Sharks win 4th straight to improve playoff hopes, beating the Maple Leafs 4-1

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) – Zack Ostapchuk scored his first goal in nearly three months and the San Jose Sharks beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 on Thursday night for their fourth straight victory.

UConn star sophomore Sarah Strong named the AP Player of the Year

PHOENIX (AP) – Sarah Strong of UConn was named The Associated Press women’s basketball Player of the Year on Thursday after leading the Huskies to an undefeated season, setting the stage for a run to the Final Four.

Daniel Susac enjoys big night as the Giants top Mets 7-2

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – San Francisco rookie catcher Daniel Susac went 3 for 3 with a walk in his first major league start and the Giants rolled over the New York Mets 7-2 on Thursday night.

Jrue Holiday has 27 to lead the Blazers to a 118-106 win over the Pelicans

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Jrue Holiday had 27 points, including seven 3-pointers, and the Trail Blazers downed the New Orleans Pelicans 118-106 on Thursday night with Portland’s new owners looking on.

Braves ride an 8-run fifth inning and cruise past the Diamondbacks, 17-2

PHOENIX (AP) – Matt Olson, Dominic Smith and Mauricio Dubón hit solo homers, Reynaldo López gave up one run over five innings and the Atlanta Braves coasted to a 17-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series.

Donovan Mitchell scores 25, Max Strus 24 as Cavaliers hold off Warriors 118-111

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Donovan Mitchell had 25 points and six rebounds, Max Strus’ 3-pointer with 54 seconds left helped seal it as he scored 24, and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Golden State Warriors 118-111 on Thursday night.

Oilers win season-high 5th straight, beating Chicago 3-1

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) – Connor McDavid set up Matt Savoie’s power-play goal to pad his NHL-leading points total and help the Edmonton Oilers win their season-high fifth straight game, 3-1 over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night.

Suns guard Collin Gillespie sets franchise record for 3-pointers in a season

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – Phoenix guard Collin Gillespie set the Suns’ franchise record for 3-pointers in a season on Thursday night.

Rookie catcher Carter Jensen gets scratched from Royals' starting lineup

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Kansas City catcher Carter Jensen was removed from the Royals’ starting lineup for Thursday game with the Minnesota Twins after he overslept.