Jalen Suggs, who has struggled at times during the NCAA Tournament this year, found some inspiration in a Monday talk with close friend Paige Bueckers, helping him to break out against USC in the West Region final on Tuesday night.https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/31169210/paige-bueckers-pep-talk-fuels-friend-jalen-suggs-gonzaga-comfortable-victory-usc
Niners open playbook on trade, Garoppolo future
Kyle Shanahan said the Niners didn’t think they’d be able to land a potential face-of-the-franchise QB if they kept the No. 12 pick. But regardless of who they take next month, the team believes Jimmy Garoppolo is the best man to lead it in ’21.https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31160240/niners-want-get-left-altar-staying-no-12-believe-jimmy-garoppolo-gives-best-chance-now
Bruins-Crimson Tide affair sparked a lot of reaction on Twitter
UCLA’s back-and-forth win over Alabama brought out reactions from LeBron James and others.https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/31156266/ucla-bruins-vs-alabama-crimson-tide-sparked-lot-reaction-twitter
UFC 260 live updates and results: Sean O’Malley gets his KO win — eventually
Follow all the action live from Las Vegas.https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/31141867/ufc-260-live-updates-results-stipe-miocic-vs-francis-ngannou
Harden states case: ‘I’m the MVP. That simple’
After another huge performance in a Nets win Friday night, James Harden made clear his thoughts on the league’s biggest individual honor: “I feel like I am the MVP. I mean, it’s just that simple.”https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31144075/james-harden-backs-mvp-another-huge-performance-brooklyn-nets
Heat trade for Oladipo; eye Aldridge, sources say
The Heat acquired Victor Oladipo in a trade with the Rockets it was announced. Miami is also a front-runner to land LaMarcus Aldridge now that he’s completed his buyout with the Spurs, sources told ESPN.https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31135332/houston-rockets-trade-victor-oladipo-miami-heat-source-says
NFL clears way for Snyder to buy out WFT owners
The NFL finance committee has cleared a path for Daniel Snyder to buy out other owners of the Washington Football Team.https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31127427/nfl-clears-way-daniel-snyder-buy-washington-football-team-owners
Watson lawyer responds to lawsuits; 16 now filed
With 16 lawsuits now having been filed against Deshaun Watson, his attorney said “any allegation” that the Houston Texans quarterback “forced a woman to commit a sexual act is completely false.”https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31122645/attorney-says-allegation-deshaun-watson-forced-woman-commit-sexual-act-completely-false
Lakers star, Clippers executive Baylor dies at 86
NBA Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor has died at 86. Baylor starred for the Lakers in his playing days before becoming the general manager of the Clippers.https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31114563/los-angeles-lakers-star-former-la-clippers-exec-elgin-baylor-dies-86
Sources: Broken wrist likely ends LaMelo’s season
Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, considered the front-runner for NBA Rookie of the Year, is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a fractured right wrist, sources told ESPN.https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31110164/charlotte-hornets-lamelo-ball-expected-miss-rest-season-fractured-right-wrist-source-says
LeBron out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain
Lakers star LeBron James has a high ankle sprain and is out indefinitely, the team announced on Saturday, after he exited Los Angeles’ loss to the Atlanta Hawks in the first half.https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31102023/frustrated-lebron-james-leaves-home-game-los-angeles-lakers-first-half-right-ankle-injury
Biggest moments and best plays from the NCAA men’s tournament
The first drama-packed, bracket-busting, 12-hours-on-the-couch, opening day of the tourney in two years is here.https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/31088278/march-madness-2021-biggest-moments-best-plays-ncaa-tournament