Another record for LeBron: He ties Robert Parish by appearing in his 1,611th NBA regular-season game
MIAMI (AP) — LeBron James started for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Miami Heat, making it the 1,611th regular-season game of his career and tying Robert Parish’s all-time NBA mark. Parish held the record for nearly 30 years. He has now been caught by James, someone who now has yet another record on what seems like an endless resume of accomplishment within the game. James is also the NBA leader in, among many categories, points, seasons played, All-NBA nods and All-Star selections.
No. 11 seed VCU erases 19-point deficit, stuns sixth-seeded North Carolina 82-78 in OT
GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Terrence Hill Jr. made a stepback 3-pointer with 15 seconds left in overtime and No. 11 VCU erased from a 19-point second-half deficit to stun sixth-seeded North Carolina 82-78 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Hill finished 7 for 10 from 3-point range and scored 23 of 34 points after halftime as VCU (28-7) won its first NCAA Tournament game since 2016. Nyk Lewis added 16 points, including two clutch free throws, to seal the game for the Rams, who’ll face the winner of No. 14 Penn and No. 3 Illinois in the second round on Saturday. Henri Veesaar had 26 points and 10 rebounds for the Tar Heels (25-8), who went 0-3 after star Caleb Wilson was ruled out for the season with an injury.
High Point's upset starts run of 4 wins by double-digit seeds, busting March Madness brackets
The NCAA Tournament brackets have already been busted for millions of college basketball fans. High Point's upset of Wisconsin played a major factor in ending the hopes of a perfect bracket for more than 25 million who entered ESPN's perfect bracket challenge. The network reported that just over 24,000 of 26.5 million brackets remained perfect through 12 of the first 16 games. The odds of correctly picking every game during the three-week tournament can rise to as much as one in 9.2 quintillion.
The Warriors know they're headed back to the play-in tournament; other teams might think the same
Golden State coach Steve Kerr can do the math. He knows the Warriors are headed to the play-in tournament. The Warriors have 13 games left in the regular season and their loss in Boston on Wednesday night left them 8 1/2 games out of sixth place and the final guaranteed playoff spot in the Western Conference. That said, they’re also 8 1/2 games ahead of 11th place. So, while it’s still mathematically possible that the Warriors end up outside of play-in tournament range, Kerr knows that won’t be the reality.
WNBA players briefed on a transformational 7-year CBA with a $7M 2026 salary cap
NEW YORK (AP) — WNBA players are having information sessions over the next day or two to learn more about the new collective bargaining agreement that was agreed to in principle early Wednesday morning. Through zoom calls and one-on-one conversations the players are hearing about some of the details of the transformational new deal that will last for the next seven years with an opt-out after six, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the discussions.
FIFA fines Israel, denies key Palestinian complaint and urges Iran to fulfill World Cup schedule
GENEVA (AP) — FIFA has fined the Israeli soccer federation for breaching anti-discrimination regulations but it took no action on a Palestinian request to suspend Israel from global soccer for allowing clubs based in West Bank settlements. Also, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has further dampened Iran’s attempts to move its World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico, saying global soccer’s governing body wants the tournament “to go ahead as scheduled.” Infantino reiterated FIFA is not moving toward granting Iranian requests to move the team’s three World Cup group games in June from the United States to Mexico.
MLB partners with Polymarket, makes integrity pact with federal commission on prediction markets
Major League Baseball is entering an official partnership with Polymarket and has an agreement with the federal commission overseeing prediction markets to collaborate on integrity concerns. MLB said in a statement it has a memorandum of understanding with Michael S. Selig, the chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, to “further protect the integrity of baseball by ensuring swift response to incidents and anticipating emerging trends more strongly.” Prediction markets have raised concerns from sports leagues already working to combat issues around legal sports gambling.
Chase Johnston hadn't made a 2-pointer all season. His layup gave High Point a March Madness win
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Chase Johnston had tried four 2-point shots all season and missed them all before he made a go-ahead layup in the closing seconds of High Point's March Madness stunner over Wisconsin. The graduate transfer is a 3-point specialist who makes nearly 50% of his shots behind the arc, including 4 of 6 in Thursday's 83-82 win. He didn't try anything flashy when he got free on a fast break for the decisive layup. High Point coach Flynn Clayman says it's “justice” that Johnston made a 2 at such a big moment. He says Johnston has all-around skills but he focuses on 3-pointers in the name of efficiency.
Wembanyama hits winner as Spurs beat Suns 101-100 to end 6-season postseason drought
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama hit a 17-foot, pull-up jumper with a second left and the San Antonio Spurs wrapped up a playoff spot to end a six-season drought, beating the Phoenix Suns 101-100 on Thursday night. Wembanyama had 34 points and 12 rebounds. His winning jumper capped a furious final-minute rally to secure the top-six finish in the Western Conference. De’Aaron Fox added 23 points and Julian Champagnie had 14 in the Spurs’ fourth straight victory. Collin Gillespie scored 24 points and Devin Booker had 22 for the Suns. They remain seventh in the West.
Siena played fearlessly against Duke. It was enough to flirt with an all-time March Madness upset
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Siena flirted with pulling off an all-time shocking upset in March Madness when it faced No. 1 overall tournament seed Duke. The Blue Devils rallied from 13 down to beat the 16th-seeded Saints 71-65. That allowed Duke to avoid suffering only the third-ever loss by a No. 1 seed against a No. 16 seed. The Blue Devils ultimately used an 11-0 in the final 8 minutes to push ahead after trailing nearly all game.
