SPORTS

SAN ANTONIO — Victor Wembanyama turned a potential footnote into a statement performance, dropping 40 points and 13 rebounds in just 26 minutes Friday night to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 139-120 victory over the Dallas Mavericks and secure his eligibility for end-of-season NBA awards.

ADELAIDE, Australia — Football fans around the world can tune into a unique AFL 2026 Gather Round matchup Saturday as the North Melbourne Kangaroos host the Brisbane Lions at Barossa Park in Lyndoch, South Australia, with kickoff scheduled for 12:35 p.m. local time (AEST).

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers have officially secured a spot in the 2026 NBA playoffs, guaranteeing their place in the postseason for the first time since acquiring superstar Luka Doncic and ensuring they will avoid the play-in tournament entirely as the regular season winds down.

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers are navigating a late-season injury crisis that has sidelined two of their top offensive weapons for the remainder of the 2025-26 regular season, raising questions about their seeding and early playoff prospects despite already clinching a postseason berth.

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 NBA regular season after suffering a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, dealing a significant blow to both the team's playoff positioning push and his once-promising case for the 2026 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player award.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Scottie Scheffler arrived at Augusta National Golf Club this week as the clear betting favorite to claim a third Masters title, but defending champion Rory McIlroy stole the early spotlight by sharing the first-round lead at 5-under par Thursday in the 90th edition of the season's first major.

MELBOURNE, Australia — In a stunning Billie Jean King Cup debut that sent shockwaves through John Cain Arena, 17-year-old Great Britain teenager Mika Stojsavljevic pulled off a massive upset Friday, defeating Australia's in-form world No. 56 Talia Gibson 7-6 (4), 7-5 to give her team a 1-0 lead in the 2026 qualifiers.

SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry sat out Thursday night's regular-season home finale against the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a cautious knee-injury management plan, but coach Steve Kerr confirmed the 38-year-old point guard is expected to play Friday against the Sacramento Kings and should be available for the upcoming NBA Play-In Tournament.

RIO DE JANEIRO — Former Real Madrid and Brazil left-back Marcelo Vieira has reignited the eternal Lionel Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo debate by declaring the Argentine superstar his most difficult opponent, citing Messi's extraordinary football intelligence and spatial awareness during a candid interview with Brazilian legend Romário.

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic remains sidelined with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain suffered during a blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2, 2026, missing the remainder of the regular season while pursuing specialized treatment in Europe in hopes of returning for the playoffs.

LOS ANGELES — Bronny James found his father LeBron James on a fast-break steal and pass Thursday night, completing the first son-to-father assist in NBA history as the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Golden State Warriors in a late-season matchup that added another indelible chapter to basketball's most famous father-son duo.

LeBron James delivered a vintage all-around performance with 26 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds, powering the Los Angeles Lakers to a 119-103 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night at Chase Center in a matchup that highlighted the contrasting trajectories of two longtime Western Conference rivals.

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic is undergoing specialized medical treatment in Spain for a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, with the team confirming he will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 regular season and his status for the upcoming NBA playoffs remaining uncertain as the postseason approaches.

AUGUSTA, Ga.— Scottie Scheffler arrives at Augusta National as the clear betting favorite to claim his third green jacket Thursday when the 90th Masters Tournament begins, but defending champion Rory McIlroy's bid for back-to-back titles adds drama to a star-studded field packed with major winners and in-form challengers.

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 NBA regular season after suffering a Grade 2 strain in his left hamstring, but the Slovenian phenom is traveling to Europe for specialized medical treatment in hopes of expediting a return for the playoffs, his agent confirmed Wednesday.

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and prominent NFL reporter Dianna Russini pushed back Wednesday against swirling speculation of a romantic relationship, insisting photos of them embracing and holding hands at a luxury Arizona resort captured nothing more than an innocent group interaction.

Australia has produced a remarkable lineage of boxing champions whose skill, courage and cultural impact have left an indelible mark on the sport, from the bare-knuckle era to the modern pay-per-view stage.

SYDNEY — Sydney's golf scene continues to thrive in 2026, blending world-renowned championship layouts with accessible public tracks that draw thousands of locals and visitors each week. With golf participation surging across Australia, the city's courses — from dramatic coastal cliffs to tree-lined parklands — rank among the most sought-after playing experiences in the country.

MADRID — Harry Kane delivered a masterclass on his return from injury as Bayern Munich stunned 15-time champions Real Madrid with a 2-1 victory in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal on Tuesday night at the Santiago Bernabeu.

ADELAIDE, Australia — Darcy Fogarty has emerged as one of the Adelaide Crows' most reliable and scrutinized forwards, blending country-boy roots with elite goal-kicking prowess amid a challenging 2026 season for the club. The 26-year-old full-forward, known for his set-shot accuracy and physical presence, finds himself in the headlines again after a back injury sidelined him following a round of golf, drawing sharp criticism from pundits.

OAKLAND, Calif. — Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos remains day-to-day with a right pelvic contusion that has limited his availability in recent games, ruling him out for Tuesday's matchup against the Sacramento Kings while positioning him for a potential return Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers as the team navigates a critical stretch toward the 2026 NBA play-in tournament.

SYDNEY — In a bittersweet chapter for Australian racing, Quinceanera, the record-breaking $10 million first surviving foal of legendary mare Winx, has been retired without making a single race start or official trial. Owner Debbie Kepitis' Woppitt Bloodstock announced the decision Wednesday, citing veterinary advice and consultation with trainer Chris Waller.

MIAMI — Lionel Messi etched his name into Inter Miami CF history once more Saturday night, scoring the club's first-ever goal at their glittering new Nu Stadium with a powerful 10th-minute header, capping David Beckham's long-awaited $1 billion soccer dream in front of a sold-out, star-studded crowd.

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic remains sidelined with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain suffered in early April, missing the final stretch of the 2025-26 NBA regular season while pursuing aggressive specialized treatment in Europe in hopes of returning for the playoffs.

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique muscle strain, sidelining the 27-year-old for the remainder of the 2025-26 regular season and casting serious doubt on his availability for the start of the NBA playoffs, dealing a major blow to a team already missing co-star Luka Dončić.

The Michigan Wolverines are national champions once again. In a gritty, low-scoring defensive battle, No. 1 seed Michigan held off No. 2 seed UConn 69-63 on Monday night at Lucas Oil Stadium to capture its second NCAA men's basketball title and first since the 1989 championship team.

Kylian Mbappé has firmly dismissed speculation about his fitness and commitment to Real Madrid, insisting he is 100% recovered from a lingering knee issue and fully focused on helping Los Blancos succeed this season ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain in a blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2, 2026, and will miss the remainder of the NBA regular season, with his status for the upcoming playoffs uncertain but hopeful after traveling to Europe for specialized medical treatment.

Cristiano Ronaldo has fully recovered from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for several weeks in February and March, delivering an impressive brace in his first match back for Al Nassr as the 41-year-old Portuguese superstar prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.