Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Trevor Lawrence not distracted by looming deal with Jaguars

As he enters his fourth NFL season, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is eligible for a contract extension for the first time and expressed his desire to remain in Jacksonville "for as long as possible." Speaking to the media on Tuesday at the beginning of the 2024 offseason program, the former No. 1 overall pick said his representatives have discussed a new contract with the Jaguars.

NHL roundup: Nikita Kucherov's 100th assist lifts Lightning

NHL point leader Nikita Kucherov made history by recording his 100th assist of the season as the Tampa Bay Lightning topped the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs 6-4 on Wednesday. In the regular-season finale for both teams, Kucherov, who has 144 points (44 goals, 100 assists) also scored. He reached the century mark in helpers when he set up Brayden Point's goal at 17:05 of the second, a marker that lifted Tampa Bay to a 4-1 lead.

Caitlin Clark hailed as savior in hero's welcome to Indianapolis

Caitlin Clark received a hero's welcome to Gainbridge Coliseum on Wednesday morning as the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft stepped into her new home arena to flocks of fans and a packed opening press conference. "I'm super happy to be here. Thank you to the Fever, the Pacers. This is a dream come true," said Clark, a two-time National Player of the Year at Iowa and the all-time leading scorer in Division I basketball history.

Olympics-James to headline another US 'Dream Team' in Paris

The NBA's all-time leading scorer LeBron James and reigning most valuable player Joel Embiid headline an all-star lineup named to the United States men's basketball team for the Paris Olympics, USA Basketball announced on Wednesday. James, who has won two Olympic golds and a bronze but sat out the last two Games, will be joined by Los Angeles Lakers team mate Anthony Davis, Phoenix Suns three-time Olympic champion Kevin Durant and Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry.

Bill Belichick joining Pat McAfee for NFL draft-day coverage

Bill Belichick, known as a man of few words while the head coach of the New England Patriots, apparently is ready to share his thoughts about next week's NFL draft. Belichick will be part of the team on "The Pat McAfee Show Draft Spectacular," to air the opening night of the draft on ESPN+, the host announced Wednesday.

WTA roundup: Coco Gauff downs another American in Stuttgart

No. 3 seed Coco Gauff outlasted Sachia Vickery for a 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 win on Wednesday in an all-American, second-round match at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany. Gauff overcame a 4-2 deficit in the third set and 15 double faults for the match to continue her dominance against fellow Americans. Jessica Pegula has been the only countrywoman to top Gauff since Sofia Kenin beat her in the first round at Wimbledon in 2023.

NBA-Toronto Raptors' Porter banned for life from NBA for gambling

Toronto Raptors' Jontay Porter was given a lifetime ban from the National Basketball Association on Wednesday for violating the league's gambling policy. An NBA investigation found that Porter, a two-way player recently under contract with the Raptors, limited his own game participation to influence the outcome of one or more bets on his performance in at least one Raptors game.

MLB roundup: Red Sox's Tanner Houck blanks Guardians

Tanner Houck pitched a three-hit shutout to help the Boston Red Sox end a two-game losing streak with a 2-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday. Houck (3-1) struck out nine and didn't walk a batter. It was the first complete game of Houck's career and the first shutout by a solo Red Sox pitcher since Michael Wacha blanked the Los Angeles Angels on June 6, 2022.

Olympics-U.S. athletes praise Paris Games prize money plan

World Athletics' (WA) plan to offer prize money to Olympic gold medallists is a much needed step in the right direction, said American track and field athletes, with the high costs of training and competition weighing on competitors. WA President Sebastian Coe bucked 128 years of tradition when he said last week that the athletics governing body would pay gold medal winners in Paris $50,000, a move that athletes were quick to endorse.

O.J. Simpson cremated during private Las Vegas gathering a week after his death

O.J. Simpson, the onetime football star infamously tried and acquitted of double-murder charges, was cremated on Wednesday during a private gathering of friends and family in downtown Las Vegas, according to the executor of his estate. Attorney Malcolm LaVergne, who was Simpson's lawyer for 15 years, said he was among those who attended the morning cremation at the Palm Downtown Mortuary & Cemetery, one week after Simpson died at age 76, following a battle with cancer.

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