Doncic and James propel Lakers to 113-109 overtime victory over Knicks for 8th straight win

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic scored 32 points, LeBron James added 31 and the Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to eight games, defeating the New York Knicks 113-109 in overtime. Doncic also had 12 assists and eight rebounds. He had five points in overtime as the Lakers improved to 9-2 since he made his LA debut on Feb. 10. James scored the Lakers’ final four points, all at the foul line, and finished with 12 rebounds and eight assists. Los Angeles trailed by double-digits midway through the fourth quarter before rallying. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 39 points and 10 assists before leaving in overtime with a foot injury.

Knicks guard Jalen Brunson expected to miss time after suffering ankle injury in OT loss to Lakers

LOS ANGELES (AP) — New York star guard Jalen Brunson could miss an extended period of time after suffering an ankle injury during overtime in the Knicks’ 113-109 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. Coach Tom Thibodeau said after the game that Brunson was still being examined by the medical staff. Brunson rolled his right ankle with 1:24 remaining in overtime after landing on the foot of Lakers guard Austin Reaves after being fouled on a drive to the basket. Brunson got help up from teammates and stayed in the game to make both free throws and tie it at 107. He then came out and went to the locker room.

After Curry’s highlight heave in a 40-point game, Green says the ‘NBA is lucky’ to watch the showman

NEW YORK (AP) — Perhaps only Stephen Curry could describe his basket as the first half was ending as a “rhythm shot.” Who else but the most accomplished outside shooter in history could be in rhythm when he’s nearly 40 feet away and not even facing the basket? Curry threw in the turnaround heave from 38 feet with 0.3 seconds left in the second quarter while scoring 40 points in Golden State’s 121-119 victory over Brooklyn on Thursday night. Longtime teammate Draymond Green said after the game he was thinking to himself that “the NBA is lucky, because this man is going into every arena and putting on a show.”

Bengals All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson receives permission to seek a trade, AP sources say

Two people with knowledge of the move say All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson received permission from the Cincinnati Bengals to seek a trade. Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks this past season. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss personnel moves. ESPN first reported the move after receiving a statement from Hendrickson. Hendrickson had 17 1/2 sacks last season for the second straight year. His 57 sacks since joining the Bengals in 2021 are third-most in the league over the past four seasons.

Browns restructure Watson’s contract to get under the salary cap, AP source says

Deshaun Watson’s contract has been reworked again by the Cleveland Browns as the team looks to clear salary cap space with the new league year less than one week away. A person with knowledge of the move tells The Associated Press the latest restructuring of the quarterback’s contract will clear nearly $36 million in cap space for the Browns. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the move, which was first reported by ESPN. The Browns were nearly $22 million over the cap before restructuring Watson’s deal. It is the second time in three months that Watson’s contract was reworked.

At the bobsled and skeleton world championships, some moms might make their way to the podium

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (AP) — The latest addition to the list of amenities available to athletes at the bobsled and skeleton world championships is a room inside a lodge just down the hill from the finish line. There are some stuffed animals, tons of toys, Mickey Mouse coloring books and big boxes of crayons. This is the family space. These days, it’s a needed part of the sliding circuit. There are five mothers who qualified to compete in the world championships that got underway Thursday in Lake Placid. They are U.S. skeleton athlete Kelly Curtis, Swiss bobsledder Nadja Pasternack and U.S. bobsledders Elana Meyers Taylor, Kaillie Humphries and Jasmine Jones.

Efforts by Georgia lawmakers to legalize sports betting fizzle again

ATLANTA (AP) — It turns out 2025 isn’t the year for legalized sports betting in Georgia. Efforts to send a state constitutional amendment to voters failed Thursday, as neither the amendment nor a bill laying out details ever came to a vote in the state legislature. Voters in Missouri narrowly approved sports betting in a 2024 referendum, making it the 39th state to legalize the practice. But like in Georgia, legalization faces hurdles in the other 10 remaining states that bar sports gambling. The Georgia measures could still be revived in the last month of the session, but it has become much less likely.

Sports is a powerful tool for grassroots empowerment. A Philly basketball coach made it her focus

Throughout her eight-year coaching tenure, Beulah Osueke built the West Catholic Lady Burrs from an afterthought to a championship-winning program. The Philadelphia high school’s girls basketball team secured six district titles and won the school’s first basketball state title in 2021 under Osueke. But teaching Black teenage girls their worth and how to respond to discrimination is what Osueke considers her biggest victory. That outreach shows how sports can be a tool for empowerment and teaching life lessons, said Ketra Armstrong, director of the Center for Race and Ethnicity in Sport at the University of Michigan. She says that’s more important now than ever as President Donald Trump’s orders dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion programs nationwide.

Outfielder Lawrence Butler agrees to $65.5 million, 7-year deal with A’s, AP source says

A person with direct knowledge of the negotiations says outfielder Lawrence Butler has agreed to a $65.5 million, seven-year contract with the Athletics. The agreement, first reported by ESPN, includes a team option for 2032 and was subject to a successful physical, the person said, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract hasn’t been completed. Butler, a 24-year-old who was a sixth-round pick in the 2018 amateur draft, hit .262 average, 22 home runs and 18 stolen bases last year.

Avalanche acquire Brock Nelson from the Islanders on the eve of the NHL trade deadline

The Colorado Avalanche made a big splash on the eve of the NHL trade deadline by getting center Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders. The move came hours after the Western Conference-rival Vegas Golden Knights reacquired winger Reilly Smith in a deal with the New York Rangers. Much of the action Thursday came in the East, where New Jersey added on defense with Brian Dumoulin, Florida got depth center Nico Sturm and the Rangers also bought by acquiring Carson Soucy from Vancouver.

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