For the first time in four years, it will soon be a great day for playoff hockey in Pittsburgh.

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.

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.

Justin Rose is back in contention at the Masters.

A federal judge has denied a bid by prediction market operator Kalshi to bar Arizona prosecutors from moving forward with a criminal case against the company.

Prediction markets let people wager on anything from a basketball game to the outcome of a presidential election — and recently, even the fate of the U.S. and Israel’s war against Iran.

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.

Joel Embiid had an appendectomy in Houston after Philadelphia’s star big man was stricken with appendicitis overnight.

The Justice Department is investigating the NFL for potential anticompetitive practices, according to a government official.

Athletics pitcher Jeffrey Springs has a no-hitter through six innings against the New York Yankees.

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.

Jayson Tatum wanted to walk off the floor as a winner in his return to Madison Square Garden.

The Big Ten amassed nearly $70 million in revenue from NCAA distributions awarded for team appearances and performances in the 2026 men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.

Xander Schauffele’s tee shot on the par-5 eighth hole at Augusta National came to rest in somebody’s merchandise bag.

Gary Player believes Tiger Woods should avoid driving because of his medication use for pain management.

Colton Herta’s hopes of returning to the Indianapolis 500 in the middle of his bid to reach Formula 1 have taken a hit with a calendar clash after Formula 2 races were rescheduled.

As Rory McIlroy was warming up on the practice range, Jack Nicklaus was busy touting the star from Northern Ireland by saying he had a “very, very good chance” to repeat as Masters champion.

Major League Baseball’s average salary rose 3.4% on opening day to a record $5.34 million, according to a study by The Associated Press, and the New York Mets topped spending at the season’s start for the fourth straight year.

Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson got the Masters underway, hitting the ceremonial first tee shots on a postcard-perfect day at Augusta National.

For the third straight season, the road to the NBA title goes through Oklahoma City.

The best way for the Edmonton Oilers to shake off a tough loss was to let Connor McDavid take over the game.

Rory McIlroy has been savoring his Masters win all week at Augusta National.

Connor McDavid scored his 15th career hat trick and finished with five points, leading the Edmonton Oilers to a 5-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks that moved them into sole possession of first place in the Pacific Division.

Many Iranian soccer fans in the U.S. have conflicting emotions about their homeland's beloved national team as the World Cup comes to North America.

The Associated Press has learned an NCAA panel is scheduled to discuss potential changes to eligibility rules that would incorporate age into the process.

Tommy Fleetwood's 8-year-old son Frankie nearly stole the show at Augusta National on Wednesday.

Angel Martinez belted a grand slam and had a career-high four hits, and rookie Chase DeLauter delivered a two-run double to lift the Cleveland Guardians to a 10-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals.

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Jorge Soler and Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo López each received seven-game suspensions from Major League Baseball on Wednesday after they were ejected following their participation in a brawl.

Davey Lopes, a longtime Los Angeles Dodgers infielder and premier base stealer, has died.

Comedian Kevin Hart caddied for Bryson DeChambeau in the Par 3 Contest at Augusta National.

Hall of Famer Sue Bird watched the WNBA on NBC growing up.

Scottie Scheffler has two kids and two Masters titles.

Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle have been ruled out for the San Antonio Spurs' game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski says James Pearce Jr. has not reported to Atlanta's voluntary workouts.

Everyone knows about the azaleas and dogwoods at Augusta National during the Masters.

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.

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.

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 tournament record at the Masters is 63 and has been for three decades.

Konnor Griffin has signed a nine-year, $140 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia adds another solo goal to his collection as defending champion Paris Saint-Germain beats Liverpool 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal.

Atletico Madrid scored twice after Barcelona was reduced to 10 men to earn a valuable 2-0 road win and take the advantage in their Champions League quarterfinal.

Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick downplayed his mid-game shouting match with Jarred Vanderbilt during their loss to Oklahoma City.

Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo López and Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Jorge Soler were ejected after getting into a brawl Tuesday night.

Jayson Tatum knew it would happen eventually.

Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar isn’t ready to plan any parades just yet.

Valeri Nichushkin scored twice and Colorado Avalanche beat the St. Louis Blues 3-1 on Tuesday night to clinch the Central Division and the top seed in the Western Conference.

Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick says he just wants to move on after the Dallas Mavericks contradicted his contention that their medical staff incorrectly conducted an MRI on Austin Reaves last weekend.

Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers, the NBA’s winningest active coach and someone ranking sixth on the league’s all-time victory list, hinted Tuesday that he might consider giving up his role on the sideline when this tumultuous Bucks season ends.

Fernando Mendoza, expected to go first overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, will watch the NFL draft with family and friends in Miami, someone with knowledge of the quarterback’s plans said Tuesday.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Cade Horton will miss the rest of the 2026 season after an MRI revealed UCL damage in his right elbow.

The start of John Harbaugh's first offseason program as coach of the New York Giants comes with a significant absence looming over it.

Rory McIlroy thought winning the Masters was one of the greatest days of his career.

