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
——————————
GLF—MASTERS
DESCRIPTION: Defending champion Rory McIlroy picked up where he left off a year ago. For a couple other big names at the Masters, just making the cut is no guarantee. McIlroy and Sam Burns enter Friday’s second round tied for first after opening with 5-under 67s at Augusta National. Those within striking distance include past champions Patrick Reed and Scottie Scheffler, plus a few others who have come close. 500 words.
UPCOMING: By 04/10/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text
___
GLF—MASTERS-AUGUSTA NATIONAL
DESCRIPTION Robert MacIntyre summed up the difficulty posed by firm, breezy and fast Augusta National with a single gesture on Thursday. His middle finger, aimed at the green at the par-5 15th, after his approach shot found the water. MacIntyre wasn’t alone in expressing his displeasure during the first round of the Masters; Tyrrell Hatton flashed a different gesture with a similar meaning after his approach at the seventh hit the flagstick and spun into a bunker. 730 words.
UPCOMING: By 04/10/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text
___
FBC--DEFENSIVE TENNESSEE
DESCRIPTION: Jim Knowles has installed new defenses in a lot of places. Having familiar faces around is making the experience much smoother this spring at Tennessee. Volunteers coach Josh Heupel hired Knowles as his new defensive coordinator in December. By Teresa M. Walker.
UPCOMING: By 04/10/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text
___
BKN--NBA-PLAYOFF CHASE-GUIDE
DESCRIPTION: A daily look at the NBA’s playoff chase.
UPCOMING: By 04/10/2026 10:00 a.m. EDT, Text
___
BBO--MARINERS-ICHIRO
DESCRIPTION: SEATTLE-- The Seattle Mariners will unveil their newest statue honoring Ichiro Suzuki at T-Mobile Park on Friday morning. This moment will celebrate Ichiro’s extraordinary legacy and lasting impact on the Mariners organization and Seattle. Ichiro will discuss the statue shortly after the unveiling. By Andrew Destin. 750 words. Photos.
UPCOMING: By 04/10/2026 2:30 p.m. EDT, Text
___
FBN--NFL DRAFT-SHRINKING PIPELINE
DESCRIPTION: Just like Cinderella teams no longer dot the landscape at the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, fewer longshots are reaching the NFL from small schools across America. By Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton. 740 words, photos, graphic.
UPCOMING: By 04/10/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text
___
MMA--UFC 327 PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: Second-ranked challenger Jiri Prochazka faces No. 3 Carlos Ulberg in a light heavyweight bout.
UPCOMING: By 04/10/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text
___
HKN--MAMMOTH-PLAYOFF RUN
DESCRIPTION: Barring a massive late-season collapse, the Utah Mammoth will be in the playoffs. The rebuild started five years ago when the franchise was still in Arizona. By John Marshall. 600 words, photos by 2 p.m. PT.
UPCOMING: By 04/10/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text
——————————
NEW AND DEVELOPING
——————————
BKN--CELTICS-TATUM’S RETURN
Jayson Tatum makes a strong return to Madison Square Garden, site of his injury in the playoffs
SUMMARY: Jayson Tatum wanted to walk off the floor as a winner in his return to Madison Square Garden. He didn’t, but at least this time he walked off the floor on his own, instead of being carried out with a severe injury. So Tatum looked at the positives after the New York Knicks beat the Boston Celtics 112-106 on Thursday night in his first game at the arena since rupturing his Achilles tendon there in last season’s playoffs. The star forward turned in a strong effort, finishing with 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, falling just short of his second triple-double since returning last month.
WORDS: 686 - MOVED: 04/09/2026 11:35 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2b82de357b8bea37edbfc72941a2aa39&mediaType=text
___
HKN--ISLANDERS-SCHAEFER
Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer ties Brian Leetch’s NHL record for goals by a rookie defenseman
SUMMARY: Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders has tied the NHL record for goals by a rookie defenseman, scoring his 23rd of the season to match Hall of Famer Brian Leetch’s mark. Schaefer’s record-tying goal came at 9:39 of the second period Thursday night and gave the Islanders a 3-2 lead over the Toronto Maple Leafs as New York went on to win 5-3. Schaefer beat goaltender Artur Akhtyamov through the legs following a pass from Tony DeAngelo. The 18-year-old Schaefer ranks second on the Islanders with 59 points, showcasing elite offensive ability from the blue line.
