Category: Sports

NEW YORK — What started as a regular baseball matchup between Aaron Judge and Mike Trout quickly escalated into an epic power display between two of the game’s biggest stars.

The Angels superstar launched his second homer of the night deep into left-center field, the ball ricocheting off the back wall beyond the bullpen area to give Los Angeles a two-run advantage in the eighth inning. This came after Judge had already connected twice to help the New York Yankees build their lead.

The historic showdown marked the first time in seven decades that two players who have each won three MVP awards hit multiple home runs in the same contest.

Trent Grisham delivered his second blast of the night — matching his season total — to even the score in the ninth frame. José Caballero crossed home plate when Jordan Romano’s wild pitch ended the game, securing an electrifying 11-10 Yankees victory on Monday that snapped a five-game skid.

“It was great. That’s baseball for you,” Trout marveled. “It’s what fans want, and to be able to see something like that, pretty cool.”

According to STATS Perform, such a performance between two three-time MVP winners had occurred just once previously.

The last instance happened on June 21, 1956, when Stan Musial connected twice before Roy Campanella launched a game-tying three-run shot in the ninth for his second homer of the day. Don Zimmer then delivered a walk-off single as the Brooklyn Dodgers defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 9-8 at Ebbets Field.

Trout came close to a third home run, flying out to Cody Bellinger near the center-field wall with the bases loaded in the fourth inning. This occurred after the Angels had knotted the game 4-4 with four unearned runs following Caballero’s fielding mistake on Trout’s leadoff ground ball to short.

Judge had anticipated meeting up with Trout in the Yankee Stadium weight room.

“I was going to talk some smack to him after the one he hit all the way to the warning track,” Judge said, “but I didn’t get a chance to and then he answers right back with two big homers for him. You put that guy in a clutch situation, a big moment and he’s going to show up every single time, so it’s fun going back and forth with a guy like that, especially in New York and the Bronx.”

The Yankees had dropped five consecutive games following an 8-2 beginning and entered the night winless in six one-run contests.

Seven long balls combined to travel 2,846 feet — exceeding half a mile — with New York accounting for five of them. Judge’s opening blast sailed 456 feet into the left-field bleachers, leaving his bat at 116.2 mph for the season’s hardest-hit home run.

Both Grisham and Trout drove in five runs apiece, while Judge contributed three RBIs.

The game featured the sport’s top four active home run hitters. Judge, now with 374, moved one ahead of teammate Paul Goldschmidt. Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who leads active players with 454, missed by approximately a foot with a fifth-inning double off the center-field wall. Trout sits at 408 career homers.

The 34-year-old Trout captured AL MVP honors in 2014, 2016, and 2019 but has battled injuries throughout much of the last five seasons.

“He’s the greatest of all time. It’s been fun to watch his whole career, coming up at such a young age and instantly just putting yourself at the top of the list. It’s special,” Judge said.

Judge, who celebrates his 34th birthday on April 26, earned AL MVP recognition in 2022, 2024, and 2025.

“Those are two of the greats, so it’s really fun to watch,” Yankees starter Will Warren said.

Both Judge and Caballero launched two-run shots off Yusei Kikuchi during a four-run second inning on an unusually warm 77-degree evening. Following Caballero’s defensive miscue that led to unearned runs against Warren, Grisham entered as a pinch-hitter in the fifth and connected for a three-run drive against Shaun Anderson, extending the lead to 7-4.

Trout responded with a three-run blast in the sixth against Jake Bird, who was sent down to Triple-A following the game.

Judge’s homer off Anderson to start the bottom half gave him 47 multi-homer performances, surpassing Mickey Mantle by one and trailing only Babe Ruth’s 68 among Yankees players.

“To be surrounded by some greats like that, it’s special,” Judge said.

Josh Lowe tied the game at 8 with a seventh-inning sacrifice fly, and Trout’s two-run shot in the eighth off Camilo Doval pushed the Angels ahead 10-8 with his 31st multi-homer game. Judge, observing from right field, shook his head in disbelief.

“Every time he comes to the Bronx, man, he puts on a show,” Judge said. “I hate to see it, but it’s fun competing against a guy like that.”

Jazz Chisholm Jr. opened the ninth with a single against Jordan Romano, and Grisham reached down to pull a slider into the right-field seats as the closer placed both hands on his head in dismay.

Caballero doubled and stole third base without a throw. After Austin Wells drew a walk, Caballero scored when Romano bounced a full-count slider to Ryan McMahon to the backstop on the ninth pitch of the at-bat.

The Yankees hadn’t won while surrendering double-digit runs since defeating Minnesota 14-12 on July 23, 2019.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone described his emotions as “tough … for the belly.”

He then shifted focus to his team.

“You get a lead, then you get another lead, and then it’s gone,” he said. “For the guys, maybe it was good to have a game like that where it was a little messy.”

Two key New York Yankees starting pitchers are approaching their return to action after extended injury recoveries, according to manager Aaron Boone’s comments to media before Monday’s matchup with the Los Angeles Angels.

Star right-hander Gerrit Cole and left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodon could both begin minor league rehabilitation assignments within the coming week as they work their way back from elbow procedures.

Cole, who had Tommy John surgery 13 months ago, has been gradually building up his arm strength. While he appeared in a pair of spring training contests, the organization slowed his progression to align with his recovery timeline. On Sunday, the veteran hurler completed live batting practice, reaching 42 pitches during the session, Boone reported.

Meanwhile, Rodon underwent surgery following last season to have bone chips removed from his elbow. The southpaw, coming off his most successful Yankees season with an 18-9 record, 3.09 ERA, and 1.05 WHIP in 2025, threw 50 pitches during Monday’s live batting practice.

