Luka Doncic injury could cost him MVP shot. His agent plans to fight.

Los Angeles LakersguardLuka Doncic has been ruled outfor the final five games of the regular season.

The team announced that Doncic was diagnosed with aGrade 2 left hamstring strain, which he suffered on April 2 in the Lakers' blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Doncic has missed 13 games this season. In missing the final games of the regular season, his total will reach 18. Based on NBA rules, a player becomes ineligible for awards if they are inactive for 18 or more games during the season. He needs to be credited for one more game as an active participant to meet the 65-game threshold.

Doncic's agent, Bill Duffy of WME Basketball, expects to appeal Doncic's total number of games missed.

"To ensure that Luka's incredible accomplishments this season are rightly honored and he can be considered for the league's end-of-season awards, we intend to apply for an 'Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge' to the 65-game rule,"Duffy said in a statementto ESPN.

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The six-time All-Star missed two games in December to be present for the birth of his child in Slovenia.

"His record-breaking season deserves to be noted in the history books, despite last night's unfortunate injury and other extraordinary circumstances," Duffy said. "We look forward to working with the NBAPA and the league office to ensure a fair outcome in this matter."

An arbitrator would rule on it after the regular season, according toESPN's Tim Bontemps.

Doncic has averaged a league-leading 33.5 points, 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game in 64 games played this season.

Luka Dončić carried a heavy workload throughout the season, often playing through physical challenges as the wear of the schedule accumulated.

Now sidelined for the remainder of the regular season, these images reflect moments when the strain of the year was visible as Dončić worked through injuries while leading his team.

Above, Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on from the bench at the end of the third quarter against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on March 19, 2026, in Miami, Florida.

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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season

Luka Dončić carried a heavy workload throughout the season, often playing through physical challenges as the wear of the schedule accumulated.Now sidelined for the remainder of the regular season,these images reflect moments when the strain of the year was visible as Dončić worked through injuries while leading his team.Above, Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on from the bench at the end of the third quarter against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on March 19, 2026, in Miami, Florida.

Which star NBA players are ineligible for awards?

• Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

• Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

• LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

• Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers

• Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

• Jimmy Butler, Golden State Warriors

• Anthony Davis, Washington Wizards

• Trae Young, Washington Wizards

• Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

• Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls

• Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz

• Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

• Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings

• Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic

• Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Luka Doncic injury could cost him NBA awards. His agent plans to fight

byAlex Forten

in

April 04, 2026

Luka Doncic injury could cost him MVP shot. His agent plans to fight.

Los Angeles LakersguardLuka Doncic has been ruled outfor the final five games of the regular season. The team ...

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Springs Fire in southern California reaches 45% containment as evacuations continue

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — Crews were making progress Saturday battling a fast-growing and smokywildfire in southern Californiathat broke out Friday morning, prompting mandatory evacuations and warnings.

Now encompassing roughly 6.3 square miles (about 16 square kilometers) east of Moreno Valley in Riverside County, the Springs Fire was 45% percent contained on Saturday, according to a state website. It was 25% contained on Friday.

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More than a dozen zones in the county remained under mandatory evacuation orders or evacuation warnings, while six have been dropped. It was not immediately known how many households were affected by the orders.

Firefighters were battling strong winds. The National Weather Service issued an advisory for 15 mph to 20 mph winds (24 kph to 32 kph), with gusts up to 45 mph (72 kph), into Saturday afternoon. An air quality alert has also been issued for harmful fine particle pollution levels due to wildfire smoke.

Hundreds of people have been battling the blaze using helicopters, engines and water tenders. It's located in a populated unincorporated part of Riverside County, in a recreational area near the city of Moreno Valley, which has a population of roughly 200,000. The city is 10 miles (16 kilometers) southeast of Riverside and 64 miles (103 kilometers) east of Los Angeles.

byAlex Forten

in

April 04, 2026

Springs Fire in southern California reaches 45% containment as evacuations continue

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — Crews were making progress Saturday battling a fast-growing and smokywildfire in southern Califo...

