In brief: Digest: Rams acquire the No. 1 overall pick
nfl: The Rams are tired of waiting to get a franchise quarterback, and they want to make a splash in their return to Los Angeles.
So after waiting a day out of respect for Kobe Bryant, they went all in on one of the biggest trades in NFL draft history.
The Rams acquired the No. 1 overall pick from the Tennessee Titans, giving up six draft picks over the next two seasons in exchange for three choices.
General manager Les Snead and coach Jeff Fisher left little doubt the Rams will choose a quarterback with the top pick, hoping to end years of frustration at the most important position in football.
“This is a fun time, an exciting time,” Fisher said Thursday at the team’s temporary Southern California headquarters.
Allen to formally retire: The Minnesota Vikings have signed defensive end Jared Allen to a ceremonial one-day contract to allow the four-time All-Pro to formally retire as a member of the team.
Allen spent six of his 12 seasons with the Vikings, ranking third on the franchise’s all-time list with 83 1/2 sacks.
NBA to address All-Star controversy
nba: The NBA is expected to address team owners on the controversy surrounding the 2017 All-Star Game in Charlotte.
After N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory signed into law House Bill 2, which limits the legal protections of LGBT individuals, the NBA said it is “deeply concerned that this discriminatory law runs counter to our guiding principles of equality and mutual respect.”
Record-setting season for NBA: The NBA had a record-setting season in the stands and on the screens. The league said it broke its attendance mark for the second straight season, drawing nearly 22 million fans in 2015-16. The average attendance of 17,864 also was a record, including the 723 sellouts and 94 percent average arena capacity.
Wizards look to replace Wittman: Ernie Grunfeld is sticking around as president of the Washington Wizards, saying at a news conference that he would be “heading up the coaching search” to replace the fired Randy Wittman.
Jang takes lead in Lotte Championship
golf: Su-Yeon Jang shot a 6-under 66 at windy Ko Olina, Hawaii to top the leaderboard halfway through the second round of the LPGA Tour’s Lotte Championship.
Donald/Grace share lead: Former world No. 1 Luke Donald came back strong in the RBC Heritage, in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, after missing the Masters for the first time since 2004, shooting a 5-under 66 to share the first- round lead with Branden Grace.
Holby records 19 saves in Capitals win
nhl: John Carlson scored a power-play goal and Braden Holby made 19 saves to help the Capitals beat the Flyers 2-0 in Washington, in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round series.
Islanders beat Panthers: John Tavares had a goal and two assists, including one that set up Kyle Okposo’s go-ahead goal early in the third period, and New York beat Florida 5-4 in Sunrise, Florida, Game 1 of the Eastern Conference series.
Lundqvist’s status in limbo: The New York Rangers don’t think goaltender Henrik Lundqvist’s freak eye injury will keep him out indefinitely. Still, coach Alain Vigneault isn’t sure Lundqvist will be ready in time for Game 2 of New York’s Eastern Conference quarterfinal series against Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Bruins stick with Julien: The Bruins are sticking with coach Claude Julien for another season despite missing the playoffs two years in a row.
General manager Don Sweeney said that Julien is the right coach to guide the team through a “bumpy transition.”
Nadal, Federer, Murray reach quarters
Miscellany: Eight-time champion Rafael Nadal saved 15 of 17 break points, Andy Murray rallied from a set and 3-0 down, and Roger Federer topped Roberto Bautista Agut after recovering from arthroscopic surgery, as all three advanced to the Monte Carlo Masters quarterfinals in Monaco.
U.S. Women begin play: The U.S. women’s soccer team will open its quest for a fourth straight Olympic gold against New Zealand, then play France and Colombia in the first round of the tournament in Brazil.