WORDS: 384 - MOVED: 04/09/2026 10:25 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:89eb666331da6b8e2562f7227904680d&mediaType=text
___
HKN--PENGUINS-CLINCH
Pittsburgh Penguins clinch a playoff spot, ending their 3-year drought
SUMMARY: For the first time in four years, it will soon be a great day for playoff hockey in Pittsburgh. The Penguins clinched a playoff spot Thursday night by beating New Jersey, ending their postseason drought that lasted three seasons. They had made 16 postseason appearances in a row before that, last missing in Sidney Crosby’s rookie year in 2005-06, with that stretch including three Stanley Cup titles. The Penguins were far from assured a place in the field in late March when the Eastern Conference race was a crowded mess, and then they’ve won five of six games since March 30 to get in.
WORDS: 654 - MOVED: 04/09/2026 10:08 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:58f9093f87b24e8cc26013f57adea87c&mediaType=text
___
GLF--MASTERS
McIlroy has another reason to celebrate with his best Masters start in 15 years to share the lead
SUMMARY: Rory McIlroy has been savoring his Masters win all week at Augusta National. And now he has found something else to celebrate. He shot a 67 for his best start in the Masters in 15 years and shares the lead with Sam Burns. The weather looks perfect, but the players remain concerned. Augusta National can be frightening when it gets dry and fast. McIlroy found some freedom in his swing and had five birdies in an eight-hole stretch. Sam Burns played the par 5s in 5-under par for his best Masters score. Scottie Scheffler opened with a 70.
WORDS: 1033 - MOVED: 04/09/2026 8:59 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4cac3c8183edff303483cb655f4a4ed5&mediaType=text
___
BKN--76ERS-EMBIID
Joel Embiid has appendectomy, leaving former MVP’s status for postseason in doubt
SUMMARY: Joel Embiid had an appendectomy in Houston after Philadelphia’s star big man was stricken with appendicitis overnight. The team announced that the surgery had been completed Thursday night as the 76ers were playing the Houston Rockets. Coach Nick Nurse did not give a timetable for Embiid’s return, but it seems unlikely that the former MVP would be able to return for the play-in tournament or the first round of the playoffs. The 76ers entered Thursday in eighth place in the Eastern Conference and on track for a spot in the play-in tournament, though they were only one game behind sixth-place Toronto.
WORDS: 528 - MOVED: 04/09/2026 8:42 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:26b2f62c0531faa75fa09ff33adaf0be&mediaType=text
___
SOC--WCUP TICKETS
FIFA adds new even more expensive World Cup ticket categories
SUMMARY: FIFA has added new, even more expensive tiers of tickets for this year’s World Cup, asking up to $4,105 for a front category 1 seat at the U.S. opener against Paraguay in Inglewood, California, on June 12. Last week, FIFA had asked for a top price of $2,735 for category 1 tickets for the match but added new “front category” pricing. FIFA also added a front category 2 tier to its ticket sales website without public announcement, asking $1,940 to $2,330 for front category 2 for the U.S. opener.
WORDS: 331 - MOVED: 04/09/2026 8:02 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:07f3e1f9bd6001cea59163046d317f59&mediaType=text
___
GLF--MASTERS-GIVING CHASE
Justin Rose fades at the Masters, still joins Scheffler in the hunt behind leaders McIlroy and Burns
SUMMARY: Justin Rose is back in contention at the Masters. He opened with a 2-under 70 that left him in a group three shots back of first-round leaders Rory McIlroy and Sam Burns. Rose lost to McIlroy in a playoff last year, finishing second for the third time at Augusta National. The leaderboard is packed with stars. Patrick Reed and Jason Day were joined by Kurt Kitayama at 3 under, two shots off the pace. Rose was in a group at 2 under with two-time Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, Shane Lowry and Xander Schauffele. The course could play even tougher on Friday with warm, dry conditions.
WORDS: 575 - MOVED: 04/09/2026 8:01 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7a6468c2b4d2b4f1cb667e3e5d692f65&mediaType=text
___
FBN--NFL INVESTIGATION
Justice Department is investigating the NFL for potential anticompetitive practices, AP source says
SUMMARY: The Justice Department is investigating the NFL for potential anticompetitive practices, according to a government official. The official, who was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation by name and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the investigation is “about affordability for consumers and creating an even playing field for providers.” The NFL has not received a notification that the league is being investigated, according to two other people with knowledge of the situation. Those people spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak on possible legal matters.
