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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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
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BBO--MARINERS-EMERSON
DESCRIPTION: TACOMA, Wa. -- 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
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BBO--EARLY TRENDS
DESCRIPTION: Catchers were far more successful than batters through Major League Baseball’s first full week of challenges to robot umpires, led by the Detroit Tigers and David Dingler. By Baseball Writer Ronald Blum. 507 words, photos, by 5 p.m.
UPCOMING: By 04/06/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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GLF--MASTERS
DESCRIPTION: AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Justin Rose is a footnote in Masters history that he would love to change, the only player to twice lose in a playoff without ever having won the green jacket. He won at Torrey Pines this year at age 45. Good golf is still there. The question is how much longer. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. 700 words, photos. AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Patrick Reed is back at the Masters, just like always, this time as a free agent. He’s no longer with LIV, leads the European tour points list and is biding his time before he gets back on the PGA Tour. By Dave Skretta. 700 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 04/06/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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BKL--DREAM-SKY TRADE
Angel Reese traded from Chicago Sky to Atlanta Dream for first-round draft picks in 2027 and 2028
SUMMARY: The Atlanta Dream have acquired two-time WNBA All-Star Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky in exchange for first-round draft picks in 2027 and 2028. Atlanta also receives the right to swap second-round picks with Chicago in 2028. The 6-foot-3 Reese averaged 14.1 points and 12.9 rebounds in her two seasons with Chicago, earning All-Star honors each year while finishing as the runner-up for rookie of the year in 2024. The 23-year-old Reese was the No. 7 overall pick by Chicago in the 2024 WNBA draft after leading LSU to the 2023 national championship.
WORDS: 648 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 1:33 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2d5d19c436a468afa422c2e1d8dba6b9&mediaType=text
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BKW--T25-WOMEN’S POLL
NCAA champion UCLA finishes No. 1 in women’s AP Top 25 ahead of South Carolina, UConn, Texas, Duke
SUMMARY: UCLA finished the season at No. 1 in The Associated Press women’s basketball Top 25 after defeating South Carolina to win its first NCAA championship. The Bruins were a unanimous choice from the 31-member national media panel. The Gamecocks were second, with UConn and Texas third and fourth. The SEC and the Big Ten each had eight teams in the final Top 25 of the season. The ACC had five and The Big 12 three.
WORDS: 381 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 11:15 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3dea0f7281589e7a901122e61081fcd9&mediaType=text
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BKC--NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP
In NCAA title game, a Michigan team on a roll tries to derail a UConn dynasty
SUMMARY: Michigan has been scoring over and swatting down opponents at a record rate during March Madness. For the Wolverines to go down as one of college basketball’s best-ever, they’ll have to do it one more time by taking down a UConn program seeking its third national title in four seasons. The teams meet Monday night in the NCAA championship game, bringing the curtain down on a March Madness full of surprises and fun — and highlighted by two finalists that have been shooting for history in their own distinct ways.
WORDS: 539 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 11:14 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:806339fe73ae4e8d62d69e24c85dcc79&mediaType=text
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SOC--VINÍCIUS JÚNIOR-DISCRIMINATION
Vinícius Júnior hails Lamine Yamal for condemning anti-Muslim chants
SUMMARY: Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior has praised Barcelona star Lamine Yamal for publicly condemning anti-Muslim chants in a recent match. He says players need to stick together in the fight against discrimination. Vinícius spoke less than a week after Yamal criticized the chants by Spanish fans in Spain’s friendly against Egypt last Tuesday. Yamal, who is Muslim, said the chants were disrespectful and intolerable. Vinícius has been often subjected to racist taunts while playing in Europe and is vocal about the fight against racism.
WORDS: 295 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 10:26 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6aa3292486e4d7444d7a6d768c33b3ee&mediaType=text
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SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEW
Champions League quarterfinals: PSG-Liverpool and Real Madrid-Bayern Munich are the marquee matches
WORDS: 901 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 9:16 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:af3e4ffe67b0d201ecb10851d780ee0d&mediaType=text
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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: 04/06/2026 9:12 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1b7d7aa969d6bded7ad857fa1d760e32&mediaType=text
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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: 04/06/2026 9:11 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:03041b46370f2490a8323fc5a17efb5e&mediaType=text
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HKN--ISLANDERS-ROY FIRED
Islanders fire coach Patrick Roy after losing 4 in a row, name Peter DeBoer his replacement
SUMMARY: Patrick Roy has been fired as coach of the New York Islanders. First-year general manager Mathieu Darche announced the abrupt decision Sunday after the team lost four in a row and seven of its past 10 games. The Islanders were comfortably in a playoff spot until this late-season tailspin put their chances in danger with four games left to play. Peter DeBoer was named as Roy’s replacement and not just on an interim basis. He has taken two teams to the Stanley Cup Final and most recently coached the Dallas Stars to three consecutive trips to the Western Conference final before being fired last spring following their latest exit.
