Most of the MLB players given a preview of our Top 100 player ranking were polite, and some were even deferential, suggesting they didn't feel qualified to assess the relative strengths of the players across the broad spectrum of Major League Baseball.

It's a fair concern -- for the players and for us as writers and rankers. We are not perfect, which is why we presented our list to current players for feedback over the past few weeks. We work daily to evaluate the work of players, and in this case, we want to know what they think -- to give unvarnished opinions about how we ranked the best players in the sport.

And once niceties were set aside -- and with some players feeling more comfortable speaking on the condition of anonymity -- it became clear that many of them believe that ESPN's ranking is constructed too heavily on hype, rather than actual achievement.

"You have [Roki] Sasaki" -- the Los Angeles Dodgers' rookie pitcher who's ranked No. 60 -- "over J.T. Realmuto?" asked one player, who called attention to Realmuto's nearly decade-long standing as one of the best catchers. "In what world does that make sense?"

Weighing possibility over production seemed to be the biggest concern across the board when we spoke to 15 MLB players about our ranking.

"I'm not going to call out anybody by name, but there are guys on this list who have had a good two months over players who had good years," Pittsburgh Pirates veteran outfielder Tommy Pham said. "You're basing [a ranking] on two months? I can't get on board with that."

Longtime reliever Adam Ottavino was also surprised by this fact, pointing to Francisco Lindor and Elly De La Cruz being ranked back-to-back at No. 16 and 17, respectively.

"I feel like there's a huge separation in actual production at this moment between Lindor and De La Cruz," he said. "I know [De La Cruz's] ceiling is insane and he's so fun to watch, but he's just not anywhere close to Lindor yet, in my mind."

Tangible major league production was a sticking point for players, and so was position.

"Paul Skenes has amazing stuff," said another player about the fifth-ranked young Pirates pitcher. "But he's ahead of Francisco Lindor? Like, a shortstop who plays every day and just finished second in the NL MVP race?"

Andrew McCutchen, playing in his 17th year in the big leagues with Pittsburgh this season, believes that you cannot fairly rank position players and pitchers on the same list because the demands of their work are so completely different.

"Shohei [Ohtani] hits and he pitches, and you have him at No. 1," McCutchen said. "But you guys have Paul Skenes at [No. 5], but Paul Skenes doesn't hit. That skews the list for me. ... To me, that's like ranking offensive and defensive [NFL] players on the same list. It doesn't work."

Ottavino, now back with the New York Yankees, found it interesting that you don't see as many pitchers mixed in near the top of the list -- outside of Ohtani, who is expected to return to a two-way role at some point this season. There are just three starting pitchers in the top 20.

"Position players are out there day in and day out," Ottavino said. "But you see Chris Sale at No. 32, and you see him behind Brent Rooker, a DH. Rooker is a great player, but I just feel like a true ace has so much impact."

Veteran infielder Manny Machado felt similarly, making the case for Tarik Skubal (No. 10) and Zack Wheeler (No. 9) to be higher on the list, saying, "Zack is the No. 1 pitcher in the league right now, by far."

Ottavino also noted how players' rankings on our list do not match with how positions are valued in the free agent market.

"First baseman, first baseman, first baseman," he said, noting players near the top of the list. "And yet the market doesn't value first baseman."

Max Fried, No. 27 on our list, just signed a deal with the Yankees for $218 million this winter. Longtime New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, ranked just a few spots behind Fried, got a third of that after struggling to come to terms on a deal all offseason.

When looking at position players and where they should rank, Ottavino favored those who bear a wider range of skills, saying, "I would have Gunnar [Henderson] higher than some of these others because of overall impact."

Maybe no major league player has as much impact as Aaron Judge, who ranked fourth on our list. Multiple players were surprised that the star slugger wasn't No. 1 or No. 2.

"I like Bobby Witt [Jr.]'s skill set, and he did some great things last year," McCutchen said of the young Kansas City Royals star who secured the second overall ranking. "But what Judge did for a couple of years running, it's hard for me to put [Witt] above him."

"You've got Judge as the fourth-best player?" Pham exclaimed. "Am I tripping here?"

Hearing his teammate, McCutchen added, "The people who put together these lists think this game is easy."

Well, I responded, I did bat over .300 in junior varsity and pitched a scoreless inning with my slowball in Little League. (No, I didn't actually say that to these two players who have almost three decades between them in the majors.)

"Look at Judge's numbers," Pham continued. "Judge can't be that low. With all due respect, everybody above him on the list is a great player -- Mookie [Betts], Bobby, Ohtani is a unicorn. But Judge had a Barry Bonds season last year."

