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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HKC--NCAA-FRESHMAN GOALIES

DESCRIPTION: All four teams competing in the Frozen Four start freshman goalies, which could be a first in the event’s history.

UPCOMING: By 04/08/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--RAIDERS-COUSINS

DESCRIPTION: Kirk Cousins, who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders last week, meets with the media.

UPCOMING: By 04/08/2026 9:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKW--UCLA CELEBRATION

DESCRIPTION: The UCLA Bruins celebrate the school’s first NCAA women’s basketball championship at Pauley Pavilion. By Beth Harris. 500 words, file photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/08/2026 9:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKN--HAWKS-CAVALIERS

DESCRIPTION: The Cleveland Cavaliers host the Atlanta Hawks in a matchup that could be an Eastern Conference first-round playoff preview. The Cavaliers can finish no lower than a fourth seed while the Hawks are 1 1/2 games in front of Toronto for the fifth spot. By Joe Reedy. 300 words, photos. Game starts at 7 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 04/08/2026 9:30 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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GLF--MASTERS-SCHEFFLER

Golf has been secondary for Scottie Scheffler of late. It’s hard to know what to expect at Masters

SUMMARY: Scottie Scheffler now has two kids — one for each of his Masters titles. He’s the favorite in this week’s tournament, as he tends to be for all majors these days. But his family life has been more exciting than his golf recently. His son Bennett turns 2 next month, and Remy was born less than two weeks ago. It was hard to tell which of the kids was more of a hit at Wednesday’s family friendly Par 3 Contest at Augusta National. Remy was carried by Meredith in a baby wrap, and Bennett knocked the ball around with a blue toy club.

WORDS: 773 - MOVED: 04/08/2026 1:54 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4bec0577797efd4563047c57381d0428&mediaType=text

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GLF--MASTERS-FLOWERS

Masters in bloom: More than azaleas and dogwood make up golf’s most beautiful garden

SUMMARY: Everyone knows about the azaleas and dogwoods at Augusta National during the Masters. Getting far less attention is Redbud and Pampas and Nandina. They’re among the 350 or so species of flowering plants and trees that make Augusta a golf landscape unlike any other. The land used to be Fruitland Nurseries that date to 1858 and imported plants from around the world. Bobby Jones found it to be the perfect place for his golf course. Each hole is named after a plant or tree, and that species can be found on the hole. Players struggle to name them all.

WORDS: 928 - MOVED: 04/08/2026 12:00 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:530c86de401e1dec5d19de6730961fab&mediaType=text

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BKL--WNBA-FREE AGENCY

WNBA free agency opens with $1.4 million franchise tags for Ionescu, Collier and Plum

SUMMARY: New York’s Sabrina Ionescu, Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier and Los Angeles’ Kelsey Plum were all extended franchise tags by their WNBA teams worth potentially $1.4 million as free agency opened up. By giving the “core” designation to those players, their teams have exclusive negotiating rights. Players can negotiate different terms to help their teams sign other players to fit under the new salary cap. Other players giving the “core” designation include Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell, Dallas’ Arike Ogunbowale, Atlanta’s Allisha Gray, Chicago’s Ariel Atkins and Seattle Ezi Magbegor. Expansion franchises Portland and Toronto offered franchise tags to Bridget Carleton and Marina Mabrey, respectively.

WORDS: 389 - MOVED: 04/08/2026 11:17 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:625b65d3a47ea2e7e721a0d1911097fa&mediaType=text

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BBO--PIRATES-GRIFFIN

Pirates sign teenage shortstop Konnor Griffin to a 9-year deal worth at least $140 million

SUMMARY: Konnor Griffin has signed a nine-year, $140 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. This deal with the 19-year-old shortstop is the largest in club history. The announcement comes after Griffin made his big league debut. The contract includes escalators that could increase its value to $150 million. Owner Bob Nutting says the deal is a “meaningful commitment” by the team to a player who’s expected to play a significant role in the club’s long-term future. Griffin agreed to the deal hours after producing the first multi-hit game of his young career in a 7-1 victory over San Diego that gave the Pirates their sixth win in seven games.