WORDS: 767 - MOVED: 04/09/2026 6:36 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:993ff086b43cba27c8deb75a8ce58d34&mediaType=text
___
BBO--TIGERS-OUTFIELD COLLISION
Tigers’ Parker Meadows hospitalized after head-to-head outfield collision with teammate Riley Greene
SUMMARY: Detroit Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows has been sent to a hospital for overnight observation after a head-to-head collision with teammate Riley Greene. Meadows landed on his back in a daze after Greene caught the ball. He was able to sit up after a few minutes and slowly stand before moving toward a cart that took him for further examination. Meadows suffered a concussion and bleeding after biting the inside of his mouth. Greene called for the shallow fly ball in the eighth inning against Minnesota as he and Meadows converged. Meadows slowed up and tried to back away at the last second.
WORDS: 384 - MOVED: 04/09/2026 5:55 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e307b18a36d7c20a1283714f7a718491&mediaType=text
___
HKN--HOCKEY DENTISTRY
Olympic hero Jack Hughes has new chiclets as NHL dentists get a moment in the spotlight
SUMMARY: Jack Hughes became famous for scoring the Olympic gold-medal-winning goal in overtime for the United States against Canada. His gap-toothed grin was just as famous after getting his front teeth knocked out earlier in the game. It underscored the importance of hockey dentists and the work they do. The special responsibilities of dentists can include on-site root canals, sutures and more. Dentists are key in a sport where sticks, pucks and everything else can cause mouth damage that players are eager to shake off so they can get back on the ice. Hughes has already had his teeth fixed.
WORDS: 1351 - MOVED: 04/09/2026 5:15 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:97c5e8c02a9956d09ade2e59a79bf0d8&mediaType=text
___
GLF--MASTERS-WOODS-PLAYER
Gary Player says Tiger Woods’ pain medication is understandable but he shouldn’t be driving
SUMMARY: Gary Player believes Tiger Woods should avoid driving because of his medication use for pain management. Player spoke after hitting honorary tee shots at the Masters about Woods’ recent arrest for driving under the influence. Authorities found Woods impaired with painkillers in his possession after a crash. Player sympathizes with Woods’ pain but stresses the danger of driving under medication. Woods announced he would miss the Masters to focus on recovery. He has faced multiple surgeries and a previous arrest related to painkillers. Many in the golf community, including Jason Day, have expressed sympathy but agree Woods shouldn’t be driving.
WORDS: 741 - MOVED: 04/09/2026 4:39 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a2e5b4194fc2a0dbc0dc1d91132f7b1f&mediaType=text
___
EU--DARTS-TRANSGENDER POLICY
Transgender darts pro says she ‘just got retired’ by governing body’s policy change
SUMMARY: A transgender darts player says she’s “not done fighting” after the sport’s governing body enacted rules barring transgender women from women’s tournaments. Noa-Lynn van Leuven of the Netherlands spoke out Thursday when the Darts Regulation Authority’s new policy took effect. In a video on her Instagram account, van Leuven says “apparently, I just got retired — not by choice, but because I’m no longer allowed to compete.” The 29-year-old van Leuven had competed in the Women’s Series of the Professional Darts Corporation. In 2024, she became the first transgender woman to play at the PDC World Darts Championship.
WORDS: 305 - MOVED: 04/09/2026 4:17 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ad551e0a0940e7dcdd03dff23ffbeeaa&mediaType=text
___
BBO--ATHLETICS-YANKEES-NO-HITTER ALERT
A’s lefty Jeffrey Springs loses a no-hit bid in the seventh inning against the Yankees
SUMMARY: Athletics pitcher Jeffrey Springs lost a no-hit bid with one out in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees when he allowed a single to Ben Rice. Springs walked Giancarlo Stanton after catcher Austin Wynns lost an ABS challenge on the previous pitch that was called a ball. On his 84th pitch, Rice hit an 83 mph slider for a clean single to right field. The A’s held a 1-0 lead when Springs allowed Rice’s hit. Springs allowed two base runners in the third and ended the inning by getting a called third strike on Aaron Judge with his changeup.
WORDS: 226 - MOVED: 04/09/2026 3:28 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8defcd6acfb9f5959f8390214fd2eaf8&mediaType=text
___
FBN--NFL DRAFT-NIL
NIL deals and players’ reactions to them give NFL teams another tool to evaluate draft prospects
SUMMARY: The NIL deals that are transforming college sports are also allowing NFL teams to gain insight into how a young player will react to having money before they get a big pro contract. For many evaluators, it has become an important tool in the draft process. A prospect who stays focused despite lucrative deals is more likely to make a smoother transition to the pros. Scouts want to see if a player’s performance dips after making a lot of money or if he maintains the same work ethic and consistency. How they interact with teammates is also a key dynamic.
WORDS: 854 - MOVED: 04/09/2026 2:12 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:09450324869f55ea160b8cf5c382a027&mediaType=text
___