And Pham isn't wrong -- Judge's adjusted OPS+ of 223 in 2024 is the highest ever for a right-handed hitter.

"See?" Pham said. "I can't work with this."

Machado agreed, saying that "It should be 1, 4, 2, 3." Translated: Ohtani, Judge, Witt and then Betts.

"There is a lot of hype around Paul [Skenes]," the San Diego Padres third baseman continued, perusing the list. "But he is nasty. I'm glad we missed him last year."

Seeing his former teammate Corey Seager at No. 21, Machado said, "I don't know why Seager is so low. I love Seager."

There were a number of big-name stars whose rankings players were surprised to see.

Atlanta Braves infielders Matt Olson and Austin Riley were looking at the list together outside the Braves clubhouse when they saw fellow teammate Ronald Acuña Jr. was No. 20. While Acuña is recovering from a second ACL tear that sidelined him for the majority of the 2024 season, he's not far removed from a 2023 campaign that saw him hit 41 homers and steal 73 bases en route to the National League MVP Award.

"That's a little tough," Riley said of the ranking.

Los Angeles Angels star outfielder Mike Trout was someone who players we spoke to last year about our list thought was ranked far too low at No. 19. They were equally surprised by his ranking of 33rd this year.

"I said it last year, too, but Trout is too low," Olson said. "And Sale is too low."

Riley took issue with Teoscar Hernandez' ranking at No. 53, after a season in which he won the Home Run Derby and helped the Dodgers win the World Series. Perusing, Riley turned to Olson, who's ranked No. 41, and said, "You're too low."

"I think once you get past No. 30, it's a free-for-all," he said.

Their teammate Marcell Ozuna, who carried Atlanta's offense at times last season as it dealt with injuries, slotted in at No. 78 on our list, which didn't make sense to Olson.

"If he's going to be that low, you're going to say it's a discount for being a DH and not playing the field," he said. "But if that's the case, Yordan [Alvarez] can't be at [No. 7]."

And yes, Juan Soto's placement one spot down at No. 8 caught the attention of a few players.

"Are you f----ing kidding?" asked one.

Please tell us how you really feel.

Wimbledon is planning to renovate its iconic 'Henman Hill' and increase capacity for the tournament's 150th anniversary.

Thousands of fans have watched action on a big screen from the grass slope which is open to supporters without show-court tickets.

The proposed revamp - which has not yet been approved - would increase the hill's capacity by 20% in time for the 2027 event and increase accessibility.

It is the latest change planned for the All England Club, after a 39-court expansion was approved last year.

"It's all about enhancing this whole area, obviously it's become extremely popular but accessibility is difficult for everyone," said four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist Tim Henman, after whom the hill was named.

"We are always looking to enhance wherever we are on the estate. This is going to be an exciting project."

Australian hooker Julian Heaven will join Premiership side Exeter in the summer.

The 24-year-old arrives from Super Rugby's New South Wales Waratahs having come up through the academy at French side Lyon.

Heaven is the second Australian player to seal a summer move to Sandy Park after back-row Tom Hooper agreed to join for next season in January.

Exeter have also been linked with Wallabies centre Len Ikitau and added Italy scrum-half Stephen Varney last month.

"Julian is a really exciting young hooker with a very interesting story around how hard he's worked to get the opportunities he's had," Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter told the club website.

"He's travelled to France to try to get experience there and he's ended up fighting his way into getting some decent recognition with the Waratahs."

Heaven helps fill the void left by Dan Frost's departure to Bath and Jack Innard's move to Gloucester.

He will pack down alongside fellow Australia forward Scott Sio, who signed a new deal last year.

Heaven is eligible to play for England through family connections, as well as Australia and Spain.

Exeter have not disclosed the length of Heaven's contract.

"In the last couple of weeks, he's come off the bench or started in some very important games for the Waratahs," Baxter added. "He's a young guy who we think is an exciting character and player.

"He's someone who will definitely add to what we're trying to achieve here. We're really excited to have him coming over here as a young guy coming in with stacks to prove.

"He wants to win things. His story has already proven he's prepared to take the tough route to get to where he's been that really impresses me. I can only see bright things for him in the future."

The head of European rugby has dismissed concerns over Saracens resting a host of England stars for their Champions Cup last-16 tie at Toulon.

Maro Itoje, Jamie George, Ben Earl, Tom Willis and Elliot Daly will all miss the trip to the south of France as Saracens prioritise their Premiership play-off push.

But European Professional Club Rugby chief executive Jacques Raynaud insists the Champions Cup remains the pinnacle for players and coaches.

