preview Page 3 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Timberwolves not worried about seed, want higher level of play vs. Hornets
The Minnesota Timberwolves are not overly obsessed with which specific seed they end up with in the NBA's Western Conference playoffs.,It's more important that the Timberwolves feel healthy and are playing well when the postseason tips off.,Minnesota (46-31) will try to snap out of a recent funk whe...

South Carolina, UCLA face off in national championship game
PHOENIX -- Perennial powers South Carolina and UCLA avenged recent setbacks in the semifinals of the NCAA women's Final Four on Friday.,Each could do it again when they meet in the championship game Sunday afternoon.,UCLA (36-1) broke the Gamecocks' 43-game winning streak in a 77-62 victory in their...

LeBron James, depleted Lakers face Mavericks
The Los Angeles Lakers head into the final week of the regular season with an opportunity to sew up home-court advantage for the first round of the NBA Playoffs, but they begin the final push Sunday at Dallas with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined.,Doncic, a 2026 Most Valuable Player candidate...

Cavaliers, eyeing home edge for playoffs, face Pacers
The Cleveland Cavaliers accomplished their first goal of the season by clinching a playoff berth during their three-game Western Conference road trip.,Next up for Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and the Cavaliers is locking up homecourt advantage in the opening round. They host the Indiana Pacers, wh...

Magic out to build on strong effort, keep Pelicans reeling
When the Orlando Magic put it altogether at the offensive end, they are one of the most dangerous teams in the NBA.,That's the view of center Wendell Carter Jr. ahead of the Magic's road clash with the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday.,Carter scored a season-best 28 points and Desmond Bane had 27 as O...

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks at impasse as Grizzlies visit
With five regular-season games left, there won't be a postseason for the struggling Milwaukee Bucks, but that doesn't mean the team's star, Giannis Antetokounmpo, wants to sit out the remaining games.,The Bucks (30-47) host the Memphis Grizzlies (25-52) on Sunday afternoon.,Antetokounmpo, who has mi...

Bulls in spoiler mode as Suns aim to move up West standings
Vying for postseason positioning in the final week of the regular season, the Phoenix Suns close out a four-game road swing on Sunday with a matinee against the Chicago Bulls.,Phoenix (42-35), sitting in seventh in the Western Conference and occupying the top play-in round spot entering Saturday, fa...

LAFC bring shutout streak into match vs. goal-hungry Orlando
Los Angeles FC will look to extend their shutout streak deeper into record territory when they host Orlando City on Saturday.,LAFC (4-0-1, 13 points) have yet to lose or allow a goal over five regular-season matches, outscoring opponents by an 8-0 margin. The 450 scoreless minutes to open a season i...

Dynamo return home to face defense-first Sounders
The Houston Dynamo will turn to their home-pitch advantage as a decisive factor when they host the road-weary Seattle Sounders on Saturday in a Western Conference matchup.,Houston (2-2-0, 6 points) returns from the international break after a 4-3 loss at FC Dallas on March 21 in the Dynamo's only ro...

Unbeaten Nashville SC to be tested by Fire's improved defense
Entering Saturday night's match at the Chicago Fire, Nashville SC are one of two unbeaten teams in MLS with a 4-0-1 mark, good for 13 points and a spot atop the Eastern Conference table.,Yet it feels there's evidence Nashville can get better than it already is, even though it has outscored its oppon...

NYCFC won't overlook slow-starting St. Louis City
For some MLS clubs, the season's first international break was like a basketball team going into the locker room at halftime up by double digits.,Sure, it's nice to get some rest, but how much momentum will be sacrificed as a result?,New York City FC will find out the answer to that question when th...

Lionel Messi, Inter Miami christen Nu Stadium with visit from Austin FC
Inter Miami will open the home Lionel Messi helped build when they host Austin FC on Saturday night.,The match will be the first at the Herons' permanent home, the 26,700-seat Nu Stadium, constructed slightly northwest of downtown Miami.,While approval for construction came before Messi joined Miami...

Mammoth getting hot at right time with visit to Canucks up next
The Utah Mammoth continue their quest for a playoff position looking to cap a perfect, and dominant, road trip on Saturday against the lowly Vancouver Canucks.,Utah (39-30-6, 84 points) has a firm grasp on the Western Conference's first wild-card spot, with a five-point edge on their closest competi...

D.C. United host FC Dallas, hoping offense can match their defense
Rene Weiler's transformation of D.C. United's defense from slipshod to steely has been one of the top storylines in the opening weeks of the MLS season.,D.C. United's suddenly formidable 11 will be tested Saturday in Washington when they take on offensive-minded FC Dallas.,After surrendering more go...

Sabres get 2nd shot to end record postseason drought vs. Capitals
After missing out on their first opportunity to clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Buffalo Sabres hope to be officially locked in by the end of Saturday night when they visit the Washington Capitals.,The Sabres (46-22-8, 100 points) had a chance to end their NHL-record 14-year postseason...

Red-hot Canadiens pushing for division title entering Devils clash
The time is now for the up-and-coming Montreal Canadiens.,The NHL's hottest team rides into Saturday's clash with the New Jersey Devils in Newark, N.J. holding a league-best seven-game win streak, while sniper Cole Caufield will be looking to etch his name in the history books with his 50th goal of ...

Kings can't afford slow start in playoff chase game vs. Maple Leafs
The Los Angeles Kings are in a desperate tussle for a playoff spot and need to avoid another slow start Saturday night against the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs.,The Kings (30-26-19, 79 points) fell behind the visiting Nashville Predators 3-0 Thursday before tying the game at 4 in the third period.,T...

Charlotte FC vow 'no complacency' vs. 0-5-0 Union
Charlotte FC coach Dean Smith has a theme for his team going into Saturday night's match against the visiting Philadelphia Union.,"No complacency," he said.,It's easy to see why that might be an issue. While Charlotte (2-1-2, 8 points) enters fourth in the East table after setting a franchise record...

Crew 'focus on the process' in search of first win at Atlanta
The struggling Columbus Crew will try to pick up their first win of the season when they visit Atlanta United on Saturday evening.,After opening their season with a 3-2 loss to the Portland Timbers and drawing their next two, the Crew (0-3-2, 2 points) enter play on a two-match losing streak. Only f...

Panthers could be spoilers as they open back-to-back set at Penguins
The Florida Panthers start a five-game road trip Saturday in Pittsburgh on the verge of making history. Only this time, it's for a dubious distinction.,The Panthers (37-35-3, 77 points) are on the cusp of playoff elimination. Should that happen, they would become the sixth Stanley Cup champion to mi...