AP Sports Summary for March 7th, 2025:
At beginning of tough stretch, Lakers show grit with overtime victory over Knicks
LOS ANGELES (AP) — It is fitting that in a town built on movies and television, JJ Redick likes to use a popular directing term to refer to different moments in his first season as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. On Thursday night, the Lakers provided Redick with another memorable callback moment. Los Angeles began a stretch of five games against some of the top teams in the NBA with a 113-109 overtime victory over the New York Knicks. The Lakers have won eight straight and are second in the Western Conference at 40-21.
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson expected to miss time after suffering ankle injury in OT loss to Lakers
LOS ANGELES (AP) — New York star guard Jalen Brunson could miss an extended period of time after suffering an ankle injury during overtime in the Knicks' 113-109 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. Coach Tom Thibodeau said after the game that Brunson was still being examined by the medical staff. Brunson rolled his right ankle with 1:24 remaining in overtime after landing on the foot of Lakers guard Austin Reaves after being fouled on a drive to the basket. Brunson got help up from teammates and stayed in the game to make both free throws and tie it at 107. He then came out and went to the locker room.
After Curry's highlight heave in a 40-point game, Green says the 'NBA is lucky' to watch the showman
NEW YORK (AP) — Perhaps only Stephen Curry could describe his basket as the first half was ending as a "rhythm shot." Who else but the most accomplished outside shooter in history could be in rhythm when he's nearly 40 feet away and not even facing the basket? Curry threw in the turnaround heave from 38 feet with 0.3 seconds left in the second quarter while scoring 40 points in Golden State's 121-119 victory over Brooklyn on Thursday night. Longtime teammate Draymond Green said after the game he was thinking to himself that "the NBA is lucky, because this man is going into every arena and putting on a show."
Bengals All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson receives permission to seek a trade, AP sources say
Two people with knowledge of the move say All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson received permission from the Cincinnati Bengals to seek a trade. Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks this past season. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss personnel moves. ESPN first reported the move after receiving a statement from Hendrickson. Hendrickson had 17 1/2 sacks last season for the second straight year. His 57 sacks since joining the Bengals in 2021 are third-most in the league over the past four seasons.
Browns restructure Watson's contract to get under the salary cap, AP source says
Deshaun Watson's contract has been reworked again by the Cleveland Browns as the team looks to clear salary cap space with the new league year less than one week away. A person with knowledge of the move tells The Associated Press the latest restructuring of the quarterback's contract will clear nearly $36 million in cap space for the Browns. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the move, which was first reported by ESPN. The Browns were nearly $22 million over the cap before restructuring Watson's deal. It is the second time in three months that Watson's contract was reworked.
Avalanche acquire Brock Nelson from the Islanders on the eve of the NHL trade deadline
The Colorado Avalanche made a big splash on the eve of the NHL trade deadline by getting center Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders. The move came hours after the Western Conference-rival Vegas Golden Knights reacquired winger Reilly Smith in a deal with the New York Rangers. Much of the action Thursday came in the East, where New Jersey added on defense with Brian Dumoulin, Florida got depth center Nico Sturm and the Rangers also bought by acquiring Carson Soucy from Vancouver.
Avalanche standout Cale Makar has 6-point game to break franchise record for defenseman
DENVER (AP) — The ever-modest Cale Makar did all he could to downplay his two-goal, four-assist night. It was a performance that just so happened to be the most productive scoring night by a defenseman in franchise history. Teammate Nathan MacKinnon made sure to put Makar's achievement in proper perspective as well as his entire season. MacKinnon said it's tough to find a better player in the league. Makar became the third defenseman in the last 30 years to notch six points in a game. He joins Kris Letang in 2023 and Sheldon Souray in 2004, according to NHL Stats.
US offers $10 million reward for fugitive snowboarder accused of running deadly drug ring
LOS ANGELES (AP) — There's a $10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of a former Olympic snowboarder for Canada who is wanted for running a multi-national drug trafficking network and planning multiple murders related to the drug ring. The FBI has added 43-year-old Ryan Wedding to its 10 Most Wanted list, while also announcing the State Department's $10 million offer. Wedding was charged last June with murder and drug crimes. Those charges were augmented in September in an indictment that alleged Wedding and others arranged the shipment of some 60 tons of cocaine a year. Wedding finished 24th in parallel giant slalom at the 2002 Olympics.
