Category: Sports

A sports journalism podcast has been awarded the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for audio reporting following its investigation into alleged financial misconduct by the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team.

Pablo Torre’s “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast received the prestigious honor Monday for its examination of the NBA team’s financial dealings with star player Kawhi Leonard. The investigation has sparked an ongoing league inquiry into potential salary cap violations.

“We are honored to have been named the winner of the 2026 Pulitzer Prize in Audio Reporting!” the podcast announced on its official social media account.

The award-winning investigation, published last September, focused on Leonard’s $28 million endorsement agreement with Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC, a California sustainability company that has since filed for bankruptcy. Torre’s reporting suggested the deal may have violated NBA financial regulations.

Pulitzer Prize judges praised the work as a “pioneering and entertaining form of live podcast journalism.”

Both Leonard and the Clippers organization have rejected allegations of wrongdoing. Leonard has stated he never received the full payment amount from the company, while the team has expressed confidence in the league’s investigation process, which involves an independent firm.

The financial connections run deeper than the endorsement deal. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer invested $50 million in Aspiration, and the organizations announced a $300 million business partnership in September 2021. This partnership was established roughly one month after Leonard agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $176 million with the team.

The Clippers terminated their business relationship with Aspiration after two years, citing contract violations. Meanwhile, Aspiration’s co-founder Joseph Sanberg entered a guilty plea in August on federal wire fraud charges. Federal prosecutors accused him of stealing $248 million from investors and lenders, stating that “Aspiration’s financial statements were inaccurate and reflected much higher revenue than the company in fact received.”

Torre’s show, which produces three episodes weekly, has tackled numerous high-profile investigations since launching in 2023. Past reporting has examined Jeffrey Epstein’s connections to Harvard University, Madison Square Garden’s facial recognition technology usage, and alleged coordination among NFL teams.

The 40-year-old journalist’s podcast operates under Meadowlark Media and holds licensing through The Athletic, a subsidiary of The New York Times Company. Torre previously worked at Sports Illustrated and ESPN.

DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons have rewarded head coach J.B. Bickerstaff with a new contract following the franchise’s breakthrough playoff performance this season.

The organization announced the extension Monday but did not disclose financial terms or the length of the new agreement.

Since taking control of the team at the beginning of the 2024-25 campaign, replacing Monty Williams, Bickerstaff has compiled a 104-60 record during regular season play while guiding Detroit to two postseason berths.

After falling in the opening round last year, the Pistons dominated this season with a conference-leading 60-22 mark. They capped off their remarkable turnaround Sunday with a 116-94 victory over Orlando, securing their first playoff series triumph since 2008.

When Bickerstaff inherited the franchise in autumn 2024, the Pistons were coming off back-to-back seasons as the league’s worst team, including a dismal 14-68 campaign in 2023-24.

The transformation has been dramatic for a Detroit squad that had endured consecutive years at the bottom of the NBA standings before Bickerstaff’s arrival.

The Pistons will face an intriguing matchup Tuesday evening when they host Cleveland in their second-round opener. Bickerstaff previously led the Cavaliers from late in the 2019-2020 season until the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.

Milwaukee has welcomed back two key offensive players as outfielder Jackson Chourio and first baseman Andrew Vaughn return from the 10-day injured list on Monday, just in time for their series against St. Louis.

To make room on the roster, the team sent outfielder Blake Perkins down to Triple-A Nashville while utility player Greg Jones was designated for assignment.

The 22-year-old Chourio is set to make his first appearance of the season after dealing with a hairline fracture in his left hand sustained during March’s World Baseball Classic.

During his rehabilitation stint in Nashville, Chourio appeared in three games, recording one hit in six at-bats while drawing three walks. Though he exited his final rehab game after fouling a pitch off his left ankle, X-rays showed no damage and won’t postpone his major league return.

The young outfielder has shown remarkable consistency in his brief MLB career, posting nearly identical numbers across his first two seasons: 21 home runs, 79 RBIs, 22 stolen bases and a .275 batting average in his 2024 rookie campaign, followed by 21 homers, 78 RBIs, 21 steals and a .270 average in 2025.

Vaughn provided a significant boost to Milwaukee’s lineup last season following his early-season acquisition from Chicago, but Opening Day brought misfortune when he fractured a hamate bone in his left hand, sidelining him since then.

The 28-year-old first baseman completed three rehabilitation games in Nashville, collecting two hits in 11 at-bats including one double. Throughout his major league career spanning 675 games since 2021, Vaughn maintains a .253 batting average with 86 home runs and 340 RBIs.

The players being moved out struggled offensively this season, with Perkins managing just a .109 average and five RBIs across 19 games. Jones performed even worse, hitting .095 with one RBI in 11 appearances. The utility player has now played for three different organizations in as many years, having brief tenures with Colorado in 2024 and Chicago in 2025 before joining Milwaukee.

DETROIT — Detroit Tigers ace pitcher Tarik Skubal, a two-time American League Cy Young Award recipient, will undergo a surgical procedure to extract loose bodies from his elbow following his removal from Monday’s scheduled start versus the Boston Red Sox.

Tigers skipper A.J. Hinch informed the media that the southpaw experienced discomfort in his elbow on Sunday, coming just days after a concerning moment during his outing against the Atlanta Braves. Medical examinations on the 29-year-old pitcher, who is slated to enter free agency following next season, revealed the presence of loose bodies requiring surgical removal. The procedure has not yet been scheduled.

No timeline has been established for Skubal’s return to action.

The initial elbow discomfort occurred during last week’s matchup with Atlanta, though Skubal remained in the contest. After delivering a 2-2 pitch to Matt Olson, he was seen massaging his left arm, prompting both the team trainer and Hinch to visit the mound. Following a single warmup throw, Skubal determined he could continue and proceeded to strike out three consecutive batters to conclude his outing.

In that performance, he surrendered five hits while recording seven strikeouts and issuing no walks.

Multiple media sources confirmed Monday that the Carolina Panthers have brought former NFL safety Mike Adams onto their coaching staff in an assistant role.

The 45-year-old Adams launched his professional football career in 2004 with San Francisco and spent two seasons (2017-18) playing for Carolina. Throughout his 16-year career spanning 228 games, he recorded 935 tackles and 30 interceptions while suiting up for San Francisco (2004-06), Cleveland (2007-11), Denver (2012-13), Indianapolis (2014-16), Carolina, and Houston (2019).

During his time with Indianapolis, Adams earned back-to-back Pro Bowl selections in 2014 and 2015.

Adams will start his coaching journey through the Bill Walsh coaching fellowship program, which aims to increase diversity among NFL coaching staffs. His responsibilities will include working with players during offseason training programs and throughout training camp.

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks announced Monday they have brought aboard Masai Ujiri, the former Toronto Raptors executive, to serve as team president and alternate governor.

The 55-year-old Ujiri previously oversaw the Raptors organization during their championship run in 2018-19, when Toronto captured the NBA title with Kawhi Leonard after acquiring the star from San Antonio.

Ujiri steps into the role previously held by Nico Harrison, who was dismissed from his general manager position last November. Harrison’s tenure ended roughly nine months after orchestrating the controversial trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, a move that proved detrimental to Dallas.

The new president spent 13 years with Toronto’s organization before being let go as president and vice chairman this past June. He initially joined the Raptors as executive vice president and general manager.

According to the team’s announcement, Ujiri will oversee all basketball-related operations while collaborating with franchise leadership on strategic planning for the Mavericks’ future.

Michael Finley, a former Dallas player, and Matt Riccardi had been sharing general manager duties since Harrison’s departure. The duo orchestrated the February trade sending Anthony Davis to Washington. The injury-prone big man had been the primary asset Dallas received in the problematic Doncic transaction.

Ujiri takes charge of a franchise now built around Cooper Flagg, who earned Rookie of the Year honors after being selected first overall in last summer’s draft. Dallas secured Flagg despite having only a 1.8% probability of winning the top lottery selection. The team holds a 6.7% chance in the upcoming draft lottery.

Despite missing playoff action for two consecutive seasons, the Mavericks could return to postseason contention. The franchise reached the 2024 NBA Finals with Doncic and Kyrie Irving leading the way before falling to Boston in five games.

Should Ujiri retain Irving, Dallas would feature two former Duke standouts in Irving and Flagg. The rookie sensation guided the Blue Devils to the Final Four while becoming only the fourth first-year player to claim Associated Press men’s player of the year recognition.

Irving and Flagg have yet to share the court together, as Irving missed the entire campaign after suffering an ACL injury in March 2025.

The roster also includes another Duke product in center Dereck Lively II, though he has battled various injuries throughout his three-year career.

Additional core players include four-time champion Klay Thompson, who rebounded from early struggles to post strong three-point numbers and finish fourth in NBA history for made three-pointers. Forward P.J. Washington played a crucial role during the Finals run, while Naji Marshall emerged as a reliable scorer on an injury-riddled squad.

Chicago Sky management announced Monday they have released rookie guard Hailey Van Lith, who was selected as their first-round draft choice in 2025.

The 24-year-old guard struggled during her debut season, posting averages of 3.5 points and 1.6 assists across 29 appearances without earning a single start.

All WNBA franchises must finalize their rosters by Thursday at 5 p.m. ET, just one day before the regular season kicks off on Friday.

During Chicago’s preseason play, Van Lith showed promise with 12.5 points and 4.5 assists per game over two contests. The Sky begin their campaign Saturday against Portland in what marks the inaugural game for the expansion Portland Fire franchise.

Chicago selected Van Lith as the 11th overall selection in 2025 following her impressive college basketball journey that took her through Louisville, LSU, and TCU.

Standing 5-foot-9, Van Lith 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 during her final collegiate season with the Horned Frogs in 2024-25.

Multiple sources confirm the Dallas Mavericks have selected Masai Ujiri, the former Toronto Raptors executive, to serve as their new team president and alternate governor, according to reports released Monday.

The 55-year-old Ujiri led the Raptors’ front office operations for 12 years from 2013 through 2025, playing a key role in building the team that captured the franchise’s inaugural NBA title during the 2018-19 season.

Prior to his tenure with Toronto, Ujiri served as general manager for the Denver Nuggets between 2010 and 2013, earning recognition as the NBA’s Executive of the Year during the 2012-13 campaign. Under his leadership across both organizations, the teams compiled a 690-504 record and secured 12 playoff berths over his 15-year executive career.

The appointment brings to a close Dallas’s six-month executive search that began when the organization terminated general manager Nico Harrison on November 11. Harrison’s dismissal followed the team’s disappointing 3-8 opening to the 2025-26 season and ongoing fan criticism surrounding the February 2025 decision to trade star player Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.

According to ESPN, team officials have scheduled a press conference featuring Ujiri and team governor Patrick Dumont for Tuesday in Dallas.

Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi served as co-interim general managers overseeing Dallas’s front office operations after Harrison’s departure.

The Mavericks concluded this season with a 26-56 record, marking their poorest performance since the 2017-18 campaign when they went 24-58. The team’s struggles persisted despite strong play from Cooper Flagg, the 19-year-old forward who was selected first overall in the draft and earned Rookie of the Year honors after averaging 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists across 70 games.

DENVER — What was supposed to be a defensive battle between two of the NHL’s top defensive teams turned into an offensive showcase Sunday night, as the Colorado Avalanche defeated the Minnesota Wild 9-6 in their second-round playoff opener.

The game featured an incredible 14 different goal scorers, completely defying expectations for a matchup between teams known for their defensive prowess and elite goaltending.

Colorado netminder Scott Wedgewood allowed six goals — exceeding his total from the entire first-round sweep of Los Angeles by one. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s Jesper Wallstedt surrendered eight goals before an empty-net tally sealed the wild finish.

“It was a weird one,” commented Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, who was the lone player to net multiple goals in the contest. The series continues Tuesday night at Ball Arena, with both clubs vowing to improve their defensive play.

Wild defenseman Jake Middleton echoed those sentiments, saying, “Weird game for sure. I mean, it’s the playoffs, you can’t be too surprised with what transpires.”

Avalanche center Nazem Kadri expressed his amazement at the goal-scoring barrage. “It was downright shocking to see so many goals,” Kadri noted. “We did not expect that kind of game at all. In fact, quite the opposite.”

Colorado, which allowed the fewest goals during the regular season, raced to a 3-0 advantage in less than seven minutes. However, Minnesota responded by scoring five of the following six goals, forcing the Avalanche to mount their own comeback effort.

“It felt like the puck, the puck just had eyes today for them,” Wallstedt reflected on Colorado’s offensive success.

Each period produced exactly five goals, creating an unprecedented scoring pace for teams known for defensive excellence.

“Yeah, it’s nothing either of us wants,” Wedgewood acknowledged. “Obviously we want a couple of them back on both sides. But you’ve got to give credit offenses. It’s playoff hockey.”

The President’s Trophy-winning Avalanche had opened their playoff run with consecutive 2-1 victories over Los Angeles, leading fans to expect another low-scoring affair.

Kadri found positive aspects in the high-scoring contest, suggesting Colorado’s week-long break after sweeping LA while Minnesota needed six games to eliminate Dallas may have contributed to the defensive struggles.

“Versatility,” Kadri explained regarding his team’s approach. “That’s what we always talk about, whether we’ve got to go high-flying offense or lock-down defense, I certainly feel comfortable in both scenarios and I know this team does as well.”

He added, “You’ve got to win different ways come playoff time. I think we were a little loose and a little rusty defensively, but we’ll get that tightened up. I think it’s just being off for a little while and defensively trying to get engaged in the game took a little longer than expected for us. But at the end of the day, we found a way to win. On the flip side, the offensive side was going.”

Colorado captain Gabe Landeskog acknowledged that while both teams are recognized for defense, “we’ve got some really good shooters on both teams.” Once the game became a shootout, survival became the primary objective.

“You have to find ways to win,” Landeskog stated. “We took the lead and they tied it back up and then they took the lead and we tied it back up, it was just back and forth, you’re just trying to find a way to win the hockey game, you’re trying to find a way to stop the bleeding. And you’re just trying to settle into the game.”

“It’s nice to be able to win games like this, not necessarily a coach’s dream or a player’s dream. We don’t want to give up six goals. So, it’s good to win this one, but we’ve got lots of things to clean up.”

Makar broke a 5-5 deadlock with an unassisted goal to open the third period, then added a crucial wrist shot with 2:54 remaining to make it 8-6. This performance came despite missing 17 minutes of the opening period due to a lower-body injury. Colorado defensemen combined for five goals in the contest.

“That’s Cale Makar doing Cale Makar things,” Landeskog praised his teammate’s effort.

Wild coach John Hynes summarized the chaotic nature of the game, saying, “Yeah, I mean, there’s a lot to unpack in this one. Was a bit of a helter-skelter game. Obviously you can tell by the score. We’ll take a look at some things and take some lessons out of this one. Be ready for Game 2.”

Despite the lopsided score, Hynes never considered removing Wallstedt from the game. “No, I thought Wally played … look what the score was,” Hynes explained. “And their guy was in for a lot of goals against, too.”

Following three consecutive seasons with over 100 losses — culminating in a franchise-worst 121 defeats last year — the Chicago White Sox desperately needed some spark.

Japanese infielder Munetaka Murakami has delivered exactly that kind of energy.

The 26-year-old slugger currently shares the major league home run lead with Aaron Judge at 13 long balls. Remarkably, those homers represent almost half of Murakami’s total base hits this season. His remaining 14 hits have all been singles, with zero doubles or triples to his name.

Such extreme power-or-nothing offensive numbers would mark historic territory if maintained across a full campaign. Currently, 48.1% of Murakami’s hits have left the ballpark. The existing single-season record among batting title qualifiers belongs to Barry Bonds at 46.8%, achieved during his legendary 2001 campaign when he launched 73 homers among 156 total hits.

Mark McGwire holds the next two spots on this exclusive list. His 1998 season featured 70 home runs in 152 hits (46.1%), while 1999 saw him blast 65 homers in 145 hits (44.8%). Just nine players in baseball history have homered on at least 40% of their hits, though not all required massive power numbers to reach that threshold. Joey Gallo achieved a 43.6% rate in 2017 with 41 homers in 94 hits while batting just .209. That profile may better mirror Murakami’s current .223 batting average.

With Murakami leading the charge, Chicago ranks 28th league-wide in team batting average but ninth in home runs. Fellow young player Colson Montgomery contributes a .227 average with nine homers. The White Sox enjoyed an encouraging stretch recently, riding a five-game winning streak before falling to San Diego on Sunday, missing a chance to reach .500.

Murakami joined Chicago after signing a two-year, $34 million deal to leave Japan during the offseason. Montgomery, at 24, remains under team control for several years. On the mound, rookie left-hander Noah Schultz has posted a 2-1 record with a 2.53 ERA in his debut season.

The White Sox also hold the top selection in this year’s amateur draft.

Regarding the automated ball-strike challenge system, no clear pattern emerges between successful challenges and team performance. The clubs with the most successful ABS challenges include Minnesota (52), Colorado (50), Miami (46), Oakland (45) and Kansas City (44). Among that group, only Oakland maintains a winning record.

Looking at success rates, Arizona leads at 64.3%, followed by San Diego (62.3%), Kansas City (62%), Detroit (60.7%) and Cincinnati (59.6%). San Diego, Detroit and Cincinnati currently have winning records.

Boston’s Ranger Suarez dominated Toronto on Monday night, striking out 10 batters while allowing just one hit across eight innings in a 5-0 Red Sox victory. That marked Boston’s third consecutive win, though they’ve since dropped four of their last five games. Suarez exited his previous Sunday start after four innings due to hamstring concerns.

Atlanta mounted a spectacular comeback against Colorado on Friday night, overcoming a 6-1 deficit to win 8-6. The Braves scored once in the seventh inning, then exploded for four runs in the eighth, highlighted by Mauricio Dubón’s bases-clearing triple. Michael Harris II capped the rally with a two-run homer in the ninth inning.

According to Baseball Savant, Colorado’s win probability reached 97.7% at one point during the game.

After completing a three-game sweep in Colorado, Atlanta now holds an 8.5-game lead atop the National League East. The Braves also boast baseball’s best run differential at plus-81.

For historical context, Adam Dunn connected on 41 homers among 110 hits (37.3%) in 2012 while batting .204. That same season, Dunn established the American League record with 222 strikeouts.

NEW YORK (AP) — John Sterling, the legendary radio voice of the New York Yankees celebrated for his dramatic and personalized home run catchphrases, passed away Monday, according to announcements from the baseball team and radio station WFAN. He was 87 years old.

Sterling had received heart bypass surgery during the winter months and was recovering at his Edgewater, New Jersey residence with professional care assistance. The Yankees organization confirmed his death occurred at a New Jersey medical facility.

The veteran broadcaster had covered 5,631 total games — including 5,420 regular season contests and 211 playoff games — before stepping away in April 2024 shortly after the season began, saying he was experiencing exhaustion. Sterling maintained an incredible streak of 5,060 straight games from September 1989 through July 2019 after initially joining the Yankees organization as a pregame show host. He briefly returned from retirement to cover the team’s 2024 playoff run.

Sterling’s signature home run announcements became as iconic to Yankees culture as the team’s famous pinstripe uniforms or World Series trophies. When new players joined the roster through trades or call-ups, supporters eagerly anticipated what creative phrase he would craft for their first long ball.

His memorable calls included “Bernie goes boom! Bern, baby, Bern!” for Bernie Williams, “It’s a Jeter jolt!” for Derek Jeter, “It’s an A-bomb from A-Rod!” for Alex Rodriguez, “The Giambino!” for Jason Giambi, and “A thrilla from Godzilla!” for Hideki Matsui. These personalized signatures became beloved from the team’s locker room to the stadium’s upper deck.

“It wasn’t meant that way. I just happened to do something for Bernie Williams. He hit a home run and I said, ‘Bern, baby, Bern!’ And it kind of mushroomed from there,” Sterling explained during his retirement announcement. “But it never was intended for every player, because, frankly, I’m not smart enough to do something for every player. But I did the best I could, and it’s amazing what started out as — became so big.”

“I did say ‘A-bomb from A-Rod!’ when he hit a home run and I did say: ‘Robbie Canó, don’t you know,’ and I think those were pretty good,” Sterling reflected on his calls for Rodriguez and Robinson Canó.

Originally named Josh Sloss, Sterling was born on July 4, 1938, in Manhattan and left his college studies to pursue radio work. His broadcasting dreams began after listening to “The Eddie Bracken Show” during the 1940s.