WORDS: 610 - MOVED: 04/08/2026 10:56 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e31a7c4d4b8a5374c23e79d65926770c&mediaType=text

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ATH--DIAMOND LEAGUE-QATAR

Qatar’s Diamond League track meet put back from May to June amid ongoing uncertainty

SUMMARY: The Diamond League track meet in Qatar has been postponed from next month to June 19 if conditions allow amid ongoing uncertainty caused by the conflict in the Middle East. The Doha meet had been set to open the season for track’s elite series on May 8, as it typically has in recent years, but the postponement means Shanghai’s meet on May 16 starts the series instead. The Diamond League says it took the decision “in the interests of athlete and spectator safety.” Its statement was issued hours after the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel.

WORDS: 292 - MOVED: 04/08/2026 10:28 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6ae3c9622660d82a983f2abfc86b47e4&mediaType=text

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HKN--CAPITALS-OVECHKIN

Alex Ovechkin says he’s waiting until after the season to decide his hockey future

SUMMARY: Alex Ovechkin says he is waiting until after the Washington Capitals’ season is over to decide whether he’s calling it a career or returning to play one more year. The NHL’s career goal-scoring leader announced his intentions in a clip of a pre-taped interview that aired Wednesday. The 40-year-old Ovechkin has been peppered with questions for several months about whether he’ll retire or play a 22nd season in the league. Washington will have just three games left after playing at Toronto on Wednesday night and faces an uphill climb to make the playoffs.

WORDS: 426 - MOVED: 04/08/2026 10:16 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a8d606f78487806efab50b3d36e5573b&mediaType=text

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GLF--MASTERS-RECORD

Justin Rose says Masters tournament record of 63 could fall one day. It would take near perfection

SUMMARY: The tournament record at the Masters is 63 and has been for three decades. Only two players have ever shot rounds of 9 under at Augusta National, the first being Nick Price in 1986 and the second Greg Norman a decade later. It’s one shot higher than the low score at any of the other major championships. So, what makes the Masters so difficult? For one thing, the course has been lengthened dramatically over the years, helping to offset changes in technology. For another, the slick, undulating putting surfaces might be the most challenging that anybody plays all year. Still, count Justin Rose among those who are surprised nobody has shot 62 at the Masters. He shot rounds of 65 and 66 last year before losing in a Sunday playoff to Rory McIlroy.

WORDS: 807 - MOVED: 04/08/2026 10:08 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3367c543074e65027c45e7ebefae8629&mediaType=text

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SAI--AMERICA’S CUP-US

Rhode Island challenger ensures US will have a boat at next year’s America’s Cup

SUMMARY: There will be an American boat at next year’s America’s Cup after all. American Racing Challenger Team USA representing Sail Newport in Rhode Island has been announced as an official challenger for the 2027 regatta scheduled off Naples in southern Italy The new team said it acquired key sailing assets from American Magic after the squad representing the New York Yacht Club announced in October that it would not enter its boat. That raised the possibility of having no U.S. entry for the first time. American boats have won the America’s Cup a record 25 times and held it from its first race in 1851 all the way through 1983.

WORDS: 425 - MOVED: 04/08/2026 10:04 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bd59b1b8614b67c3c8a0e7ca6becd402&mediaType=text

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SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE-PSG-LIVERPOOL

Defending champion PSG hosts 6-time winner Liverpool in Champions League quarterfinals

SUMMARY: Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain hosts out-of-form Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal. Resisting an early PSG onslaught at Parc des Princes on Wednesday is key to Liverpool’s chances of keeping the tie alive heading into the second leg at Anfield next week. When the two sides met last season in the round of 16, PSG advanced on penalties against six-time champion Liverpool following an intense battle over two legs. While Liverpool was arguably the pre-match favorite in last year’s encounter, it’s a different story now and Arne Slot’s team will be trophyless unless it wins the Champions League.

