Sports

By CLAY BAILEY Associated Press MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Two-time All-Star guard Ja Morant was welcomed back Wednesday night with a standing ovation and cheers throughout the arena in his first action after missing nine games — eight because of an NBA suspension. Morant, who was not in the starting lineup against the Houston Rockets,

By JOHN MARSHALL and MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writers LAS VEGAS (AP) — Drew Timme and Jaime Jaquez Jr. grew up in different states, yet often came across each other at AAU tournaments, sometimes as roommates. The two fancy-footworking forwards with the fantastic facial hair will be reunited Thursday night in Las Vegas, when Gonzaga

By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer NFL tight end Foster Moreau posted on Twitter on Wednesday he was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma during a physical with the New Orleans Saints. “I’m grateful for the support and thankful for people who have stood firm with me,” Moreau tweeted. “There hasn’t been a single step I’ve taken

By JAY COHEN AP Sports Writer CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks will not wear Pride-themed warmup jerseys before Sunday’s Pride Night game against Vancouver because of security concerns involving a Russian law that expands restrictions on activities seen as promoting LGBTQ rights in the country. The decision was made by the NHL organization following

By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nick Smith Jr. is a potential NBA lottery pick who has faced high expectations since signing with Arkansas. The freshman guard was the USA Today Boys Basketball Player of the Year and 247Sports’ top prospect. Knee injuries limited his playing time this season. Then his

By BRIAN HALL Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns is set to return Wednesday night for the Minnesota Timberwolves after missing 51 games with a right calf strain. Towns, a three-time All-Star, has been out since Nov. 28. Towns was averaging 20.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 21 games before the injury.

LYON, France (AP) — Lyon’s chances of a seventh Women’s Champions League title in eight years were hit by losing 1-0 to Chelsea in the first leg of the quarterfinals. Guro Reiten’s curling strike in the 28th minute puts Chelsea in control against the defending champions heading into the second leg next week at Stamford

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Both editions of March Madness have proven to be must-see TV for basketball fans. The first two rounds of the women’s tournament averaged a record 391,000 viewers, a 28% increase over last year. The men’s first round on March 16-17 averaged 9.2 million viewers on CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. The

CHICAGO (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden has been ruled out for the team’s game at Chicago because of left Achilles soreness. Harden played almost 47 minutes during Monday night’s double-overtime loss to the Bulls, finishing with five points on 2-for-14 shooting and 12 assists. He is averaging 21.4 points and an NBA-high 10.8

By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani has stepped up his attempt to buy Manchester United by stating his intention to make a second bid for the iconic soccer team. The chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank has said he wants to return the club to the

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Aly Khalifa scored 14 of his 20 points in the first half, Montre’ Gipson made three 3-pointer in the second half, and No. 3 seed Charlotte held off No. 8 seed Eastern Kentucky 71-68 on Wednesday night in the championship game of the College Basketball Invitational. Charlotte (22-14) finished the

By JOHN MARSHALL AP Basketball Writer LAS VEGAS (AP) — Arkansas coach Eric Musselman and UConn’s Dan Hurley have fiery demeanors, just like their fathers. The coaches’ sons will meet in the Sweet 16 in Las Vegas, pulling them one step closer to college basketball’s ultimate goal. Musselman absorbed everything from his father, Bill, as

By MARK LONG AP Sports Writer Don’t expect Danny or Brian White to talk any trash this week even though the brothers will be behind opposite benches in the Sweet 16 at Madison Square Garden. The athletic directors for Tennessee and Florida Atlantic, respectively, insist the stakes are too high for them to be anything

By BERNIE WILSON AP Sports Writer SAN DIEGO (AP) — Brian Dutcher will always be known as the guy who spent all those years at Steve Fisher’s side, winning the NCAA title at Michigan in 1989 and recruiting the Fab Five before helping to build San Diego State into a West Coast power. It’s a

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo says his difficult second spell with Manchester United made him a better man. Ronaldo opened up briefly about his troubles at the English club ahead of Portugal’s match against Liechtenstein in qualifying for the European Championship on Thursday. He is set to break the all-time record for appearances with

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms with two free agents: wide receiver Brandon Powell and linebacker Troy Reeder. Both Powell and Reeder were on the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams team in the 2021 season with current Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell. He was the offensive coordinator there. Powell is

DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic is returning from a five-game injury absence, but fellow star Kyrie Irving is out for the Dallas Mavericks in a key game against Golden State. Doncic missed two weeks with a left thigh strain. Irving is sidelined again by a right foot injury that was aggravated in the previous game

By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — The Las Vegas Raiders signed tight end Austin Hooper and cornerback David Long Jr. on Wednesday. Hooper caught 41 passes for 444 yards and two touchdowns last season with the Tennessee Titans. He is the potential replacement for Darren Waller. Hooper is a two-time Pro

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans don’t yet know who their quarterback will be next season and beyond. But whoever it is will be well protected with left tackle Laremy Tunsil signing a three-year $75 million extension that makes him the highest-paid left tackle in the NFL and will

LYON, France (AP) — Guro Reiten’s first-half goal helped Chelsea beat Lyon 1-0 to put the London club a step closer to the semifinals of the Women’s Champions League. The Norway international’s curling strike in the 28th minute puts Chelsea in control against the defending champions heading into their quarterfinal second leg next week at