Isles acquire high-scoring Horvat
The New York Islanders acquired center Bo Horvat from the Vancouver Canucks in the first blockbuster of NHL trade deadline season.
The Islanders sent forward Anthony Beauvillier, top prospect Aatu Raty and a top-12 protected first-round pick in the 2023 draft to the Canucks. Horvat, 27, is a pending free agent and was one of the top rentals available ahead of the March 3 deadline.
The former Canucks captain, who was chosen to represent them at the NHL All-star Weekend, could give the Islanders the scoring boost they’ve needed. Horvat has already tied his career high with 31 goals this season and also has 23 assists in 49 games.
Horvat has 420 points in 621 regular-season NHL games.
New York ranks 25th out of 32 teams in scoring at 2.85 goals a game and is two points out of a playoff position in the Eastern Conference.
Horvat has 12 more goals than the next-closest Islanders teammate.
Lebron to see about MSG game
NEW YORK — Lebron James is experiencing what coach Darvin Ham said is “really significant soreness” in his left foot and will be evaluated Tuesday to see if he can play against the New York Knicks.
Mcilroy overcomes Reed by one
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Rory Mcilroy overcame a final-round charge from Patrick Reed to win the Dubai Desert Classic in a tense duel following their pre-tournament spat.
The top-ranked Mcilroy rolled in a birdie putt from around 15 feet at No. 18 for a 4-under 68 that left him a stroke clear of Reed, who shot 65.
Mcilroy captured the title for the third time and has started a year with a win for the first time in his career.
Djokovic No. 1; Sabalenka No. 2
MELBOURNE, Australia — Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open championship returned him to a rather familiar spot: No. 1 in the ATP rankings.
His four-place rise from No. 5 to replace Carlos Alcaraz at No. 1 is the largest jump to the top spot in the 50-year history of the computerized rankings for men’s tennis.
Aryna Sabalenka’s first major title moved her up from No. 5 to a careerbest-equaling No. 2 in the WTA rankings, behind only three-time major champion Iga Swiatek.
World champ skier Smaine dies
TOKYO — World champion halfpipe skier Kyle Smaine of the U.S. died after getting buried in an avalanche in the mountains of central Japan over the weekend. He was 31.
Mewis unlikely for World Cup
Midfielder Sam Mewis has undergone a second knee surgery and is unlikely to be available to play for the United States at the Women’s World Cup this summer.
Messi regrets World Cup chatter
BUENOS AIRES — World Cup winner Lionel Messi regretted his testy exchanges with the Netherlands coach and players during their controversial quarterfinal in Qatar.