Sports News Roundup: Stars win first Central title since '16; Mike Budenholzer among finalists for Nets coaching job and more

With the bases loaded and one out, Castellanos stepped up and lined the first pitch he saw from Roansy Contreras over the head of Jack Suwinski in center field to secure the Phillies' third win in four games. Mixed Martial Arts-Holloway's "BMF" knockout cements UFC's dominant position Max Holloway's epic knockout of Justin Gaethje with just one second left on the clock in Las Vegas on Saturday again cemented the Ultimate Fighting Championship's (UFC) status as the dominant player in mixed martial arts, despite some strong challenges from competitors.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

NHL roundup: Stars win first Central title since '16

Miro Heiskanen had a goal and two assists and Jason Robertson added one of each as the Dallas Stars clinched their first Central Division title since 2016 with a 3-1 victory against the visiting Seattle Kraken on Saturday afternoon. Craig Smith also scored for the Stars, who had a chance to clinch the Western Conference regular-season crown if Vancouver lost in regulation at Edmonton, but the Canucks won 3-1. Jake Oettinger made 26 saves as Dallas remained one point behind the New York Rangers for first place overall in the NHL.

Golf-Woods's dreamy talk of Green Jacket ends in nightmare round

After Tiger Woods claimed a record 24th consecutive made cut at Augusta National on Friday the five-times Masters champion engaged in dreamy talk of a sixth Green Jacket. Reality hit home on Saturday, however, in the form of a nightmare third round as the 48-year-old's injury-battered body appeared to quit on him as he carded a 10-over 82, his worst ever score at Augusta National.

Mixed Martial Arts-Pereira knocks out Hill to retain UFC light heavyweight title

Brazil's Alex Pereira pulled off a stunning first-round knockout victory over Jamahal Hill to retain the UFC light heavyweight title while Zhang Weili beat Yan Xiaonan to retain the straweight belt at UFC 300 on Saturday night. Pereira waved off what looked to be a low blow from Hill before landing a left hook that sent the American sprawling backwards onto the canvas. He then pounced to rain down blows and force the stoppage at the 3:14 mark of the first round.

Report: Mike Budenholzer among finalists for Nets coaching job

The Brooklyn Nets are closing in on a new head coach, with Mike Budenholzer -- who led the Milwaukee Bucks to the NBA championship in 2021 -- among the candidates, The Athletic reported Saturday. Associate head coaches Jordi Fernandez of the Sacramento Kings and Kevin Young of the Phoenix Suns also are on the Nets' short list to replace Jacque Vaughn, per the report. Owner Joe Tsai will meet with all three in person.

Golf-Masters rookie Hojgaard gets Amen Corner lesson

Denmark's Nicolai Hojgaard had a short-lived stint atop the leaderboard on Saturday before the Masters debutant quickly got acquainted with the perils of Amen Corner. Hojgaard, bidding to become the first Masters rookie to win a Green Jacket since Fuzzy Zoeller 1979, carded a two-over-par 74 that left him at two-under on the week and five strokes back of third-round leader Scottie Scheffler.

Golf-Masters Green Jacket showdown pits youth against experience

Scottie Scheffler will take a one-shot lead into Sunday's final round of the Masters which is shaping up as a Green Jacket showdown of youth and experience. World number one Scheffler started the week as the red-hot favourite to claim a second Masters title and will step on to the first tee at 2.35 PM (1835 GMT) with playing partner and twice major winner Collin Morikawa still the man to beat.

MLB roundup: Phillies enjoy walk-off win vs. Pirates

Nick Castellanos had two hits and delivered a walk-off single in the ninth inning to lift the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-3 win over the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. With the bases loaded and one out, Castellanos stepped up and lined the first pitch he saw from Roansy Contreras over the head of Jack Suwinski in center field to secure the Phillies' third win in four games.

Mixed Martial Arts-Holloway's "BMF" knockout cements UFC's dominant position

Max Holloway's epic knockout of Justin Gaethje with just one second left on the clock in Las Vegas on Saturday again cemented the Ultimate Fighting Championship's (UFC) status as the dominant player in mixed martial arts, despite some strong challenges from competitors. The fact that the title on the line -- the "BMF" or "baddest motherfucker" belt -- at UFC 300 was simply an invention to pit fan favourites against each another in violent brawls does not take away from the moment; arguably, it adds to it.

Coyotes owner says he can't yet address relocation rumors

The Arizona Coyotes' owner issued a statement Saturday, explaining his inability to comment on the subject of the team's immediate future. Alex Meruelo, in his words via X, formerly Twitter, said he would refrain from any "official public comments" at this time.

Mixed Martial Arts-McGregor to fight Chandler at UFC 303 in June, says White

Conor McGregor will return to the cage against Michael Chandler on June 29, three years after he broke his left leg during a fight against Dustin Poirier, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White said. The welterweight bout would headline the UFC 303 card in Las Vegas, White told reporters after Saturday's UFC 300 event.

(With inputs from agencies.)