Sports News Roundup: Basketball-Iowa-LSU most-watched women's college basketball game on record; ATP roundup: American qualifier upsets fifth seed in Morocco and more

Thunder Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is expected to return from his left knee injury Tuesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder, ESPN and The Athletic reported.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Basketball-Iowa-LSU most-watched women's college basketball game on record

Caitlin Clark and Iowa's win on Monday over LSU to reach the Final Four of the NCAA tournament drew 12.3 million viewers, making it the most-watched women's college basketball game ever on ESPN platforms, the broadcaster said on Tuesday. In a rematch of last year's championship game, the top-seeded Hawkeyes got their revenge behind 41 points, 12 assists, and nine three-pointers from Clark in the 94-87 victory.

ATP roundup: American qualifier upsets fifth seed in Morocco

American qualifier Nicolas Moreno De Alboran outlasted Argentine No. 5 seed Facundo Diaz Acosta 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in the first round of the Grand Prix Hassan II on Tuesday in Marrakech, Morocco. Moreno De Alboran won 44 of his 56 first-service points (79 percent) and saved two of three break points to take down Diaz Acosta. His next opponent will be Belgian qualifier David Goffin, who was a 6-4, 6-4 winner over Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech.

NHL roundup: Islanders rally past Blackhawks

Bo Horvat and Simon Holmstrom scored in the third period as the New York Islanders rallied to earn a critical 2-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night in Elmont, N.Y. The Islanders moved within one point of the Washington Capitals for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Pirates trade for catcher Joey Bart

The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired catcher Joey Bart from the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday in exchange for right-hander Austin Strickland. Pittsburgh designated right-hander Colin Selby for assignment to make room for Bart on the 40-man roster.

Golf - Division between PGA and LIV is unsustainable and a shame, McIlroy says

The split in the men's game between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf is unsustainable and will not benefit anyone in the long term, Rory McIlroy told Golf Monthly on Tuesday. The four-time major champion said it was disheartening as a competitor to see the best golfers play in separate tours for most of the year.

Reports: Colts re-sign safety Julian Blackmon to 1-year deal

Safety Julian Blackmon is returning to the Indianapolis Colts on a one-year deal, ESPN and NFL Network reported Tuesday. Blackmon's new contract is worth up to $7.7 million, with $3.2 million guaranteed, per NFL Network's report.

NBA roundup: Joel Embiid returns to lead Sixers to victory

Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 17 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter and Joel Embiid added 24 points in his return to lift the Philadelphia 76ers to a 109-105 victory over the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday. Embiid had not played since Jan. 30 due to left meniscus surgery. Before his injury, Embiid was leading the league in scoring at 35.3 points per game, along with 11.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists.

Vikings suspend OC Wes Phillips for 3 weeks

The Minnesota Vikings suspended offensive coordinator Wes Phillips for three weeks following the legal resolution of his December 2023 traffic stop in Minneapolis. The suspension began on Tuesday and he can return to work on April 23. He will miss the first week of the offseason strength and conditioning program that begins on April 14.

76ers star Joel Embiid to return Tuesday vs. Thunder

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is expected to return from his left knee injury Tuesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder, ESPN and The Athletic reported. The team upgraded Embiid from out to questionable about an hour before the game, which was followed by media reports indicating the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player would suit up. Embiid was not present at the shootaround Tuesday morning.

UConn's Paige Bueckers has habit of beating Iowa's Caitlin Clark

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Depending on the mathematics applied, Caitlin Clark is 0-3 head-to-head with UConn's Paige Bueckers. The story dates to when Geno Auriemma and the Huskies landed the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2020, a five-star point guard from Minnesota named Bueckers.

(With inputs from agencies.)