Michigan men’s basketball returned to campus as national champions and coach Dusty May told the fans who greeted them at the Crisler Center that “this trophy is yours.”.

Gary Woodlands is back at the Masters this week, fresh off his victory at the Houston Open.

The Atlantic Division's hierarchy has shifted this season with the sudden rise of the Buffalo Sabres and continued upward trajectory of the Montreal Canadiens.

North Carolina has hired NBA championship-winning coach Michael Malone to lead the Tar Heels’ basketball program.

South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley says it is time to move past her Final Four skirmish with UConn coach Geno Auriemma that became the talk of the tournament.

Michigan is No. 1 in the final Associated Press Top 25 men’s college basketball poll for the 2025-26 season after winning the program’s first national championship in 37 years.

Bernhard Langer celebrates his footnote in history at the Masters this week.

Kansas big man Flory Bidunga, Wake Forest’s Juke Harris and Saint Mary’s Paulius Murauskas are among the parade of players entering the transfer portal on the first of 15 days Division I men’s basketball players can go looking for a new school.

Out of the Premier League title race.

Colin Kaepernick will publish his life story, “The Perilous Fight,” on Sept. 15.

United States international Patrick Agyemang will miss his home World Cup after suffering a serious Achilles tendon injury.

Kai Havertz scored in stoppage time to give Arsenal a 1-0 win in the first leg of its Champions League quarterfinal against Sporting Lisbon.

Harry Kane delivered for Bayern Munich on his return from injury, scoring a goal and helping set up another in the team’s 2-1 win over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.

Justin Rose is the eternal optimist when it comes to the Masters.

First-time participants almost never win the Masters.

UConn executed coach Dan Hurley’s game plan in a national championship slugfest against Michigan.

Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras had a warning for the Milwaukee Brewers after he was hit on the hand by a pitch from right-hander Brandon Woodruff.

Michigan has won a national championship with a roster full of transfers.

The Memphis Grizzlies made 29 3-pointers against Cleveland, matching an NBA single-game record.

Victor Wembanyama suffered a left rib contusion and was ruled out of the second half of San Antonio’s 115-102 win over Philadelphia on Monday night, leaving the status of the Spurs’ center for the rest of the regular season in doubt.

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who led the major leagues with 60 home runs last year, hit his first of the 2026 season Monday night following a 10-game drought.

There’s been a lot of postgame thinking to do for Tony Vitello given the new Giants manager’s frustrating 3-8 start in his jump from college coach to the major leagues.

With cowbells ringing in the stands, Bryan Baker was fired up after striking out Pete Crow-Armstrong to give the Tampa Bay Rays a triumphant return to Tropicana Field.

North Carolina is working toward finalizing a deal with NBA championship-winning coach Michael Malone to take over the Tar Heels' basketball program.

The New Jersey Devils are parting ways with general manager Tom Fitzgerald in an abrupt late-season change of direction for a team that is set to miss the playoffs.

Cedric Mullins, Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero homered and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Chicago Cubs 6-4 in their first game at Tropicana Field in 561 days.

Patrick Reed is back at the Masters, walking among the Georgia pines.

Tiger Woods is a topic of conversation at the Masters without even being there.

The New York Mets will retire Carlos Beltrán’s No. 15 and he will enter the team’s hall of fame before their home game against the Philadelphia Phillies on September 19.

The anticipation of winter weather has forced the New York Mets, Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox to change scheduled night games to afternoon starts on Tuesday.

The Chicago Bulls fired executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley, ending a six-year run that produced just one playoff appearance.

Audi Crooks is one of nine Iowa State players who officially entered the NCAA transfer portal Monday on the first day it was open.

Three-time Pro Bowl nose tackle Dexter Lawrence has requested a trade from the New York Giants and won't attend their offseason workout program, three people familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press.

New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto is projected to miss two to three weeks because of a strained right calf.

Major League Baseball's first week of challenges to robot umpires shows catchers outperforming batters.

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.

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.

High-scoring Michigan had to get down and dirty to dig out the national title, making only two 3-pointers all night but still muscling its way to a 69-63 victory over stingy, stubborn UConn.

Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior has praised Barcelona star Lamine Yamal for publicly condemning anti-Muslim chants in a recent match.

The Eastern Conference playoff race has a distinctly different look now than it did in late March.

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.

Coach Dusty May saw Tarris Reed Jr.’s potential on tape when he took the Michigan job.

Cori Close and the UCLA Bruins are going to have to work hard to repeat as champions.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees are off to good starts — and their MVPs are finally starting to hit.

Cooper Flagg scored 45 points and the Dallas Mavericks ended their longest home losing streak in 32 years at 14 games with a 134-128 victory over the depleted Los Angeles Lakers.

The WNBA and its players’ union agreed to start free agency on Monday, the league announced Sunday.

Lauren Coughlin made sure victory was never truly in doubt Sunday in the Aramco Championship in rolling to a five-shot win over Nelly Korda and the rest of the star-studded field.