Serious knee injuries have been an unfortunate theme in the lead-up to the 2023 Women’s World Cup, most recently with Mallory Swanson tearing her left patella tendon in the USWNT’s friendly vs. Ireland on Saturday.

While Swanson’s recovery is just beginning, Catarina Macario is nearing her return to the pitch after tearing her ACL last June. But how close is that return? And will it happen in time for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, which kicks off in just three months?

U.S. head coach Vlatko Andonovski previously said Macario, 23, was expected to resume playing games for club team Lyon in March, but that return was delayed. Last week, it was announced that she was set to resume training with the club.

Because of where she is in her recovery, she wasn’t named to the U.S. roster for this month’s camp — the USWNT’s final camp ahead of this summer’s Women’s World Cup.

“First, we need to see performance,” Andonovski said on Friday when asked about her World Cup roster chances. “We have to see her on the field… Cat has to get back in a professional environment, play professional games, competitive games, games that matter.”

That could be tough, given Lyon’s schedule. The club is out of Champions League contention, but still has some matches left in its domestic season. Macario’s contract will be up after that and negotiations for a new contract are still ongoing.

Still, given Macario’s high ceiling — and the long list of USWNT injuries — she certainly shouldn’t be counted out of World Cup roster contention.

“We all know that Cat has potential to be one of the best players in the world. We have all seen that, a year ago,” Andonovski said.

“If she proves that she deserves to be in this environment, and we believe that she can help us win the World Cup, then she’s going to be here.”

Nikki Hiltz achieved a career milestone Sunday by winning the prestigious Wanamaker Mile at the 118th Millrose Games held New York's Nike Track & Field Center.

Hiltz, 31, crossed the finish line with a world-leading and personal-best time of 4:19:64. The California native and world No. 4 in the 1,500-meter captured the coveted Millrose Games title after several previous attempts.

Following the victory, Hiltz called winning the Wanamaker Mile a bucket-list accomplishment. The eight-time consecutive US champion described the final lap as a celebration after years of pursuit.

“We don’t have a lot of things in our sport where your name is etched onto something,” they told the NBC Sports broadcast. “So no matter what happens in my career, my name’s never getting off that trophy, and that’s a really good feeling.”

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Nikki Hiltz is at the top of their running game in 2026

Hiltz, who identifies as transgender and non-binary, wore a pink one-piece speed suit and neon orange racing spikes. The Lululemon-sponsored athlete was recently selected for induction into the LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame.

The race featured intense competition as Hiltz surged to the lead at the midway point. 2024 Olympics silver medalist Jessica Hull stayed close, with Hiltz subsequently pulling away from the Australian in the last 30 meters.

After crossing the finish line, the 2024 Paris Olympian celebrated with the crowd, giving high-fives and encouraging louder cheers. The champion formed a heart with their hands, blew a kiss, and received flowers along with the winner's trophy.

Hull finished second with a time of 4:20.11, while Poland's Klaudia Kazimierska took third with 4:21.36. Australian Linden Hall placed fourth with a personal-best 4:21.45, while Kenya's Susan Ejore-Sanders rounded out the top five with 4:22.23.

US runner Sinclaire Johnson — who surpassed Nikki Hiltz as the current US mile record-holder last July — finished 10th.

Caitlin Clark made her NBC pregame show debut on Sunday, offering insights into her upcoming third WNBA season while expressing admiration for Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic.

During NBC's Basketball Night in America ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers vs New York Knicks broadcast, Caitlin Clark highlighted specific aspects of Doncic's game she hopes to incorporate into her own play. The Indiana Fever star praised the NBA player's versatility and basketball intelligence.

Caitlin Clark emphasized Doncic's singular ability to excel without relying solely on athleticism or speed. She also noted his exceptional passing and scoring skills, praising how he manipulates defensive positioning to create advantages.

According to Clark, Doncic uses his body to keep defenders at bay — a skill she hopes to further develop. The WNBA superstar acknowledged that while Doncic may not always be the fastest or most athletic, his spatial awareness and tactical decision-making set him apart.