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China aims to show global leadership with Iran war diplomacy. US appears uninterested

WASHINGTON (AP) — China is stepping up its diplomacy onthe Iran war, putting forward a five-point proposal with Pakistan, rallying support from Gulf countries and opposing a United Nations proposal to use any force necessary to open theStrait of Hormuz.

China Congress

It is China's latest push for a more prominent role in global affairs, though it may prove to be more rhetorical than substantive, with the U.S. appearing uninterested in Beijing's efforts.

"The war with Iran is the priority of all countries in and outside the region," said Sun Yun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, a Washington-based think tank. "It is an opportunity China will not miss to demonstrate its leadership and diplomatic initiative."

Danny Russel, a former senior U.S. diplomat, described China's diplomacy as "performative" and compared the five-point proposal for ending the Iran war with its 12-point plan for Ukraine in 2023, which was "filled with platitudes but never acted on."

"Its narrative is that while Washington is reckless, aggressive and heedless of the cost to others, China is a principled and responsible champion of peace," said Russel, a distinguished fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute. "What we are seeing from China is messaging, not mediation."

China has been working "tirelessly for peace" since the outbreak of the war, said Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington.

How the US views China's diplomacy

The Trump administration appears to have little enthusiasm for the prospect of China's mediation, according to U.S. officials.

The U.S. has soured on third-party mediation efforts, and it has little interest in boosting China's international stature or giving it an opening to claim success in the Middle East, said three U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss potential diplomatic options.

One of the officials described the administration's position on the Chinese-Pakistani effort as "agnostic," neither endorsement nor rejection, but all three stressed that could change if President Donald Trump weighs in before hisplanned summitwith Chinese President Xi Jinping.

For Beijing, there could be an incentive to see the war subside before Trump travels to China in mid-May. Citing demands of the war, Trump postponed the trip initially set for the end of March.

"There is no guarantee that Trump may not delay the trip to China again if the war rages on," Sun said.

The war saw amajor escalation Fridaywhen Iran shot down two U.S. military aircraft, a first since the war began five weeks ago. Trump told NBC News that it would not impact negotiations with Iran, just days after declaring in anational addressthat the U.S. has "beaten and completely decimated Iran."

Beijing is calculating the pain from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz

For now, China is more insulated from the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz than other countries after diversifying its energy sources and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

China relies on Iran for only about 13% of its oil imports, and Beijing is working with Tehran to allow the passage of Chinese-flagged vessels through the critical waterway, where Iran's stranglehold has sent energy prices soaring. China also maintains a large strategic petroleum reserve.

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While China has positioned itself to cushion short-term shocks, analysts say Beijing is worried about a protracted war and has an interest in trying to bring it to an end.

"An escalation of the conflict will start to harm Chinese interests," Russel said. "Because China's growth model is so export-heavy, prolonged energy shocks and shipping disruption will mean costlier inputs and weaker global demand that damage its vulnerable economy."

Besides not wanting to see a long war, China "welcomes the opportunity to suggest that it is helping mitigate a crisis of America's making, especially as the Trump administration's lack of a considered strategy for containing the fallout becomes more apparent," said Ali Wyne, a senior research and advocacy adviser on U.S.-China relations at the International Crisis Group.

China has undertaken a flurry of diplomacy

After the war began, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with counterparts from Russia, Oman, Iran, France, Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. He told Iran that China cherished its friendship, urged Israel to cease military actions and expressed that China would be willing to play a role in seeking peace.

This past week, Wang hosted his Pakistani counterpart in Beijing to hash out their five-point proposal, calling for an end to hostilities and the reopening of the strait.

He has held more than 20 phone calls with regional foreign ministers, and a special envoy has visited several countries in the region, aiming to promote peace and deescalate tensions, Liu said.

Wang sought support for China's plan from the European Union's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, telling her it represented "broad, international consensus," the Chinese foreign ministry said. Wang told Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan that halting the fighting was the most urgent matter.

Wang also spoke this week with Bahrain's foreign minister, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, to explain why China opposed Bahrain's U.N. proposal to allow military force to open the Strait of Hormuz. Wang said actions by the U.N. Security Council should help ease tensions "rather than endorse illegal acts of war, still less add fuel to the fire."

