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

——————————

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

——————————

SOC--WORLD CUP PREVIEWS

FORMATS: Photo, Text

1. WITH: SOC--WCUP-GUIDE

2. DESCRIPTION: Who’s in, where to watch, betting odds, schedules and more.

3. UPCOMING: By 04/13/2026 5:00 a.m. EDT

4. WITH: SOC--WCUP-GROUP A-PREVIEW

5. DESCRIPTION: Group A preview: Co-host Mexico opens 2026 World Cup against South Africa.

6. UPCOMING: By 04/13/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

7. WITH: SOC--WCUP-GROUP B-PREVIEW

8. DESCRIPTION: World Cup co-hosts Canada look for breakthrough on home soil in Group B.

9. UPCOMING: By 04/13/2026 8:00 a.m. EDT

10. WITH: SOC--WCUP-GROUP C-PREVIEW

11. DESCRIPTION: Brazil and Morocco headline Group C as Scotland and Haiti return to the World Cup.

12. UPCOMING: By 04/13/2026 10:00 a.m. EDT

___

GLF--MCILROY’S MAJORS

DESCRIPTION: AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Rory McIlroy went from becoming the sixth player with the career Grand Slam to only the fourth player to win the Masters two years in a row. Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are the only other players to occupy both clubs. Elite company, indeed. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. Upcoming: 950 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/13/2026 10:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text

___

FBN--NFL DRAFT-NO. 1 QBS IMPACT

DESCRIPTION: Recent history shows that quarterbacks taken first overall often face challenges. Only Eli Manning has won a Super Bowl with his original team this century. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/13/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

___

HKN--AWARDS WATCH

DESCRIPTION: Who wins the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP is a test of whether the award goes to the best hockey player in the league or the most valuable. Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid are tops in points, while San Jose’s Macklin Celebrini and the New York Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer are outsized reasons why their teams were way better than most expected. By Hockey Writers Stephen Whyno and John Wawrow. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/13/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text

___

BKN--NBA POSTSEASON

FORMATS: Text

13. WITH: BKN--WARRIORS-CURRY

14. DESCRIPTION: SAN FRANCISCO -- Two-time MVP Stephen Curry and his Golden State Warriors have a daunting task just to get into the playoffs: They are the tenth seed in the Western Conference and need to win a pair of elimination road games to earn the eighth seed and a chance to face defending champion and No. 1 Oklahoma City. Golden State will play Wednesday night against the Clippers in Los Angeles. By Janie McCauley. UPCOMING: 835 words, photos.

15. UPCOMING: By 04/13/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT

16. WITH: BKN--NBA POSTSEASON

17. DESCRIPTION: BKN--NBA Play-in Preview. A preview of the NBA’s four play-in games, with the tournament starting Tuesday. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds.

18. UPCOMING: By 04/13/2026 6 a.m. EDT

19. BKN--Lakers-LeBron Takes Over. LOS ANGELES — LeBron James is back in an all-too-familiar role this spring as he attempts to carry an undermanned team deep into the NBA playoffs. With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined by injury for the near future, the 41-year-old James must be the primary driver of the Los Angeles Lakers’ offense once again, and he isn’t flinching at the challenge. By Greg Beacham.

20. BKN--NBA Postseason-Betting Odds Oddsmakers don’t have a lot of belief in Eastern Conference teams as the NBA playoffs begin with a notable exception being the Boston Celtics. By Mark Anderson

21. BKN--Bucks-Giannis’ Future MILWAUKEE — The playoffs are starting without Milwaukee for the first time in a decade as the Bucks enter an offseason of uncertainty surrounding the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo. It seems like trading the two-time MVP is more of a realistic possibility than ever before. By Steve Megargee

22. BKN--Blazers-Suns-Preview PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns host the Portland Trail Blazers in a Western Conference play-in tournament game on Tuesday night. The winner will be the No. 7 seed while the loser gets another chance to try and capture the No. 8 seed. By David Brandt.

23. UPCOMING: By 04/13/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT

___

BBO--THIS WEEK IN BASEBALL

DESCRIPTION: It could be argued that the Automated Ball-Strike system has been the MVP of Major League Baseball through the season’s first three weeks, creating a game-within-the-game that’s producing winners, losers and some dramatic moments. But it also appears to be making games slightly longer. By Baseball Writer David Brandt. UPCOMING: 575 words, photos by 6 a.m. ET.

UPCOMING: By 04/13/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

___

BKL--WNBA DRAFT

DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK __ The Dallas Wings are on the clock with the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft for the second straight year. The Wings could take guard Azzi Fudd from UConn, Spanish forward Awa Fam Thiam or UCLA center Lauren Betts to complement a talented roster led by last season’s No. 1 choice Paige Bueckers. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg. Draft starts at 7 p.m.

