Category: Sports

The University of Kansas basketball program received a major boost Thursday when Dennis Parker Jr., a prolific scoring guard from Radford University, committed to transfer to the Jayhawks.

The 6-foot-6 player revealed his choice to join head coach Bill Self’s program in an announcement to The Field of 68.

During his time with the Highlanders this past season, Parker put up impressive numbers with an 18.3 points per game average. His most memorable performance came in a December 14 matchup against Coppin State, where he exploded for 53 points. In that dominant 107-77 victory, Parker connected on 19 of his 24 field goal attempts and was nearly unstoppable from beyond the arc, sinking 10 of 14 three-point shots.

The Virginia native from Richmond originally started his college basketball journey at North Carolina State. Throughout his collegiate career spanning 88 games with 44 starts between the Wolfpack from 2023-25 and Radford, Parker has compiled career statistics of 9.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per contest.

LAUSANNE, Switzerland – Olympic officials announced Thursday they will eliminate all competition restrictions on athletes from Belarus, marking a major policy change in international sports sanctions.

The International Olympic Committee’s decision represents a significant shift from the blanket bans imposed on both Russian and Belarusian competitors since 2022, when Russia launched its military assault on Ukraine using Belarus as a launching point.

The sanctions began on February 24, 2022, when Russian forces invaded Ukraine with Belarus serving as a military staging area. Four days later, the IOC’s executive board urged sports organizations worldwide to prohibit Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from competitions.

Olympic leaders stated they acted “in order to protect the integrity of global sports competitions and for the safety of all the participants” while acknowledging the decision came with a “heavy heart.”

Major sports governing bodies including FIFA and UEFA quickly implemented similar suspensions, removing Russia’s national and club teams from all events indefinitely.

The IOC also revoked Olympic Orders from Russian government officials, including President Vladimir Putin, who had received the movement’s highest honor in 2001.

In October 2023, Olympic officials suspended Russia’s Olympic Committee after it recognized regional councils in Ukrainian territories occupied by Russian forces – Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. The IOC determined this action violated Olympic principles and Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty.

Russia’s challenge to this suspension failed at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in February 2024.

During the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, only a small group of screened Russian and Belarusian athletes competed as neutral participants without national symbols or team events.

The International Paralympic Committee restored Russia and Belarus to full membership in September 2025, allowing their participation in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics.

In December 2025, Olympic officials encouraged sports federations to readmit Russian and Belarusian youth athletes under 23 to international competitions, establishing protocols for the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games.

Limited numbers of Russian and Belarusian athletes again competed as neutrals at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, though team events remained off-limits.

At the Winter Paralympics that March, some Russian para-athletes successfully appealed to compete under their national flag after challenging a ski federation ban. Several countries, including Ukraine, boycotted the opening ceremony in protest of Russia’s full participation.

Thursday’s announcement removes all restrictions for Belarusian competitors, including team sports participation, while Russian athletes continue facing limitations.

SAN ANTONIO — Victor Wembanyama’s competitive fire burns bright whether he’s playing chess, drawing, or shooting hoops. After San Antonio’s narrow defeat in the opening game of their Western Conference semifinal against Minnesota, that competitive drive reached new heights.

The towering All-Star channeled his frustration into a dominant performance Wednesday evening, leading the Spurs to a crushing 133-95 victory over the Timberwolves that leveled their playoff series at one game each.

Even though Wembanyama recorded 11 points, 15 rebounds and an NBA playoff record 12 blocked shots in Monday’s 104-102 defeat, the 7-foot-4 center felt responsible for the loss and knew he had to elevate his game, particularly on offense.

Did anger and frustration fuel his desire to return to action for the second matchup? Without question.

“There always is,” Wembanyama explained. “In the playoffs, magnify that.”

The result was what Minnesota head coach Chris Finch described as a thorough beating in front of a packed, energized home crowd.

Minnesota managed just 35 first-half points while connecting on only 7 of 24 field goal attempts and a dismal 2 of 15 three-point shots.

The Timberwolves finished the contest shooting 40% from the floor and 30% beyond the arc while turning the ball over 22 times. San Antonio controlled the paint 58-36, dominated the boards 55-43, and swatted away nine shots compared to Minnesota’s two blocks.

“We got beat in every way possible, it’s as simple as that,” Timberwolves forward Julius Randle acknowledged. “There’s not really much to say from this game. They outhustled us, out-physicaled us, executed, played better defensively, more energy. They just beat us in every way in this game. We’ve got to come back in the next game and be better.”

The series shifts to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday, with Game 4 scheduled for Sunday at Target Center.

Both teams cleared their benches with 10 minutes left on the clock Wednesday, as only the final margin remained in question.

San Antonio’s 38-point triumph surpassed Minnesota’s previous worst playoff loss of 30 points to the Los Angeles Lakers on April 29, 2003.

“I know this team’s capable of doing all of this,” Wembanyama stated. “To be honest, I’m expecting this kind of response from myself, from my teammates. So, I’m not surprised by any means and I’m just going to keep working so we approach more games like we did tonight.”

Following Monday’s collapse when they surrendered a nine-point fourth-quarter advantage, both Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox accepted responsibility for the narrow defeat.

The All-Star pair managed just 21 combined points in the series opener, going a combined 0-for-12 from three-point range with Wembanyama alone missing eight attempts.

“They acknowledged it, them being the leaders on our team,” Spurs guard Stephon Castle noted. “Coming out of Game 1, I mean, it’s going to happen. You’re going to have bad shooting nights, but I mean, we have nothing but confidence in those two. So, I expect them to play well the rest of the series like they did tonight.”

Wembanyama established his presence immediately in Game 2, tallying seven points on 3-of-4 shooting early on.

Though the Spurs misfired on their opening three attempts, Wembanyama followed up the third miss by soaring through the lane and hammering home a powerful right-handed slam to get San Antonio on the scoreboard.

The French sensation contributed 14 points and nine rebounds in the opening half while anchoring a defensive performance that held Minnesota to 35 points, the lowest first-half total by a San Antonio playoff opponent since Memphis scored 31 in 2013.

“I just think we respond well to adversity,” Castle observed. “I think we’ve done that all year. I mean, I don’t think we were too shell shocked coming out of Game 1. I think we knew why we lost Game 1 and we addressed it right away. And I feel like that’s what carried us through tonight.”

The New York Knicks moved within two wins of advancing to the Eastern Conference finals Wednesday night, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 108-102 in Game 2 of their semifinal matchup at home.

New York now holds a commanding 2-0 advantage in the best-of-seven series, with Game 3 set for Friday evening in Philadelphia.

Jalen Brunson delivered when it mattered most, contributing 26 points overall with eight critical points in the final quarter to help his team pull away. The Knicks finished the contest with a decisive 12-3 scoring run in a back-and-forth battle that featured 14 ties and 25 lead changes.

“Being down 2-0 after coming back to win in the first round, I think it’s more of a challenge,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said. “It was 1-1 after two games (against the Boston Celtics in the first round), right? So it’s 2-0. Puts a lot on this next game for sure, but that’s OK.”

Karl-Anthony Towns contributed a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds despite being limited to just 27 minutes due to foul difficulties. OG Anunoby added 24 points before leaving the game with 2:31 remaining after suffering what appeared to be a right leg injury, while Mikal Bridges chipped in 18 points.

“He looked like he was hopping,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said of Anunoby. “I have not talked to medical yet.”

The victory extended New York’s winning streak to five games, with their previous four wins coming by an average margin of 33.8 points. Center Mitchell Robinson was ruled out just before tipoff due to illness.

Philadelphia received 26 points from Tyrese Maxey, but the team struggled mightily in the final quarter, managing only 12 points on 4-of-19 shooting (21.1%). The 76ers held their last lead at 99-96 following a Kelly Oubre Jr. three-pointer with 6:52 remaining, but managed just one field goal in their next 10 attempts while committing two turnovers.

“At the end of the day, it came down to who was going to get more stops in that fourth quarter,” Brown said. “To hold a team like that to 12 points – and they missed some shots, we know that – to have them only score 12 points in that fourth quarter, it’s huge.”

Oubre and Paul George each scored 19 points for Philadelphia, while VJ Edgecombe added 17. Star center Joel Embiid remained sidelined with ankle and hip injuries.

Philadelphia opened strong, building their largest advantage with a 15-8 start as George scored 11 early points. New York responded with a 10-2 run to take their first lead at 18-17, setting the stage for the competitive affair that followed.

The 76ers maintained narrow leads at the end of each of the first three quarters: 33-31 after one, 62-61 at halftime, and 90-89 through three periods.

“We felt like we should’ve won it,” Edgecombe said. “It came down to shot-making at the end of the game. They were making shots, we (weren’t).”

The game’s turning point came midway through the fourth quarter when Josh Hart responded to Oubre’s three-pointer with one of his own, sparking a crucial 9-0 New York run. The Knicks extended their largest lead to that point at 105-99 on a Bridges jumper with 2:56 left on the clock.

Both teams struggled offensively in the final minutes, with four consecutive empty possessions before Maxey made one of two free throws with 1:33 remaining. Brunson answered with a pair of successful foul shots, and after Maxey’s layup cut the deficit to five points, Hart and George both missed three-point attempts. Miles McBride connected on one of two free throws with 22.1 seconds left to help seal the victory.

Maxey’s 26-foot three-point attempt missed the mark, and Brunson secured the rebound with 12.6 seconds remaining, dribbling out the remaining time to secure the win.

The NCAA appears poised to approve a significant expansion of both men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, increasing participation from the current 68 teams to 76 teams beginning in 2027, according to ESPN reports released Wednesday evening.

Sources indicate the organization has scheduled conference calls for Thursday to complete the approval process for this major format change, which has been under discussion for more than a year.

Despite multiple reports in April suggesting the expansion was moving forward, NCAA officials previously denied that any final determination had been reached.

“Expanding the basketball tournaments would require approval from multiple NCAA committees, including the men’s and women’s basketball committees, and no final recommendations or decisions have been made at this time,” the organization stated on April 28.

The proposed changes must receive endorsement from several governing bodies, including the men’s basketball committees, both men’s and women’s basketball oversight committees, the Division I cabinet, and the Division I Board of Governors.

According to ESPN’s Wednesday report, with media partnership agreements for the men’s tournament nearly finalized in late April, the remaining approval steps are anticipated to proceed without major obstacles.

Under the proposed structure reported by various news outlets last month, 52 teams would receive direct placement into the main bracket. The remaining 24 teams would compete in 12 elimination games during the Tuesday and Wednesday following Selection Sunday, with winners advancing to complete the Round of 64 field. The current “First Four” designation would be replaced with “opening round” for the play-in contests and “first round” for the Round of 64.

These 12 additional games would take place in Dayton, Ohio, which currently hosts the First Four, along with a second venue yet to be determined.

This would represent the first tournament expansion since 2011, when the field grew from 65 to 68 teams with the introduction of the First Four games. Prior to that change, the tournament had maintained a 64 or 65-team format since 1985.

Yahoo Sports reported in April that the Big 12 and Atlantic Coast Conference have been the primary advocates for tournament expansion. NCAA president Charlie Baker has also expressed his endorsement of the idea.

“I said all along that I think there are some very good reasons to expand the tournament,” Baker told ESPN in February. “So, I would like to see it expand.”

A sprinter who once dreamed of playing rugby for New Zealand’s All Blacks and even took a shot at American football is now capturing Australia’s attention as their newest track star alongside rising teen sensation Gout Gout.

Eddie Nketia posted Australia’s quickest 100-meter time of 9.84 seconds at a U.S. collegiate competition last month, though strong tailwinds prevented the mark from becoming an official record.

Australian track fans who have been following 18-year-old Gout and 22-year-old Lachlan Kennedy now have another emerging sprinting star to watch.

The 24-year-old Nketia, who competes for the University of Southern California, says the reaction in Australia following his 9.84-second performance at the Mt SAC Relays has been almost as shocking as achieving the time itself.

“Honestly, it was genuinely a surprise, because I never expected I could run 9.84 in my life,” Nketia shared during a video interview from his California training base.

“And it’s like, ‘Look at where we’re at now’. My name is everywhere back in Australia. And it’s a lot to take in. It’s insane.”

Before this breakthrough performance, Nketia remained largely unknown to Australian athletics fans, despite the country’s renewed enthusiasm for track and field sparked by Gout’s achievements.

Born in Auckland, Nketia only changed his sporting allegiance from New Zealand to Australia this past December following a required waiting period that prevented him from competing in major international competitions.

Though he grew up primarily in Canberra, Nketia returned to New Zealand to complete his high school education.

His father, Gus Nketia from Ghana, was also a sprinter who maintained New Zealand’s fastest 100-meter record of 10.11 seconds for 28 years until his son broke it with a 10.08-second run at the 2022 world championships, with Gus serving as his coach.

While New Zealand media celebrated that emotional achievement, Nketia’s relationship with the country’s athletics federation had already become troubled.

New Zealand maintains demanding standards for Olympic team selection, only choosing athletes who can demonstrate potential to place in the top 16 of their events.

For Commonwealth Games competition, where the field is typically weaker, only athletes capable of finishing in the top six are considered.

This selection approach has frustrated numerous New Zealand athletes over the years, and Nketia openly criticized Olympic selectors after being excluded from the Tokyo 2020 Games.

When he was also passed over for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Nketia decided to make a change.

“Circumstances just kept ruining my chances of becoming a better athlete,” he explained.

AMERICAN FOOTBALL

Leaving his birth country behind was difficult for Nketia, who maintains pride in his New Zealand roots and had once been a talented junior rugby player aspiring to join the legendary All Blacks.

He completely abandoned track and field to join the University of Hawaii’s football program, explaining he needed a complete change of direction.

“It wasn’t essentially that I was tired of track. I was just tired of missing Games,” he said.

Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing approximately 215 pounds, the powerfully built Nketia played wide receiver before eventually returning to track with USC.

His USC coach Brenton Emanuel has nicknamed him the “Incredible Hulk” because he’s gentle away from competition but transforms into a force on the track. Emanuel believes Nketia has the potential to rank among sprinting’s all-time greats.

“He puts his superpower on and he just goes,” Emanuel said while joining Nketia on the video call.

Nketia has his sights set on winning championship medals and has marked the July 23 to August 2 Commonwealth Games on his calendar as a major target.

Before Glasgow, he wants to officially break the 10-second barrier in the 100 meters during the NCAA season.

Only two Australians have achieved sub-10-second times: Patrick Johnson with 9.93 seconds and Kennedy with 9.96 seconds, while Gout’s personal best stands at exactly 10.00 seconds.

Although Gout won’t compete in Glasgow, Nketia envisions future showdowns in Australia next year against both the teenager and Kennedy.

The possibility of all three combining for relay teams also excites Nketia, as he believes they could establish Australia as a sprinting powerhouse capable of challenging the United States and Jamaica.

“When it comes to world championships next year … and Olympic Games as well, it’s like we’re going to go all the way, do what we can to get as many podium results as possible,” he said.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd will undergo surgery after damaging his left meniscus during what seemed like an ordinary moment playing with his kids at home Wednesday morning. The team has moved the 35-year-old southpaw to the 15-day injured list, with the placement backdated to Monday.

Manager Craig Counsell revealed that an MRI scan confirmed the knee damage, which will require surgical repair.

“It’s kind of unexplainable,” Counsell said. “Kind of an innocent, going down to the ground and getting back up.”

“He woke up this morning a healthy player,” the manager added. “He’s just trying to process it and get all the information from the doctors to figure out what’s next.”

While Counsell indicated that Boyd’s recovery timeline will depend on how the surgery goes, the organization anticipates having him back on the field before the season ends.

This marks Boyd’s second stint on the injured list this year, having missed time from April 2-21 due to a strained left biceps. Through five starts this season, he holds a 2-1 record with a 6.00 ERA, recording 31 strikeouts against six walks across 24 innings pitched.

The veteran pitcher earned All-Star recognition with Chicago in 2025 and carries a career record of 62-78 with a 4.61 ERA spanning 218 appearances (204 starts) across multiple teams including Toronto (2015), Detroit (2015-21, 2023), Seattle (2022), Cleveland (2024), and the Cubs.

To fill Boyd’s roster spot, Chicago promoted right-handed reliever Trent Thornton from Triple-A Iowa. The team also released left-hander Charlie Barnes to create space on the 40-man roster for Thornton, while sending right-hander Yacksel Rios outright to Iowa.

Thornton, 32, has posted a 3.18 ERA across 5 2/3 innings in four appearances (including one start) with Iowa this season. His major league career spans seven seasons with Toronto (2019-23) and Seattle (2023-25), compiling a 14-19 record with a 4.38 ERA.

Boyd’s injury adds to Chicago’s pitching concerns, as starters Justin Steele (left elbow) and Cade Horton (right elbow) are already sidelined on the injured list.

A federal court has set a January trial date for the high-stakes legal battle between Joe Gibbs Racing and Spire Motorsports involving former JGR employee Chris Gabehart, according to motorsport.com.

The scheduling decision came Wednesday after both sides requested different timelines. JGR had pushed for a November start while Spire and Gabehart sought to delay proceedings until May.

The racing powerhouse is seeking damages exceeding $8 million, claiming Gabehart engaged in wrongful conduct and interference when he departed JGR for a position with Spire.

JGR’s legal team had advocated for the earlier November timeline, expressing urgency about preserving evidence and beginning the discovery process quickly. Meanwhile, the defense argued that a May start would prevent depositions from disrupting the ongoing NASCAR season.

U.S. District Court Judge Susan C. Rodriguez from North Carolina’s Western District has ordered both parties to collaborate on pretrial scheduling. She directed them to “meet and confer and submit to the Court within 10 days a joint proposal as to pretrial deadlines as discussed,” requiring all sides to follow an agreed timeline for pre-trial activities.

The legal dispute has intensified following Spire’s remarkable performance improvement since bringing Gabehart aboard. Earlier this week, JGR filed an updated lawsuit addressing additional damages allegedly caused by the use of proprietary information.

Spire’s success this season has been notable, with driver Carson Hocevar currently ranked sixth in standings after claiming his inaugural NASCAR victory at Talladega on April 26 – marking Spire’s first Cup Series win since 2019. Fellow Spire driver Daniel Suarez, who joined the team this year, holds 14th place. Last season, none of Spire’s three drivers managed a top-20 finish in the final standings.

The updated legal filing directly connects Spire’s improved results to the alleged misconduct. “This sudden improvement in Spire’s Cup Series performance of course comes on the heels of Gabehart misappropriating JGR’s Confidential Information and Trade Secrets and providing Spire the same or similar services he provided JGR in the last year,” the amended document states.

Judge Rodriguez has also approved expedited discovery procedures for specific evidence, allowing quicker access to phone records that relate directly to Gabehart’s professional relationships with both racing organizations.

Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway finds himself in an unusual position – training intensively for a bout that may never materialize.

“I mean, it’s just, it sucks,” Holloway told Paramount+ during a recent interview. “I would just like to get one back.”

The Hawaiian fighter is currently in training camp preparing for a possible July showdown with two-division champion Conor McGregor at UFC 329 in Las Vegas, despite the absence of any signed agreement.

The ambiguity stems largely from uncertainty surrounding McGregor’s return to competition. The Irish superstar has been absent from the octagon since July 2021, and speculation about his comeback continues to swirl. While rumors suggested McGregor might appear on a summer card at the White House, his rumored opponent Michael Chandler will instead face Mauricio Ruffy.

Despite the contractual limbo, Holloway remains determined to secure another opportunity against McGregor. Their initial encounter took place in 2013, resulting in a unanimous decision victory for McGregor, who suffered a torn ACL during the contest.

“My head space is good, it’s straight,” Holloway explained. “I kinda know when I fight. We kinda know where we want to fight, why we want to fight, so just getting in the gym, getting there, getting it done.”

“It’s a huge fight. Anything with Conor McGregor is huge, but having history with the dude, being able to get one back would be cool.”