“I didn’t want to be Eddie Bracken. I wanted to be the guy who says: ‘Live from Hollywood!’” Sterling recalled. “And I knew that maybe a year or two later, but before puberty I knew I was going to be on the air. And it really helped me because I didn’t worry about school, because I knew what I was going to do. And it was a good thing because I was a terrible student — terrible.”

His broadcasting journey began in 1960 at a radio station in Wellsville, New York.

“I was preparing this all my life. It was easy,” he said. “I could always open my mouth and talk.”

Sterling drew inspiration from broadcasting legends Mel Allen, Russ Hodges, and Jim Karvellas. He eventually earned his place alongside Allen in Yankees broadcasting history, joining the ranks of Red Barber, Phil Rizzuto, Bill White, and Frank Messer.

During his early career, Sterling called games for the NBA’s Washington Bullets and Morgan State football, gaining recognition for his enthusiastic “Islanders goal! Islanders goal!” calls during the hockey team’s broadcasts from 1975-78, as well as covering the NBA’s Nets from 1975-80.

Sterling’s initial Yankees connection came through WMCA pregame radio programs from 1971-78. He later relocated to Atlanta, working with the Braves from 1982-87 and Hawks from 1981-89, before returning to New York to join the Yankees, taking over from Hank Greenwald.

Sterling rarely visited the team’s clubhouse and maintained his professional appearance in Brooks Brothers suits despite working in radio.

Throughout his Yankees tenure, he worked alongside various broadcast partners including Jay Johnstone (1989-90), Joe Angel (1991), Michael Kay (1992-2001), Charley Steiner (2002-04), and Suzyn Waldman (since 2005). Sterling and Waldman received induction into the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2016.

Sterling took pride in his distinctive broadcasting approach.

“Harry Caray told me some years ago,” he remembered in 2024, referencing the famous Chicago Cubs and White Sox announcer, “and he says, ‘John, all the guys are great. We just have different styles.’ And no one has a more different style than I have.”

Kansas City made several roster adjustments Monday, releasing quarterback Jake Haener along with two defensive players.

The Chiefs also let go of defensive end Ethan Hurkett and defensive tackle Zacch Pickens while bringing in three new free agents: wide receiver Xavier Loyd, defensive back Marlen Sewell, and offensive tackle Kahlil Benson.

The 27-year-old Haener had been Kansas City’s most significant free-agent acquisition of the offseason when they signed him February 2nd. The team brought him in to provide quarterback depth as two-time NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes recovers from ACL surgery. However, Kansas City later added veteran quarterback Justin Fields in March to serve as Mahomes’ primary backup.

New Orleans selected Haener in the fourth round of the 2023 draft. During the 2024 season with the Saints, he saw action in eight contests with one starting assignment, throwing for 226 yards on 18 completions out of 39 attempts, recording one touchdown pass and one interception. The Saints cut him loose in January.

The Chiefs selected LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier in last month’s seventh round and also have Chris Oladokun on their quarterback roster. When Mahomes went down with injury last season, Oladokun stepped in and threw for 235 yards while completing 35 of 55 pass attempts across three appearances, including two starts, with one touchdown and zero interceptions.

Formula One officials are reviewing policies around teams owning stakes in multiple racing operations after reports emerged linking Mercedes to a potential investment in Alpine, which is currently owned by Renault.

Speaking at the Miami Grand Prix, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who leads the International Automobile Federation (FIA), revealed his personal opposition to such arrangements while acknowledging there could be valid justifications for allowing them.

The sport currently permits Red Bull to control both Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls, making up two of Formula One’s 11 competing teams. While these organizations function as separate entities, their drivers work under centralized contracts and key personnel can transfer between them without the typical lengthy non-compete periods known as “gardening leave.”

Competitors have raised concerns about this structure, with McLaren’s Zak Brown particularly vocal about the challenges it creates when trying to hire top talent. Critics also worry about potential coordination between commonly-owned teams that could provide unfair advantages.

Ben Sulayem indicated that shared ownership might be permissible under certain circumstances.

“As long as you are not trying to take it (the stake) because you don’t want others to take it, or also get voting power when it comes to the regulations, then maybe it’s OK,” he stated.

“But then I do believe that owning two is not the right way, this is my personal point of view, but we are looking into that because it’s a complicated area,” Ben Sulayem added.

Red Bull’s acquisition of the struggling Minardi team in late 2005 prevented that organization’s collapse, preserving jobs and maintaining the sport’s full roster of competitors. The secondary team has since served as a development program for Red Bull’s main operation, nurturing future champions including Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel, along with numerous race winners.

Industry speculation has connected former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, who was dismissed last July, to a 24% ownership stake in Alpine. This stake is currently held by investors led by Otro Capital, who are seeking buyers.

Flavio Briatore, who effectively runs Alpine, confirmed in March that Mercedes had also shown interest in acquiring the stake. Such a purchase would likely eliminate Horner’s involvement, given his contentious history with Mercedes team leader Toto Wolff.

Ben Sulayem expressed confidence that Horner would eventually return to Formula One in some capacity.

“Who can remove Christian Horner’s name from motorsport and Formula One?” he questioned. “You can’t. It was always successful. But success also has enemies, as we know.

“If you ask me, we miss him in this sport and I do. I keep in touch with him and he was good for the team, good for the sport.

“He wants to come back. I talk to him regularly and I feel he will be back. When he comes back, it’s like he went for a vacation … he’s been a character in the sport,” Ben Sulayem concluded.

The Orlando Magic dismissed head coach Jamahl Mosley on Monday following a crushing playoff defeat that saw his team surrender a commanding 3-1 series advantage to the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference’s opening round.

The dismissal marks the end of Mosley’s five-year tenure with Orlando, which concluded with the franchise’s third straight first-round playoff elimination. The eighth-seeded Magic’s collapse against the top-seeded Pistons proved particularly devastating, including a home defeat where Orlando surrendered a 24-point second-half advantage. The team’s offensive struggles reached a breaking point during Friday’s Game 6 loss, when they failed to score on 23 straight field goal attempts, prompting boos from their home crowd.

Many believe that Friday’s collapse sealed Mosley’s dismissal, even though Sunday’s Game 7 defeat in Detroit officially ended their season.

“We’re grateful to Jamahl for all he’s done for the Orlando Magic,” Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said. “We appreciate his leadership and the positive contributions he made as head coach. While this was a difficult decision, we feel it’s time for a new voice and fresh perspective. We wish Jamahl and his family nothing but the best.”

During his Orlando tenure, Mosley accumulated 189 victories, ranking third in franchise history behind Brian Hill’s 267 wins and Stan Van Gundy’s 259. He took control of a rebuilding roster that welcomed rookies Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs during his inaugural campaign, then added top draft pick Paolo Banchero the following year.

The Magic’s progression under Mosley showed steady improvement: from 22 victories in his debut season to a 34-48 record in year two, followed by three consecutive seasons at or above .500 — posting 47-35, 41-41, and 45-37 records respectively.

This achievement placed Orlando among just 10 NBA franchises — including Boston, Cleveland, Denver, Houston, both Los Angeles teams, Minnesota, New York, and Oklahoma City — to avoid sub-.500 records over the past three campaigns.

However, the organization determined that bringing in new leadership represented the optimal strategy for advancing their young core, which includes Banchero, Wagner, Suggs, and Desmond Bane, all secured under long-term contracts.

“It’s been absolutely amazing journey with these guys,” Mosley said. “Their ability to grow, communicate … we’re going to fight until the final horn goes off. And that’s what you’ve seen for a majority of the five years.”

Orlando’s roster requires improvements in several areas, particularly three-point shooting, where they ranked 27th among the league’s 30 teams this season. Injuries also plagued the franchise, including during their playoff run when Wagner missed the final three games — all defeats — against Detroit.

Questions about Mosley’s job security persisted throughout the season, particularly following reports of tension between him and star player Banchero. In March, Banchero acknowledged occasional conflicts but believed the team benefited from working through those challenges.

“We’re both competitors,” Banchero said when asked then about his relationship with Mosley. “There were times where I was frustrated and I wasn’t playing as well as I think I should be. But it never became me pointing the finger at him or being disrespectful. It was all constructive; he’s talking to me, I’m talking to him. And winning, it cures everything.”

Ultimately, the victories weren’t sufficient to save Mosley’s position.

The dismissed coach had two years remaining on a contract extension signed in March 2024. At that time, the organization praised his “preparation, work ethic, ability to connect with the players and passion he brings to the job every day brings positive results, both on the court and off.”

Less than two years later, both sides have agreed to part ways.

Mosley’s five-year tenure ranks among the longest current coaching assignments in the NBA, with only seven coaches serving longer in their current positions: Miami’s Erik Spoelstra (2008), Golden State’s Steve Kerr (2014), the Clippers’ Tyronn Lue (2020), Oklahoma City’s Mark Daigneault (2020), Minnesota’s Chris Finch (2021), Indiana’s Rick Carlisle (2021), and Dallas’ Jason Kidd (2021).

Before joining Orlando, Mosley served 15 seasons as an assistant coach with Denver, Cleveland, and Dallas, frequently appearing on candidate lists for head coaching positions throughout the league. His relationship with Weltman dates back to their time together with the Denver Nuggets.

Mosley becomes the 14th head coach in Magic franchise history, or 15th if counting Billy Donovan, who initially accepted the position in 2007 before reversing his decision to return to the University of Florida. Donovan’s recent departure from the Chicago Bulls after six seasons has sparked speculation about his potential candidacy for the Orlando opening.

Soccer fans across India and China may find themselves unable to watch the upcoming World Cup as FIFA encounters significant hurdles securing television broadcast agreements in both nations.

According to sources familiar with the negotiations, a joint venture between Reliance and Disney has presented FIFA with a $20 million bid for India’s 2026 World Cup broadcasting rights. However, this offer represents only a small portion of what FIFA considers acceptable compensation, leading to an ongoing standoff between the parties.

Sony, another major player in India’s media landscape, reportedly held discussions but ultimately chose not to submit any proposal for the FIFA broadcasting package, according to an industry insider with direct knowledge of the situation.

The situation in China remains equally uncertain, with no official broadcast deal announcement despite the country representing nearly half of all digital and social media viewing hours during the previous World Cup in 2022.

Neither FIFA, the Reliance-Disney partnership led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, nor Sony provided responses to requests for comment regarding the ongoing negotiations.

This timing presents an unusual challenge for FIFA, as previous tournaments saw agreements finalized well ahead of kickoff. During both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, China’s state broadcaster CCTV had secured rights months in advance and was already running promotional materials and sponsor advertisements weeks before the events began.

The numbers highlight the significance of these markets for FIFA’s global reach. China represented 17.7% of worldwide linear television viewership for the 2022 tournament, while India accounted for 2.9%. Combined, both countries made up 22.6% of total global digital streaming audience for that World Cup.

With the 2026 tournament beginning June 11, FIFA has approximately five weeks remaining to finalize agreements, establish broadcast infrastructure, and allow partners to sell advertising space.

Sources indicate FIFA initially requested $100 million for combined broadcasting rights covering both the 2026 and 2030 World Cups in India. This represents a significant increase from the roughly $60 million that Reliance’s previous media division paid for 2022 rights, which were secured 14 months before that tournament in Qatar and ultimately attracted over 110 million digital viewers.

The merger between Reliance and Disney has created a media powerhouse in India’s entertainment and streaming sectors, potentially strengthening their negotiating position. While FIFA has reportedly reduced its initial $100 million asking price, the organization remains unsatisfied with Reliance’s $20 million counteroffer, according to one source.

The Reliance-Disney partnership, which has invested heavily in cricket broadcasting rights, believes World Cup viewership will be lower in India due to the tournament’s North American location across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Most matches will air after midnight in India, potentially limiting audience size.

China boasts approximately 200 million soccer enthusiasts, more than any other nation, though the country has struggled to develop competitive international teams due to structural issues in player development and selection processes.

An industry source noted that soccer lacks the commercial appeal of cricket, India’s most popular sport, and recent advertising market slowdowns related to regional conflicts have further dampened revenue projections.

“Football is a niche segment in India,” explained the source.

Sony, which operates television channels and streaming services in India, determined that purchasing FIFA’s broadcast rights would not provide adequate financial returns for the company, according to a third industry insider.

Rohit Potphode, managing partner for sports at advertising agency Dentsu India, offered an optimistic perspective on the timeline: “Not much time is left but I won’t call it a stalemate. It’s more like we are at the end of a chess game with a couple of moves left.”

Ten years following the NBA’s inaugural draft lottery featuring Patrick Ewing as the top prize, the NHL introduced its own version with much less publicity.

Gary Bettman, the NHL commissioner who previously worked in basketball, helped develop the league’s method for establishing draft order. The system debuted in 1995, when just one franchise was selected as the lottery “winner.” The Los Angeles Kings moved from seventh position to third overall, as teams were restricted from jumping more than four positions at that time.

The remaining draft order remained unchanged, with Ottawa securing the first pick after recording the league’s poorest season record.

“It wasn’t really suspenseful,” said Randy Sexton, who served as the Senators’ general manager then. “We had a list of the random numbers and everybody tried to pretend that they really didn’t care, but as the numbers started to pop up, everybody started to try and figure out which number fell in their realm.”

The NHL’s lottery system has never matched the unpredictability of the NBA version. Throughout most of its history, only one franchise was chosen to advance, meaning no team could fall more than a single spot. Before 2013, teams were limited to moving up just four positions maximum.

An exception occurred in 2005 following a lockout that canceled the entire season. Every franchise had an opportunity to win the lottery and select Sidney Crosby that year.

Today’s format operates differently. Two separate drawings determine the first and second picks, with teams able to jump as many as 10 positions. The lottery ball selection is broadcast live. With this year’s drawing scheduled for Tuesday, The Associated Press examined each franchise’s lottery performance, categorizing teams into six groups:

Several franchises have gained substantial advantages from the lottery system:

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

First-Overall Selections: 2007 (Patrick Kane), 2023 (Connor Bedard)

Lost First-Overall Position: Never

Summary: Beyond their two top picks, Chicago also advanced four positions to fourth in 1999 and jumped nine spots to third in 2019.

EDMONTON OILERS

First-Overall Selections: 2010 (Taylor Hall), 2011 (Ryan Nugent-Hopkins), 2012 (Neil Yakupov), 2015 (Connor McDavid)

Lost First-Overall Position: Never

Summary: No franchise has secured the top selection more frequently during the lottery period, achieving this feat four times within six years. Edmonton held the strongest odds twice and capitalized both times. The other occasions saw the Oilers move up, including when McDavid was available.

FLORIDA PANTHERS

First-Overall Selections: 2002 (traded selection — Rick Nash), 2003 (traded selection — Marc-Andre Fleury), 2014 (Aaron Ekblad)

Lost First-Overall Position: 2013 (Nathan MacKinnon)

Summary: Despite trading away consecutive top picks that allowed Columbus to select Nash and Pittsburgh to acquire Fleury, Florida benefited from three lottery-generated opportunities at the first position.

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

First-Overall Selections: 2017 (Nico Hischier), 2019 (Jack Hughes)

Lost First-Overall Position: Never

Summary: New Jersey has advanced four separate times, including for both top overall picks.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

First-Overall Selections: 2000 (Rick DiPietro), 2009 (John Tavares), 2025 (Matthew Schaefer)

Lost First-Overall Position: 2001 (Ilya Kovalchuk)

Summary: The Islanders possessed only 3.5% odds for the first pick last season yet jumped from tenth position. Schaefer has already made an immediate impact.

NEW YORK RANGERS

First-Overall Selections: 2020 (Alexis Lafrenière)

Lost First-Overall Position: Never

Summary: New York surprisingly won the special 2020 lottery despite participating in that year’s COVID-delayed postseason play-in round. The previous season they moved from sixth to second.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

First-Overall Selections: 1998 (Vincent Lecavalier), 1999 (traded selection — Patrik Stefan), 2008 (Steven Stamkos)

Lost First-Overall Position: Never

Summary: Tampa Bay has never actually moved up in the lottery but received three top picks. During their frequent lottery appearances in the late 1990s and early 2000s, only five teams could receive the first selection. Having the best odds, as Tampa Bay did in 1998 and 1999, provided strong positioning.

Some franchises have received minimal assistance despite occasionally favorable odds:

ANAHEIM DUCKS

First-Overall Selections: None

Lost First-Overall Position: 2023 (Connor Bedard)

Summary: Anaheim has held top-three lottery odds three times since 2021, making their continued misfortune increasingly painful.

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

First-Overall Selections: None

Lost First-Overall Position: 2012 (Neil Yakupov)

Summary: While Columbus traded for the top pick in 2002 to select Rick Nash, it’s surprising they’ve never won the first selection through the lottery given their frequent decent chances.

DETROIT RED WINGS

First-Overall Selections: None

Lost First-Overall Position: 2020 (Alexis Lafrenière)

Summary: Detroit followed a 25-season playoff streak with a decade-long drought that now represents the NHL’s longest. The Red Wings dropped in the lottery every year from 2017-2020.

UTAH MAMMOTH (formerly PHOENIX/ARIZONA COYOTES and WINNIPEG JETS)

First-Overall Selections: None

Lost First-Overall Position: Never

Summary: Utah jumped 10 positions to fourth last year, but the franchise has been poorly treated by the lottery overall. The original Jets, Coyotes, and Mammoth have had 13 different opportunities to win the top pick, more than any franchise that hasn’t received it.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

First-Overall Selections: None

Lost First-Overall Position: Never

Summary: Vancouver has never moved up in the lottery. They held the third-best odds in 2016 and second-best in 2017 but received the fifth pick both times.

Several teams have each won the lottery once but selected impactful players:

COLORADO AVALANCHE

First-Overall Selections: 2013 (Nathan MacKinnon)

Lost First-Overall Position: 2017 (Nico Hischier), 2019 (Jack Hughes)

Summary: MacKinnon has delivered both a Stanley Cup championship and MVP award since joining Colorado.

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

First-Overall Selections: 2005 (Sidney Crosby)

Lost First-Overall Position: 2004 (Alex Ovechkin)

Summary: The 2005 Crosby lottery included every team, with Pittsburgh prevailing. The Penguins also picked first in 2003 with Marc-Andre Fleury, but the lottery had placed them third before they traded for the top selection.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

First-Overall Selections: 2016 (Auston Matthews)

Lost First-Overall Position: Never

Summary: While Matthews hasn’t brought Toronto significant playoff success, his arrival helped the Maple Leafs escape lottery territory immediately. He averages nearly 43 goals per season. Toronto and St. Louis are the only franchises never to move up or down in the lottery.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS

First-Overall Selections: 2004 (Alex Ovechkin)

Lost First-Overall Position: Never

Summary: Washington fell from playoff contention in 2003 to near the bottom in 2004, then landed Ovechkin. He quickly transformed their fortunes while becoming the NHL’s career goal-scoring leader and bringing the franchise its only Stanley Cup title.

Some teams have extensive lottery experience with mixed results:

BUFFALO SABRES

First-Overall Selections: 2018 (Rasmus Dahlin), 2021 (Owen Power)

Lost First-Overall Position: 2014 (Aaron Ekblad), 2015 (Connor McDavid)

Summary: After missing McDavid, Buffalo’s fortune eventually changed. Both Dahlin and Power are on this year’s Sabres team, which finally reached the postseason for the first time since 2011.

OTTAWA SENATORS

First-Overall Selections: 1995 (Bryan Berard), 1996 (Chris Phillips)

Lost First-Overall Position: Never

Summary: Ottawa secured the first pick in the initial two lotteries, though they held the best odds both times. They’ve never actually moved up from their expected position.

SAN JOSE SHARKS

First-Overall Selections: 2024 (Macklin Celebrini)

Lost First-Overall Position: 2025 (Matthew Schaefer)

Summary: Without the Celebrini selection, San Jose would rank among the unluckier lottery teams, but he appears to be an excellent choice.

WINNIPEG JETS (formerly ATLANTA THRASHERS)

First-Overall Selections: 2001 (Ilya Kovalchuk)

Lost First-Overall Position: 2000 (Rick DiPietro), 2002 (Rick Nash)

Summary: Atlanta moved from third to first in 2001, but failed to capitalize when holding the best odds in 2000 and 2002. After relocating to Winnipeg, they moved from sixth to second in 2016.

