Star QB Tom Brady to miss NFL champs' visit to White House

WASHINGTON (AP) - Star quarterback Tom Brady will not join his New England Patriots teammates when the Super Bowl champions visit the White House on Wednesday to accept congratulations from President Donald Trump for another NFL title. The White House said it was notified that Brady was dealing with a "personal family matter" and will not attend the ceremony.

NCAA Sweet 16, Elite 8 in Houston in 2020

The Harris County–Houston Sports Authority bid to host the NCAA men's basketball regional rounds has landed the tournament Sweet 16 and Elite 8 at the Toyota Center in downtown Houston in 2020.

Winners announced among the 30,000 in the 121st Boston Marathon

The 121st edition of the Boston Marathon will leave Hopkinton on Monday morning for the 26.2-mile trek to Copley Square, with more than 30,000 runners expected to line up with partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-60s -- a little warmer than the competitors would like. But a tailwind gusting up to 30 mph could mean fast times, at least among the elite...

Harden has 37 points, Rockets rout Thunder, Westbrook 118-87

HOUSTON (AP) - James Harden scored 37 points to outshine Russell Westbrook and the Houston Rockets pulled away in the third quarter and coasted to a 118-87 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. The best-of-seven Western Conference series continues Wednesday night in Houston.

Johnson beats Sock in US Men's Clay Court semifinal round

Fourth-seeded Steve Johnson beat top-seeded Jack Sock 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday in an all-American semifinal in the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship. Johnson won his lone ATP Tour title last year on grass at Nottingham in England. He will face eighth-seeded Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil, a 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 winner over American Ernesto Escobedo.

MVP favorites Harden, Westbrook get first-round showdown

While everyone must wait more than two months for the NBA's MVP to be announced, the league will showcase the two front-runners for the honor in James Harden and Russell Westbrook when the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder open a first-round playoff series Sunday night.

Venegas helps expansion Minnesota United tie Dynamo 2-2

Johan Venegas and Christian Ramirez scored, and John Alvbage came off the bench and held Houston scoreless in the second half as Minnesota United rallied for a 2-2 draw with the Dynamo on Saturday night.

Johnson's drive at buzzer lifts Jazz over Clippers in Game 1

Joe Johnson drove the lane and lifted in a shot at the buzzer, and the Utah Jazz overcame the loss of Rudy Gobert 17 seconds into the game to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 97-95 in their playoff opener on Saturday night.

Antetokounmpo scores 28 points, Bucks beat Raptors 97-83

The Milwaukee Bucks left the Toronto Raptors behind - again. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 28 points, rookie Malcolm Brogdon had 16 and the Bucks beat the Raptors 97-83 on Saturday night in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series. "Our second half was just abysmal," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. "We didn't play with any pace, any rhythm, any movement."

LeBron James leads Cavaliers past Pacers 109-108 in Game 1

CLEVELAND (AP) - Their regular-season issues followed the Cavaliers into the playoffs. They didn't win their postseason opener as much as survive it. The champions remain puzzling. LeBron James scored 32 points and Cleveland, looking to flip a switch after a shaky-and-streaky regular season, began the postseason by escaping with a 109-108 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday.

Springer home run leads Astros in comeback against Athletics

After being held without a hit for six innings, Houston's offense went to work. George Springer hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning after Nori Aoki put Houston ahead with one of his two RBIs, and the Astros rallied from a five-run deficit to beat the Oakland Athletics 10-6 on Saturday.

Former Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez acquitted

BOSTON (AP) - The Latest on the Aaron Hernandez double murder trial (all times local): 3:10 p.m. Ex-NFL star Aaron Hernandez has been acquitted in a Boston double slaying that prosecutors said was fueled by his anger over a spilled drink at a nightclub. The former tight end for the New England Patriots was acquitted of all but one charge Friday over the 2012 killings of Daniel de Abreu and...

22nd Harden triple-double helps Rockets over Tiimberwolves 123-118

Instead of resting players with their playoff spot already set, the Houston Rockets approached their regular-season finale as a final tuneup for the postseason. The result was the 22nd triple-double for James Harden and a 123-118 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night. Harden had 27 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists to help Houston to its 55th victory.

Altuve, bullpen rally Astros past Mariners 10-5

SEATTLE (AP) - Jose Altuve picked a good time to start looking like Jose Altuve. Altuve, who began the season 3 for 21, hit three singles and drew two walks, helping the Houston Astros overcome an early five-run deficit and rally past the Seattle Mariners 10-5 on Wednesday night.