Sporting draws at Benfica and the Portuguese league will be decided in the final round

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — The Portuguese league will be decided in the final round with Sporting Lisbon and Benfica level on points after the crosstown rivals drew 1-1 in a potentially decisive derby on Saturday.

Sporting could have clinched the title with a victory at Benfica, while the host could have also been proclaimed champion with a victory by two goals.

The stalemate means Sporting, which holds the head-to-head goal advantage thanks to a 1-0 win earlier this season, only needs to match Benfica’s result next weekend. Benfica needs to better Sporting’s result.

Sporting struck first when Francisco Trincão scored four minutes in. The forward was set up on the edge of the area by Viktor Gyökeres.

Muhammed Aktürkoğlu leveled in the 63rd for Benfica. Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis dribbled past five defenders inside the area before assisting his teammate to knock in the equalizer.

Sporting host Guimaraes in the final round next weekend, while Benfica is at Braga.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Benfica's mascot eagle Vitoria flies at the Luz stadium prior to a Portuguese league soccer match between SL Benfica and Sporting CP at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Sporting's Francisco Trincao celebrates scoring his side's opening goal during a Portuguese league soccer match between SL Benfica and Sporting CP at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Benfica's Vangelis Pavlidis encourages fans for their support during a Portuguese league soccer match between SL Benfica and Sporting CP at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Benfica's Angel Di Maria protests to referee Joao Pinheiro during a Portuguese league soccer match between SL Benfica and Sporting CP at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Sporting's Francisco Trincao, center, is congratulated after scoring his side's opening goal during a Portuguese league soccer match between SL Benfica and Sporting CP at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — James Harden has passed Shaquille O'Neal for ninth place on the NBA's all-time scoring list.

The Los Angeles Clippers guard made a 3-pointer early in the third quarter on Monday night against the Charlotte Hornets, pushing his career total to 28,598 points in his 1,187th regular season game. O'Neal had 28,596 points in 1,207 games over 19 years.

Harden, who began the night 14 points behind O'Neal, finished with 32 points in the Clippers' 117-109 win against the Hornets. He had 13 points in the first half — including 11 in the first quarter — and scored 11 in the third and eight in the fourth to increase his scoring total to 28, 614.

Harden entered the night averaging 25.6 points per game, his highest average since the 2019-20 season (34.3 points per game) when he won the last of three straight league scoring titles.

Harden, who began the game with 28,582 career points in his 17th season, faces a steep climb to the next spot. Wilt Chamberlain is eighth with 31,419 points, in just 1,045 games over 14 years. LeBron James is the all-time leader with 42,601 points entering his game with the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday. Following him are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Durant.

Harden recently moved up to 12th on the all-time assists list. The 11-time All-Star also ranks second all-time in 3-pointers made, behind Stephen Curry.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) shoots over Charlotte Hornets guard Sion James (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) celebrates his three-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) celebrates his three-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) dribbles during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)