"We do have one or two cases per season [of weakened teams], but it is more the exception, we shouldn't overplay it," Raynaud told BBC Sport.

"We are definitely living up to our promise to have the best players in the best matches."

Last season South African side Bulls sent a weakened team to Northampton for their quarter-final, while earlier this campaign a much-changed Stormers side was well beaten by Harlequins in the pool stage. However, Raynaud says these are exceptions that prove the rule.

"Toulouse travelled down [to South Africa in January] with their best team to play the Sharks. And this was kind of a France versus South Africa remake," explained Raynaud.

"You saw Northampton going down to South Africa and winning [against Bulls in December] and taking their best team."

Under England rugby player welfare guidelines, players who featured throughout the Six Nations should have a weekend off on one of the three weekends following the Championship.

With Sarries boss Mark McCall opting to pick his England regulars for the Premiership matches against Harlequins and away at Leicester, he says it would now be "unwise not to rest them" against Toulon.

England skipper Itoje, for example, has played 80 minutes in 14 successive matches for club and country.

"There are some specificities due to injuries, due to player welfare, due to rest periods, which we fully respect," added Raynaud.

"But overall, when you listen to coaches, when you listen to teams, they do use these [Champions Cup] weekends to shine at the very best level.

"We are increasingly seeing the teams wanting to go deep in Europe; this is the absolute measuring stick for them, this is what the players want, this is where the coaches want to shine and this is where the club branding is exposed to a global level.

"They are all chasing the star, they all want to add a star - or to have a star - and this is the beauty of the tournament."

The final day of the regular season is exactly two weeks away, but the race for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot remains open for five contenders.

Two of those teams are in action Thursday night. The Montreal Canadiens host the Boston Bruins (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+), and the Columbus Blue Jackets welcome the Colorado Avalanche (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+).

As play begins Thursday, the Canadiens hold the second wild card with 79 points and 25 regulation wins through 74 games; the New York Rangers are tied in standings points (and ahead in RW, with 32), but have played more games. The Blue Jackets are two behind in points, and one behind in regulation wins. The idle Detroit Red Wings (75 points, 26 RW) and New York Islanders (74 points, 25 RW) round out the quintet.

The Stathletes projection model likes the Canadiens' chances to make the playoffs the most, at 51.7%, followed by the Blue Jackets (25.5%), Rangers (19.0%), Islanders (3.1%) and Red Wings (2.3%). How will this all shake out? Thursday's pair of games featuring these teams will provide our next set of clues.

With the regular season ending April 17, we'll help you track it all with the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the final stretch, we'll provide details on all the playoff races, along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery.

Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.

Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Today's schedule
Yesterday's scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

A1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Florida Panthers
M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Montreal Canadiens
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils

Western Conference

C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 St. Louis Blues
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers

Thursday's games

Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).

Boston Bruins at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m.
Colorado Avalanche at Columbus Blue Jackets, 7:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh Penguins at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m.
Nashville Predators at Dallas Stars, 8 p.m.
Los Angeles Kings at Utah Hockey Club, 9 p.m.
Anaheim Ducks at Calgary Flames, 9:30 p.m.
Winnipeg Jets at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m.
Edmonton Oilers at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu/Disney+)

Wednesday's scoreboard

New York Rangers 5, Minnesota Wild 4 (OT)
Carolina Hurricanes 5, Washington Capitals 1
Toronto Maple Leafs 3, Florida Panthers 2
Colorado Avalanche 3, Chicago Blackhawks 2 (SO)
Seattle Kraken 5, Vancouver Canucks 0

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

x - Toronto Maple Leafs

Points: 96
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 7
Points pace: 105.0
Next game: vs. CBJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Tampa Bay Lightning

Points: 93
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 8
Points pace: 103.1
Next game: @ OTT (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Florida Panthers

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 7
Points pace: 100.6
Next game: @ OTT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Ottawa Senators

Points: 84
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 8
Points pace: 93.1
Next game: vs. TB (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 98.6%
Tragic number: N/A

Montreal Canadiens

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 8
Points pace: 87.5
Next game: vs. BOS (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 51.7%
Tragic number: N/A

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 83.1
Next game: vs. CAR (Friday)
Playoff chances: 2.3%
Tragic number: 13

Buffalo Sabres

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 77.6
Next game: vs. TB (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 8

Boston Bruins

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 75.4
Next game: @ MTL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 5

Metro Division

x - Washington Capitals

Points: 105
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 7
Points pace: 114.8
Next game: vs. CHI (Friday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Carolina Hurricanes