Several franchises have minimal lottery history:

CALGARY FLAMES

First-Overall Selections: None

Lost First-Overall Position: Never

Summary: Calgary’s only lottery movement was dropping from fifth to sixth in 2016.

DALLAS STARS

First-Overall Selections: None

Lost First-Overall Position: Never

Summary: Dallas moved from eighth to third in 2017 to select defenseman Miro Heiskanen, their only significant lottery experience.

MINNESOTA WILD

First-Overall Selections: None

Lost First-Overall Position: Never

Summary: Minnesota has been eligible for the top pick just four times, including 2000 before beginning play and 2005 when every team could select Crosby.

NASHVILLE PREDATORS

First-Overall Selections: None

Lost First-Overall Position: Never

Summary: Like other teams in this category, Nashville is younger than the lottery system. After selecting second before their inaugural season, they’ve never picked higher than fourth.

SEATTLE KRAKEN

First-Overall Selections: None

Lost First-Overall Position: Never

Summary: Seattle moved up one spot to second in 2021 to select Matty Beniers in their first lottery.

ST. LOUIS BLUES

First-Overall Selections: 2006 (Erik Johnson)

Lost First-Overall Position: Never

Summary: St. Louis has been eligible for the top pick just four times in the lottery era, the fewest of any long-standing team. They held the best odds in 2006 when receiving the top selection, though Johnson spent most of his career in Colorado.

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

First-Overall Selections: None

Lost First-Overall Position: Never

Summary: Vegas dropped from third to sixth in 2017 before their inaugural season and hasn’t returned to the lottery since.

BOSTON BRUINS

First-Overall Selections: 1997 (Joe Thornton)

Lost First-Overall Position: Never

Summary: Acquiring Thornton was significant for Boston, but they held the best odds that year, making it unsurprising.

CAROLINA HURRICANES

First-Overall Selections: None

Lost First-Overall Position: 2003 (Marc-Andre Fleury)

Summary: Carolina’s only lottery advancement was substantial, moving from 11th to second in 2018 to select Andrei Svechnikov.

LOS ANGELES KINGS

First-Overall Selections: None

Lost First-Overall Position: Never

Summary: Los Angeles was chosen in the inaugural 1995 lottery, advancing from seventh to third. This represents one of only three instances where the top pick didn’t go to a lottery-selected team.

MONTREAL CANADIENS

First-Overall Selections: 2023 (Juraj Slafkovský)

Lost First-Overall Position: Never

Summary: Montreal may join the successful lottery teams in coming years. Slafkovský achieved his first 30-goal season this year.

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

First-Overall Selections: None

Lost First-Overall Position: 2007 (Patrick Kane)

Summary: Philadelphia missed Kane, who later scored the goal that won Chicago the 2010 Stanley Cup Final against the Flyers.

BOSTON — The assault trial for former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs is set to commence Monday with jury selection, following allegations of a violent confrontation with his former private chef.

The veteran NFL player entered not guilty pleas in February to charges including felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery related to the alleged December incident.

Court documents reveal the chef informed police that she and Diggs had been disputing unpaid wages for her services. She alleges that during their December 2nd confrontation at his Dedham, Massachusetts residence, Diggs struck her face and attempted to strangle her by wrapping his arm around her throat, causing breathing difficulties. The woman reported to officers that she struggled to breathe and feared losing consciousness.

Defense counsel for Diggs has stated he “categorically denies these allegations,” describing them as baseless claims driven by monetary disagreements. Diggs remained silent when approached by media following his February court appearance.

The receiver inked a lucrative three-year, $69 million deal with New England last season, serving as a primary receiving option for quarterback Drake Maye as the Patriots captured the AFC East championship. His NFL journey began when Minnesota selected him in the 2015 draft, followed by stints with Buffalo and a brief period with Houston in 2024.

His 1,000-yard campaign with New England represented his seventh such season and marked a successful comeback following a career-threatening knee injury that cut short his single season with Houston in 2024.

Despite leading the Patriots with 85 catches for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns during his lone season in New England, the team released Diggs this past March. He acknowledged his departure through social media, expressing gratitude to the Patriots organization and stating: “We family forever.”

Diggs remains unsigned by any NFL franchise.

The world of Formula One racing is experiencing a technological revolution as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly central to how teams operate both on and off the racing circuit.

Research conducted by Ampere Analysis reveals that Formula One teams have established eight new artificial intelligence partnerships within the last six months, demonstrating the sport’s rapid embrace of cutting-edge technology.

Williams, a team that has claimed nine constructors’ championships, recently formed an alliance with AI firm Anthropic to utilize their Claude technology for operational support and race planning.

“It’s much more than a sticker on a car or a sticker in a billboard,” Williams board advisor Peter Kenyon explained to Reuters. “We see it as one of our differentiating points: how can this partner help us in that journey back to the top?”

The landscape of Formula One sponsorships has dramatically shifted from previous decades when tobacco companies dominated car branding. Today’s partnerships focus heavily on artificial intelligence and technology firms that assist teams in analyzing complex data while gaining valuable marketing exposure.

“What Anthropic and our tech team are doing are understanding the opportunities and then integrating those into our business to be able to demonstrate for ourselves and them, and showcase their technology in the pursuit of getting Williams back to the top,” Kenyon continued.

These AI tools have become essential for teams navigating current regulations and working within the $215 million cost cap restrictions now governing the sport.

“Efficiency is one of the ubiquitous benefits of AI products, meaning a natural synergy between teams and AI brands,” noted Adam Lewis, a senior analyst from Ampere Analysis.

According to intelligence platform SponsorUnited, technology spending among Formula One teams reached approximately $769 million during the previous season, representing a 41% increase from the year before.

The same SponsorUnited analysis indicates that AI and machine learning companies comprise four of the top 15 new sponsorship investors, including CoreWeave, a cloud infrastructure company valued at $65 billion that has partnered with Aston Martin’s racing team.

For the 2025 season, Formula One achieved $2.54 billion in total team sponsorship revenue, making it the second-highest earning sports property globally, trailing only the National Football League’s $2.7 billion.

Artificial intelligence has proven particularly valuable for handling administrative duties and interpreting complex sporting and technical regulations, enabling engineers to make quicker decisions during race situations that would have been impossible in earlier eras.

“So it’s gone from a sort of basic AI to more of an agentic approach where rather than just searching for something, it’s actually providing decisions for us,” explained Jack Harrington, group partnership lead for Red Bull Racing.

Red Bull, home to four-time champion Max Verstappen, maintains a partnership with Oracle, the software giant valued at $494 billion, and has integrated the company’s technology throughout their operations.

“So it’s really playing into the strength of AI as an enabler for our team. Allowing them (engineers) to focus on the core responsibilities they have and perform better at what they do,” Harrington added.

Major technology corporations like Google, owned by Alphabet, are also finding value in Formula One partnerships.

“These blue-chip companies are using Formula One as a launchpad and spotlight for their own AI products or re-brandings,” Lewis observed, pointing to Google’s partnership evolution with McLaren from Google Pixel to Google Gemini, their generative AI platform.

Formula One as an organization has also adopted AI technology, partnering with Amazon Web Services to use generative AI for live television broadcasts. In 2024, the organization even employed generative AI to design the Montreal trophy, which was then created by a silversmith in the United Kingdom.

“I think F1 has the never-ending, unquenchable thirst for the latest technology,” said Arthur Hu, Global Chief Information Officer for Lenovo.

Lenovo, the Hong Kong-based technology company, has served as one of Formula One’s global partners since 2022.

Hu explained that Lenovo supports Formula One by improving productivity, mobility and remote collaboration through their laptops and devices, including AI-powered computers, to help deliver races effectively.

“Formula One is at the sweet spot where it’s an intensely technical sport … And so I think that only opens up new possibilities,” Hu concluded.

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown launched a scathing attack on NBA referees during a Sunday livestream, alleging officials deliberately targeted him with unfair calls throughout his team’s playoff elimination by the Philadelphia 76ers.

The five-time All-Star aired his grievances on Twitch one day after Boston’s stunning Game 7 defeat at home, where the second-seeded Celtics fell to seventh-seeded Philadelphia in their Eastern Conference first-round matchup. The 76ers rallied to win the final three contests of the series, eliminating Boston despite the absence of injured Celtics star Jayson Tatum in the decisive game.

Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid dominated the clinching 109-100 victory with 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, converting nine of 11 free throw attempts. Brown accused the 7-foot, 270-pound center of theatrical performances to draw favorable whistles from officials.

“I mean, this is my personal opinion on basketball,” Brown stated. “Some of y’all might disagree, you know what I mean? But argue with your grandma. Flopping has ruined our game.”

“Embiid is a great player, one of the best bigs in … basketball history, flops,” Brown continued. “He knows it. This ain’t breaking news.”

The 29-year-old shooting guard suggested his previous criticism of officiating during the regular season resulted in retaliatory treatment from referees throughout the playoff series, particularly 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.’”

Brown pointed to inconsistent enforcement, noting that Philadelphia’s Paul George and New York’s Jalen Brunson execute similar push-off maneuvers while driving without receiving the same scrutiny from officials.

“It’s a basketball play, whether y’all believe it or not,” Brown said. “Everybody does that when you drive, especially if you’ve got bodies on you. But Philly took advantage of it, and they took advantage of the officiating. It cost us to some degree. I’ve been doing it all regular season, not a problem. Now, all of a sudden, it’s an offensive foul every time. Keep that same energy with everybody else. That’s all I’ve gotta say.”

Statistics support Brown’s frustration, as he accumulated 10 offensive fouls during the first round – more than double any other player. During the regular season, he ranked second league-wide with 40 offensive fouls, trailing only New York’s Karl-Anthony Towns who was flagged 65 times.

The 2024 NBA Finals MVP posted career-best numbers this season, averaging 28.7 points and 5.1 assists while matching his personal high with 6.9 rebounds per game across 71 regular-season appearances. In the seven playoff contests against Philadelphia, Brown contributed 25.7 points, 3.3 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game.

SEOUL, South Korea — In an uncommon display of athletic cooperation between the divided Korean nations, a women’s soccer club from North Korea will travel south to compete in a major tournament later this month.

South Korea’s Unification Ministry announced Monday that Naegohyang Women’s FC from Pyongyang will take on Suwon FC Women in the Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League semifinals on May 20 in Suwon, located south of Seoul.

According to the Korea Football Association, the AFC has received a roster submission from the North Korean team listing players and staff members who will make the journey to Suwon. Officials noted that North Korea faces financial penalties from the AFC should they fail to participate in the semifinal match.

North Korean state-controlled media outlets have remained silent about the soccer team’s planned visit to the South.

The last time North Korean athletes traveled to South Korea was in December 2018 for a table tennis competition. This came during a period of improved diplomatic relations that included North Korean participation in the Winter Olympics held in South Korea earlier that year. The North Korean women’s national soccer team previously competed in the South during the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon.

North Korea’s women’s soccer programs have achieved notable international success recently, currently holding both the Under-17 and Under-20 World Cup titles.

In this continental club competition, Naegohyang Women’s FC previously defeated their upcoming opponents Suwon FC Women by a score of 3-0 during group stage play in Myanmar last November. The North Korean team advanced by defeating a Vietnamese club in March’s quarterfinal round. The May 20 semifinal victor will advance to the championship match three days later in Suwon, while Melbourne City FC and Tokyo Verdy Beleza will compete in the other semifinal.

During previous periods of improved relations, athletes from both Korean nations have formed joint teams and participated together in Olympic opening ceremonies. However, such sporting collaborations have disappeared as diplomatic ties have deteriorated, with no inter-Korean activities occurring in recent years.

North Korea has rejected diplomatic overtures from both South Korea and the United States since leader Kim Jong Un’s nuclear negotiations with then-President Donald Trump fell apart in 2019 due to disputes over U.S.-imposed sanctions.

Regional tensions have escalated recently as Kim has expanded his nuclear weapons and missile development programs aimed at U.S. allies in Asia and the American mainland, while taking an increasingly hostile position toward South Korea. Kim has designated South Korea as his primary enemy and has demonstrated concern about South Korean cultural influence, aggressively working to prevent South Korean culture and language from spreading among North Koreans.

The Colorado Avalanche erupted for nine goals in a wild 9-6 victory over the Minnesota Wild during Sunday night’s opening game of their Western Conference semifinal matchup in Denver.

Cale Makar found the net twice during the final period, while Nazem Kadri also tallied a third-period score to help Colorado secure the dramatic Game 1 victory.

The second contest of the best-of-seven playoff series takes place Tuesday evening in Denver.

Makar contributed an assist along with his two goals, while Devon Toews recorded one goal and three helpers. Nathan MacKinnon chipped in with a goal and two assists, and Artturi Lehkonen plus Sam Malinski each posted a goal and an assist. Nick Blankenberg and Jack Drury rounded out Colorado’s scoring.

For Minnesota, Quinn Hughes tallied a goal and two assists, while Mats Zuccarello, Marcus Johansson, Vladimir Tarasenko, Ryan Hartman and Marcus Foligno all found the back of the net. The Wild mounted an impressive comeback from an early 3-0 deficit to briefly take the lead during the second period.

With the contest knotted at 5-5, Makar – who had recovered from an early injury – received a feed from MacKinnon in the right circle and fired a wrist shot high past goaltender Jesper Wallstedt at the 3:21 mark. Kadri extended the advantage at 5:43 of the third period with a breakaway tally.

“I feel like I was in a pretty good scoring area,” Kadri said. “Ross (Colton) made a nice pass to spring me on the half breakaway. Been watching a lot of this goaltender, so picked my spot, and definitely picked it properly.”

Wallstedt stopped 34 of 42 shots he faced during the contest.

Zuccarello brought the Wild back within striking distance when the puck deflected off his leg and crossed the goal line at 16:01, but Makar responded at 17:06. MacKinnon sealed the victory with an empty-net goal.

“Score (six) goals,” Wallstedt said. “We should win a lot of the games. There was a rare night where they got (nine). Yeah, that happens. Let that go and move on.”

Martin Necas recorded three assists while Valeri Nichushkin added two helpers for the Avalanche.

Colorado goaltender Scott Wedgewood made 10 of his 30 saves during the third period to preserve the lead for his team.

Malinski, Drury and Lehkonen scored within a 2:01 span during the middle portion of the opening period to stake the Avalanche to their 3-0 advantage. Johansson and Hartman responded with goals one minute apart to narrow the gap to 3-2.

“Not playing for a little while was a good way to get things going again,” Malinski said of Colorado’s extended rest following its first-round sweep of the Los Angeles Kings. “I’m sure my family is really excited.”

The second period maintained the offensive pace. Blankenburg scored 4:16 into the middle frame to make it 4-2, and Tarasenko answered at 6:45 to keep the Wild within reach.

Hughes evened the score when his shot through traffic beat Wedgewood at 12:43 of the second period, and Foligno netted a short-handed goal at 16:55 to give Minnesota a 5-4 advantage.

“I’m proud of the way we kind of battled back there,” Foligno said. “I mean, it’s 3-0, it’s a great barn. They have great fans, and they can get on you. But we battled back, got some goals and absolute snipes.”

Toews evened the score once again with his goal at 18:04, just moments after the Wild successfully killed off a power play.

The Detroit Pistons pulled off one of basketball’s most remarkable achievements Sunday night, rallying from a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the Orlando Magic 116-94 in a decisive Game 7 at home.

Leading the charge for Detroit were Cade Cunningham, who tallied 32 points and dished out 12 assists, and veteran Tobias Harris, who added 30 points and grabbed nine rebounds. The victory marked Detroit’s first playoff series win since 2008 and made them just the 15th franchise in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 series hole.

Bench contributor Daniss Jenkins chipped in 16 points while Jalen Duren dominated the paint with 15 points and 15 rebounds for the top-seeded Pistons, who will now face fourth-seeded Cleveland in the Eastern Conference semifinals starting Tuesday.

Despite a heroic 38-point performance from Paolo Banchero, who also collected nine rebounds and blocked five shots, the Magic couldn’t prevent their second blown 3-1 lead against Detroit, with the first occurring in 2003. Desmond Bane added 16 points in the losing effort.

Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff expressed unwavering confidence in his young squad throughout the series comeback.

“I mean, it’s expected, and that’s the amount of belief that we have in this group,” Bickerstaff explained. “This is a special group, and can’t count us out, no matter the circumstances, no matter the situation. I like our chances to fight our way back. I thought we did a hell of a job of that, obviously, in this series.”

The Pistons seized momentum early in the third quarter, outscoring Orlando 11-2 over the first few minutes, with Cunningham contributing six of those points to establish a commanding 71-51 advantage. While the Magic briefly cut the deficit to 13 points with a 7-0 run, Detroit quickly rebuilt their cushion to 20 points.

Detroit’s lead swelled to 25 points with just over eight minutes remaining before Orlando mounted one final charge, using a 15-4 run to close within 100-86 with 4:22 on the clock. However, the Pistons responded by outscoring the Magic 16-8 down the stretch to seal the historic comeback.

Harris delivered an exceptional shooting performance, connecting on 11 of 18 field goal attempts and 5 of 7 three-point tries. The 17-year veteran’s playoff experience proved invaluable for Detroit’s young roster.

“I think obviously, when we got down to 3-1 we looked at ourselves and just to see if we were going to step up to the moment,” Harris reflected. “We did a great job blocking out the noise and really just staying connected, understanding what our main goal was, really just taking one game at a time, in each and every game, taking one moment at a time every quarter, every possession. So I’m extremely proud of this group’s resilience all year long.”

The opening quarter featured defensive intensity from both teams, with five lead changes and three ties as physical play and contested shots limited scoring opportunities. Orlando held a slim 22-20 edge after the first 12 minutes.

Seven additional lead changes occurred in the second quarter before Detroit closed the first half with a dominant 20-6 surge to take a 60-49 halftime lead. The Pistons exploded for 40 second-quarter points, powered by Harris’ 17 points and Cunningham’s 10, while Banchero paced Orlando with 23 first-half points.

Detroit’s balanced offensive attack proved decisive, as they shot 51.2% from the field, 48.5% from three-point range, and 81.8% from the free-throw line. While Banchero and Bane combined to make 7 of 12 three-pointers for Orlando, their teammates struggled mightily from beyond the arc, missing 15 of 18 attempts.

A frustrated Banchero addressed Orlando’s recurring playoff disappointments after the loss.

“It’s frustrating being in the same spot three years in a row and getting the same result,” Banchero said. “We got to be better, and it doesn’t start in April when the playoffs start. It starts in September, October, when we get everybody in the building. You build habits. You create an environment where losing isn’t acceptable. Losing in the first round is not acceptable. It’s not good enough, and that should be the attitude.”

The 30-point performances by Cunningham and Harris marked the first time Detroit teammates reached that milestone in a playoff game since Bob Lanier scored 33 and Howard Porter added 30 against Golden State on April 17, 1977.

Coach Bickerstaff believes the challenging series will benefit his team moving forward.

“To do what we did this series only made us better for the next one,” Bickerstaff noted. “And I know a lot of people would have liked it to just be easier, but I think it was great for our guys to go through what they went through, to understand what it looks like and where they have to be in order to get it done. We understand that with it now we take that with us to the second round.”

The son of NFL legend Maurice Jones-Drew has made his college decision, announcing Sunday that he will attend UCLA to play football.

Duece Jones-Drew, currently a rising senior at De La Salle High School in Concord, California, will join the Bruins as part of their 2027 recruiting class. The three-star running back chose UCLA over several other programs that pursued him aggressively, including Arizona, Cal, SMU, and Utah.

His father, Maurice Jones-Drew, earned unanimous All-American honors while playing for UCLA in the early 2000s before launching a successful NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Despite recent coaching changes at UCLA, the younger Jones-Drew decided to commit to new head coach Bob Chesney. A key factor in his decision was the university’s retention of running backs coach A.J. Steward, who served in the same position under previous head coach DeShaun Foster.

Chesney recently took control of the Bruins program after leading James Madison to a playoff appearance in 2025.

Maurice Jones-Drew, known throughout his career as “MJD,” enjoyed a distinguished professional career spanning eight seasons with Jacksonville before concluding with the Oakland Raiders in 2014. His achievements include three Pro Bowl selections, leading the NFL in rushing with 1,606 yards in 2011, and earning first-team All-Pro recognition that same year.