Outfielder Lawrence Butler agrees to $65.5 million, 7-year deal with A's, AP source says
A person with direct knowledge of the negotiations says outfielder Lawrence Butler has agreed to a $65.5 million, seven-year contract with the Athletics. The agreement, first reported by ESPN, includes a team option for 2032 and was subject to a successful physical, the person said, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract hasn't been completed. Butler, a 24-year-old who was a sixth-round pick in the 2018 amateur draft, hit .262 average, 22 home runs and 18 stolen bases last year.
Wyndham Clark handles a stressful test at Bay Hill to lead by 2
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Wyndham Clark has the lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational after a brutal day of cold and wind at Bay Hill. Clark played in the afternoon and got a slight reprieve with calmer wind. But his 67 was still the highest score to lead at Bay Hill in eight years. He leads by two shots over a group that includes Shane Lowry and Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley. Rory McIlroy bogeyed his last hole for a 70. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler battled to a 71. Only 14 players in the 72-man field of this signature event managed to break par.
AP-Scorecard
Here are the scores from yesterday's sports events:
___
INTERLEAGUE
Final Tampa Bay 5 Philadelphia 4
Final San Francisco 7 Chicago White Sox 3
Final Texas 8 San Diego 2
Final L.A. Dodgers 8 Texas 4
Final Pittsburgh 9 Baltimore 5
Final Houston 5 N.Y. Mets 1
Final Cleveland 4 Arizona 0
Final Kansas City 9 Chicago Cubs 3
Final Milwaukee 10 Athletics 0
Final Arizona 11 Seattle 4
___
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Final Toronto 7 Boston 4
Final Minnesota 8 N.Y. Yankees 4
Final L.A. Angels 5 Seattle 5
___
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Final Washington 12 St. Louis 1
Final Miami 1 Atlanta 1
___
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Final Chicago 125 Orlando 123
Final Boston 123 Philadelphia 105
Final Atlanta 124 Indiana 118
Final Golden State 121 Brooklyn 119
Final Houston 109 New Orleans 97
Final OT L.A. Lakers 113 New York 109
___
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final Winnipeg 4 Philadelphia 1
Final Utah 4 Detroit 2
Final Carolina 3 Boston 2
Final Florida 3 Columbus 0
Final Tampa Bay 6 Buffalo 5
Final Nashville 5 Seattle 3
Final OT Dallas 3 Calgary 2
Final OT Edmonton 3 Montreal 2
Final Colorado 7 San Jose 3
___
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final (8)Michigan St. 91 Iowa 84
___
TODAY'S SPORTS SCHEDULE
___
INTERLEAGUE
Miami at Boston 1:05 p.m.
Atlanta at Minnesota 1:05 p.m.
Chi Cubs at Chi White Sox 3:05 p.m.
Arizona at L-A Angels 3:10 p.m.
Houston at St. Louis 6:05 p.m.
Texas at Colorado 8:40 p.m.
L-A Dodgers at Seattle 8:40 p.m.
___
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Minnesota at Tampa Bay 1:05 p.m.
Cleveland at Athletics 3:05 p.m.
L-A Angels at Kansas City 3:05 p.m.
Baltimore at Detroit 6:05 p.m.
Toronto at N-Y Yankees 6:35 p.m.
___
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh 1:05 p.m.
San Francisco at Cincinnati 3:05 p.m.
San Diego at Milwaukee 3:10 p.m.
N-Y Mets at Washington 6:05 p.m.
___
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Cleveland at Charlotte 7 p.m.
Memphis at Dallas 7:30 p.m.
Utah at Toronto 7:30 p.m.
Minnesota at Miami 8 p.m.
Portland at Oklahoma City 8 p.m.
Phoenix at Denver 10 p.m.
San Antonio at Sacramento 10 p.m.
New York at L.A. Clippers 10:30 p.m.
___
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Detroit at Washington 7 p.m.
Winnipeg at New Jersey 7 p.m.
Utah at Chicago 8:30 p.m.
Minnesota at Vancouver 10 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Vegas 10 p.m.
St. Louis at Anaheim 10 p.m.
___
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
South Florida at (16)Memphis 9 p.m.
(18)Purdue at Illinois 8 p.m.
___