UPCOMING: By 04/13/2026 8:54 p.m. EDT, Text

——————————

NEW AND DEVELOPING

——————————

BKN--NUGGETS-JOKIC

Jokic plays 1st half of Nuggets’ game versus Spurs to qualify for award eligibility while Wemby sits

SUMMARY: Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic exited after playing the first half of the Denver Nuggets’ regular-season finale against San Antonio on Sunday night for his 65th game played to qualify for NBA awards. Jokic had 23 points, eight rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot while playing 18 minutes, 15 seconds in the first half as the Nuggets went on to beat San Antonio 128-118. Spurs All-Star Victor Wembanyama sat out the game after reaching eligibility in his previous game. Jokic had played in 64 games and was listed as questionable with an injured right wrist. Denver secured the No. 3 seed and will host Minnesota at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the opening round of the playoffs.

WORDS: 515 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 11:59 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:710f4ad5a6a8b4c26f7f67f3a3842d29&mediaType=text

___

BKN--KINGS-CHRISTIE

Kings will bring back coach Doug Christie for a second full season, AP source says

SUMMARY: Doug Christie will return for a second full season as coach of the Sacramento Kings despite the team having one of the worst seasons in franchise history. A person familiar with the decision says Christie will return next season for the second year of a contract that also has a team option for 2027-28. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team hadn’t announced the decision. The Athletic first reported that Christie would return. The Kings finished with a 22-60 record that is the second-most losses in franchise history.

WORDS: 374 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 11:45 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8edff2f2079175adcbd5e4a5009964a6&mediaType=text

___

BKN--NBA-PLAYOFF MATCHUPS

NBA play-in games are set: Heat-Hornets, Magic-76ers, Suns-Blazers, Clippers-Warriors

SUMMARY: The play-in tournament field is set. Miami goes to Charlotte for an elimination game Tuesday and Orlando goes to Philadelphia for a win-and-you’re-in game Wednesday. The West play-in matchups are Phoenix-Portland on Tuesday and Clippers-Golden State on Wednesday. There are also four conference quarterfinals set to begin this weekend: New York-Atlanta and Cleveland-Toronto in the East, along with Denver-Minnesota and Lakers-Houston in the West.

WORDS: 942 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 11:38 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2a7563d4f2fa21dffac8f2378ca81cf4&mediaType=text

___

BKN--BUCKS-RIVERS-FUTURE

Doc Rivers isn’t expected back as Bucks’ coach next season, AP source says

SUMMARY: A person familiar with the situation says the Milwaukee Bucks don’t expect Doc Rivers back as their coach next season. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no formal announcement about Rivers’ decision has been made. There has been some discussion about whether Rivers will stay with the organization in some capacity. ESPN first reported that Rivers won’t be back as Milwaukee’s coach. Rivers said before the Bucks’ season-ending 126-106 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday that he wasn’t going to announce anything. But he left little doubt about his intentions.

WORDS: 1007 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 11:16 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:61364e953286aa42814669229ccc9253&mediaType=text

___

BKN--MAVERICKS-FLAGG’S FINALE

Cooper Flagg’s standout rookie season ends as the No. 1 pick of the Mavs injures ankle in finale

SUMMARY: Cooper Flagg’s standout rookie season ended slightly prematurely after the No. 1 pick of the Dallas Mavericks limped to the locker room in the finale against Chicago and was ruled out with an ankle sprain. Flagg winced as he left the court favoring his left ankle in the second quarter, and the Mavs soon said he wouldn’t return. The 19-year-old is in a tight race with former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel for Rookie of the Year. Flagg had 10 points and four rebounds and will finish the season averaging 21.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists.

WORDS: 364 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 10:09 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f7195672117370a20c62a4d7145f66b9&mediaType=text

___

BKN--BUCKS-ANTETOKOUNMPO

Giannis Antetokounmpo calls it ‘disrespectful’ that Bucks benched him in final weeks of season

SUMMARY: Giannis Antetokounmpo said it was “disrespectful” for Milwaukee to bench him over the final weeks of the season while he said he was healthy enough to play. His comments Sunday night were a stinging rebuke of the franchise as he enters a stay-or-leave offseason. Antetokounmpo said after a season-ending loss to Philadelphia that he learned that he had no control over his playing status as the Bucks limped to the finish. The two-time MVP led Milwaukee to its first title in half a century in 2021. But the Bucks haven’t won a playoff series since 2022.