Tampa Bay completed the first portion of their six-game homestand in dramatic fashion Sunday, as Jonathan Aranda delivered a clutch walk-off hit in extra innings to defeat the San Francisco Giants 2-1 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Aranda, who collected four hits in five at-bats and accounted for half of Tampa Bay’s total hits, sent a fastball from Caleb Kilian (1-1) sailing over the infield to bring home automatic runner Chandler Simpson with the winning run. The performance helped the Rays improve to 16-5 over their past 21 contests.

Relief pitcher Ian Seymour (1-0) delivered a flawless 10th inning to earn his first victory of the season. Tampa Bay’s pitching staff held San Francisco to just two runs across 28 innings during the series, while the Giants extended their losing streak to six games. Starting pitcher Steven Matz contributed six solid innings, surrendering one run on four hits.

For San Francisco, Casey Schmitt managed two hits, drove in a run, and successfully stole a base, while Rafael Devers added a double and scored once. Giants starter Tyler Mahle pitched effectively through 5 1/3 scoreless frames, allowing only four hits before departing.

In other American League action, Minnesota overcame an early setback to defeat Toronto 4-3 despite losing starter Joe Ryan after just nine pitches due to right elbow discomfort. Luke Keaschall, Kody Clemens, and Matt Wallner each contributed run-scoring doubles for the Twins. Rookie Andrew Morris (1-1) stepped up from the bullpen to throw 3 2/3 shutout innings, while Justin Topa secured his second save despite a challenging ninth inning.

The New York Yankees pulled away from Baltimore with an 11-3 victory, highlighted by Jasson Dominguez’s outstanding performance. Dominguez broke a sixth-inning tie with his legs before adding a two-run homer and RBI double during a decisive seven-run eighth inning. Aaron Judge contributed a two-run blast, his 13th of the season, while Ben Rice added his 12th home run.

Pittsburgh completed a three-game sweep of Cincinnati with a 1-0 victory, decided by Oneil Cruz’s two-out RBI single in the eighth inning. The contest featured dominant pitching from both sides, with Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft working a career-high 7 2/3 innings while allowing just four hits. Cincinnati’s Chase Burns matched him with seven shutout frames.

Houston edged Boston 3-1 in 10 innings behind Cam Smith’s three-hit performance, including the go-ahead two-run single in extra innings. The Red Sox struggled with runners in scoring position, going 0-for-11 and stranding 13 baserunners despite Jarren Duran’s solo home run.

Philadelphia defeated Miami 7-2 as Bryson Stott belted his second three-run homer of the series. Former Marlins pitcher Jesus Luzardo (3-3) dominated his former team with 10 strikeouts across 6 1/3 innings, allowing only a two-run homer to Esteury Ruiz in the seventh.

Other notable results included Washington avoiding a sweep with a 3-2 victory over Milwaukee behind Nasim Nunez’s pair of RBI singles, while Atlanta completed their own three-game sweep of Colorado with an 11-6 triumph powered by Jonah Heim’s career-high-tying five RBIs.

Australia celebrated a breakthrough performance at the World Athletics Relays, with their men’s relay squad demolishing a national record that had endured for more than four decades while earning a bronze medal.

The Australian team of Luke van Ratingen, Reece Holder, Thomas Reynolds and Aidan Murphy finished third in the men’s 4×400 metres with a time of 2:55.20 on Sunday at the Gaborone stadium. Their performance placed them behind host nation Botswana and South Africa, while elevating Australia to fourth place on the global all-time rankings.

The achievement surpassed their qualifying round time of 2:57.30, which had already demolished Australia’s previous national mark of 2:59.70 set during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Reynolds replaced Matthew Hunt for the final race.

“It was so surreal and such a vibe out there,” Holder said of the atmosphere.

“To come out and win a medal and do a time like that is pretty incredible.”

Australia’s men’s 4×100 relay squad narrowly missed the podium, placing fourth with a time of exactly 38 seconds. The team of Lachlan Kennedy, Joshua Azzopardi, Christopher Ius and Rohan Browning finished behind the United States, South Africa and Germany.

The sprint relay competed without two of Australia’s fastest sprinters, as rising star Gout Gout and California-based Eddie Nketia were absent from the competition.

“We wanted to make the final and came wanting a medal, so to get so close is disappointing,” Ius said.

“But to show the rest of the world what we can do is such a good thing, and I think we are improving every year which is exciting.”

Jamaica dominated the headlines by setting a world record in the mixed 4x100m relay, posting a remarkable 39.62 seconds after becoming the first country to break the 40-second barrier during qualifying rounds.

Despite the less flashy results, Australian track officials expressed satisfaction with their team’s achievements, which included securing qualification spots for six relay teams at next year’s world championships in Beijing.

“To have them all qualify was the first part of it but to also have some phenomenal performances, especially the men’s 4×400, was incredible, really,” high-performance director Andrew Faichney told Reuters on Monday.

Australia plans to use the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, scheduled for July 23-August 2, as preparation for the Beijing championships.

While 18-year-old Gout will skip Glasgow to concentrate on the under-20 world championships, Australian Athletics hopes to secure Nketia’s participation in the Commonwealth Games.

Although top Commonwealth athletes frequently bypass the multi-sport event, Australia prioritizes the competition and led the track and field medal count at both the 2022 Birmingham Games and the 2018 Gold Coast Games.

“We’ve got some awesome athletes who are doing so, so well. Hopefully we’ll be able to exceed what we’ve done in the past,” said Faichney.

Swedish curling champion Niklas Edin has decided to step away from international competition after more than two decades representing his country on the world stage, the athlete revealed Monday.

At age 40, the accomplished skip leaves behind an extraordinary legacy that includes eight world championship victories, eight European championship titles, and three Olympic medals, including gold from the 2008 Beijing Games. Throughout his career, Edin battled through multiple injuries and required numerous surgical procedures.

“The years passed, the injuries kept coming but the titles also started coming. The relentless work had paid off and from that point there was no looking back,” Edin shared through his social media channels.

Edin made history as a five-time Olympian, establishing a new record for most Olympic curling appearances during this year’s Milano Cortina Games. He surpassed American John Shuster’s previous mark by competing in more than 51 Olympic matches.

While stepping back from international competition, Edin indicated he will continue his involvement in curling through different capacities and plans to keep playing in the Rock League, which recently wrapped up its first season.

The Detroit Pistons made franchise history Sunday night, completing a remarkable turnaround to capture their first playoff series victory in nearly two decades. Led by Cade Cunningham’s 32 points and 12 assists alongside Tobias Harris’s 30-point performance, Detroit dominated the Orlando Magic 116-94 in the decisive seventh game.

The victory marked Detroit’s first postseason series win since defeating Orlando in 2008’s second round. Cunningham maintained an impressive 32.4-point average throughout the series as the Pistons became just the 15th NBA franchise ever to rally from a 3-1 series deficit. They join Philadelphia, who accomplished the same feat against Boston just one night earlier. Detroit will now face either Cleveland or Toronto, who were set to play their own Game 7 Sunday evening.

Meanwhile in Minnesota, the Timberwolves received encouraging news about star guard Anthony Edwards, who may return for Monday’s series opener against San Antonio despite suffering what appeared to be a significant knee injury just one week ago. Team officials listed Edwards as questionable after clearing him for basketball activities. The All-Star averaged 36.7 points across three regular season matchups with the Spurs.

Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid is making a public appeal to 76ers supporters, urging them not to sell their playoff tickets to visiting New York fans. The concern stems from two years ago when Knicks supporters flooded Philadelphia during their six-game series victory. Despite the team’s website restricting sales to local residents, Knicks forward Josh Hart believes fans will still sell for the right price, and New York supporters will gladly travel the short distance.

In hockey action from Tampa Bay, the Montreal Canadiens advanced past the Lightning with a 2-1 Game 7 victory Sunday night. Alex Newhook provided the game-winner with 8:53 remaining, while rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes stopped 28 shots. The series featured remarkable parity, with every game decided by a single goal and four requiring overtime. Montreal will face Buffalo in the second round, with Game 1 scheduled for Wednesday.

Formula 1 saw 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli capture his third consecutive victory at the Miami Grand Prix. Starting from pole position at Miami International Autodrome, the Mercedes driver navigated early morning thunderstorms that forced race officials to move the start time up three hours. Antonelli continues to establish himself as a legitimate championship contender in his rookie season.

Manchester United secured their return to Champions League competition after a two-year absence, defeating Liverpool 3-2 at Old Trafford. Kobbie Mainoo delivered the decisive strike from outside the penalty area after Liverpool had rallied from a two-goal deficit to level the match. In other Premier League action, Tottenham climbed out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa, marking their first back-to-back wins since the season’s opening games.

Inter Milan celebrated their 21st Serie A championship with a 2-0 home victory over Parma, creating an unassailable 12-point lead over defending champion Napoli with three matches remaining. Marcus Thuram scored just before halftime, while 37-year-old Henrikh Mkhitaryan added insurance in the 80th minute. The title represents Inter’s first championship celebration at San Siro since 1989, complete with fireworks and fan festivities. The club remains in contention for the Italian Cup final against Lazio in 10 days.

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani extended his hitting drought to four games during Sunday’s 4-1 victory over St. Louis, going 0-for-3 to push his slump to 0-for-14. Manager Dave Roberts expressed confidence that his star player will break out of the skid, which represents Ohtani’s longest hitless stretch since a five-game span with the Angels in May 2022. The Dodgers have also struggled offensively as a team, failing to hit a home run in six straight contests.

At the Cadillac Championship in Doral, Cameron Young maintained his lead from start to finish, capturing the tournament by six strokes over world number one Scottie Scheffler. Young’s only challenge came from himself when he called a penalty on the second hole after moving his ball in the fairway, though he still managed par. His final-round 68 brought him to 19-under for the week, with President Donald Trump among the spectators watching the wire-to-wire victory.

NASCAR action at Texas Motor Speedway saw Chase Elliott hold off Denny Hamlin over the final four laps following a late restart. Elliott’s second victory of the season and 23rd career win came after leading 87 laps, joining Tyler Reddick as the only drivers with multiple Cup Series victories this year. Alex Bowman finished third while five-time winner Reddick placed fourth in the Fort Worth race.

Australian forward Sam Kerr etched her name into Chelsea’s history books Sunday, establishing a new milestone as the club’s all-time leading scorer in Women’s Super League competition with her 64th goal.

The 32-year-old striker found the back of the net with a header off a Niamh Charles delivery just 13 minutes into Chelsea’s 3-1 victory against Leicester City at King Power stadium. The goal moved Kerr past Fran Kirby’s previous mark for the eight-time WSL championship squad.

“I’m absolutely stoked to break … the record, it feels amazing to be in the same category as some of those players,” Kerr expressed to supporters through the club’s social media channels.

“But I’m absolutely honoured and it’s been amazing to score 64 goals in front of all of you – let’s finish off the season strong.”

Kerr holds the distinction as Australia’s top international goalscorer, having tallied 75 goals across 139 appearances for her national team. She previously captured WSL golden boot honors during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 campaigns, recording 21 and 20 goals respectively in those seasons.

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards may make a surprisingly quick comeback as the team has upgraded his status to questionable for Monday’s Western Conference semifinal opener against the San Antonio Spurs.

The talented guard was initially expected to miss multiple weeks and was presumed unavailable for the series opener, but Sunday’s injury report revealed his potential availability for the crucial playoff matchup.

Edwards sustained a hyperextended left knee along with bone bruising after an awkward fall during Minnesota’s April 25 Game 4 win against the Denver Nuggets in their first-round series. Medical examinations revealed no ligament damage, though he was sidelined for the remainder of that playoff round.

Now, just over a week later, the Timberwolves have given Edwards the green light to resume basketball activities. According to ESPN, the organization originally planned for his return during Games 3 or 4 of the seven-game series versus San Antonio, but his recovery timeline appears accelerated.

The 24-year-old Edwards shared a YouTube video Sunday displaying his rehabilitation progress, including footage of him working out on an underwater treadmill alongside David Hines, Minnesota’s vice president of medical performance.

In the video, Hines explained, “I think he can return sooner if he can hit all his metrics for pain management, mobility, functional strength.”

The four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA honoree achieved career-best numbers during the regular season, averaging 28.8 points per game while shooting 48.9% from the field and 39.9% from beyond the arc across 61 games. During the Denver series, he contributed 18.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game over four appearances.

Additionally, Ayo Dosunmu faces uncertainty for the opener due to right calf discomfort. Dosunmu, who topped Minnesota’s scoring during the Denver matchup with 21.8 points per game and exploded for 43 points in Game 4, sat out the series-clinching Game 6 victory because of the injury.

The New York Yankees have sent shortstop Anthony Volpe down to their Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre affiliate on Sunday, despite completing his rehabilitation assignment from shoulder surgery.

The 25-year-old infielder participated in 12 minor league games during his recovery – four at the Triple-A level and eight with Double-A Somerset – as he worked back from offseason surgery on his shoulder.

The decision comes as Jose Caballero has established himself as the team’s primary shortstop, leading the organization to avoid rushing Volpe back into action. This represents a shift from earlier statements by general manager Brian Cashman, who had indicated that “the plan” was for Volpe to reclaim his starting position.

Since breaking into the majors in 2023 following only 22 Triple-A appearances the previous year, Volpe earned the starting shortstop role during spring training and delivered an impressive rookie campaign with 21 home runs and a Gold Glove award. He appeared in 159 games that first season, followed by 160 in 2024 and 153 in 2025.

His 2025 performance showed decline in both offensive and defensive categories, and it was later disclosed that the Yankees had been playing him through a partial labrum tear in his left shoulder. The surgical procedure took place in October following the team’s playoff elimination.

Throughout his 472 major league appearances, Volpe has compiled a .222 batting average along with 52 home runs, 192 RBIs, 82 doubles and 70 stolen bases. During his recent rehab games, he posted a .275 average with one homer and six RBIs.

Defensively, he committed one error during his minor league stint, coming off a 2025 season where he tied for the American League lead with 19 errors.

Meanwhile, Caballero has solidified his position with the AL-leading Yankees (23-11), hitting .259 with four homers, 12 RBIs and 12 stolen bases across 32 games. His fielding percentage stands at .978.

Speaking before the Yankees’ series against Baltimore on Friday, manager Aaron Boone acknowledged that Caballero’s performance “complicates it a little bit, clearly” regarding Volpe’s potential return.

“Jose’s earned opportunities and been a key part of our club here and a part of the success here to start out the season,” Boone explained.

The 29-year-old Caballero joined the Yankees from division rival Tampa Bay in a trade deadline deal last summer and has demonstrated versatility by playing second base, third base and outfield positions.

Television viewership for the Kentucky Derby reached unprecedented heights Saturday as 24.4 million Americans witnessed Golden Tempo’s remarkable victory at Churchill Downs during the 152nd running of the prestigious horse race.

NBC announced these preliminary viewership numbers Sunday, drawing data from Nielsen and Adobe Analytics sources.

Saturday’s audience surpassed the previous record of 21.8 million viewers from 2025, representing a 12% increase. The dramatic race saw jockey Jose Ortiz masterfully guide Golden Tempo from the back of the pack around the final turn to capture first place.

The victory marked a historic moment as trainer Cherie DeVaux became the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner in the race’s long history.

NBC’s broadcast also achieved the highest average viewership on record with 19.6 million people, surpassing last year’s 17.7 million by approximately 11%.

Digital streaming platforms, primarily through Peacock, also broke records with an average minute audience of 1.3 million viewers, exceeding 2025’s streaming total of 959,000.

The Kentucky Oaks on Friday evening, broadcast in primetime for the first time, also achieved record-breaking numbers. Always A Runner’s decisive victory drew an average of 2.4 million viewers across NBC and Peacock, quadrupling the previous high of 593,000 viewers recorded in 1997 on ESPN.

What started as a promising playoff run turned into heartbreak for Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum.

Boston held a commanding 3-1 advantage against Philadelphia in their Eastern Conference first-round matchup. The six-time All-Star, who had returned from Achilles surgery ahead of schedule, was putting up 24.8 points per game through the opening four contests.

However, Philadelphia dominated Boston at home in Game 5, and Tatum limped off during the second half of Game 6 as the 76ers claimed another victory.

Whether head coach Joe Mazzulla kept Tatum on the bench in Game 6 due to injury concerns or because his squad was down 23 points in the final quarter remained unclear.

Tatum’s availability for Sunday’s decisive seventh game continued to deteriorate, and officials declared him unable to play two hours before the opening tip.

The four-time All-NBA first team selection watched from the sideline in civilian attire as Philadelphia completed their series comeback with a 109-100 victory.

Speaking with reporters Sunday, Tatum discussed his pride in returning to action and his disappointment with recent events.

“My recovery and comeback (from the Achilles injury) were going so well that how it ended, I didn’t think it was going to end that way,” said Tatum. “It was just unfortunate.”

“I worked really, really, really, really hard to come back in the fashion that I did and play at the level I was playing at. So for it to end the way it did was a tough pill to swallow.”

Tatum clarified that NBA return-to-play protocols required careful handling of his left knee stiffness. Both the Celtics medical staff and his personal trainer Nick Sang determined he couldn’t participate Saturday.

The Boston forward acknowledged Sunday that he hadn’t been at peak performance since returning March 6 against Dallas. He estimated his condition at roughly 80-85 percent and noted his right leg remains shorter than his left.

During 11 March contests, the star player logged 31.0 minutes nightly, increasing to 36.2 minutes across five April regular season games. While his scoring average (21.8) and shooting percentages (41.1% from the field, 32.9% from three-point range) fell slightly below career standards, he grabbed a career-high 10.0 rebounds per game entering the postseason.

Despite the disappointing conclusion, Tatum expressed no second thoughts about his aggressive 10-month recovery timeline to help this season’s squad.

“I’m happy and proud of the fact that I was able to do that,” Tatum said. “And, unfortunately, if somebody else has to deal with this, they can look at what I was able to do and have some hope and inspiration that it’s not what people used to think it was. And you can come back from this and be who you were and hopefully be better.”

A highly-touted basketball center has announced his commitment to the University of Louisville while also deciding to graduate from high school one year ahead of schedule, according to a Sunday announcement.

Obinna Ekezie Jr., standing at 7 feet tall, was ranked as the fourth-best prospect nationally in the Class of 2027 by 247Sports composite rankings before making the decision to move up to the 2026 graduating class.

The talented big man had narrowed his college choices down to Louisville, Arkansas, BYU, and Maryland. His father previously played basketball at Maryland before spending four seasons in the NBA.

“I have chosen to commit to University of Louisville as I feel it’s the best situation to develop, showcase my game and strive to win a national championship,” Ekezie stated to various media outlets.

Currently completing his junior season at Southeastern Prep in Orlando, Florida, Ekezie will become the lone true freshman addition to Louisville’s incoming recruiting class.

Head coach Pat Kelsey has been busy building his roster through the transfer portal this offseason, securing commitments from several high-profile transfers including Flory Bidunga from Kansas, Jackson Shelstad from Oregon, Karter Knox from Arkansas, and Alvaro Folgueiras from Iowa.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Salisbury University’s softball squad wrapped up their 2026 regular season with mixed results Sunday at Captains Field, trading wins with Christopher Newport University in a doubleheader.

The Sea Gulls, who now stand at 24-14 overall, suffered a narrow 5-4 defeat in the opening contest before responding with an explosive 14-7 triumph over the Captains (27-11) in the nightcap.

The season-ending doubleheader showcased both sides of Salisbury’s capabilities, from a hard-fought loss to an offensive outburst that secured the series split against their Virginia opponents.

SAN ANTONIO — Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards has a chance to take the court for Monday evening’s playoff opener against the San Antonio Spurs, just one week following what initially looked like a severe knee injury.

The Timberwolves announced that Edwards carries a questionable status for the first game of their playoff matchup on Monday night.

Team officials revealed Sunday that the All-Star shooting guard has received medical clearance to participate in basketball activities on the court. Edwards put up impressive numbers against San Antonio during the regular season, scoring an average of 36.7 points across their three matchups.

The injury occurred during Minnesota’s fourth game in their opening playoff round against Denver, where Edwards was diagnosed with a hyperextended left knee and accompanying bone bruise.

ST. LOUIS — Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani is experiencing his worst offensive stretch in two years, failing to collect a hit across four consecutive games with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Following Sunday’s 4-1 victory against the St. Louis Cardinals, Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts expressed confidence that his standout player will break through the slump eventually.

“He certainly has high standards,” Roberts said. “We all do of him. I know he’s frustrated, but you can’t tell from his demeanor.”

