Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. NHL roundup: Hurricanes end long playoff drought

Justin Faulk scored the tiebreaking goal in the second period, and the Carolina Hurricanes went on to wrap up a playoff spot for the first time in a decade by defeating the visiting New Jersey Devils 3-1 in the regular-season home finale Thursday night in Raleigh, N.C. Nino Niederreiter's goal with 3:25 remaining gave the Hurricanes a two-goal cushion. Fans chanted, "We want playoffs," and that's what they'll get. Tennis: Sakkari beats defending champion Bertens at Charleston

Defending champion Kiki Bertens suffered a surprise 7-6(8) 6-3 loss to world number 50 Maria Sakkari in the third round of the Charleston Open in South Carolina on Thursday. On a day when top seed Sloane Stephens survived a scare before beating Ajla Tomljanovic 4-6 6-4 6-4, Sakkari showcased supreme court coverage skills throughout her almost two-hour match against Bertens. NFL notebook: Report details toxic Rodgers-McCarthy dynamic

A day after ESPN aired an interview with former Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy discussing how he was dismissed by the team last December, an explosive report looked at the complicated and disastrous relationship between McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers and how it impacted the team. The lengthy Bleacher Report story, published Thursday, concluded that the coach-quarterback duo had a frosty relationship since McCarthy's tenure began in 2006. That was the year after McCarthy, previously offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, favored Utah's Alex Smith over Cal's Rodgers with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2005 NFL Draft. NBA roundup: Bucks lock up No. 1 seed

Playoff intensity showed itself from the opening tip at Philadelphia on Thursday as Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 45 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in the Milwaukee Bucks' 128-122 comeback victory over the 76ers that clinched the best record in the Eastern Conference. Khris Middleton scored 22 points for the Bucks, who will enter the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time in franchise history. They were top seed in the Western Conference three times in their first six years of existence, the last in the 1973-74 season. Texas Tech's Beard named Coach of the Year

Texas Tech coach Chris Beard was named college basketball Coach of the Year on Thursday. Texas Tech has a school-record 30 wins entering Saturday's national semi-final against Michigan State. Soccer: Alex Morgan scores 100th international goal as U.S. beat Australia

Forward Alex Morgan reached a personal milestone with her 100th international goal as the United States beat Australia 5-3 in a friendly in Colorado on Thursday. In opening the scoring in the 15th minute with a superb solo run capped by a precise finish, Morgan became the seventh American woman -- 17th from any country -- to reach the century mark. Final Four: Pearl, Auburn banking on bench

Bruce Pearl and Auburn were the first team on the court at U.S. Bank Stadium on Thursday, and the Tigers proved to themselves that 3-pointers count the same even in a football stadium. "We were here this morning and shot, got a lot of shots, and the sight lines are really good," Pearl said Thursday afternoon. "I've been in some bigger domes as a fan, and it doesn't seem like -- it doesn't seem as big. So the guys are -- the guys got lots of shots, and this should not be a factor. The rims are soft. I think the shooting percentages will be good." World number one Osaka signs with Nike

World number one Naomi Osaka has agreed a deal with Nike, the sports apparel giant has announced. The Japanese, who had previously been tied to rival Adidas, will first wear Nike gear at the Stuttgart Grand Prix later this month, the U.S. sportswear maker said on its website. Author of Trump golf book describes president as loose with the rules

For Donald Trump, the rigid rules of golf are flexible, allowing for the kick of a wayward ball into a better location, skipping a putt that looks close enough. What's the big deal? That is according to Rick Reilly, a former Sports Illustrated columnist who has just written the book "Commander in Cheat," which alleges Trump is guilty of all sorts of sins on the golf course. UNC coach Hatchell allegedly made racist remarks: report

North Carolina women's basketball coach Sylvia Hatchell is under investigation for allegedly making racist remarks and pressuring players to compete despite serious injuries, according to a report Thursday from the Washington Post. The Hall of Fame coach allegedly told players they would be "hanged from trees with nooses" if they failed to improve, according to the newspaper, which cites interviews with seven people who have knowledge of the investigation. Six of those interviewed were parents of players on the team.