WORDS: 650 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 10:07 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d49dc903ec2ca411b1ab3ca6c4def36f&mediaType=text

___

GLF--MASTERS

Rory McIlroy goes back-to-back at the Masters to join Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods

SUMMARY: Rory McIlroy has joined more elite company at the Masters. He pulled away with a pair of birdies around Amen Corner and, as usual, saved a little drama for the end before taking his place in Augusta National history as only the fourth back-to-back champion. McIlroy seized control for good with a bold shot over Rae’s Creek to 7 feet for birdie on the par-3 12th. Then he blistered a 350-yard drive on the par-5 13th that set up another birdie. There were a few dicey moments, but he shot a 1-under 71 to for a one-shot victory to join Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as repeat winners.

WORDS: 1110 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 9:11 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:75a1d45436953edc09cc0e62e6ab6f76&mediaType=text

___

HKN--OVECHKIN-CELEBRATION

Ovechkin response to fans’ request for 1 more year: ‘I’ll think about it’

SUMMARY: If this was indeed the final home game of Alex Ovechkin’s sensational NHL career, the Washington Capitals star collected enough memories to take him deep into retirement. From the opening faceoff to the celebratory postgame skate in which he waved gratefully to the adoring fans, Ovechkin enjoyed one heck of a day. Best of all, the Capitals won Sunday to remain in the playoff hunt. Playing in front of a loud, appreciative crowd, the Capitals beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-0. The 40-year-old Ovechkin will wait until the offseason to decide whether to retire or return for a 22nd NHL season.

WORDS: 502 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 8:41 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d71e040fe45d886d28789d506bf09718&mediaType=text

___

BKL--WNBA FREE AGENCY ROUNDUP

All-Star Gabby Williams joins the Valkyries on a multiyear deal and Alyssa Thomas returns to Phoenix

SUMMARY: The Valkyries say All-Star Gabby Williams has signed a multiyear deal with Golden State while Alyssa Thomas is headed back to the Phoenix Mercury. Williams averaged a career-high 11.6 points and 4.2 assists and led the league in steals with 2.3 per game for Seattle last season. That effort earned the 29-year-old an All-Star appearance for the first time in her career. She also was a member of the league’s All-Defensive First Team. The Valkyries had a stellar season in their first year, making the playoffs — the first time an expansion team had done that. Thomas was a finalist for MVP last season and All-WNBA and All-Defensive first team. She helped Phoenix reach the WNBA Finals.

WORDS: 757 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 8:11 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b660cd3b84d10b6829ee768bd867b718&mediaType=text

___

GLF--MASTERS-SCHEFFLER

Scottie Scheffler falls a stroke short of a record Masters comeback after a flawless weekend

SUMMARY: Scottie Scheffler shot a 4-under 68 at Augusta National and finished one stroke behind winner Rory McIlroy. Now McIlroy and Scheffler are even with two Masters titles each. Scheffler was trying to pull off what would have been an unprecedented comeback from 12 strokes down after 36 holes. Scheffler shot a 65 on Saturday to pull within four, and he was in the mix during the final round. He became the first player since World War II to play the last two rounds of the Masters without a bogey.

WORDS: 897 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 8:11 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:75dfce418e5cf702b0d33e249eb84d87&mediaType=text

___

GLF--MASTERS-ROSE

Justin Rose rues his miscues through Amen Corner and another lost chance at winning the Masters

SUMMARY: Justin Rose made another Sunday run at the Masters, only to come up short yet again. Three times he has finished second at Augusta National, and this time he finished in a four-way tie for third. Rory McIlroy, who beat Rose in a playoff a year ago, defended his title by finishing at 12 under, while Scottie Scheffler made a Sunday charge to finish alone in second, one shot back. Rose was at 10 under. Yet it was Rose who had a two-shot lead on the back nine on Sunday before a couple of mistakes through Amen Corner cost him dearly.

WORDS: 835 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 7:50 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a9460a6a580288bdf6d1841d494abfa5&mediaType=text

___

CAR--NASCAR-BRISTOL

Ty Gibbs earns first NASCAR Cup victory at Bristol, beating Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney

SUMMARY: Ty Gibbs outdueled Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson in overtime Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway, breaking through for his first NASCAR Cup Series victory in his 131st start. Gibbs, the grandson of Hall of Fame team owner Joe Gibbs, led the final 25 laps and held off two NASCAR Cup Series champions, who both had tires that were nearly 100 laps fresher, on a furious final restart. Blaney, who started from the pole position, finished second. Larson, who led a race-high 284 laps and won the first two stages, finished third. Tyler Reddick and Chase Briscoe rounded out the top five.