The Japanese sensation finished 0-for-3 on Sunday, extending his hitless run to 14 at-bats across four contests. This marks Ohtani’s most prolonged offensive drought since recording no hits in 12 at-bats during a five-game span with the Los Angeles Angels between May 24-28, 2022.

The offensive woes aren’t limited to Ohtani alone. The entire Dodgers lineup has failed to launch a home run in six consecutive games, their longest power outage since an eight-game stretch without homers from July 10-21, 2014.

First baseman Freddie Freeman provided a bright spot with a 2-for-4 performance and one RBI in Sunday’s victory, which ended a four-game skid during which Los Angeles managed just two runs or fewer in each contest.

“Offensively, we just haven’t been very good the last week,” Freeman said. “Just call spade a spade sometimes. There’s no way to sugarcoat it. We just haven’t been very good, and we’ve got to be better.”

Ohtani managed to draw a walk during the third inning, breaking a string of ten consecutive plate appearances without reaching base safely. His 12 hitless at-bats against the Cardinals represent the most he’s gone without a hit in any single series throughout his major league career.

“There’s a little bit of a mechanics part that he’s been talking about, and I thought we kind of figured that out at home,” Roberts said. “This series, I don’t think he felt great, in between a little bit on the pulled grounders, getting beat with the fly balls to the big part of the field, so a little in between, I think. But, safe to say, fair to say that he’ll figure it out soon.”

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Sunday they have selected John Chayka as their new general manager while bringing back franchise icon Mats Sundin to serve in an executive advisory capacity.

Both men will be formally presented to the media during a Monday afternoon press conference.

“Today is an important day for the Toronto Maple Leafs organization,” stated Keith Pelley, president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. “I’m thrilled to welcome John and Mats to their roles, two great hockey minds that will strengthen our entire hockey club. From the start of this process, it’s been about building a championship-caliber team for our fans and our city and today is an important step towards that goal.”

The 36-year-old Chayka previously served as Arizona Coyotes general manager from 2016 through 2020, becoming the NHL’s youngest GM when first appointed. The Ontario native has been absent from league operations since his sudden departure in July 2020, which later resulted in NHL disciplinary action.

League officials determined Chayka had “breached his obligation to the club” when he terminated his Arizona contract with three years left to seek employment elsewhere. The NHL subsequently penalized the Coyotes by removing two premium draft selections after discovering Chayka and the organization conducted an unauthorized private prospect evaluation session that violated league rules.

Under Chayka’s leadership, Arizona broke an eight-year postseason absence by qualifying for the playoffs during the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 campaign.

“I’m honored to join the Toronto Maple Leafs organization and excited to work alongside Mats and the entire organization,” Chayka stated. “This is one of hockey’s most historic franchises, with a passionate fan base who want to win. I’m focused on building a team that is competitive, driven and relentless — one that is in the best position to win for our fans and for the city of Toronto.”

The 55-year-old Sundin will come back to Toronto with the designation of senior executive adviser of hockey operations. According to the team’s announcement, Sundin will “provide support across hockey operations, with a focus on team culture, player development and leadership support.”

Sundin holds the franchise record for career points with 987, earned induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame, and remains beloved by supporters.

“This fan base deserves greatness and I am grateful for the opportunity to help this team, organization and city achieve that,” Sundin commented. “My love for the Maple Leafs and the city of Toronto is an important part of who I am and who I will always be. I look forward to working closely with John as we both recognize the incredible opportunity and responsibility to win here in Toronto.”

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – In a stunning display of resilience, Salisbury University’s fifth-ranked men’s lacrosse team mounted an incredible comeback from a 9-3 halftime deficit to capture their ninth straight Coastal Lacrosse Conference championship with a thrilling 10-9 overtime victory over third-ranked Christopher Newport on Sunday at Jennings Family Stadium.

Preston Huffman emerged as the hero for the Sea Gulls, first setting up teammate Bret Bergey for the equalizing goal with less than 30 seconds left in regulation, then scoring his first career overtime goal to seal the dramatic conference title win.

The championship marks another milestone for Salisbury’s dominant lacrosse program, extending their conference title streak to nearly a decade. The Sea Gulls showed tremendous character in overcoming the substantial six-goal halftime disadvantage against a highly-ranked Christopher Newport squad.

Sunday’s title game showcased the competitive nature of collegiate lacrosse, with Salisbury proving that no deficit is insurmountable when championship experience meets determination in crucial moments.

Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek will be absent from the lineup for at least the opening pair of contests in their Western Conference second-round playoff matchup versus the Colorado Avalanche, head coach John Hynes announced before Sunday’s series opener.

The 29-year-old sustained his injury during the series-deciding sixth game against Dallas when his right leg collided with the boards. He remained behind and did not travel with the squad to Denver.

Coach Hynes expressed optimism about Eriksson Ek’s potential return, stating he was “hopeful” the center could rejoin the lineup for Saturday’s third game back in Minneapolis.

During the Dallas playoff series, Eriksson Ek contributed three goals and tallied five total points. Throughout the regular season, he recorded 19 goals and accumulated 51 points across 70 games played.

The Wild will also be without defenseman Jonas Brodin, who is dealing with a lower-body injury and likewise stayed home from the Denver trip. Team officials confirmed Saturday that the 32-year-old defender has been ruled out for the first two contests of the series.

MIAMI, May 3 – Italian racing sensation Kimi Antonelli made Formula One history Sunday, capturing his third consecutive victory at the Miami Grand Prix and becoming the first driver ever to win the race while starting from the front row.

The 19-year-old Mercedes driver extended his championship advantage to 20 points through four races this season, having also secured pole position for his third straight race. McLaren’s defending world champion Lando Norris, who had won Saturday’s sprint race, crossed the finish line in second place, while his Australian McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri rounded out the top three.

Race organizers moved the start time up by three hours due to weather forecasts calling for thunderstorms and lightning in the Miami area. Despite the predictions, the race at Hard Rock Stadium proceeded without any weather-related delays or interruptions.

The San Diego Padres have brought Griffin Canning back from the injured list, naming him as Sunday’s starting pitcher against the Chicago White Sox while simultaneously placing right-handed pitcher German Marquez on the 15-day injured list.

This marks Canning’s return to major league baseball following an Achilles tendon rupture he sustained last June while playing for the New York Mets. During his time with New York, he posted a 7-3 record with a 3.77 ERA across 16 starts.

The 30-year-old pitcher, who celebrates his birthday on May 11, completed his rehabilitation with a 1-1 record and 3.60 ERA over five starts at Triple-A El Paso.

To accommodate Canning’s return, San Diego has rescheduled Randy Vasquez’s start from Sunday to Monday’s matchup against the San Francisco Giants.

Padres manager Craig Stammen expressed confidence in the returning pitcher’s readiness. “He’s going to be great,” Stammen said. “He’s excited to get past that Achilles injury. He’s put in a ton of hard work. You guys saw it all through spring training, and now he’s had a bunch of rehab starts.”

Throughout his professional career, Canning holds a 32-37 record with a 4.65 ERA, having spent five seasons with the Los Angeles Angels between 2019-21 and 2023-24, plus one season with the Mets.

Meanwhile, Marquez has been sidelined due to forearm nerve inflammation. In his debut season with San Diego, he currently holds a 3-2 record with a 5.76 ERA through six starts.

DENVER (AP) — Minnesota’s hockey team faces a challenging start to their playoff series against Colorado, as they’ll compete without two crucial players during the opening matchups due to injury concerns.

Forward Joel Eriksson Ek and defenseman Jonas Brodin will both miss the initial two contests of the second-round playoff battle against the Avalanche after sustaining lower-body injuries. The pair remained behind instead of traveling with their teammates to Denver.

Wild head coach John Hynes indicated the team continues “making a couple decisions on the lineup” before Sunday night’s opening game.

Colorado also deals with roster challenges, as defenseman Josh Manson remains sidelined with an upper-body injury that kept him out of last Sunday’s series-ending victory over Los Angeles. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar announced that Nick Blankenburg will step into Manson’s role. Colorado obtained Blankenburg through a trade with Nashville on March 4.

“He’s played good in the time he’s been with us,” Bednar commented. “We got him for a reason — like the way he moves, like the way he moves the puck. He plays with a little bite. He’s got to stay within himself. It’s going to be a challenge for him tonight, because the thing we’ll miss with (Manson) is the size, the strength, the physicality.”

Eriksson Ek contributed significantly during Minnesota’s first-round victory over Dallas, recording three goals and two assists while achieving a 56.4% success rate on faceoffs. Potential replacements include Danila Yurov and Hunter Haight.

“Ekky’s a big part of the team,” Hynes explained. “When you lose a guy that plays that many situations, you have to do it collectively as a group, and it’s not all on one guy.”

Brodin was already absent for Game 6 against Dallas due to his injury.

Hynes noted that with the extended break between the second and third games — teams compete Tuesday before a Saturday restart — “both those guys will be reevaluated and see where it goes from there.”

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is making a desperate appeal to his team’s supporters: keep those playoff tickets in Philadelphia hands.

The Eastern Conference semifinals between the 76ers and New York Knicks kicks off Monday night at Madison Square Garden, but both franchises are already strategizing for when the action shifts to Philadelphia for Games 3 and 4.

Embiid’s concerns stem from their previous playoff encounter two seasons ago, when Knicks supporters flooded the Philadelphia arena, creating a hostile environment for the home team.

“Last time we played the Knicks it felt like this was Madison Square Garden East. So we’re going to need the support,” Embiid stated. “Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys. The atmosphere we’ve had the last couple games in Philly, especially the last one pushing it to Game 7, I mean, we need all of it.”

The organization is taking proactive measures to prevent another invasion of opposing fans. Their official website now displays a warning that ticket purchases for Xfinity Mobile Arena will be limited to Greater Philadelphia area residents, with verification through credit card billing addresses. Any orders from outside the region face automatic cancellation.

However, these restrictions may prove futile against determined New York supporters willing to pay premium prices on the secondary market.

“Good thing about New Yorkers, man, they’re persistent. They don’t care, bro. They’re going to do it, man,” explained Knicks forward Josh Hart. “And for a lot of people, everything revolves around money. So, you know, if they get a good price for those tickets, they’re going to sell them.”

Hart, a Villanova alumnus familiar with the regional dynamics, pointed out that the journey from New York to Philadelphia takes under two hours by car and even less by train, while road game tickets typically cost significantly less than home venues.

The 76ers’ frustration reached a boiling point during their 2024 playoff series when visiting fans loudly chanted “MVP! MVP!” for Knicks guard Jalen Brunson during his 47-point performance in a Game 4 victory on Philadelphia’s home court.

“I don’t think that should happen. It’s not OK,” Embiid said following that disappointing loss.

Team ownership responded by purchasing and distributing over 2,000 complimentary tickets to Philadelphia community workers for Game 6 against New York.

Now, Embiid is personally offering to purchase tickets from any locals considering selling to visiting fans.

“Knicks fans, they travel,” he acknowledged. “There’s going to be some people that need the money and probably going to sell tickets, but don’t do it. We need you guys. We’ve got a pretty good chance. We’re going to need our support. We’re going to need them to be extremely loud and if you need money, I got you.”

The Los Angeles Angels have moved left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi to the 15-day injured list and brought up reliever Tayler Saucedo from their Triple-A affiliate to fill the roster spot.

The injury designation dates back to April 30, as Kikuchi developed inflammation in his left shoulder during his outing against the Chicago White Sox on April 29. The pitcher completed two innings without allowing any runs but was pulled from the game while warming up for the third inning before facing another hitter.

This season, the 34-year-old pitcher has struggled with an 0-3 record and 5.81 ERA across seven starts. Despite striking out 33 batters in 31 innings of work, Kikuchi has given up 35 hits and issued 14 walks, resulting in a concerning 1.581 WHIP.

The Morioka, Japan native brings a career 48-61 record with a 4.50 ERA spanning more than seven MLB seasons.

Saucedo, who is 32 years old, rejoins the major leagues after pitching for Triple-A Salt Lake in the bullpen. During his time with the Bees, he compiled a 4.30 ERA across 12 outings but allowed 12 hits and 11 walks in 14 2/3 innings pitched.

Throughout five major league seasons with Toronto (2021-22) and Seattle (2023-25), Saucedo holds a 5-2 record with a 4.36 ERA. His entire 148-game major league experience has come as a relief pitcher.

The experienced reliever will aim to strengthen the Angels’ struggling bullpen, which currently ranks 29th league-wide with a 5.53 ERA.

The Chicago Cubs welcomed back relief pitcher Daniel Palencia to their active roster on Sunday, removing him from the 15-day injured list ahead of their home matchup with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Palencia had been sidelined since April 17 after suffering a strain to his left oblique muscle. The powerful right-handed pitcher prepared for his comeback by pitching for the Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate Iowa on Friday, delivering 19 pitches with nine reaching triple-digit speeds, topped by a 102 mph fastball.

Before his injury, the 26-year-old reliever appeared in five games for Chicago, recording one win and one save while maintaining a perfect earned run average. Over five innings of work, he surrendered just three hits and two walks while striking out five batters.

Earlier this year in March, Palencia contributed to Venezuela’s championship run in the World Baseball Classic. He delivered five consecutive scoreless outings and earned three saves during the tournament, including a crucial performance in the gold medal game against Team USA where he struck out Kyle Schwarber and Roman Anthony to secure Venezuela’s 3-2 victory.

The Cubs made roster space for Palencia’s return by removing veteran reliever Yacksel Rios from the 40-man roster. The 32-year-old Rios had made his first major league appearance since 2023 on April 26, pitching 1 2/3 perfect innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Minnesota Twins right-handed pitcher Joe Ryan was forced to exit Sunday’s matchup with the Toronto Blue Jays after delivering only nine pitches when he experienced discomfort in his right elbow.

Ryan struck out the game’s first batter, Yohendrick Pinango, with three consecutive pitches before issuing a walk to Kazuma Okamoto. Following a full-count fastball that sailed high to Okamoto, Ryan signaled for manager Derek Shelton and trainer Nick Paparesta to visit the mound.

Following a quick discussion, Ryan walked off the field toward the dugout.

The pitcher, who started on Opening Day for Minnesota, was making his eighth appearance of the current season. Ryan entered Sunday’s contest with a 2-3 win-loss record and a 3.76 earned run average, along with a 1.043 WHIP and 39 strikeouts across 38 1/3 innings pitched.

During spring training, Ryan experienced problems with his lower back that required an MRI scan, though he hasn’t missed any scheduled starts this year.

The Twins are already dealing with a depleted starting rotation, as three other pitchers remain on the injured list: Pablo Lopez (elbow), David Festa (shoulder) and Mick Abel (elbow). Lopez suffered an ACL tear during spring preparation and required Tommy John surgery that ended his season.

Abel compiled a 1-2 record with a 3.98 ERA across four outings, including three starts, before landing on the injured list in mid-April. However, his return is anticipated in the near future.

Since entering the major leagues in 2021, Ryan has accumulated a 48-39 career record with a 3.79 ERA over 123 total appearances, including 122 starts.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Noah Dobson’s status for the decisive Game 7 matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning remains uncertain, with team officials listing him as a game-time decision for the crucial Eastern Conference first-round playoff clash.

The 26-year-old blueliner has been out of action with an upper-body injury sustained while blocking a shot during Montreal’s April 11 contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“He’s been a big player for us this year,” Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said. “I’m confident that if he plays, he’s going to bring something.”

During the regular season, Dobson contributed significantly to Montreal’s defensive corps, tallying 47 points through 12 goals and 35 assists while logging an average of 22:29 in ice time across 80 games.

Montreal obtained Dobson through a sign-and-trade deal with the New York Islanders on June 27, 2025, securing his services with an eight-year contract worth $76 million.

The transaction sent forward Emil Heineman along with Montreal’s pair of first-round draft selections (16th and 17th overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft to New York. The Islanders utilized those picks to select Swedish right winger Victor Eklund and Barrie OHL defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson.

Throughout his NHL career, Dobson has accumulated 277 points consisting of 62 goals and 215 assists over 348 games since the Islanders selected him 12th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft.

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — After wrapping up their series against Boston, the Philadelphia 76ers quickly shifted focus to New York, bringing back vivid recollections from their recent playoff history.

This Eastern Conference semifinals matchup recreates a competitive series between these Atlantic Division neighbors from the Northeast, where New York claimed victory in six games during 2024.

Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Maxey showcased incredible individual efforts. Each team mounted remarkable comeback attempts.

New York supporters created thunderous noise at Madison Square Garden — and even louder at Philadelphia’s home venue. (Joel Embiid certainly remembers this detail).

After the dust settled, New York had edged Philadelphia by a single point, 650-649. They resume competition Monday evening, with both sides anticipating an even more intense battle.

“I expect nothing less. Actually more,” Maxey stated. “That was a first-round matchup. This is a second-round matchup. So I think both teams are going to come out there and be extremely competitive. It’s going to be a dogfight, it’s going to be a chess match and I’m just ready to get started.”

New York enjoyed several days of rest following their dominant 140-89 Game 6 victory over Atlanta on Thursday, establishing an NBA postseason record with a 47-point halftime advantage. Philadelphia has just one complete day to recuperate after achieving the NBA’s 14th successful comeback from a 3-1 series deficit, defeating Boston 109-100 on Saturday.

Philadelphia became the first seventh-seeded team to eliminate a second seed since the opening round adopted the best-of-seven structure. This was the exact seeding matchup when these teams met two seasons ago.

The 76ers nearly forced a tie in that series during Game 2 before New York rallied from a five-point deficit with less than 30 seconds remaining. Brunson established a Knicks playoff scoring record with 47 points in Game 4, and New York appeared ready to close out the series at home in Game 5 before Maxey contributed seven points in regulation’s final 25 seconds, sending Philadelphia to an overtime victory.

“Man, that was a fun series. We were going punch for punch,” Josh Hart commented following Sunday’s practice session. “When you think about that, you always think of the good games, so you guys can guess what games those are. But you know that you’ve got to turn the page. Those are memories. They don’t affect tomorrow but they’re fun memories.”

Embiid rejoined his team during the middle of the Boston series following appendix surgery and was noticeably limping late in Game 7 after another player collided with his knee. His physical condition appeared more concerning during the 2024 series, as he dealt with ongoing issues from a surgically repaired left knee and a recent Bell’s palsy diagnosis, which causes facial paralysis.

“I had a lot going on at that time, so hopefully everything is good this time,” Embiid explained. “We’ve got a much better team than we had at that time, so it’s going to be a fun series.”

New York also looks improved, having added All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges to their roster. They’ve reached the second round for four consecutive seasons, and the third-seeded team surprisingly secured home-court advantage due to Philadelphia’s opening-round comeback.

Now New York must contend with the effective Embiid-Maxey partnership that’s finding its rhythm.

“If we expect to be who we are,” coach Mike Brown noted, “we’ll figure it out.”

Brunson heard roaring “MVP! MVP!” chants during the 2024 Game 4 triumph after Knicks supporters flooded into Philadelphia, prompting Embiid to voice his frustration with 76ers fans following that contest. He’s now urging them to prevent the vocal New Yorkers from dominating again.

“Last time we played the Knicks it felt like this was Madison Square Garden East. So we’re going to need the support,” Embiid declared. “Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys. The atmosphere we’ve had the last couple games in Philly, especially the last one pushing it to Game 7, I mean, we need all of it.

“Knicks fans, they travel. There’s going to be some people that need the money and probably going to sell tickets, but don’t do it. We need you guys. We’ve got a pretty good chance. We’re going to need our support. We’re going to need them to be extremely loud and if you need money, I got you.”

Home-court advantage proved meaningless previously, as visiting teams captured all four regular season meetings. The initial two occurred at Madison Square Garden before New York won both Philadelphia contests, concluding with a 139-89 blowout on February 11.

Both star point guards appear prepared to continue their 2024 performances. Maxey posted 26.9 points per game during the opening round, ranking third league-wide, while Brunson followed closely at 26.3.

New York’s All-Star center represents the most significant addition to this rivalry since their last playoff encounter, displaying his complete offensive skillset during the first round by recording his first two career postseason triple-doubles against Atlanta.

DENVER — Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. will miss at least 10 days after the team placed him on the injured list Sunday due to a strained left hamstring.

The injury is a setback for the Braves, who entered Sunday’s matchup against the Colorado Rockies boasting baseball’s top record at 24-10. Now they must continue their strong season without one of their most dynamic players.

The injury occurred during Saturday evening’s contest when Acuña was running to first base on a ground ball. The outfielder suddenly stopped about midway down the baseline and clutched his hamstring muscle.

