Good Morning! Here’s what happened in the world of sports on Thursday, March 6.

THE LATEST STEPH CURRY AWESOMENESS

He scored 28 and beat the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. Then, the greatest shooter of all-time dropped 40 points and led a comeback down 22 to beat the Brooklyn Nets 121-119. Of course he gave us another highlight-reel three:

In other NBA news, LeBron and the Lakers beat the New York Knicks 113-109 in overtime.

IN THE WORLD OF TENNIS…

After a few years of player advocacy and organizational back-and-forth, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced a new paid maternity leave policy. "I think it will really be transformational because it will give players the agency, the opportunity, the flexibility, the financial resources and the support to be able to decide when and how they want to build or extend their family," says WTA CEO Portia Arthur.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka was upset in round one of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells on Wednesday. She posted afterwards: “Worst match I’ve ever played. Wow, I’m so sorry to everyone who watched that.”

WELCOME TO MARCH

Women’s college basketball began their conference tournament week, and yesterday’s games provided three big upsets. Vanderbilt took down (18) Tennessee, Florida shocked (19) Alabama, and Iowa beat (24) Michigan State 74-61. The action continues all weekend long.

EVERYONE’S LEAVING JACKSONVILLE

Wide receiver Christian Kirk has been traded to the Houston Texans for a seventh-round pick, while tight end Evan Engram was released. That’s two of the top three pass-catchers from a year ago now on a new team, and leaves rookie Brian Thomas Jr. as the only known commodity running routes for the Jaguars.

NHL TRADE DEADLINE

The trade deadline is officially this afternoon, but plenty of big deals have already been made:

• The New York Rangers traded forward Reilly Smith to the Vegas Golden Knights for a prospect and a pick. A pending free agent, Smith rejoins the team he won the Stanley Cup with in 2023.

• Vancouver is sending defenseman Carson Soucy to the Rangers for a draft pick. So New York is doing a little buy-and-sell thing, working both sides.

• And the New York… Islanders– same city, different organization– made the biggest move of the day. They sent center Brock Nelson, a leader of the team since 2012, to the Colorado Avalanche for a first round pick and a top prospect (there are some other pieces involved, but that’s the central part of this). A massive trade as Colorado goes all-in on the playoff push and the Islanders shake things up.

YES, THIS IS REAL

Stephen A. Smith has reportedly signed a new extension with ESPN for five years and $100 million. Sources say the deal involves Stephen A. appearing on less ESPN programming while providing him freedom to talk more politics on his own show and platform.

THIS WEEKEND’S BIG GAMES (all times Eastern)

GOLF: Arnold Palmer Invitational, all weekend on Golf Channel/NBC/Peacock

NHL:

• Kraken @ Flyers 12:30 PM Saturday on ABC

• Bruins @ Lightning, 3 PM Saturday on ABC

• Devils @ Flyers, 1 PM Sunday on TNT/Max

• Penguins @ Wild, 3:30 PM Sunday on TNT/Max

NBA:

• Grizzlies @ Mavericks, 7:30 PM on ESPN

• Suns @ Nuggets, 10 PM on ESPN

• Lakers @ Celtics, 8:30 PM Saturday on ESPN

• Nuggets @ Thunder, 1 PM Sunday on ABC

• Suns @ Mavericks, 3:30 PM Sunday on ABC

• Cavaliers @ Bucks, 8 PM Sunday on ESPN

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL:

• ACC Tournament Final, 1 PM Sunday on ESPN

• Big East Tournament Final, 2:30 PM Sunday on Fox

• SEC Tournament Final, 3 PM Sunday on ESPN

• Big Ten Tournament Final, 4:30 PM Sunday on CBS

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL:

• (18) Purdue @ Illinois, 8 PM on Fox

• (6) St. John’s @ (20) Marquette, Noon Saturday on Fox

• (19) Kentucky @ (15) Missouri, Noon Saturday on ESPN

• Georgia Tech @ Wake Forest, 2:15 PM Saturday on The CW

  • Shoutout to one of the biggest Remix supporters Kevin Dunn as he’s honored on Senior Day- go Deacs!

• (7) Alabama @ (1) Auburn, 2:30 PM Saturday on ESPN

• (24) Arizona @ Kansas, 4:30 PM Saturday on ESPN

• (2) Duke @ North Carolina, 6:30 PM Saturday on ESPN

• (17) Michigan @ (8) Michigan State, Noon Sunday on CBS

TENNIS: Indian Wells, second and third rounds all weekend on Tennis Channel

Thanks for a fantastic week… see you all on Monday!