The 34-year-old Honolulu native is motivated to bounce back from his most recent outing – a lopsided unanimous decision loss to Charles Oliveira on March 7 that stripped him of the symbolic BMF title, awarded to the UFC’s “baddest” fighter.

“You’re only as good as your last fight, they say, and we’re going to get everybody forgetting about that last fight as soon as possible,” Holloway stated.

For McGregor, who became the first UFC athlete to simultaneously hold championships in two weight divisions (featherweight and lightweight), this would represent his return following a severe broken tibia and subsequent drug suspension that have kept “Notorious” sidelined for nearly five years.

Given McGregor’s extended absence, oddsmakers would likely favor the 34-year-old Holloway over the 37-year-old former champion.

“I mean, we have history,” Holloway reflected. “We fought a very long time ago. I told you guys, if somebody’s got one over me, I want to get him back. I’d love to get him back.”

Media mogul Ted Turner revolutionized professional sports through bold ownership and innovative broadcasting strategies

ATLANTA (AP) — As both an eccentric owner and shrewd entrepreneur, Ted Turner fundamentally changed how America experienced sports. The media pioneer purchased the financially troubled Atlanta Braves during the 1970s and used his broadcasting empire to beam their games across the country, eventually building them into a World Series contender throughout the 1990s. Beyond baseball, Turner’s sports portfolio included the Atlanta Hawks basketball franchise and the Atlanta Thrashers hockey team. His vision extended internationally when he established the Goodwill Games as a response to Olympic boycotts, creating a platform for global athletic competition. Turner’s bold personality and groundbreaking business methods established a blueprint that continues to influence modern sports ownership.

Philadelphia’s star center ruled out of crucial playoff matchup due to multiple injuries

NEW YORK (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid has been declared unavailable for Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup against the New York Knicks, suffering from a sprained right ankle and hip discomfort. Team officials placed the All-Star center on the injury list Wednesday morning, just hours before tip-off of the critical contest. Embiid endured a difficult outing in the series opener, managing only 14 points while shooting 3-of-11 from the field during 25 minutes of action in New York’s dominant 137-98 victory. The big man had recently returned from appendix surgery and played a key role in Philadelphia’s remarkable comeback from a 3-1 series deficit against Boston in the opening round.

Dallas star discusses recovery timeline and treatment for hamstring setback

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic revealed his frustration about missing playoff action while recovering from a hamstring injury that has kept him out since early April. Speaking to media Wednesday, Doncic explained he traveled to Spain for specialized platelet-rich plasma treatments designed to accelerate his eight-week recovery process. The procedure required four-day rest periods between each injection, according to the All-Star player. While Doncic has resumed running activities, he has not yet returned to contact drills. His absence continues as Dallas faces elimination following their 108-90 loss to Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals Tuesday night.

New England quarterback expresses confidence in head coach amid personal controversy

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Patriots quarterback Drake Maye voiced strong support for head coach Mike Vrabel Wednesday, describing him as “a great human being” while dismissing concerns about off-field distractions affecting the defending AFC champions. Maye shared his thoughts with reporters following his participation in the Truist Championship Pro-Am at Quail Hollow, where he partnered with PGA professional Gary Woodland. Vrabel has faced scrutiny after published photos showed him with NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort. The coach acknowledged responsibility for his actions on April 24 without providing specific details about the images. Vrabel missed the draft’s final day to attend counseling sessions.

Derby champion will bypass middle jewel of Triple Crown racing

Kentucky Derby champion Golden Tempo will not compete in next weekend’s Preakness Stakes, trainer Cherie DeVaux confirmed. Instead, the team plans to target the Belmont Stakes scheduled for June 6 at Saratoga Race Course in New York. This marks the third time in five years that a Derby winner has chosen to skip the Preakness. The decision ensures that for the sixth time in eight years, the Preakness will occur without any possibility of a Triple Crown sweep. Only American Pharoah in 2015 and Justify in 2018 have captured all three races in the past forty years.

Detroit pitcher receives penalty for deliberately hitting Boston batter

DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Tigers hurler Framber Valdez received a five-game suspension and fine following his ejection for intentionally striking Boston’s Trevor Story during Tuesday’s 10-2 defeat. Major League Baseball initially imposed a six-game ban but reduced the punishment through negotiations with the players’ union. The incident occurred during a disastrous outing where Valdez surrendered a career-worst 10 runs. He began serving the suspension during Wednesday’s series finale and should return for next Wednesday’s game against the New York Mets, weather permitting. The Tigers are already managing without injured starters Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize and Justin Verlander.

Houston infielder requires surgery for severe ankle injury

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa faces season-ending surgery after suffering a complete tear of a tendon in his left ankle. The All-Star provided the injury update Wednesday, explaining the damage occurred while taking batting practice swings before Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Correa appeared on crutches wearing a protective boot after consulting with a foot specialist Wednesday morning. He plans to seek additional medical opinions before scheduling the procedure, which carries a six-to-eight-month recovery timeline.

Coaches debate expanding video review system for playoff officiating

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour advocates for increased replay assistance to help NHL officials during playoff competition. The Eastern Conference’s top-seeded Hurricanes are currently battling Philadelphia in the second round. While Brind’Amour praised league officials as “the best,” he believes they could “use a little hand” from video technology when reviewing scrums and potential diving penalties. Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff acknowledged Brind’Amour’s perspective but expressed reservations, stating he’s “not a huge fan of another video review” system.

French club advances to Champions League title game with semifinal draw

MUNICH (AP) — Ousmane Dembélé’s early strike helped Paris Saint-Germain secure a Champions League final berth by drawing 1-1 with Bayern Munich in their semifinal second leg. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia created the opening goal with a quick passing combination with Fabián Ruiz before finding an unmarked Dembélé, who fired home under the crossbar in the third minute. Harry Kane’s stoppage-time equalizer came too late to prevent PSG’s advancement. The defending champions won 6-5 on aggregate after taking a 5-4 advantage in last week’s first leg in Paris. PSG will meet Arsenal in the final at Budapest, Hungary on May 30.

Buffalo’s power play comes alive in playoff series opener victory

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Bowen Byram and Ryan McLeod converted back-to-back power-play chances to spark Buffalo’s struggling special teams unit in a 4-2 Game 1 victory over Montreal in their second-round playoff series. Josh Doan and Jordan Greenway added goals for Buffalo, which reached the second round for the first time since 2007 and made its first playoff appearance in 15 years. Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach responded for Montreal, which appeared sluggish following their Game 7 victory over Tampa Bay three days earlier. Goaltender Jakub Dobes made 12 saves in the loss. Game 2 takes place Friday night in Buffalo.

PRESCOTT, Ariz. — A female participant died Tuesday during an extreme endurance race spanning 250 miles through Arizona’s rugged northern terrain after suffering a medical emergency, according to race officials and authorities.

Emergency responders rushed to help a woman in her 40s who had collapsed at a trailhead near the Groom Creek area south of Prescott while taking part in the demanding competition, according to Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Paul Wick, who spoke Wednesday.

Erika Snyder, who co-directs the Cocodona 250 ultramarathon, verified the participant’s death but said she would not release additional information out of respect for the runner’s family members.

While extreme endurance competitions push athletes to their physical limits, fatalities remain extremely uncommon considering the thousands who participate in the increasingly popular sport that now features events from Death Valley’s harsh desert to the towering Himalayas.

The Cocodona ranks among America’s most challenging ultramarathons, with a route that climbs more than 5,000 feet in elevation on two separate occasions while winding through Sedona after beginning in Black Canyon City.

This year’s competition began before sunrise Monday, with champion Rachel Entrekin crossing the finish line Wednesday afternoon in Flagstaff to cheering spectators while establishing a new course record.

Due to growing interest in the event, organizers announced they will implement a lottery system for registration starting next year.

Medical teams are positioned throughout the course, and aid stations offer food, water and gear adjustments for competitors who often sleep on the ground during the multi-day challenge that can extend up to five days, Snyder explained.

In 2021, harsh weather conditions including freezing rain and powerful winds contributed to 21 runner deaths during an ultramarathon in China’s northwestern mountains.

The Los Angeles Angels secured an 8-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday in Anaheim, clinching the rubber match of their three-game series behind a powerful offensive display and strong pitching from Walbert Urena.

Travis d’Arnaud launched a three-run homer to cap a decisive five-run rally in the second inning, while Urena earned his first major league victory by surrendering just one run on two hits across six innings of work.

The victory represents a significant milestone for Los Angeles, as it marks their first consecutive wins since April 16-17. Additionally, this was only their third series victory of the season and first home series win since taking three games from Seattle on April 3-5.

Several Angels players contributed to the offensive outburst. Zach Neto recorded a triple while crossing home plate twice and driving in two runs. Bryce Teodosio collected two hits including a double, stole two bases, and scored twice. Jorge Soler reached base safely four times via a single, two walks, and a hit-by-pitch while adding one RBI. Urena (1-3) recorded five strikeouts and issued three walks.

For Chicago, Colson Montgomery doubled and came around to score, while Chase Meidroth tallied two hits plus a walk and scored once. Starting pitcher Noah Schultz (2-2) took the loss in his fifth big league start, giving up seven runs on seven hits in 3⅔ innings while walking four and striking out three.

The White Sox struck first in the second inning when Montgomery opened the frame with a double that bounced off the left-center field wall before coming home on Meidroth’s bloop single.

Los Angeles responded immediately in the bottom of the second with their big inning. After Soler and Oswald Peraza both reached on singles, d’Arnaud connected on his first home run of the year, sending the ball 396 feet to left field. Teodosio then dropped a double into right field and advanced home when Neto ripped a triple to the right field corner. Neto subsequently scored when Meidroth lost Mike Trout’s popup in the bright sun.

The Angels pushed their advantage to 7-1 in the fourth inning as Soler and Jo Adell were both plunked by reliever Osvaldo Bido with the bases full.

Chicago managed to cut the deficit to 7-2 in the seventh when Sam Antonacci was hit by a Drew Pomeranz pitch with runners occupying all three bases.

Los Angeles tacked on an insurance run in the eighth inning on Neto’s sacrifice fly, which brought home Nolan Schanuel after his single.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye offered strong support for head coach Mike Vrabel on Wednesday, describing him as “a great human being” and dismissing concerns that the coach’s recent personal controversies will impact the team’s upcoming season.

Speaking to reporters after participating in the Truist Championship Pro-Am golf tournament in Charlotte, where he played alongside PGA Tour professional Gary Woodland at Quail Hollow, Maye expressed confidence in his coach’s leadership.

“No, I don’t,” Maye responded when asked if Vrabel’s off-field situation would create team distractions. “I mean, he’s our head coach. I think he’s done a great job of talking to us and talking us through it. I’m just looking forward to getting back to work and getting ready.”

The Patriots coach became embroiled in controversy following the publication of photographs by the New York Post showing him with veteran NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort. On April 24, Vrabel publicly acknowledged responsibility for his behavior without discussing the specific details of the published images.

The controversy led Vrabel to miss the draft’s third day while attending counseling sessions. During his public statement, he admitted to having difficult discussions with those closest to him, including family members, players, and Patriots organization personnel.

“My previous actions don’t meet the standard that I hold myself to. They don’t,” Vrabel stated at the time.

When questioned about whether the team needs to move past these issues before the season begins, Maye remained optimistic about the situation resolving naturally.

“I think that’ll take care of itself,” Maye said. “I know he’s got the right mindset and I know he’s a great human being. I think he’s … like I said, I love playing for him.”

The quarterback, who was selected third overall in the 2024 draft and hails from nearby Huntersville, North Carolina, guided the Patriots to Super Bowl 60 during his sophomore campaign. His outstanding performance earned him second place in the 2025 AP NFL MVP voting, finishing behind Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Maye also commented on the recent legal resolution involving former Patriots teammate Stefon Diggs, who was cleared of assault charges related to an incident with his live-in personal chef.

The charges originated from a December 2 altercation at Diggs’ Massachusetts residence, where Jamila Adams claimed the receiver struck and choked her during a dispute. Diggs had entered not guilty pleas to both felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery charges.

After less than two hours of deliberation, a jury found Diggs not guilty on all counts. While the acquittal removes legal obstacles to his return to football, the four-time Pro Bowl receiver could still face potential NFL disciplinary action.

“Well, you know, he’s always been a great teammate to me and I know he’ll do great things,” Maye commented about Diggs. “I was fortunate enough to have a year with him, and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens to him. He’s a great player.”

Regarding the shoulder problem that troubled him during the latter part of last season, Maye reported being in excellent health and confirmed he avoided surgical intervention.

“Nothing, nothing, no problems at all,” the quarterback said, indicating his shoulder has fully recovered.

The Patriots are scheduled to begin their three-day rookie minicamp on Friday at their Foxborough, Massachusetts facility.

Officials organizing the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics have unveiled plans for an extensive Cultural Olympiad that will spotlight the city’s diverse neighborhoods, creative talent, and immigrant populations through programming that encompasses cinema, cuisine, fashion, music, live performances, and visual arts.

This multi-year cultural initiative represents a mandatory component for Olympic host cities, designed to blend athletic competition with local cultural expression.

According to Nora Halpern, who serves as executive director of LA28’s Cultural Olympiad, the initiative will be developed “from the community level up.” She noted that organizers have engaged with over 300 area arts organizations during the past two years of planning.

“The 2028 Cultural Olympiad will be a celebration of culture by and for Los Angeles, which we will share with the world,” Halpern announced to media representatives on Wednesday.

LA28 emphasized that the programming will prioritize accessibility for both residents and tourists, including individuals who don’t possess event tickets. Officials intend to minimize or waive entrance costs for select cultural activities while promoting existing complimentary events throughout the metropolitan area.

A comprehensive digital calendar and navigation system, set to debut in January 2028, will direct locals and visitors to cultural happenings across greater Los Angeles before, during, and following the Games. LA28 indicated this platform will continue serving as a lasting community resource.

Starting in 2027, organizations may request an official Cultural Olympiad designation without charge, enabling their programming to be featured in LA28’s promotional efforts, according to officials.

LA28 additionally intends to contract 16 official Cultural Olympiad posters from regional artists — with eight dedicated to the Olympic Games and eight for the Paralympic Games. These artistic works are anticipated to be revealed in July 2027.

Expected activities include open-air movie presentations, live entertainment, community performance areas, art displays, and gatherings in parks and additional public locations. Officials indicated the initiative will utilize Los Angeles landmarks and neighborhood establishments while celebrating local cuisine, artists, and cultural organizations.

RALEIGH, N.C. — The head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes believes NHL referees are the finest in the world, but Rod Brind’Amour thinks they need additional support to handle the mayhem that unfolds during playoff hockey.

Brind’Amour has endorsed expanding video replay beyond its current scope to examine not only penalty infractions but all activities during the increasingly intense post-whistle confrontations. While opinions vary on reviewing penalty decisions, his fundamental argument about ensuring accurate calls during Stanley Cup competition resonates.

“You can’t get better officials. We have the best — I want to make sure everybody understands that — I know no one else could do a better job,” Brind’Amour said with his team up 2-0 in a second-round series against Philadelphia. “But man, it’s just hard to see some of the penalties that are getting called, that if you just took a quick peek, you’d go, ‘Oh wait a minute, that’s not what happened.’”

“We’ll get to it at some point, but I think they could use a little hand.”

This year’s playoff contests are seeing 10.6 penalties and 25.1 penalty minutes per game through Tuesday, based on SportRadar data. This marks the highest penalty average since 2009’s 10.9 per game, and only the second instance since 2012 where penalty minutes have surpassed 25 per contest (2023 saw 28 penalty minutes per game).

Currently, NHL officials can examine major and match penalties that don’t involve fighting, either upholding them or reducing them to two-minute minors. They may also review double-minor high-sticking calls to verify the correct player is being penalized.

“I don’t think there’s a harder job to officiate, and our guys don’t get the credit they deserve,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.”

“I mean, they are moving with the flow of the game. They’ve got to skate like the players, it’s physical, they’ve got to stay out of the way. There’s a lot going on really fast. And it is remarkable how good a job they do and how much they get right. And video replay for us has really vindicated their performance even more.”

The Eastern Conference’s top-seeded Hurricanes coach initially brought up this subject following a first-round sweep of Ottawa. His frustration stemmed from an incident where Senators forward Ridly Greig threw two unprovoked punches at Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker — including an uppercut to the face — while Walker was tied up with Senators forward Warren Foegele.

Despite the obvious infractions in that 4-2 series-ending defeat, Greig escaped penalty, though the NHL subsequently suspended him for two regular-season games. Making matters worse, Brind’Amour noted, was that Carolina ended up playing shorthanded after the sequence. He proposed having a dedicated official monitor replays to assist on-ice referees.

“The only reason (Greig) did that was because he looked, no one’s watching, doesn’t get called for it, and we somehow ended up short on that,” Brind’Amour said. “That’s wrong. That’s not right. Just get it right.”

The challenge lies in determining the best approach if the league eventually adopts broader replay usage.

“That’s a good question because like a lot of times guys get away with stuff in there,” Buffalo Sabres forward Josh Dunne said about more replay reviews of scrums in particular.

“Some guy starts, another guy gets the penalty for it,” he said. “It’s hard, it’s a hard line. It’s why it’s so much on the judgment of the refs where it’s like they can only see what they see, where it’s like you never really know how these things get going.”

His coach, meanwhile, chuckled that he’s “not a huge fan of another video review.”

“I don’t mind Rod’s thinking at all,” said Lindy Ruff, whose Sabres are facing Montreal in Round 2. “I just think, boy, if now we’re going to review something, we start reviewing scrums, I just think players will start taking acting lessons.”

However, some theatrical elements already exist in the sport. Brind’Amour’s foresight proved accurate when he mentioned this before Game 1 against the Flyers.

“It is impossible to referee our sport live, it really is — it’s just everything’s happpening so fast, now you’re getting embellishment everywhere,” Brind’Amour said then. “Sticks aren’t even coming close to you, they’re doing this (leans his head back) because why? Because if this goes like this (raises arm), you’re getting a call. But if you’ve got a guy on the review that said, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, that’s embellishment,’ it would be out of the game.”

Several days later, Hurricanes forward Jordan Martinook received a high-sticking penalty despite video evidence showing Flyers defenseman Nick Seeler grabbing Martinook’s stick and essentially striking himself in the face to draw the call.

Dunne expressed concern about slowing down gameplay with additional replay reviews, while Colorado Avalanche forward Brock Nelson said he generally “liked where the game is at.”

“I don’t want to make too many adjustments or critiques to the game,” Nelson said before the Avalanche opened its series against Minnesota.

“I’m a traditionalist. The more rules you make, the more you have,” said Anaheim Ducks coach Joel Quenneville, whose team is battling the Vegas Golden Knights in Round 2. “There’s always some extenuating consequences off of things like that. We got a lot of rules, so either way, I like to just get it right and move on. Either way it is, we’ll move on.”

DETROIT — Major League Baseball handed down a five-game suspension and fine to Detroit Tigers hurler Framber Valdez on Wednesday, following his ejection the previous night for striking Boston Red Sox infielder Trevor Story with a pitch during Detroit’s crushing 10-2 defeat.

The league initially imposed a six-game ban on Valdez for deliberately targeting Story with a pitch, but negotiations between MLB and the players’ union resulted in the reduced punishment. Valdez began serving his suspension during Wednesday evening’s series conclusion and should return to action next Wednesday when Detroit faces the New York Mets, assuming no weather delays.

The Tigers are already dealing with a depleted starting rotation, missing Tarik Skubal due to elbow troubles, Casey Mize with a hamstring injury, and Justin Verlander because of hip issues.

“Generally when you have an event like last night where there’s a disruption of play and there’s a guy kicked out of the game for what is deemed throwing at somebody, that doesn’t come for free,” Detroit skipper A.J. Hinch explained.

Hinch also received a one-game suspension from MLB for Valdez’s deliberate actions and served his penalty Wednesday night.

The incident unfolded after Valdez had already surrendered eight runs through three innings. Willson Contreras launched a massive 449-foot home run on the opening pitch of the fourth inning, pausing to admire the ball’s flight before tossing his bat aside.