WORDS: 866 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 7:46 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0685c9c7d11049f6a7167c2dc640ae57&mediaType=text

___

BBO--OBIT-GARNER

Former major league infielder Phil Garner, who managed Astros’ first World Series team, dies at 76

SUMMARY: Phil Garner, a three-time All-Star infielder who went on to manage the Houston Astros to their first World Series appearance, has died. He was 76. Garner’s family issued a statement Sunday saying Garner died Saturday after a two-plus-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Nicknamed “Scrap Iron” for his blue-collar approach to the game, Garner had a 16-year playing career with the Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. He made All-Star teams with Oakland in 1976 and with Pittsburgh in 1980 and 1981.

WORDS: 687 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 6:57 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4a02705cb28ddf2ce85e0d3504c70d3a&mediaType=text

___

ATH--OBIT-BOB HALL

Bob Hall, the father of wheelchair racing and a 2-time winner of the Boston Marathon, dead at 74

SUMMARY: Boston Marathon organizers say the father of wheelchair racing has died. Bob Hall won the race twice and went on to build racing chairs for the competitors that followed. He was 74. In 1975, Hall convinced Boston Marathon organizers to let him into the race and was promised a finishers’ certificate like the one the runners got if he completed the 26.2-mile distance in under 3 hours. He did it in 2:58. He came back to win the race in 1977.

WORDS: 558 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 6:30 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4ffe6702f6ae2873064e87c8a9f99441&mediaType=text

___

HKN--PENGUINS-CAPITALS

Ovechkin, Capitals keep postseason hopes alive with 3-0 victory over Penguins

SUMMARY: Logan Thompson stopped 24 shots, and the Washington Capitals kept their slim playoff hopes alive by beating the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-0 in perhaps the final home of Alex Ovechkin’s brilliant career. To reach the postseason, the Capitals must defeat Columbus in the season finale Tuesday night and hope Philadelphia fails to win either of its last two games. The 40-year-old Ovechkin intends wait until the offseason to decide whether to retire or return for a 22nd season. The all-time NHL leader in goals with 929, Ovechkin has played in every game this season and leads the Capitals in goals (32) and points (63). The spirited, sellout crowd saluted Ovechkin during Sunday’s game with chants of “One more year!” and “Ovi! Ovi! Ovi!”

WORDS: 345 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 5:59 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:85a92381ff3dcc430f2acb04f8eae63d&mediaType=text

___

ATH--PAT’S RUN-TILLMAN SCHOLARS

Tillman Scholars make connections with each other and the community at annual Pat’s Run

SUMMARY: Pat’s Run began in 2004 as a way to honor the legacy of Pat Tillman, who walked away from an NFL career to serve his country in the wake of Sept. 11. The run, which started as a gathering of friends following the Army Ranger’s death in Afghanistan by friendly fire, has blossomed into 4.2-mile run/walk that draws 30,000 people to the desert every year. Working as corral leaders are the Tillman Scholars, a 1,000-person collection of uber-achievers who embody the leadership and selflessness Tillman exhibited. Serving as corral leaders allows the Tillman Scholars to interact with runners from all walks of life, from parents pushing children in strollers to firefighters completing the course in full gear.

WORDS: 839 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 5:37 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4d9c29fb352f8217b41b464f5b5841f0&mediaType=text

___

SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP

Man City closes in on Arsenal in Premier League title race with 3-0 win over Chelsea

SUMMARY: Manchester City issues a huge statement of intent in the race for the Premier League title with a 3-0 win at Chelsea. Pep Guardiola’s team moved to within six points of leader Arsenal ahead of next weekend’s top of the table clash. City also has a game in hand. Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi and Jeremy Doku all scored in a blistering second-half performance at Stamford Bridge as City took full advantage of Arsenal’s shock defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday. Tottenham’s survival fight took another blow after a 1-0 loss to Sunderland left it rooted in the relegation zone.

WORDS: 780 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 3:36 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3387b212c54b61a66630d12956037ded&mediaType=text

___

GLF--MASTERS-GARCIA’S ANTICS

Sergio Garcia breaks driver in frustration, then gets code-of-conduct warning, a first at Masters

SUMMARY: Sergio Garcia broke his driver on No. 2 at Augusta National after an outburst on the tee box and was issued a code-of-conduct warning, a first at the Masters. Garcia lost it on the second tee box after an opening bogey, slamming his club into the turf twice, then took a swipe at a table with a green cooler on it. That left the head of his driver dangling from the shaft, and Garcia reached over and yanked it off completely. According to club officials, Geoff Yang in his role as chairman of the competitions committee spoke to Garcia on the fourth tee and issued the code-of-conduct warning.

WORDS: 596 - MOVED: 04/12/2026 2:39 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bd16cb6b67eacd6b3109b053aedfe46f&mediaType=text

___