China and Russia argued that the U.S. or other countries could exploit a U.N.-backed mechanism to escalate the deadly war, according to a U.N. diplomat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss diplomatic conversations.

Both countries appear to have less immediate need to see the strait fully open. While China has been able to pay to get some of its ships through, Russia is benefiting from the high price of oil, its main export.

Hoping to avoid a veto, Bahrainsignificantly watered downits proposal to authorize defensive — but not offensive — action to ensure vessels can safely transit the strait. A vote was pushed back until next week.

To solve the problem of the strait, China says a ceasefire is needed. But its plan with Pakistan has been met with mostly silence from the U.S.

One of the U.S. officials said the plan is difficult to assess because it is less of a roadmap to peace than a vague appeal for respect for international law and the importance of diplomacy and the U.N.'s role.

Amiri reported from the United Nations.

byAlex Forten

in

April 04, 2026

China aims to show global leadership with Iran war diplomacy. US appears uninterested

WASHINGTON (AP) — China is stepping up its diplomacy onthe Iran war, putting forward a five-point proposal with Pakistan,...

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Downed planes raise new perils for Trump as Tehran hunts for missing US pilot

By Phil Stewart and Enas Alashray

WASHINGTON/CAIRO, April 3 (Reuters) - Two U.S. warplanes were downed over Iran and the Gulf, Iranian and U.S. officials said on Friday, with two pilots rescued and a third still missing and being hunted by Tehran's forces.

The incidents show the risks still faced by U.S. and Israeli aircraft ‌over Iran despite assertions from U.S. President Donald Trump and his Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that their forces had total control of the skies.

The first plane, a two-seat ‌U.S. F-15E jet, was shot down by Iranian fire, officials in both countries said.

The second plane, an A-10 Warthog fighter aircraft, was hit by Iranian fire and crashed over Kuwait, with the pilot ejecting, two U.S. officials said.

Two Blackhawk ​helicopters involved in the search effort for the missing pilot were hit by Iranian fire but made it out of Iranian airspace, the two U.S. officials told Reuters.

The degree of injuries among the crew of the aircraft remained unclear. The status and whereabouts of the missing F-15E crew member was not publicly known.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said it was combing an area near where the pilot's plane came down in southwestern Iran and the regional governor promised a commendation for anyone who captured or killed "forces of the hostile enemy."

Iranians, who have been pummeled by American air power for weeks, posted ‌gleeful messages celebrating the plane downings. Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer ⁠Qalibaf said on X that the U.S. and Israel's war had been "downgraded from regime change" to a hunt for their pilots.

Trump has been in the White House receiving updates on the search-and-rescue operation, a senior administration official told Reuters. The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command did not immediately respond ⁠to requests for comment.

NO SIGN OF END TO WAR

The prospect of a U.S. service person being alive and on the run inside Iran raises the stakes for Washington in a conflict with low public support and no sign of an imminent end.

Iran has officially told mediators it is not prepared to meet with U.S. officials in Islamabad in coming days and that efforts to produce a ceasefire, led by Pakistan, ​have ​reached a dead end, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

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The U.S. and Israel opened the campaign with ​a wave of strikes that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ‌on February 28. The war has killed thousands and threatened lasting damage to the global economy.

So far, 13 U.S. military service members have been killed in the conflict and more than 300 have been wounded, according to the U.S. Central Command.

Iran has rained drones and missiles down on Israel. It has also taken aim at Gulf countries allied to the U.S., which have so far held back from joining the war directly for fear of further escalation.

In a security alert on Friday, the U.S. embassy in Beirut said Iran and its aligned armed groups may target universities in Lebanon and urged U.S. citizens in the country to leave while commercial flights are still available.

Israel has been waging a parallel campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon after the ‌militant group fired at Israel in support of Iran.

TRUMP THREAT TO STRIKE BRIDGES, POWER PLANTS

On Friday, as Trump ​threatened to hit its bridges and power plants, Iran struck a power and water plant in Kuwait, underlining ​the vulnerability of Gulf states that rely heavily on desalination plants for drinking water.

On ​Thursday, Trump posted footage on social media showing dust and smoke billowing up as U.S. strikes hit the newly constructed B1 bridge between Tehran and ‌nearby Karaj, which was due to open this year, and said more ​attacks would follow.

