JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 897

DALLAS — The Los Angeles Lakers lost 134-128 to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night after Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were sidelined; Cooper Flagg scored 45 points while LeBron James led the Lakers with 30 points and 15 assists at American Airlines Center.

The diagnoses of Grade 2 strains for Doncic (left hamstring) and Reaves (left oblique) rule both out for the remainder of the regular season, prompting immediate rotation changes, increased minutes for bench players, and questions about how the Lakers will preserve seeding this week and into the playoffs.

SAN FRANCISCO: Stephen Curry returned from a two-plus-month absence with a right knee issue and came off the bench Sunday night, playing about 26 minutes and scoring 29 points as the Golden State Warriors hosted the Houston Rockets at Chase Center.

The Rockets secured a 117-116 victory when Alperen Şengün converted a go-ahead layup with 11 seconds left; Kevin Durant led Houston with 31 points, and Golden State faces short-term minutes-management decisions ahead of a compressed slate.

Washington: U.S., Iranian and regional mediators held indirect talks on April 6 to discuss a possible 45-day ceasefire, Axios reported, with negotiators pressing Tehran ahead of a U.S. deadline and describing the next 48 hours as a last window to avoid further escalation.

The talks this week followed intense overnight contacts and a Pakistan-brokered proposal for an immediate truce and a broader settlement within 15–20 days; officials warned failure could prompt U.S. or Israeli strikes and retaliatory attacks on Gulf infrastructure, and a U.S. deadline was publicly extended.

Los Angeles — Universal and Illumination’s animated The Super Mario Galaxy Movie opened in early April, earning US$130.9 million in North America during the April 3–5 weekend and roughly US$182.4 million internationally, producing an estimated global debut near US$372.5–373 million, Comscore and studio estimates reported this weekend.

Despite largely negative critic reviews and a 41% Rotten Tomatoes score this week, audiences graded the film A− (CinemaScore), boosting studio and exhibitor revenues; Mexico and the U.K. were top overseas markets, and analysts noted the spring-break/Easter release window helped drive the strong debut.

Indianapolis — UConn's Alex Karaban and Michigan meet Monday in the 2026 NCAA championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium, with Karaban seeking a third national title and UConn aiming for its third championship in four years; Karaban tied Bobby Hurley with 18 NCAA tournament wins on Saturday.

The game follows UConn's retention of key players after the 2024 offseason decisions, including Karaban's choice to forego the transfer portal and delay NBA entry; coach Dan Hurley remained with the program after considering the Los Angeles Lakers, preserving roster continuity heading into Monday's final.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama announced Sunday that head men’s basketball coach Nate Oats signed a contract extension through the 2031-32 season, according to the university’s NIL collective and athletic director Greg Byrne; outlets report the deal will place Oats among the five highest-paid coaches in college basketball.

The extension follows program success under Oats, including a Final Four and multiple Sweet 16 appearances; Byrne said trustees were notified and formal approval will follow, while sports outlets compared reported compensation to the 2024-25 top public-school coaching salaries and noted the deal’s multi-year financial implications.

New York, New York. Rosen Law Firm announced between March 18 and April 5, 2026 that it has filed or is investigating securities class actions involving Driven Brands, Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Coty, Barclays and Ultragenyx, specifying class periods and urging investors to secure counsel before listed deadlines.

The notices set concrete lead plaintiff motion or filing deadlines—April 6, April 27, May 8 and May 22, 2026—and provide submission portals and contact details; affected shareholders were advised to contact counsel to preserve claims and pursue potential recovery under contingency-fee arrangements.

Indianapolis — Tommy Lloyd led the Arizona Wildcats to a program-record 36-3 season, Big 12 regular-season and tournament championships, and a Final Four berth during the 2025-26 campaign, and he received the Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year award during Final Four weekend.

The Wildcats were eliminated Saturday in the national semifinals by Michigan, 91-73, ending their run; Lloyd’s award and a recent five-year contract extension follow the season, and Michigan advances to face UConn in Monday’s championship game.

Washington — On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the United States will target Iran's power plants and bridges on Tuesday if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened, following a weekend rescue operation for U.S. pilots inside Iran and escalating tensions in the Gulf.

Domestically, lawmakers including former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rep. Mark Pocan called for invoking the 25th Amendment this week, and critics urged de-escalation; the president's deadline and threats have prompted international concern over potential strikes and further disruption to oil shipping through the closed strait.

Indianapolis — UConn center Tarris Reed Jr. led the Huskies to a 71-62 semifinal victory over Illinois at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds and extending his strong tournament run as UConn advanced to the national championship game.

The win sets a Monday night title game between UConn and Michigan; Reed’s tournament averages (20.8 points, 13.0 rebounds) and improved free-throw shooting underline his role, while Michigan’s frontcourt, including 7-foot-3 Aday Mara, prepares for the decisive matchup.