The 2023 National League MVP and five-time All-Star is currently hitting .252 this season with two homers, nine RBIs, 17 runs scored, and leads the team with seven stolen bases. He had appeared in every game this season after a torn ACL in May 2024 restricted him to just 144 total games across the previous two campaigns.

In related roster moves, Atlanta brought back pitcher Spencer Strider from the injured list before Sunday’s game. The 2023 All-Star was scheduled to make his first appearance of the year after recovering from an oblique strain. To create roster space, the team sent reliever Hunter Stratton down to Triple-A Gwinnett after Saturday’s game and promoted outfielder José Azócar from the minors to replace Acuña.

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker made his return to the starting lineup Sunday, batting fourth in the series finale against Boston just one day after suffering a frightening beaning that destroyed his protective helmet.

The scary incident occurred Saturday when Red Sox rookie pitcher Tyler Samaniego’s 93.3 mph fastball struck Walker above his left eye during a two-strike count. The impact was so severe it shattered Walker’s helmet, with the largest fragment launching 10 feet toward the backstop.

Houston held a 6-3 advantage in the ninth inning when team officials decided to substitute Walker with pinch runner Brandon Shewmake as a safety precaution following the incident.

Speaking to media members following Saturday’s game, Walker expressed optimism about his condition. “I feel OK,” Walker said. “I think the helmet took most of it. And turning away from it hopefully made it more of a glancing blow than straight impact.”

Walker’s presence in Sunday’s cleanup position demonstrates his readiness to continue his remarkable season. The veteran has participated in every contest this year for Houston, earning starts in all but one game, and the 35-year-old is posting the finest statistical performance of his career.

Walker is currently hitting .309 with a .386 on-base percentage and .577 slugging percentage, all personal bests. Through 34 games, he has contributed eight home runs and 26 RBIs, putting him on track for career-high totals of 38 homers and 124 RBIs.

The distance between New York’s Madison Square Garden and Philadelphia’s Xfinity Mobile Arena spans just over 100 miles — an easy drive or train ride for New York Knicks supporters looking to watch their team face the 76ers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

However, 76ers superstar Joel Embiid, who earned NBA Most Valuable Player honors and first-team All-Pro recognition during the 2022-23 campaign, is determined to prevent Knicks supporters from taking over Philadelphia’s home court.

Following Saturday evening’s stunning Game 7 victory over the Boston Celtics that sent the Sixers to the next round, Embiid delivered a direct message to Philadelphia’s fanbase during his post-game media session.

He’s asking 76ers supporters to hold onto their playoff tickets — particularly when it comes to keeping them away from Knicks fans.

Two years ago, New York supporters flooded the Philadelphia venue when the second-seeded Knicks knocked out the seventh-seeded Sixers in the first round. Many believe Knicks fans purchased those seats directly from 76ers season ticket holders.

“I just have a message for our fans,” Embiid stated Saturday evening. “Last time we played the Knicks, it felt like [Philadelphia] was Madison Square Garden East. We’re going to need the support.”

“Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys.”

The All-Star center even proposed a potential remedy for fans facing financial pressure.

“Knicks fans travel — they buy tickets,” he explained. “There’s going to be people who will sell the tickets because they need the money. Don’t do it, we need you guys. We need the support, and we need them to be extremely loud. If you need money, I’ve got you.”

The Eastern Conference semifinal matchup kicks off Monday in New York, with the second game scheduled for Wednesday. Philadelphia will host Games 3 and 4 on Friday and Saturday respectively.

New York advanced by defeating the Atlanta Hawks in six games.

The New York Mets suffered another injury blow when shortstop Ronny Mauricio fractured his left thumb during Saturday’s contest, potentially forcing third baseman Bo Bichette to return to his previous shortstop role.

Mauricio sustained the injury during a headfirst dive into first base in the seventh inning of Saturday evening’s 4-3 defeat. This came just one night after the player delivered a crucial go-ahead home run in the seventh frame that helped propel the Mets to a comeback victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday.

The team plans to place the 25-year-old on the injured list before Sunday morning’s series finale in Anaheim, California.

Mauricio had been filling in at shortstop while All-Star Francisco Lindor recovers from a severe left calf injury that will keep him out until at least June. The struggling Mets, who currently hold baseball’s worst record despite their high payroll, now face the challenge of finding another replacement.

Manager Carlos Mendoza acknowledged that Bichette is under consideration for the shortstop vacancy. “I am pretty sure Bo is going to be in the conversation,” Mendoza stated regarding the potential position change.

The veteran infielder joined New York on a three-year, $126 million deal in January, accepting a move to third base with Lindor established at shortstop. During his tenure with Toronto from 2019-25, Bichette appeared at shortstop in 716 of his 748 total games.

When asked about potentially switching positions, Bichette expressed his willingness to help the team. “Whatever the team needs,” he told media members.

Through 10 games this season, Mauricio has struggled offensively, posting a .219 batting average on 7 hits in 32 at-bats, with his lone extra-base hit being a home run.

Bichette has also experienced early-season difficulties with his new club, managing just two home runs and 14 RBIs across 32 games while batting .238 – significantly below his career .292 average. Last year in Toronto, he posted a .311 average with 18 homers and 94 RBIs.

The injury adds Mauricio to New York’s expanding disabled list, which already features outfielder Luis Robert Jr., infielder Jorge Polanco, and pitcher Kodai Senga.

Long before Victor Wembanyama became a household name, Rudy Gobert recognized his extraordinary potential.

When Wembanyama was just 13 years old, Gobert first learned about his fellow Frenchman. It didn’t take the veteran center long to recognize the massive talent in his young countryman. During their conversations, Wembanyama would seek guidance while Gobert provided mentorship.

“And the rest is history,” Gobert said.

The basketball community now understands what Gobert discovered years earlier. One French center will advance to the NBA’s Final Four in the coming weeks, with the outcome depending on the Western Conference semifinal battle between Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs and Gobert’s Minnesota Timberwolves. The series opens Monday evening in San Antonio.

“I’m very, very proud and I’m very excited to watch him grow every day, to see his work paying off,” Gobert said. “Outside of the talent, he’s someone that has a very unique soul, a very unique mind and nothing is an accident. It’s not an accident that he’s having the success that he’s having.”

While playoff series are never solely determined by individual matchups, it’s understandable why the Wembanyama versus Gobert storyline will capture significant attention during these games.

Many basketball enthusiasts likely first discovered Wembanyama through a viral video from six years ago showing a 2-on-2 game between him and Gobert. The opening moments featured Wembanyama scoring two jump shots over Gobert before breaking free for a slam dunk.

Today, Wembanyama stands as a defensive player of the year and MVP candidate, establishing himself as a genuine superstar. Despite his success, he continues seeking Gobert’s guidance, recently asking about the water filtration system Gobert uses at home. While seemingly minor, this demonstrates Wembanyama’s continued hunger for knowledge.

“He’s meant a lot as a role model,” Wembanyama said. “There’s lots of (ways) that he inspired me and I think he should inspire more people in terms of taking care of your body. He should be a model for all big men. So, I would say that’s the main thing.”

Minnesota aims to reach the Western Conference finals for the third straight year, while San Antonio seeks its first appearance since 2017. The Timberwolves managed to eliminate third-seeded Denver in the opening round, accomplishing this despite Donte DiVincenzo’s Achilles injury and Anthony Edwards’ knee problem.

DiVincenzo will miss the remainder of the playoffs, while Edwards faces a short-term absence with hopes of returning during this series. The Spurs refuse to underestimate Minnesota despite the depleted backcourt.

“They guard. They’re physical. They try to impose that will and impose their will and their competitiveness on you,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “And they’ve got a lot of individuals that take pride in that.”

During the regular season, Minnesota defeated San Antonio twice in three meetings, with Edwards playing a crucial role by averaging 36.7 points across those games while shooting 58% overall and 52% from three-point territory.

The Spurs managed only seven blocked shots against the Timberwolves, marking their lowest total against any Western Conference team this season. Although Wembanyama participated in just two of those three contests, this suggests Minnesota made smart shot selections.

“It’s going to be decisions that you make in the paint,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “It’s going to come down to them.”

The French centers have faced each other eight times during regular season play, with both players holding advantages in different areas.

Gobert’s teams have won six of those eight encounters. Wembanyama has reached 20 or more points in five of those meetings.

Oddsmakers heavily favor San Antonio in the series, listing them at minus-2000 odds, meaning a $100 bet would yield only $5 in profit.

Minnesota enters as significant underdogs at +950 odds, where a $100 wager would return $1,050.

This marks the 19th occasion since the current playoff format began in 1984 that a sixth seed has faced a second seed in conference semifinals.

Historical upsets in such scenarios include four instances: Indiana over New York 4-3 in 2024, Houston over Phoenix 4-3 in 1995, Chicago over New York 4-2 in 1989, and Phoenix over Utah 4-2 in 1984.

Beginning Sunday, Minneapolis could host either Timberwolves games or Minnesota Wild Stanley Cup playoff games on 10 of the following 11 days, assuming neither series ends in sweeps. The Wild are competing against Colorado in the Western semifinals.

The Minnesota teams play in separate venues, with the Wild based in St. Paul, but if both series extend to six games, both teams will host Game 6 contests on May 15.

Milwaukee has promoted 24-year-old right-handed pitcher Logan Henderson from their Triple-A Nashville affiliate to take the mound Sunday afternoon when they face the Washington Nationals on the road.

The young hurler will step directly into the starting rotation for Milwaukee, which has been hot lately with victories in five of their last six contests.

According to MLB Pipeline rankings, Henderson stands as the sixth-best prospect in Milwaukee’s farm system and tops their pitching depth chart. Sunday will mark his second major league starting assignment this season.

Henderson’s big league record shows one victory against no defeats, though his ERA sits at 9.00 through limited action. His lone appearance came as an opener against Kansas City on April 4, where he surrendered two earned runs on three hits across two innings in Milwaukee’s 8-2 defeat.

During the 2023 campaign, Henderson made five starts for the Brewers and posted impressive numbers, going 3-0 with a 1.78 earned run average.

This year at Nashville, Henderson has been dominant through five appearances, including three starts, compiling a 2-0 record with a stellar 1.02 ERA. He has recorded 26 strikeouts across 17⅔ innings pitched.

To create roster space for Henderson’s promotion, Milwaukee optioned 28-year-old right-handed reliever Easton McGee back to Nashville. McGee appeared in two relief outings this season, throwing two innings while surrendering only one hit.

Washington will counter with left-handed starter Peter Poulin, who carries a 2-0 record and 4.11 ERA into the series finale.

The Atlanta Braves made significant roster moves Sunday as star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. was sidelined with an injury while pitcher Spencer Strider made his highly anticipated return to the mound against the Colorado Rockies in Denver.

The team placed Acuna Jr. on the 10-day injured list after he suffered a strained left hamstring during Sunday’s contest. To fill his roster spot, the Braves called up outfielder Jose Azocar from their Triple-A affiliate in Gwinnett.

The injury occurred during the second inning when Acuna Jr. was running to first base on a ground ball during Atlanta’s dominant 9-1 win over Colorado. He was visibly limping as he made his way down the baseline.

“It didn’t look great, him coming off the field,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said. “I am hoping it’s just some cramping and that type of thing, but he’s getting an MRI. That’s never good when you have to get an MRI.”

The 28-year-old star grabbed his hamstring and slowed down while trying to beat out the ground ball in the second frame. After being evaluated by Atlanta’s medical team, he walked off the field on his own.

The five-time All-Star and 2023 National League MVP has been batting .252 this season with two home runs and nine RBIs across 34 games.

Eli White took over in right field for Acuna Jr., bringing a .196 batting average with two homers and eight RBIs in 20 appearances this season.

In a corresponding move, Strider was activated from his rehabilitation stint and added back to the active roster, replacing right-handed pitcher Hunter Stratton, who was sent down to Gwinnett after Saturday’s game.

Strider made headlines in 2023 by setting a modern MLB record as the fastest pitcher to reach 100 strikeouts in just 61 innings. However, his 2024 campaign was cut short after only two starts when he required UCL surgery that ended his season.

During his injury comeback last season, the pitcher posted a 7-14 record with a 4.45 ERA over 23 starts.

The 27-year-old Strider started this season on the injured list due to an oblique injury but is now ready to rejoin the red-hot Braves. Atlanta has captured both weekend games against Colorado, extending their league-leading 24-10 record.

Strider has historically performed exceptionally well against the Rockies, posting a 2-0 record with a 0.50 ERA in three career matchups, including two starts. He delivered a standout performance on September 1, 2022, striking out 16 batters while allowing just two hits over eight innings in a 3-0 victory over Colorado. Last June 14, he fanned 13 Rockies hitters during a six-inning winning effort.

Toronto Raptors star forward Brandon Ingram was spotted wearing a protective walking boot during Sunday morning’s team practice session, just hours before the critical Game 7 showdown against the Cleveland Cavaliers in their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.

The team has listed Ingram as questionable for tonight’s decisive contest due to inflammation in his right heel.

The two-time All-Star selection has been significantly hampered by the injury in recent games. During Toronto’s 125-120 loss in Game 5 on Wednesday, Ingram managed just 11 minutes of playing time and contributed only one point. He was completely sidelined for Friday’s thrilling 112-110 overtime win in Game 6 that forced tonight’s winner-take-all battle.

The 28-year-old veteran had an outstanding regular season performance, leading the Raptors in scoring with 21.5 points per game across 77 contests. He also contributed 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while connecting on 38.2% of his three-point shot attempts.

BOSTON — When the Philadelphia 76ers began their playoff series against Boston, uncertainty surrounded Joel Embiid’s availability following his recent appendectomy surgery.

That uncertainty proved manageable as the former MVP delivered exceptional performances when it mattered most.

Making his series debut in the fourth game after recovering from surgery, Embiid showcased some of his finest postseason basketball across the final four contests, propelling Philadelphia to a decisive 109-100 Game 7 triumph over Boston, a squad many considered championship material.

The seventh-seeded Philadelphia team earned a challenging Eastern Conference semifinal series against third-seeded New York, with the opening game scheduled for Monday.

Embiid’s dominant performance helped Philadelphia secure only their second road Game 7 victory in franchise history and their first against Boston since 1982. His 34-point, 12-rebound, six-assist stat line made him the first NBA player ever to reach 100 points in a playoff series after sitting out the opening three games.

“Sometimes I’ve been in those positions where I’ve come up short,” Embiid said. “I’ve always said it, you can’t win alone. You need a team. … The way we’re playing right now, we’re so in sync, offensively, defensively.”

Alongside teammate Tyrese Maxey, who contributed 30 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, the pair joined exclusive company as only the third duo in NBA history to both record at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a Game 7.

Maxey reflected on how the series highlighted his improved understanding of when to take charge versus when to support Embiid’s leadership.

“It’s a growth, because I had to learn when to be aggressive, when not to be aggressive,” Maxey explained. “It got a little bit difficult in the middle of this season. I was basically being first option every single night. Then he comes back and I’ve got to find a way to do both. And he does a really good job of just keeping me engaged and keeping me confident and keep me like, ‘Hey I need you to do what you do.’”

Philadelphia faces an even greater test against New York, a team known for their aggressive, physical style compared to Boston’s approach.

Coach Nick Nurse expressed confidence in Embiid’s readiness for the upcoming challenge, noting how the star center pushed through visible discomfort and received additional treatment during breaks to remain effective late in the game.

Embiid’s fatigue was understandable given Philadelphia’s limited rotation, with only six players logging significant minutes despite nine seeing action. Embiid’s 39-minute performance matched his series maximum.

“He was doing everything he could to stay in the game,” Nurse observed. “Obviously, we ran a lot of things through him and we did just enough.”

The coach emphasized how surviving the intense atmosphere at TD Garden will benefit his squad moving forward.

“It’s really good for us to go through that and respond to it,” Nurse noted. “It’s going to be like that in the playoffs. You’re going to be in tight games and it’s going to be super loud. … And you just have to play through it.”

Nurse credited the victory to forcing Boston into slower halfcourt possessions during the final three minutes, after the Celtics had dominated with fast-break opportunities for roughly 12 consecutive minutes spanning the third and fourth quarters.

This tactical adjustment represents a valuable lesson for the upcoming New York series.

“In the last two (games) and portions of this one, we just guarded really well,” Nurse said.

Despite celebrating the Boston victory, Embiid maintained focus on bigger objectives ahead.

“One series. Got more to go,” he stated.

American swimmer Gretchen Walsh has once again rewritten the record books, breaking her own 100-meter butterfly world record for the third time within 12 months. The 23-year-old posted an incredible time of 54.33 seconds during competition in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on May 3rd.

This latest achievement adds to Walsh’s dominance in the event, as she now holds the top 13 fastest times ever recorded in women’s 100-meter butterfly history.

“Must be magic or something out here… let’s make this an annual thing, shall we?,” Walsh wrote on her Instagram account following the record-breaking performance.

The world champion previously made history at this same Florida venue when she became the first female swimmer to complete the distance in under 55 seconds, recording 54.60 seconds in 2024. Despite her dominance in the event, Walsh finished second to fellow American Torri Huske in the 100-meter butterfly at the Paris Olympics.

Walsh’s superiority in the event is evident when compared to other top swimmers – she is more than a full second faster than Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom, who holds the second-best time of 55.48 seconds from the 2016 Olympics.

Formula 1 is set to abandon its current hybrid engine technology in favor of returning to the thunderous V8 engines that once defined the sport, according to the president of motorsport’s governing organization.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who leads the International Automobile Federation (FIA), announced during the Miami Grand Prix that the racing series will transition away from its existing V6 hybrid power units to V8 engines no later than 2031, with the possibility of implementing the change a year sooner.

Speaking from his office with a view of the Hard Rock Stadium circuit, the Emirati official expressed confidence about the timeline. “It’s coming. At the end of the day, it’s a matter of time,” Ben Sulayem stated.

He explained the regulatory framework that makes this transition inevitable: “In 2031, the V8, the FIA will have the power to do it, without any votes from the PUMs (Power Unit Manufacturers). That’s the regulations. But we want to bring it one year earlier, which everyone now is asking for.”

The sport recently entered a new engine phase this season, featuring power units that derive approximately half their energy from electric sources and half from traditional combustion, while utilizing completely sustainable fuel.

Current drivers have expressed frustration with the need to employ ‘lift and coast’ techniques when approaching high-speed turns, allowing the combustion engine to replenish the battery system. They have also raised safety issues related to starting procedures and varying speeds throughout races.

The existing regulations, which received modifications before the Miami event, have grown increasingly complex, requiring fans to understand technical concepts like ‘superclipping’ and megajoule limitations for battery charging.

This isn’t Ben Sulayem’s first push for V8 or V10 engines powered by sustainable fuel, but he appears to be encountering reduced opposition this time. The current engine regulations are scheduled to remain in effect for the next five years.

“The mission will be less complication, not like now,” he emphasized.

The FIA president outlined two potential paths for the 2030 implementation: either four of the six engine manufacturers, including General Motors as Cadillac’s partner, must approve the change through a super-majority vote, or the FIA will mandate the switch for 2031.

Currently, Mercedes provides engines to four racing teams, Ferrari supplies three, Red Bull partners with Ford for two teams, while Honda and Audi each support one team. General Motors plans to develop its own engine for Cadillac, which presently uses Ferrari power units.

Ben Sulayem dismissed V10 engines as impractical, noting that V8s have gained the most support and remain common in consumer vehicles.

The sport last utilized the distinctive V8 engines between 2006 and 2013, before transitioning to the much quieter 1.6-liter V6 turbocharged hybrid systems. The legendary Cosworth V8 DFV engine was a staple from the 1960s through the early 1980s.

Describing the benefits of V8 engines, Ben Sulayem said: “You get the sound, less complexity, lightweight. You will hear about it very soon and it will be with a very, very minor electrification.”

He expressed optimism about manufacturer support while acknowledging the backup plan: “I’m positive, they want it to happen. But let’s say the manufacturers don’t approve it (for 2030). The next year, it will happen. In 2031 its done anyway. It will be done. V8 is coming.”

The Carolina Hurricanes dominated the Philadelphia Flyers 3-0 in Saturday’s Eastern Conference semifinal opener at Raleigh, N.C., powered by Logan Stankoven’s two-goal performance and Frederik Andersen’s stellar goaltending.

