Category: Sports

DENVER — A perfect performance at the charity stripe has become the center of controversy following Denver’s 116-105 victory over Minnesota in Saturday’s playoff opener.

Jamal Murray connected on all 16 of his free throw attempts while the entire Timberwolves roster combined for just 19 trips to the line — a stark difference that caught the attention of Minnesota’s coaching staff.

“Well, the 16 free throws from Murray was a head scratcher,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch commented following the defeat. “I thought we played really good defense on him.”

Murray defended the officiating after his 30-point performance.

“I thought I got fouled on every single one of them,” Murray stated. “I don’t know what everybody’s talking about. Real fouls.”

The guard’s flawless free throw shooting established a new Denver franchise record for most successful attempts without a miss in postseason play, surpassing Bryant Stith’s previous mark of 14 consecutive makes against Utah on May 17, 1994. The 16 attempts also represented a career high for Murray in any NBA contest.

With his three-point shot struggling — finishing 0-for-8 from beyond the arc — Murray adjusted his approach by attacking the basket more aggressively. Eight of his free throw attempts came during the second quarter alone.

“A lot of those ones in the second quarter, we were there,” Finch explained. “We were physical. We were vertical. He initiates the contact, he spills away and then he gets rewarded for it.”

“Sixteen free throws is a lot. It’s almost as many as we shot all game,” Finch added.

Murray received strong support from teammate Nikola Jokic, who recorded his 22nd career playoff triple-double with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists. Denver now holds a 15-7 record in postseason games when Jokic achieves a triple-double.

Murray dominated throughout the contest, contributing seven assists and five rebounds across more than 39 minutes of action.

“He’s been so good all year,” Denver coach David Adelman praised, as his squad prepares for Monday night’s Game 2. “Jamal has been Jamal all year, tough-minded.”

Minnesota guard Anthony Edwards continues working back to full strength following a right knee injury, contributing 22 points and seven assists in just over 38 minutes of play.

“It wasn’t the Ant we’re used to seeing, but is pretty much as expected in where he is in trying to find his rhythm,” Finch noted about his star player’s performance.

Edwards acknowledged he’s still finding his form.

“A little fatigued,” Edwards admitted. “Other than that I felt good.”

Edwards converted 6 of 7 attempts from the free throw line himself.

“Jamal helped them. He shot, what 19 — how many free throws did he shoot?” Edwards said while reviewing the statistics. “Sixteen for sixteen from the free-throw line. So that helped them a lot.”

Cincinnati has made a significant move by trading their first-round draft selection to the New York Giants in exchange for three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, according to two sources familiar with the transaction who spoke to The Associated Press on Saturday evening.

The sources requested anonymity since Lawrence must still complete a medical examination before the trade becomes official.

New York now holds both the fifth and tenth selections in the opening round of next week’s draft. The Giants are preparing for their inaugural draft under head coach John Harbaugh’s leadership.

Cincinnati paid a significant cost to obtain the 28-year-old Lawrence, who had requested a trade due to his desire for an updated contract. Lawrence is currently in the second year of a four-year, $90 million deal he signed in 2023.

CLEVELAND — Despite having a stronger supporting cast this postseason, Donovan Mitchell continues his tradition of making bold statements in playoff series openers.

The Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star guard maintained his remarkable consistency Saturday, scoring 32 points to lead his team to a 126-113 win against the Toronto Raptors in their Eastern Conference first-round playoff opener.

Mitchell’s performance marks an unprecedented ninth consecutive playoff series opener where he has reached the 30-point threshold, establishing a new NBA record.

“It’s not something like I’m searching for,” Mitchell explained regarding his pursuit of 30 points to begin each series. “It’s just something that I’m playing my game. Just trying to set a tone of aggression by getting downhill, taking the open shots, taking what’s given to me and obviously making the defense have to react.”

This historic run started during Mitchell’s time with Utah in the 2020 playoffs at Walt Disney World in Florida amid the COVID-19 pandemic, when he exploded for 57 points against Denver. That performance still stands as a Jazz playoff record and ranks as the third-highest individual scoring effort in NBA postseason history.

Throughout this nine-game stretch, Mitchell holds a 5-4 record in series openers, including a 3-3 mark since joining Cleveland following his September 2022 trade from Utah.

While recently-acquired James Harden helped stabilize Cleveland during a tight first half, it was Mitchell alongside Max Strus who delivered the decisive blows in the second half against Toronto.

At halftime, Harden led the scoring with 15 points compared to Mitchell’s 13, as Cleveland held a 61-54 advantage. The third quarter belonged to Mitchell, who added 11 points, and Strus, who contributed eight, as the Cavaliers built a commanding 21-point lead entering the final period.

“That’s his job. That’s what he gets paid the big bucks for being aggressive, taking shots and doing his thing. We understand that, so our job is to just go out there and fulfill the roles and do other things to impact the game,” Harden commented. “I think for me, it’s trying to get more assists and trying to get into the paint. We’ve got shooting, we’ve got bigs who are versatile and athletic. My job is to get them the ball.”

Harden concluded the game with 22 points and 10 assists that generated 23 points for teammates. Six of those assists found center Jarrett Allen and forward Evan Mobley.

Mitchell reached his 30-point milestone on a driving layup with 9:28 left on the clock, pushing Cleveland’s advantage to 106-84. The nine-year veteran connected on 7 of 13 attempts from inside the paint, an approach that impressed head coach Kenny Atkinson.

“I said that before the game, how we’ve changed our mindset where we’ve become more rim- and paint-oriented. Don, he can try to do those pirouette 3s, but I think he was locked in on getting to the rim and made some really good decisions,” Atkinson noted.

Mitchell’s 33.1 points per game average in series openers ranks second in NBA history among players who have participated in at least 10 postseason series. His overall playoff scoring average of 28.4 points ties with LeBron James for sixth-best among players with a minimum of 50 playoff games.

“I thought we handled the environment and the crowd pretty well. They had a lot of guys scoring at a high rate and they got a lot of easy shots, getting to the rim and dunks,” said Toronto’s Scottie Barnes, who finished with 21 points.

American tennis player Ben Shelton secured his spot in the BMW Open championship match on Saturday, defeating Slovakian qualifier Alex Molcan 6-3, 6-4 in Munich, Germany.

The second-seeded Shelton ended Molcan’s impressive tournament run and will now meet Italy’s Flavio Cobolli in Sunday’s final. Cobolli pulled off a major upset by defeating top-seeded defending champion Alexander Zverev of Germany 6-3, 6-3.

While Shelton didn’t showcase his typically dominant serving game, he managed to avoid trouble by facing just one break point throughout the entire match. The American capitalized on crucial moments, breaking Molcan’s serve late in both sets to earn his place in his seventh ATP Tour final.

Cobolli delivered a masterful performance against Zverev, unleashing 32 winners on the clay surface while dropping only eight points on his own serve. The Italian achieved his first career victory over a Top-5 ranked player, breaking the powerful German’s serve four times, including the decisive final game.

Shelton holds a 3-2 advantage in their career head-to-head record, having won all three encounters in 2025.

Barcelona Open Results

At the Barcelona Open ATP 500 clay court tournament, Russia’s Andrey Rublev and France’s Arthur Fils both battled through three-set semifinals to reach the championship match.

Fifth-seeded Rublev mounted a comeback victory over Serbian qualifier Hamad Medjedovic 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, while ninth-seeded Fils overcame Spain’s Rafael Jodar 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Rublev secured his 29th ATP final appearance by winning the match’s final four games. He successfully converted four of nine break point opportunities, compared to Medjedovic’s one of six.

Fils ended Jodar’s eight-match winning streak by producing 28 winners against just 11 for the 19-year-old Spaniard. After the third set was tied 3-3, Fils saved four break points, broke Jodar’s serve, and then defended two additional break chances in the final game to secure victory.

The two finalists have an even 1-1 record in previous meetings, with Fils claiming victory on clay courts during their 2025 Monte-Carlo encounter in straight sets.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Anyone willing to wager on Chase Elliott with just one lap remaining in overtime during last September’s race at Kansas Speedway on the 28th would have faced incredibly long odds.

When the white flag waved, Elliott sat in fifth position, trailing four Toyota drivers: Bubba Wallace, Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, and Christopher Bell. Wallace had pulled ahead by half a car length with Hamlin giving chase.

In a move that would prove costly, Hamlin drove his No. 11 Camry to the inside of Wallace’s vehicle, pushing Wallace wide through the track’s final two turns. This created an opening that Elliott exploited, diving inside both Toyota cars to capture victory for Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet.

Speaking Saturday ahead of practice for Sunday’s AdventHealth 400 at Kansas (2 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), Hamlin acknowledged the broader implications of that moment. “It certainly played a factor, kind of in the manufacturer battle as well, right?” Hamlin said. “I mean, you go from winning one to now your competition actually won.

“There were definitely a lot of negatives to the way that race ended, but it certainly was I just, I feel like, I was trying to go for it, certainly, and used a little bit too much aggression, for sure, in Turn 3.

“But overall, you’re going to have that in racing. When you have teammates, manufacturer guys that you all share information with, we’re going to always be right around each other. So sometimes those racing incidents happen in one out of 20 times.”

Despite holding the record for most Kansas victories with four wins, Hamlin expressed amazement at his recent inability to reach Victory Lane at the track.

“For the last six years, if someone else wins a Kansas race, I’m just trying to figure out how we didn’t win, because we’re always just so fast here,” Hamlin said.

“We found 10 to 12 different ways to not win here, and I thought I saw the stat this week that there has only been. … I think (Kyle) Larson’s been the only repeat winner here in the last 11 races, and it was like, the fact that we haven’t is just criminal. So, hopefully we can change that.”

Gibbs Advocates for More Physical Racing

Fresh off his inaugural NASCAR Cup Series triumph, 23-year-old Ty Gibbs believes the sport should become more demanding and physically challenging for drivers.

“I think we should rip all the cool suits out of everyone’s cars and make it a more physical sport,” Gibbs said Saturday. “I think that would be very entertaining and bring out more emotion, obviously…

“I think no cool suits — rip ’em all out. I think, honestly, people would be pumped with that, ’cause half the time they break on everybody and make it worse. I think we should rip all of it out, make it more physical.”

Cool suits are designed to regulate temperatures inside the car’s cockpit when functioning correctly. However, when these systems fail, the circulating water can become overheated and actually increase driver discomfort.

Several drivers, including Gibbs’ teammate Denny Hamlin, opt not to utilize cool suits during competition.

Jones Optimistic About New LEGACY Leadership

LEGACY Motor Club’s newly appointed president brings more than administrative experience to the organization, according to driver Erik Jones, who spoke Saturday at Kansas Speedway before Sunday’s AdventHealth 400.

Michael Guttilla arrives with extensive experience as chief operating officer at Joe Gibbs Racing and previous roles as vice president of engineering, R&D, global sales and marketing at automotive supplier Multimatic, providing LEGACY with diverse expertise.

“I didn’t know him beforehand, but I had a chance to sit down and spend some time with him in the last week and a half,” Jones explained Saturday. “I think he’s a super impressive guy. His resume’s really strong, and he’s done a lot of things, in motorsports and in manufacturing and production cars.

“He has a pretty broad range of skills, and I think he has a lot of managerial skills. I think the role he’s in is great, obviously, but I think he can bring a lot to the table and a sense of understanding the engineering side as well. I don’t think he’s a guy that is just well-versed in business, but I think he’s well versed in competition and performance.

“I’m excited to have him. We’ve been kind of waiting to fill that role and find the right guy, and that’s been a role that wasn’t just randomly filled when Michael became available. It was something that’s been in the works, and we’ve been trying to find the right fit for a while. I was excited to do that, excited to have him, and see what he can bring. It’s still super early. It’s been a couple of weeks, but I really, I think his influence is already starting to be felt a bit.”

Women Drivers Shine in ARCA Competition

While Gio Ruggiero claimed victory in Saturday’s Tide 150 ARCA Menards Series race at Kansas Speedway, several compelling storylines developed throughout the field.

Three of four female competitors secured top-10 finishes, with Lanie Buice placing fifth, Jade Avedisian finishing seventh, and Dystany Spurlock earning 10th place. The race marked Avedisian’s debut on a 1.5-mile intermediate track.

Isabella Robusto, the fourth female driver and a former Kansas pole winner, was competing just outside the top 10 when Cleetus McFarland’s car experienced engine failure, spreading oil across the racing surface.

Robusto lost control in the fluid, crashed into the outside barrier, and was eliminated from competition.

Daniel Dye secured second place in his first race following reinstatement from a suspension related to inappropriate remarks directed toward IndyCar driver David Malukas.

Elena Rybakina, the tournament’s top seed from Kazakhstan, dominated her semifinal match against sixth-seeded Mirra Andreeva with a 7-5, 6-1 victory on Saturday, securing her spot in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix championship match in Stuttgart, Germany.

The Kazakhstani player will meet Czech Republic’s seventh-seeded Karolina Muchova in Sunday’s title match. Muchova earned her place in the final by defeating fourth-seeded Ukrainian Elina Svitolina 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in a competitive three-set battle.

Rybakina, fresh off her 2026 Australian Open championship and Indian Wells final appearance, traded early service breaks with the Russian Andreeva before seizing control late in the opening set, claiming four out of five points during Andreeva’s service game to take the set. The second set proved one-sided as Rybakina dominated both her own first serves and Andreeva’s second serve attempts, capturing 21 of 25 total points in those situations.

The Muchova-Svitolina semifinal appeared headed for a tight finish until the Czech player closed out the match with authority, taking the final eight points including four consecutive points while Svitolina served in the ninth game. This victory sets up the fourth career encounter between Muchova and Rybakina, with the Czech player holding a 2-1 advantage in their previous meetings, including a quarterfinal win at Brisbane in January.

At the Rouen Metropolitan Open in France, Ukraine’s top-seeded Marta Kostyuk advanced to the final with a commanding 6-3, 6-0 victory over Germany’s Tatjana Maria.

Kostyuk will face fellow Ukrainian teenager Veronika Podrez, who reached the final when Romania’s Sonia Cirstea withdrew from their scheduled semifinal due to a leg injury. Kostyuk successfully defended against all four break point opportunities created by the 38-year-old German opponent, while Maria struggled to handle Kostyuk’s aggressive style, losing 32 of her 43 service points for a 74.4% loss rate.

The 19-year-old Podrez earned her semifinal berth by defeating notable opponents including Sloane Stephens, Italy’s seventh-seeded Elisabetta Cocciaretto, and Great Britain’s Katie Boulter. Kostyuk enters the final seeking her second WTA championship and first since capturing the Austin, Texas title in 2023.

The Hawks baseball squad came up just short in a high-scoring affair against the Lakers, falling 6-5 in the second game of their series despite a solid offensive showing.

The Hawks managed to connect for four doubles that drove in runs throughout the contest, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Lakers’ attack. The team’s ability to find gaps and drive in runners kept them competitive in what turned into a back-and-forth battle.

On the mound, pitcher Richard De Jesus delivered a quality start for the Hawks, working five complete innings while recording three strikeouts. De Jesus kept his team in the game during his time on the hill before turning duties over to the bullpen.

The narrow one-run loss highlighted both the Hawks’ offensive capabilities and the competitive nature of their matchup with the Lakers. Despite the setback, the team showed they could generate runs and stay within striking distance throughout the game.

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder are no longer the scrappy underdogs as they launch their championship defense Sunday at home facing the Phoenix Suns.

While Oklahoma City maintains its status as one of the NBA’s youngest rosters, reigning Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander now commands a battle-tested squad that survived two grueling seven-game playoff series last season, culminating in an NBA Finals victory over the Indiana Pacers.

The Thunder followed their championship run by compiling the NBA’s top regular season mark at 64-18, edging out the San Antonio Spurs for home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. Oklahoma City now faces the fresh challenge of defending their crown.

“This playoff run is so unique and so different to the last one, and we have to have the ability to understand that every series is going to be different, every game is going be different,” Thunder guard/forward Jalen Williams said.

Oklahoma City enters the postseason on fire, capturing 19 victories in their final 20 contests before resting key players in the season’s final two games. The Thunder have suffered just one defeat since the All-Star break with Gilgeous-Alexander active, and their most recent home loss with him came January 25 against Toronto.

Gilgeous-Alexander ranked second league-wide with 31.1 points per contest. All-Star teammate Chet Holmgren contributed 17.1 points and 8.9 assists while finishing second in the NBA with 1.9 blocks per game.

However, Oklahoma City’s championship path won’t come easily. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault emphasized that despite Phoenix earning their playoff spot through the play-in tournament, the Suns represent a legitimate postseason threat deserving respect. Phoenix concluded the regular season 45-37 and advanced to the NBA Cup quarterfinals. All-Star Devin Booker contributed 26.1 points and six assists nightly.

Suns head coach Jordan Ott expressed pride in his team’s recovery from Tuesday’s play-in tournament defeat to Portland, bouncing back with Friday’s victory over Golden State to claim the eighth seed.

“I think that the group that’s in that locker room has a ton of resilience and wants to do things different, and that’s what we stress from the get-go,” Ott said. “And sometimes the road’s not always the one that you choose and think it’s going to happen or the one that’s most traveled. Sometimes, it’s the least traveled. So we found our way in. Now, it’s onto the next thing.”

Three prominent members of Canada’s national squad will feature in this matchup — Gilgeous-Alexander and defensive specialist Lu Dort representing the Thunder, with Dillon Brooks suiting up for the Suns.

Brooks stands among the league’s premier defenders and most effective agitators. He posted a career-best 20.2 points this season.

Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell entered last year’s playoffs battling through multiple injuries. As a rookie, he saw limited postseason action.

This season, Mitchell has become crucial to Oklahoma City’s success while establishing himself among the NBA’s elite bench players. He improved from 6.5 points last season to 13.6 this year.

Williams endured the entire previous playoff run with a hand injury requiring surgical repair. This season, he missed 19 games early while recovering from that procedure and 30 additional contests healing from a hamstring problem.

He’s now fully healthy and prepared for action.

“I feel extremely fresh because I played, like, 12 games,” he said.

Phoenix’s Jalen Green delivered explosive performances in both play-in contests. He scored 35 points in the Portland loss, then erupted for 36 in the Golden State Warriors victory.

That production significantly exceeds his 17.8-point regular season average. Green’s recent surge will challenge the Thunder’s defensive planning between focusing on him or Booker.

“I’m very comfortable playing up there with Book,” Green said. “You kind of have to pick your poison of how you’re going to guard it. Even if it’s a heavy shift or not, we kind of play off each other in that situation.”

Oklahoma City captured three of five regular season encounters. In the most significant meetings, the Thunder demolished the Suns 138-89 during NBA Cup play, while Phoenix responded with a 108-105 victory in their building on January 4.

The Philadelphia Phillies have sidelined closer Jhoan Duran for at least 15 days after he suffered a left oblique strain, the team announced Saturday.

The Phillies made several roster adjustments following Duran’s injury, bringing up right-handed pitcher Seth Johnson and utility player Felix Reyes from their Triple-A affiliate in Lehigh Valley. Meanwhile, the organization sent utility man Otto Kemp back to the minors and cut ties with minor league outfielder Pedro Leon.

Duran’s placement on the injured list dates back to Wednesday. The 28-year-old reliever has posted impressive numbers this season for Philadelphia, recording a 1-1 record with a 1.35 ERA while notching five saves across seven outings. Throughout his five-year major league career split between Minnesota and Philadelphia, he has compiled a 2.41 ERA with 95 saves over 253 games.

Johnson, age 27, appeared in one game for the Phillies earlier this year and carries a 9.72 ERA across 12 total appearances (including one start) during his three seasons with Philadelphia.

Reyes, 25, will get his first taste of major league action after spending six seasons in Philadelphia’s farm system, where he hit .272 with 48 homers and 247 RBIs across 374 games. Kemp, who was sent down, managed just two hits in 20 at-bats over 10 games with the big league club this year.

The released Leon had been hitting .283 through 12 games at Lehigh Valley this season. The 27-year-old has brief major league experience, appearing in seven games with Houston in 2024.

The Chicago Cubs brought up right-handed pitcher Corbin Martin on Saturday to bolster their relief corps following Daniel Palencia’s move to the injured list on Friday.

The organization also shifted right-hander Cade Horton to the 60-day injured list to create space on their 60-man roster. Horton underwent Tommy John surgery on Thursday.

Palencia, 26, landed on the IL due to a strained left oblique muscle. The reliever had recorded one save while maintaining a spotless earned run average through his initial five appearances this season. He also contributed to Venezuela’s World Baseball Classic championship, posting three saves without surrendering a run across five tournament outings.

