AP Sports Summary for Wednesday, March 27th, 2024.
NFL owners approve a radical overhaul to kickoff rules, adopting setup used in XFL
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Kickoff returns are returning to the NFL. Team owners have approved a new rule that will take what essentially had become "a dead play" and make it an integral part of the game again. The major overhaul to special teams has been in the works for years. It takes elements of the kickoff rules used in the XFL and tweaks them for use in the NFL beginning in 2024. There were 1,970 touchbacks on kickoffs last season that now could be returns. There were 92 fair catches last season that are no longer allowed. Any ball caught in the field of play must be returned.
Utah coach says team was shaken after experiencing racist hate during NCAA Tournament
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Utah coach Lynne Roberts says her team experienced a series of "racial hate crimes" after arriving at its first women's NCAA Tournament hotel in Idaho last week.. She revealed what happened after Utah lost to Gonzaga in the second round on Monday night. Roberts says there were concerns about safety among the traveling party. Utah was staying about 30 miles away in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and was relocated to a different hotel on Friday. Authorities say they are looking into what happened.
Diamondbacks add LHP Jordan Montgomery on $25 million, 1-year deal, according to AP source
PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks and pitcher Jordan Montgomery have agreed on a $25 million, one-year contract with a vesting option for 2025, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because the agreement was subject to a successful physical. If Montgomery makes at least 10 starts this season, the option would become guaranteed at $20 million and the left-hander also would gain the right to opt out. The option price would escalate to $22.5 million if he makes 18 starts and to $25 million if he makes 23 starts — a figure he has reached in three straight seasons. The addition bulks up the defending National League champions' rotation just days before the regular season begins.
Shohei Ohtani could be more open with teammates without 'buffer' Mizuhara, Dodgers manager says
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is optimistic Shohei Ohtani will become closer with his teammates in the absence of former interpreter and constant companion Ippei Mizuhara. Ohtani and Mizuhara were practically inseparable at Angel Stadium during his six years with the Angels, and they spent ample time together away from the ballpark. The changes caused by Mizuhara's firing amid allegations of gambling and theft could be jarring to a baseball star who thrives on routine. But Roberts says he has already seen Ohtani engaging more openly with his teammates in the past few days without Mizuhara around to help.
Be like Caitlin: Iowa's Caitlin Clark is inspiring a younger generation of players
CHANDLER, Ariz. (AP) — Caitlin Clark has reshaped women's college basketball and the perception of it. The Iowa star has made a name for herself by breaking records and stretching the range of shooting possibilities to the midcourt logo. Up-and-coming players have taken notice, working to extend their range to be like Caitlin. Clark also has a superb all-around game and deep work ethic, something coaches can harp on with young players. Clark also has opened the door to what's possible financially through NIL deals through hard work and projecting the right image.
Rangers become 1st NHL team to clinch playoff berth, beat Flyers 6-5 on Fox's quick goal in OT
NEW YORK (AP) — Adam Fox scored 36 seconds into overtime and the New York Rangers became the first NHL team to clinch a playoff spot this season, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 6-5 following a wild third period. Alexis Lafreniere had two goals and Igor Shesterkin made 36 saves for the Rangers, who lead the league with 100 points after giving coach Peter Laviolette his 800th career win. New York technically secured its third consecutive playoff berth just by getting to overtime and earning one point after Detroit lost to Washington in OT. But after the teams traded seven goals in a frenetic third period, it didn't take long for Fox to finish the night in style with a pinpoint wrist shot from the high slot for his career-best 15th goal.
Reaves' triple-double, tiebreaking 3 helps rally Lakers past Bucks in 2OTs without LeBron James
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Austin Reaves had a triple-double and made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 38.6 seconds left in the second overtime as the Los Angeles Lakers overcame the absence of LeBron James and rallied to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 128-124. Reaves had 29 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in 47 minutes as the Lakers opened a six-game trip by winning their fourth straight despite trailing by 19 points in the fourth quarter and never leading in regulation time. Anthony Davis provided 34 points and 23 rebounds while playing 52 minutes. James didn't play due to an issue with his left ankle.
Why did the NFL change the kickoff rule and how will it be implemented?
NFL owners were busy this week, approving a series of rule changes that address player safety, overhaul the kickoff and expanding the use of instant replay. The changes were all overwhelmingly approved but they don't come without some level of controversy, with many players opposing the ban on the use of the "swivel hip-drop" tackle and many questions about how the rules will be enforced and the impact they will have on games.
Djokovic splits with Ivanisevic after winning 12 Grand Slam titles during their partnership
LONDON (AP) — Top-ranked Novak Djokovic has split with his coach Goran Ivanisevic to end an association that began in 2018 and included 12 Grand Slams for the Serbian tennis player. Djokovic writes on Instagram that he stopped working with Ivanisevic "a few days ago." He says "our on-court chemistry had its ups and downs but our friendship was always rock solid." Djokovic took his total to a record 24 men's Grand Slam titles during his partnership with Ivanisevic. Djokovic has yet to win a title in 2024. He lost in the semifinals of the Australian Open in January and the third round in Indian Wells this month.
Top women's college players like Clark and Reese expect NIL deals to stay with them in the pros
Women's college athletes across the United States no longer have to count on a professional contract to earn real money. Basketball players like Caitlin Clark of Iowa and Angel Reese of LSU having some of the top endorsement valuations in college. Both expect their sponsors to stay with them when they turn pro. The perennially popular U.S. women's soccer team, the growth of women's professional soccer and hockey, the wild popularity of volleyball and college softball — and simply more exposure on TV — have all laid a foundation for fans to find what they want to see.
AP-Scorecard
Here are the scores from yesterday's sports events:
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NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Final Golden State 113 Miami 92
Final Oklahoma City 119 New Orleans 112
Final 2OT L.A. Lakers 128 Milwaukee 124
Final Dallas 132 Sacramento 96
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NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final Boston 4 Florida 3
Final Pittsburgh 4 Carolina 1
Final OT Washington 4 Detroit 3
Final OT N-Y Rangers 6 Philadelphia 5
Final New Jersey 6 Toronto 3
Final OT Nashville 5 Vegas 4
Final OT Edmonton 4 Winnipeg 3
Final Chicago 3 Calgary 1
Final Montreal 2 Colorado 1
Final Seattle 4 Anaheim 0
Final Arizona 6 Columbus 2
Final Dallas 6 San Jose 3
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TODAY'S SPORTS SCHEDULE
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NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Brooklyn at Washington 7 p.m.
Cleveland at Charlotte 7 p.m.
Golden State at Orlando 7 p.m.
L.A. Clippers at Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
New York at Toronto 7:30 p.m.
Portland at Atlanta 7:30 p.m.
Detroit at Minnesota 8 p.m.
Houston at Oklahoma City 8 p.m.
Indiana at Chicago 8 p.m.
L.A. Lakers at Memphis 8 p.m.
San Antonio at Utah 9 p.m.
Phoenix at Denver 10 p.m.
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NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Ottawa at Buffalo 7 p.m.
Boston at Tampa Bay 7:30 p.m.