Just two pitches afterward, Wilyer Abreu extended the lead to 10-2 with his own blast into the right-field stands, a scorching 109.1 mph rocket. Valdez’s subsequent offering was a 94.4 mph fastball that drilled Story squarely in the back between his jersey numbers. Notably, Valdez hadn’t thrown a four-seam fastball since August 3rd of the previous season, when he plunked Boston’s Ceddanne Rafaela under the left arm with a 95.5 mph pitch during a 6-1 deficit to the Red Sox while playing for Houston.

When home plate umpire Adam Beck and Tigers backstop Dillon Dingler stepped between Story and the pitcher’s mound Tuesday night, both dugouts cleared along with the bullpens. The confrontation remained verbal with no physical altercations.

Valdez maintained his innocence regarding the beaning, claiming the unusual four-seam fastball simply escaped his control.

During his tenure with Houston last year, Valdez faced similar accusations when he accidentally struck his own catcher César Salazar in the chest shortly after surrendering a grand slam to the New York Yankees. Two pitches following Trent Grisham’s slam in New York’s 7-1 triumph on September 2nd, Valdez crossed up Salazar by delivering a 92.8 mph sinker to Anthony Volpe. Both Valdez and Salazar insisted afterward that hitting the catcher was unintentional.

Previously that season, Valdez had shown visible frustration with defensive positioning during a sixth-inning play that resulted in the lone run he allowed in Houston’s 2-1 setback to the Washington Nationals on July 28th.

ATLANTA (AP) — Media mogul Ted Turner, who passed away Wednesday, left an indelible mark on professional sports as both an accomplished sailor and groundbreaking baseball team owner.

Turner gained widespread recognition for his ownership of the Atlanta Braves, using his TBS superstation to beam their games nationwide while displaying his colorful personality during an era when most franchise owners preferred to remain out of the spotlight.

After purchasing the financially troubled Braves during the 1970s, Turner placed the team on his small television station and distributed the programming to cable providers throughout the nation.

“He effectively transformed the Braves into a team with a national reach and set the table for ways that local teams have now gained more of a national footprint,” said Travis Vogan, a sports media professor at the University of Iowa.

The strategy created a massive fan following that extended well beyond the southeastern United States, helping the Braves become perennial World Series contenders throughout the 1990s. Turner celebrated a championship victory in 1995 before divesting the team the following year.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred released a statement Wednesday describing Turner as a “visionary whose impact on the media landscape transformed how fans experience sports.”

Turner’s sports portfolio also included ownership of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers, along with diverse interests spanning professional wrestling, sailing competitions, and Olympic events.

His sailing accomplishments included an unsuccessful bid for the 1964 Olympic team, capturing a world championship in 1971 near Long Island, and commanding the victorious vessel in the prestigious 1977 America’s Cup competition.

“There will never be a time in my life as good as this time,” he said when told he would skipper in the America’s Cup that year. “I can’t believe all this is really happening to me.”

Turner’s desire for hands-on involvement reached its peak in 1977 when he appointed himself as the Braves’ manager. Following 16 consecutive losses, Turner gave manager Dave Bristol time off and took control of the team. The Braves fell 2-1 to the Pittsburgh Pirates under Turner’s leadership, extending their losing streak.

“I wanted to see what it’s like down in the trenches,” Turner said that night.

Baseball officials quickly ended Turner’s brief managerial stint after just one game, similar to how they had previously stopped him from placing “Channel” on pitcher Andy Messersmith’s jersey, who wore number 17.

Despite these setbacks, Turner embraced his “Captain Outrageous” persona, establishing a blueprint for today’s high-profile “swashbuckling” owners who leverage their franchises to enhance their public personas, according to Professor Vogan.

Contemporary sports figures like Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, and Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer “have all emulated Turner by being these kinds of celebrity entrepreneurs that use sports to build their own identities and to build their own kind of brands in the popular imagination,” Vogan said.

“Our good friend and former owner, Ted Turner, was one of a kind,” read a statement from the Braves on Wednesday.

Turner’s competitive nature extended beyond team ownership to creating new sporting events.

He established the Goodwill Games, primarily motivated by his disappointment with the United States boycotting the 1980 Moscow Olympics and the Soviet Union’s retaliatory boycott of the 1984 Los Angeles Games. The first Goodwill Games took place in Moscow in 1986, featuring approximately 3,000 athletes from 79 nations.

The competition was held five times total before concluding in 2001. A Winter Goodwill Games was also organized once, taking place in Lake Placid, New York, during 2000.

“There’s nothing better for kids than sport,” Turner said at the opening ceremony of those Lake Placid Games.

Professor Vogan noted that the Goodwill Games demonstrated Turner’s “audacity,” despite the event’s ultimate lack of long-term success.

“The fact that he was involved in an initiative like that says a lot about his ambitions and his role as a disruptive force in media,” Vogan said.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic revealed Wednesday that he traveled to Spain for specialized platelet-rich plasma treatments to accelerate his recovery from a hamstring injury that has kept him out of action since April 2.

The treatment involved multiple sessions with mandatory rest periods between each procedure, requiring Doncic to remain in Spain for an extended period.

“I went to Spain to do PRP,” Doncic explained to media members. “Everybody knows that its one of the best countries to do that. Obviously, you know, we talked with the Lakers doctors, so everybody agreed for me to go there.”

The recovery process demanded patience, as each treatment session required a four-day waiting period before the next injection could be administered.

“I know and trust lots of people in Spain that I used to work with before,” he explained. “I needed four days in between every shot. I did it four times, so that’s why I stayed longer.”

Currently, Doncic has progressed to running exercises but has not yet been cleared for any contact activities. His timeline for return remains at eight weeks from the initial injury date.

The Mavericks are facing playoff challenges without their star player, as evidenced by their 108-90 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Tuesday.

Watching his teammates compete without him has taken an emotional toll on the All-Star guard.

“It’s very frustrating. I don’t think people understand how frustrating it is,” Doncic expressed. “All I want to do is play basketball, especially this time. It’s the best time to play basketball. It’s very frustrating to see what my team is doing, I’m very proud of them, but it’s been very tough to watch.”

Despite his eagerness to return, the six-time NBA All-Star acknowledges the importance of proper healing, having learned from previous experiences with premature returns from injury.

“It’s a tough one for me. I’ve come back from injuries too soon before, and it wasn’t the best result,” he admitted. “This is the first time I have a hamstring injury. It’s not the same like other injuries. You have to be very careful. I’m doing everything to come back.”

The Thunder will host the Lakers for Game 2 of their playoff series Thursday evening.

NEW YORK — Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid has been ruled out for Wednesday evening’s Game 2 matchup against the New York Knicks due to a sprained right ankle and right hip soreness.

Initially, the 76ers had designated their All-Star center as probable for the contest, noting only the ankle issue. However, team officials later included the hip concern and declared him unavailable on their injury report roughly six hours before the Eastern Conference semifinals game.

During the Knicks’ dominant 137-98 victory in the series opener, Embiid endured a difficult performance, managing just 14 points while shooting 3-of-11 from the field across 25 minutes before Philadelphia’s starters were pulled due to the lopsided score.

Prior to that first game, Embiid had been designated as probable with a bruised right hip before receiving medical clearance. New York’s defense consistently exploited his limited movement to generate scoring opportunities.

The center made his return during Game 4 of Philadelphia’s opening-round matchup against Boston following a late-season appendectomy, contributing to the 76ers’ remarkable comeback from a 3-1 series deficit. Through five playoff contests, he has posted an average of 25.2 points per game.

Medical staff has not confirmed whether his current hip discomfort relates to the recent appendectomy. During the first game, Embiid appeared to grimace and clutch his midsection following a collision with Knicks guard Mikal Bridges during a first-half screen.

Following that incident, Embiid questioned the nature of the contact.

“Obviously based on what’s been going on I guess I’ve got to protect it more,” Embiid said. “I don’t know if it was dirty or not, so I guess I’ve got to do a better job of protecting, especially that part.”

Without their franchise player, Philadelphia faces the challenge of containing Knicks All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns while likely requiring an enhanced performance from point guard Tyrese Maxey. The dynamic guard also struggled in the opener, converting just 3-of-9 field goal attempts for 13 points after posting 26.9 points per game during the first round.

Nevertheless, the 76ers have grown accustomed to competing without Embiid’s presence. The former league MVP has dealt with health concerns for several seasons.

Golf’s top-ranked player Scottie Scheffler has announced his participation in the Genesis Scottish Open, using the tournament as preparation for defending his title at The Open Championship.

The 29-year-old golfer is skipping this week’s Truist Championship before the PGA Championship, but has committed to competing in Scotland the week prior to the major championship.

“I always enjoy coming to the Genesis Scottish Open and taking on the challenge of links-style golf as part of an exciting couple of weeks in the UK,” Scheffler said. “The tournament always has a strong field and the Scottish fans help to make it a fun week.”

Last year’s Scottish Open saw Scheffler finish in a tie for eighth place, while Chris Gotterup claimed victory. World number two Rory McIlroy, who came up two strokes short of Gotterup alongside England’s Marco Penge in last year’s tournament, has also committed to this year’s competition. Scotland’s own Robert MacIntyre will round out the notable field.

The tournament runs from July 9-12 and carries dual sanctioning from both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour, offering valuable points for both the Race to Dubai and FedEx Cup standings.

Following the Scottish Open, The Open Championship will take place July 16-19 at Royal Birkdale, marking the year’s final major championship.

Professional golfer Jake Knapp has pulled out of the Truist Championship, marking the second major tournament in a row he’s had to skip because of an ongoing thumb injury.

Austin Smotherman will take Knapp’s place at Quail Hollow this week. Smotherman was originally scheduled to play in the Myrtle Beach Classic.

The 31-year-old golfer also had to bow out of the previous week’s Cadillac Championship. Both tournaments are major events featuring $20 million prize pools, guaranteed payouts with no elimination cuts, and enhanced FedEx Cup points — exactly the kind of high-stakes competitions Knapp has been striving to reach.

Last month, Knapp secured one of the final spots to compete in the Masters tournament, where he achieved an impressive 11th place finish. But his performance dipped at the RBC Heritage, another premier event, where he tied for 74th place before having to withdraw from the next two tournaments.

Despite these recent setbacks, Knapp maintains his career-high 36th position in the Official World Golf Ranking and sits 14th in FedEx Cup standings. This gives him breathing room to heal from his thumb injury, thanks to an exceptional early season that featured five straight tournaments finishing tied for 11th or better, including a tied-for-fifth showing at the Farmers Insurance Open.

This season, Knapp has posted seven top-11 results across nine tournament appearances, with his only missed cut occurring at The Players Championship. He remains scheduled to compete in next week’s PGA Championship.

DENVER — While Nathan MacKinnon has built his reputation on lightning speed and prolific scoring, the Colorado Avalanche star showed Tuesday night he can also punish opponents with bone-jarring hits.

The dynamic forward leveled Minnesota’s Quinn Hughes and Matt Boldy during the third period, capping off an outstanding performance that included one goal and two assists in Colorado’s 5-2 victory. The win puts the Avalanche ahead 2-0 in their second-round playoff matchup against the Wild.

MacKinnon, who led the NHL with 53 regular-season goals, remained humble when discussing both his physical play and offensive contributions after the Tuesday night triumph.

“Just excited to play,” MacKinnon said. “Playoff hockey, obviously, the best the time of year. Just excited and just trying to have a good start.”

With his latest three-point effort, MacKinnon achieved a rare milestone by recording his third consecutive playoff game with three or more points. According to NHL statistics, only five other players have accomplished this feat in the past four decades: Leon Draisaitl (2022), Mikko Rantanen (2025), Joe Pavelski (2010), Joe Sakic (1997), and Dennis Maruk (1986).

Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar praised MacKinnon’s complete two-way performance.

“He was unbelievable tonight on both sides of the puck,” Bednar said. “The physicality, the defending details, the hunger to check pucks back in all three zones, and the speed and pace that he played with early in the game — it was like he was shot out of a cannon.”

Team captain Gabriel Landeskog echoed his coach’s sentiments about MacKinnon’s impact.

“Having Nate makes my job a lot easier, for sure,” Landeskog said. “He’s our driving force offensively and tonight, really since the playoffs started, defensively, he’s been a beast as well.”

MacKinnon was officially credited with two hits during the contest — one that sent Hughes crashing to the ice and another that sent Boldy hard into the boards. Despite the effectiveness of his physical play, MacKinnon downplayed the contact.

“It wasn’t that big of a hit,” MacKinnon said regarding his collision with Hughes. “He’s one of the best players in the world and he’s so hard to contain and you’re just trying to do the best that you can. He’s going to create a lot of stuff. I think everyone’s being more physical. The whole team is trying to ramp that up.”

Minnesota now returns home for Saturday’s Game 3, desperately seeking solutions to slow down Colorado’s explosive offense. The Wild made a goaltending change for Game 2, starting Filip Gustavsson instead of Jesper Wallstedt, but still surrendered five goals. Combined with their nine-goal outburst in the series opener, the Avalanche have netted 14 goals through two games — the highest total for the first two contests of a playoff series since Calgary scored 15 against Los Angeles in 1988.

Wild forward Matt Boldy acknowledged the challenge his team faces against Colorado’s high-powered attack.

“They’re a great team. They play super-fast, super-dynamic,” Boldy said. “Obviously, they have some incredible players. The biggest thing is just staying above them and not giving them those odd-man rushes, because obviously they’re pretty special players make special plays.”

HOUSTON — Houston Astros infielder Carlos Correa announced Wednesday that he will undergo season-ending surgery after suffering a torn tendon in his left ankle.

The injury occurred Tuesday during batting practice before Houston’s matchup with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Correa was taking routine swings in the batting cage when the injury happened.

“I was hitting in the cage, normal day, feeling great,” he said. “I went through my whole routine, took a swing and just felt a pop. It just completely snapped on me and then I fell to the ground and couldn’t put weight on it.”

The 31-year-old was seen Wednesday morning at the stadium using crutches and wearing a walking boot after consulting with a foot specialist. Correa indicated he plans to get additional medical opinions before moving forward with the surgical procedure.

According to Correa, the injury involves a “complete tear” and doctors expect his rehabilitation to last between six and eight months.

The setback adds to Houston’s lengthy injury list this season, which most recently included catcher Yainer Diaz being placed on the injured list Tuesday due to an oblique strain.

Correa returned to the Astros organization following a major trade from Minnesota last summer. While he primarily played third base during his first season back with Jeremy Peña handling shortstop duties, Correa has been filling in at shortstop recently due to Peña’s hamstring injury.

This season, Correa has posted a .279 batting average along with three home runs and 16 RBIs.

A billionaire Indiana University graduate played a crucial role in the Hoosiers’ historic College Football Playoff championship victory, according to a new report.

Mark Cuban, the former Dallas Mavericks owner worth an estimated $6 billion, provided the final funding needed to bring quarterback Fernando Mendoza to Indiana, he revealed in an interview with Front Office Sports for their Portfolio Players series.

The financial commitment came about during a December 2024 conversation between Cuban, Indiana Athletic Director Scott Dolson, and university President Pam Whitten at the school’s playoff opener against Notre Dame.

According to Cuban’s account, Dolson approached him about a quarterback prospect who would fit perfectly in coach Curt Cignetti’s offensive scheme, but the program needed additional resources to complete the deal.

“[Dolson]’s like, we’ve got this quarterback that we really, really like that we think would be great in (coach Curt Cignetti) Cig’s system, we just need a litttttle bit more,” Cuban explained. “I’m like, ‘How much is a little bit?’ And so he told me, and I’m like, ‘OK, you know, we’re on a roll, I’ll put up the money to get this quarterback.’”

Despite losing that initial playoff game to Notre Dame 27-17, Indiana bounced back the following season. The Hoosiers completed a perfect campaign by defeating Miami 27-21 in the championship game.

Cuban’s connection to the program extended beyond his alma mater loyalty. The 67-year-old businessman had previous ties to Cignetti and knew Mendoza’s brother Alberto, who also plays for Indiana and would chat with Cuban during Heat-Mavericks games as a Miami fan.

The additional funding helped Indiana outbid Cal for Mendoza’s services. While he earned $1.6 million at California, his Indiana contract was worth $2.6 million, according to Yahoo Sports reporting.

Mendoza’s performance justified the investment. He captured the Heisman Trophy and was subsequently selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in April’s NFL Draft.

While Cuban had previously donated to Indiana’s academic programs, his recent athletic department contributions mark his first venture into university sports funding. The entrepreneur maintains a hands-off approach with athletic director Dolson, a fellow Indiana alumnus.

“I just give Scott money, and it’s up to him,” Cuban stated. “We talk a lot, we talk about approach, understanding how to put together a team. Because I did it for 20-something years. So it’s not like I have to direct him to something specific. I understand how they’re approaching things.”

Cuban declined to specify his total athletic department investment, telling Front Office Sports only that university officials are “happier this year than last year.”

The Motor City will welcome professional women’s hockey as the Professional Women’s Hockey League announced Wednesday that Detroit has been selected as the first expansion location for the upcoming season.

The choice of Detroit stems from the strong partnership the PWHL maintains with the Ilitch family, who own the Red Wings, and demonstrates the league’s success from hosting four neutral-site contests at the NHL team’s venue.

“I think from the get-go, we have really felt the passion that this city and state have for hockey and the PWHL,” executive vice president of business operations Amy Scheer told The Associated Press. “I think it’s the perfect place for us to grow.”

During the league’s debut season in 2024, Detroit served as host for the PWHL’s inaugural neutral-site contest, which Scheer said sparked the organization’s multicity “Takeover Tour” over the past two seasons. The quartet of matches at Little Caesar’s Arena, which will become the franchise’s home venue, drew a total of 53,626 spectators, with 15,938 attending the March game that marked the PWHL’s first nationally televised broadcast in the United States.

Additionally, the PWHL revealed that Detroit will serve as host for the league’s draft and awards ceremony in mid-June. The June 17 draft will showcase a highly anticipated group of prospects rich with American talent, including Olympic gold medalists Caroline Harvey and Laila Edwards, who made history as the first Black female athlete to compete for Team USA.

With Detroit’s inclusion, the PWHL expands to nine franchises, following last year’s addition of teams in Seattle and Vancouver. More growth is expected this spring, as the league previously indicated plans to add between two and four new markets.

While Scheer declined to specify how additional teams will be announced, expectations point to four new franchises being revealed in the coming weeks.

Denver appears to be a leading candidate, with the PWHL targeting the city after a January 2025 Takeover Tour game drew 14,018 fans who chanted “We want a team!” Las Vegas also emerges as a contender, with the NHL’s Golden Knights advocating for a franchise over the past two years.

Hamilton, Ontario represents another possibility, which would establish three PWHL teams in Ontario alongside Toronto and Ottawa. Located one hour west of Toronto, the PWHL believes Hamilton’s population of 570,000 is sufficient to avoid drawing supporters away from the Sceptres.

The league has also shown interest in Washington, D.C., Dallas, Alberta cities Calgary and Edmonton, Quebec City, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. However, Washington and Calgary face challenges regarding arena availability and space constraints that complicate adding another team.

Detroit satisfies multiple key PWHL expansion requirements, featuring an arena with an attached training facility while geographically bridging the travel distance between Toronto and Minnesota.

The city boasts a substantial corporate presence, including current league partners Ally Financial and Meijer grocery stores.

Detroit also maintains a strong tradition of girls’ developmental hockey programs. Among American states, Michigan ranks second only to Minnesota in developing PWHL talent.

The PWHL can claim success in bringing women’s hockey to the state ahead of its colleges. Michigan currently lacks a Division I women’s hockey program, though the University of Michigan is exploring establishing one.

“I hope it follows, right? I hope we can be a catalyst to continue to grow the game here,” PWHL executive vice president of hockey operations Jayna Hefford said. “We’re excited about the impact we’re going to be able to have here in Detroit on hockey in general, but certainly on women’s hockey.”