Martin, 30, joined the Cubs organization as a free agent in January following a season with the Baltimore Orioles where he compiled a 6.00 ERA in 17 relief outings. Throughout his major league career spanning 34 appearances (including 10 starts) with Houston (2019), Arizona (2021-22), and Baltimore, he holds a 2-5 record with a 6.54 ERA.

Horton’s procedure marks his second Tommy John surgery and is anticipated to keep him sidelined until approximately mid-2027. The 2022 first-round selection had posted a 1-0 record with a 2.45 ERA in two starts this season before the setback.

The National Hockey League has announced that its 2026 draft lottery will take place on May 5 at the NHL Network facilities in Secaucus, New Jersey.

League officials confirmed Saturday that the event will air simultaneously on ESPN, Sportsnet and TVA Sports, though broadcast times remain to be determined.

The selection process will start by determining the first overall pick, then proceed to reveal the second selection. Sixteen teams that failed to qualify for the upcoming Stanley Cup playoffs are eligible to participate in the lottery. When a team has traded away its first-round selection, the acquiring franchise receives that lottery position regardless of playoff status.

Leading the lottery odds are:

1. Vancouver Canucks, 18.5%

2. Chicago Blackhawks, 13.5%

3. New York Rangers, 11.5%

4. Calgary Flames, 9.5%

5. Toronto Maple Leafs (conditional trade to Boston Bruins), 8.5%

6. Seattle Kraken, 7.5%

7. Winnipeg Jets, 6.5%

8. Florida Panthers, 6.0%

9. San Jose Sharks, 5.0%

10. Nashville Predators, 3.5%

11. St. Louis Blues, 3.0%

12. New Jersey Devils, 2.5%

13. New York Islanders, 2.0%

14. Columbus Blue Jackets, 1.5%

15. St. Louis Blues (from Detroit Red Wings), 0.5%

16. Washington Capitals, 0.5%

League regulations limit teams from advancing more than 10 positions in the draft order, meaning only the top 11 teams listed can claim the number one selection.

Last year’s lottery winner was the New York Islanders, who jumped from the 10th position despite holding only a 3.5% probability. The Islanders used their top pick to select defenseman Matthew Schaefer from Erie in the Ontario Hockey League.

The 2026 draft’s opening round is scheduled for June 26 at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Rounds two through seven will continue the following Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Eastern Time.

Two prospects generating buzz for the top overall selection are Penn State left wing Gavin McKenna and left wing Ivar Stenberg from Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League.

According to a March 7, 2025 trade agreement between Toronto and Boston, the Maple Leafs retain their pick if it lands in the top five positions. Should that occur, Toronto would then transfer either their 2027 or 2028 first-round selection to the Bruins.

NEW YORK — In an unusual turn of events Saturday afternoon, Kansas City Royals skipper Matt Quatraro found himself kicked out of the game against the New York Yankees before starting pitcher Noah Cameron had even delivered his first throw of the contest.

The incident unfolded when Maikel Garcia found himself stuck at second base and came close to being picked off by Yankees pitcher Will Warren. Quatraro quickly sprinted from the dugout to confront umpires Nestor Ceja and Chris Guccione about the play.

While the discussion didn’t seem particularly intense at first, Quatraro received his walking papers the moment he began walking away from the officials. Bench coach Paul Hoover stepped in to lead the team for the remainder of the contest.

This marks Quatraro’s eighth time being thrown out of a game since taking the helm as Kansas City’s skipper in 2023.

The Royals entered Saturday’s matchup struggling badly, having dropped five straight games and suffering eight defeats in their last ten outings.

STUTTGART, Germany – World number two Elena Rybakina dominated her semifinal match at the Stuttgart Open on Saturday, defeating Russian sixth seed Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-1 to advance to the championship match of the WTA 500 indoor clay court event.

The top-seeded Kazakhstani player will face Czech seventh seed Karolina Muchova in Sunday’s final after both players secured convincing semifinal victories.

Rybakina and Andreeva exchanged service games early in the first set until Rybakina seized control with a break to take a 4-2 advantage. The young Russian fought back to even the score at 4-4, but the 26-year-old Rybakina elevated her game when it mattered most to claim the opening set.

The second set belonged entirely to Rybakina, who dominated from start to finish, building a commanding 5-0 advantage before wrapping up the match in one hour and 17 minutes.

“First set, we were going pretty even,” Rybakina said. “I had some opportunities to go up but didn’t take them. But I’m happy that in these important moments, my serve worked and I stayed aggressive.”

“Then in the second set being up, I was more free to hit, to step in, to play even more aggressive. So I’m pretty happy with the performance. It was really solid. And I guess the three-hour match yesterday, it did help me today.”

Andreeva entered the tournament in excellent form, having captured the Linz Open title and stunning six-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek and defending Stuttgart champion Jelena Ostapenko during her run.

This marks Rybakina’s third final appearance of the season. The former Wimbledon champion claimed the Australian Open title earlier this year and reached the final at Indian Wells.

In the other semifinal, Muchova advanced by defeating Ukrainian fourth seed Elina Svitolina 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in a hard-fought three-set battle.

Muchova started strong, breaking Svitolina’s serve in the opening game and racing to a 3-0 lead. Though the Australian Open semifinalist fought back to narrow the gap, Muchova held on to take the first set.

The momentum shifted dramatically in the second set as Svitolina found her groove, jumping ahead 3-0 and extending her lead to 5-1 before evening the match.

The final set remained tight throughout until Muchova struck at the crucial moment, breaking serve at 4-4 before closing out the victory in two hours and 14 minutes.

Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic confirmed that starting point guard Immanuel Quickley will be unable to play in Saturday afternoon’s Eastern Conference playoff opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to a right hamstring strain.

The injury occurred during Toronto’s final regular season matchup against Brooklyn on Monday, forcing Quickley to leave the contest after playing only 17 minutes. Medical imaging was conducted following the game to assess the extent of the injury.

The 26-year-old guard had a strong regular season, posting averages of 16.4 points, 5.9 assists and 4.0 rebounds across 70 games, starting in every contest for the Raptors.

Throughout his NBA career spanning 394 games with both New York and Toronto, Quickley has maintained averages of 14.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists, making 168 starts along the way.

Selected 25th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, Quickley began his professional career with the Knicks, where he played for more than two seasons. Toronto acquired him on December 30, 2023, in a trade that sent Quickley, guard R.J. Barrett and a 2024 second-round draft selection to the Raptors in exchange for forward OG Anunoby, center Precious Achiuwa and guard Malachi Flynn going to New York.

Golf superstar Tiger Woods is showing positive signs of improvement during an intensive residential treatment program following his driving under the influence arrest earlier this year, according to a new report from the Daily Mail.

Sources close to the situation indicate Woods is working with medical professionals to manage his chronic pain issues through non-addictive alternatives to opioid medications. “He’s got a pain management doctor who is helping him deal with his body pain without addictive opioids,” an insider revealed to the publication. “He calls or Zooms a small number of people.”

The 50-year-old golfer maintains regular contact with a select group including his partner Vanessa Trump, his children Sam and Charlie, and Mark Steinberg, who has served as his representative since 1998.

According to the Daily Mail’s sources, Woods is currently enrolled in a 90-day inpatient facility located in Switzerland.

The treatment comes after a vehicle accident on March 27 near Woods’ Jupiter Island, Florida residence. Law enforcement arrested him on suspicion of impaired driving and refusing to provide a urine sample after his Land Rover struck the rear of a truck and overturned. Woods escaped physical injury and has entered a not guilty plea to the charges.

Officials determined that prescription medication, rather than alcohol, caused the impairment. Police records show Woods possessed two hydrocodone tablets at the time of his arrest.

“He’s responding well to treatment, and Vanessa is very happy with what she’s hearing,” a friend of Trump shared with the outlet.

The crash occurred on the same morning that golf fans were speculating about Woods’ potential participation in the Masters Tournament. The golf icon hasn’t competed on the PGA Tour since The Open Championship in 2024, where he failed to make the cut due to physical ailments. He suffered a ruptured left Achilles tendon during spring 2025 and required lumbar disk replacement surgery last October.

This incident marks Woods’ second serious vehicle accident in recent years. On February 23, 2021, investigators said Woods was driving at excessive speed when he crashed near Los Angeles, resulting in severe injuries to his right leg and ankle that necessitated multiple surgical procedures.

In a public statement released on March 31, Woods emphasized his commitment to prioritizing his physical and mental health over his golf career.

“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” Woods’ statement read. “I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.

“I’m committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time.”

Golden State’s WNBA franchise has secured veteran guard Tiffany Hayes for another season, announcing the contract extension on Saturday. Financial details of the one-year agreement were not revealed.

The 36-year-old Hayes contributed 11.7 points per game along with 3.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists across 26 appearances during Golden State’s inaugural 2025 campaign, starting in 24 of those contests.

General manager Ohemaa Nyanin praised Hayes’ contributions in an official statement, saying: “Tip helped lay the foundation on and off the court for this team, and that’s not something you take for granted. She’s an experienced leader and veteran player who showed up for the Bay. Being able to welcome Tip back to her second home is truly special.”

Hayes brings impressive credentials to the Valkyries, having earned All-Star recognition with Atlanta in 2017 and claiming the WNBA Sixth Player of the Year award with Las Vegas in 2024. Throughout her professional career spanning 376 games with 303 starts, she has maintained averages of 13.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists while playing for Atlanta (2012-19, 2021-22), Connecticut (2023), Las Vegas (2024) and now Golden State.

New York Mets designated hitter and first baseman Jorge Polanco has been sidelined with a right wrist contusion, landing him on the 10-day injured list as of Saturday.

The team made the roster move retroactive to Wednesday for Polanco, who has also been battling left Achilles inflammation since the season began.

Polanco’s wrist problem became apparent following his poor performance in Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers on the road, where he failed to record a hit in four at-bats and struck out twice. Through 14 games this season, the veteran is struggling with a .179 batting average, managing just one home run and two RBIs.

The 32-year-old infielder joined the Mets this offseason on a two-year deal worth $40 million. Throughout his career, the former All-Star has compiled a .262 batting average with 155 home runs and 572 RBIs across 1,102 games while playing for the Minnesota Twins from 2014-2023, the Seattle Mariners in 2024-25, and now the Mets.

To fill the roster spot, New York brought up catcher Hayden Senger from their Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse.

The 29-year-old Senger got his first taste of major league action with the Mets last season, posting a .181 batting average with four RBIs over 33 games.

The National Football League has confirmed it will not conduct an investigation into New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel following the emergence of photographs showing him with sports reporter Diana Russini, according to a league spokesperson speaking with ESPN.

Under the NFL’s personal conduct policy, players, coaching staff, and executives must refrain from “conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the National Football League.”

The controversial images were published by the New York Post’s Page Six section on April 8, showing Vrabel and Russini in intimate poses including holding hands and embracing at an adults-only resort in Sedona, Arizona. The timing coincided with the league’s annual meetings held in Phoenix from March 29 through April 1.

Both Vrabel, age 50, and Russini, age 43, are currently married to other people. When contacted by the Post, Vrabel characterized the photographs as “completely innocent,” while Russini argued the images were taken out of context and failed to capture other group members who were present during their gathering.

When ESPN reached out for their Friday story, neither Vrabel nor Russini offered additional statements.

This week, Russini stepped down from her role as a senior NFL correspondent at The Athletic on Tuesday while the publication conducted an internal review of her professional relationship with Vrabel.

The Patriots organization has not responded to ESPN’s inquiry about whether the team plans to conduct its own review of the matter.

Vrabel assumed the head coaching position with the Patriots – his former team as a player – prior to the 2025 season and successfully guided New England to Super Bowl LX, where they fell to the Seattle Seahawks by a score of 29-13.

The National Football League has chosen not to launch an investigation into New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel following a controversy involving published photographs of him with former Athletic sports reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort.

League spokesperson Brian McCarthy told The Associated Press on Saturday that the NFL will not pursue an investigation into the incident. The New England Patriots organization has not yet responded to inquiries about whether they plan to conduct their own internal review of Vrabel’s conduct.

Last week, The New York Post released photographs showing Vrabel and Russini together at a Sedona hotel, reportedly captured prior to the NFL’s annual meetings that commenced in Phoenix on March 29.

According to the NFL’s personal conduct policy: “Everyone who is part of the league must refrain from ‘conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in’ the NFL.”

Vrabel, a three-time Super Bowl champion during his playing career with New England, is entering his second year leading the Patriots. He earned AP NFL Coach of the Year honors after guiding the team to a 14-3 record last season, which concluded with a 29-13 Super Bowl defeat to Seattle. Vrabel previously received the same coaching award while with Tennessee in 2021.

Following the publication of the images, both Vrabel and Russini, who are each married, issued statements to the Post minimizing the significance of what the photographs showed.

Russini became part of The Athletic’s team in 2023 following almost ten years with ESPN, where she served in multiple capacities including “SportsCenter” host, NFL analyst and insider reporter. At The Athletic, she produced a podcast and appeared on the platform’s video content.

In her resignation statement, Russini wrote: “I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published.”

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr plans to take some time to reflect on his career before engaging in discussions about his future with the organization.

The 60-year-old coach has led the Warriors to four NBA titles, with their most recent championship coming in 2022. However, Friday evening’s play-in tournament defeat against the Phoenix Suns represented the second occasion in three seasons that Golden State has missed playoff qualification.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Kerr stated following the 111-96 defeat in Phoenix. “I still love coaching, but I get it. These jobs all have an expiration date. There is a run that happens, and when the run ends, sometimes it’s time for new blood and new ideas.”

Currently in his contract’s final year, Kerr has served as Golden State’s head coach since the 2014-15 campaign. Throughout his tenure, he has achieved a 604-353 record (.631 winning percentage) during a championship era that also featured titles in 2015, 2017, and 2018.

The Warriors have been unable to progress beyond the second playoff round since capturing their 2022 championship.

“If (my time is done), then I will be nothing but grateful for the most amazing opportunity any person could have to coach this franchise in front of our fans and to coach Steph Curry, (Draymond Green), the whole group,” Kerr explained. “It may still go on. It may not. I don’t know at this point. But we all need to step away a little bit and then reconvene.”

The Warriors faced significant challenges this season due to player age and injuries, including Jimmy Butler III suffering a torn right ACL in January and 38-year-old star Stephen Curry managing a knee problem that limited him to just 43 games.

During the final moments of Friday’s season-concluding loss, Kerr removed both Curry and Green from the game. These players have been franchise cornerstones since 2009-10 and 2012-13, respectively.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I love you guys to death. Thank you,” Kerr revealed he told them during their postgame embrace.

Curry still has one year and $62.6 million remaining on his current deal and has expressed willingness to discuss a contract extension during the upcoming offseason. Meanwhile, 36-year-old Green holds a $27.7 million player option for next season and indicated after the game that retirement is not in his plans.

Should Kerr decide to continue coaching next season, he made clear it would be alongside Curry and the Warriors organization.

“That’s part of the equation,” he noted. “I don’t want to walk away from Steph. I’m definitely not going and coaching somewhere else next year in the NBA. I would never walk away from Steph. But all this stuff has to be aligned and right. Those are all discussions that will be had.”

Regardless of Kerr’s ultimate decision, Curry emphasized that he simply wants the former NBA Coach of the Year to find fulfillment in whatever path he chooses.

“I want him to be excited for the job,” Curry commented. “I want him to believe he’s the right guy for the job. I want him to have an opportunity to enjoy what he does, whatever that means for him. Everybody’s plan is their own. He knows how I feel about him.”

The Los Angeles Angels delivered a dominant 8-0 victory over the San Diego Padres on Friday night in Anaheim, just hours after the organization announced the passing of beloved franchise legend Garret Anderson. Home runs from Yoan Moncada and Josh Lowe powered the Angels to victory, bringing San Diego’s impressive eight-game winning streak to an end.

Angels pitcher Jose Soriano turned in another stellar performance, improving to 5-0 on the season by surrendering just two hits across 5 2/3 innings of work. The right-hander issued four walks while striking out eight batters, dropping his major-league-best ERA to an incredible 0.28. Through 32 2/3 innings this season, Soriano has given up only one run – a home run by Atlanta’s Drake Baldwin – and 11 hits while recording 39 strikeouts.

Los Angeles put together an offensive showcase with 13 total hits. Nolan Schanuel led the way with a 3-for-5 performance that included one RBI and one run scored. Adam Frazier contributed a double and single while crossing home plate twice, Jo Adell delivered a crucial two-run double, and both Zach Neto and Oswald Peraza collected two hits each. The victory marked the Angels’ third win in their last four contests.

San Diego starter Matt Waldron struggled early, falling to 0-1 after allowing six runs on eight hits in just 3 2/3 innings. The right-hander walked one batter and struck out four in the losing effort.

The Angels seized control early, building a 3-0 advantage in the second inning. Moncada opened the frame by launching his third home run of the season, a 388-foot blast to right-center field. After two outs, Logan O’Hoppe was struck by a pitch and came around to score on Frazier’s double. Neto capped the rally with an RBI single.

The Padres threatened in the third inning, loading the bases with two outs following a single by Ty France and walks to Luis Campusano and Fernando Tatis Jr. However, Soriano escaped the dangerous situation by inducing a ground out to second base from Jackson Merrill.

Los Angeles expanded their lead to 6-0 in the fourth inning through an RBI single by Schanuel off Waldron, followed by Adell’s two-run line drive double into the left-center gap off reliever David Morgan.

Lowe put the game away in the fifth inning with his third home run of the season, a two-run shot down the right field line that scored Peraza, who had reached base after being hit by a pitch.

The emotional backdrop to Friday’s game centered around Anderson, who passed away Thursday at age 53 from a heart attack. Anderson holds the franchise records for hits and games played, among other categories, cementing his legacy as one of the organization’s greatest players.

Phoenix secured their spot in the NBA playoffs Friday night with a commanding 111-96 victory over Golden State in the play-in tournament, powered by Jalen Green’s explosive 36-point performance.

The win grants the Suns the Western Conference’s eighth playoff position. Phoenix will now travel to face the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder, who earned the top seed, beginning their first-round matchup on Sunday.

“Sometimes the road’s not always the one that you choose and think it’s going to happen or the one that’s most traveled, sometimes it’s the least traveled,” Phoenix head coach Jordan Ott reflected. “We found our way in, now it’s on to the next thing.”

Phoenix capitalized on Golden State’s mistakes, converting 21 Warriors turnovers into 30 points.

Following their disappointing collapse against Portland in their initial play-in contest, the Suns managed to maintain their advantage this time around.

However, the game’s final moments provided some tension.

With the result already determined, Golden State’s Draymond Green accumulated his sixth foul with slightly over a minute left on the clock. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr took time to embrace both Green and Stephen Curry, acknowledging their shared history across four NBA championship campaigns.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen. I still love coaching but I get it. These jobs all have an expiration date,” Kerr stated, noting his contract expires this summer. “There’s a run that happens and when the run ends, sometimes it’s time for new blood and new ideas and all that, and if that’s the case, then I will be just nothing but grateful for the most amazing opportunity any person could have to coach this franchise.”

When play continued, Green and Phoenix’s Devin Booker engaged in an intense verbal exchange that lasted several moments before officials intervened, issuing technical fouls to both players. Green was subsequently ejected from the game.

Phoenix established early dominance with a 13-0 scoring surge after Golden State opened with the first two points, then finished the opening quarter with eight straight points for a 33-15 advantage.

The Warriors’ 15 first-quarter points marked their lowest quarterly output since managing just 14 points in the fourth quarter of their March 7 matchup against Oklahoma City.

While Phoenix shot an impressive 52.4% in the opening period, they encountered difficulties in the second quarter as Golden State mounted a comeback.

The Suns managed only 5 successful shots out of 20 attempts in the second quarter, allowing Golden State to narrow the gap to just two points on Curry’s free throws with 19.6 seconds left before halftime.

As the clock wound down, Jalen Green rose up for a three-point attempt from the wing and connected, marking Phoenix’s first successful field goal in over five minutes and giving the Suns a 50-45 halftime lead.

Golden State’s Brandin Podziemski contributed 10 of his game-leading 23 points during the second quarter comeback. He also paced the Warriors with 10 rebounds.

Phoenix regained firm control during the third quarter with an 11-1 scoring run that included a pair of three-pointers from Jalen Green.

Booker contributed 20 points along with eight assists and six rebounds. Phoenix’s Jordan Goodwin provided valuable support with 19 points, nine rebounds, and six steals.