Clark also weighed in on NBA legend Michael Jordan's take on hostile road environments. She expressed gratitude to Indiana Fever fans traveling to away games, noting strong support in venues the New York Liberty's Barclays Center and the Valkyries' always-packed San Francisco arena. Following Jordan's philosophy, Caitlin Clark stressed silencing opposing crowds quickly by forcing early timeouts.

During the broadcast, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year competed in a HORSE competition against NBA icon Jamal Crawford, showcasing her own shooting prowess.

She later revealed a desire to play at Madison Square Garden, joking about taking on any team willing to play the Fever at the iconic NBA venue.

How to watch Caitlin Clark on NBC Sports this NBA season

Clark will next join Basketball Night in America on March 29th, adding commentary before the Knicks face the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The 2026 LPGA Tour officially teed off on Thursday, when 39 top-ranked golfers began competing for a piece of this year's $2.1 million HGV Tournament of Champions purse.

Following Thursday's first round, No. 17 Nasa Hataoka (Japan) led the field with a 6-under 66 performance, with world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul (Thailand), No. 11 Lottie Woad (England), No. 24 Linn Grant (Sweden), and No. 53 Chanettee Wannasaen (Thailand) chasing her just one shot behind.

Defending Tournament of Champions winner No. 27 A Lim Kim (South Korea) enters Friday's second round three strokes back.

Leading a US contingent that includes No. 13 Angel Yin, No. 25 Lauren Coughlin, and No. 49 Lilia Vu is 2025 Tournament of Champions runner-up No. 2 Nelly Korda, who capped Thursday trailing Hataoka by two shots.

"Overall, I'm happy with my round. [It's only] Thursday, so hopefully, I can continue building momentum going into the next three days," said the 27-year-old US star. "But [I] can't complain."

Featuring 16 of the Top 25 golfers, including 2024 champion No. 6 Lydia Ko (New Zealand) and 2023 winner No. 23 Brooke Henderson (Canada), the 2026 LPGA season-opening tournament pairs pros with amateur celebrities including USWNT legend Brandi Chastain and golf icon Annika Sörenstam.

How to watch the 2026 HGV Tournament of Champions

Live coverage of the 2026 HGV Tournament of Champions airs at 11:30 AM ET on Friday and 3 PM ET on Saturday on the Golf Channel, before NBC broadcasts the LPGA season opener's final round at 2 PM ET on Sunday.

Aryna Sabalenka is one match away from her third Australian Open title after the world No. 1 tennis star took down Ukraine's No. 12 Elina Svitolina in straight sets (6-2, 6-3) in the 2026 tournament's semifinals on Thursday.

Entering her fourth straight Australian Open final, the 27-year-old Belarusian initially won the Melbourne Grand Slam in 2023 and 2024 before dropping the 2025 final to US star No. 9 Madison Keys.

"The job is not done yet," Sabalenka said following her Thursday semifinal win.

Now hunting a fifth career Grand Slam victory after claiming a second consecutive US Open title last September, Sabalenka will face Kazakhstan's No. 5 Elena Rybakina in Saturday's final, after the 2022 Wimbledon champ downed No. 6 Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-6(7) in Thursday's first match.

"It got very tight. I stayed there," the 26-year-old said after defeating the last-standing US star. "I was fighting for each point."

Notably, Saturday's final will also be a rematch of the 2023 Australian Open championship clash in which Sabalenka staged a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 comeback victory.

Even more, though Sabalenka holds the all-time edge with an 8-6 career record against Rybakina, the Kazakhstani star has won six of the pair's last 10 meetings — including a dominant 6-3, 7-6(0) upset victory to take the 2025 WTA Finals title in November.

How to watch the 2026 Australian Open final

The 2026 Australian Open final between No. 1 Sabalenka and No. 5 Rybakina kicks off at 3:30 AM ET on Saturday, airing live on ESPN.