WORDS: 743 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 9:10 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:de14ae881aed393d46261df239b58d42&mediaType=text
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BBO--THIS WEEK IN BASEBALL
Dodgers and Yankees off to impressive starts, and Ohtani and Judge are just starting to hit
SUMMARY: The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees are off to good starts — and their MVPs are finally starting to hit. Shohei Ohtani hadn’t driven in a run until Friday, but he homered in that game and again Sunday. He and Aaron Judge have each posted three straight multihit games. Judge hasn’t needed to carry the Yankees, who are 7-2. They had allowed a paltry 15 runs on the season before a 7-6 loss to Miami on Sunday. Cam Schlittler has made two scoreless starts and New York ran wild against the Marlins — with even Giancarlo Stanton stealing a base.
WORDS: 591 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:acfcb9a563ba357d4ecc99752923173e&mediaType=text
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BKW--NCAA-CHAMPIONSHIP BLOWOUTS
Another sloppy women’s Final Four feels like a missed opportunity for the sport
SUMMARY: The women’s Final Four looked as though 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. Much like last year’s title mismatch. The sport is on the rise but the last two Final Fours have featured blowouts, long-distance shooting struggles and point-blank misses. The lasting memory from this year’s Final Four likely won’t be a basketball moment. UConn coach Geno Auriemma angrily confronted South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, leading to a tense moment between two of the game’s top coaches.
WORDS: 616 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e4cb69691e03ca69d3645ca079249537&mediaType=text
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BKW--LOOKING AHEAD
UCLA faces a massive rebuild after a historic NCAA title run as the transfer portal opens
SUMMARY: Cori Close and the UCLA Bruins are going to have to work hard to repeat as champions. They lose their top six players to graduation after putting on one of the most dominant performances in championship history to win their first NCAA title and second overall, routing South Carolina by 28 points. But with the transfer portal opening Monday, the UCLA coach can build a new team quickly. Close has said that the school will be very active, looking to add five players. Challenging the Bruins will be the runner-up Gamecocks and coach Dawn Staley. The Gamecocks will be one of the favorites for the title when the Final Four moves to Columbus, Ohio, next year.
WORDS: 403 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9c36b37696103837b1d00a2dd1642eda&mediaType=text
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BKC--UCONN-REED’S JOURNEY
UConn’s Tarris Reed Jr. relishes chance to finish college career against Michigan in title game
SUMMARY: Coach Dusty May saw Tarris Reed Jr.’s potential on tape when he took the Michigan job. Reed just didn’t see any viable path to fulfill it with two 7-footers coming to Ann Arbor with May. So the 6-foot-11, 265-pound Missouri native stayed in the transfer portal, found a school willing to give him a fresh start and a coach committed to helping him turn raw talent into real productivity. On Monday night, two years after giving up a starting job at Michigan to become a backup for a UConn team chasing a third straight national title, Reed’s journey will come full circle as he finishes his career against the university he called home for his first two college seasons.
WORDS: 1091 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ada870c5adc17b154f090a19f2cd2f86&mediaType=text
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HKN--EAST PLAYOFF RACE RESET
NHL’s East playoff race shaken up as the Flyers rise, Red Wings fall and Islanders fire their coach
SUMMARY: The Eastern Conference playoff race has a distinctly different look now than it did in late March. While the Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens have solidified their spots, the Philadelphia Flyers crashed the party by going on an improbable run to get into a playoff position. The Detroit Red Wings dropped in the standings, and the New York Islanders had such a late-season swoon that general manager Mathieu Darche fired coach Patrick Roy with four games left. Alex Ovechkin also may be nearing the end of his NHL career with the Washington Capitals running out of time to make up ground.
WORDS: 975 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b5cfb860b3b33f31c928985b58cfbec8&mediaType=text
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GLF--MASTERS-TRIVIA QUIZ
MASTERS ’26: A trivia quiz covering 90 years at Augusta National
SUMMARY: How well do you know history at Augusta National? To get you in the mood for the 90th Masters, here are 18 question for an 18-hole round that covers everything from the lowest score to the first champion to the only player who was runner-up to Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
WORDS: 455 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:765b069469b3e8ff2e3abe8dbfe07ed8&mediaType=text
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BKN--LIMPING LAKERS
Lakers and LeBron James face uncertainty without injured Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves
SUMMARY: Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are finished for the rest of the regular season due to injuries, and the Los Angeles Lakers could finish anywhere from third to fifth in the Western Conference playoff race. For now, the Lakers will lean on LeBron James as their primary scorer and floor leader. Coach JJ Redick agrees he has to be mindful that the 41-year-old is wrapping up his record 23rd NBA season. Doncic has a hamstring strain and Reaves is out with an oblique issue. Marcus Smart also is sidelined by an ankle injury. Their status for the playoffs is up in the air with five games remaining in the regular season.
WORDS: 821 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 1:45 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8e53cfee70be59fa738d967466124c0b&mediaType=text
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MOVING TOMORROW
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BKC--T25-MENS POLL
The Associated Press releases the final AP Top 25 men’s basketball poll of the season.
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GLF--MASTERS
Coverage of the Masters.
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SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUNDUP
Coverage of the first legs of the Champions League quarterfinals.
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