“Truly that group in the locker room’s been special all year and was special again in the last three or four days, overcoming the disappointment and coming out and playing that hard against a team that has every solution in the book,” Ott praised. “… Sometimes it just comes down to toughness.”

Curry managed 17 points in the defeat but struggled with his shooting, connecting on just 4 of 16 field goal attempts and 3 of 10 three-point tries. De’Anthony Melton provided 16 points and eight rebounds coming off the bench.

Just hours following the announcement of franchise legend Garret Anderson’s passing, the Los Angeles Angels delivered an emotional 8-0 shutout victory over the San Diego Padres on Friday evening, bringing an end to San Diego’s impressive eight-game winning streak in Anaheim.

Home runs from Yoan Moncada and Josh Lowe powered the Angels’ offensive attack, while starting pitcher Jose Soriano (5-0) turned in a masterful performance on the mound. Soriano surrendered just two hits across 5 2/3 innings of work, walking four batters while striking out eight. The dominant outing lowered his major league-best earned run average to an incredible 0.28.

The Angels’ offensive explosion featured contributions throughout the lineup, with the team collecting 13 total hits. Nolan Schanuel led the way with a 3-for-5 performance that included one RBI and one run scored. Adam Frazier contributed a double and single while crossing home plate twice, and Jo Adell delivered a crucial two-run double. Zach Neto and Oswald Peraza each added two hits to support the winning effort, helping Los Angeles capture their third victory in four recent contests.

San Diego’s struggles began early with starter Matt Waldron (0-1), who surrendered six runs on eight hits during his 3 2/3 innings of work. The Padres managed to collect only three hits against four different Angels pitchers throughout the contest.

In other MLB action Friday night, Masataka Yoshida delivered a clutch pinch-hit walk-off single in the 10th inning to give Boston a 1-0 victory over visiting Detroit. Yoshida’s hit through the right side drove home Jarren Duran, who had started the extra frame as the automatic runner on second base and advanced to third on a wild pitch from Tigers reliever Will Vest (1-3).

Cincinnati defeated Minnesota 2-1 behind Eugenio Suarez’s two-run double and a strong pitching performance from Brandon Williamson. The Fairmont, Minnesota native Williamson (2-1) allowed three hits and one run over 5 1/3 innings, while Emilio Pagan secured his sixth save with a perfect ninth inning.

Baltimore rallied for a dramatic 6-4 victory over Cleveland, scoring six runs in the eighth inning capped by Jeremiah Jackson’s three-run homer off Connor Brogdon. The wild inning saw the Orioles overcome a 4-0 deficit created by Daniel Schneemann’s second career grand slam in the seventh.

Atlanta dominated Philadelphia 9-0 as Martin Perez tossed six scoreless innings and Austin Riley belted two opposite-field home runs. The victory continued the Braves’ hot streak of winning seven of nine games, while the Phillies dropped their seventh contest in nine tries.

Chicago’s offensive surge continued with a 12-4 victory over the struggling New York Mets, marking the Cubs’ third consecutive game scoring at least 10 runs. Moises Ballesteros capped a four-run first inning with a three-run homer, while the Mets extended their losing streak to nine games.

Pittsburgh snapped Tampa Bay’s six-game winning streak with a 5-1 victory behind Bubba Chandler’s strong six-inning performance. The Pirates collected 11 hits in the winning effort, with Oneil Cruz contributing a two-run homer.

San Francisco defeated Washington 10-5 as Heliot Ramos hit a three-run homer and Drew Gilbert and Casey Schmitt added solo shots. Matt Chapman drove in three runs for the Giants, who broke out of their offensive slump with a six-run second inning.

New York topped Kansas City 4-2 on Ryan McMahon’s tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning, extending the Royals’ losing streak to five games.

Milwaukee outlasted Miami 7-5 in 10 innings, with Garrett Mitchell driving in three runs including a two-run double in the extra frame. The Brewers have now won three straight contests.

St. Louis pulled away from Houston 9-4 behind Nolan Gorman’s three-run homer in the seventh inning, while Los Angeles defeated Colorado 7-1 as Max Muncy homered twice and Shohei Ohtani extended his on-base streak to 49 games.

Arizona beat Toronto 6-3 with Nolan Arenado homering for the third time in four games, while Chicago White Sox crushed Oakland 9-2 behind Munetaka Murakami’s grand slam.

Texas completed the night’s action with a 5-0 shutout victory over Seattle, improving to 4-0 against the Mariners this season behind Brandon Nimmo’s leadoff homer and six pitchers combining for the shutout.

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is weighing his options for next season after his team’s playoff hopes came to an end Friday evening in Phoenix.

Following the Warriors’ elimination from the play-in tournament, the veteran coach hinted that his tenure with the franchise might be coming to a close.

“It might still go on. It may not,” Kerr stated after Golden State’s loss to the Suns, which marked the fourth time in seven years the Warriors have failed to reach the playoffs.

In the closing moments of Friday’s game, Kerr was seen hugging team leaders Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, appearing to say “thank you” to the two players who have been with him throughout the Warriors’ championship runs.

When pressed about what he told the players during those final moments, Kerr declined to elaborate.

“None of your business,” he responded with a grin.

Both Green and Curry expressed their desire for Kerr to continue leading the team. Speculation about Kerr’s future has intensified as he completed the final year of his current deal.

“I want Coach to be happy. I want him to be excited about the job. I want him to believe you know he’s the right guy for the job,” Curry explained. “I want him to have an opportunity to again enjoy what he does. So, whatever that means for him, you know, everybody’s plan is their own. And I’m not going to try to tell anybody what to do. He knows how I feel about him. That shouldn’t even need to be said.”

Green also shared his thoughts on potentially losing his longtime coach: “I just don’t deal with change well. I don’t love it. So, I don’t want to think about that. I hope that’s not the case. but we’ll see what happens.”

The 60-year-old mentor has spent 12 seasons with Golden State, compiling a 604-353 record during his tenure. Under his leadership, the Warriors reached the NBA Finals six times in his first seven seasons and captured an Olympic gold medal with Team USA in Paris last year.

Kerr indicated he plans to sit down with team owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy in the coming weeks to determine the organization’s direction.

“We’ll talk about what’s next for the Warriors, what the plan is this offseason,” Kerr explained. “And we will come to a collaborative decision on what’s next. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I still love coaching. But I get it. These jobs all have an expiration date. there’s a run that happens, and when the run ends, sometimes it’s time for new blood and new ideas and all that.

“And, if that’s the case, then I will be just nothing but grateful for the most amazing opportunity any person could have to coach this franchise, in front of our fans in the Bay and to coach Steph Curry, to coach Dray and the whole group.”

This season proved challenging for Golden State, finishing with a 37-45 record while battling injuries throughout the campaign. The team showed resilience by overcoming a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday to secure their play-in opportunity, but couldn’t maintain that momentum against Phoenix.

“This was as tough a season as you can have, with the injuries, with all kinds of adversity,” Kerr reflected. “And they battled, and they battled the entire season. They kept going the other night just to, you know, continue the season, to show that kind of fight. And then tonight, we just didn’t have it. But the competitive desire was there. And I’m proud of the group for finishing the season the right way by continuing to fight and trying to win every game.”

Throughout his career, Kerr has emphasized his fortunate position in basketball, having won five championships as a player and four as a coach. His playing career included time with legendary coaches and players, from Lute Olsen at Arizona to Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich in the pros, alongside stars like Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson, and Tim Duncan.

Kerr has frequently described coaching Curry, whom he considers the greatest franchise player he’s witnessed, as a privilege.

“The only thing I’ve learned is that I’m the luckiest guy in the NBA’s history,” Kerr concluded.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Los Angeles Angels pitcher José Soriano is putting together one of the most remarkable starts to a baseball season in decades, establishing himself among the sport’s all-time greats with his early-season dominance.

The Dominican right-hander continued his spectacular run Friday night, limiting San Diego to just two hits through nearly six innings as the Angels cruised to an 8-0 victory, snapping the Padres’ eight-game winning streak.

Through five starts this season, Soriano remains undefeated at 5-0 with a microscopic 0.28 earned run average, surrendering only one run across 32 2/3 innings of work. His 39 strikeouts lead all major league pitchers, while opponents have managed just 11 hits against him. He shares the major league lead in victories with Milwaukee’s Aaron Ashby.

Apart from some command issues, Soriano has completely stifled opposing hitters. The lone run scored against him this season came via Drake Baldwin’s first-inning home run for Atlanta on April 6. His current scoreless streak spans 17 innings, ranking second-best in baseball this year, while opponents are hitting just .104 against his 0.73 WHIP — both statistics leading the majors.

“It’s like a hot knife through butter,” Angels slugger Jo Adell said. “It’s pretty crazy. It’s really special, and he’s a special talent. He’s always had the stuff to compete at this level, and he’s doing what an ace does. Whatever he’s done, just keep doing it.”

Soriano’s remarkable stretch has placed him in exclusive historical territory. The last pitcher to surrender one earned run or fewer in his first five seasonal starts while throwing at least 15 total innings was Los Angeles Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela in 1981, during his Cy Young Award-winning rookie campaign. Hall of Famer Walter Johnson accomplished the feat in 1913, and no other pitcher in baseball history has matched it.

Even more impressively, Soriano stands alone as the only major league pitcher ever to complete at least five innings while allowing one or fewer earned runs and three or fewer hits in each of his first five starts of a season.

“I just feel confident to keep pitching like that,” Soriano said. “I believe in my catcher, and we’re on the same page. I think that’s a big part of the results we’re having.”

Despite earning American League Player of the Week honors for consecutive 10-strikeout performances totaling 15 innings in his previous two outings, Soriano faced more resistance from San Diego’s experienced lineup.

The Padres worked four walks and pushed Soriano to 99 pitches during the contest. San Diego loaded the bases in the third inning before Soriano induced a ground out from Jackson Merrill to escape trouble, but the visitors finally chased him from the game with a single and walk in the sixth inning with two outs.

“The thing that impressed was that to us, he had to grind a little bit tonight,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. “I think that’s the maturity showing up, where he’s learning how to pitch — and I say this lightly — without his best stuff. He learned how to navigate a great lineup over there without his best stuff … and it was pretty incredible. You can’t say enough.”

Soriano’s arsenal features a 99-mph fastball and an elite sinker, but he’s also incorporating a curveball that has completely baffled opposing hitters. This three-pitch combination has proven unstoppable through his first five starts.

“Knowing him from the past, you always thought of the high-90s sinker, and then he comes in breaking out the curveball,” Padres manager Craig Stammen said. “That pitch was very impressive from the dugout. Gave our guys trouble at the beginning. It’s really hard to lay off that pitch, and it complements his sinker. He did a great job tonight mixing his pitches. … He’s just a really good pitcher.”

ORLANDO, Fla. — When their season was on the line, the Orlando Magic discovered exactly what they needed to succeed: pure desperation.

That urgency proved to be the perfect recipe for success Friday evening, as Orlando delivered what may have been their most impressive showing of the entire campaign. The Magic dominated the Charlotte Hornets 121-90 in their Eastern Conference play-in matchup, securing their spot in the playoffs for a third consecutive year and earning a first-round series against top-seeded Detroit.

“When you play with a sense of desperation and urgency, when you know you’re either going home or extending your season, that’s what it looks like,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “There (are) no second chances.”

With this achievement, Mosley becomes the first Orlando coach to guide the franchise to three straight playoff berths since Stan Van Gundy accomplished the feat with five consecutive appearances. Van Gundy was present at Friday’s contest, working as an analyst for Amazon Prime Video.

“I’ve got to be honest. Charlotte is shrinking from the competition,” Van Gundy said on the broadcast, as the Magic were running away in the second quarter — building what became a 35-point lead shortly before halftime. “They look like they don’t want any part of this.”

Orlando’s aggressive, physical approach was precisely what they had hoped to achieve. The intimidating style of play delivered exactly the results they wanted.

“We’re going to need more of that in the playoffs,” Magic forward Franz Wagner said.

Added Magic forward Paolo Banchero: “We were just relentless with that tonight. … It was just a complete effort from the whole team.”

Charlotte coach Charles Lee, who has orchestrated a significant transformation during his first two seasons leading the Hornets, expressed hope that his squad will remember the valuable lessons from this defeat.

“I hope that this fuels us this offseason, because we’ve done a ton of really good things and gave ourselves an opportunity,” Lee said. “You’re one step away from being in the playoffs. I don’t want to discredit that. But this has got to hurt a little bit.”

The Magic battled through numerous injuries throughout the campaign, and a disappointing 2-8 record during a crucial 10-game stretch near the end of the regular season nearly derailed their postseason aspirations. However, Orlando has now captured six victories in their past eight contests, despite losing Wednesday’s initial play-in game at Philadelphia, setting up an underdog role against heavily favored Detroit.

“We did what we were supposed to do,” Mosley said. “There’s a reason we can be happy tonight. But at the end of the day, we still have more work to do.”

Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston has inked a record-setting four-year contract extension worth $6.3 million, ESPN reports, making it the most lucrative deal in WNBA history.

“I’m super blessed and grateful for this opportunity and to continue my journey here with the Fever. God is good!” Boston said. “I’m excited for the future ahead for both myself and for our team, and I can’t wait to keep building upon everything we have accomplished so far. Go Fever!”

The 6-foot-5 forward demonstrated team loyalty by accepting $1 million for the 2026 season, which is $190,000 below her maximum eligibility, allowing Indiana more salary cap flexibility to retain other roster members. Boston’s contract will represent 20% of the Fever’s salary cap annually until 2029.

“Entering just her fourth season, Aliyah is already one of the best players in the WNBA. She’s been a foundational piece of the Indiana Fever since she was drafted here in 2023,” Fever general manager Amber Cox said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to be able to reward her with this new contract and make history, and most importantly, lock her in as a cornerstone of the Fever for years to come.”

Since joining Indiana as the top draft selection in 2023, the three-time All-Star has posted career averages of 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists while maintaining a 54.7% shooting percentage. During the 2025 campaign, Boston recorded 15.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, earning sixth place in MVP voting and spots on both the All-WNBA and All-Defensive second teams. Indiana advanced to the semifinals before falling to Las Vegas, which captured its third championship in four seasons.

This major signing follows Indiana’s recent retention of another three-time All-Star, as the franchise signed Kelsey Mitchell to a one-year supermax contract valued at $1.4 million just one week earlier.

DENVER — Baseball and winter weather don’t usually mix, but that’s exactly what happened Friday when an unexpected April snowstorm dumped three inches of the white stuff on Coors Field just hours before the Los Angeles Dodgers faced off against the Colorado Rockies in their four-game series opener.

The unusual weather conditions didn’t dampen spirits for everyone. Dodgers pitcher Emmett Sheehan embraced the wintry scene, stepping onto the field wearing shorts roughly four hours before game time to build a snowman on the diamond.

Ground crews worked diligently to prepare the field for play, having wisely covered the infield with a protective tarp when the snow began falling. They deployed a plow to remove snow from the outfield grass, ensuring the game could proceed as scheduled.

The snowfall ended approximately three hours before the opening pitch, and by game time, conditions had improved dramatically. Temperatures reached 36 degrees under sunny skies, with only traces of snow remaining visible on the evergreen trees beyond the center field wall.

The dramatic weather shift was particularly striking given that Denver had enjoyed a pleasant 75-degree day just 24 hours earlier.

However, the weather challenges weren’t over for either team. The National Weather Service issued a freeze warning for the Denver metropolitan area, effective from 8 p.m. Friday through 8 a.m. Saturday, with overnight temperatures expected to plummet into the 18-to-24 degree range.

Weather forecasters predict a gradual warming trend for the remainder of the series, with Saturday’s high reaching 57 degrees, Sunday climbing to 74 degrees, and Monday’s series finale expecting temperatures around 79 degrees.

The Dodgers arrived in Colorado after completing a six-game homestand in Los Angeles, where they had enjoyed much milder conditions with Friday’s temperature reaching 73 degrees.

Just one month after contributing to Nebraska’s victory over Vanderbilt in March Madness, power forward Berke Buyuktuncel has announced his decision to join the Commodores for his final collegiate season.

The 6-foot-9, 245-pound player becomes Vanderbilt’s initial addition from the transfer portal, which opened its doors on April 7. Over his past two seasons with the Cornhuskers, Buyuktuncel posted averages of 6.3 points and 5.5 rebounds while making 61 starts.

Buyuktuncel left his mark during Nebraska’s 74-72 triumph over Vanderbilt on March 21, which secured the Cornhuskers their first Sweet 16 berth. The forward contributed 12 points while connecting on 5 of 6 field goal attempts, earning recognition from KenPom.com as the contest’s top offensive performer with a 177 Offensive Rating.

Nebraska now faces the departure of its fourth starter from the 28-7 team that secured a No. 4 tournament seed. Buyuktuncel’s exit follows the graduation of seniors Rienk Mast, Sam Hoiberg, and Jamarques Lawrence. For Vanderbilt, the acquisition brings a versatile big man capable of floor spacing, rim protection, and ball distribution.

During his most recent campaign, the left-handed forward recorded 6.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.0 block across 24.3 minutes per contest. His three-point shooting remained a concern at 24.1%, continuing a downward trend from his 29.7% mark as a UCLA freshman and 27.7% as a Nebraska sophomore.

The Cornhuskers have responded by securing two transfer portal additions of their own. Redshirt junior Kadyn Betts joins the program after spending three seasons at Minnesota followed by a year at Montana, where he averaged 3.1 points in 6.6 minutes. The 6-foot-8 forward brings perimeter shooting ability, having connected on 12 of 31 three-point attempts (38.7%) despite limited playing time.

Nebraska has also reportedly landed Utah Valley junior Trevan Leonhardt, a 6-foot-4 guard who earned first-team all-WAC recognition. Leonhardt averaged 11.9 points, 6.0 assists, and 5.4 rebounds last season, providing the Huskers with additional versatility in the backcourt.

The long-awaited playoff clash between Central Division foes Dallas and Minnesota is finally here, with both clubs having anticipated this first-round matchup for several months now.

These division rivals already provided a preview of what’s to come during a hard-hitting encounter just over a week ago at the same venue where Game 1 will unfold Saturday night.

“I think it’s exactly what it was,” Stars forward Mikko Rantanen commented Friday.

The Stars emerged victorious 5-4 in that April 9 contest, which featured an astounding 12 roughing infractions split evenly between both squads. The regular season series concluded with each team capturing two victories while both clubs tallied 13 goals overall.

“They got the best of us for sure, but it was a great hockey game for the end of a regular season,” Minnesota forward Matt Boldy reflected.

The two franchises that occupied second and third positions in the Central Division standings for most of the campaign, trailing Presidents’ Trophy champion Colorado, will now engage in a best-of-seven battle beginning Saturday in Dallas.

Minnesota squandered an opportunity that evening to draw even with Dallas in the standings. The Stars essentially secured home-ice advantage with that victory, which kicked off a five-game winning streak to close out the regular season.

“We learned some lessons last time we played them,” Wild forward Marcus Foligno explained. “We know that they’re a really, really good team, and so are we. They have some lethal weapons. We’re just more educated, more experienced going into this series than we were before. We always like our chances. We’re positive.”

For the first time in their respective histories, both organizations boast a pair of 40-goal scorers in the same campaign. Kirill Kaprizov netted 45 goals while Boldy contributed 42 for Minnesota. Dallas countered with Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston, the 22-year-old center already participating in his fourth postseason, each finding the net 45 times.

“That’s a legit number,” Stars veteran forward Matt Duchene acknowledged.

Dallas defenseman Miro Heiskanen returned to practice Friday for the first time since suffering a lower-body injury when Ryan Hartman sent him crashing into the boards during their previous meeting with Minnesota.

Stars coach Glen Gulutzan reported that Heiskanen, who missed the beginning of last year’s playoffs, completed practice without complications and felt strong.

“I would think that as long as everything goes good, he should be in,” Gulutzan stated. “He means everything on both sides of the puck for us. Power play, penalty kill, he touches all parts of the game.”

Stars top-line center Roope Hintz, sidelined since March 6, will be absent for the playoff opener following a setback in his recovery from a lower-body ailment.

Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes, battling an illness since his last appearance Saturday, made his own travel arrangements to Dallas Friday after missing the team’s Thursday departure.

“With the illness, I think more rest for him and just not having him on the plane,” coach John Hynes explained. “The expectation is for him to play.”

Jake Oettinger enters his 11th playoff series as Dallas’s starting netminder, marking his second appearance against Minnesota — particularly meaningful for the Minnesota native who grew up roughly 30 miles from their home arena. His inaugural playoff series victory came in six games against the Wild during the 2023 first round.

