KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Big 12 Conference is ditching its slippery new glass floor for a hardwood court for the final two days of the tournament. In a statement Thursday night, Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark said: “After consultation with the coaches of our four semifinal teams, I have decided that in order to provide our student-athletes with the greatest level of comfort on a huge stage this weekend, we will transition to a hardwood court for the remainder of the tournament.” The surface is produced by ASB GlassFloor and has been used at the NBA All-Star Game and in Europe. Numerous players have slipped when trying to plant. On Thursday, Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson strained a muscle slipping in a loss to Iowa State.
GENEVA (AP) — Pushing back on U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments, Iran’s national soccer team says “no one can exclude” it from playing in the men’s World Cup in the United States. Instead, a post on the team’s official Instagram account Thursday suggested maybe the U.S. team should be excluded after Trump indicated that the host country couldn’t guarantee the safety of the Iranian players. Trump wrote in a social media post Thursday it was not safe or appropriate for Iran to come to the World Cup. The Iran team’s riposte on Instagram confirmed it still wants to play in the tournament. Iran is set to play all three of its World Cup group games in the U.S., which is co-hosting the tournament with Mexico and Canada.
NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA and its players’ union met for 16 hours during a third straight day of negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. The session that began at 11 a.m. Thursday ended early Friday morning. The two sides have met for nearly 40 hours since first getting together in-person Tuesday — the day the league had said there would need to be at least a handshake agreement for the season to start on time. The sides exchanged more proposals Thursday and the main sticking point remains revenue sharing.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic doesn’t need an excuse to pile on points, so when Chicago guard Matas Buzelis started jawing with him Thursday night, it became the fuel for his first 50-point game with the Los Angeles Lakers. Doncic turned what he called unprovoked trash talk from Buzelis into 51 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in the Lakers’ 142-130 victory. Doncic had his eighth career 50-point game. Doncic would not disclose what was said by Buzelis, a second-year forward, because, “I would say that I would definitely get a tech.” It wasn’t like Doncic needed any extra inspiration, either.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has broken Wilt Chamberlain’s record for consecutive games with 20 points or more, extending his streak to 127. The Oklahoma City Thunder guard hit two free throws in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics to reach 19 points. With the crowd on its feet, Gilgeous-Alexander pump-faked several times and drilled a jumper over Baylor Scheierman from beyond the free-throw line with 7:04 left in the period to push his total to 21. Chamberlain’s record had stood since 1963. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 35 points and nine assists as the Thunder beat the Celtics 104-102.
NFL free agency spending has reshaped the early pecking order, with a few teams gaining real momentum and others taking hits. On Monday, big moves included the Panthers adding Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd to build an elite defense. The 49ers added Mike Evans and extra line help. The Patriots kept spending to upgrade key spots. The Jets brought Geno Smith back and loaded up on defense. The Rams strengthened their secondary. The Buccaneers slipped after losing Evans and defensive starters. The Eagles and Jaguars also dropped back after losing major pieces.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have signed Kyler Murray. They focused their latest quarterback search on the first overall pick from the 2019 NFL draft who was just released by the Arizona Cardinals. Murray visited Vikings headquarters before agreeing to join them just one day after being cut by the Cardinals. Arizona owes him $36.8 million in guaranteed salary this season. The Vikings have been seeking a challenger or replacement for J.J. McCarthy. Murray has an AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award, two Pro Bowl selections and a 67% career completion percentage.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Sepp Straka kept getting into trouble and saving pars. And then he chipped in for eagle late in his round at The Players Championship for a 67 and a share of the lead when he left the TPC Sawgrass. Austin Smotherman has a 15-foot birdie putt in the morning to take the lead. It was too dark to continue. Rory McIlroy's back wasn't a problem as he made it to the first tee. Collin Morikawa experienced back pain on his second hole and had to withdraw. There was plenty of drama, but only an even-par 72 for Scottie Scheffler.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he doesn't think it'd be “appropriate” for the Iranian soccer team to attend this year's World Cup. The Republican president on Thursday cited “their own life and safety” as reasons the team's members should not attend as the U.S. co-hosts alongside Mexico and Canada. Trump's message seems to depart from what he relayed Tuesday at the White House to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Infantino says Trump assured him Iranian players and coaches would be welcome despite the war that broke out after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran began last month. Iranian leaders say it’s “not possible” for their country to participate in the World Cup.
TORONTO (AP) — Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews left Thursday night against Anaheim after a knee-on-knee hit from Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas that drew a major penalty and game misconduct. Trying to make a move around Gudas in the slot in the second period of Toronto’s 6-4 victory, Matthews stook a direct blow to his left leg and crashed to the ice. The U.S. Olympic captain stayed down before being helped to the locker room. Gudas is the bruising Czech defender who ended Canadian captain Sidney Crosby’s Olympics in the quarterfinals with a hit. Toronto coach Craig Berube said the play "dirty.“ He didn’t have an update on Matthews. Matthews snapped a 12-game goal drought earlier in the period on a power play.
Finals
MLB SPRING TRAINING
INTERLEAGUE
Final Philadelphia 8 Toronto 5
Final Chicago Cubs 7 Seattle 4
Final Washington 3 Houston 2
Final Cleveland 1 Milwaukee 0
Final Kansas City 10 San Diego 1
Final Chicago White Sox 3 San Francisco 3
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Final N.Y. Yankees 4 Detroit 3
Final Minnesota 8 Boston 5
Final Texas 7 Athletics 6
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Final St. Louis 3 N.Y. Mets 1
Final Colorado 13 Arizona 2
Final Pittsburgh 5 Atlanta 2
Final L.A. Dodgers 9 Cincinnati 5
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final OT Florida 2 Columbus 1
Final Washington 2 Buffalo 1
Final Tampa Bay 4 Detroit 1
Final Calgary 5 New Jersey 4
Final St. Louis 3 Carolina 1
Final San Jose 4 Boston 2
Final Toronto 6 Anaheim 4
Final N-Y Rangers 6 Winnipeg 3
Final Dallas 7 Edmonton 2
Final SO Philadelphia 3 Minnesota 2
Final OT Chicago 3 Utah 2
Final Colorado 5 Seattle 1
Final SO Vancouver 4 Nashville 3
Final Vegas 6 Pittsburgh 2
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final (1)Duke 80 Florida State 79
Final (2)Arizona 81 UCF 59
Final (5)Houston 73 BYU 66
Final (6)UConn 93 Xavier 68
Final (7)Iowa State 75 (16)Texas Tech 53
Final (10)Virginia 81 North Carolina State 74
Final (13)St. John's 85 Providence 72
Final (14)Kansas 78 TCU 73
Final (18)Purdue 81 Northwestern 68
Final Clemson 80 (19)North Carolina 79
Final UMass 87 (20)Miami (OH) 83
Final (23)Wisconsin 85 Washington 82
Final Miami (FL) 78 (24)Louisville 73
Final (25)Tennessee 72 Auburn 62