The unnamed franchise will sport black and silver as primary colors, with red accents honoring the Red Wings. The uniforms will also display an Ally Financial sponsorship patch.

“Bringing a PWHL team to Little Caesars Arena is an exciting next step for our city and for the continued momentum of women’s hockey,” said Chris Ilitch, CEO of Ilitch Companies, which also owns baseball’s Detroit Tigers. “This moment also reflects our broader vision of using sports as a catalyst for Detroit’s revitalization.”

This expansion wave occurs during the Walter Cup playoffs and follows the league experiencing significant growth after the Milan Cortina Olympics.

The PWHL’s 120-game regular season drew over 1.1 million fans, representing a 28% increase from the previous year and marking the first time the league surpassed 1 million attendees in a single season. Online merchandise sales jumped more than 50% compared to last season, including a 190% spike following the Olympics versus the same timeframe a year earlier.

The league’s YouTube channel viewership rose 77% this year and now reaches 154 countries.

Incorporating three American markets with its four current U.S. cities — including Newark, New Jersey, and Boston — would strengthen the PWHL’s position to secure a national U.S. broadcast deal.

This season, Scripps Sports agreed to televise various games, including playoffs, on ION, which reaches 126 million American households. Both league and Scripps representatives have expressed interest in establishing a more permanent partnership for next season.

The PWHL operates under central control with private backing from Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter and his wife Kimbra, who have invested hundreds of millions of dollars.

Scheer noted this expansion round before Season 4 aligns with the Walters’ vision of building a sustainable league.

“While it might be fast in terms of the way other leagues have done things, for us it’s measured and calculated,” Scheer said. “So we feel good at the pace that we’re moving, and feel confident in the way we’re growing. We’ll be here for a while.”

OKLAHOMA CITY — A defensive play gone wrong left Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt with a horrifying finger injury during Tuesday evening’s Western Conference semifinal opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The incident occurred when Vanderbilt reached from behind to swat away a dunk attempt by Thunder center Chet Holmgren, causing his finger to strike the backboard. The impact was so severe that multiple Thunder players on the sideline immediately turned their heads away.

“I mean, it just — it looked pretty gruesome in my opinion,” Thunder guard Jared McCain said. “I don’t even know, to be honest, what I was looking at. It looked pretty bad, though. So prayers for him. Sending him love.”

Despite the defensive effort, Holmgren completed the slam dunk, extending Oklahoma City’s lead to 48-39 with 5:57 remaining in the second quarter. Vanderbilt immediately doubled over, clutching his injured hand before exiting the contest.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick witnessed the severity of the situation firsthand.

“I went to go check on him because it just looked bad,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “He was audibly screaming. Knew he had done something. We’re obviously disappointed. But, that happened, and it’s just a freak injury.”

The injury forced Los Angeles to reduce their rotation from nine players to eight for the remainder of the game. Vanderbilt had contributed two points in just six minutes of action before departing.

Oklahoma City maintained their halftime advantage at 61-53 and cruised to a commanding 108-90 victory in the series opener.

KIGALI, Rwanda — On a soccer field in Rwanda’s capital, the sound of crutches clashing fills the air as players pursue both a ball and their dreams of international competition. Young spectators cheer with excitement watching a goalkeeper make a diving save using only one arm.

Over the last ten years, amputee soccer has experienced significant growth in Rwanda. This modified version features seven players per side who navigate the field using crutches, while goalkeepers play with a single arm. Participants describe discovering not just a sport they never thought possible, but also a supportive community that provides both physical recovery and emotional belonging.

In Kigali, these athletes use the game to promote healing and unity following various traumatic experiences, including the nation’s most devastating chapter: the 1994 genocide that claimed approximately 800,000 lives of Tutsis and moderate Hutus during a brutal 100-day massacre by the Hutu majority.

Nyiraneza Solange, born two years following the genocide, lost her leg at age 5 due to complications from a fall and subsequent infection. She explained that witnessing the determination of genocide survivors who had lost limbs inspired her to join amputee soccer.

The former coach of Rwanda’s inaugural amputee soccer team motivated her by explaining how she could utilize her crutches during gameplay. Any initial apprehension quickly disappeared.

“I don’t even think about I don’t have a leg,” Solange stated, describing how playing gives her a sense of freedom and has helped her overcome the social stigma associated with being an amputee.

Current estimates suggest Rwanda has over 3,000 individuals with lower-limb amputations. Some lost limbs during the genocide, while others became amputees through traffic accidents or medical conditions.

Louise Kwizera, who serves as vice president of the Rwanda Amputee Football Federation, explained that the sport helps participants rebuild trust and creates unity within a society that “was once divided.”

“In communities affected by conflict or trauma, the playing field becomes a place of peace. People who may have different pasts come together as teammates,” Kwizera shared with The Associated Press.

Rwanda aims to participate in next year’s second women’s amputee soccer World Cup, an invitation-only tournament expected to take place in either Poland or Brazil. The country sent only one athlete to represent them at the inaugural competition in 2024.

The World Amputee Football Federation oversees this sport, which is now played across more than 50 nations. Rwanda currently operates five professional women’s teams alongside ten men’s teams.

Fred Sorrels, who manages Haiti’s women’s amputee soccer team, traveled to Rwanda to assist with developing their local program. He expressed support for the East African nation potentially hosting a World Cup, though the country’s sports ministry confirmed no official bid has been submitted yet.

Sorrels emphasized the sport’s positive impact on participants.

“It’s a win psychologically and mentally for these ladies to have an opportunity to experience wholeness and wellness again,” he noted.

Gilbert Muvunyi Manier, director general of sports development for Rwanda’s sports ministry, described the sport as a “powerful tool” for promoting healing, reconciliation, and social unity.

Athletes recognize certain tactical challenges within the game.

“It’s hard to save the ball when it goes to the side with the receding hand,” explained goalkeeper Nikuze Angelique. Similar to Solange, she emphasized the sense of community she’s discovered through the sport.

Following a recent match, as players captured selfies together, Angelique expressed optimism about reaching the World Cup.

“It will be a dream come true,” she said.

With questions swirling about LIV Golf’s survival, major champion Bryson DeChambeau is weighing his options for what comes next, including a significant shift toward digital content creation and possibly rejoining the PGA Tour.

The Saudi-backed Public Investment Fund revealed last week it would stop providing the $30 million prize pools that have funded LIV Golf events.

Speaking to media on Tuesday during practice for this week’s LIV event at Trump National Golf Club in Washington, D.C., the 32-year-old golfer shared his backup plans, which include dramatically expanding his online presence.

“I think, from my perspective, I’d love to grow my YouTube channel three times, maybe even more,” DeChambeau explained. “I would love to. I’d love to do a bunch of dubbing in different languages, giving the world more reason to watch YouTube. And then I’d love to play tournaments that want me.”

DeChambeau made the jump to LIV Golf in June 2022 and joined 10 other players in filing a lawsuit against the PGA Tour later that year. He dropped out of the legal action in May 2023. The suit claimed the PGA Tour wrongfully suspended LIV participants through monopolistic practices.

The golfer acknowledged Tuesday that he’s had discussions with PGA Tour officials but expects harsh consequences if he seeks to return. He called potential penalties “quite unfortunate in my opinion, considering what I could do for them.”

DeChambeau believes both organizations must find common ground to repair professional men’s golf.

“The egos need to get dropped,” DeChambeau said. “Everybody needs to come in with a level-headed playing field, with an opportunistic mindset to grow the game of golf. That’s why I came over here. That’s why I do what I do on YouTube.”

When asked about receiving the remaining payments on his LIV contract, which ends after this season, DeChambeau expressed uncertainty about the Public Investment Fund’s intentions: “Your guess is as good as mine.”

Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout reached a significant career milestone Tuesday evening, blasting his 415th home run during a 4-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.

The milestone blast moved Trout past Darrell Evans into 55th place on Major League Baseball’s all-time home run list. Beyond the historic homer, Trout recorded a single, drew two walks, and crossed home plate twice in the Angels’ triumph.

Zach Neto contributed a 2-for-4 performance that included a home run, while Jorge Soler also went deep for Los Angeles. The victory ended a two-game losing streak for the Angels, who had managed just one win in their previous 10 contests. Relief pitcher Jose Fermin (1-1) earned the victory after striking out two batters in a scoreless inning, and Ryan Zeferjahn secured his first save by escaping a bases-loaded situation in the ninth inning.

For Chicago, Chase Meidroth delivered a home run along with two hits and two runs scored, while Andrew Benintendi also collected two hits. The loss marked the White Sox’s first defeat to the Angels this season after winning four previous matchups. Starting pitcher Erick Fedde (0-4) took the loss, surrendering four runs on six hits across 4 2/3 innings with two walks and two strikeouts.

Chicago jumped ahead with two runs in the opening frame, but Los Angeles responded immediately in the bottom half with home runs from both Trout and Soler to level the score. Trout’s blast was his 11th of the current season.

Astros 2, Dodgers 1

Houston’s Peter Lambert delivered seven shutout innings to outpitch Shohei Ohtani and guide the Astros to an interleague victory over the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers.

Lambert (2-2) equaled his career-high innings total while throwing a season-high 104 pitches. The performance provided crucial length for a Houston pitching staff that desperately needed it.

Ohtani (2-2) pitched effectively except for two costly fastballs that left the ballpark. After breezing through the first inning on just 10 pitches, Ohtani’s opening pitch of the second inning resulted in a 1-0 deficit when Christian Walker connected on a fastball that traveled 395 feet for his ninth home run of the year.

Cubs 3, Reds 2

Michael Busch delivered the game-winning hit in the 10th inning after tying the contest with an eighth-inning solo homer, leading Chicago to victory over visiting Cincinnati and extending their winning streak to seven games.

Busch brought home automatic runner Dansby Swanson from second base with a center field single off Sam Moll (1-2), giving the Cubs their second consecutive walk-off victory. Ryan Rolison (3-0) worked a clean 10th inning for Chicago, which has now won 13 straight games at Wrigley Field – their longest home winning streak since capturing 14 in a row during 2008.

Cincinnati received solo home runs from JJ Bleday and Nathaniel Lowe but suffered their fifth consecutive defeat. The Reds also lost Monday’s series opener 5-4 on Michael Conforto’s ninth-inning solo blast.

Additional Games

In other action, Atlanta’s Matt Olson hit a ninth-inning go-ahead home run to defeat Seattle 3-2, Tampa Bay rallied past Toronto 4-3 behind Ben Williamson’s eighth-inning RBI single, and Philadelphia dominated Oakland 9-1 as Bryce Harper homered twice and Cristopher Sanchez threw eight scoreless innings.

Boston crushed Detroit 10-3 with Ceddanne Rafaela driving in four runs including a three-run homer, Minnesota beat Washington 11-3 behind Byron Buxton’s three-run blast, and Baltimore ended a five-game skid by defeating Miami 9-7 on Adley Rutschman’s pinch-hit RBI single in the ninth.

The New York Yankees overcame an early deficit to beat Texas 7-4, Arizona shut out Pittsburgh 9-0, Kansas City extended their winning streak to five games with a 5-3 victory over Cleveland, and San Diego rallied from an early deficit to defeat San Francisco 10-5.

The Houston Astros faced another injury setback Tuesday when shortstop Carlos Correa was removed from the starting lineup approximately one hour before their home matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers due to a left ankle injury.

Correa’s injury happened during batting practice, marking the second straight day the Astros lost a starter during pre-game preparation. On Monday, catcher Yainer Diaz suffered an oblique strain while taking swings and was subsequently added to the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

Houston skipper Joe Espada indicated that Diaz will be sidelined “a while.”

Nick Allen stepped in at shortstop for Correa after being brought back from the 10-day injured list earlier Tuesday, where he had been recovering from back spasms.

The Astros made several additional roster adjustments Tuesday, bringing up left fielder Zach Dezenzo and right-handed pitcher Jason Alexander from Triple-A Sugar Land. The team sent right-hander Ryan Weiss down to Sugar Land and designated left fielder Dustin Harris for assignment.

The 31-year-old Correa is currently hitting .279 with three home runs and 16 RBIs across 32 games this season, splitting time between shortstop (20 starts) and third base (12 starts).

Houston drafted Correa as the top overall selection in the 2012 MLB Draft. He earned American League Rookie of the Year honors in 2015 and won the Gold Glove award for AL shortstops in 2021.

The three-time All-Star maintains a career .275 batting average with 203 home runs and 740 RBIs over 1,285 regular-season games between the Astros (2015-21, ’25-present) and Minnesota Twins (2022-25).

Diaz, 27, has posted a .248 batting average with two homers and 14 RBIs in 26 games this season. Throughout his career, all spent with Houston since 2022, Diaz has compiled a .277 average with 61 home runs, 229 RBIs, a .303 on-base percentage and .448 slugging percentage across 427 regular-season contests.

Allen, 27, has managed a .250 batting average (5-for-20) in 14 games this season with Houston.

Dezenzo, who celebrates his 26th birthday Monday, owns a career .244 average with four home runs and 18 RBIs in 53 games while playing multiple positions including outfield, third base and first base for the Astros from 2024-25.

Alexander, 33, made one relief appearance for Houston earlier this season, surrendering five earned runs over two innings for a 22.50 ERA. He allowed two hits and issued three walks in a no-decision against Baltimore.

Weiss, 29, holds an 0-3 record with a 7.62 ERA, issuing 20 walks while recording 30 strikeouts in nine appearances (two starts) during his rookie campaign.

Harris, 26, managed a .226 batting average (7-for-31) with four RBIs across 11 games this season.

Australian golf star Cameron Smith is dismissing worries about the future of the LIV Golf circuit, expressing confidence the tour will survive even after losing its Saudi Arabian financial support.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund, which has invested over $5 billion in LIV since the tour began in 2022, announced last week it would stop providing funding after the 2026 season ends. This decision has left the golf circuit searching for alternative financial backing.

Smith, who leads the Australian team Ripper GC, joined the tour early for a reported $100 million contract and has collected approximately $50 million in tournament winnings from the team-based competition format.

The 2022 British Open champion told media members he had been assured the tour would operate beyond this year, though he declined to provide specific details.

“I promise you will hear it first from someone else, rather than me,” he said.

“I know the team are working hard behind the scenes and they’re doing everything they can for us.

“So I am excited, I know (LIV Golf chief executive) Scott O’Neil is really excited for the progress and challenge in the coming months.”

O’Neil addressed reporters before the Virginia tournament in Washington, D.C., expressing optimism about securing support from fresh sponsors and financial partners.

“I had about a dozen inbound calls this weekend from potential investors,” O’Neil said on Tuesday.

“It was a split between private equity, family office and then your traditional high net worth guys who invest in sports and sports teams. So that has been really positive.”

O’Neil avoided directly answering whether the Saudi fund would fulfill player contract obligations beyond 2026.

“I mean, they own the majority of the business now, and they’ve agreed to fund through the season, as they said. Nothing there has changed,” he said.

Smith’s performance in major championships has declined significantly over the past two years, with the 32-year-old failing to make the cut in all four major tournaments in 2025.

He acknowledged his struggles weren’t acceptable and revealed he was implementing changes to improve his performance.

“I can promise you, the fire is in the belly, it’s just a matter of time. I don’t think time is running out on my major career by any means,” he added.

Three Hawks players delivered impressive offensive performances with home run blasts, but their efforts weren’t enough to prevent a defeat against the Mountaineers in a high-scoring battle.

Julian Jimenez continued his recent hot streak at the plate, connecting for his second and third home runs over the past two games. Rodriguez and Caldwell also contributed to the power surge, each sending balls over the fence during the contest.

The offensive explosion from the Hawks wasn’t sufficient to overcome the Mountaineers’ attack in what developed into a slugging match between the two teams. Despite the individual achievements from their hitters, the Hawks ultimately came up short in the final score.

Jimenez’s consecutive games with home runs highlight his current form, building momentum from his previous strong performance. The power display from multiple Hawks players demonstrates the team’s offensive capabilities, even in defeat.

Professional football officials and the National Football League appear on the verge of finalizing a labor contract that would prevent referees from going on strike.

Following months of stalled talks, contract discussions have progressed to where the NFL Referees Association intends to conduct a ratification vote this week, according to someone familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The source requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the talks. ESPN initially broke the story.

In recent weeks, the league started preparing backup officials after contract talks had stalled.

The current collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and its referees’ union expires on May 31.

Contract negotiations between both sides have been ongoing since summer 2024.

“The league remains committed to reaching a fair and reasonable agreement with the NFLRA but will be prepared in the event the NFLRA permits the current agreement to expire,” NFL senior vice president of officiating Perry Fewell stated in an April memo to teams.

The NFL has proposed a 6.45% yearly increase in pay over six years, while the referees’ union seeks 10% plus $2.5 million for marketing fees, according to two AP sources from March.

NFLRA executive director Scott Green disputed those figures, telling the AP “those numbers are not accurate.” He compared the current situation to 2012, when failed negotiations led to a 110-day lockout and the use of substitute referees.

“We’re taking the appropriate steps to be ready, but we’re also keenly focused on negotiations,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell commented on March 31.

NEW YORK — Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown is facing a hefty $50,000 penalty from the NBA after openly questioning the integrity of game referees following his team’s playoff elimination.

NBA Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations James Jones issued the financial punishment Tuesday evening, following comments Brown made during his personal livestream broadcast two days earlier. The All-Star player alleged that game officials “clearly had an agenda” when calling offensive fouls against him for “pushing off” during his drives to the basket.

“There’s some referees that need to be investigated,” Brown stated during Sunday’s livestream, which came one day after Boston fell to the Philadelphia 76ers 109-100 in the decisive seventh game of their opening playoff round.

“Every good basketball player does this. What are y’all talking about? They clearly had an agenda,” Brown continued during his broadcast.

This marks the second time this season Brown has been penalized for questioning officiating. The league previously issued him a $35,000 fine in January following a two-minute tirade about referees after Boston’s defeat to San Antonio.

The National Basketball Association imposed a $50,000 penalty on Boston Celtics standout Jaylen Brown Tuesday after he openly criticized game officials following his team’s playoff exit at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers this past weekend.

Brown voiced his complaints during a livestream broadcast Sunday, one day after the Celtics fell to Philadelphia 109-100 in the decisive seventh game of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff matchup Saturday evening.

During his appearance on the Twitch streaming service, Brown admitted he had previously criticized referees during regular season play, and he believed this influenced how officials handled calls throughout the playoff series, especially regarding offensive foul calls against him.

“Why are you targeting me? They clearly had an agenda,” he said. “Maybe because I spoke, I was critical of the refs in the regular season. So you know how they responded? ‘We’re gonna call every — you’re gonna lead the playoffs in offensive fouls.’ That was the response from the officiating crew.”

“You could clearly tell,” he continued. “I’ve actually spoken to some refs and they said it was an agenda going into each game. ‘Any time Jaylen brings his arm up, just from reputation, just call it.’”

Officials called Brown for 10 offensive fouls during the opening playoff round, which was more than double the total of any other player, according to published reports. During the regular season, New York Knicks player Karl-Anthony Towns led the league with 65 offensive foul calls, while Brown finished second with 40.

The 29-year-old Brown has earned five All-Star selections and claimed the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player honor when Boston won the league title in 2024.

This season, he posted personal bests with 28.7 points and 5.1 assists per game while matching his career high with 6.9 rebounds per contest across 71 regular season appearances. During the seven-game playoff series, Brown contributed 25.7 points, 3.3 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game.

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Ramon Urias has been sidelined with tennis elbow, officially known as right elbow lateral epicondylitis, prompting the team to place him on the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

To fill the roster vacancy, the Cardinals brought back left fielder Thomas Saggese from Triple-A Memphis, just one day after sending him down to the minor league affiliate.

The 31-year-old Urias last took the field Sunday during St. Louis’ 4-1 defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers at home, where he went hitless in two at-bats. Nolan Gorman stepped in as a pinch-hitter for Urias in the seventh inning and took over defensive duties at third base during the eighth.

This season, Urias has struggled at the plate, posting a .158 batting average with nine hits in 57 at-bats across 25 games, along with two home runs and five RBIs.

Throughout his major league career spanning 566 regular-season contests, Urias has maintained a .254 batting average while collecting 52 home runs and 220 RBIs. His journey has taken him through the Baltimore Orioles (2020-25), Houston Astros (2025), and now the Cardinals. His defensive prowess earned him the American League Gold Glove award for third basemen in 2022.

Urias has also demonstrated clutch hitting in postseason play, batting .333 with three hits in nine at-bats during three playoff appearances for Baltimore in 2023 and 2024.

The Cardinals acquired Urias through free agency on February 21, signing him to a one-year deal worth a reported $1.5 million for 2026, with a mutual option valued at $4 million for 2027 or a $500,000 buyout clause.

Saggese, 24, has posted a .170 batting average in his current stint with St. Louis, recording nine hits in 53 at-bats with two RBIs over 18 games. His career numbers show a .239 average with three home runs and 31 RBIs across 118 major league appearances.

SECAUCUS, N.J. — The Toronto Maple Leafs claimed the top spot in Tuesday night’s NHL draft lottery, securing the first overall pick in the 2026 draft in what could prove to be a franchise-altering moment during a pivotal period for the organization.

The lottery victory arrived just over two days following Toronto’s appointment of John Chayka as their new general manager and the return of beloved former captain Mats Sundin in an advisory role for hockey operations. While Chayka and team president Keith Pelley faced difficult questions during their recent introductory press conference, the mood shifted dramatically at the team’s headquarters following news of landing the coveted first selection.

“I’m extremely happy for the Toronto Maple Leafs fanbase, of course,” Sundin said. “Certainly this is really going to help when you’re looking into the future and try to help this team and what we’re looking for the future for the Toronto Maple Leafs, so it’s great to get the first pick.”

NHL Central Scouting has identified Penn State’s Gavin McKenna and Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg as the premier North American and European prospects available. McKenna has long been viewed as the likely first overall selection.

“I’ve kept track of him for a number of years now, and the skill level, the creativity, obviously the puck ability and then his shot and release is all pretty special,” Chayka said. “A good package, and it’ll be good to get with the scouts and talk through it all, but I know there’s a lot of passion for a lot of players, including Gavin.”

Toronto’s new leadership faces pressing decisions regarding captain Auston Matthews following the team’s first playoff absence during his tenure. This marks the franchise’s first lottery triumph since selecting Matthews first overall in 2016, with the upcoming draft returning to Buffalo where that historic pick was made.

The Maple Leafs entered the lottery with just 8.5% odds of winning, ranking fifth among all teams. Vancouver held the best chances at 18.5% despite never having secured a first overall pick in franchise history. Toronto narrowly avoided transferring this selection to Boston as part of last year’s Brandon Carlo trade, which would have triggered had the pick fallen outside the top five.

As compensation, Boston and Philadelphia will receive Toronto’s first-round selections in 2027 and 2028, though deputy commissioner Bill Daly acknowledged the complex situation requires further resolution regarding the order.

The San Jose Sharks captured the second overall pick in the lottery. General Manager Mike Grier now has another opportunity to strengthen a developing roster already featuring Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and Michael Misa.

“There’s lots of options there,” Grier said. “There’s centers, there’s ‘D,’ there’s wingers, so to have the opportunity to add another very talented player to our young core is very exciting.”

A jury has cleared four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs of assault charges, opening the door for his potential return to professional football.

However, the NFL continues to evaluate the situation and could still impose sanctions against the veteran player.

“We have been monitoring all developments in the matter which remains under review of the personal conduct policy,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Tuesday.

The jury reached a not guilty verdict Tuesday regarding allegations that Diggs attacked his personal chef. The criminal case originated from a December 2nd incident at Diggs’ Massachusetts residence, where Jamila Adams, who previously worked as his live-in personal chef, claimed under oath that Diggs struck and strangled her during a dispute. Diggs had entered a plea of not guilty to both a felony strangulation count and a misdemeanor assault and battery count. The jury needed fewer than two hours of deliberation before dismissing all charges against him.

“The evidence has shown what we’ve maintained from day one: Mr. Diggs was wrongly accused, and this case represents exactly the kind of opportunistic targeting that players can face the moment they step off the field,” Diggs’ attorney, Mitch Schuster, said in a statement.

During the previous season, Diggs played for the New England Patriots and contributed to their Super Bowl appearance, though they ultimately fell to Seattle. The team cut him in March, leaving him without a contract.

His employment status may shift in the near future, although potential league sanctions remain on the table.

Multiple NFL athletes, including Ben Roethlisberger, Jameis Winston and Ezekiel Elliott, have received suspensions for personal-conduct policy violations even without facing arrests or criminal charges.

The former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Roethlisberger received a six-game suspension in 2010 following sexual assault allegations, though it was later shortened to four games after his appeal.

Winston faced a three-game suspension in 2018 during his fourth year with Tampa Bay following sexual assault accusations.

Elliott, a three-time Pro Bowl running back, served a six-game suspension in 2017 during his sophomore season with Dallas after a league investigation into domestic violence claims. An arbitrator confirmed the six-game penalty when Elliott appealed.

In his sole campaign with New England, Diggs topped the team with 85 catches and 1,013 receiving yards plus four touchdowns. He served as the primary target for Drake Maye, who came in second to Matthew Stafford in AP NFL MVP voting.

Diggs, who will celebrate his 33rd birthday on November 29, has switched teams three times over the past three seasons. His professional journey started in Minnesota in 2015, where he evolved from a fifth-round draft selection into the Vikings’ top receiver over five years.

Buffalo acquired him through a trade for a first-round pick in 2020, and he earned All-Pro recognition that season. After four years with the Bills, his relationship with the organization soured. Most recently, he suited up for Houston in 2024.

Looking ahead, several franchises could potentially pursue Diggs:

Even after selecting Ja’Kobi Lane in round three and Elijah Sarratt in round four, Baltimore might seek another experienced receiver to complement Zay Flowers and provide Lamar Jackson with additional weapons.

Pittsburgh brought in Michael Pittman Jr. through a trade to team up with DK Metcalf and attempted to draft Makai Lemon in the opening round before Philadelphia selected him first. The Steelers eventually chose receiver Germie Bernard in round two, but Aaron Rodgers, should he continue playing, typically favors seasoned players, making Diggs a logical match.

Fourth-round selection Brenen Thompson joins a receiving corps headed by Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston, with Tre’ Harris also in the mix. Diggs would provide Justin Herbert with a reliable receiving option.

Following their unsuccessful pursuit of an A.J. Brown trade earlier this offseason, Los Angeles might still want another veteran addition to enhance their talented group featuring All-Pro Puka Nacua and six-time Pro Bowl selection Davante Adams.

New England will probably land Brown from Philadelphia after June 1st. Still, reuniting with Diggs at the right price could make sense. He understands their system and harbored no resentment after learning of his release. Diggs expressed gratitude toward the franchise, stating: “We family forever.”

MELBOURNE, Australia — The Carlton Football Club faces a substantial penalty of 75,000 Australian dollars ($54,000) after officials determined the team inadequately managed a player experiencing a mental health crisis during competition.

Twenty-four-year-old Elijah Hollands participated in Carlton’s match against Collingwood on April 16, despite displaying concerning behavior that was captured on video and raised alarm among spectators and observers.

Game recordings revealed Hollands exhibiting disoriented behavior and irregular movements on the field, with witnesses noting strange conduct during pre-game activities, including an attempted goal kick that barely traveled a few meters.

Five days following the match, Hollands required hospitalization. His father Ben Hollands, a former AFL athlete, took to social media to express his commitment to supporting his son while encouraging others to reach out to friends who may be experiencing difficulties.

AFL Commissioner Andrew Dillon announced Tuesday that multiple warning signs were present, including observable behavior, game performance statistics, and knowledge of Hollands’ medical background, indicating “he should have been removed from play earlier than he was.”

According to Dillon, the team’s delay in removing Hollands from the field damaged the sport’s reputation, emphasizing that the penalty targets the organization rather than specific individuals. The fine will be directed to Headspace, the AFL’s mental health advocacy partner focused on youth support.

“What transpired during the game was something we haven’t seen before, and while Elijah did undergo checks, he should not have been left on the field for that period of time,” Dillon explained. “The incident has highlighted something important for our game: While our physical injury protocols are strong and well-understood, mental health presentations can be variable, and are complex.”

Laura Kane, serving as the AFL’s executive general manager of football operations, announced upcoming policy changes, including mandatory employment of full-time mental health professionals for all AFL and AFLW teams.

“This has been about care, clarity and action,” Kane stated. “This is bigger than one club or one night.”

Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson made history last season by becoming the first player to capture four WNBA Most Valuable Player trophies, and league executives believe she’s positioned to make it five.

Wilson dominated the annual WNBA General Manager Survey released Tuesday, earning the top spot as MVP favorite among league front office leaders.

The star forward secured 60% of general manager votes, capturing nine of 15 ballots in the comprehensive 42-question survey. League rules prohibited GMs from selecting players or coaches from their own organizations.

New York Liberty veteran Breanna Stewart finished second in the polling with 27% support, receiving four votes from the 15 participating general managers. Stewart has claimed two MVP honors during her career. Single votes were cast for Indiana Fever sensation Caitlin Clark and Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray, both seeking their first MVP recognition.

Wilson’s MVP collection spans 2020, 2022, 2024, and 2025. During last season’s championship run, she posted impressive numbers with 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.6 steals per game over 40 regular season contests. Her performance helped guide the Aces to their third league title in four seasons.

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year earned additional recognition in the survey, with general managers selecting her as the top defensive player at 53%. Wilson also dominated other categories, earning 79% of votes for best leadership qualities, 73% for premier interior defense, and 60% as the player who most challenges opposing coaches’ game plans.

Las Vegas received the most support for the 2026 championship, with 40% of general managers picking the Aces over the Liberty’s 33%.

In rookie predictions, Minnesota Lynx second overall selection Olivia Miles overwhelmingly topped Dallas Wings’ first pick Azzi Fudd for Rookie of the Year expectations. Miles captured 73% of votes compared to Fudd’s 20%.

The new WNBA season tips off Friday.

San Diego Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth has been sidelined on the seven-day injured list Tuesday after experiencing concussion symptoms.

To replace Cronenworth on the roster, the Padres brought up infielder Sung-Mun Song from their Triple-A affiliate in El Paso.

The organization has not disclosed details about when the 32-year-old Cronenworth may have suffered the potential head injury. The veteran player has faced challenges at the plate during the early portion of the 2026 season, posting a .144 batting average and .196 slugging percentage with just one home run and four RBIs across 32 games. Throughout his seven-year major league career spanning 813 games, he maintains a .244 batting average.

For the 29-year-old Song, this call-up marks his first opportunity in the major leagues. He joined the Padres organization this past offseason, signing a four-year contract after developing his skills in Korea’s KBO league. An oblique injury initially landed him on the injured list to begin the season, and following his recovery, he was assigned to El Paso where he has performed well, batting .293 with one home run and 15 RBIs over 25 games.

Song wasted no time making his mark, earning his inaugural major league start Tuesday against San Francisco, taking the field at second base while hitting ninth in the batting order.

The Padres made additional roster adjustments Tuesday, bringing back left-handed pitcher Yuki Matsui, 30, from the 15-day injured list where he had been recovering from a groin strain. To make room, they sent lefty Kyle Hart, 33, down to El Paso. Hart compiled a 0-1 record with a 5.40 ERA, issuing six walks while recording 10 strikeouts across 16 2/3 innings in 12 relief outings.

Texas Rangers management announced Tuesday that second baseman Josh Smith will be sidelined for at least 10 days due to a strained right glute muscle.

To fill the roster vacancy, the Rangers brought up infielder Justin Foscue from their Triple-A affiliate Round Rock.

The 28-year-old Smith has struggled at the plate this season, managing a .217 batting average with six RBIs across 31 appearances. He has primarily manned second base in 29 contests while serving as designated hitter twice, after previously rotating between infield and outfield positions in 2025. Throughout his five-year major league career spanning 487 games, Smith maintains a .235 batting average along with 31 home runs and 134 RBIs.

Foscue, age 27, brings limited big league experience with just 19 major league appearances over the past two seasons since Texas selected him 14th overall in the 2020 MLB Draft. His major league numbers show a .059 batting average with three RBIs. However, he has performed well at Round Rock this season, posting a .287 average with two home runs and 14 RBIs through 30 games.

The Chicago White Sox completed a trade Tuesday, bringing in veteran pitcher Trevor Richards from the Philadelphia Phillies for cash considerations.

To make room on their 40-man roster for Richards, the White Sox moved pitcher Drew Thorpe to the 60-day injured list.

The 32-year-old Richards posted impressive numbers during his brief stint with Philadelphia this season, recording a 2.08 ERA across 4 1/3 innings in two relief outings. At the Triple-A level with Lehigh Valley, he compiled a 1-0 record and 1.93 ERA through nine games.

Throughout his major league career, Richards has accumulated a 24-28 record with a 4.52 ERA spanning 297 games (including 61 starts) across eight different organizations. The White Sox represent his sixth team just since the beginning of the 2024 season.

Chicago must still make an additional roster adjustment to activate Richards for their 26-man active roster. The team faces the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday evening.

The 25-year-old Thorpe remains in recovery following Tommy John surgery that was performed in March 2025.

Tuesday’s baseball matchup between the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium was called off due to anticipated rainfall throughout the evening hours.

The National League Central division teams will make up the missed contest during a split doubleheader scheduled for July 7 when Milwaukee makes its return trip to St. Louis. The makeup game will begin at 1:15 p.m. local time, followed by the previously scheduled 6:45 p.m. contest.

Fans holding tickets for Tuesday’s canceled game can use them for admission to the July 7 afternoon makeup game, according to Cardinals officials.

The series will continue Wednesday with a 12:15 p.m. local start time, though the weather delay may force Milwaukee to adjust its pitching rotation. St. Louis plans to start right-hander Andre Pallante (3-2, 3.73 ERA), who was originally set to take the mound Tuesday. The Brewers had planned to counter with right-hander Brandon Sproat (0-2, 6.75 ERA) on Tuesday, while promising young pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (2-2, 2.84 ERA) was expected to start Wednesday’s game.

A Massachusetts jury cleared NFL wide receiver Stefon Diggs of all criminal charges Tuesday afternoon, finding him not guilty of felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault in Dedham District Court.

The six-member jury reached their decision after deliberating for an hour and a half.

The charges against the 32-year-old athlete originated from an alleged December 2nd incident at his Dedham residence, located about 20 minutes southwest of Boston. Diggs had entered a not guilty plea in February to both the felony strangulation count and the misdemeanor assault and battery charge.

At the time of the alleged incident, Diggs was playing for the New England Patriots before the team released him in March.

The accuser, Jamila Adams, who worked as Diggs’ live-in personal chef, testified on Monday that the football player struck and choked her during a disagreement about compensation. According to testimony, Adams had been preparing meals for Diggs since July 2025, earning $2,000 weekly.

Throughout the legal proceedings, Diggs maintained he was innocent of all accusations. His legal team argued that the allegations were driven by the monetary disagreement between the two parties. Defense lawyers also claimed Adams was angry about being excluded from a Miami vacation.

During final arguments, defense lawyer Andrew Kettlewell told the court that prosecutors failed to provide “a single shred of credible evidence” proving any assault took place.

Adams’ testimony revealed that she and Diggs had initially developed a friendship and intimate relationship before she began her employment with him in 2025.

If convicted, Diggs could have faced up to five years behind bars for the strangulation charge and two and a half years for the assault count.

The veteran receiver was cut by New England following his first year of a three-year deal worth $63.5 million. He contributed to the Patriots’ Super Bowl run, though they fell to the Seattle Seahawks 29-13 in the championship game.

Last season, Diggs recorded 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns across 17 regular season games, marking his seventh career 1,000-yard receiving season. However, his playoff performance was more limited, totaling 110 yards and one touchdown on 14 catches over four postseason contests.

The receiver earned Pro Bowl honors four times during his tenure with the Buffalo Bills from 2020 through 2023.

Before joining Buffalo, Diggs spent five seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He also had a stint with the Houston Texans in 2024 prior to signing with New England. Over his career, he has accumulated 942 receptions for 11,504 yards and 74 touchdowns in 161 games, starting 153 of them.

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Sportsbooks have installed the New York Knicks as Eastern Conference champions-to-be, and their recent playoff performance backs up those odds.

New York has achieved something unprecedented in NBA postseason history, becoming the first franchise to capture three consecutive playoff victories with margins of 25 points or greater. This remarkable streak positions them as potential contenders for the franchise’s first Finals berth since the 1990s ended.

The Knicks’ recent dominance features blowout victories reminiscent of college basketball rather than professional competition. After falling behind in their opening playoff round, New York has seized control of their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup against Philadelphia, with the second contest scheduled for Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.

“We’re playing well at the right time, but I think we have room to grow,” coach Mike Brown said.

Such improvement seems difficult to envision, given the unprecedented level his squad has reached during postseason play.

New York’s 126-97 triumph over Atlanta in their fifth meeting saw them ahead by 32 points, followed by a dominant 140-89 series-clinching performance where they established a commanding 61-point advantage. Taking advantage of Philadelphia’s exhaustion following their seven-game opening series, the Knicks jumped ahead by 40 points Monday during a 138-97 blowout.

Including their series-evening victory against the Hawks, New York has captured four consecutive contests by a combined 135 points.

Jalen Brunson leads the team with 27.6 points per contest, ranking third among all postseason performers. Karl-Anthony Towns has delivered arguably his finest complete basketball, recording his initial playoff triple-doubles while the Knicks utilize their All-Star big man to facilitate offense through distribution. Towns contributes 6.0 assists nightly alongside 10.6 rebounds.

Forward OG Anunoby, traditionally recognized for defensive prowess, has shot at levels exceeding Stephen Curry’s range, connecting on 59% of three-point attempts and 63.8% of overall field goals. The reserve unit performs so effectively that Josh Hart, who ranked second league-wide in minutes last season and typically demands floor time, now willingly requests substitutions when fatigued.

On defense, their aggressive approach disrupted Philadelphia so thoroughly that Brown noted the Knicks secured 14 of 16 loose ball opportunities.

“We were sitting here watching it like man, we can’t believe what we’re actually watching here,” former Knicks star Carmelo Anthony said of the defense during NBC’s studio coverage of the game.

Detroit posted the Eastern Conference’s top regular season record. Cleveland emerged as betting favorites after acquiring James Harden, before odds shifted toward Boston when Jayson Tatum’s strong comeback helped secure the second seed.

However, Boston has been eliminated, while Detroit and Cleveland endured grueling seven-game battles to reach their second-round confrontation. New York now holds solid favoritism to represent the East and trails only defending champion Oklahoma City and San Antonio in championship odds.

The Knicks haven’t appeared in the NBA Finals since 1999 and last captured a title in 1973. They dismissed outside expectations before the season and maintain that approach now.

“Boston was the favorite last series, and they came back 3-1,” Hart said, referring to the 76ers’ comeback. “So being the favorite means literally nothing. Every game you have to come in with a focus and attention to detail. And if you don’t do that, you can lose to anybody in this league. If you do that, you know, we feel like we can beat anybody.”

New York has steadily constructed this foundation, reaching the Eastern semifinals four consecutive seasons and advancing to the conference finals last year for the first time since 2000. They unexpectedly dismissed Tom Thibodeau afterward and hired Brown, who minimized discussion of advancement mandates while understanding those expectations.

The franchise finished 53-29 but displayed confusing stretches of poor performance, including a 2-9 slide shortly after capturing the NBA Cup in December, plus consecutive losses to Atlanta.

“That’s why you play a season. That’s why you go through the ups and downs of the season. That’s why you go through adversity,” Brunson said. “You find things to make you the best team as possible by the end of the year, and you continue to work. And even when you’re at this point, you continue to find ways to get better and improve.”

Recent evidence suggests the Knicks have accomplished exactly that.

“You hope that at this time we’re the best version of ourselves,” Towns said.