Minnesota has chosen rookie Jesper Wallstedt over playoff-veteran Filip Gustavsson, though Hynes stressed this decision applies only to Game 1 rather than the entire series.

“His overall body work has been really solid. He’s played really well coming down the stretch,” Hynes said regarding the 23-year-old rookie. “We’re confident in both guys.”

Gustavsson made his playoff debut three seasons ago with an outstanding 51-save performance in a double-overtime triumph over Dallas during Game 1. Wallstedt appeared in 33 games during his NHL rookie season, posting the league’s second-best .916 save percentage while establishing franchise rookie marks with 18 victories and four shutouts.

While Dallas will concentrate heavily on neutralizing Kaprizov and Boldy, Minnesota possesses a reliable scorer on their third line with extensive playoff experience in Vladimir Tarasenko. The former St. Louis standout, who has captured the Stanley Cup twice during his 14-year career, has recorded 49 goals across 121 career playoff contests. Tarasenko contributed 23 goals and 24 assists in his debut season with Minnesota.

“He’s a big-game player,” Hynes noted. “I think that leadership and the way he plays is certainly a playoff-style of game.”

Dallas has won both previous postseason matchups against Minnesota in six games, occurring in 2016 and 2023. The Stars franchise previously operated as the Minnesota North Stars before relocating south in 1993. Minnesota’s 12 playoff appearances over 14 years represent the most in the NHL during that timeframe, though they’ve dropped nine consecutive series since defeating St. Louis in the 2015 first round. Dallas is making its fifth straight postseason appearance, with the last three campaigns ending in the Western Conference final. Gulutzan, who participated in 83 playoff games as an Edmonton assistant including Stanley Cup Final trips the past two seasons, seeks his first postseason victory as a head coach after Calgary was swept by Anaheim in 2017.

Fighting Illini basketball received a major boost Friday when star guard Andrej Stojakovic confirmed he will remain with the program for the 2026-27 campaign.

The announcement came via Stojakovic’s Instagram account with a playful post that began with the question “Did I make you nervous?” The accompanying video showed him dramatically lowering a newspaper, then his sunglasses, before declaring “I’m back.”

Stojakovic’s decision to stay represents a significant victory for Illinois, which made an impressive run to the Final Four before falling to UConn. The Fighting Illini compiled a 28-9 record this past season and are expected to enter next year’s preseason rankings among the nation’s top five programs, though final positioning will depend on transfer portal activity and NBA draft decisions across college basketball.

The 6-foot-7 player contributed 13.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game across 34 contests this season, despite missing some action due to an ankle injury that sidelined him temporarily.

This marked Stojakovic’s inaugural campaign with Illinois following previous stops at Stanford during the 2023-24 season and Cal in 2024-25. During his time with the Golden Bears, he posted impressive numbers with 17.9 points per game before making the decision to transfer once again.

Throughout his collegiate career spanning 95 games with 59 starts, Stojakovic has maintained averages of 12.9 points and 4.2 rebounds. His shooting statistics include 95 successful three-point attempts, while also recording 53 blocked shots and 49 steals on the defensive end.

STUTTGART, Germany – Major upsets dominated Friday’s quarterfinal action at the Stuttgart Open, as tennis superstars Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff both saw their tournament runs come to an unexpected end, while Elena Rybakina advanced after surviving a marathon three-set match against Leylah Fernandez to earn a semifinal spot opposite Mirra Andreeva.

The clay court season began poorly for Gauff, the French Open titleholder, who fell to Karolina Muchova in a 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 defeat. The third-ranked player in the world had previously dominated Muchova in all six of their encounters on hard court surfaces, but struggled with 13 forehand unforced errors while dropping her first-ever set to the Czech competitor.

Despite rallying to capture the second set, the two-time Grand Slam champion from America couldn’t maintain momentum in the decisive third set. Muchova executed perfectly when it mattered most, successfully defending against five break point opportunities while securing the lone break of the set for a crucial 4-2 advantage.

“It’s always very tough against her. She’s a tough player… I think the third set was a battle. It was very physical, as well, and I’m glad I managed the first break and then I was able to keep it going,” the 12th-ranked Muchova explained to media members.

Muchova’s semifinal opponent will be Elina Svitolina, who defeated Linda Noskova with scores of 7-6(2), 7-5 as the tournament’s fourth seed.

In another stunning result, 18-year-old Russian player Mirra Andreeva dominated Swiatek 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in their inaugural clay court matchup. Andreeva secured an early service break in the opening game, though the fourth-ranked Swiatek responded with two breaks of her own to claim the first set.

After falling behind 2-0 in the second set, Swiatek mounted a comeback to even the score at 4-4, but Andreeva maintained her composure to push the match to a third set.

“I think my baseline game was fine, and I see a progress there comparing to the last tournaments. But for sure, overall, it wasn’t enough,” Poland’s Swiatek reflected.

The second-ranked Rybakina, who won the Australian Open, endured a challenging battle against Canada’s Fernandez before prevailing 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(6) to secure her semifinal berth against ninth-ranked Andreeva.

“I was pretty negative from the beginning of the match, nothing was working, so I was just trying to play point at a time,” the 26-year-old Rybakina commented.

Two of basketball’s greatest players will renew their playoff rivalry this weekend as the Houston Rockets travel to face the Los Angeles Lakers in what could be the final postseason meeting between LeBron James and Kevin Durant.

Their playoff history dates back to 2012, when James’s Miami Heat defeated Durant’s Oklahoma City Thunder for James’s first NBA title. Durant got his revenge in 2017 and 2018, leading Golden State to victories over James’s Cleveland Cavaliers and capturing two championships in the process.

Now, more than a decade later, the 41-year-old James—who holds the record as the league’s all-time leading scorer—will square off against the 37-year-old Durant, who ranks fifth in NBA scoring history. Game 1 tips off Saturday night in Los Angeles.

“It’s prime time,” Houston coach Ime Udoka explained. “Two of the best, and still doing it at this stage in their careers. And they have had some battles in the playoffs, but not a ton being in the East and the West a lot. So that part alone has a lot of storylines, a lot of history. I’m sure this will add to their chapters.”

While this may represent their final spring encounter—and possibly James’s last playoff run—both veterans are focusing on the present challenge rather than dwelling on past battles.

“It’s always great playing against great players,” Durant commented. “You feel their presence on the floor, even if you’re not matched up with them. But it’s just like all basketball players know, it’s much more than just one player. You need a whole group of guys to go out there and win … but yeah, the matchup is definitely fun. Two great players who’ve been in the league for a long time. But everybody who’s involved in this series knows it’s much deeper than that.”

Their previous playoff encounters highlight how crucial supporting talent is, even for elite players. James’s Miami squad overwhelmed a young Thunder team that featured Durant alongside James Harden and Russell Westbrook. Later, Golden State assembled one of the most talented rosters in recent memory when Durant joined Stephen Curry’s squad, proving too powerful even for James, who subsequently moved to Los Angeles after his Cavaliers fell to the Warriors for the third time in four seasons.

The significance of depth explains why fifth-seeded Houston enters as the clear favorite in this series.

Los Angeles suffered devastating blows two weeks ago when NBA scoring leader Luka Doncic and productive guard Austin Reaves sustained injuries that will sideline them indefinitely.

While James once again attempts to elevate an undermanned roster beyond its natural capabilities, the industrious Rockets remain healthy around Durant, who hopes to make his first Houston postseason run memorable.

“Obviously, we know that’s the head of the snake,” James said regarding Durant. “But it’s the Houston Rockets, and they have some damn good players on their team. It’s not just a KD team. It’s the whole group. Like I said, KD is gonna do what KD does. He’s a Hall of Famer. We know that. So we have to prepare not only for him, but for the whole group.”

The Lakers haven’t provided a public timeline for their top scorers’ return, if they return at all. Doncic’s Grade 2 hamstring strain and Reaves’s Grade 2 oblique strain typically require several weeks of recovery. Though the first-round schedule includes extra rest days, that offers no guarantees.

“We’re going try to make this season as long as possible so that we can get those guys back at some point,” Lakers coach JJ Redick stated. “We don’t know what that is, but that’s just our job. And their job is to do everything they can to be in a position to come back at some point. It may not work, but that’s what we’re trying to do.”

The determined Houston squad would present challenges even if Los Angeles were at full strength, but the Rockets understand they’re facing a capable opponent motivated by widespread doubts about their ability to compete while short-handed.

Los Angeles secured home-court advantage by winning 53 games, including a pair of victories in Houston last month.

“Even though they got injuries, we’re not looking at this team like they’re not a good team,” Durant noted. “We have to show the proper respect to them as NBA players and then into the game as well. We’ve got to come out and respect these guys, because they can have that impact if we let them.”

Udoka remained secretive this week about who will start alongside Durant, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and Amen Thompson. Throughout the season’s final stretch, Udoka rotated between Tari Eason, Josh Okogie, and Reed Sheppard based on matchups. Okogie could earn the nod for his defensive capabilities, though his 4.5 points per game make him less attractive offensively than Sheppard (13.5 points) or Eason (10.5).

Redick has emphasized Houston’s historic rebounding dominance since practice began this week, implementing basic rebounding and boxing-out exercises that reminded his players of middle school fundamentals.

“Taking care of the basketball and boxing out. That’s the series,” Redick emphasized. “Scheme, personnel, obviously important. But if we don’t take care of the basketball and we don’t box out, we’re not going to win the series.”

Houston topped the league in total rebounds (48.1 per game) and offensive rebounds (15.0 per game). That dominance fueled much of the Rockets’ offensive production, while Los Angeles relied heavily on Doncic’s exceptional play for a significant portion of their scoring.

Houston Astros closer Josh Hader was transferred to the 60-day injured list on Friday as he continues dealing with a biceps injury that has kept the left-handed pitcher out of action.

The roster move allowed Houston to create space on their 40-man roster to bring up right-handed pitcher Peter Lambert, whose contract was purchased from the minors. Meanwhile, the team sent reliever Christian Roa down to their Triple-A affiliate in Sugar Land.

The 32-year-old Hader earned All-Star honors last season after posting a 6-2 record with a 2.05 earned run average and recording 28 saves across 48 relief outings. Throughout his nine-year major league career with Milwaukee (2017-22), San Diego (2022-23), and Houston, the six-time All-Star has compiled a 34-31 record with a 2.64 ERA and 227 career saves.

Lambert, who celebrates his 29th birthday on Saturday, was scheduled to make his first appearance in an Astros uniform as a starter against St. Louis on Friday. Since entering the majors in 2019, all with Colorado, Lambert has appeared in 74 games (including 35 starts) and holds an 8-19 record with a 6.28 ERA.

The 27-year-old Roa had struggled in his seven relief appearances for Houston this season, posting a 5.19 ERA before being demoted.

A massive payday has made Houston Texans star Will Anderson Jr. the most expensive non-quarterback player in National Football League history, according to sources familiar with the contract negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on Friday.

Anderson’s new three-year deal is worth $150 million, with anonymous sources confirming the agreement that has not yet received official announcement from the team.

The contract guarantees Anderson $134 million over its duration.

At $50 million annually, Anderson’s new salary eclipses the previous record held by defensive end Micah Parsons, who earns $46.5 million per year under a four-year contract he signed with Green Bay following his trade from Dallas in the previous year.

During the most recent season, Anderson appeared in every game for Houston and recorded career-best numbers with 12 quarterback sacks and 20 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, helping anchor one of the league’s premier defensive units.

Houston moved up in the 2023 draft to select Anderson third overall, choosing the former Alabama star immediately after taking quarterback C.J. Stroud with the second pick.

Throughout his three-year tenure with Houston, Anderson has accumulated impressive statistics including 30 total sacks and 136 tackles, with 46 of those stops coming behind the line of scrimmage. His career numbers also feature 64 hits on opposing quarterbacks, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.

With Houston having already picked up Anderson’s fifth-year option earlier this month, the new extension will secure his services through the 2030 campaign.

Arizona Cardinals signal-caller Jacoby Brissett is pursuing a new deal that would compensate him at starting quarterback levels.

According to NFL Network’s Friday report, Brissett has chosen to skip the team’s voluntary offseason training sessions while he works to resolve his contract situation.

The 33-year-old quarterback currently has just $1.5 million in guaranteed money remaining on his one-year deal and appears set to take over as the Cardinals’ primary starter following the team’s decision to part ways with Kyler Murray on March 3. Murray, who was previously selected first overall in the draft, inked a one-year agreement with the Minnesota Vikings on March 12.

Beyond Brissett, Arizona’s quarterback depth chart includes Gardner Minshew II and Kedon Slovis. The organization is anticipated to select another quarterback in the upcoming NFL draft.

During the previous campaign, the veteran quarterback filled in admirably for Murray, completing passes for 3,366 yards while recording 23 touchdown throws against eight interceptions across 14 appearances, including 12 as a starter.

Despite Brissett’s solid performance, the Cardinals struggled to a 3-14 record in the competitive NFC West during 2025 and dismissed head coach Jonathan Gannon on January 5 following his three-year tenure.

The former Super Bowl winner with New England has accumulated 14,766 passing yards throughout his career, along with 76 touchdown passes and 32 interceptions while playing for the Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Washington Commanders and Cardinals.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Cade Horton underwent Tommy John surgery Thursday and faces an extended rehabilitation period of 15 to 16 months, according to the team’s Friday announcement.

The 24-year-old right-hander won’t be expected back on the mound until July or August 2027, a lengthier recovery period than typical because this marks his second elbow ligament reconstruction surgery. Horton previously had the same UCL repair procedure performed during his college career in 2021.

The Cubs placed Horton on the 15-day injured list April 5, just two days following his abbreviated appearance against Cleveland. He departed that road game after throwing only 17 pitches across one-plus innings.

Through his two starts this season, Horton posted a 1-0 record with a 2.45 earned run average.

Chicago selected Horton as their first-round draft choice in 2022, taking him seventh overall. Last season, he compiled an 11-4 record with a 2.67 ERA across 23 appearances, including 22 starts, and earned runner-up honors in National League Rookie of the Year balloting.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza appears destined to hear his name called first when the NFL Draft begins next Thursday, giving him the opportunity to develop under veteran Kirk Cousins before taking over as the franchise signal-caller.

The Heisman Trophy recipient, who guided Indiana to its inaugural national title, stands as the clear consensus choice for the opening selection. Rather than attending the draft ceremony in Pittsburgh, Mendoza has opted to mark the milestone moment surrounded by loved ones in Miami.

While the top selection seems settled, genuine uncertainty begins with the second overall choice. The New York Jets were widely anticipated to select Ohio State pass rusher Arvell Reese, but Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey has generated significant buzz in recent weeks.

The Associated Press has released its third mock draft projection ahead of Thursday’s selections:

Mendoza brings exceptional accuracy as a pocket quarterback, combining ideal physical dimensions with composure and leadership qualities. Las Vegas has assembled offensive weapons including Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty while investing over $250 million in free agency additions. Cousins provides veteran guidance in the quarterback room, while part-owner Tom Brady offers championship expertise. The Raiders haven’t captured a playoff victory since their Super Bowl appearance following the 2002 campaign and have qualified for postseason play just twice since then. Mendoza represents their hope for a cornerstone quarterback.

The projection maintains Reese as the Jets’ selection. His exceptional athleticism was showcased by a 4.47-second 40-yard dash time, and his versatility playing both linebacker and edge positions demonstrates his rare talent. Reese possesses the ability to become an elite pass rusher with immediate impact potential for New York.

Bailey represents another supremely athletic edge defender with tremendous upside potential. Arizona could explore trading down to accumulate additional draft capital or focus on offensive line improvements. Bailey would pair with Josh Sweat to create a formidable pass-rushing tandem.

Tennessee has been active in free agency, overhauling their secondary and adding defensive depth while bringing in wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson as another target for Cam Ward. They face a difficult decision between Love and providing new head coach Robert Saleh with a defensive star like edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. or linebacker Sonny Styles. If general manager Mike Borgonzi follows best available talent, Love emerges as the choice.

Styles’ outstanding combine showing has elevated him into numerous top-five projections. While protecting Jaxson Dart remains a priority for New York, making them candidates for the draft’s premier offensive lineman, Styles represents an exceptionally talented defensive prospect.

Tate excels as a reliable route runner with sure hands and sufficient speed to become a premier playmaker. Cleveland added three veteran offensive linemen but could still target tackle help. Tate provides them with a number one receiver option that’s difficult to overlook.

Delane stands as the draft’s top coverage cornerback. His addition would significantly strengthen a defense lacking depth in the secondary.

Bain offers versatility as a pass rusher capable of lining up outside or inside against guards, creating favorable matchups. He would become a valuable asset for New Orleans.

Mauigoa brings three years of starting experience at right tackle and would replace Jawaan Taylor while enhancing Patrick Mahomes’ protection. Adding a playmaking receiver or edge rusher also remains possible, but Mauigoa represents strong value at this position.

Downs is an elite, multi-faceted playmaker who would bolster a struggling defense that has limited Cincinnati in recent seasons. Downs possesses top-five talent but slides due to positional value considerations.

Following trades involving Jaylen Waddle and the release of Tyreek Hill, Miami must provide Malik Willis with a top receiving target. Lemon is an elite playmaker who creates difficult matchup problems for defenses from the slot position.

Mesidor is an older prospect at 25 but demonstrates clear talent on film. He generates outside pressure while remaining solid against the run, addressing priorities Jerry Jones emphasized after trading Micah Parsons.

An outstanding route runner with speed who makes catches in traffic. Los Angeles showed interest in high-profile receivers, so selecting Tyson would upgrade a dynamic group featuring All-Pro Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.

Ioane addresses a significant need for Baltimore along their interior offensive line while fitting their run-blocking system perfectly.

Scouts praise Faulk’s leadership qualities alongside his obvious talent. Tampa Bay needs an impact pass rusher, and Faulk fits general manager Jason Licht’s character standards. Trading down for additional selections also remains possible.

Boston combines strength, speed, and elite ball skills. His frame at 6-foot-4, 212 pounds matches receivers that new offensive coordinator Frank Reich has utilized in his system. The Jets could trade down while still landing Boston or Omar Cooper Jr. and accumulating more picks.

Proctor began starting at left tackle as a freshman and surrendered only two sacks across three seasons. His impressive size at 6-foot-7, 352 pounds comes with considerable athleticism. Proctor even contributed five rushing attempts for 16 yards.

Thieneman impressed at the combine with a 4.36-second 40-yard dash that exceeded some of the NFL’s top receivers. As a three-year starter, he would immediately contribute to Brian Flores’ defense.

Carolina improved their defense through free agency by acquiring edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd. If Sadiq remains available, they would land the draft’s best tight end, providing Bryce Young with a potential primary target.

McCoy is a reliable cornerback with exceptional ball skills frequently projected to Dallas at the 12th selection. The Cowboys would acquire a defensive back capable of anchoring their secondary.

Freeling possesses elite athleticism and is considered a potential top-10 selection. He requires additional experience after starting just one season on the right side. Freeling has the athletic ability to adjust to a new position.

Woods is a powerful, versatile defensive lineman who embodies the type of player coach Jim Harbaugh wants on defense.

Miller started 54 collegiate games and can contribute immediately if Philadelphia needs him. He provides an eventual replacement for right tackle Lane Johnson.

Parker’s production declined after strong 2024 numbers, but he’s a strong, powerful edge defender with flourishing potential. His selection would make three consecutive Clemson players in this projection.

Chicago lost several secondary starters, making a defensive back addition possible, but a strong pass rusher also provides significant help. Young is a disruptive force who brings energy and leadership.

Despite acquiring D.J. Moore, another playmaking receiver remains an option. Edge rusher also ranks as a priority, and Howell has demonstrated his ability to reach quarterbacks and finish plays.

Concepcion is a speedy, elusive receiver who would give Brock Purdy and San Francisco another top target and offensive playmaker. Despite signing Mike Evans in free agency, the 49ers cannot pass up a confident player who has already declared himself the draft’s best receiver.

McDonald represents another Buckeyes player entering the first round. He’s a natural run defender who will occupy the middle of the defensive line.

After providing Mahomes with a blocker at the ninth pick, Kansas City adds a potential top target late in the round. Cooper is a versatile playmaker known for generating yards after catches.

Terrell is an athletic cornerback projected higher in the draft. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is possible if still available, but Miami signed Malik Willis.

Iheanachor is an athletic former basketball player with ideal size who needs development time but projects as a potential immediate starter.

Price replaces the departed Super Bowl MVP and provides Seattle with a natural runner in the backfield. With Kenneth Walker III gone and Zach Charbonnet recovering from knee injury, Price fills a need. Seattle could trade out of the first round, add more picks, and potentially acquire Price early in the second round.

