, while Detroit sees optimism with Cade Cunningham back. Despite the West’s depth, bettors find value in Eastern teams. The Lakers face low expectations because of injuries, with Houston favored in that series. Play-in games are expected to be close, with home teams favored. Tanking remains a concern, but it’s less of a factor in the playoffs.

WORDS: 824 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 3:46 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:90aa1d08e93ca7064432a525b9a5f884&mediaType=text

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CAR--NASCAR-GIBBS BREAKTHROUGH

Ty Gibbs is having fun as a new NASCAR Cup winner while trying to maintain his low profile

SUMMARY: Ty Gibbs has a famous last name and has spent much of his life in the spotlight. He enjoys his privacy nonetheless. Gibbs said Sunday after his first career victory that he doesn’t really want to show off. He just wants to work hard and train to better himself in racing. Gibbs is the grandson of Joe Gibbs, a Hall of Fame legend as a championship team owner in NASCAR and a Super Bowl-winning coach in football. He finally broke through at Bristol in his 131st Cup start. Gibbs celebrated by playfully crashing his grandfather’s national TV interview.

WORDS: 917 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 2:52 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dd8ea72a4b491d8db1fa9d20ad561e4f&mediaType=text

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BKN--PACERS-HALIBURTON

Tyrese Haliburton says it’s shingles, not Achilles recovery, that will test him this offseason

SUMMARY: Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton was prepared to spend this past NBA season in the shadows, fighting his way back from a torn right Achilles tendon. He never anticipated the long journey back would take a detour because of a bout with shingles. One day after the Pacers completed a 19-win season without their two-time All-Star ever suiting up, Haliburton told reporters Monday that while he’s ready to return from the injury, it’s the illness that he’ll be contending with this offseason.

WORDS: 758 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 2:38 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7f73f435a60291e09684a8859e694d3a&mediaType=text

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HKN--AWARDS WATCH

Who’s got Hart? AP picks the NHL MVP and other top awards as the playoffs arrive

SUMMARY: The Hart Trophy race for NHL MVP this season showcases the debate over how much stock goes into a player’s value to his team. Edmonton’s Connor McDavid is on track to win the scoring race for the most points and the Art Ross Trophy, while Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon has the inside track for the league lead in goals. Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov is more than 40 points clear of his next-closest teammate and could be a Hart finalist for a second consecutive year. AP’s hockey writers give their predictions on who should and who will win all the major awards.

WORDS: 724 - MOVED: 04/13/2026 2:28 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:05dc0d17dae0dce83dd77d2feb0658b2&mediaType=text

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