Stankoven found the back of the net twice while Jackson Blake contributed one goal and one assist for Carolina, who swept Ottawa in the first round before delivering this commanding playoff victory in the best-of-seven series opener.

Between the pipes, Andersen turned away 19 shots to record his seventh career postseason shutout and second of these playoffs. Mike Reilly contributed two assists to the winning effort.

Philadelphia’s Dan Vladar made 20 saves in the losing effort. The Flyers will look to bounce back when Game 2 takes place Monday in Raleigh.

Carolina, who topped the Eastern Conference during regular season play, has yet to fall behind at any point during this Stanley Cup playoff run, maintaining that streak behind their most productive scorer.

The 23-year-old Stankoven extended his goal-scoring streak to five straight games when he opened the scoring just 91 seconds after puck drop. Reilly launched a shot from the point that Stankoven redirected past Vladar. The young forward has made history as the youngest player ever to find the net in five consecutive games to begin the playoffs.

In four of Carolina’s five postseason contests, Stankoven has provided the opening goal.

“I felt since the Olympic break, things were starting to turn and pucks started going in the net,” Stankoven said postgame.

Blake extended Carolina’s advantage to 2-0 six minutes later with a spectacular individual effort. The forward maneuvered past multiple defenders before sliding the puck home for his second goal of this postseason.

“We had a good start. That’s what won the game,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “There wasn’t much happening (after) but the first period was good.”

At that juncture, Philadelphia had managed just one shot attempt on Andersen.

“I don’t know if we were mentally prepared to play tonight. Winning our playoff series, (almost) not making the playoffs,” Flyers coach Rick Tocchet said. ” … There was a lot of excitement. I don’t think we got down to earth quick enough for this game.”

Stankoven completed his two-goal night during the second period’s closing minutes. Following a Philadelphia turnover, Seth Jarvis delivered a pass to Stankoven in the scoring area, and he immediately converted the opportunity with 3:44 left in the middle period.

Carolina controlled the remainder of the contest despite a series of aggressive penalties by Philadelphia and responding actions from the Hurricanes’ players.

Following multiple players receiving game misconduct penalties midway through the third period, the intensity subsided and Carolina secured the victory.

The Philadelphia 76ers completed one of basketball’s most challenging feats Saturday night, overturning a 3-1 series deficit to eliminate the Boston Celtics 109-100 in a decisive Game 7 of their Eastern Conference first-round matchup.

Joel Embiid dominated with 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, while Tyrese Maxey contributed 30 points and 11 rebounds in the crucial victory. The triumph marks just the 14th time in NBA history that any franchise has rallied from being down 3-1 in a playoff series.

“We handled playing (in a hostile environment) just enough, but I think it was really good for us to experience it,” said 76ers head coach Nick Nurse.

The seventh-seeded 76ers now advance to face the third-seeded New York Knicks, with Game 1 of their second-round series scheduled for Monday night.

Boston coach Joe Mazzulla pointed to Embiid’s return as the turning point in the series. “What changed in the series is Joel Embiid came back, and they’re a completely different team,” Mazzulla explained.

The star center had been sidelined since April 6 following emergency appendix surgery during a team road trip in Texas, but returned to play the final three contests of the series.

Despite trailing 99-98 after Neemias Queta’s pair of free throws, Philadelphia seized control when Maxey erupted for eight consecutive points, extending the lead to 107-98 with just 15 seconds remaining.

Rookie VJ Edgecombe provided valuable support with 23 points, while Paul George chipped in 13. The 76ers received minimal bench production, with only three points coming from reserves, all scored by Quentin Grimes.

Boston played without star forward Jayson Tatum, who was scratched due to left knee stiffness. Tatum had exited Game 6 early in the third quarter with a leg injury and was averaging 23.3 points and 10.7 rebounds through six playoff appearances this season.

The six-time All-Star had been working back from a devastating right Achilles rupture suffered in last May’s playoffs, returning to action March 6 and averaging 21.8 points and 10.0 rebounds across 16 regular-season games.

Jaylen Brown paced the Celtics with 33 points and nine rebounds, while Derrick White contributed 26 points. Queta provided 17 points and a team-leading 12 rebounds off the bench. Boston starters Baylor Scheierman, Luka Garza and Ron Harper Jr. were held scoreless, though reserves Payton Pritchard (13 points) and Sam Hauser (11 points) offered some offensive spark.

The Celtics struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 26.5% of their three-point attempts (13 of 49) and shooting 39.8% overall (37 of 93). Philadelphia was more efficient, making 39.3% from long distance (11 of 28) and 47.6% from the field (39 of 82).

“We’re always going to play to the strength of our team,” Mazzulla said.

“In the last two games and portions of this one, we guarded the ball very well,” Nurse noted. “We weren’t giving them great looks. That probably for the whole series was the big key.”

Philadelphia burst out of the gate with nine unanswered points and extended their advantage to 30-15 on an Embiid jumper with 1:55 left in the opening period. The visitors held a 32-19 edge after the first quarter.

The Celtics responded with 18 of the first 22 second-quarter points, briefly taking their only lead of the night at 37-36 following a Pritchard three-pointer with 6:52 remaining in the half. However, Philadelphia regrouped to carry a 55-50 advantage into the locker room.

An 8-0 surge gave the 76ers a 63-52 cushion in the third quarter, and they appeared to take command when Edgecombe’s three-pointer pushed the margin to 84-66 with 2:24 left in the period. Philadelphia led 88-75 entering the final frame.

Boston mounted one last charge, opening the fourth quarter with a 16-4 run that trimmed the deficit to a single point at 92-91 with 7:59 to play. The contest remained tight at 95-94 with 5:52 on the clock.

“(The Celtics) just played in transition for about 12 straight minutes, and then we finally got them stopped to get in their sets,” Nurse explained. “Defensively, that was the difference for us in the last three minutes. We had them in halfcourt until maybe the final 90 seconds when they were just coming up and firing.”

Despite the disappointing outcome, Mazzulla remained positive about his team’s approach. “Loved the looks that we got, loved the process that we had, but hate the result,” he said.

St. Louis continued their impressive run with a 3-2 victory over Los Angeles on Saturday, marking their sixth consecutive win while extending the Dodgers’ losing streak to four games.

Jordan Walker provided the offensive spark for the Cardinals, connecting for a two-run home run as part of a two-hit performance. Starting pitcher Michael McGreevy delivered six shutout innings to earn his second victory of the season against two losses, surrendering just three hits while walking three and striking out three batters.

The Cardinals maintained their lead through eight innings as relievers Ryne Stanek and JoJo Romero each contributed scoreless frames. However, the Dodgers mounted a late rally in the ninth inning against closer Riley O’Brien, who allowed four consecutive hits after recording two quick outs.

Kyle Tucker and Teoscar Hernandez reached base with back-to-back infield singles before Max Muncy and Andy Pages delivered RBI hits. O’Brien managed to escape further damage by striking out pinch hitter Dalton Rushing to secure his ninth save of the campaign.

Los Angeles starter Rori Sasaki took the loss, falling to 1-3 after allowing three runs on five hits over six innings. Despite the rough start, Sasaki finished strong by retiring the final 10 batters he faced while throwing a career-high 104 pitches. The Dodgers’ offensive struggles continued as they have managed three runs or fewer in seven of their past 11 contests.

In other Saturday action, Pittsburgh made history by drawing seven consecutive walks during a 17-7 demolition of Cincinnati. The Pirates became just the third major league team ever to accomplish this feat and scored five runs in the second inning without recording a hit.

Konnor Griffin led Pittsburgh’s 19-hit attack with four hits, including a double and triple, while Ryan O’Hearn contributed three RBIs. Starting pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski struck out a career-best 10 batters over 5 2/3 innings to improve to 2-2.

Atlanta remained the only undefeated team in series play this season with a dominant 9-1 victory over Colorado. Chris Sale pitched seven outstanding innings, allowing one run while striking out 11 batters to improve to 6-1. Drake Baldwin homered and drove in four runs to lead the Braves’ offensive assault.

The Yankees strengthened their hold on first place in the AL East with a 9-4 win over Baltimore behind Cody Bellinger’s perfect 4-for-4 performance that included two solo home runs and four RBIs. New York has now won 12 of their last 14 games.

Chicago’s White Sox extended their winning streak to five games with a 5-0 shutout victory over San Diego. Sean Burke tossed six scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and one walk while fanning eight batters, including Xander Bogaerts three times.

Toronto erupted for eight runs in the eighth inning to defeat Minnesota 11-4, with Brandon Valenzuela’s three-run homer capping the decisive rally. The Blue Jays took a 2-1 lead in their four-game series with the Twins.

Other winners included the Cubs over Arizona 2-0, Cleveland over Oakland 14-6, Milwaukee over Washington 4-1, Tampa Bay over San Francisco 4-1, Houston over Boston 6-3, Miami over Philadelphia 4-0, Detroit over Texas 5-1, Kansas City over Seattle 3-2 in 10 innings, and the Angels over the Mets 4-3 in 10 innings.

San Diego’s Major League Baseball franchise has reached a historic ownership deal, with the Padres announcing Saturday they will be sold to a partnership led by married investors Kwanza Jones and Jose E. Feliciano for an unprecedented $3.9 billion.

The groundwork for this transaction was established in April according to various news outlets, though the deal must still receive approval from three-quarters of MLB’s ownership group to become official. That crucial vote is expected to take place during the league’s next quarterly ownership gathering in June.

Should the sale receive the green light, it would demolish the existing record for a baseball franchise purchase, surpassing Steve Cohen’s $2.42 billion acquisition of the New York Mets in 2020.

“The Padres are more than a baseball team; they are a unifying force in San Diego, rooted in community, connection, and belonging,” the married couple expressed in a joint statement distributed by the organization. “As life and business partners, and as a family, we are honored to lead this next chapter together.”

“We have worked hard for everything we have achieved, and we have built it together. We see that same spirit in this team and its fans, and we know what it takes to win,” they added.

Feliciano, who founded Clearlake Capital and serves as a billionaire private equity executive, also holds partial ownership in Chelsea FC of England’s Premier League. Both he and Jones participated in the bidding process organized by the Seidler Family for the team’s purchase.

The franchise’s long-standing owner Peter Seidler passed away in 2023, leaving the family divided regarding team control. His brother John Seidler, who currently serves as the Padres’ chairman, announced in November that the organization would be put up for sale. Forbes valued the Padres at $3.1 billion heading into the 2026 season.

Through Clearlake Capital, Feliciano controls more than 60% of Chelsea’s ownership.

“We are committed to showing up, listening, and earning the trust of this community, while building on the strong foundation established by the Seidler family,” Jones and Feliciano stated.

“This is about more than baseball — it’s about boosting the pride, energy, and connection that define the Padres, investing in community, deepening belonging, and ensuring this team remains accessible and endures for generations. We are all in — with the goal of bringing a World Series championship to San Diego.”

The organization has not disclosed specific purchase terms or detailed information about the investment group. ESPN and The Athletic have reported that Feliciano and Jones will hold up to 40% ownership stake in the franchise, while certain Seidler family members and associates will retain some equity.

According to The Athletic’s reporting, the incoming ownership will purchase approximately 60% of the team, with additional investors anticipated to include San Diego’s Jacobs family, led by Qualcomm co-founder Irwin Jacobs, and the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. The publication also indicates that a group featuring Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees and Vuori investor Michael Persall may join as investors.

Feliciano is projected to assume the role of control person, taking over from John Seidler, who is Peter Seidler’s older brother.

“I’m thrilled that after a highly competitive process, Kwanza Jones and Jose E. Feliciano will become the next majority owners of the Padres,” John Seidler commented. “When I became control person, my goal was to continue building on our recent success in pursuit of a World Series championship for the city of San Diego and our faithful fans. Now, as I pass the baton to Kwanza and Jose, I do so with full confidence that they share that vision, as well as the Padres deep commitment to San Diego. It’s what the team, our fans, and the community deserve.”

“Our family loves this team,” he added. “This is a bittersweet moment for us as we reflect on what the Padres have accomplished since my brother Peter became the steward of the franchise. I congratulate Kwanza, Jose, and the Padres, and wish them nothing but success. We look forward to a smooth transition.”

Seattle Mariners infielder Will Wilson has been sidelined with a broken left thumb, leading the team to place him on the 10-day injured list this Saturday.

The roster move was made effective Thursday. To fill the gap, Seattle brought up catcher Jhonny Pereda from their Triple-A Tacoma affiliate.

Wilson, age 27, appeared in just two contests this season, posting a .200 batting average with one hit in five at-bats. His lone hit was a home run in his debut at-bat during Seattle’s 11-9 victory over St. Louis on April 25. The thumb injury likely occurred during his second appearance Wednesday, when he went hitless in three at-bats with one walk and one strikeout in a 5-3 win against Minnesota.

The Angels drafted Wilson 15th overall in 2019 from North Carolina State University.

Playing second and third base, Wilson entered the majors in 2025 with Cleveland, where he hit .192 across 34 games with 15 hits in 78 at-bats, driving in two runs and recording four doubles. He joined Seattle as a free agent this past January.

The 30-year-old Pereda brings major league experience from stints with Miami in 2024 and both Oakland and Minnesota in 2025, compiling a .241 career average with eight RBIs over 48 games.

Seattle also made additional roster changes Saturday, sending left-handed pitcher Josh Simpson, 28, down to Tacoma while promoting right-hander Nick Davila, 27, from Double-A Arkansas.

Tournament organizers have pushed up the final round of the Cadillac Championship to begin at 7:30 a.m. ET on Sunday morning, with players starting from both the first and tenth tees, as forecasters predict severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in the Miami area.

The Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix has also adjusted its schedule, moving the race start time from 4 p.m. to 1 p.m. to avoid the expected severe weather.

Cameron Young commands a commanding six-stroke advantage going into Sunday’s finale at the Blue Monster Course at Trump National Doral after carding a 2-under 70 in Saturday’s third round, bringing his tournament total to 15-under-par. This elevated PGA Tour event offers a substantial $20 million prize pool.

Young is scheduled to begin play in the championship group at 9:42 a.m. alongside top-ranked golfer Scottie Scheffler and South Korea’s Si Wo Kim, who share second place with Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan at 9-under-par.

“I think I tend to play well at difficult golf courses, difficult setups, difficult conditions,” Young commented following Saturday’s third round, which featured much windier conditions than the opening two days. “This is all of those things. I think it plays into my hands a little bit.”

The final round represents Young’s opportunity to capture his second win this season and third career PGA Tour victory.

“I’m sure it will not be as easy as I want it to be,” Young acknowledged. “Sounds like the weather is not going to be great. It will be a fight from the beginning and just looking to execute the way that I did for the most part today.”

Scheffler posted a third-round 69 to secure his position in the runner-up spot by day’s end.

“The tournament’s in (Young’s) hands right now,” Scheffler observed. “I can go out and have a really good round, and if he has another really good round he’s going to be a tough guy to catch.”

Atlanta Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. was forced to exit Saturday’s matchup against the Colorado Rockies after experiencing tightness in his left hamstring.

The incident occurred during the second inning in Denver when Acuna clutched his hamstring and slowed down while attempting to reach first base on a ground ball. Following an evaluation by Atlanta’s medical team, the player walked off the field on his own, though with a noticeable limp.

The reigning National League MVP from 2023 has been batting .248 this season with two home runs and nine RBIs across 33 games. Earlier in Saturday’s contest, Acuna started the game strong by reaching base safely on a single and later came around to score when teammate Drake Baldwin connected for a home run.

Eli White stepped in to take over right field duties for the remainder of the game. White has posted a .186 batting average with two homers and seven RBIs through 19 games this season.

Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Dawand Jones has accepted a modified contract for the 2026 season, according to a Saturday report from NFL Network.

The restructured agreement reduces Jones’ base salary to $1.5 million, with $1.145 million guaranteed. The 24-year-old appeared in only three contests this past season before suffering an LCL injury in his right knee that ended his campaign.

Originally, Jones was set to earn $3.674 million in 2026 after triggering an NFL salary escalator by participating in more than 35% of his team’s offensive plays during two of his initial three seasons. The former Buckeye qualified through the Proven Performance Escalator, which applies to fourth-year compensation for non-first-round draft picks on rookie deals.

Following his selection in the fourth round of the 2023 draft from Ohio State, Jones signed an initial four-year contract worth $4.63 million.

However, injuries have plagued each of his three professional campaigns, limiting him to 24 total appearances with 20 starts.

During his first year, he started nine contests before an MCL tear in his right knee cut short his rookie season. The following year in 2024, he participated in 10 games before a broken left fibula concluded his second campaign.

Texas Tech’s starting quarterback Brendan Sorsby has secured legal representation from high-profile attorney Jeffrey Kessler as he navigates an NCAA investigation into alleged sports gambling violations, according to ESPN reports released Saturday.

The quarterback, who joined the Red Raiders from Cincinnati during the recent transfer period, announced earlier this week that he would be entering a treatment program to address gambling addiction issues and stepping away from team activities for an indefinite period.

Kessler brings significant experience in college athletics litigation, having served as the primary legal counsel in the landmark House vs. NCAA lawsuit. That case, which received approval in June 2025, established the framework for revenue sharing between schools and student-athletes, allowing institutions to distribute $20.5 million annually to players starting this past July, with yearly increases built into the agreement.

The attorney has also built a reputation representing professional athletes, including his work with the NFL Players Association in cases involving high-profile players like Tom Brady, Ezekiel Elliott, Adrian Peterson, and Ray Rice.

Current NCAA regulations strictly prohibit student-athletes from placing wagers on any sporting events – whether college or professional – for which the organization conducts championship competitions. Reports indicate Sorsby placed bets on both college football contests and Major League Baseball games.

The ongoing NCAA investigation could result in Sorsby losing his eligibility for the 2026 season, depending on the findings.

According to reporting from On3, Sorsby’s betting activity was extensive, with more than 10,000 sports wagers placed since 2022. The outlet reported he was making an average of 20 bets daily across various sportsbook platforms in multiple states.

The gambling activity reportedly included wagers on Indiana University games during 2022 when Sorsby was redshirting his freshman season. ESPN’s reporting indicates all those bets favored Indiana to win, and none were placed on the single game in which he appeared – a 45-14 defeat against 16th-ranked Penn State.

Sorsby entered this season as ESPN’s highest-rated transfer quarterback, bringing impressive credentials from his time with Cincinnati. Over his final two seasons with the Bearcats, he compiled 5,613 passing yards with 45 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions across 24 games, while also contributing 1,027 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns.

The National Hockey League announced Saturday that Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy will face a disciplinary hearing with the Department of Player Safety following a stick-swinging incident during Friday’s playoff elimination.

The 28-year-old defenseman was ejected from Boston’s season-ending 4-1 defeat to Buffalo in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference first-round series after receiving a major slashing penalty and game misconduct.

The controversial play unfolded with 1:31 remaining in the final period when Buffalo’s Zach Benson tripped McAvoy while both players pursued a loose puck. After getting back on his feet, McAvoy rushed toward Benson and swung his stick in a baseball bat-like motion at the opposing player.

Following the elimination loss, McAvoy appeared unconcerned about potential league discipline when asked by reporters.

“I don’t play another game until September,” McAvoy said. “Can’t imagine it really matters much.”

The NHL’s decision to offer an in-person hearing indicates McAvoy could face a suspension of six games or longer, as the league typically handles shorter penalties through phone conferences. Players have the option to decline face-to-face meetings and conduct proceedings by phone instead. The specific hearing date has not yet been announced.

Since Boston’s season has concluded, any punishment would carry over to the start of the 2026-27 campaign.

This season marked a career year for McAvoy, who tallied 61 points with 11 goals across 69 regular season games. He contributed two assists during the Buffalo series.

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

McAvoy recently represented Team USA at the Winter Olympics, helping secure the gold medal in what marked the nation’s first men’s Olympic hockey championship since the memorable 1980 triumph at Lake Placid.

MIAMI – Formula One officials have moved up Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix by three hours to a 1 p.m. start time in hopes of avoiding severe weather that’s forecast for the area.

The scheduling change came after organizers and the sport’s governing body FIA held discussions following Saturday night’s qualifying session at Hard Rock Stadium.

“This decision has been taken to ensure the least amount of disruption to the race, and to ensure the maximum possible window to complete the grand prix in the best conditions and to prioritise the safety of drivers, fans, teams and staff,” officials explained in their announcement.

The time adjustment has forced cancellation of a Porsche race along with several other supporting events scheduled for race day.