A source familiar with ongoing discussions confirmed to The Associated Press that the family of deceased San Diego Padres owner Peter Seidler is approaching completion of the team’s sale.

The individual requested anonymity due to the organization’s decision not to publicly discuss the transaction process.

According to initial reporting by The Wall Street Journal, the pending agreement involves private equity magnate Jose E. Feliciano and his spouse, Kwanza Jones. The franchise is anticipated to fetch $3.9 billion, establishing a new benchmark for Major League Baseball team valuations and significantly exceeding the roughly $2.4 billion Steven Cohen spent acquiring the New York Mets in 2020.

Feliciano, age 53, serves as co-founder and managing partner of Santa Monica, California-based Clearlake Capital, a private equity company. His firm participated in the investment consortium that acquired Premier League soccer club Chelsea in 2022, with Los Angeles Dodgers minority stakeholder Todd Boehly assuming the role of Blues chairman.

The Seidler family initiated discussions about divesting the Padres this past November, marking two years since beloved owner Peter Seidler’s passing. His sibling, John Seidler, has occupied the chairman position during the interim period.

Peter Seidler joined an ownership group that acquired the Padres in 2012, eventually becoming the franchise’s controlling owner in 2020. He captivated San Diego baseball enthusiasts through his willingness to invest heavily in pursuit of the organization’s inaugural World Series championship, while general manager A.J. Preller assembled competitive rosters that secured playoff berths in four of the previous six campaigns — an unprecedented achievement in franchise history.

The substantial asking price for the Padres stems from their status as San Diego’s sole representative among North America’s four premier professional sports leagues, cultivating devoted supporters who pack the scenic downtown Petco Park facility. The organization has established new attendance benchmarks during each of the last three seasons, culminating in last year’s remarkable total of 3,437,201 spectators — ranking second nationally behind only the Dodgers, who benefit from their considerably larger venue in Chavez Ravine.

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Feliciano pursued his education at Princeton and Stanford universities before establishing Clearlake Capital two decades ago.

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — As evening approaches, Bridgeport High School sophomore Becky Pepper-Jackson steps into the throwing circle, blocks out surrounding noise, and launches her discus into the fading daylight.

Her approach remains straightforward. Whether she’s working to surpass her third-place showing from West Virginia’s state track championship last year or dismissing critics who oppose transgender girls participating in female athletics, the student-athlete simply wants to spend time with her teammates.

She pushes aside everything else that could distract her. Right now, that includes avoiding thoughts about the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court decision expected this summer in a landmark case where she plays a central role regarding transgender girls’ participation in sports.

“I’m not here to get an advantage,” Pepper-Jackson said. “I’ve been like pushed down and have people that just look at me nasty my whole life. And I’ve learned that that’s just something I’m going to have to deal with.”

Pepper-Jackson made headlines in 2021 when she legally contested West Virginia’s recently enacted legislation prohibiting transgender students from participating in female athletics across middle schools, high schools, and universities. The nation’s highest court permitted her continued participation in middle school competition in 2023 as legal proceedings moved forward.

She has since advanced to high school, and her case approaches its conclusion. During January proceedings, the Supreme Court’s conservative members, who have consistently decided against transgender rights in recent rulings, indicated they would likely determine that state prohibitions don’t breach constitutional protections or Title IX, the federal statute preventing sex-based educational discrimination.

The court also considered arguments in a related Idaho case, where Lindsay Hecox challenged her state’s pioneering ban while seeking opportunities to try out for Boise State University’s women’s track and cross-country programs. She ultimately didn’t qualify for either team.

Throughout West Virginia, Pepper-Jackson remains the sole transgender individual who has requested to participate in girls’ athletics. Should the court validate state prohibitions, her ongoing track season would mark her final competition. She avoids dwelling on this possibility.

“I can’t make their decisions for them, so I just have to wait and see what they’ll say,” she said. “I try not to look at it if this could be my last season.”

West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey expressed confidence in his state’s position.

“West Virginia’s law does not exclude anyone; it simply says biological boys will compete against boys, and biological girls will compete against girls,” McCuskey said in a statement. “On the athletic field, biological sex matters — gender identity does not.”

Pepper-Jackson began living openly as a girl at age 8, though she expressed this identity much earlier within her family.

Her mother, Heather Jackson, recognized that Becky differed from her two older brothers.

“I noticed immediately that Becky was different,” Jackson said. “When she was old enough to say what she wanted, toys or clothing or anything, she was very profound in her opinion.”

Early signs included requesting and receiving a makeup set for Christmas at age 3. She also began using her mother’s shirts as makeshift dresses.

“She would be very opinionated on what she wanted to wear,” Jackson said. “I just followed her lead from the very beginning.”

When puberty began, Pepper-Jackson began taking hormone-blocking treatments.

“Becky did not undergo male puberty,” said Aubrey Sparks, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union’s West Virginia chapter. “And so when you hear, ‘Well, this is unfair. Trans kids have an advantage.’ That’s just not the case here.”

During sixth grade, Pepper-Jackson followed her girls’ track coach’s recommendation to transition from competitive distance events to field competitions. Last year as a freshman, she earned third place in discus and eighth in shot put at the state championship.

Opposition has consistently shadowed her career, including from Republican Governor Patrick Morrisey.

During 2024, five competitors from an opposing school declined to participate against Pepper-Jackson. These athletes later received enthusiastic applause at a Charleston press conference, where Morrisey, serving as attorney general at the time, declared the state’s intention to contest a federal appeals court decision supporting Pepper-Jackson.

At the 2025 state championship, a female sprinter celebrated her victory on the podium while wearing a shirt declaring, “Men don’t belong in women’s sports.”

This season has proceeded more peacefully. Pepper-Jackson has claimed first place in both discus and shot put during her initial two competitions and has supported teammates in their various events.

“There’s a lot of core lessons you learn from being in sports that you don’t get anywhere else, like teamwork, sportsmanship,” she said.

Beyond athletics, she intends to study music in college and eventually become a band director.

Pepper-Jackson has followed the achievements of other transgender girls who have succeeded in high school track nationwide.

AB Hernandez captured gold medals in girls’ high jump and triple jump at California’s state high school championship last year. Hernandez currently attends Jurupa Valley High School as a senior. Verónica Garcia claimed consecutive 400-meter championships in Washington state during 2024 and 2025, while Ada Gallagher won the 200-meter race at Oregon’s state meet in 2024.

“I think it’s very inspiring,” Pepper-Jackson said.

Hernandez’s achievements reignited demands from certain parent organizations and conservatives, including President Donald Trump, for California to prohibit transgender girls from competing against other female athletes. California maintains legislation allowing students to join sports teams matching their gender identity, regardless of birth-assigned sex.

When Hernandez earned qualification in three events last year, the resulting controversy prompted the meet’s organizing body to permit an additional girl to compete and earn medals in Hernandez’s events. This accommodation may represent the nation’s first such rule modification.

Pepper-Jackson’s strongest advocate remains her mother. Following a recent practice session, the two danced together, and Heather Jackson moved across the field to collect discuses after her daughter’s throws.

Jackson praised how her daughter has managed the attention and examination surrounding her case “with astounding grace and intelligence and education, which is more than I would have been able to do at that age.”

Pepper-Jackson mentioned that others have expressed admiration for her, though she struggles to understand why because “I don’t see the gravity of this court case. I think it’s just common knowledge: Transgender girls should be able to be on the girls’ sports team. I think that’s simple.”

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Boxing legend George Foreman has been laid to rest in an Iowa cemetery, far from his Texas roots, after a single visit to the area nearly four decades ago left a lasting impression on the champion.

The former heavyweight titleholder passed away on March 21, 2025, at 76 years old in Houston. A month following his death, he was interred at Logan Park Cemetery in Sioux City, Iowa, according to city representatives. On Thursday, Foreman’s relatives gathered at the gravesite alongside Sioux City Mayor Bob Scott for a press conference, unveiling the burial location marked by an impressive monument featuring his image as a young Olympic gold medalist.

According to a statement from city officials, Foreman’s family shared that he had traveled to the Iowa community in 1988 and frequently remembered the tranquility he felt during that stay.

When the family arrived on April 17 of last year to inter Foreman, they said they quickly grasped why the area had such an impact on him.

“Our father lived a life of purpose, faith and gratitude,” the family said in a statement released by Sioux City officials. “To see him laid to rest in a place that brought him peace means everything to us.”

Scott stood with family members beside Foreman’s memorial, located several miles north of the Missouri River in the upper Midwest community of approximately 87,000 residents. The burial ground provides views of the striking Loess Hills, formed by wind-carried sediment deposits rising as high as 200 feet and extending along the Iowa riverfront for 200 miles.

“Their story is a reminder of how one place can stay with someone for a lifetime,” Scott said.

Born in Texas, Foreman gained national attention after earning a spot on the 1968 U.S. Olympic boxing squad and capturing gold in Mexico City. He claimed the world heavyweight title in 1973 by beating Joe Frazier, but lost the belt the following year to Muhammad Ali in the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle.”

Two decades later in 1994, Foreman made history by becoming the oldest heavyweight champion at age 45, stunning Michael Moorer in a remarkable comeback victory.

Foreman hung up his gloves in 1997 with a professional record of 76 wins and 5 losses.

Following his boxing career, he transitioned into business ventures, endorsements and occasional acting roles, gaining recognition among younger audiences through the George Foreman Grill. The compact cooking device generated sales exceeding 100 million units and earned him greater financial success than his fighting career.

A film chronicling Foreman’s life story premiered in 2023.

After sitting out last year’s playoffs due to injury, NBA veteran Kevin Durant is making his postseason comeback with the Houston Rockets as they prepare to take on the Los Angeles Lakers in their opening playoff series Saturday evening.

“I’m grateful to be here healthy with a team that’s looking forward to trying to do some big things,” Durant expressed. “(What) a difference a year can make and I’m just grateful to be back in this position. I don’t want to take any moment for granted.”

Following a major summer trade that brought him from Phoenix to Houston, the seasoned forward is guiding a youthful Rockets squad into playoff territory for their initial matchup against Los Angeles.

Last season proved challenging for the 37-year-old athlete, who sat out the final seven regular season contests due to an ankle problem while Phoenix struggled to a 1-6 record, ultimately missing playoff qualification.

This year tells a different story, as Durant ranked second league-wide in playing time with 2,840 minutes despite entering his 19th NBA campaign.

His enthusiasm for extended postseason play remains evident.

“When you get on the court and you get a chance to be healthy you want go out there and take advantage of that opportunity,” Durant explained. “So, I’m looking forward to it.”

Durant paced Houston’s scoring this season with a 26-point average, establishing himself as the NBA’s oldest player ever to reach the 2,000-point milestone in a single season.

Head coach Ime Udoka praised Durant’s contributions since joining the team, emphasizing his consistent presence on the court.

“Just the availability on a night-to-night basis,” Udoka noted. “Being able to play this many games at this stage in his career and the efficiency that he does it with … just the fact that he’s durable and available with the injuries in his past, is very impressive.”

Houston seeks its first championship since capturing consecutive titles in 1994 and 1995. The franchise returns to playoff action for the second consecutive year after Golden State eliminated them in round one last season, marking their first postseason since 2020.

Durant brings an impressive resume as the league’s fifth all-time leading scorer, two-time champion, 16-time All-Star, and four-time Olympic gold winner. His championship experience provides valuable leadership for a starting unit where his four teammates have combined for just one previous playoff appearance each.

When asked about his motivation for pursuing another championship, Durant emphasized daily focus.

“Winning every day is the most important thing,” he stated. “Obviously the main objective is to win a title, but you can’t do that unless you take care of each day first.”

Young teammates have embraced Durant’s guidance throughout the season. Twenty-three-year-old Amen Thompson described modeling his approach after the veteran’s work ethic and physical preparation.

“He’s great and I want to be great,” Thompson shared. “We’ve got a lot of young guys that want to be great, so just having that as something to look at every day and just being teammates with him is good.”

Durant’s positive influence extends beyond physical preparation. Fellow 23-year-old Alperen Sengun credited the veteran with improving his mental approach to offensive struggles.

“I used to care a lot when I used to miss shots,” Sengun revealed. “But when I miss shots now, he’s already screaming in my ear: ‘It’s gonna come.’ So, he’s helped with a lot of things, but the big thing is confidence, especially confidence.”

Despite his mentoring role throughout the regular season, Durant plans to let experience be the teacher as playoffs begin.

“Nope,” he responded when asked about sharing playoff wisdom. “Just jump in the fire and let’s see what happens, man. We can all get advice and words of encouragement from everybody in our lives and it’s not going to be like actually being in that action.”

Durant expresses confidence in Houston’s readiness after finishing the regular season with nine victories in their final ten contests.

“It’s the biggest stage of basketball and there’s a lot that comes around the game, but at the end of the day, when that ball’s tipped up, it’s just basketball,” he concluded. “So, we all know how to play at this level, and we all know what it takes to win basketball games. We’ve just got to do that consistently.”

The New York Liberty have locked up their championship trio for the future, announcing Friday that Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones have all inked deals to remain with the franchise through the 2026 season.

The organization did not reveal the financial details of the contract extensions.

“This is an incredibly historic moment for the New York Liberty franchise,” Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb said. “Re-signing Breanna, Jonquel and Sabrina reflects the trust, sacrifice and shared purpose that define what it means to represent the Liberty, this city and our fanbase. The three cornerstone players chose to invest in each other and the long-term legacy of this organization, a rare commitment that has the chance to redefine that standard of excellence across basketball.”

Both Stewart and Ionescu had previously indicated this month their intentions to return to New York, removing uncertainty about their status as free agents.

The 31-year-old Stewart, a forward, is preparing for her fourth campaign with the Liberty and her tenth year in the WNBA overall. She has claimed MVP honors twice – first with the Seattle Storm in 2018 and again with New York in 2023.

During the previous season, Stewart posted averages of 18.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists across 31 contests while earning her seventh All-Star selection.

The veteran has captured three WNBA championships — two with Seattle in 2018 and 2020, plus last year’s title with New York — and holds career numbers of 20.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists over 292 games, all as a starter.

Ionescu, 28, is set to begin her seventh professional season after spending her entire WNBA career in New York. Selected first overall in the 2020 draft, she has earned four All-Star nods.

The former Oregon standout contributed 18.2 points, 5.7 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game over 38 appearances last season.

Throughout her professional career, Ionescu has compiled averages of 16.7 points, 5.9 assists and 5.5 rebounds in 181 contests (177 as a starter) and captured one WNBA championship in 2024.

Jones, 32, contributed 13.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per contest across 31 starts last season. The 2021 WNBA MVP has career averages of 13.4 points and 8.4 rebounds over 306 games (259 starts) split between the Connecticut Sun and Liberty.

NEWARK, N.J. — Soccer enthusiasts planning to attend World Cup matches this spring will face sticker shock beyond just ticket prices when traveling to certain U.S. venues.

Transportation authorities announced Friday that soccer fans traveling from New York City to MetLife Stadium will pay $150 for round-trip train service during each match.

The steep price represents nearly a twelve-fold increase from the standard $12.90 cost for the approximately 15-minute journey covering 9 miles from Penn Station in Manhattan to the East Rutherford, New Jersey venue. With stadium parking unavailable to most attendees, New Jersey authorities project roughly 40,000 spectators will rely on public transportation for each game.

MetLife Stadium, which serves as home field for both the New York Giants and New York Jets, will welcome eight World Cup contests, culminating with the championship match on July 19. Tournament group play featuring soccer giants Brazil, France, Germany and England, plus additional countries, kicks off June 13.

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill defended the price hike as essential to prevent state commuters from being saddled with a “tab for years to come” as the World Cup returns to American soil for the first time since 1994.

NJ Transit leadership revealed that fan transportation throughout the tournament will require $62 million, with external funding covering just $14 million of projected costs.

“This isn’t price gouging,” declared NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri during Friday’s press briefing. “We’re literally trying to recoup our costs.”

Boston-area World Cup attendees will also encounter elevated transportation expenses.

Express bus service from multiple pickup points to Gillette Stadium, home to the New England Patriots, will run $95, authorities revealed this week.

Additionally, thousands of supporters have already purchased $80 round-trip rail passes from Boston to the commuter station serving the stadium. This rate quadruples the typical $20 charge for round-trip service during game days and special occasions. Unlike MetLife’s proximity to downtown, Gillette sits in Foxborough, roughly 30 miles south of Boston.

Several other World Cup host locations, including Los Angeles and Philadelphia, have committed to maintaining standard transit pricing, highlighting that federal authorities allocated approximately $100 million in transportation grants to host communities for enhanced bus and rail operations.

Kansas City operates shuttle service from various city locations to Arrowhead Stadium for just $15 round-trip, plus complimentary airport-to-downtown bus service. Houston, hosting seven World Cup matches, expanded its bus and rail capacity for fans while maintaining existing rates: $1.25 for buses and light rail, with park-and-ride options between $2 and $4.50.

However, New Jersey’s governor, a Democrat who assumed office in January, stated her administration inherited arrangements where FIFA, soccer’s international governing organization, provided “$0 for transportation” while leaving the state’s financially struggling transit system “stuck with a $48 million bill.”

“FIFA should pay for the rides. But if they don’t — I’m not going to let New Jersey get taken for one,” Sherrill wrote in a Wednesday social media message.

FIFA rejected these claims, emphasizing that 2018 agreements with World Cup host cities required complimentary fan transportation to all matches. The organization also noted that previous major events at MetLife weren’t required to fund fan transit.

“We are quite surprised by the NJ Governor’s approach today on fan transportation,” FIFA stated Thursday as news of the fare increase spread. “FIFA worked for years with host cities on transportation and mobility plans, including advocating for millions of dollars in federal funding to support host cities for transportation.”

The dramatic MetLife fare increase also prompted criticism from New York Governor Kathy Hochul.

“Charging over $100 for a short train ride sounds awfully high to me,” the Democrat wrote on X earlier this week.

Sports publication The Athletic initially reported the surge pricing.

Alternative transportation to MetLife Stadium games carries similarly steep costs. Limited parking spaces at the adjacent American Dream Mall are being pre-sold for $225.

Baseball lost one of its most respected players Thursday when Garret Anderson, the Los Angeles Angels’ all-time hits leader and World Series champion, passed away at his Newport Beach, California home. He was 53 years old.

The Angels organization announced Anderson’s death Friday but did not reveal the cause. TMZ reported that the former outfielder suffered a medical emergency at his residence.

“The Angels Organization is mourning the loss of one of our franchise’s most beloved icons, Garret Anderson,” team owner Arte Moreno stated. “Garret was a cornerstone of our organization throughout his 15 seasons and his stoic presence in the outfield and our clubhouse elevated the Angels into an era of continued success, highlighted by the 2002 World Series championship.”

Anderson delivered the most memorable hit in franchise history during Game 7 of the 2002 World Series against the San Francisco Giants. His three-run double in the third inning became the game-winning blow in the then-Anaheim Angels’ 4-1 victory, securing the organization’s only World Series title to date.

“Garret will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Angels fans for his professionalism, class, and loyalty throughout his career and beyond,” Moreno continued. “His admiration and respect for the game was immeasurable.”

Throughout his Angels career, Anderson established himself as the franchise’s offensive leader across multiple categories. He holds team records for hits (2,368), total bases (3,743), extra-base hits (796), doubles (489), RBIs (1,292) and games played (2,013). The outfielder compiled a .296 batting average with 272 home runs after the Angels selected him in the fourth round of the 1990 MLB Draft from John F. Kennedy High School in Granada Hills, California.

The Angels inducted Anderson into their Hall of Fame on August 20, 2016. The team announced players will wear memorial patches on their uniforms for the rest of the season to honor his memory.

“We extend our deepest condolences to Garret’s wife Teresa, daughters Brianne and Bailey, son Garret ‘Trey’ Anderson III, and his entire family,” Moreno said.

Anderson earned recognition as a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner and three-time All-Star during his career. He became a regular starter in Anaheim in 1995 and remained with the team for 14 seasons. His major league career concluded with single seasons playing for the Atlanta Braves in 2009 and the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010.

Among Angels players, only current star Mike Trout, who joined the franchise in 2011, has spent more time wearing the team’s uniform than Anderson did during his tenure.

The lengthy and disputed effort to find a new owner for the San Diego Padres appears headed toward completion, with Chelsea FC owner Jose E. Feliciano emerging as the winning bidder with an unprecedented $3.9 billion offer.