"Our Military, the greatest and most powerful (by ​far!) anywhere in the World, hasn't even started destroying what's left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants!" he wrote in a subsequent post.

On Friday, a drone hit a Red Crescent relief warehouse in the Choghadak area of Iran's southern Bushehr province.

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said its Mina al-Ahmadi refinery had been hit by drones. Other attacks ​were also reported to have been intercepted in Saudi Arabia and ‌Abu Dhabi. Missile debris landed near the Israeli port of Haifa, site of a major oil refinery.

Oil markets were closed after benchmark U.S. crude prices gained 11% ​on Thursday following a speech by Trump that offered no clear sign of an imminent end to the war.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart in Washington, Reuters bureaux; ​Writing by James Mackenzie and Sharon Singleton; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne, Bill Berkrot and David Gregorio)

byAlex Forten

in

April 04, 2026

Downed planes raise new perils for Trump as Tehran hunts for missing US pilot

By Phil Stewart and Enas Alashray WASHINGTON/CAIRO, April 3 (Reuters) - Two U.S. warplanes were downed over Ir...

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Cody Bellinger bobble turns into highlight catch for Yankees

Cody Bellinger made a hard catch even harder in Friday's game, but the New York Yankees outfielder ended up pulling it off. Somehow.

In the ninth inning against the Marlins, Miami shortstop Xavier Edwards hit a fly ball to the warning track in left field off the Yankees' Ryan Yarbrough. Bellinger ran back and made what appeared to be a simple but impressive leaping catch at first glance.

However, replay showed the ball initially bounced off the heel of Bellinger's glove. He still managed to corral the ball with a stab downward.

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It's not exactly the catch of the year, but it's certainly something.

The catch saved the Yankees a runner in scoring position in a game theyended up winning 8-2. Hitting third, Bellinger went 1-for-4 at the plate with a walk, while Aaron Judge hit his third homer of the year.

The Yankees entered this season with the outfield projecting to be another strength.Bellinger re-signed with the team on a five-year, $162.5 million deal. With center fielder Trent Grisham also returning on a signed qualifying offer and Judge not going anywhere in right, Bellinger remained in left,where he was among the best in MLB last season.

He's off to a good start this year too, hitting .280/.400/.400 through seven games.

byAlex Forten

in

April 03, 2026

Cody Bellinger bobble turns into highlight catch for Yankees

Cody Bellinger made a hard catch even harder in Friday's game, but the New York Yankees outfielder ended up pulling i...

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Stephen Curry likely to make long-awaited injury return for Warriors Sunday

TheGolden State Warriorsare reportedly getting back their superstar this weekend withStephen Curryset to return Sunday for their game against theHouston Rockets.

Curry is expected to be cleared to play,according to ESPN's Shams Charania and Anthony Slater, after missing more than two months – 27 consecutive games – due to a persistent knee injury.

Curry has averaged 27.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 39 games played this season, while shooting 46.8% from the field, 39.1% on 3-pointers and 93.1% on free throws.

TheWarriorshave posted a 9-18 record in those 27 games without Curry, including back-to-back home losses against the San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers on April 1 and 2, respectively.

LUKA DONCIC:How injury impacts Lakers' NBA playoff scenarios

Magic Johnson
college dominance: Led Michigan State to the 1979 NCAA Championship, defeating Larry Bird's Indiana State.
NBA: 5× NBA champion in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988 with the Los Angeles Lakers. 3× NBA Finals MVP in 1980, 1982 and 1987. 3× NBA Most Valuable Player in 1987, 1989 and 1990. 12× NBA All-Star: 1980, 1982-1992. 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1990 and 1992. Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Carmelo Anthony college dominance: In his lone season (2003), led Syracuse to a national championship and earned Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors. Averaged 22.2 points and 10 rebounds per game as a freshman.
NBA: 10× NBA All-Star. 2012–13 NBA scoring champion, averaging 28.7 points per game.