Perhaps even the East’s finest team.

Following their joint triumph at the Zurich Classic tournament two weeks prior, professional golfer Matt Fitzpatrick secured his younger brother Alex’s position on the PGA Tour through 2028.

At this week’s Truist Championship taking place in Charlotte, the siblings will compete side by side as full-time PGA Tour professionals for their inaugural appearance together at Quail Hollow Club.

The 31-year-old Matt, who brings significantly more PGA Tour expertise compared to Alex’s previous full-time participation on the DP World Tour before his Zurich triumph, recognizes his responsibility to mentor his brother, who is four years his junior.

“Definitely. I think it would be wrong of me not to (play practice rounds) with him and help him out as much as I can. He’s been thrown in the deep end straight away and it’s all happening very fast so I feel like I have an obligation to help him too,” Matt Fitzpatrick explained. “I’ve already said to him, ‘If you don’t want that, you can tell me to mind my own business.’ I don’t want to feel like I’m getting involved in all these decisions and stuff, that’s his thing. I just kind of want to offer my two cents, if you like, and see where it goes.”

Alex demonstrated his capabilities independently during the previous week’s Cadillac Championship, where he secured a ninth-place tie in his debut tournament following his card acquisition.

Matt chose to skip the previous week’s signature tournament after claiming back-to-back victories in the two preceding weeks at both the RBC Heritage and Zurich events. Despite taking time away from competition, his break wasn’t the celebratory vacation many might have anticipated given his remarkable recent performance.

“I spent last week at home in Florida with my wife and my parents. We had a little bit of off-course stuff to do with the house that I bought and stuff,” Fitzpatrick noted. “I think that kind of occupied me for most of the week, which was nice to not have to think about golf for a little bit.”

Matt’s initial tour victory occurred at the 2022 U.S. Open, followed by his 2023 triumph at the RBC Heritage. However, an extended period without championships ensued, as he remained winless until capturing this March’s Valspar Championship.

His trio of victories within a five-week period exceeds his total wins from his initial 11 seasons on tour, propelling him to fourth place in the Official World Golf Ranking.

“My DNA is definitely different. The makeup of my game at that point in time was pretty much great driving of the golf ball, like really, really, really good. I was long and straight at that point. I hit my irons pretty well at that point too,” Matt Fitzpatrick explained while considering how his playing style has evolved since his U.S. Open championship four years earlier. “I would say now I feel like I’m driving it probably just as well, maybe not quite as long, but I’m driving it just as straight if not straighter and my irons are another level above. So I feel like that combination alongside me putting well, which has always been a strength in the past, is obviously a nice mix.”

Matt also brings positive momentum from Quail Hollow, having achieved an eighth-place tie at the previous year’s PGA Championship held at the identical venue.

Minnesota Twins pitcher Joe Ryan appears to have dodged a serious injury scare and is likely to take the mound for his upcoming weekend assignment after medical tests came back clean.

The right-handed pitcher is set for a bullpen workout on Wednesday following encouraging results from an MRI that revealed no structural issues with his right elbow. Ryan also completed a throwing session on flat ground Tuesday in Washington without experiencing pain, prior to the team’s second matchup against the Nationals.

Ryan was forced to exit Sunday’s contest versus Toronto after facing just two hitters due to elbow soreness.

“He went out and threw today, which was a really good sign. Everything was normal,” manager Derek Shelton said. “If everything goes according to plan, then he’ll make (his) start on the regular day.”

The 29-year-old pitcher has remained with Minnesota during their current road series and is slated to face Cleveland over the weekend. Through eight appearances this season, Ryan holds a 2-3 record with 40 strikeouts and a 3.72 earned run average.

While Ryan dealt with back stiffness during spring training, team officials indicate those previous concerns are not connected to his current elbow situation.

During the 2025 campaign, Ryan compiled a 13-10 record with a 3.42 ERA while recording 194 strikeouts for Minnesota.

Tampa Bay has sidelined left-handed pitcher Steven Matz due to elbow inflammation, moving him to the 15-day injured list on Tuesday. The team simultaneously brought up right-handed pitcher Chase Solesky from their Triple-A Durham affiliate to take his place on the roster.

The 34-year-old Matz had delivered one of his strongest performances this season in his most recent outing, giving up just one run on four hits across six innings against San Francisco on Sunday. Through seven appearances in his debut campaign with Tampa Bay, he has compiled a 4-1 record with a 3.86 earned run average.

Team officials made the injured list designation effective as of Monday.

Throughout his dozen seasons in Major League Baseball, Matz has posted a 64-63 record with a 4.18 earned run average across 253 appearances, including 179 as a starter. His career has taken him through organizations including the New York Mets from 2015-2020, Toronto Blue Jays in 2021, St. Louis Cardinals from 2022-2025, Boston Red Sox in 2025, and now Tampa Bay.

Solesky, age 28, is poised to make his major league debut after spending seven seasons working his way through the minor league system. During his inaugural year within the Rays organization, he has recorded a 2-1 mark with a 6.57 earned run average through six starts at Durham.

Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse temporarily stepped away from his coaching duties Tuesday to honor his late brother at funeral services in Iowa, missing team activities during the franchise’s playoff run.

The coach’s brother, Steve Nurse, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday at age 62. Following Philadelphia’s disappointing 137-98 defeat in Monday’s playoff opener against New York, Nick Nurse departed for memorial services held Tuesday in Ankeny, Iowa.

The 76ers organization anticipates their head coach will return to lead the team for Wednesday evening’s second playoff matchup at Madison Square Garden.

New York’s coaching staff extended their sympathies during Tuesday’s media availability at the team’s training facility in Greenburgh. “I’d like to pass my condolences along to Nick Nurse and his family, his brother’s family and all their friends,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “Life is precious and you don’t wish that upon anybody, so I’d like to pass along my condolences to him and his family while they’re going through these times.”

The Atlanta Braves made roster moves Tuesday, bringing back their closer Raisel Iglesias from the injured list while parting ways with veteran pitcher Carlos Carrasco through designation for assignment.

The 36-year-old Iglesias had been sidelined since April 19 due to inflammation in his right shoulder. This season, the right-handed reliever has appeared in eight games, recording five saves while maintaining a perfect record with no earned runs allowed across 8 2/3 innings pitched.

Throughout his dozen seasons in Major League Baseball, Iglesias has compiled a record of 42 wins and 55 losses with a 2.86 earned run average. He has notched 258 saves during 608 career appearances, which includes 21 starts, while playing for Cincinnati (2015-20), the Los Angeles Angels (2021-22), and Atlanta.

Meanwhile, Carrasco, age 39, finds himself designated for assignment by Atlanta for the second occasion this year and third time since last August. Despite the roster move, the veteran has performed well in limited action this season, throwing 2 1/3 scoreless innings across two appearances.

The right-hander brings 17 years of major league experience, posting a career record of 112-105 with a 4.22 ERA through 337 games (286 as a starter). His career has taken him through Cleveland (2009-20, 2024), the New York Mets (2021-23), New York Yankees (2025), and the Braves.

Additionally, the Braves assigned left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd to Triple-A Gwinnett for a rehabilitation stint due to a back injury. Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, recovering from a finger injury, had his rehab assignment moved from Double-A Columbus up to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Professional golf star Phil Mickelson will not participate in the upcoming PGA Championship scheduled for next week, according to tournament officials who announced Tuesday that the decision stems from ongoing family health concerns.

This latest absence follows Mickelson’s statement from more than a month ago, made before the Masters tournament, when he indicated he would take an “extended” hiatus from competition while his family navigates personal health challenges. Tournament organizers have named Max Homa as the first alternate to fill Mickelson’s spot in the championship field.

The veteran golfer had already been absent from the opening four tournaments of LIV Golf’s 2026 season due to these same family health issues. He had only recently returned to competitive play on the LIV circuit, participating in a South African event where he tied for 48th place, before making this latest decision to step away from competition.

Mickelson made golf history in 2021 when he captured the PGA Championship at age 50, becoming the sport’s oldest major tournament winner in what many considered one of the game’s greatest upset victories. His first PGA Championship victory came in 2005.

The second major championship of the year is scheduled to take place May 14-17 at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

DENVER — Minnesota Wild head coach John Hynes has decided to change goalkeepers for Game 2 of their playoff series, turning to Filip Gustavsson after Jesper Wallstedt’s struggles in a devastating 9-6 opening loss to the Colorado Avalanche.

The coaching staff announced the goaltending change hours before Tuesday evening’s puck drop. Gustavsson has been sidelined since giving up five goals during Minnesota’s April 13 matchup against St. Louis. The netminder compiled a solid 28-15-6 record during regular season play, maintaining a 2.69 goals-against average.

Wallstedt’s postseason performance has been concerning, surrendering 14 goals across six contests during Minnesota’s first-round victory over Dallas. His Game 1 performance against Colorado’s potent offense was particularly troublesome, as he allowed eight goals while facing 42 shots. The two goaltenders alternated duties throughout the regular season.

“We have confidence in both of our goalies. They’re both excellent,” Hynes said. “They both played really good hockey. We believe either one of them can win us a game. It’s a good opportunity to get Gus in the net. He’s hungry to get in.”

The 27-year-old Gustavsson brings playoff experience to the crease, having appeared in 11 postseason contests for Minnesota with a 4-6 record, 2.54 goals-against average, and .917 save percentage. According to Hynes, Gustavsson has remained prepared while waiting for his opportunity and has been “very supportive” of the initial decision to start Wallstedt.

“But the thing I liked about it, too, was that he didn’t just concede it, either,” Hynes said. “He wants to play. He wants to get in the net. He was working for it. He’s making sure that he was prepared to do it.

“It could be a little bit of a negative response, but his was, ‘I understand the decision.’ As it went on, he wanted to get into the net. But his attitude toward the team and toward Wally was top shelf.”

Minnesota continues to deal with injury concerns, as forward Joel Eriksson Ek and defenseman Jonas Brodin remain unavailable due to lower-body injuries. Hynes indicated additional lineup adjustments are possible, though those decisions will depend on player health status closer to game time.

Skip the corner office dreams – the ultimate summer gig pays someone $50,000 just to watch soccer. Fox Sports has partnered with job platform Indeed to recruit a “Chief World Cup Watcher” for what they’re billing as the season’s most coveted position.

The selected individual will view all 104 tournament matches from within a specially constructed glass enclosure positioned in New York City’s bustling Times Square. This unique setup will transform each game into a public spectacle for the countless visitors and workers who pass through the area daily.

The role involves streaming every single minute of action via Fox One, the tournament’s official digital platform for 2026, while simultaneously producing and posting social media content throughout the viewing experience.

“It will be the best summer job on the market, but only for one wild fan who is up to the once-in-a-lifetime task,” the companies announced in their joint statement.

Soccer enthusiasts interested in this opportunity can submit applications directly through Indeed’s website. The selection will be announced on June 6 during Fox’s coverage of the Major League Baseball matchup featuring the Boston Red Sox versus the New York Yankees.

This year’s tournament represents the largest World Cup ever organized, expanding to include 48 participating nations. The competition will span multiple venues throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, running from June 11 through July 19.

Major League Baseball issued disciplinary action against two Pittsburgh Pirates personnel on Tuesday following an intentional beaning incident during Saturday’s contest against the Cincinnati Reds.

Pirates relief pitcher Chris Devenski, 35, was initially given a three-game suspension and undisclosed monetary penalty for deliberately hitting Cincinnati’s Sal Stewart with a pitch. However, following an appeal and settlement agreement, multiple reports indicate Devenski’s ban was shortened to two games. Both his suspension and fine were announced by MLB officials on Tuesday.

Pittsburgh skipper Don Kelly also faced consequences, receiving a one-game suspension along with a fine. Kelly served his penalty during Tuesday night’s matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix.

The incident occurred during the seventh inning of Pittsburgh’s commanding 17-7 home win over Cincinnati, when Devenski intentionally struck Stewart with a pitch.

The veteran reliever has struggled this season, posting a 7.71 earned run average across three appearances without recording a decision. Throughout his major league career spanning seven different clubs, Devenski holds a 27-22 record with a 3.93 ERA over 319 games, including eight starts. His career highlight came in 2017 when he earned All-Star recognition while playing for the Houston Astros.

Both suspensions took effect immediately, with Devenski expected to begin serving his reduced penalty on Tuesday.

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball officials announced Tuesday that Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Chris Devenski will serve a three-game suspension and pay a fine after deliberately targeting Cincinnati Reds rookie Sal Stewart with a pitch.

The incident occurred during the seventh inning of Saturday’s game at PNC Park, where Pittsburgh defeated Cincinnati 17-7. Devenski was immediately thrown out of the game following the pitch that targeted Stewart.

Michael Hill, MLB’s senior vice president for on-field operations, also announced that Pirates skipper Don Kelly will face a one-game suspension along with an undisclosed monetary penalty.

Both suspensions were scheduled to begin Tuesday evening as Pittsburgh started a road series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Devenski has the option to appeal his punishment, which would delay the suspension until the appeal process concludes. The amount of his fine was not revealed by league officials.

Kelly was also expected to begin serving his one-game ban on Tuesday night.

TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay Lightning team captain Victor Hedman disclosed on Tuesday that he took time away from the ice during the season’s closing stretch to prioritize his mental wellness.

Through an official team statement, Hedman chose not to elaborate on the specific challenges he faced. The veteran defenseman sat out the Lightning’s concluding 22 regular season contests and remained absent for all seven playoff games during their opening-round elimination by Montreal.

The 35-year-old player had been present around the team facility in recent weeks and participated in some practice sessions. However, his final appearance in a game occurred in mid-March.

“Over the past couple of months, I made the decision to step away and focus on my mental health,” Hedman said. “It was not an easy decision, but it was the right one.

“I’ve always believed that being a leader means doing what’s best for the team. In this case, it also meant doing what was necessary to take care of myself, so I can be the best player, teammate, husband and father I expect to be.”

Earlier in the campaign, Hedman was sidelined for an extended period due to an elbow ailment that necessitated December surgery. After his recovery, he competed for Sweden in the Olympics until suffering an injury during pre-game preparation before their quarterfinal match against Team USA, preventing his participation.

During Tampa Bay’s season-ending media availability, he shared that he relied on support from close friend and former Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, along with Ottawa netminder Linus Ullmark, who similarly took leave from the Senators for mental health reasons.

Selected second overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Hedman has spent his entire 17-year professional career with Tampa Bay, contributing to consecutive Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021. He earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable playoff performer during the 2020 pandemic-shortened season.

This season marked a career-low with just 33 game appearances due to his injury and subsequent personal leave.

Hedman expressed gratitude toward his teammates, the Lightning organization, his family, and his mental health professional for their ongoing support, noting he is “in a much better place today.”

“This is something that exists in our game more than people see,” Hedman said. “If this moment helps make it easier for others to take care of themselves when they need to, that matters.”

The defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks are finalizing a one-year contract worth up to $5 million with experienced pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr., according to a source familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The source requested anonymity since the agreement has not yet been completed.

The 31-year-old Fowler spent last season with the Dallas Cowboys, recording three quarterback sacks across 17 appearances while making 11 starts.

The veteran defender is expected to help fill the gap left by Boye Mafe’s departure, as the former Seattle pass rusher signed a three-year, $60 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals during free agency. Mafe accumulated 20 quarterback takedowns during his four-year tenure with the Seahawks.

Originally selected third overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2015 NFL draft, Fowler has compiled 58.5 career sacks over his decade-long professional career. Beyond Jacksonville and his two separate tenures in Dallas, the veteran has suited up for the Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta Falcons, and Washington Commanders.

During his 2024 campaign with Washington, Fowler tallied 10.5 sacks, marking his second-highest single-season total. His career-best performance came in 2019 with the Rams when he recorded 11.5 takedowns.

Following this year’s draft, Seahawks football operations president John Schneider indicated the team would explore adding a pass rusher through free agency after choosing not to draft one. Fowler matches Seattle’s desired profile for the position and will join a relatively inexperienced linebacker corps featuring Jared Ivey, Jamie Sheriff, Connor O’Toole, and Jalan Gaines.

NEW YORK — Philadelphia’s incredible comeback story hit a major roadblock Monday night as the 76ers were demolished by the New York Knicks 137-98 in the opening game of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The crushing defeat mirrored Philadelphia’s start against Boston in the previous round, where they also dropped the opener in spectacular fashion before mounting the NBA’s 14th comeback from a 3-1 series deficit.

Playing with minimal rest after their Game 7 victory in Boston just two nights earlier, the Sixers looked completely drained from their historic run against the Celtics.

“Same as last series. They don’t get any extra points for going up big tonight,” veteran Paul George stated. “We’ll be ready for Game 2.”

Star center Joel Embiid and his teammates clearly felt the effects of the compressed schedule, appearing to run on empty throughout the contest. Head coach Nick Nurse had expressed uncertainty before tipoff about how the quick turnaround might impact his squad, noting that momentum can sometimes carry winning teams forward.

However, it became apparent early that fatigue would be a significant factor.

“You can’t make excuses, that’s for sure,” Nurse explained. “We knew it might be difficult, but you’re never going to go into the game and say this is going to happen. You’ve got to see it play out.”

The margin of defeat nearly set a franchise record for worst playoff loss, falling just short of their 121-81 defeat to Boston in 1982. Ironically, Philadelphia rallied to win that series as well, potentially offering hope amid the disappointment.

Their recent Boston series had seemed impossible after dropping Game 1 by 32 points, then suffering another 32-point loss in Game 4 when Embiid returned following his late-season appendix surgery.

The Knicks wasted little time establishing dominance, building a commanding 74-51 halftime advantage while shooting an impressive 65.9% from the field. The lopsided score at least allowed Nurse to rest his weary starters for extended periods.

“Coming from the series we had and the physicality we displayed, I would like to think that maybe guys were tired,” Embiid acknowledged. “But it’s not an excuse, though. On to Game 2.”

Embiid managed just 14 points on 3-of-11 shooting in 24 minutes of action. Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey, who had averaged 26.9 points in the first round, didn’t score his first basket until five minutes into the second quarter and finished with only 13 points on 3-for-9 shooting.

Philadelphia’s offensive struggles were compounded by defensive breakdowns. New York exploited Embiid’s limited mobility to generate open looks and capitalized on transition opportunities, outscoring the Sixers 16-3 in fast-break points.

“Yeah, we had breakdowns tonight, but they also shot the (heck) out of the ball,” George observed. “They were hot.”

While George refused to blame fatigue directly, he admitted the team faced what he described as a mental challenge.

“You go from a Game 7 and then one day off and then you’re right back into a matchup,” he said. “There was some carryover of us trying to get up and get prepared for this next matchup, but we should have came out and did a better job.”

Nearly 3,000 fencing athletes and coaches worldwide delivered a formal petition Tuesday to Olympic leadership demanding an independent investigation into what they describe as widespread corruption and mismanagement within the sport’s governing body.

The petition, addressed to IOC President Kirsty Coventry and International Fencing Federation officials, claims the sport has become unstable due to leadership conflicts, lack of transparency, and questionable decision-making at the highest levels.

Much of the controversy stems from the recent return of former federation chief Alisher Usmanov, a Russian-Uzbek billionaire who faces international sanctions. Athletes also cite concerns about unclear rule modifications, competition cancellations, and weakened screening procedures for neutral competitors.

“As athletes, we care deeply about the future of our sport,” the petition states. “The governance failures and corruption within International Fencing Federation are threatening the credibility and stability of the sport and must be formally addressed.”

The federation’s current interim leader, Abdelmoneim El Husseiny, has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the athletes’ demands.

The International Fencing Federation has faced intense criticism since Usmanov regained the presidency in November 2024. The wealthy businessman previously led the organization from 2008 through 2022, when he stepped down after European Union sanctions were imposed following Russia’s military action in Ukraine. Both Britain and the United States later added their own sanctions against him.

In December 2024, Usmanov voluntarily stepped back from his presidential responsibilities, stating he wanted to prevent his sanctions from negatively impacting the federation’s operations.