Multiple sources indicate the basic terms have been settled, leaving only the requirement for three-quarters of Major League Baseball owners to give their approval before the transaction becomes official.

Should the deal receive the green light, it would obliterate the existing MLB franchise sale record set when Steve Cohen acquired the New York Mets for $2.42 billion in 2020.

Feliciano, who established Clearlake Capital and holds partial ownership of Chelsea FC, joined the bidding process alongside his spouse Kwanza Jones when the Seidler Family put the team up for sale.

The franchise’s longtime owner Peter Seidler passed away in 2023, leaving family members divided over who should control the organization. Current Padres chairman John Seidler announced in November that the team would be sold. Forbes had valued the Padres at $3.1 billion heading into the 2026 season.

Through Clearlake Capital, Feliciano controls more than 60 percent of Chelsea, with the ownership group including Mark Walter, Todd Boehly and Hansjorg Wyss as partners.

Other prominent figures who pursued the MLB franchise included Joe Lacob, who owns the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, the WNBA’s Valkyries and San Francisco’s Chase Center; Dan Friedkin, who serves as principal owner of three European soccer teams; and Tom Gores, owner of both Platinum Equities and the NBA’s Detroit Pistons.

The Wall Street Journal cited sources familiar with the agreement who indicated the Padres hope to complete the entire sale process by June.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers has pointed to former head coach John Harbaugh’s intense training methods as a contributing factor to the team’s injury struggles.

Speaking on the “4th and South” podcast, Flowers described how the Ravens constantly practiced in complete protective gear without providing sufficient time for players to recover and address injuries. Harbaugh was dismissed following the 2025 regular season after nearly two decades with Baltimore and subsequently joined the New York Giants.

“However many practices in pads you can get, every single one. We’re doing one-on-ones in Week 17,” Flowers explained. “Week 17, we’re doing one-on-ones, everybody out there, we’re tired, we’re still going.”

The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement does allow padded practices but with specific limitations. Teams may conduct a maximum of 14 padded sessions during the regular season, with no more than one per week permitted. Additionally, 11 of these padded practices must occur within the first 11 weeks of the season.

Star quarterback Lamar Jackson frequently sat out practice sessions last year. When questioned about how players coped with Harbaugh’s training approach, Flowers responded bluntly: “We don’t. That’s why we had a lot of injuries, because of how we practiced, how we went. The load was heavy.”

New head coach Jesse Minter, a former Ravens assistant who replaced Harbaugh, is implementing modifications based on player feedback, according to Flowers.

“He knows how we worked with Harbaugh,” Flowers noted. “So, he’s like, ‘You’re going to get your work, but it’s going to be a little easier on your body. You’re going to be fresher for the game.’”

Minter previously served under Harbaugh with the Ravens from 2017-20 before joining Jim Harbaugh at Michigan as defensive coordinator in 2022 and 2023. After Jim Harbaugh captured a national championship with the Wolverines and returned to the NFL with the Chargers, he brought Minter along as his defensive coordinator for the 2024-25 seasons.

During his tenure, John Harbaugh guided the Ravens to six AFC North division championships and a Super Bowl victory following the 2012 season, finishing with a 193-124 overall record.

The NHL playoffs were expected to feature recent top draft selections Matthew Schaefer and Macklin Celebrini, both teenagers, but their teams – the New York Islanders and San Jose Sharks – failed to qualify for postseason play.

Despite their absence, this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs still showcase an impressive collection of emerging talent, with numerous rookies and players under 22 experiencing their inaugural playoff runs in hockey’s premier league.

Among the notable young performers are Montreal’s Ivan Demidov, Pittsburgh’s Ben Kindel, Boston’s Fraser Minten, Philadelphia’s Porter Martone and Matvei Michkov, plus Anaheim’s Bennett Sennecke and Leo Carlsson – all positioned as key contributors in their teams’ championship pursuits.

“(This will be about) showcasing some of these young players that are on the rise that maybe haven’t had that experience,” retired Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Pronger said. “Now they get a chance to kind of understand what it’s all about and what it means to play in the playoffs.”

While Demidov’s upcoming series opener versus Tampa Bay won’t mark his playoff debut – he appeared in last year’s opening round against Washington – the dynamic winger has significantly developed his game. His impressive 19 goals and 43 assists this season have helped establish Montreal as a serious championship threat.

“He’s just gotten better over the season at understanding the NHL game and understanding our systems and where he can be effective,” captain Nick Suzuki said. “He’s still a young kid in the league, and he’s going to keep getting better.”

Despite being just 20 years old and selected fifth in the 2024 draft (after Celebrini went first overall), Demidov has earned the trust of Hall of Fame coach Martin St. Louis, who has placed him in a crucial top-six forward position.

“He’s really using his speed, using his skills and he creates a lot on the ice,” linemate Alex Newhook said. “Fun to play with. We play a fast game, and I think it suits his style a lot. He sees the ice really well. He plays fast himself. Sure, he can slow it down, but he fits that style and he’s built for what we’ve got going here.”

While Schaefer’s immediate NHL transition was anticipated, Kindel’s rapid ascension was more surprising. Pittsburgh selected him 12th overall in the draft, and his exceptional training camp performance left team management with little option but to retain him on the roster.

“For him it was just continuing to check boxes,” first-year coach Dan Muse said. “For a younger player, it’s just continuing to work with him and continuing to help his game evolve at the things that do go well and then over the course of the season, this is a game of mistakes. It’s also seeing how you adjust and how you adapt when maybe things don’t go as perfect.”

Kindel recorded 35 points across 77 games this season. Saturday’s series opener against Philadelphia occurs just two days prior to his 19th birthday.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Kindel said. “It’s been a whirlwind, but I love going out there and competing.”

Minten represents Boston’s primary asset from last year’s trade deadline deal that sent Brandon Carlo to Toronto. The 21-year-old, 6-foot-2 center wasn’t initially projected to make the roster immediately, but his performance compelled the coaching staff to reconsider.

“It was more up to him, so I give him a lot of credit,” coach Marco Sturm said, adding that he has seen Minten’s confidence grow in his rookie season. “When you have that, I think it automatically gives you more boost. It could be his skating. It could be his just calmness on the ice, playing a two-way game. He’s still growing. He’s still becoming a man and he’s just taking really good strides right now.”

Minten has demonstrated versatility throughout Boston’s lineup, proving capable of handling various roles and responsibilities.

“What impressed me is his ability to play in all three zones,” teammate Casey Mittelstadt said. “As a young guy, I had my troubles with that, so to see him do it is very impressive.”

Michkov enters his sophomore campaign after Philadelphia successfully negotiated his release from a KHL contract one year following his seventh overall selection in the 2023 draft. While his point production declined slightly, the 21-year-old has evolved into a more complete player.

“He’s really taken the information and applied it,” coach Rick Tocchet said. “He’s always been a team guy, but it’s just about the team. And then whatever we can do to help him, we’ll help him.”

Martone, 19, joined Philadelphia in March following the conclusion of his collegiate season at Michigan State. He provides the Flyers with a physical, power-forward presence that complements Michkov’s offensive creativity.

“They’re just a little bit different,” Tocchet said. “It’s good to have different flavors in your lineup.”

Anaheim’s front office, led by General Manager Pat Verbeek, faced criticism for selecting Carlsson second overall in 2023 ahead of Adam Fantilli and for choosing Sennecke third in 2024, well above most projections. Both decisions have vindicated the organization’s scouting evaluation.

Sennecke has emerged as a potential Calder Trophy candidate for rookie of the year honors, while Carlsson has become Anaheim’s most crucial player as they’ve secured a playoff berth under coach Joel Quenneville’s guidance.

Carlsson maintained nearly a point-per-game pace with 67 points in 70 contests despite missing time due to an injury that occurred before the Olympics. Sennecke’s 60 points finished just two behind Demidov for the rookie scoring lead.

Vancouver Canucks management terminated general manager Patrik Allvin on Friday following the team’s basement finish in the Western Conference standings.

Allvin began his tenure with the organization on January 26, 2022. During his time at the helm, Vancouver reached the playoffs only once. The team captured the Pacific Division title during the 2023-24 campaign with a 50-23-9 record and 109 points, but Edmonton eliminated them in a seven-game second-round series.

This past season saw Vancouver struggle mightily, posting a 25-49-8 record for just 58 points.

Hockey operations president Jim Rutherford addressed the dismissal in an official statement. “I would like to thank Patrik for all his hard work over the past four seasons,” Rutherford said in a news release. “Under his guidance we have accumulated a lot of good young talent, and he has helped us lay the foundation of our rebuild. This season was disappointing for everyone in the organization, and we understand how frustrating it was for those who care about the team. Moving forward our goal will be to continue to bring in younger players who can grow together with our current group and form our next competitive core.”

The 51-year-old Allvin previously spent 16 seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins organization in various capacities, eventually advancing to assistant general manager. During his Pittsburgh tenure, the franchise captured three Stanley Cup championships.

Allvin transitioned into front office work in 2002, joining Montreal as a European scout following his retirement as a player, primarily competing in his homeland of Sweden.

Australian golf sensation Minjee Lee, currently ranked sixth in the world, has pulled out of the LA Championship before Friday’s second round began. The LPGA Tour has not disclosed any explanation for her departure.

The 29-year-old golfer from Australia was positioned in a tie for 40th place following her opening round performance of 69, which was three strokes under par at El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana, California.

Throughout her professional career, Lee has captured victory in 11 LPGA Tour events, with three of those being major championships. She claimed her latest major championship at the Women’s PGA Championship held in Frisco, Texas last year.

This season, Lee started strong with top-five performances at both the HSBC Women’s World Championship and the Founders Cup. However, she failed to advance past the cut at the Aramco Championship earlier this month.

Alshon Jeffery, the former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver who helped bring home the franchise’s first Super Bowl title, was taken into custody in California this week on insurance fraud allegations, according to TMZ Sports reporting Friday.

The 36-year-old former Pro Bowl player was processed at a California detention facility Wednesday morning before being released, the report stated.

Specific details surrounding the charges have not been disclosed at this time. Should Jeffery be found guilty of the felony accusation, he could be sentenced to as many as five years in prison, TMZ Sports noted.

Chicago selected Jeffery in the second round of the 2012 draft, and he went on to record 475 receptions for 6,786 receiving yards and 46 touchdowns across 109 professional games during his time with the Bears from 2012-2016 and the Eagles from 2017-2020.

A Dallas judge has determined that former Southern Methodist University defensive back Theodore “Teddy” Knox acted with “gross negligence” during a high-speed street racing incident last year that also involved NFL player Rashee Rice of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Judge Kim Bailey Phipps handed down a default ruling Wednesday ordering Knox to pay $2.88 million to crash victim Kathryn Kuykendall. The financial award covers punitive damages along with medical bills and income lost due to the March 30, 2024 collision in which both drivers lost control of their cars and multiple people sustained injuries.

Rice faces his own legal proceedings with a trial date set for June 9. The NFL wide receiver began the current season serving a six-game suspension imposed by the league for breaking its personal conduct rules related to his involvement in the racing incident.

The 25-year-old football player entered guilty pleas to two third-degree felony counts: causing a collision that resulted in serious injuries and highway racing that led to bodily harm. Following the crash, Rice and four companions left the scene on foot without checking on injured victims before law enforcement arrived.

Rice received a sentence of five years deferred probation plus 30 days behind bars. The court also mandated he pay over $115,000 in victim restitution.

During the incident, Rice was operating a rented Lamborghini SUV at speeds reaching 119 mph, while Knox drove a rented Corvette.

Kansas City selected Rice in the second round of the 2023 draft following his college career at SMU. Through three NFL seasons spanning 28 games with 20 starts, he has accumulated 156 receptions for 1,797 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Earlier this year in January, the same court issued additional default rulings against Knox totaling more than $3.6 million for two other crash victims. Knox spent two seasons playing for the Mustangs from 2022-23 after transferring from Mississippi State where he played one season.

Oklahoma City’s star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t getting ahead of himself when it comes to discussing a potential second consecutive NBA championship.

While that might appear unusual, it perfectly reflects the mindset of Gilgeous-Alexander and the entire Thunder organization.

The team focuses on the here and now. They avoid jumping ahead or expending energy on matters beyond their influence. Oklahoma City — the league’s current titleholders and top overall playoff seed heading into Saturday’s postseason opener — maintains a straightforward approach and lets results speak for themselves.

This explains why the current NBA MVP and Finals MVP in Gilgeous-Alexander believes discussions about consecutive championships and breaking the league’s historic streak of different winners — seven unique champions across seven seasons — should be postponed for several weeks.

“That’s so far down the line,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “So many things are going to happen before we get to the finals-clinching game. Yeah, it’s cool. To have the opportunity to repeat means you won before, so it’s cool. I’ll keep it there.”

Put simply: Oklahoma City’s complete attention centers on the opening round’s first game.

The championship path runs through OKC once more, as 16 franchises begin their two-month quest to determine who will hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy in June. Detroit claims the Eastern Conference’s number one position, while the Thunder lead the Western bracket. San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama prepares for his inaugural playoff appearance, and the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James enters his 19th postseason in 21 years.

“It’s competitive basketball,” James said. “Anytime you’re able to be in meaningful games, it definitely means a lot more for sure.”

Eastern Conference matchups feature: Top-seeded Detroit waiting for either Orlando or Charlotte (determined Friday evening), second-seeded Boston facing seventh-seeded Philadelphia in their 23rd playoff series (the league’s most frequent postseason pairing), third-seeded New York battling sixth-seeded Atlanta, and fourth-seeded Cleveland confronting fifth-seeded Toronto.

Western Conference brackets include: Number one Oklahoma City awaiting either Phoenix or Golden State (also decided Friday evening), second-seeded San Antonio opposing seventh-seeded Portland, third-seeded Denver facing sixth-seeded Minnesota (their third encounter in four years), and fourth-seeded Lakers meeting fifth-seeded Houston — creating an intriguing clash between 41-year-old James and 37-year-old Kevin Durant with the Rockets.

“Obviously it’s the biggest stage of basketball and there’s a lot that comes around the game,” Durant said. “But at the end of the day, when that ball’s tipped up, it’s just basketball. We all know how to play at this level. We all know what it takes to win basketball games. Just got to do that consistently.”

The Thunder — who opened with a 24-1 record and finished strong at 19-3 in their final 22 contests — never relinquished first place in the Western Conference throughout the entire season. Detroit nearly accomplished the same feat in the East, requiring approximately two and a half weeks to reach the top spot before maintaining that position.

“We feel like we play a playoff brand of basketball every night,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “We’re a physical team. We’re a gritty team. We’re a tough team. We orchestrate well in the trenches. Those are things you have to do in the playoffs.”

Recent champions include Toronto in 2019, followed by the Lakers in 2020, Milwaukee in 2021, Golden State in 2022, Denver in 2023, Boston in 2024, and Oklahoma City last season.

This unprecedented stretch — seven different winners in seven consecutive years — has never occurred in NBA history.

Several legitimate contenders could extend this remarkable pattern. Betting favorites to potentially claim titles include Detroit, New York, and San Antonio.

“I dream about it every day,” Wembanyama said.

The young star remains uncertain how his championship aspirations might compare to actual reality, should San Antonio succeed. Oklahoma City discovered this feeling last year when they captured Game 7 of the NBA Finals at home, finally delivering a title to OKC and completing one of the most successful seasons in league history.

Since this season began, the Thunder haven’t focused on winning consecutive championships. While defending a title creates genuine pressure, they consider such expectations external factors. Oklahoma City concentrates solely on daily challenges, an approach that succeeded last year and makes them heavy favorites to repeat.

“This group of guys is preconditioned to compete,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “They’re preconditioned to stay inside the team. And they’ve stayed in character on that through a lot of different experiences over a long period of time. So, that’s allowed us to just focus a lot on the basketball.”

The accolades are already piling up for the young star. Victor Wembanyama appears destined to capture Defensive Player of the Year honors, likely unanimously. An All-NBA team selection seems certain, along with MVP consideration. His global stardom is undeniable.

Yet the San Antonio Spurs sensation has surpassed virtually every benchmark set before him. The only expectations he may not have fulfilled are the lofty ones he set for himself.

When Wembanyama arrived in San Antonio as the top draft selection three seasons ago, he envisioned leading the franchise’s renaissance. The goal was transforming a former championship powerhouse stuck in rebuilding mode back into title contention. The progress has been remarkable — San Antonio just completed their strongest campaign in ten years with a 62-20 record.

Now comes the ultimate test — postseason basketball.

“How ready? As ready as you can be,” Wembanyama said when asked about his level of preparation for his first look at the NBA postseason. “These moments, it’s really what you work on all year, but also your whole career. We’re dreaming of playoffs as kids before we come here.”

The numbers suggest these second-seeded Spurs, beginning their Western Conference playoff journey at home versus seventh-seeded Portland on Sunday evening, might be positioned for a significant postseason push.

Among the franchise’s 15 previous teams that achieved a .700 winning percentage or higher, 14 captured at least one playoff round, 10 advanced to the conference finals, six reached the NBA Finals, and five claimed championships.

The previous championship core featured Gregg Popovich coaching legends Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. Today’s foundation includes Mitch Johnson as head coach directing talents like Stephon Castle, De’Aaron Fox, and Wembanyama — who appears to make the impossible routine.

“He’s embraced the city and the city’s embraced him, the stepping foot into the community,” Johnson said. “And it’s been genuine and it’s been authentic. … It’s pretty cool to witness upfront.”

Describing Wembanyama — standing at minimum 7-foot-4 and making fellow seven-footers appear small — as extraordinary somehow feels inadequate. Few other 21-year-old NBA players spend summer months at Buddhist temples for basketball development (as he did recently), bring literature to All-Star festivities (shocking fellow participants), or demonstrate mathematical prowess during media sessions (recently while discussing the league’s 65-game requirement).

The list is short.

“He’s unique,” Spurs forward Harrison Barnes said, knowing he was stating the obvious.

This season’s statistical achievement by Wembanyama reads: 1,600 points, 736 rebounds, 199 assists, 197 blocked shots, 122 three-pointers. No player in league history has ever compiled those combined numbers in a single campaign, with his shot-blocking prowess being the primary differentiator.

Remove the blocks from consideration. Evaluate his historical standing based solely on scoring, rebounding, assists, and three-point shooting for one season. The complete roster of players reaching his benchmarks in just those four categories includes: Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, DeMarcus Cousins, Karl-Anthony Towns (accomplished twice), Nikola Vucevic, Julius Randle, and Nikola Jokic. That concludes the list.

“He’s a 7-5 guy that can handle the ball, shoot, guard the rim, guard the perimeter, all the little things,” said Portland coach Tiago Splitter, who went to the NBA Finals as a player on some of the great San Antonio teams and was part of the Spurs’ most recent championship in 2014. “It’s not a secret. He’s a very good player.”

Betting markets rank San Antonio as the second favorite behind only defending champion Oklahoma City — the conference’s top seed — to claim the NBA championship. This creates genuine expectation that Wembanyama’s playoff introduction could deliver both individual brilliance and team success.

Two seasons ago, he earned Rookie of the Year recognition. Last year, he was tracking toward Defensive Player of the Year before a deep vein thrombosis diagnosis shortened his season. This campaign, he’s contending for every major NBA honor, while basketball enthusiasts seem insatiable for details about his every move.

The league’s grandest platform now awaits San Antonio’s premier talent. Olympic gold medal experience has provided him with high-pressure basketball knowledge, but his inaugural opportunity to chase an NBA championship has finally arrived.

“I can’t really help but dream about it, of course,” Wembanyama said. “But we have to stay grounded, stay in the moment. And before even thinking about Game 1, I have to think about showing up the right way. Practice, doing all my stuff, preparing, being locked in on the scouts. But yeah, I dream about it every day.”

Two prominent Catholic universities are taking their basketball programs overseas to launch the new season, with Notre Dame and Villanova scheduling both men’s and women’s games in Rome, Italy.

Set for November 1st, this collaborative event will feature more than just basketball, according to Villanova’s announcement. The university describes plans for “special programming that brings together academics, athletics and spirituality.”

Villanova President Rev. Peter Donohue emphasized the educational value of the trip, stating: “From academic engagement and cultural immersion to shared worship and athletics, this journey offers a profound opportunity to grow in mind, body and spirit.”

Both universities cite Pope Leo XIV, who was an Augustinian friar and Villanova graduate, as the driving force behind organizing these games in the Eternal City.

Participants traveling to Italy will experience several unique opportunities, including a shared Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, a scheduled papal audience with Pope Leo XIV prior to the games, and exclusive access to Vatican Museums tours.