WORDS: 307 - MOVED: 04/08/2026 6:43 a.m. EDT. Will be updated following match starting at 3 p.m. EDT.

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f1652ffd4f0761b665d8d0d124add839&mediaType=text

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SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE-BARCELONA-ATLETICO

It’s Yamal vs. Griezmann as Barcelona hosts Atletico in Champions League quarterfinals

SUMMARY: Barcelona’s Champions League quarterfinal against Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou will pit a teenage phenom against one of La Liga’s fading greats. Barcelona’s hopes of ending an 11-year wait for another European Cup will largely rest on the performances of 18-year-old Lamine Yamal. The Spain playmaker has scored in three consecutive Champions League games. Atletico for its part will look later Wednesday for inspiration from forward Antoine Griezmann. The club’s all-time top scorer wants to end his stellar run with Atletico on a high note before the 35-year-old leaves for the MLS.

WORDS: 271 - MOVED: 04/08/2026 6:08 a.m. EDT. Will be updated following match starting at 3 p.m. EDT.

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ed85b4c4e38c6f48c2e923236eb720dd&mediaType=text

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BBO--BRAVES-ANGELS FIGHT

Brawl breaks out between Braves pitcher Reynaldo López and Angels slugger Jorge Soler

SUMMARY: Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo López and Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Jorge Soler were ejected after getting into a brawl Tuesday night. Soler homered off López in the first inning, then was hit by a 96 mph fastball from the right-hander his next time up. In the fifth, Soler charged the mound after López threw a high-and-inside wild pitch that tipped off catcher Jonah Heim’s mitt. At first, López held up his hands as the two glared at each other before both started throwing punches. The benches and bullpens emptied as players from both teams tried to separate the two. Atlanta manager Walt Weiss was among those who tackled Soler, the 2021 World Series MVP with the Braves. He and López were teammates with Atlanta in 2024.

WORDS: 700 - MOVED: 04/08/2026 4:22 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8305af2fa811240115ce864fb9035597&mediaType=text

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BKN--LAKERS-REDICK-VANDERBILT

Lakers coach JJ Redick claims his vocal argument with Jarred Vanderbilt was nothing unusual

SUMMARY: Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick downplayed his mid-game shouting match with Jarred Vanderbilt during their loss to Oklahoma City. The coach called it a normal occurrence during a stressful time for his injury-depleted team. Redick and Vanderbilt exchanged words in a visible, vocal argument after Redick called a timeout and removed Vanderbilt from the game just 16 seconds into the second quarter. Redick said the argument was caused by “just a confluence of things,” declining to be specific about what Vanderbilt had done wrong. Vanderbilt left the Lakers’ downtown arena without speaking to reporters.

WORDS: 660 - MOVED: 04/08/2026 2:27 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7110cbee9384d188a8d8d577a43d8eb3&mediaType=text

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BKN--CELTICS-TATUM

Celtics’ Jayson Tatum reluctantly preparing for 1st trip to New York since Achilles injury

SUMMARY: Jayson Tatum knew it would happen eventually. It still won’t make his return to Madison Square Garden for Thursday’s matchup with the New York Knicks any easier for him. That will mark the first time he’s returned to the famed New York City arena since he was carried of the court since rupturing his right Achilles tendon in Game 4 of the Boston Celtics’ Eastern Conference semifinals lolss to the Knicks. He acknowledges it’s not something he’s looking forward to, but called it a necessary step his recovery process.

WORDS: 483 - MOVED: 04/08/2026 12:15 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fbf000d4b4c611ac47e02b8ecaa4152c&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

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GLF--Masters: Coverage from Thursday at the Masters.

FBN--NFL-Draft-NIL

NIL deals have allowed NFL teams to gain insight on how a young player will react to having money before getting a big contract. By Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi