BETH HARRIS

AP Sports Writer

UCLA center Lauren Betts seated on the bench with a boot, fourth from right, follows the action from the bench during the first half against Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

No. 1 UCLA bounces back from 1st loss of season to edge No. 22 Michigan State 75-69 without Betts

Timea Gardiner hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 44 seconds remaining to help top-ranked UCLA avoid its second loss of the week by edging No. 22 Michigan State 75-69.

UCLA head coach Cori Close gestures during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Southern California, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

No. 1 UCLA ends its run as nation’s lone unbeaten team with upset loss to crosstown rival USC

The unbeaten streak is over for UCLA. The top-ranked Bruins lost 71-60 to sixth-ranked USC and JuJu Watkins, ending their school-record run of 23 consecutive victories to open the season. They were the nation’s last unbeaten women’s team.

Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) celebrates after scoring as UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) and guard Londynn Jones (3) look on during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

JuJu Watkins lifts sixth-ranked USC to program-defining win over No. 1 UCLA

JuJu Watkins broke out of a scoring slump with 38 points, helping sixth-ranked USC topple No. 1 UCLA 71-60 and further delivering on her goal of restoring the program to its earlier glory.

Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against UCLA, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

No. 1 UCLA’s 23-game winning streak ends in 71-60 loss to USC and Watkins

JuJu Watkins scored 38 points to lead sixth-ranked Southern California over No. 1 UCLA 71-60, handing the crosstown rival Bruins their first loss of the season.

Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) dribbles during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Minnesota in Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

No. 1 UCLA takes unbeaten record into crosstown showdown against sixth-ranked USC and JuJu Watkins

Top-ranked UCLA visits sixth-ranked Southern California in a sold-out showdown in Los Angeles on Thursday. At 23-0, the Bruins are the nation’s last remaining undefeated women’s team.

Los Angeles Sparks' Kelsey Plum, right, poses with her jersey with Sparks CEO Eric Holoman during an introductory WNBA basketball press conference, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Kelsey Plum joins LA Sparks in a reunion with former Aces teammate Dearica Hamby

Kelsey Plum used to attend Los Angeles Sparks games as a kid, with her mother driving them from the San Diego area. The 30-year-old point guard has come full circle, joining the Sparks from the Las Vegas Aces in a three-team trade.

Washington Wizards' Malcolm Brogdon, left, defends Brooklyn Nets' Ben Simmons during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Ben Simmons says he’s ready to play at a high level for LA Clippers after being waived by Nets

Ben Simmons has opened a new chapter with the Los Angeles Clippers, practicing with the team for the first time after being waived by the Brooklyn Nets.

Southern California guard JuJu Watkins reacts after being called for a foul during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Iriafen scores 24 points and No. 7 USC beats No. 8 Ohio State 84-63 as Watkins struggles

Kiki Iriafen had 24 points and 13 rebounds and No. 7 Southern California defeated eighth-ranked Ohio State 84-63 on a night when Trojans star JuJu Watkins struggled offensively.

Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, right, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Siakam scores 33 points to help Pacers overcome 22-point deficit in 119-112 win over Clippers

All-Star Pascal Siakam scored 33 points and the Indiana Pacers rallied from a 22-point deficit after losing Myles Turner to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 119-112. Bennedict Mathurin added 25 points.

Michigan State guard Tre Holloman (5) dribbles against UCLA center Aday Mara (15) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

UCLA edges No. 9 Michigan State 63-61 on Dailey’s basket with 7 seconds left

Eric Dailey Jr. scored the go-ahead basket over two defenders with 7 seconds left, lifting UCLA to a hard-fought 63-61 victory against No. 9 Michigan State. Skyy Clark scored 14 points and Tyler Bilodeau added 13 for the Bruins.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani talks to the media during a baseball interview during DodgerFest at Dodger Stadium, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

Ohtani’s return to pitching could come in May for World Series champion Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers in May sounds “about right.” That’s according to manager Dave Roberts, who spoke Saturday at the team’s annual fan fest.

Bobby Weir, front, and Mickey Hart of 'The Grateful Dead' perform during the MusiCares Person of the Year gala honoring The Grateful Dead on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Tie-dye and dancing bears: Grammy weekend begins with Grateful Dead honored as Persons of the Year

The Grateful Dead kicked off Grammy weekend being honored as MusiCares Persons of the Year. Guitarist Bob Weir and drummer Mickey Hart were on hand as other artists took turns performing the legendary jam band’s songs during a 2 1/2-hour show in Los Angeles on Friday night.

Oregon guard Keeshawn Barthelemy, center, shoots as UCLA guard Lazar Stefanovic defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

UCLA beats No. 16 Oregon 78-52 for its 5th straight victory and 4th over a ranked opponent

Eric Dailey Jr. scored 21 points and UCLA led all the way in defeating No. 16 Oregon 78-52 for the Bruins’ fifth straight victory.

Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, dunks as Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Harden scores 40 points to lead Clippers over Bucks 127-117, snapping Milwaukee’s 5-game win streak

James Harden scored 40 points and the Los Angeles Clippers overcame Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 127-117 on Saturday night.

Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George (18) drives the ball against Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)

Harden notches 79th career triple-double in Clippers’ 110-93 rout of NBA-worst Wizards

James Harden had 17 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds for his 79th career triple-double, and the Los Angeles Clippers led all the way in routing the NBA-worst Washington Wizards 110-93.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, right, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Brown and Tatum lead Celtics past Clippers 117-113 in overtime with both teams missing starters

Jaylen Brown scored 25 points, Jayson Tatum added 24 and the Boston Celtics rallied past the Los Angeles Clippers 117-113 in overtime when both teams were missing key players.

Japanese right-hander pitcher Roki Sasaki, 23, is introduced by the Los Angeles Dodgers at a news conference at Dodger Stadium Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Ohtani informed the Los Angeles Dodgers they had landed prized Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki

The Dodgers have introduced prized Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki, who agreed to a minor league contract with a $6.5 million signing bonus. The 23-year-old right-hander whose fastball tops 100 mph was introduced Wednesday.

UCLA guard Dylan Andrews (2) attempts to steal the ball from Wisconsin guard John Blackwell, center, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

No. 18 Wisconsin falls to UCLA 85-83, snapping the Badgers’ seven-game winning streak

Aday Mara scored a career-high 22 points and UCLA held off No. 18 Wisconsin 85-83 to snap the Badgers’ seven-game winning streak. Sebastian Mack had 19 points and Tyler Bilodeau added 16 before fouling out with 1:40 remaining.

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, right, drives as Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

LaVine leads Bulls over Clippers 112-99 as Chicago snaps 5-game skid with rare win in back-to-back

Zach LaVine scored 35 points and the Chicago Bulls defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 112-99 to snap a five-game skid. Talen Horton-Tucker added 18 points and Josh Giddey had 18 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell, left, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Powell and the Clippers beat James and the Lakers 116-102 in Lakers’ first visit to Intuit Dome

Norman Powell scored 22 points, James Harden had a double-double and the Los Angeles Clippers defeated LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers 116-102. It was the Lakers’ first visit to the new Intuit Dome. Harden added 21 points and 12 assists.

Travis County, Texas Fire Engine 102 is stationed at the Asiliomar Bluffs as the sun rises over homes destroyed by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

LA’s Olympic venues were spared by wildfires, but the city’s rebuild could impact the Games’ runup

The deadly wildfires that have ravaged sections of Los Angeles left an indelible imprint on the region’s landscape and psyche.

Tommy Brown, youngest player to homer and last living member of historic 1947 Dodgers, dies at 97

Tommy Brown, the youngest player to hit a home run in a major league game and the last living member of the landmark 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers team that included rookie Jackie Robinson, has died.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dribbles against Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Kawhi Leonard in no hurry to end minutes restriction as he works his way back with the Clippers

Kawhi Leonard is in no rush to break free of the minutes restriction he’s been playing under since making his season debut recently.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dribbles against Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Harden’s big 3rd quarter helps Clippers rally past Heat 109-98

James Harden scored 13 of his 26 points in a third-quarter revival that rallied the Los Angeles Clippers past the Miami Heat 109-98 to snap a two-game skid.

Southern California head coach Lindsay Gottlieb, left, speaks to fans and thanks them for attending in light of recent wildfires following an NCAA college basketball game against Penn State, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

JuJu Watkins and No. 4 USC try to bring ‘some fun’ to weary and fire-ravaged Los Angeles

USC basketball star JuJu Watkins knows people who have been affected by the deadly wildfires in Los Angeles.

Southern California guard JuJu Watkins, left, defends against Penn State guard Talayah Walker, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

Watkins and Iriafen lead No. 4 USC over Penn State 95-73, keeping Nittany Lions winless in Big Ten

JuJu Watkins scored 35 points, leading an 18-0 run with 10 points before halftime, and No. 4 Southern California defeated Penn State 95-73 in one of the first sporting events held in Los Angeles since the deadly wildfires began.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann (14) makes a pass around Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)

Clippers, Lakers to resume their wildfire-delayed schedules on Monday

NBA games are scheduled to return to wildfire-ravaged Los Angeles on Monday night, with the Clippers planning to resume their schedule when they play host to the Miami Heat and the Lakers set to host Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.

Michigan center Vladislav Goldin (50) reacts after a dunk over UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

No. 24 Michigan shuts down UCLA’s second half rally to beat 22nd-ranked Bruins 94-75

Vladislav Goldin scored 21 of his career-high 36 points in the first half to lead No. 24 Michigan over 22nd-ranked UCLA 94-75 in the Wolverines’ fourth straight victory.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Teoscar Hernández is high-fived in the dugout after scoring on a sacrifice fly ball by Gavin Lux during the second inning in Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

Teoscar Hernández re-signs with World Series champion Dodgers and will be in right field next season

Teoscar Hernández will be in right field for the Los Angeles Dodgers next season when the World Series champions try to defend their title. The outfielder is rejoining the team on a $66 million, three-year contract.

UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) dribbles around Michigan forward Alyssa Crockett (20) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Top-ranked UCLA women head to Indiana where the reminders of Hall of Fame coach John Wooden abound

Top-ranked UCLA is headed to Indiana this weekend for a pair of games where the undefeated women’s team will find reminders of Hall of Fame coach John Wooden in his home state. Wooden led the UCLA men’s teams to a record 10 NCAA championships.