Points: 96
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 8
Points pace: 106.4
Next game: @ DET (Friday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

New Jersey Devils

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 6
Points pace: 93.9
Next game: vs. NYR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.8%
Tragic number: N/A

New York Rangers

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 86.4
Next game: @ NJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 19%
Tragic number: 15

Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 86.5
Next game: vs. COL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 25.5%
Tragic number: 17

New York Islanders

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 82.0
Next game: vs. MIN (Friday)
Playoff chances: 3.1%
Tragic number: 12

Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 77.6
Next game: @ STL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 7

Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 76.6
Next game: @ MTL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 5

Central Division

x - Winnipeg Jets

Points: 106
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 7
Points pace: 115.9
Next game: @ VGK (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Dallas Stars

Points: 102
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 8
Points pace: 113.0
Next game: vs. NSH (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Colorado Avalanche

Points: 96
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 6
Points pace: 103.6
Next game: @ CBJ (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Minnesota Wild

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 6
Points pace: 96.0
Next game: @ NYI (Friday)
Playoff chances: 93.7%
Tragic number: N/A

St. Louis Blues

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 6
Points pace: 96.0
Next game: vs. PIT (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 96.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Utah Hockey Club

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 87.5
Next game: vs. LA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0.7%
Tragic number: 6

e - Nashville Predators

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 67.8
Next game: @ DAL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 52
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 56.9
Next game: @ WSH (Friday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Pacific Division

x - Vegas Golden Knights

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 8
Points pace: 108.6
Next game: vs. WPG (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Los Angeles Kings

Points: 93
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 8
Points pace: 103.1
Next game: @ UTA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Edmonton Oilers

Points: 91
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 8
Points pace: 100.8
Next game: @ SJ (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Calgary Flames

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 90.9
Next game: vs. ANA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 6.4%
Tragic number: 10

Vancouver Canucks

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 88.6
Next game: vs. ANA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 2.4%
Tragic number: 7

Anaheim Ducks

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 82.0
Next game: @ CGY (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 2

e - Seattle Kraken

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 75.5
Next game: @ SJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - San Jose Sharks

Points: 50
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 55.4
Next game: vs. EDM (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Note: An "x" means that the team has clinched a playoff berth. An "e" means that the team has been eliminated from playoff contention.

Race for the No. 1 pick

The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process are here. Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL's Erie Otters, is No. 1 on the draft board.

1. San Jose Sharks

Points: 50
Regulation wins: 14

2. Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 52
Regulation wins: 18

3. Nashville Predators

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23

4. Boston Bruins

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23

5. Seattle Kraken

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 26

6. Buffalo Sabres

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 26

7. Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 20

8. Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 20

9. Anaheim Ducks

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 23

10. New York Islanders

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25

11. Detroit Red Wings

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 26

12. Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 24

13. New York Rangers

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 32

14. Utah Hockey Club

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 26

15. Vancouver Canucks

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 26

16. Calgary Flames

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 26

PGMOL has admitted that Everton defender James Tarkowski should have been sent off through a VAR review in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday night.

Tarkowski was booked by referee Sam Barrott for an 11th-minute challenge on Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, and the VAR, Paul Tierney, opted not to advise that it shouldn't be upgraded to a red.

The referees' body has conceded that the nature of the follow-through met the threshold for serious foul play and a review should have been recommended and the original decision overturned.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot said after the game he was "not surprised" that James Tarkowski was not sent off.

"I don't want to comment about the situation because so many people already commented on that," Slot said.

"Even people who don't like Liverpool a lot were so clear and obvious about what the decision should have been. Was I surprised? No."

Diogo Jota scored the only goal at Anfield as Liverpool edged past their city rivals to restore their 12-point advantage at the top of the Premier League table.

LOS ANGELES -- Nathan Ordaz scored in the 57th minute, and Los Angeles FC kept Lionel Messi off the scoresheet Wednesday night in a 1-0 victory over Inter Miami CF in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal matchup.

Messi had produced a goal (5) or an assist (2) in each of his first six Champions Cup appearances since joining Miami two years ago, including three goals in the early rounds of this year's tournament.

After returning from injury only last weekend, Messi played the entire match in Los Angeles. He put two of his five shots on target, but Hugo Lloris stopped both chances.

The clubs meet again in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, April 9, for the second leg of the quarterfinal.

The aggregate winner advances to the semifinals to face MLS' Vancouver Whitecaps or Liga MX's Pumas, who played to a 1-1 draw in their first leg.