Despite this move, his re-election sparked strong opposition from Ukraine and other nations, who argued that a sanctioned Russian businessman should not hold leadership roles in international sports organizations.

The athlete petition specifically requests that Olympic officials support an external investigation to help rebuild trust in the federation’s leadership. The timing is significant, as IOC Executive Board members are scheduled to meet Wednesday and Thursday.

According to the petition, former interim president Emmanuel Katsiadakis resigned after refusing to sign correspondence to U.S. President Donald Trump requesting the removal of sanctions against the 72-year-old Usmanov. The document indicates Katsiadakis cited this incident as a factor in his decision to step down.

Beyond leadership issues, the athletes express frustration with several operational changes, including the elimination of thorough background screenings for Individual Neutral Athletes, new restrictions preventing athletes, journalists, and national federations from recording competitions, increased costs for equipment technicians, and last-minute cancellations of World Cup tournaments.

The petition outlines specific reforms the athletes want implemented: an independent probe into federation governance problems, increased transparency in competition organization, better communication regarding event changes or cancellations, athlete consultation before implementing new fees, and restoration of complete background checks for neutral competitors.

The athletes conclude their letter by expressing willingness to support reform efforts designed to strengthen fencing’s leadership structure, public trust, and long-term sustainability.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The heartland of America is positioning itself as a premier destination for World Cup action, with Kansas City, Missouri emerging as an unexpected soccer epicenter that goes far beyond its central geographic position.

Arrowhead Stadium, where the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs play, will welcome six World Cup matches, featuring both a round of 32 contest and a quarterfinal showdown. The region will serve as home base for some of soccer’s biggest names, with Lionel Messi’s Argentina squad, Harry Kane’s England team, and Virgil van Dijk’s Netherlands side all establishing operations in the Kansas City metro area. Meanwhile, Algeria will set up camp in nearby Lawrence, where the University of Kansas is located.

Visitors should note that two Kansas Cities exist — one in Missouri and another in Kansas — which often puzzles newcomers. The majority of World Cup events will occur on the Missouri side of the border.

The city offers numerous cultural destinations for international visitors, featuring attractions such as the National World War I Memorial and Museum, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, the celebrated Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the American Jazz Museum, and Union Station.

Kansas City has built its culinary reputation on barbecue cuisine, with burnt ends — the trimmed portions of smoked brisket — serving as the local specialty. Choosing where to dine presents the main challenge, given the abundance of exceptional BBQ establishments throughout the city. Options span from elegant venues like Fiorella’s Jack Stack to well-known spots such as Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, acclaimed restaurants like Q39, iconic establishments including Arthur Bryant’s, and cherished neighborhood joints such as B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ. Soccer fans traveling between Kansas City, Texas, and Georgia should consider a barbecue sampling tour to experience different regional styles.

The complimentary fan celebration will take place at the World War I memorial site, featuring large screens broadcasting World Cup action and live performances from artists including the Chainsmokers, Flo Rida, and The All-American Rejects.

Navigating downtown proves simple using the Kansas City streetcar system. However, reaching the stadium presents different challenges. Arrowhead Stadium sits approximately 10 miles east of the city center, with most attendees typically driving to events. World Cup organizers will severely restrict parking availability, requiring more than 200 buses to operate ticketed shuttle routes from various locations throughout the metropolitan area.

The open-air design of Arrowhead Stadium, combined with summer temperatures that can exceed 100 degrees in Kansas City, has prompted organizers to schedule all matches during evening hours. The region sits within tornado alley, making weather monitoring essential for visitors. The venue ranks among the NFL’s most recognizable facilities and provides the Chiefs with a significant home-field advantage. A new $3 billion domed stadium will replace the current structure by 2031, with construction planned across the state line in Kansas City, Kansas.

BOSTON — The assault trial of NFL wide receiver Stefon Diggs continues Tuesday as his former live-in chef resumes her testimony, following opening statements that presented starkly different versions of events at the player’s residence.

The accuser, Jamila Adams who uses the name “Mila,” told the court Monday that Diggs struck her face with an open palm and placed his arm around her throat during an incident last December, making it hard for her to breathe. The defense maintains no such attack took place.

During her testimony, Adams recounted that Diggs “smacked me with an open hand” before putting his arm around her neck. She characterized her working arrangement as “complicated,” revealing that she and Diggs had previously been involved romantically, though not during the time of the alleged incident. Adams had been residing in his house, handling meal preparation and snacks, and had maintained a relationship with Diggs spanning more than four years when the alleged attack occurred.

Defense lawyer Andrew Kettlewell argued that no assault evidence exists, pointing out that other household members witnessed nothing suspicious and that no medical documentation, photographs, or video footage supports injury claims. Kettlewell also indicated that Adams may have had monetary motivations, telling jurors they would learn she requested financial compensation from Diggs following her report of the incident.

The prosecution contends the case revolves around events of Dec. 2, when they claim Diggs went into Adams’ room, struck her face, and applied a chokehold that restricted her breathing.

The 33-year-old Diggs has entered not guilty pleas to charges of felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery. Jury selection concluded Monday at Norfolk County District Court in Dedham.

Hours after learning of beloved radio announcer John Sterling’s passing, the New York Yankees delivered a dominant 12-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Monday, completing a four-game sweep of their division rivals.

Aaron Judge powered the emotional win with four RBIs and reached base safely three times. The Yankees have now captured 14 victories in their last 16 contests following Sterling’s death, who served as the team’s radio voice for 36 seasons before stepping away after the 2024 campaign.

Before the first pitch, New York honored Sterling with a moment of silence and placed a commemorative wreath at home plate. Judge then set the tone immediately, launching a full-count curveball from Shane Baz (1-3) into the right-center field bullpen for a two-run blast that gave his team an early 2-0 advantage.

The home run marked Judge’s 14th of the season, tying him for the major league lead, and his 11th long ball in the past 21 games. Against Baltimore specifically, Judge has now connected for 53 home runs in 124 career matchups.

Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler (5-1) earned the victory by surrendering just one run on seven hits across 5 2/3 innings. Baz struggled for the Orioles, giving up six runs (five earned) on five hits in his 5 2/3-inning outing.

Dodgers 8, Astros 3

Alex Freeland and Kyle Tucker delivered home runs to support Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s six-inning performance as Los Angeles captured the opening game of their three-game series in Houston.

Freeland’s blast sparked a two-run second inning, while Tucker opened the third frame with his homer to ignite a four-run outburst. Both players did their damage against Ryan Weiss (0-3), who surrendered seven runs (six earned) on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Yamamoto (3-2) permitted three runs on five hits for the victory. Will Smith collected three hits including two doubles, and Freeland also registered three hits in the win.

Cubs 5, Reds 4

Substitute hitter Michael Conforto delivered a walk-off solo home run to cap Chicago’s two-run ninth-inning comeback against Cincinnati at home.

Conforto connected on a 3-2 fastball from Cincinnati closer Emilio Pagan (2-1), sending it into the left-center field seats for the Cubs’ sixth consecutive victory.

Pete Crow-Armstrong began the bottom of the ninth with a triple. After Pagan struck out Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner lifted a sacrifice fly to left field that tied the game before Conforto’s heroics. Ryan Rolison (2-0) dominated in the top of the ninth, striking out all three batters he faced.

White Sox 6, Angels 0

Munetaka Murakami tallied three hits, crossed home plate three times and belted his 14th home run to support Davis Martin’s shutout performance as Chicago blanked Los Angeles in Anaheim.

Miguel Vargas also homered to help the White Sox defeat the Angels for the fourth time in eight days and claim their sixth victory in seven games. Martin (5-1) scattered five hits while striking out a career-best 10 batters in seven innings.

Angels starter Jose Soriano (5-2) allowed five runs and eight hits over four innings, suffering his second loss to Chicago in as many starts. Nolan Schanuel and Travis d’Arnaud each recorded two hits for Los Angeles, which has dropped 13 of its last 15 games.

Mets 4, Rockies 2

Carson Benge broke up Tomoyuki Sugano’s no-hit attempt with a sixth-inning home run, while five New York pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts in the Mets’ victory over Colorado in Denver.

David Peterson (1-4), the third New York hurler, struck out six batters in four innings of work. Devin Williams closed out the ninth inning without allowing a hit to secure his fourth save.

Mickey Moniak doubled and tripled to extend his hitting streak to 17 games, and Jordan Beck tripled for Colorado, which has lost the first four games of its six-game homestand.

Phillies 1, Marlins 0

Aaron Nola threw six scoreless innings and Bryce Harper homered to lead visiting Philadelphia past Miami in the conclusion of their four-game series. Nola (2-3) delivered his finest outing of 2026, scattering five hits with no walks while fanning five in an efficient 94-pitch performance.

Harper provided all the offense needed, going 3-for-4 with a third-inning home run. Brad Keller worked around two baserunners in the ninth to earn his second save as Philadelphia improved to 6-1 since Don Mattingly assumed interim managerial duties.

Miami starter Janson Junk (2-3) gave up one run and five hits across 5 1/3 innings. Jakob Marsee and Kyle Stowers each contributed two singles for the Marlins.

Rays 5, Blue Jays 1

Ryan Vilade launched his first home run as a member of Tampa Bay, a three-run shot in the opening inning, as the Rays defeated visiting Toronto in St. Petersburg for their fourth straight victory.

Jonathan Aranda went 3-for-4 and is now 9-for-13 over his last three contests for Tampa Bay, while Taylor Walls contributed a two-run single. Nick Martinez (3-1) pitched five innings of one-run ball, allowing five hits.

Toronto starter Eric Lauer (1-4) permitted three runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. produced Toronto’s only run with a third-inning single, and rookie Yohendrick Pinango recorded his second three-hit game in three outings.

Red Sox 5, Tigers 4

Jarren Duran crushed a go-ahead three-run home run, Payton Tolle earned his first major league victory and Boston held on to defeat host Detroit.

Duran’s blast, one of his three hits on the night, highlighted a five-run seventh inning. Marcelo Mayer added two hits and one RBI. Tolle (1-1) allowed two unearned runs and just one hit across seven innings while striking out eight batters. He walked only one in an economical 83-pitch effort. Aroldis Chapman recorded his seventh save.

Dillon Dingler produced a two-run double for Detroit, one of only three hits for the Tigers. Ricky Vanasco (0-1) was tagged with four runs after recording just two outs.

Royals 6, Guardians 2

Bobby Witt Jr.’s solo home run sparked a four-run fourth inning, Michael Wacha pitched seven innings of two-run ball and Kansas City captured its fourth consecutive game with a victory over visiting Cleveland.

Vinnie Pasquantino contributed two hits and an RBI for the Royals, who erased an early 2-0 deficit to win for the ninth time in 12 games after losing eight straight. Wacha (3-2) bounced back after allowing 10 runs over 10 1/3 innings in his previous two losing starts.

Cleveland starter Tanner Bibee (0-5), who entered with a 4-0 record in nine career starts against Kansas City, held the Royals hitless until the fourth but departed after that inning having surrendered four runs on five hits. He threw 39 of his 77 pitches in the fourth inning alone.

Cardinals 6, Brewers 3

Ivan Herrera smacked a three-run double, JJ Wetherholt drove in two runs and host St. Louis topped Milwaukee.

Herrera, Wetherholt, Victor Scott II and Nolan Gorman each collected two hits for the Cardinals, who have captured seven of their last eight games. Kyle Leahy (4-3) gave up one run and six hits in 5 1/3 innings, while Riley O’Brien secured the final two outs for his 10th save.

Brice Turang (3-for-5, two RBIs) homered and Jackson Chourio went 4-for-4 with two doubles and a walk in his first five plate appearances of 2026 for Milwaukee, which has lost two straight. Brewers starter Chad Patrick (2-2) surrendered four runs on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings.

Mariners 5, Braves 4

Luke Raley and J.P. Crawford homered during a five-run sixth inning as Seattle rallied to defeat visiting Atlanta in the opener of their three-game interleague series.

The Mariners ended a three-game losing streak and stopped Atlanta’s three-game winning streak on an evening when all nine runs came via home runs. The major-league-leading Braves suffered just their fourth loss in the past 19 games.

Seattle starter Logan Gilbert (2-3) earned the victory despite surrendering four solo home runs. The right-hander allowed four runs on six hits over six innings. Atlanta reliever Tyler Kinley (3-2) was charged with two runs in his only inning of work.

Giants 3, Padres 2

Minor league call-up Trevor McDonald scattered just two hits over seven innings, Casey Schmitt homered and San Francisco began a six-game homestand with a victory over San Diego.

Rafael Devers drove in Luis Arraez twice with a single and sacrifice fly, combining with Schmitt to account for all the Giants’ offense as they snapped a six-game losing streak. McDonald (1-0) allowed one run in his first major league appearance of the year.

After Jackson Merrill connected on McDonald’s sixth pitch for a solo home run, the Giants immediately responded with two runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a lead they maintained throughout. San Diego starter Randy Vasquez (3-1) allowed three runs on five hits across 5 2/3 innings.

The Seattle Mariners mounted a dramatic comeback Monday night, scoring five runs in the sixth inning to defeat the Atlanta Braves 5-4 in the opening game of their three-game interleague matchup.

Luke Raley and J.P. Crawford delivered crucial home runs during Seattle’s explosive sixth-inning rally, helping the Mariners end a three-game losing streak while snapping Atlanta’s three-game winning streak. The contest featured an unusual offensive display with all nine runs coming from home runs.

Despite surrendering four solo home runs, Seattle starter Logan Gilbert (2-3) earned the victory after pitching six innings. The right-handed pitcher allowed four runs on six hits while recording four strikeouts and issuing two walks.

The Mariners’ bullpen completed the victory as Jose A. Ferrer and Eduard Bazardo threw two scoreless innings in relief, followed by closer Andres Munoz who secured his seventh save of the season in the ninth inning.

Atlanta reliever Tyler Kinley (3-2) took the loss after giving up two runs during his single inning of work.

For the Braves, Matt Olson reached a career milestone by hitting his 300th home run, while Drake Baldwin, Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley also connected for solo shots.

Baldwin opened the scoring with a leadoff home run to center field in the first inning.

The score remained 1-0 until the sixth inning when Atlanta appeared to take control. Albies and Olson started the frame with back-to-back home runs to center field, and after one out, Riley blasted a shot to left-center field, giving the Braves a commanding 4-0 lead.

Atlanta rookie pitcher JR Ritchie, a Bainbridge Island native, dominated through five innings before encountering trouble in the sixth. After walking the first two batters he faced, Ritchie allowed Raley’s three-run homer to right-center field, cutting the deficit to 4-3 and ending his evening.

Kinley entered the game and walked Mitch Garver with one out. With two outs, Crawford delivered the game-winning blow with a home run to right field, giving Seattle a 5-4 advantage.

In his third major league start, Ritchie allowed three runs on four hits across five-plus innings, walking six batters while striking out two.

Braves catcher Sean Murphy made his season debut after recovering from hip surgery performed last September. He used up both of his team’s replay challenges in the first inning on ball-strike calls, losing both reviews. Murphy finished 0-for-3 at the plate.

Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh missed his third straight game due to discomfort in his right side.

The loss marked just the fourth defeat for the major league-leading Braves in their past 19 games.

A disputed officiating decision in the final minutes helped propel the Vegas Golden Knights to a 3-1 triumph over the Anaheim Ducks in Monday night’s opening game of their Western Conference second-round playoff matchup in Las Vegas.

Ivan Barbashev netted what proved to be the decisive score with 4:58 left on the clock, but the goal sparked heated controversy due to a waived-off icing call that preceded the play.

The sequence unfolded when Barbashev sent the puck deep from beyond center ice. Anaheim’s players, including defenseman Jackson LaCombe who was providing a screen on Jack Eichel, eased up expecting an icing whistle. Instead, officials allowed play to continue, enabling Pavel Dorofeyev to feed Barbashev, who buried a shot from close range on the left side.

Anaheim head coach Joel Quenneville expressed his frustration with the officiating. “Clearly I disagreed with the call,” Quenneville stated. “It was clearly icing, but their guy (Jack Eichel) stopped, which really made me annoyed.”

Vegas coach John Totorella offered a different perspective. “I didn’t see it,” Totorella explained. “I was blocked. I didn’t see it, so I don’t know what to tell you.”

Carter Hart delivered an outstanding performance between the pipes for Vegas, turning aside 33 of 34 shots. Mitch Marner contributed both a goal and an assist, while Brett Howden also found the back of the net for the Golden Knights, who now hold a commanding 28-8-3 all-time record against Anaheim, including 16-3-1 on home ice.

For the Ducks, Mikael Granlund managed their lone goal while goaltender Lukas Dostal made 19 stops in the losing effort.

The series continues Wednesday night in Las Vegas for Game 2 of the best-of-seven contest.

Vegas opened the scoring at 3:14 of the middle frame, shortly after Anaheim’s Troy Terry struck iron with a wrist shot from the right side. Howden, who managed just 12 goals during 58 regular season contests, recorded his fifth tally in seven playoff appearances by deflecting Marner’s cross-ice feed through traffic.

The Ducks missed a golden opportunity to level the score midway through the second period. Leo Carlsson created a spectacular spinning feed to LaCombe, who found himself alone near the right circle. However, LaCombe, despite leading Anaheim with nine points in their first-round victory over Edmonton, opted to pass rather than shoot at the vacant net, sending the puck to Terry in front. The opportunity slipped away when the puck eluded Terry’s stick.

“We had a great chance with (LaCombe),” Quenneville reflected. “I didn’t have to say anything to him. I think we all knew we’d like to have that one back.”

Anaheim managed to even things up with 6:03 remaining in regulation when LaCombe skated down the left side and set up Granlund, who fired home a wrist shot for his third playoff marker.

The tie lasted merely 65 seconds before Barbashev’s controversial winner sent the Ducks bench into an uproar over the missed icing call.

When asked about receiving any clarification from the officials, Quenneville was blunt. “No. I did not,” he said. “I was just upset at the call at the time, but that was the play for me. We had just scored. It was a huge call, and an easy call.”

Anaheim pulled Dostal for an extra skater with 1:55 on the clock, but Marner put the game away with an empty-net goal from end to end with just six seconds left.

The Minnesota Timberwolves pulled off a thrilling 104-102 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal matchup on Monday, getting a crucial boost from the unexpected return of star Anthony Edwards.

Edwards, who was expected to miss multiple weeks due to a bone bruise in his left knee suffered on April 25, came off the bench to contribute 18 points. Julius Randle paced Minnesota’s scoring effort with 21 points in the road victory.

The series continues Wednesday in San Antonio for Game 2, before shifting to Minneapolis for Games 3 and 4 on Friday and Sunday.

Minnesota head coach Chris Finch explained the decision to bring Edwards off the bench despite his return from injury.

“We talked yesterday that if he was able to go, he was going to come off the bench, and if that, you know, was fine with him,” Finch explained. “He was all in, and he did a really good job of, like, not like pushing and forcing things, even though he knew he was on a minutes restrictions. I thought he did a really good job of just staying in the flow.”

The Spurs held a three-point edge entering the final quarter, but Edwards took control early in the fourth period. He tallied 11 of Minnesota’s initial 19 points in the quarter, helping set up a decisive 7-0 stretch that Mike Conley finished with a three-pointer, giving the Timberwolves a commanding 95-86 lead with 4:42 remaining.

San Antonio fought back in the closing moments, with Victor Wembanyama’s slam cutting the deficit to four points with 43.6 seconds left. Dylan Harper then stole the ball and scored with 30.9 seconds remaining, bringing the Spurs within two points. After Randle missed a shot, San Antonio chose not to use a timeout and got the ball to Julian Champagnie, whose three-point attempt at the buzzer hit the front rim and bounced out.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson defended the final shot selection.

“Dylan did a good job pushing the ball and kicking it ahead. Julian had a fly-by and had a shot in rhythm. No problem with the shot. That was a great shot. I hope he shoots it every time,” Johnson said.

Jaden McDaniels and Terrence Shannon Jr. each added 16 points for the Timberwolves, while Naz Reid and Conley chipped in 12 points apiece. Randle and Rudy Gobert each pulled down 10 rebounds.