Television coverage will bring the action to American audiences, with Fox broadcasting the men’s contest at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time, followed by the women’s game on FS1 at noon.

This international approach reflects a broader trend in college basketball as programs increasingly embrace global opportunities. The growth mirrors the sport’s expanding international presence – Final Four teams this past season included 23 players from foreign countries among their 62 total roster spots. Current NCAA statistics reveal that Division I programs now feature 888 international players, representing more than double the number from 2010.

Additional overseas competitions are being developed, with games planned for Croatia and Serbia in November through the newly established College Basketball International Series, a partnership between Intersport and Rochelle Management Group.

JOHANNESBURG — Two male runners have been stripped of their finishes at a major South African marathon after officials discovered they competed using women’s race numbers, bumping legitimate female competitors from top-10 positions.

Luke Jacobs and Bradfield crossed the finish line in seventh and tenth place respectively in the women’s division of the Two Oceans Marathon held April 12 in Cape Town. Their fraudulent scheme was exposed by race officials who noticed irregularities in timing data.

The Two Oceans event stands as one of South Africa’s most celebrated running competitions, featuring both a 56-kilometer ultramarathon and a 21.1-kilometer half-marathon that draws more than 16,000 participants annually. Securing a top-10 finish represents a major accomplishment for most competitors.

Stuart Mann, a board member for the Two Oceans Marathon who helped expose the fraud, said both men will undergo formal disciplinary proceedings through the race’s disciplinary committee.

According to Mann, the practice of switching race numbers between participants has grown increasingly common, though it carries serious risks beyond simple cheating.

“Not only is it considered unethical, but it also poses health and medicals risks in case of an emergency as wrong medication may be administered to a wrong person,” Mann explained.

Mann noted that runners exchange bibs for various reasons, including avoiding financial losses when injury prevents participation or attempting to record faster qualifying times for future competitions.

The investigation began when Jacobs shared race photos on social media platforms, prompting observers to notice his bib displayed the name “Larissa.” Further inquiry revealed Jacobs had used credentials belonging to Larissa Parekh, who was registered for the women’s competition.

“I made an error in judgment and did not consider the consequences. I should not have taken part,” Jacobs wrote in his public apology.

Modern race technology ultimately exposed both cheaters when electronic chips embedded in the bibs recorded data showing two additional women had completed the course, despite officials only observing the first 10 female finishers crossing the line.

This discrepancy led to the discovery that Bradfield had competed using a number assigned to Tegan Garvey, who later acknowledged giving away her bib due to a hip injury sustained before race day.

“The day before, my hip gave in completely, leaving me unable to even walk. I felt bad as to give up my race entry so my friend ran in my place,” Garvey stated.

While Parekh has not provided a detailed explanation for her involvement, Mann confirmed both women have issued apologies and will face two-year suspensions from participating in the Two Oceans Marathon. The female runners who were initially displaced have since been properly recognized for their authentic achievements.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — After months of preparation and building momentum toward a potential playoff run, the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves facing an unexpected challenge.

The team’s postseason aspirations took a devastating hit during a single quarter of play in Oklahoma City just weeks ago.

During that fateful game, Luka Doncic was driving toward the basket when he suddenly pulled up and limped off the court with a hamstring injury. Austin Reaves, who had been visibly uncomfortable throughout the game while dealing with oblique pain, also exited and didn’t return.

In an instant, what had been a Lakers campaign gaining serious momentum suddenly shifted into a downward spiral that continues today.

The Lakers will face the Houston Rockets in Saturday night’s first-round playoff matchup without their starting guard duo, and the fourth-seeded team hasn’t provided a timeline for either player’s potential return.

Many observers believe the Lakers face an uphill battle without their leading scorers, including the league’s scoring champion. Even with LeBron James still anchoring the roster, the supporting cast may struggle against the Western Conference’s other powerhouse teams.

“I’m sure everybody wants to play us,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said last week, before the Rockets earned that honor.

However, the Lakers haven’t abandoned hope for what looked like a promising postseason just two weeks earlier. Before that crushing night in Oklahoma City, the team appeared to be hitting their stride at the perfect time, capturing 16 victories in 18 games to climb into the conference’s third position.

The Lakers managed to win 53 games this season despite Doncic appearing in only 64 contests, James in 60, and Reaves in just 51. The squad gained valuable experience playing without key contributors throughout the regular season, though their current situation presents their biggest test yet.

“We’re a little short-handed, and we know that,” guard Luke Kennard said. “But we’ve been preparing really well. Our focus is really high. … We were able to get some looks and develop a different kind of chemistry out on the court. We’ve added some stuff in practice, and I think we’ve done a good job executing it in practice, and I think our preparation has been really good.”

Multiple players must elevate their performance to give Los Angeles a fighting chance, with Kennard among those expected to shoulder increased responsibility.

This marks Kennard’s fifth playoff appearance across four different franchises, though he hasn’t earned a postseason start since his 2019 Detroit tenure. Following the injuries to Doncic and Reaves, Kennard has embraced expanded duties as both a primary ball-handler and playmaker while maintaining his signature long-range shooting.

Veteran Marcus Smart believes the Lakers’ success hinges on one crucial element: “Willpower.”

“We’re competitors,” added Smart, who’s back in the postseason for the first time since 2023 after making it in each of his nine seasons with Boston. “They’re going to try to come in and punk us, and if you will allow that, you will be punked. I don’t think we have any guys that are going to be punked on this team. We might not be the most athletic and the strongest, but we’ve got to have the most heart.”

Center Deandre Ayton and forward Rui Hachimura understand they must increase their offensive aggression to compensate for losing Doncic, one of basketball’s highest-usage players. Jake LaRavia, whose minutes varied considerably during the regular season, is expected to contribute significantly on both sides of the ball.

Bronny James may even see his first meaningful playoff action, potentially sharing the court with his legendary father.

Regardless of the strategy Redick develops to handle Houston’s physical style, the Lakers refuse to accept that their season effectively concluded during that Oklahoma City setback.

“It’s going to take everybody,” Smart said. “With that, it’s a different style of play, and I don’t think it’s something that Houston has prepared for. To be fair, they haven’t seen us without those guys. When they’re playing us, they’ve always played us with them. They’ve always had a matchup and game plan for them, and it’ll be interesting to see how they play us without them.”

The most successful college football programs naturally send the most players to the NFL, but an examination of draft patterns reveals fascinating specializations by position across different universities.

Over the last decade, certain schools have emerged as position-specific powerhouses, with Oklahoma transforming into a quarterback development machine under Lincoln Riley’s leadership as offensive coordinator and later head coach.

Analysis of draft data from Sportradar shows 2,565 players selected across the past 10 drafts, representing 223 different schools based on where athletes completed their collegiate careers. Among the top 10 producing programs, six captured national championships between 2015 and 2024, with these elite schools combining for 35 College Football Playoff appearances during that period. Only Florida among the top producers failed to reach the playoffs.

Alabama dominated the overall count with 95 drafted players, trailed by Ohio State with 85, Georgia with 81, and both LSU and Michigan tied at 73. The remaining top-10 schools included Florida, Penn State, Clemson, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma.

First-round selections tell a similar story, as Alabama’s 32 opening-round picks from 2016-25 led all 74 schools with at least one first-rounder. Ohio State followed with 26, Georgia contributed 21, and only LSU (15), Michigan (13), Clemson (13), and Florida (10) reached double digits in first-round selections.

Position-by-position analysis reveals distinct specializations among college programs based on players’ final collegiate destinations.

Oklahoma’s evolution from a wishbone rushing attack featuring legends like Billy Sims, Adrian Peterson, and DeMarco Murray into a passing powerhouse accelerated when Riley joined as offensive coordinator in 2015 before becoming head coach from 2017-21. The Sooners produced a remarkable five-year stretch featuring future top overall draft picks Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, plus Super Bowl champion Jalen Hurts following his transfer from Alabama.

These three Oklahoma quarterbacks have accumulated 66,876 professional passing yards – exceeding any other school’s 2016-25 draft class by more than 27,000 yards – along with 428 touchdown passes and 289 starts combined.

Alabama, Hurts’ original program, also performed well with first-round quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones, and Bryce Young, though their production hasn’t matched the Sooners’ trio. Ohio State was the sole other school producing three first-round quarterbacks during this timeframe, with C.J. Stroud leading the group while Dwayne Haskins and Justin Fields contributed less.

LSU boasts two standouts in Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels, joining other schools with notable quarterback pairs including Oregon’s Justin Herbert and Bo Nix, plus USC’s Sam Darnold and Caleb Williams.

An interesting anomaly appears with FCS-level North Dakota State, which despite its lower division status had three players drafted, including high picks Carson Wentz (2016) and Trey Lance (2021). The Bison rank among the top 12 programs in passing yards, touchdown passes, and starts from the past decade’s drafts.

Running back development shows no competition, as Alabama clearly leads this category. Featuring stars like Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, and Jahmyr Gibbs, Crimson Tide running backs from recent drafts have rushed for 37,997 NFL yards and 335 touchdowns. Georgia ranks a distant second with 20,628 rushing yards and 144 touchdowns.

Alabama’s depth at the position is remarkable, with five former players rushing for at least 3,500 professional yards, including Najee Harris and Kenyan Drake. Only 28 other players drafted in the past decade reached that milestone, with Georgia being the only other school having more than two such players in Nick Chubb, De’Andre Swift, and James Cook III.

Wide receiver presents the most competitive debate, as LSU developed two elite talents in Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase. Ohio State contributed reigning AP Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba plus four other first-rounders since 2016, while Alabama leads with seven first-round receiver selections.

Regarding production statistics, Ohio State claims the top position with 2,794 receptions for 34,165 yards and 190 touchdowns from 2016-25 draftees, led by Smith-Njigba, Michael Thomas, Garret Wilson, Chris Olave, and Terry McLaurin.

LSU ranks second across all three statistical categories, powered by multiple-time All-Pros Jefferson and Chase, along with recent selections Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr.

Alabama featured consecutive drafts with multiple first-round receivers in 2020 (Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs) and 2021 (Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith), placing in the top four across all production categories.

USC represents another major producer with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Drake London, and Jordan Addison leading their contingent.

Iowa has claimed supremacy in the “Tight End U” discussion through players like George Kittle, Sam LaPorta, and T.J. Hockenson’s professional success.

This designation has shifted between programs over time, with Miami holding it during the early 2000s through players like Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen, before Stanford assumed the title while Notre Dame remained consistently competitive.

Hawkeyes tight ends maintain a substantial lead among 2016-25 draftees with 1,568 catches for 18,303 yards and 116 touchdowns. Stanford holds second place partly due to Austin Hooper and Dalton Schultz, though their most productive player, Zach Ertz, entered the league in 2013 before this analysis period.

South Dakota State provides a surprising entry at tight end, ranking among the top seven programs across all categories thanks to Dallas Goedert and Tucker Kraft.

Offensive line production shows Notre Dame competing with Alabama for the lead. The Crimson Tide holds a slight edge in total starts (669 to 645) and snap counts, but the Fighting Irish counter with superior star power through players like Quenton Nelson, Ronnie Stanley, and Joe Alt.

Midwestern programs excel at line development, with Ohio State and Michigan ranking third and fourth in playing time, while Wisconsin sits close behind at seventh.

Defensive production splits between specializations, as Ohio State leads with 380.5 sacks from 2016-25 draftees, highlighted by the Bosa brothers’ contributions. LSU dominates the secondary with Derek Stingley Jr. and Tre’Davious White helping the Tigers achieve an NFL-high 100 interceptions. Alabama ranks best overall with 146 takeaways, plus leading totals in starts, snaps, and tackles.

Both Georgia and Michigan finished among the top six programs in sacks, takeaways, and total snaps played.

America’s national soccer team is preparing for the World Cup with ambitious goals of securing their first knockout round triumph since their memorable 2002 campaign.

The squad faces significant challenges heading into the tournament, particularly with what many consider their weakest goalkeeper situation in 40 years and limited central defensive options from elite European leagues. However, their co-host status provides favorable seeding that could help them avoid top-tier competition until reaching the round of 16.

“It would be everything to win, and especially to do it in your home, in front of your friends, your families, the people that have supported you throughout your whole career that are closest to you,” midfielder Weston McKennie said.

The national team seeks to demonstrate soccer’s growing prominence in a country where it continues to lag behind the NFL, MLB and NBA in fan interest. Their World Cup knockout record stands at a disappointing 1-7, with their sole victory coming against Mexico two decades ago.

The Americans haven’t advanced beyond the quarterfinals since 1930’s inaugural World Cup, when they reached the semifinals. Their best modern performance came in 2002 when they made the quarterfinals. Recent form against European teams has been concerning, losing eight consecutive matches since 2022 while being outscored 22-6, yet team confidence remains high.

Mauricio Pochettino, who took over as head coach in September 2024 following the team’s Copa America group stage exit, has instilled championship ambitions in his players.

“Why not us?” he said during a March training camp. “We need to really believe that we can be there. We need to dream.”

The tournament begins for the Americans on June 12 against Paraguay, followed by Group D matches against Australia and Turkey.

The goalkeeper position, once a position of strength featuring standouts like Tony Meola, Kasey Keller, Brad Friedel, Tim Howard and Brad Guzan, has become a major concern.

Matt Freese has taken over the starting role from Matt Turner, who held the position during the 2022 tournament. The team may enter the World Cup without a European-based goalkeeper for the first time since 1990.

“We had this goalkeeping thing figured out for a long time, didn’t we? Going all the way back,” Howard said. “It just seems like we’ve had a little bit of a rut.”

Star player Christian Pulisic, widely considered America’s top talent, hasn’t found the net in international competition for eight matches dating back to November 2024.

His club form has also been concerning, going scoreless in 14 appearances for AC Milan since December 28 through mid-April.

“He’s going to score because he has the quality,” Pochettino said.

At 27 years old and in his athletic prime, Pulisic carries the weight of expectations as he did in 2022, when his crucial goal against Iran in the group stage finale secured advancement to the knockout rounds.

“There’s pressure, I feel it. Yes, it’s there but it’s nothing that I can’t handle,” he said.

Defensively, Chris Richards represents one of the few American center-backs competing at the highest level, enjoying an excellent campaign with Crystal Palace at age 26. He was unavailable for the 2022 World Cup due to hamstring problems.

Team captain Tim Ream, who has led the squad through much of Pochettino’s tenure, is 38 and moved from Fulham to Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer following the 2023-24 season.

Auston Trusty, 27, has established himself as a regular starter for Celtic in Scotland since late October, while Mark McKenzie, also 27, plays consistently for Toulouse.

Pochettino has experimented with a three-center-back formation since taking charge last fall.

Right-back Sergiño Dest, who started in 2022, is working to recover from a hamstring injury suffered while playing for PSV Eindhoven on March 7.

Veteran center-back Cameron Carter-Vickers will miss the tournament entirely due to an Achilles injury, and John Tolkin, third in the left-back pecking order behind Antonee Robinson and Max Arfsten, faces uncertainty with a knee problem.

Alex Freeman, a defender who made the move from Orlando to Villarreal in January, brings an interesting family connection as the son of Antonio Freeman, the former All-Pro receiver who captured the 1997 Super Bowl with Green Bay.

“Growing up I always got asked if football was the path, but when I was younger I always had a secret love for soccer,” Alex said.

Matt Savoie capped off the regular season in spectacular fashion, netting his inaugural NHL hat trick as Edmonton dominated Vancouver 6-1 on Thursday night, securing home-ice advantage for their upcoming playoff run.

The decisive victory in their final regular season matchup locked up second place in the Pacific Division for Edmonton. The Oilers will welcome the third-seeded Anaheim Ducks for the opening game of their Western Conference playoff series on Monday.

Colton Dach contributed a goal and assist for Edmonton, while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Josh Samanski also found the back of the net. Connor McDavid distributed four assists, completing his NHL scoring title campaign with 138 points, and Evan Bouchard recorded three helpers. Goaltender Connor Ingram faced minimal pressure, turning away just 11 shots for the victory.

Rookie Ty Mueller notched his first NHL goal for Vancouver, the league’s worst team, ending their three-game winning streak. Kevin Lankinen recorded 29 saves and earned an assist on Mueller’s tally.

Ducks 5, Predators 4

Troy Terry earned a high-sticking penalty call and capitalized on the resulting power play with 2:54 remaining, propelling visiting Anaheim past Nashville in both teams’ regular season conclusion.

Cutter Gauthier, Jackson LaCombe, Alex Killorn and Tristan Luneau also lit the lamp, while Mikael Granlund collected three assists, John Carlson added two helpers and Ville Husso stopped 17 shots for Anaheim, who return to playoff action for the first time in eight seasons.

Steven Stamkos recorded two goals and one assist, Filip Forsberg also scored twice, Luke Evangelista and Ryan Ufko each contributed two assists and Juuse Saros made 35 saves for Nashville, who dropped three of their final four contests.

Flames 3, Kings 1

Arsenii Sergeev turned in a stellar performance with 27 saves, including several highlight-reel stops, in his NHL debut as host Calgary defeated Los Angeles.

Morgan Frost, Zayne Parekh and Joel Farabee scored while Zach Whitecloud provided two assists for Calgary, who will sit out the playoffs for consecutive seasons.

Quinton Byfield scored for Los Angeles, who claimed the second wild-card playoff position in the Western Conference and will face the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche in their first-round series beginning Sunday. Anton Forsberg made 18 saves in the Kings’ first regulation defeat in April following a 6-0-2 stretch.

Blues 5, Mammoth 3

Robert Thomas achieved his second career hat trick, powering St. Louis past Utah in both teams’ season finale in Salt Lake City.

Rookie defenseman Logan Mailloux delivered the decisive goal with 2:57 left in the final period. Pavel Buchnevich also scored, Dylan Holloway registered two assists and Joel Hofer made 20 saves as St. Louis entered the offseason riding a four-game winning streak.

Lawson Crouse matched his career high with his 24th goal of the campaign for Utah, while Kailer Yamamoto and Michael Carcone also scored and captain Clayton Keller and MacKenzie Weegar each recorded two assists. The Mammoth have dropped three of their last four games before their Western Conference first-round matchup with the Vegas Golden Knights.

Sharks 6, Jets 1

Macklin Celebrini posted one goal and two assists to establish a new franchise single-season scoring record, leading San Jose past host Winnipeg in both teams’ season finale.

The 19-year-old Celebrini accumulated 115 points (45 goals, 70 assists) to surpass Joe Thornton’s previous franchise mark of 114 points from the 2006-2007 campaign. William Eklund also contributed a goal and two assists, Will Smith added a goal and assist and Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 25 shots.

Cole Koepke provided the only goal for Winnipeg, who concluded their season with four consecutive defeats. Eric Comrie made 27 saves.

Star forward Napheesa Collier has committed to staying with the Minnesota Lynx after agreeing to a one-year supermax contract worth $1.4 million, according to ESPN reports released Thursday.

Once finalized, this agreement will place Collier among an exclusive group of just three WNBA players holding supermax contracts, joining Indiana Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell on a one-year deal and Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson on a three-year agreement.

The 29-year-old forward overcame injury challenges during the 2025 season, posting impressive numbers with 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game across 33 contests. Her performance earned her second-place in MVP voting behind Wilson for consecutive seasons. Remarkably, Collier achieved a rare milestone by becoming only the second player in league history to record a 50-40-90 shooting split during regular season play.

Her shooting percentages were exceptional: 53.1% from the field, 40.3% beyond the three-point arc, and 90.6% from the free-throw line. This made her the first player ever to reach those benchmarks while maintaining a 20-plus point scoring average.

Injuries plagued Collier’s season as she missed seven games in August due to a right ankle problem, then suffered a left ankle injury during Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals that ended her season. The Lynx were eliminated by the Phoenix Mercury in five games.

As she prepares for her eighth campaign since Minnesota selected her sixth overall in the 2019 draft, Collier faces the start of the upcoming season on the sidelines while recovering from surgical procedures on both ankles.

Throughout her 193 career games with Minnesota, all as a starter, Collier has compiled averages of 18.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per contest.

Minnesota has retained Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride alongside Collier, while losing several players including Natisha Hiedeman, DiJonai Carrington, Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard through free agency. The team also lost Bridget Carleton when Portland selected her in the expansion draft. The Lynx recently added Olivia Miles as the second overall selection in Monday’s WNBA draft.

Cleveland Guardians rookie Parker Messick came tantalizingly close to baseball history Thursday night, taking a no-hit bid into the final inning before Baltimore’s Leody Taveras broke it up with a leadoff single that sparked a two-run ninth-inning surge. Despite the late drama, Cleveland managed to secure a 4-2 win over the visiting Orioles.