The 21-year-old Ordaz put LAFC ahead when he eluded Sergio Busquets and hammered a swift shot into the bottom corner of the Herons' net from well outside the penalty area. The promising homegrown player and Los Angeles native also scored against Columbus in a Champions Cup match last month.

Ordaz had narrowly avoided a red card in the first half when he became entangled with Maxi Falcón. The Uruguayan defender went down from what Miami felt was a punch by Ordaz, who was given only a yellow upon video review.

LAFC, which finished as the runner-up in this tournament in 2020 and 2023, ended its 0-4-1 skid over the previous 3 1/2 weeks with a strong performance on both ends against powerhouse Miami, which leads the MLS standings at 4-0-1.

The 37-year-old Messi has been slowed in recent weeks by an adductor injury, forcing him to miss duties with the Argentine national team last month. But he returned to MLS play last Saturday with a goal as a substitute in Miami's win over Philadelphia, and he was in the Herons' starting lineup in Los Angeles.

Messi took two free kicks in dangerous areas in the first half, but he sailed his first over the bar and sent the second directly to Lloris.

He had a good chance in the 80th minute, but his quick turnaround shot above the penalty area was also too high. He fired another low shot at Lloris in the 86th minute, and the French keeper smothered it after a bobble.

Messi earned one last free kick off a foul on a dribble in second-half injury time, but also sailed it high.

The packed crowd included NBA great Stephen Curry, whose Golden State Warriors play the Lakers on Thursday night.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said the United States and the United Kingdom are poised to be named as hosts of the Women's World Cup in 2031 and 2035, respectively.

Infantino told European football officials on Thursday that the governing body received one expression of interest to host the 2031 edition -- from the U.S. with the possibility of other countries in the Concacaf region joining the project. That would likely include Mexico.

Infantino also said FIFA has just one "valid bid" to host the 2035 edition, from the UK.

Spanish football officials said last week they hoped to bid, possibly with Portugal and Morocco in a repeat of the co-hosting plan for the men's 2030 World Cup.

Infantino's comments to the annual meeting of UEFA seemed to rule out a Spain bid.

"So the path is there for the Women's World Cup to be taking place in '31 and '35 in some great countries," the FIFA president said, "to boost even more the women's football movement."

FIFA is scheduled to confirm Women's World Cup hosts next year. The 2027 edition with 32 teams is being hosted by Brazil.

DALLAS -- Anthony Davis capped his most complete performance in a Dallas Mavericks uniform with a sequence that displayed his two-way brilliance to close out a 120-118 win Wednesday night over the Atlanta Hawks.

Davis scored the go-ahead basket, driving left for a floater over Atlanta's Onyeka Okongwu with 3.4 seconds left. After the timeout, Davis smothered Hawks star guard Trae Young on a switch, forcing a tightly contested step-back 3 that failed to draw iron at the buzzer.

"To have a closer and a two-way player like Anthony, we all rally around him," Mavs shooting guard Klay Thompson said. "We go as he goes. He's obviously our best player, so he did what he was supposed to do. That was incredible."

Davis finished with 34 points, 15 rebounds and 5 blocks in 30 minutes as the Mavs moved 1 games ahead of the Sacramento Kings in what has been an underwhelming battle for the right to host the Western Conference's 9-10 play-in game.

It was Davis' first dominant performance since his Dallas debut Feb. 8, when he had 26 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 blocks in 31 minutes before he suffered a strained left adductor that sidelined him for the next six weeks.

"That's who he is," Mavs guard Spencer Dinwiddie said. "I hope Dallas gets to see a lot of that, for both the city's sake and his own. ... He obviously wants to carry this team. He wants to perform."

Davis had struggled to find his groove in his first four games back from the injury, averaging 14.3 points and 6.8 rebounds in 28.5 minutes ahead of the Hawks matchup.

"It's just a mental hurdle of allowing my body to just be free," said Davis, who received four stitches over his right eye after catching an inadvertent elbow from teammate Daniel Gafford at the end of the first quarter Wednesday. "Even though I've been pain-free and haven't had any problems, I've always had a burst and then start thinking about it. I just made up my mind after my pregame nap, I was just going to play and just whatever happens, happens. Just go out there and just play with a lot of energy, a lot of force, a lot of dominance and was able to catch a rhythm."

Mavs center Dereck Lively II returned Wednesday, playing for the first time since he suffered a stress fracture in his right ankle in January. It was backup center Gafford's second game since returning from a sprained knee. The big men combined for 15 points and 11 rebounds in 36 minutes.

"We know how dominant we can be when we are healthy and available," Davis said. "It's just about us going out there and enforcing our dominance."