Randle emphasized the significance of stealing the opening game on the road.

“(Winning this game was) extremely important,” Randle stated. “That’s kind of a tone-setter for the series, especially being a road team for us to come out the way we did with composure, just playing good basketball. We felt like we left a lot out there. Feel like we can play a lot better.”

For San Antonio, Harper topped all scorers with 18 points, while Stephon Castle and Champagnie each contributed 17 points. Devin Vassell added 14 points, and Wembanyama achieved a triple-double with 11 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 blocked shots, though he struggled from three-point range, missing all eight attempts. Keldon Johnson also scored 11 points for the Spurs.

Johnson acknowledged Minnesota’s defensive prowess after the defeat.

“(Minnesota) did what they do — they’re physical, they guard the basketball really well, especially direct action, where it’s kind of mano a mano situations, they got guys that are capable of doing it, and they take a lot of pride in it,” the Spurs coach noted.

Minnesota grabbed an early 24-22 advantage after the first quarter, highlighted by Randle’s dunk over Wembanyama at the buzzer.

The second quarter featured multiple momentum swings, with San Antonio building a 35-29 lead following Luke Kornet’s free throws at the 6:38 mark. Minnesota responded with a 7-0 run, capped by Reid’s layup for a 36-35 advantage. The teams battled evenly through the remainder of the half, heading to the locker room deadlocked at 45-45.

Harper led all first-half scorers with 11 points, while Castle added 10 for San Antonio. Edwards, Reid, and Randle each scored seven points to pace Minnesota’s offense before halftime.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Two star players will be absent when the Western Conference semifinals tip off Tuesday night, as both Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic and Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Jalen Williams have been sidelined due to left hamstring injuries.

Both franchises submitted their injury reports to the NBA on Monday, confirming the players’ unavailability for the crucial playoff opener.

Doncic sustained his injury during a game in Oklahoma City approximately one month ago and has remained out of action since. The NBA’s scoring leader posted impressive regular season numbers, recording 33.5 points per game along with 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick has remained noncommittal about Doncic’s potential return timeline, noting that this type of injury can sideline players for up to two months. Despite his absence from game action, Doncic participated in three-point shooting drills with his teammates during Monday’s practice session before the team departed for Oklahoma City.

Williams, who earned All-Star recognition for 2025, sat out the final two contests of Oklahoma City’s first-round matchup against Phoenix due to his hamstring issue. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault stopped short of clearing Williams for action, stating Monday that the player continues to make progress in his recovery.

During a regular season marred by various injuries, Williams contributed 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. His playoff performance was even more impressive, averaging 20.5 points while shooting 61.5% from the field in Oklahoma City’s opening two postseason games before suffering the injury in the third quarter of Game 2. Ajay Mitchell stepped into the starting role and contributed to the Thunder’s series sweep.

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees captain Aaron Judge is advocating for a permanent tribute to honor the late John Sterling by playing the beloved broadcaster’s signature victory call throughout Yankee Stadium after each win, right before Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” fills the air.

“I think it’d be a nice little tip of the cap to John and what he meant — so much to this franchise and this fan base. I think it would be pretty cool,” Judge commented following New York’s dominant 12-1 victory over Baltimore Monday evening, which completed a four-game series sweep on the same day the iconic announcer passed away.

The stadium’s public address system broadcasted Sterling’s distinctive “Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theee Yankees win!” call immediately after the game’s conclusion.

Judge contributed significantly to the victory with his league-leading 14th home run in the opening frame, plus a two-run hit in the eighth inning that gave him four RBIs total. This performance came after the team honored Sterling, who died at 87, with a pregame ceremony.

Sterling served as the Yankees’ radio voice for 35 years, from 1989 through 2024. As Judge rounded the bases following his two-run blast off Shane Baz, he recalled the personalized home run call Sterling created for him: “A Judgian blast! All rise! Here comes the Judge!”

“Definitely seeing that tribute hit home because he loved the Yankees,” Judge reflected. “He loved this team. He loved this franchise. He loved the fans. He loved everybody he talked to on a nightly basis. So to do that there in the first, just kind of was chuckling around the bases thinking what he was probably saying.”

Yankees skipper Aaron Boone disclosed before the contest that he’s been honoring Sterling in the dugout for several years by shouting “Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theee Yankees win!” prior to celebrating with handshakes.

During Monday’s game, supporters joined in loudly as Sterling’s deep voice echoed at amplified volume through the stadium speakers.

“It drowned me out a little bit, happily,” Boone remarked.

Similar to Judge, the manager supports making Sterling’s voice a permanent postgame fixture.

“Yeah, I’d love it,” the manager stated. “Right on into Frank.”

Judge currently tops Major League Baseball with six first-inning home runs this season and has accumulated 91 career first-inning homers, ranking behind only Babe Ruth’s 126 and Mickey Mantle’s 103 among Yankees players. His latest homer marked his 53rd in 124 career games against Baltimore.

“It’s a pretty good advantage to have that guy coming up in the first inning for you,” Boone noted.

Judge, who shared the major league home run lead with Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox after Monday’s games, is currently batting .272 with 27 RBIs.

Following his first batting championship last season, when he maintained a .427 average through April, Judge struggled initially this year and was hitting .212 with three homers and seven RBIs after 14 games. Since that slow start, the three-time American League MVP has posted a .329 average with 11 home runs and 20 RBIs across 21 contests.

“Even if I’m hitting .400 in April, I’m tinkering with something new every single day. It could be something subtle with hands or feet, the sights, approach,” Judge explained. “When you stink, you’re trying to get better. When you’re doing well, you’re also trying to get better.”

Every Yankees player wore caps featuring Sterling’s “JS” initials stitched on the back. A Bronx vendor quickly created the tribute at the team’s request.

“I thought it was a nice little touch for John,” Judge said.

The Oakland Athletics made a roster move Monday by trading for catcher Jonah Heim from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash, addressing their need behind the plate.

Oakland needed to fill a spot on their 26-man roster after putting regular starting catcher Shea Langeliers on the paternity list, and the switch-hitting Heim will step into that role.

The 30-year-old Heim had been released by Atlanta earlier on Monday. During his brief stint with the Braves this season, spanning 12 games, he posted a .231 batting average along with one home run and eight RBIs. His most recent performance came Sunday in Atlanta’s 11-6 victory over Colorado, where he contributed a home run and five RBIs.

The Buffalo, New York native had inked a one-year deal worth $1.5 million with Atlanta back in February, following his tenure as Texas’s main catcher beginning in 2022.

This marks a return to familiar territory for Heim, who began his major league journey with Oakland in 2020, participating in 13 contests. He subsequently joined Texas in 2021 before becoming their regular starter the following season.

Heim’s standout campaign came in 2023 when he received All-Star recognition, posting a .258 batting average with 18 home runs and 95 RBIs while recording a .755 OPS for the championship Rangers squad.

Throughout his major league tenure, Heim has accumulated 620 games of experience with a career batting average of .225, along with 69 home runs and 290 RBIs.

The Seattle Mariners have sidelined left-handed relief pitcher Gabe Speier for at least two weeks due to inflammation in his left shoulder, the team announced Monday. The injury designation dates back to May 3.

To fill the roster spot, Seattle brought up Jose Suarez, whom they acquired off waivers from the Atlanta Braves over the weekend. Suarez, also a left-handed pitcher who works primarily in relief, was cut loose by Atlanta on May 1.

The 31-year-old Speier has become a cornerstone of Seattle’s bullpen since joining the team in 2023. He took the mound 69 times during his first season with the Mariners and appeared in 76 games in 2025. His 76 appearances ranked fifth-highest across Major League Baseball, while he maintained a 2.61 earned run average and 0.87 WHIP.

Speier’s most recent outing came on April 29, when he gave up one run while recording just two outs during Seattle’s 5-3 victory over Minnesota.

The California native from Santa Barbara previously played for Kansas City from 2019 through 2022 but didn’t find his groove until arriving in Seattle the following year. Throughout his career, he has pitched in 230 games with one start, compiling a 6-11 record and 3.60 ERA. He has recorded 226 strikeouts against 56 walks across 192 2/3 innings.

Seattle’s bullpen has taken another hit recently, as right-handed reliever Matt Brash was also placed on the injured list May 1 with minor inflammation in his right lat muscle.

The 28-year-old Suarez pitched in eight games for Atlanta this season, including one start, going 0-1 with one save and a 6.61 ERA. Before his brief stint with the Braves, the Venezuelan spent six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels from 2019-2024, making 61 starts during that time.

Over his major league career, Suarez holds a 22-30 record with a 5.35 ERA, striking out 383 batters while issuing 258 walks in 412 1/3 innings.

Seattle also promoted left-handed pitcher Josh Simpson from their Triple-A affiliate in Tacoma while sending right-hander Cole Wilcox back to the minors.

The National Hockey League has scheduled an in-person disciplinary hearing for Boston Bruins defender Charlie McAvoy on May 11 at league offices in New York, stemming from a stick-swinging incident involving Buffalo Sabres player Zach Benson.

League officials announced the hearing date on Monday. The decision to conduct the meeting face-to-face signals that the NHL’s Department of Player Safety may impose a suspension exceeding five games.

Since Boston’s playoff run concluded Friday following a sixth-game defeat to Buffalo in the opening round, any disciplinary action against McAvoy would carry over to the start of the upcoming season.

The controversial play unfolded with 1 minute and 31 seconds remaining in the final period when Benson caused McAvoy to fall while both players pursued a loose puck. McAvoy then rose and rushed toward Benson, swinging his hockey stick in a baseball bat-like motion at his opponent.

This season marked a career-best performance for McAvoy, who recorded 61 points including 11 goals across 69 regular season contests. During the Buffalo series, he contributed two assists.

Throughout his nine-year tenure with Boston, McAvoy has accumulated 71 goals and 361 points over 573 regular season appearances. His postseason statistics include six goals and 50 points in 97 playoff contests.

The Los Angeles Lakers must begin their second-round playoff matchup against Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday without their top-scoring player, as the team officially declared Luka Doncic unavailable for the opening game on Monday.

Head coach JJ Redick had refused to give details about his star player’s condition earlier Monday before the Lakers released their injury report that evening showing Doncic would not play.

The injury keeping Doncic sidelined is a left hamstring strain he sustained during a crushing 139-96 defeat against these same Thunder players. The injury has prevented the player who averages 33.5 points per contest from participating in any postseason games. Even without their leading scorer, the fourth-seeded Lakers (53-29) managed to eliminate the fifth-seeded Houston Rockets with a 4-2 series victory in the opening round.

Oklahoma City dominated the regular season with the NBA’s finest record of 64-18 before starting their playoff campaign by sweeping the Phoenix Suns in four straight games.

The Lakers have struggled mightily against Oklahoma City this year, losing all four regular season meetings with only one defeat decided by single digits.

Recent reports about Doncic’s recovery timeline align with the team’s decision to hold him out. ESPN reported Sunday that the player remains on a “slow path” toward returning to action, having not yet resumed full-contact practice sessions while being listed as week-to-week.

The six-time All-Star selection and two-time scoring title winner also contributed 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game during the 2025-26 campaign, his first complete season wearing a Lakers uniform.

After enduring a crushing road trip that resulted in six losses out of eight games, the Arizona Diamondbacks find themselves one game under .500 and desperately seeking answers.

The struggling team returns to Phoenix Tuesday evening to kick off a six-game stretch at home, starting with the first of three matchups against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Arizona’s troubles started even before their recent road swing, dropping three of four contests on their home field. Their away games began with a split against San Diego in Mexico City, followed by dropping two of three to Milwaukee and getting completely shut out in a three-game series against Chicago.

The team’s final four road defeats were particularly painful, getting outscored by a devastating 29-10 margin. Milwaukee alone tagged them for 13 runs in two separate losses, with only a 6-2 win breaking up the carnage.

Shortstop Geraldo Perdomo didn’t mince words when describing the recent performance to media members. “Bad,” Perdomo said. “Really bad. Win two out of eight? That’s not us. It was really bad. It was a disaster.”

The current slide is especially concerning given Arizona’s promising 13-8 beginning to the season.

Since that strong start, the team has managed just three victories in 12 contests, surrendering double-digit runs four times while being held to two runs or fewer on four separate occasions.

Manager Torey Lovullo remains confident his squad will bounce back quickly.

“I stand before you guys every single day and tell you that we’re working hard and things are going to turn, and we’re going to have good days. And I’m going to continue to believe in that,” Lovullo stated. “Because I see how hard these guys work, and I think they just get frustrated when they don’t have results. We’ve got to get the tide to turn a little bit. … I’ll expect their absolute best on Tuesday.”

First baseman Ildemaro Vargas has been a bright spot during the team’s struggles, earning National League Player of the Month honors for March and April.

The 34-year-old veteran saw his impressive 27-game hitting streak come to an end Saturday. The switch-hitting player currently tops the National League with a .382 batting average and paces Arizona with six home runs and 21 RBIs.

The Pirates arrive in Phoenix fresh off a series sweep of Cincinnati at home. Pittsburgh exploded for 26 runs in their first two victories before capturing Sunday’s finale by a 1-0 score.

Rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin provided the game-winner with a clutch two-out double in the eighth inning.

Griffin expressed regret about the timing of his heroics. Right-hander Braxton Ashcraft had thrown 7⅔ shutout frames before departing, meaning reliever Gregory Soto got credit for the victory instead.

“He deserved it,” Griffin said regarding Ashcraft. “I wish we could have gotten it for him a little earlier, but he pitched his tail off and we tried to back him up the best we can.”

The 20-year-old Griffin, who celebrated his birthday on April 24, is hitting .262 with two homers and 16 RBIs across 29 major league games since his call-up. Pittsburgh selected him ninth overall in the 2024 draft.

Oneil Cruz paces the Pirates’ offense with nine home runs and 28 RBIs.

Left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (2-0, 3.03 ERA) will take the mound for Arizona after receiving a no-decision versus Milwaukee last Wednesday. He surrendered two runs and five hits across 4⅔ innings in the Diamondbacks’ 6-2 victory.

The 33-year-old Rodriguez holds a 1-1 record with a 4.41 ERA in three previous starts against Pittsburgh. Brandon Lowe has connected for three homers in 20 at-bats against Rodriguez while striking out 11 times, and Bryan Reynolds has managed three hits in six attempts.

Pittsburgh will counter with rookie right-hander Bubba Chandler (1-3, 4.97), who has surrendered nine runs over nine innings while losing his last two starts.

In his most recent outing, Chandler allowed three runs and three hits over five innings during a 5-4 loss to St. Louis.

The 23-year-old Chandler has no previous experience against Arizona or any of their current hitters.

With eight teams remaining in the NBA postseason, one franchise has clearly separated itself from the competition in the eyes of oddsmakers.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been installed as strong betting favorites to capture their second consecutive NBA championship as the conference semifinals kicked off Monday evening.

Both DraftKings Sportsbook and BetMGM have listed the Thunder at -145 odds to claim the NBA Finals crown. The San Antonio Spurs, who earned the Western Conference’s second seed behind Oklahoma City, hold the next-best championship odds at +370 (DraftKings) and +375 (BetMGM).

Oklahoma City’s dominant campaign began with an impressive 24-1 record to open the regular season, ultimately leading to the league’s top mark of 64-18. The Thunder continued their excellence into the playoffs, becoming the only team to complete a first-round sweep by defeating the eighth-seeded Phoenix Suns 4-0.

San Antonio could present the most significant challenge to Oklahoma City’s title aspirations should the regional foes meet in the Western Conference championship series. The two teams faced each other five times during the regular season due to their matchup in the NBA Cup semifinals, with the Spurs claiming victory in four of those encounters.

From the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons have emerged as the leading contenders, though third-seeded New York carries significantly better odds than top-seeded Detroit following the Pistons’ struggle against Orlando. Detroit was forced to overcome a 3-1 series deficit to eliminate the eighth-seeded Magic.

New York stands at +900 to win the championship at both major sportsbooks. The Knicks are also favored to represent the Eastern Conference in the Finals, with +135 odds at DraftKings and +150 at BetMGM.

Detroit’s championship odds sit at +1800 (DraftKings) and +1700 (BetMGM), while their Eastern Conference odds are listed at +260 and +250, respectively.

Complete DraftKings championship odds as of May 4, 8 p.m. ET: Oklahoma City (-145), San Antonio (+370), New York (+900), Detroit (+1800), Cleveland (+2200), L.A. Lakers (+2800), Philadelphia (+4000), Minnesota (+7000).

BetMGM championship odds as of May 4, 8 p.m. ET: Oklahoma City (-145), San Antonio (+375), New York (+900), Detroit (+1700), Cleveland (+2000), L.A. Lakers (+2500), Philadelphia (+3500), Minnesota (+8000).

SAN ANTONIO — Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards received medical clearance to take the court Monday evening for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against San Antonio, making his comeback just 10 days following a hyperextended left knee injury.

The All-Star guard was initially projected to sit out at least the opening two contests in San Antonio, but the 6-foot-4 player accelerated his recovery process to participate in the series opener.

“He’s in,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch said.

Finch indicated that Edwards will face playing time limitations.

Edwards received approval to rejoin team workouts on Saturday and his status was elevated to questionable on Sunday’s injury listing. He participated fully in Monday morning’s shootaround session and earned final approval following pre-game warmups.

The injury occurred on April 25 during Game 4 of Minnesota’s first-round matchup with Denver, when Edwards sustained both a bone bruise and hyperextension to his left knee.

Minnesota also suffered the loss of Donte DiVicenzo in that same Game 4 contest due to a torn right Achilles tendon, yet managed to capture the following two games against Denver to secure their advancement.

Edwards was absent from Game 6 while undergoing injury treatment.

During the regular season, Edwards posted averages of 28.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists across 61 contests. In three matchups against San Antonio this season, he averaged 36.7 points, 4.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds.

Minnesota held a 2-1 regular season record against the Spurs.

San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama, who received Defensive Player of the Year honors on April 20, was sidelined for the first regular season meeting with Minnesota due to a left calf strain. Wembanyama posted averages of 34 points and 8.0 rebounds in two contests against the Timberwolves, including a 39-point performance in a 126-123 victory on January 17 during the teams’ final regular season encounter.

Chicago Sky officials announced Monday they have released rookie guard Hailey Van Lith, who was selected 11th overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

The 24-year-old first-year player posted 3.5 points and 1.6 assists per game across 29 appearances without making a start during her inaugural professional season.

During preseason action, Van Lith contributed 12.5 points and 4.5 assists over two contests for Chicago, which begins regular season play Saturday against the Portland Fire.

Chicago selected the 5-foot-9 Van Lith as their top pick following her outstanding college basketball journey that included stops at Louisville, LSU and TCU. She earned All-American honors and claimed both Big 12 Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year awards after posting 17.9 points, 5.4 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game with the Horned Frogs during the 2024-25 campaign.

The Sky made additional roster moves Monday, releasing forwards Maddy Westbeld (16th overall pick) and Aicha Coulibaly (22nd selection), both 2025 draft choices. Westbeld contributed 4.1 points and 2.4 rebounds across 26 games as a rookie, while Coulibaly did not appear in any contests.

All WNBA franchises must finalize their rosters by Thursday at 5 p.m. ET ahead of Friday’s regular season opener.

The Dallas Wings also made significant cuts Monday, parting ways with six players including veteran guard Lindsay Allen.

Allen, 31, brings eight seasons of WNBA experience across 214 career games with six different teams, most recently appearing in 31 contests (nine starts) for the Connecticut Sun in 2025. The veteran guard holds career averages of 4.4 points and 3.1 assists but could not earn a roster position with Dallas after joining the organization last month.

Dallas also released Rayah Marshall, Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, Amy Okonkwo, Grace Berger and Costanza Verona.

Berger joined the Wings mid-season through multiple seven-day contracts and finished with 3.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists over 18 games (13 starts). Okonkwo averaged 11.0 points per game but participated in only eight contests late in the season.