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, who currently leads the championship standings, secured the top starting position for the fourth race of this season.

Competitors have not yet encountered rainy racing conditions during this new engine era that began with the Australian race in March, and the updated vehicles have already presented challenges even in dry weather.

Race organizers are especially worried about lightning strikes and have established protocols for suspending competition and implementing shelter procedures for racing teams if dangerous conditions develop.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — History was made at Churchill Downs Saturday when Golden Tempo crossed the finish line first in the Kentucky Derby, making trainer Cherie DeVaux the first woman ever to prepare the winner of thoroughbred racing’s most prestigious event.

Jockey Jose Ortiz guided Golden Tempo from dead last in the early stages to a stunning victory in the 1 1/8-mile contest, delivering at longshot odds of 23-1. Renegade finished second under Irad Ortiz Jr., while Ocelli rounded out the top three positions.

“I don’t even have any words right now,” DeVaux said. “I just cant. Just so, so so happy for Golden Tempo. Jose did a wonderful job, a masterful job of getting him there. He was so far out of it.”

DeVaux becomes only the second female trainer to capture any Triple Crown series race, following Jena Antonucci’s victory with Arcangelo in last year’s Belmont Stakes. This Derby triumph comes in DeVaux’s debut attempt at the race, eight years after establishing her own training operation.

“I’m glad I can be a representative of all women everywhere that we can do anything we set our minds do,” DeVaux said.

Throughout Derby week, DeVaux evolved from minimizing the significance of potentially becoming the first female Derby-winning trainer to embracing her position as an inspiration for young girls pursuing similar dreams. She joins an exclusive group as just the 18th woman to enter a horse in the Kentucky Derby.

Jose Ortiz demonstrated the exceptional skill that has brought him success at Churchill Downs recently, finally capturing his first Derby victory after 11 previous attempts. The triumph came less than a day after Ortiz also claimed the Kentucky Oaks, the premier race for three-year-old fillies.

The Derby field was reduced to 18 horses following a late withdrawal of Great White, who was removed after flipping over and unseating his rider. Track veterinarians decided to scratch the longshot, who had only earned a spot in the race Wednesday when Silent Tactic was withdrawn due to a hoof problem.

PITTSBURGH — During Saturday’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Cincinnati Reds matched a Major League Baseball record by issuing seven consecutive walks to Pirates hitters in a single inning.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, this marked only the third occurrence of such a streak in MLB history and the first time it has happened in more than 40 years.

Remarkably, Pittsburgh batters were also on the receiving end when the Atlanta Braves walked seven consecutive Pirates players during the third inning of a 1983 contest. The only other instance occurred in 1909, when the Chicago White Sox gave seven straight free passes to Washington Senators batters.

Cincinnati’s historic walk parade started in the second inning when pitcher Rhett Lowder issued a base on balls to Brandon Lowe with one out and empty bases. Lowder continued by walking Bryan Reynolds and Ryan O’Hearn to fill the bases, prompting Cincinnati to make a pitching substitution and bring in Connor Phillips.

Phillips proceeded to walk Nick Gonzales, Marcell Ozuna, Spencer Horwitz and Konnor Griffin, forcing home four Pittsburgh runs before the Reds called upon Sam Moll from the bullpen. Moll finally ended the inning when Henry Davis grounded into a fielder’s choice at second base, which also scored the fifth and final run of the frame.

The Minnesota Wild will face the Colorado Avalanche in Sunday night’s playoff opener without defenseman Jonas Brodin, who remained behind instead of making the trip to Denver with his teammates.

Additionally, forward Joel Eriksson Ek’s availability for the first game of the Western Conference second-round matchup remains in doubt.

The 32-year-old Brodin suffered a lower-body injury in the fifth game of Minnesota’s opening playoff round against Dallas. The injury occurred in the second period when he blocked a shot attempt from Dallas player Mikko Rantanen.

After missing Thursday’s series-clinching sixth game, Brodin recorded just one assist throughout the entire Dallas series. During the regular season, he contributed four goals and accumulated 18 points across 62 games.

Eriksson Ek’s injury happened during Game 6 when his right leg collided with the boards. The forward was absent from Saturday’s practice session.

Wild head coach John Hynes acknowledged he’s still weighing his options regarding Eriksson Ek’s roster spot given the uncertainty surrounding his condition.

“I’m kind of going through that a little bit right now,” Hynes said. “So, now you kind of go down that decision-making process of what would we do if he’s not ready.”

The 29-year-old Eriksson Ek contributed three goals and five total points against Dallas. Throughout the regular season, he netted 19 goals and tallied 51 points in 70 games played.

BOSTON — Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum will not play in tonight’s decisive Game 7 matchup against Philadelphia due to left knee stiffness, the team announced approximately 90 minutes before the elimination contest begins.

The absence comes at a critical moment for the Celtics, who face the Philadelphia 76ers in a winner-take-all first-round playoff battle on Saturday evening.

“He just came in today with knee discomfort. The medical team and myself decided for him not to play,” head coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters during his pregame press conference.

Boston has not yet revealed who will take Tatum’s spot in the starting lineup for the crucial matchup.

During Game 6, Tatum temporarily exited the contest in the third quarter to receive unspecified treatment for his calf. The star player is currently just 22 games into his comeback from a torn right Achilles tendon injury that occurred during last season’s postseason run.

Following Game 6, the Celtics minimized concerns about Tatum’s condition. The forward himself described his leg as feeling “a little stiff” after the game. He explained that following a brief evaluation and some time on an exercise bike, he chose not to return because the game’s outcome was already decided and the main rotation players had been removed from action.

MINNEAPOLIS — Toronto Blue Jays star George Springer was forced to exit Saturday’s 11-4 victory against the Minnesota Twins during the third inning after taking a pitch to his left foot.

The injury scare occurred just four days following Springer’s return from the 10-day injured list, where he had been recovering from a broken left big toe sustained on April 11 when he fouled off a ball during another matchup with Minnesota.

Medical imaging revealed no additional breaks, and the condition hasn’t worsened from its previous state, according to manager John Schneider’s postgame comments. Schneider noted he had already intended to rest Springer during Sunday’s contest.

The veteran outfielder was struck by Connor Prielipp’s 88 mph slider and collapsed in obvious discomfort. Following several minutes of attention from team medical staff, Springer carefully made his way off the field while Jesús Sánchez took his place in the lineup.

Now in his sixth campaign with Toronto, the 36-year-old veteran is batting .212 with two homers and seven RBIs through 66 at-bats over 18 appearances this season.

The former 2017 World Series MVP with Houston is playing out the concluding year of his six-year, $150 million contract with Toronto.

MIAMI – Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli captured his third consecutive pole position Saturday during qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen earning the second starting spot for Sunday’s race.

The 19-year-old Italian, who currently leads the Formula One championship standings, posted a qualifying time of one minute 27.798 seconds on a sweltering afternoon in Miami. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc claimed the third position, while defending world champion Lando Norris of McLaren will start fourth after winning Saturday’s earlier sprint race.

Antonelli’s pole position serves as a strong bounce-back performance after dropping to sixth place in the sprint – marking Mercedes’ first race loss of any format this season. The teenager is pursuing his third consecutive grand prix victory following recent wins in China and Japan, which helped make him the youngest driver ever to lead the championship.

“It’s been an amazing day to be on pole again,” Antonelli commented after qualifying. “It was a difficult start with the Sprint where it didn’t go our way but super happy with the recovery. It was a good quali, got a little bit excited in that last lap in Q3 but the first lap was good enough.”

Verstappen managed to close the gap to just 0.166 seconds by the session’s end, though Antonelli’s initial time remained unbeaten despite the Mercedes driver running wide at turn one during his final attempt.

Mercedes teammate George Russell, who trails Antonelli by seven points in the championship battle, qualified fifth. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, now driving for Ferrari, will start sixth.

Last year’s Miami winner Oscar Piastri of McLaren secured seventh position on the grid at a track where passing opportunities should be plentiful under the current regulations.

Franco Colapinto delivered an impressive eighth-place qualifying performance for Alpine, with Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly rounding out the top ten starting positions.

The qualifying session experienced a brief delay during the second phase when Gabriel Bortoleto’s Audi suffered brake failure and caught fire, forcing the Brazilian driver to stop on the back straight. Bortoleto finished last in the timing sheets.

Sunday’s race faces potential weather disruptions, with forecasters predicting possible rain and thunderstorms throughout the weekend.

The Orlando Magic will be without forward Franz Wagner for Sunday’s pivotal Game 7 showdown against the Detroit Pistons, team officials confirmed.

The 24-year-old sustained a calf injury during Game 4 of the series and has been sidelined for the past two games as a result.

Injuries have plagued Wagner throughout this season, limiting his availability to just 34 regular season appearances.

Despite his limited time on the floor, Wagner remains a cornerstone of Orlando’s offensive attack, ranking second on the team with 20.6 points per game while contributing 5.2 rebounds per contest, good for third on the squad.

During this playoff run, Wagner has posted averages of 16.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.8 steals per game.

Orlando, seeded eighth in the playoffs, once held a dominant 3-1 advantage over the top-seeded Pistons but has watched Detroit mount a comeback to even the series and force Sunday’s winner-take-all contest.

TAMPA, Fla. — After six nail-biting contests decided by a single goal and four games requiring overtime, the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning will settle their Eastern Conference first-round playoff battle in a winner-take-all Game 7 on Sunday evening.

The dramatic conclusion became necessary when Gage Goncalves scored in overtime Friday evening, keeping Tampa Bay’s playoff hopes alive and sending Montreal back on the road for the decisive matchup.

“We haven’t won anything yet,” Lightning head coach Jon Cooper explained. “All we did was win a game to send us back to Tampa and keep our season alive. You don’t want to rain on the parade… but we haven’t accomplished anything yet.”

The series has showcased remarkable balance between the two clubs. Each squad has captured two victories away from home, while Tampa Bay’s home ice advantage has proven elusive during their recent playoff runs. The Lightning hold just a 2-10 record in their past dozen postseason contests at home, despite consistently drawing capacity crowds through 460 straight sellouts.

The statistical breakdown reveals just how evenly matched these teams are. Both clubs have found the net 14 times, with nine goals coming during even-strength play. The scoreboard has shown either a tie or one-goal difference for all but six minutes of the entire series.

“In 14 years in the league, I’ve been in a number of Game 7s, some where we weren’t as good as the other team and some where I thought we were as good as the other team,” Cooper noted. “And this right here is so even from special teams to the goaltending to everything and that’s how you get Game 7s. To win this, you have to have a special game from your team. I’m assuming the team that wins is going to get one more break than the other one.”

Tampa Bay enters this crucial game carrying recent disappointment. Following their failure to complete a Stanley Cup three-peat in 2022, the Lightning have suffered first-round eliminations in each of the last three postseasons.

Meanwhile, Montreal seeks to end a five-year drought without advancing past the opening round.

“You’ve just got to embrace the situation,” said Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis, a Hockey Hall of Fame inductee who experienced Game 7 victories as a player in Tampa Bay. “Things are meant to be. Things are meant to be for our growth, things are meant to be that we’re playing a Game 7. I think it’s going to help us pull toward what’s next for us.”

Historical precedent favors Tampa Bay in decisive games, as they hold a 7-3 record in Game 7 situations, including a 4-1 mark on home ice. Their most recent winner-take-all victory came against Toronto in 2022 during a first-round series.

Montreal brings a 15-9 overall Game 7 record into Sunday’s contest, with a 7-6 mark in road Game 7s.

Between the pipes, Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy delivered a stellar 30-save shutout performance in Game 6, marking his eighth career playoff shutout. The former Vezina Trophy finalist and two-time Stanley Cup champion brings extensive big-game experience to the crease.

For Montreal, rookie netminder Jakub Dobes will face his first Game 7 pressure, though he has performed exceptionally throughout the series.

Offensively, Tampa Bay’s Brandon Hagel has been a consistent threat, lighting the lamp six times through the first six contests.

Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday at 6 p.m. Eastern Time, with TNT providing television coverage.

DENVER — When the puck drops Sunday night in Denver, two remarkably similar hockey teams will face off in what promises to be an epic second-round playoff battle.

The Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild possess striking similarities that make this matchup particularly intriguing. Both squads feature dynamic superstars — Nathan MacKinnon leading Colorado’s attack while Kirill Kaprizov anchors Minnesota’s offense.

The parallels extend throughout their lineups: elite defensemen Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes, reliable goaltending from Scott Wedgewood and Jesper Wallstedt, plus seasoned players like Brent Burns and Nick Foligno still chasing their first Stanley Cup championship.

History suggests this series could go the distance. When these Central Division foes have clashed in previous playoffs, two of their last three encounters required all seven games, including a 2014 first-round series where Minnesota defeated Colorado in MacKinnon’s initial NHL postseason appearance.

“It’s going to be another big battle,” said Marcus Foligno, whose Wild eliminated Dallas in six games to reach this round. “We’re mentally ready for it.”

Regular season meetings between these clubs were deadlocked at 2-1-1, with each team claiming one regulation victory and suffering one shootout loss against the other.

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar, whose team swept Los Angeles in the opening round, acknowledged the challenge ahead. “As the coach, I can steer them which way I think … how hard it’s going to go,” Bednar explained. “But they’ve got to go and feel it. They have to go and engage in it.”

The timing favors Colorado, as the Avalanche enjoyed a week of rest while Minnesota battled through a physical series against Dallas. However, Colorado demonstrated versatility against the Kings, capturing two low-scoring 2-1 victories, including an overtime win.

Despite earning the Presidents’ Trophy as the league’s top regular-season team, the Avalanche embrace their role as Cup favorites with measured confidence.

“It doesn’t really mean nothing unless you’re the last team standing,” forward Nazem Kadri stated. “We’re going to have to be ready for everything they throw at us.”

Both teams enter with injury concerns. Colorado defenseman Josh Manson is managing an upper-body ailment, while Minnesota faces uncertainty with forward Joel Eriksson Ek questionable due to a lower-body injury. Defenseman Jonas Brodin didn’t travel with the Wild.

The defensive matchup features the last two Norris Trophy winners. Makar concluded the regular season with 20 goals and 59 assists, then scored in consecutive playoff games. Hughes, acquired from Vancouver on December 12, contributed five goals and 48 assists during Minnesota’s regular season while averaging nearly 28 minutes per game — a number that’s climbed to 31:40 in the playoffs.

“It’s no surprise,” teammate Brock Faber said of Hughes’ performance. “Big-time players step up in big-time games, and that is what he did.”

Several players share Olympic memories from Team USA’s dramatic 2-1 overtime victory over Canada for gold. Brock Nelson, Hughes, Faber, and Matt Boldy helped deliver America’s first Olympic hockey championship in 46 years, while Canada’s roster included Avalanche stars Devon Toews, Makar, and MacKinnon.

“Something we will remember forever,” Nelson reflected. “But now put friendships on pause.”

Minnesota carries the weight of playoff struggles, posting a 5-14 record in postseason series throughout their 25-year existence. Their advancement past the first round marks just the second time since 2003, and their first since 2015 — when current defenseman Faber was nearly 12 years old.

“I don’t remember it,” Faber admitted. “We write our own story. Every team has their own story. Every team has their own ups and downs.”

For Colorado’s Brent Burns, this represents perhaps his final opportunity to capture the Stanley Cup that has eluded him through 22 NHL seasons. The 41-year-old defenseman began his career with Minnesota, who selected him 20th overall in 2003 and where he played until 2011.

“That’s a long time ago,” Makar said with a smile when asked about Burns’ Minnesota connection.

Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark appears ready to take the court Sunday against Nigeria for the team’s final preseason matchup, as her name does not appear on the official injury report following a scary fall during Thursday’s contest in Indianapolis.

The All-Star point guard was forced to exit Thursday’s game against Dallas after taking a hard tumble during the third quarter. Clark was going up for a long-range shot with 7:51 remaining in the period when she made contact with Wings player Alanna Smith, resulting in a painful landing directly on her right knee. Despite the impact, she managed to sink two of her three subsequent free throw attempts before heading to the bench for the remainder of the game.

Speaking to reporters afterward, Clark downplayed the incident, saying “I feel good. I just landed on my kneecap really hard.”

Before her early departure, the two-time All-Star had been having an outstanding performance, racking up 21 points during just 16 minutes of action in what became a 95-80 defeat for Indiana.

Team officials anticipate Clark will suit up for Sunday’s matchup with the Nigerian squad.

The talented guard made a spectacular debut in 2024, posting averages of 19.2 points and 8.4 assists while connecting on 122 shots from beyond the arc during her inaugural WNBA campaign. Her stellar rookie performance earned her both Rookie of the Year recognition and a spot on the All-WNBA First Team. However, her offensive production dipped to 16.5 points per contest in 2025 before a persistent groin problem limited her to just 13 appearances last season.

Meanwhile, Fever teammate Aliyah Boston is slated to make her preseason debut on Sunday. The veteran forward, now in her fourth professional season, has been sidelined while recovering from a leg injury sustained during the conclusion of the Unrivaled season. Throughout her three campaigns with Indiana, Boston has contributed 14.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, and the organization has taken a cautious approach with her recovery process.

A married investment team has struck a deal to purchase the San Diego Padres baseball franchise for a record-breaking $3.9 billion, the Seidler family announced Saturday.

Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano will lead the ownership group taking control of the Major League Baseball team, pending league approval of the transaction.

The Seidler family, who inherited the team following Peter Seidler’s passing two years ago, made the formal announcement of the agreement. The deal represents the highest valuation ever recorded for an MLB franchise purchase, though specific financial terms and investor group details were not disclosed in Saturday’s announcement.

“The Padres are more than a baseball team; they are a unifying force in San Diego, rooted in community, connection and belonging,” Jones and Feliciano said in a joint statement. “As life and business partners, and as a family, we are honored to lead this next chapter together. We have worked hard for everything we have achieved, and we have built it together. We see that same spirit in this team and its fans, and we know what it takes to win. We are committed to showing up, listening and earning the trust of this community while building on the strong foundation established by the Seidler family.”

The couple added: “This is about more than baseball — it’s about boosting the pride, energy, and connection that define the Padres, investing in community, deepening belonging and ensuring this team remains accessible and endures for generations. We are all in — with the goal of bringing a World Series championship to San Diego.”

The Seidler family initiated discussions about selling the franchise last November, following Peter Seidler’s death in 2022. Peter Seidler had taken primary ownership of the team in 2020, with his brother John assuming leadership responsibilities after his passing.

“When I became control person, my goal was to continue building on our recent success in pursuit of a World Series championship for the city of San Diego and our faithful fans,” John Seidler said in a statement. “As I pass the baton to Kwanza and José, I do so with full confidence that they share that vision as well as the Padres’ deep commitment to San Diego. It’s what the team, our fans and the community deserve. Our family loves this team.”

Peter Seidler initially became part of the Padres ownership when John Moores sold the franchise in 2012 for $800 million to Ron Fowler’s investment group. After taking control, Seidler gained fan support through his willingness to invest heavily in the team, supporting general manager A.J. Preller’s efforts to build a competitive roster that has made four playoff appearances in six seasons.

The franchise has become increasingly popular in recent years as San Diego’s sole representative among major North American professional sports leagues, finishing second in MLB attendance rankings last season. Under Preller’s management, the team has started this season strongly with a 19-12 record, placing second in the National League West division ahead of Saturday night’s home game against the Chicago White Sox.

The prospective new owners have already begun engaging with the organization, attending the Padres’ Mexico City series against the Arizona Diamondbacks last month, where they were seen with team CEO Erik Greupner.

When the sale is finalized, Feliciano will become only the second Latino owner in Major League Baseball, joining Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno. Latino and Hispanic athletes represent approximately 30% of current major league players.

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer was forced to exit Saturday’s matchup with the Minnesota Twins during the third inning after taking a pitch to his left foot from Minnesota’s Connor Prielipp.

The veteran outfielder collapsed in pain when struck by the 88.2 mph slider and was immediately substituted with pinch runner Jesus Sanchez.

The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate for Springer, who had only recently come back from the injured list this week following a fractured left big toe sustained when fouled a ball off his foot on April 11. He had opened Saturday’s contest with a line drive out to center field.

Through 18 games this season, Springer is hitting .212 with two home runs and seven RBIs. The veteran has compiled a .266 batting average across 1,462 career games, collecting 295 home runs and 803 RBIs during his 13-year tenure split between the Houston Astros from 2014-20 and the Blue Jays.