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Before NBA glory: How Jordan, Bird, Magic and Curry ruled in college

Magic Johnsoncollege dominance:Led Michigan State to the 1979 NCAA Championship, defeating Larry Bird's Indiana State.NBA:5× NBA champion in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988 with the Los Angeles Lakers. 3× NBA Finals MVP in 1980, 1982 and 1987. 3× NBA Most Valuable Player in 1987, 1989 and 1990. 12× NBA All-Star: 1980, 1982-1992. 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1990 and 1992. Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.

Prior to the Warriors' April 2 game against Cleveland, the team had a scrimmage which Curry participated in. Head coach Steve Kerr told reporters before the Warriors-Cavaliers game that Curry looked liked himself during the action.

"Everything went well. Yeah, he looked good," Kerr told reporters. "He's pretty good. He looks like Steph Curry."

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The Warriors have suffered a number of injuries in the 2025-26 season. So it's no question that getting their superstar and leader back would be huge, not just for the gameplay on court, but to the team morale, as well, Kerr said.

"Yeah, I mean he brings hope to a tough situation," Kerr told reporters. "I thought [Spurs'] game, we were never really in the game, but the guys fought, they competed, they stayed with it until the end. The vibe was good. When Steph's around, the vibe tends to be better. It's definitely better right now so hopefully we'll have another good effort tonight and he'll be on the sidelines cheering. We'll see how it goes the next couple of days but we're obviously dying to get him back."

NBA PLAYOFF BRACKET:Where teams stand, who can clinch berths today

Warriors' playoff race

Curry's return in just in time to get back into basketball shape for the post season.

The Warriors are set to play in the NBA Play-In Tournament, as the won't be able to catch the Western Conference's No. 6 seed before the regular season ends. The Warriors (36-41) arecurrently the No. 10 seed in the Westand have five games remaining before the postseason begins Tuesday, April 14.

Atop them, by three games, are the Los Angeles Clippers (39-38) at the No. 9-slot. The Portland Trail Blazers are 40-38, a half game above the Clippers at No. 8.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Steph Curry injury update: Warriors star expected to return vs Rockets

byAlex Forten

in

April 03, 2026

Stephen Curry likely to make long-awaited injury return for Warriors Sunday

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Robert MacIntyre leaps out to 4-shot lead at Valero Texas Open

Scotland's Robert MacIntyre opened up a four-shot lead at the midway point of the Valero Texas Open on Friday at TPC San Antonio.

MacIntyre shot the round of the week so far, an 8-under-par 64, to climb to 14-under 130 through two rounds. Sweden's Ludvig Aberg is his closest competitor after he shot a second consecutive 67 to get to 10 under par.

Bud Cauley (66), Kevin Roy (68), Tony Finau (69) and Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen (66) are tied for third at 9 under.

MacIntyre started on the back nine and went 4 under through a three-hole stretch at Nos. 14-16. He set himself up for an 8-foot eagle putt at the par-5 14th, then knocked in two more putts inside 8 feet for birdies at the next two holes.

The World No. 11 finished his round with four birdies on the final five holes. He made just one bogey against seven birdies.

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While MacIntyre seeks his third PGA Tour win, Finau is vying for his seventh. The difference is he hasn't triumphed since April 2023, and he has yet to be invited to next week's Masters -- something only a victory in Texas can change.

Finau ended his round with a bang, sinking a 34 1/2-foot eagle putt at the par-5 18th. He made an even longer eagle putt at No. 14 on Thursday, from 41 1/2 feet.

As the final few groups finished their rounds Friday evening, the cut line was projected to be 2 under. Jordan Spieth shot consecutive 71s to sit right on the line. Mark Hubbard, the first-round leader following a 7-under 65, stumbled to a 77 Friday and may also make the cut right on the number.

Those on the wrong side include Russell Henley (1 under), Max Homa (1 under), South Korea's Tom Kim (even), Austrian Sepp Straka (even), Rickie Fowler (1 over) and Frenchman Matthieu Pavon (4 over).

--Field Level Media

byAlex Forten

in

April 03, 2026

Robert MacIntyre leaps out to 4-shot lead at Valero Texas Open

Scotland's Robert MacIntyre opened up a four-shot lead at the midway point of the Valero Texas Open on Friday at T...

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