PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid (joh-EHL’ ehm-BEED’) had 29 points, 14 rebounds and six assists as the Philadelphia 76ers snapped a three-game losing streak with a 144-114 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. Philadelphia tied its franchise record of 21 3-pointers, last set on March 1, 2020. Tobias Harris added 23 points and had a season-high five three-pointers as the Sixers placed seven players in double figures.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — New York Mets ace Max Scherzer is dealing with a hamstring issue and isn’t sure when he’ll pitch next. It’s a second straight setback for the top of the team’s much-heralded rotation. A day after the Mets said star Jacob deGrom will miss significant time with a shoulder injury, Scherzer was scratched from his outing this morning in a simulated game. Just five days away from opening day in Washington, Scherzer said he wasn’t sure about the immediate plans. The three-time Cy Young Award winner added that he doesn’t expect the trouble with his right hamstring to be a long-term problem.
ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Braves reliever Luke Jackson has ligament damage in his right elbow and there’s no timetable for his return. The team says tests revealed damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in Jackson’s elbow. The 30-year-old had the tests after he was shut down for a week and then had renewed discomfort when he resumed throwing. Problems with the ulnar collateral ligament can lead to Tommy John surgery, which would end Jackson’s season. Jackson was 2-2 with a career-best 1.98 ERA in 71 games last year, helping Atlanta win its first championship since 1995.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees minor league manager Rachel Balkovec is back on the field, a week after she was hit in the face by a batted ball during a drill. Balkovec is the first woman to manage a minor league affiliate of a major league team. The 34-year-old took the field today for the first inning to coach first base in a minor league intrasquad game. She playfully wore a Tampa Bay Buccaneers football helmet that was adorned with a Yankees logo. She said it was good to have a sense of humor about the situation. She’s all set to manage her first regular-season game for Class A Tampa on April 8 at Lakeland.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Iga Swiatek (EE’-gah shvee-AHN’-tehk) has ended her journey to the women’s No. 1 ranking in fitting fashion. Swiatek continued her searing start to 2022 today, beating Naomi Osaka 6-4, 6-0 to win the women’s title at the Miami Open and extend her winning streak to 17 matches. Swiatek will replace the now-retired Ash Barty at No. 1 in the women’s rankings officially when the points are updated Monday. She also completed the so-called Sunshine Double by winning both Indian Wells and Miami.