[naviga:h3]Warriors wrap up NBA playoff berth[/naviga:h3]

OKLAHOMA CITY — Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors clinched a playoff spot with more than six weeks to spare.

The defending NBA champions wrapped up a berth when the Houston Rockets lost Saturday night to the San Antonio Spurs. That assured the Warriors will finish among the top eight teams in the Western Conference.

[naviga:h3]Rangers, Desmond agree on contract[/naviga:h3]

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Free agent Ian Desmond has agreed to a one-year contract with the Texas Rangers that will include a move to the outfield for the one-time All-Star shortstop who was expected to be in their camp today.

The deal was near completion after Desmond passed his physical Sunday, according to a baseball official who spoke to The Associated Press. The $8 million deal was first reported earlier in the day by Fox Sports.

[naviga:h3]NFL’s salary cap rises $12 million[/naviga:h3]

NEW YORK — The NFL’s salary cap for 2016 will be $155.27 million, an increase of nearly $12 million.

The NFL Players Association confirmed the figure Sunday, and will release the franchise and transition tag numbers on Monday. Free agency begins March 9, but teams must apply those tags by Tuesday.

Among the players whose contracts have expired and might wind up getting tagged are Super Bowl MVP linebacker Von Miller of Denver, and other All-Pros such as Carolina cornerback Josh Norman, Tampa Bay running back Doug Martin and Kansas City safety Eric Berry.

[naviga:h3]Rangers get Staal from Hurricanes[/naviga:h3]

RALEIGH, N.C. — Eric Staal will be no longer be the face of the Carolina Hurricanes franchise after the team traded its captain to the New York Rangers on Sunday.

In exchange for Staal, the Hurricanes acquired center Aleksi Saarela, who is currently playing in his native Finland, and New York’s second-round selections in each of the next two drafts.