The left-handed Messick, now 3-0 in his 11th big league outing, dominated Baltimore hitters through eight innings, allowing just two walks – one to Taylor Ward in the opening frame and another to Taveras in the sixth. He matched his personal best with nine strikeouts while issuing two free passes.

The magic ended when Taveras sent a ground ball to the left side of second baseman Juan Brito, who made a diving attempt but couldn’t contain the ball in the infield. Blaze Alexander then delivered another base hit, ending Messick’s night after eight-plus stellar innings. Reliever Cade Smith surrendered two hits and allowed both inherited runners to cross the plate, though he still earned his fourth save of the season.

Cleveland’s offense was powered by Jose Ramirez’s two-run blast, while George Valera and Steven Kwan each contributed RBI knocks. The victory ended a two-game losing streak for the Guardians in the series opener.

In other Thursday action, Detroit extended their hot streak to six consecutive wins with a thrilling 10-9 comeback victory over Kansas City. Colt Keith delivered the decisive blow with a ninth-inning single that completed a three-run rally after Riley Greene’s clutch two-out, two-RBI double had evened the score.

San Francisco snapped their four-game slide with a 3-0 shutout of Cincinnati, as Landen Roupp took a no-hit effort into the sixth before P.J. Higgins managed the Reds’ lone safety. Jung Hoo Lee paced the Giants’ attack with three hits and an RBI.

Mike Trout continued his torrid series at Yankee Stadium, launching his fourth consecutive homer to help Los Angeles cruise past New York 11-4. Trout’s five home runs in the four-game set made him just the fourth player in history to accomplish that feat against the Yankees.

Washington edged Pittsburgh 8-7 in extra innings on James Wood’s go-ahead RBI single in the tenth, while Milwaukee used small-ball tactics to defeat Toronto 2-1, scoring the winning run on Joey Ortiz’s sacrifice bunt.

Tampa Bay maintained their six-game winning streak with a 5-3 victory over Chicago, rallying after Junior Caminero’s game-tying solo shot with two bases-loaded walks in the ninth. Texas completed their series split with Oakland by scoring four runs in the final frame for a 9-6 triumph, highlighted by Joc Pederson’s go-ahead single.

The University of Georgia basketball program secured its inaugural transfer portal acquisition for this recruiting period on Thursday with the signing of Penn State guard Freddie Dilione V.

The talented guard was the Nittany Lions’ top offensive performer this season, averaging 14.0 points per game overall and 14.1 points per game during Big Ten Conference matchups. Throughout 32 games with 15 starting appearances, Dilione also contributed 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per outing.

These statistics represent personal bests across all four statistical categories during his third collegiate basketball campaign.

Over his college career spanning 81 games with 43 starts between Tennessee (2023-24) and Penn State (2024-26), Dilione maintains career numbers of 9.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.

The guard will be joining a Georgia squad that brings back four players who made at least eight starts last season — Blue Cain, Kanon Catchings, Marcus “Smurf” Millender, and Kareem Stagg — while dealing with the departures of leading scorer Jeremiah Wilkinson and center Somto Cyril to the transfer portal.

The New Jersey Devils announced Thursday they have named Sunny Mehta as their new general manager, bringing back a familiar face who previously worked in the organization’s analytics department.

The 48-year-old executive spent the last four years with the Florida Panthers, serving as assistant general manager and head of analytics while helping the team capture back-to-back Stanley Cup championships.

According to ESPN, Mehta will oversee all hockey operations for New Jersey. The organization plans to assess head coach Sheldon Keefe and his staff following the team’s failure to reach the playoffs in two of the past three seasons.

“This is a dream come true for a New Jersey kid, who grew up watching Devils’ practices just 20 minutes away in Totowa,” Mehta said. “New Jersey has a tremendous young core that will be looking to get back to being a contender, a complement of young assets and draft picks, and a passionate fan base hungry for success. I was fortunate enough to watch the New Jersey Devils raise three Stanley Cups and am excited to get to work to return to that level.”

A New Jersey native who played hockey in high school, Mehta had an unconventional path to hockey management, working as a musician, professional poker player and derivatives trader before joining the Devils’ front office from 2014 to 2018.

Mehta steps into the position vacated when the Devils fired Tom Fitzgerald earlier this month. The 57-year-old Fitzgerald is reportedly being considered for the general manager opening with the Nashville Predators.

The Devils boast a young roster featuring Olympic standout Jack Hughes, along with Jesper Bratt, Simon Nemec and Luke Hughes, Jack’s younger brother. A key decision looms regarding captain Nico Hischier, as the team faces a July 1 deadline to offer him a contract extension. Hischier has one season remaining on his seven-year, $50.75 million agreement. According to PuckPedia, New Jersey is projected to have $12.18 million in salary cap flexibility this summer.

Duke University announced Thursday that football coach Manny Diaz has secured a contract extension that will keep him with the Blue Devils through the 2031 season.

In his two years leading the program, Diaz has compiled an 18-9 record and guided Duke to its first outright Atlantic Coast Conference championship since 1962. The Blue Devils captured the ACC title with a 27-20 overtime victory over Virginia in the conference championship game, then closed out the season with a 42-39 win against Arizona State in the Sun Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

According to AVG Recruit Ranking, Diaz has secured the program’s most impressive recruiting class in school history for the 2026 season.

Duke officials did not disclose the financial details of the contract extension.

“Manny Diaz is exactly the right leader at exactly the right time for Duke University,” athletic director Nina King said in a statement. “His clear vision for Duke football, deep understanding of our student-athletes and strong alignment with campus and athletics leadership have positioned us for sustained success in the years ahead. We are incredibly proud to have him leading the Blue Devils, and with his passion, integrity and expertise, Duke football will continue to pursue excellence on and off the field well into the future.”

The 52-year-old coach took over the program after Mike Elko departed for Texas A&M following the 2023 season. Under Diaz’s leadership in 2024, the Blue Devils posted a 9-4 record, though they suffered a 52-20 defeat to Ole Miss in the Gator Bowl.

A Miami, Florida native, Diaz previously coached his hometown Hurricanes from 2019-21, recording a 21-15 mark. Miami reached three straight bowl games during his tenure, though Diaz was let go before the 2021 Sun Bowl and the team chose not to participate in that contest.

Following his Miami departure, he spent two seasons as Penn State’s defensive coordinator before accepting the Duke position.

During the 2025 season, Duke showcased the aggressive defensive style that has become Diaz’s trademark. The Blue Devils ranked 11th nationally in fumble recoveries with 10, placed 13th in turnover margin at +0.71, finished 14th with 24 turnovers gained, and ranked 16th in tackles for loss per game at 6.6.

The New Jersey Devils have appointed Sunny Mehta as their new general manager, welcoming back a former team executive who most recently worked with the Stanley Cup-winning Florida Panthers.

Team owner David Blitzer made the announcement Thursday evening, just two days following the conclusion of the Devils’ disappointing regular season that failed to secure a playoff berth. Mehta served as an assistant with Florida during their back-to-back championship victories over the last two seasons.

“We quickly realized this job was in high demand and were incredibly fortunate to meet with many qualified candidates,” Blitzer said. “Sunny’s familiarity with our organization and experience with a two-time Stanley Cup-winning team are characteristics that will serve as a foundation for future success. Our expectations are to be a perennial playoff team and compete for the Stanley Cup, and I look forward to Sunny leading us there.”

The 48-year-old Mehta previously created the NHL’s inaugural comprehensive analytics division during his initial tenure with New Jersey from 2014 through 2018. Following his departure from the Devils, he worked briefly with Washington before joining the Panthers organization.

A native of Wyckoff, New Jersey, Mehta grew up supporting the Devils and brings an unconventional background to hockey management, having worked as both a professional poker player and in the financial sector before entering the sport.

“I knew this was the place I wanted to be,” Mehta said, thanking the Panthers for the chance to take the next step in his career. “New Jersey has a tremendous young core that will be looking to get back to being a contender, a complement of young assets and draft picks, and a passionate fan base hungry for success.”

The Devils dismissed longtime general manager Tom Fitzgerald during the latter part of the season. The organization has yet to determine the status of head coach Sheldon Keefe moving forward.

CLEVELAND — First-year Cleveland Guardians pitcher Parker Messick is on the verge of baseball history, holding the Baltimore Orioles without a hit through eight complete innings Thursday evening.

The 25-year-old southpaw has issued two walks while recording nine strikeouts, tying his personal best, across 106 pitches with 73 finding the strike zone. Cleveland holds a commanding 4-0 advantage as the game heads to the ninth.

Should Messick complete the feat, it would mark the first major league no-hitter since September 4, 2024, when Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relief pitchers combined to shut out Pittsburgh 12-0.

Thursday’s outing represents the deepest Messick has ever pitched in his young career. His previous longest appearance came last season when he threw seven scoreless frames against Tampa Bay.

The Guardians organization has endured the longest current drought between no-hitters in Major League Baseball. Their last one occurred on May 15, 1981, when Len Barker threw a perfect game against Toronto.

Cleveland has come tantalizingly close in recent years. Carlos Carrasco pitched 8⅔ hitless innings against Tampa Bay on July 1, 2015, while Gavin Williams carried a no-hitter through 8⅓ innings last August 6 versus the New York Mets.

Carrasco came within a single strike of completing his bid when Rays outfielder Joey Butler connected on an 0-2 slider that barely escaped the reach of diving Cleveland second baseman Jason Kipnis.

Juan Soto ended Williams’ attempt with a home run to center field.

Messick has faced just one batter beyond the minimum tonight. After walking leadoff man Taylor Ward, he retired the following 15 batters in succession. Ward hit a deep fly ball to center in the third that Steven Kwan hauled in at the warning track, while José Ramírez made an impressive defensive play on a Coby Mayo ground ball deep in the hole at third to close the fifth.

Though Messick walked Leody Taveras to open the sixth inning, Ward immediately grounded into a double play to end the threat.

Ramírez contributed another stellar defensive moment, making a spectacular catch in foul territory to retire Samuel Basallo leading off the eighth.

This marks Messick’s 11th career major league start. Selected 54th overall in the 2022 amateur draft from Florida State University, he made his big league debut last season.

Entering tonight’s contest, Messick carried a 5-1 career record with a 2.04 earned run average. He had posted a 2-0 mark with a 0.51 ERA through his first three starts this season.

Cleveland has provided offensive support with Ramírez’s two-run homer in the opening inning, plus RBI singles from Kwan in the fifth and George Valera in the sixth.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The James family dynasty could reach unprecedented heights this month as LeBron and Bronny James prepare to potentially become the first father-son combination to share significant playoff action in NBA history.

After making league history last season as the first parent-child duo to compete together professionally, the James pair has elevated their on-court partnership this year with substantial shared minutes and the NBA’s inaugural father-to-son assist.

With the Los Angeles Lakers set to battle the Houston Rockets in their opening playoff series, the basketball legend and his 21-year-old son appear positioned to add another groundbreaking achievement to their remarkable story. Despite nearly two seasons as teammates, the possibility of this fresh milestone continues to resonate with both players.

“It’s insane,” Bronny commented Thursday following practice at the Lakers’ training facility. “I mean, I’ve literally watched his whole career. Now I’m a part of it. So it’s a great experience. I’m appreciative of it — but I’m part of the job, too. So I have to do my job as well. I’ve got to lock in.”

The younger James has seen his court time expand significantly during recent weeks, becoming a consistent rotation player since injuries sidelined Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic two weeks ago.

LeBron expresses clear paternal satisfaction watching Bronny develop into a reliable contributor for their injury-depleted squad.

“Every moment we get an opportunity to play together is something I never take for granted,” LeBron said.

“Me being on the floor with him postseason, regular season, training camp, practices, it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my career, above everything I’ve accomplished,” he added. “The fact that he’s put himself in position to get his number called for a postseason game is pretty remarkable and pretty cool, given the circumstances that he’s been through over the last couple of years. He earned it. He deserves it. He’ll be ready.”

Following limited appearances during his initial NBA season and a half, Bronny has emerged as a steady rotation piece — initially from necessity with the Lakers’ primary scorers injured, but also through merit-based performance. He has logged 13 or more minutes in seven of the team’s most recent 10 contests, averaging 19 minutes across the past four games.

This expanded role appears likely to persist throughout the playoffs, as neither Doncic nor Reaves will participate in Saturday’s Game 1, with no established timeline for their return.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick acknowledged he plans to utilize every available healthy player as Los Angeles attempts to overcome steep odds without their regular starting backcourt.

“We’re going to have to have all hands on deck in this series,” Redick said. “That’s just what we’re handed. I think Bronny has improved a lot. We trust him. The shooting piece (of his game), I’m a believer in, because of how well he shot it the last two years in the G League. … He’s improved a ton defensively, in terms of his body positioning, both on and off ball. We want him to continue to evolve as a disruptive defender as well.”

Bronny appeared in just four playoff minutes last season during two of the Lakers’ first-round defeats to Minnesota, and he admits he hasn’t participated in many high-stakes games throughout his brief basketball journey.

His only college campaign occurred at Southern California, though he didn’t compete for the Trojans until mid-season following recovery from an offseason cardiac event, and that squad failed to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

“It’s what I’ve wanted, to play in the playoffs,” Bronny said. “I wasn’t able to play in March (Madness), and this is a bigger stage than that. I’m so excited to get out there with my teammates and try to get some wins and try to make it further in the playoffs.”

Should they share court time this month, Bronny believes they can develop immediate chemistry. After all, he possesses intimate knowledge of LeBron’s playing style.

“I don’t want to give all the answers to the test, but I’ve been watching him for a long time, and I’ve kind of picked up on his tendencies,” Bronny said with a grin. “I think it’s good that I’m paying attention during his career and what he likes to do in the postseason. I think we’ll be able to play good together. My IQ isn’t going to be far behind him, but I know what he’s doing and where he likes to get the ball on the floor.”

The NHL postseason will launch Saturday with three playoff matchups, though final seeding won’t be determined until Thursday evening when the last Western Conference regular season games conclude.

Saturday’s playoff action begins at 3 p.m. ET when the Ottawa Senators take on the Carolina Hurricanes, who claimed the Eastern Conference’s top position. The day continues with Minnesota Wild facing the Dallas Stars at 5:30 p.m. ET, followed by a Pennsylvania rivalry showdown as Philadelphia Flyers travel to face Pittsburgh Penguins at 8 p.m. ET.

Carolina secured the Eastern Conference’s number one ranking by finishing four points ahead of Buffalo, earning the right to host the second wild card team. Though Pittsburgh and Philadelphia ended the regular season tied in points within the Metropolitan Division, the Penguins gained home ice advantage through a tiebreaker based on regulation victories, winning 34 compared to Philadelphia’s 27.

The Western Conference picture remains partially unclear, though Dallas and Minnesota have been confirmed for the Central Division’s second-versus-third seed battle longer than any other playoff pairing. Only one additional Western series has been finalized: Pacific Division champions Vegas will meet the top wild card team Utah Mammoth, beginning Sunday.

Sunday’s schedule, with start times yet to be announced, features Boston visiting Buffalo, Montreal traveling to Tampa Bay, and the Presidents’ Trophy champion Colorado hosting the West’s second wild card team.

The Pacific Division’s second and third seeds will start their series Monday, though their exact positioning awaits Thursday’s results. Edmonton (40-30-11, 91 points), Anaheim (42-33-6, 90 points), and Los Angeles (35-26-20, 90 points) will complete their regular seasons Thursday night, determining the final playoff seeding order.

Second-seeded tennis player Coco Gauff battled back from an early deficit to defeat Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova 7-5, 6-1 in her first-round match at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix on Thursday, securing her spot in the quarterfinals in Stuttgart, Germany.

Despite falling behind 0-3 in the opening set, Gauff regrouped to claim four consecutive games and seize control of the match before cruising through the second set. The American recorded seven aces while committing five double faults during the contest. Her next opponent will be seventh-seeded Karolina Muchova from the Czech Republic, who mounted her own comeback to defeat Belgium’s Elise Mertens 1-6, 6-3, 6-0. Gauff enters the matchup with a perfect 6-0 record against Muchova and is seeking her first semifinal berth at the Stuttgart tournament.

Top-seeded Elena Rybakina from Kazakhstan also advanced with a 6-3, 6-4 triumph over Russia’s Diana Shnaider in a match lasting 73 minutes, while sixth-seeded Mirra Andreeva of Russia defeated Alycia Parks 7-6 (3), 6-3. The only seeded player to suffer an upset was eighth-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova, who lost decisively to Czech competitor Linda Noskova 6-1, 6-1 in just 58 minutes.

The day’s final match featured Canada’s Leylah Fernandez enduring a grueling three-hour battle against Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez, ultimately prevailing 6-7 (2), 6-1, 7-6 (5) to earn a quarterfinal meeting with Rybakina.

At the Rouen Metropolitan Open in France, Belarus player Iryna Shymanovich achieved her first career victory over a top-50 opponent by defeating fourth-seeded Hailey Baptiste 6-3, 5-7, 6-3. Although Baptiste served seven aces compared to Shymanovich’s none, the 28-year-old Belarusian converted four breaks of serve to Baptiste’s two, earning her maiden tour-level quarterfinal appearance. Shymanovich will next face unseeded German Tatjana Maria, who advanced with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Czech player Dominika Salkova.

Second-seeded Sorana Cirstea of Romania moved into the quarterfinals when China’s Xinyu Wang withdrew from their first-round match, while seventh-seeded Elisabetta Cocciaretto was eliminated by Ukraine’s Veronika Podrez 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-4. Hungary’s Anna Bondar completed the day’s results with a 6-0, 4-6, 6-0 victory over Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova in the tournament’s opening match.

Federal authorities are issuing stern warnings after numerous unauthorized drones were detected flying near Coors Field during the Colorado Rockies’ opening home series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Between April 3 and April 5, law enforcement tracked more than six separate drone incidents around the baseball stadium, though no arrests were made during the games. However, the drone operators may still face significant penalties down the road. On Thursday, both the Federal Aviation Administration and FBI released public warnings aimed at preventing similar violations during upcoming home games, citing concerns about security risks.

“The illegal drone activity did not jeopardize anyone’s safety, but there were enough violations that the teams on the ground were concerned about the number of operators that did not seem to understand the seriousness of the situation. Thus the proactive messaging,” FBI spokeswoman Vikki Migoya said.

Federal aviation officials regularly establish no-fly zones around major sporting venues to safeguard spectators and prevent game disruptions.

Security experts worry most about potential terrorist attacks using unmanned aircraft, similar to deadly drone strikes seen in conflicts in Ukraine and Iran. This concern has led federal agencies and World Cup organizing committees to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in anti-drone technology for upcoming matches.

Beyond terrorism concerns, Migoya explained that unauthorized drone flights create unnecessary burdens for security teams.

“Every instance of illegal drone activity requires a law enforcement intervention to ensure the intent is not nefarious; the fewer violations there are, the more law enforcement can focus on what might be a true threat,” she said.

Aviation regulations prohibit all aircraft within a three-mile radius of Coors Field beginning one hour before kickoff and lasting until one hour after baseball or football games conclude. Drone pilots must verify these restrictions before takeoff.

According to the FAA, violators could receive penalties reaching $75,000 for each infraction and may have their pilot certifications revoked.

While drones must transmit location data, law enforcement agencies possess additional tracking capabilities to identify operators.

NEW YORK — Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout delivered another thunderous blast at Yankee Stadium Thursday, launching his fifth home run across the four-game series with a towering 446-foot shot in the seventh inning.

The slugging outfielder became just the fourth player in baseball history to connect for five home runs during a single series against the Yankees, joining an exclusive group that includes Jimmie Foxx (1933), Darrell Evans (1985), and George Bell (1990), according to MLB statistics expert Sarah Langs. Trout’s power surge began Monday with two home runs, followed by additional long balls in each of the next two contests.

During Thursday’s series conclusion, the three-time Most Valuable Player launched a 2-2 slider from Yankees reliever Angel Chivilli deep into the left field bleachers, propelling the Angels to their 7-4 advantage.

Throughout the four-game stretch, Trout posted impressive numbers with six hits in 16 at-bats, collecting nine runs batted in alongside his five home runs. His hot streak at the Bronx ballpark now extends to five consecutive games with a homer.

For the season, Trout maintains a .246 batting average with seven home runs and 16 RBIs. During the Angels’ current road swing, he’s batting .333 with nine hits in 27 at-bats, driving in 13 runs with five homers after implementing a mechanical adjustment to his swing.

Trout’s personal record for consecutive games with home runs stands at seven, which he accomplished during a stretch from September 4-12 in 2022.