Both pitchers will take their next turn after four days of rest, though team officials haven’t determined whether that will come in an actual game setting or another batting practice session.

“I don’t have an opinion one way or the other,” Cole said. “I just want to make sure we do what’s right, really. So I think we’re just taking in a little bit more information over the next couple of days before we make that call.”

The Yankees’ current rotation has performed exceptionally well through 15 games, posting a major league-leading 2.67 ERA while tying Pittsburgh for the fewest home runs allowed with just three.

The 35-year-old Cole captured the Cy Young Award in 2023 after going 15-4 with a league-best 2.63 ERA across 209 innings. Throughout his career, he’s been selected as an All-Star six times, earning recognition with Pittsburgh in 2015, Houston in 2018 and 2019, and the Yankees from 2021-2023.

Over 12 major league seasons, Cole has compiled a 153-80 record with a 3.18 ERA in 317 starts.

Rodon, 33, brings an 93-72 record and 3.73 ERA over 231 games across 11 big league seasons. He’s also earned All-Star selections with three different organizations: Chicago White Sox in 2021, San Francisco Giants in 2022, and the Yankees last year.

Additionally, Boone announced that shortstop Anthony Volpe is scheduled to participate in four games with Double-A Somerset this week, pending medical clearance. Volpe played through most of last season with a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder and had corrective surgery during the offseason.

A top-tier basketball recruit has reversed course on his college plans, withdrawing his pledge to the University of North Carolina after meeting with the program’s new coaching staff.

Dylan Mingo, ranked as the eighth-best prospect nationally in the 2027 graduating class by 247Sports, announced Monday that he is backing out of his February commitment to UNC and will explore other college options. The 6-foot-5 versatile guard from Long Island Lutheran in New York had originally pledged to play for former head coach Hubert Davis on February 17.

The decision comes after UNC brought in Michael Malone as the new head coach on April 7, replacing Davis who was dismissed from his position. Mingo spent time with Malone and his coaching staff during the weekend before making his announcement.

Since Mingo never signed an official letter of intent with North Carolina, he remains free to consider other programs. His original list of finalists included Baylor, Penn State, and Washington, while he also received scholarship offers from Alabama, Illinois, Louisville, UConn, and Texas.

The talented guard’s senior season was largely derailed by an ankle injury, which kept him sidelined for most games and prevented his selection to the prestigious McDonald’s All-American roster. Despite the setback, Mingo demonstrated his abilities last summer by earning Most Valuable Player honors at the NBPA Top 100 camp, where he averaged 23.8 points, 6.8 assists, and 6.5 rebounds per contest.

In limited action during 12 regular-season games with the PSA Cardinals in the Nike EYBL circuit, Mingo still managed impressive numbers, posting 19.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.3 steals per game.

When he initially committed to the Tar Heels, Mingo expressed his championship aspirations to ESPN, stating: “I feel like from Day 1, my role will be a player who impacts winning in every aspect. Honestly, I am just a person who will give it his all to win a national championship.”

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — University of North Carolina first-year player Caleb Wilson has officially declared his intention to enter the NBA draft, concluding what he described as an unforgettable season with the Tar Heels despite being hampered by injuries.

The basketball program shared a video announcement Monday featuring the 6-foot-10 forward, who is widely considered among the elite prospects for the upcoming June draft. Wilson’s declaration confirms his single-season college career, following a cryptic “#8out” post he shared on social media in recent weeks that hinted at his professional aspirations.

“I am grateful for the opportunity I had to represent North Carolina,” Wilson said. “Wearing No. 8, running out of that historic tunnel every day for practice and games, and i’m happy to say every day I gave it my all.”

The talented forward put up impressive numbers with 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game during an outstanding campaign that was unfortunately derailed by multiple injuries. His season was first interrupted by a fractured bone in his left hand, occurring just days following an exciting victory over conference rival Duke. Later, as Wilson prepared to make his comeback, he suffered a broken right thumb during a non-contact practice session, ultimately ending his season just before a second matchup with the Blue Devils.

Despite the shortened season, Wilson earned recognition as a second-team Associated Press All-American, an achievement that guarantees his jersey number will be displayed among the honored players in the Smith Center rafters.

Brazilian national team manager Carlo Ancelotti believes superstar forward Neymar can still earn his way onto the World Cup roster despite recent injury struggles.

The Italian coach expressed confidence in the player’s recovery prospects during an interview with L’Equipe. “He is capable of getting back to 100%,” Ancelotti stated when asked about Neymar’s World Cup chances. “He is being assessed by the CBF (Brazil’s Football Confederation) and by me, and he still has two months to show that he has what it takes to play in the next World Cup.”

The 34-year-old attacking midfielder, who holds Brazil’s all-time scoring record with 79 international goals, has been absent from national team duty since 2023 due to persistent left knee problems. Following minor knee surgery on December 22, Neymar received platelet-rich plasma therapy in early April to accelerate his healing process.

Ancelotti praised the player’s progress since the December procedure. “After his knee injury (in December), Neymar has made a good recovery,” the coach explained. “He’s scoring goals. He needs to keep going down this path and improve his fitness. He’s on the right track.”

Currently serving as captain for Santos in Brazil’s top-flight Serie A, Neymar has publicly expressed his determination to represent his country at this summer’s World Cup in North America. His current contract with Santos runs through the end of this calendar year.

The veteran player previously starred for European giants Barcelona from 2013 to 2017 and Paris Saint-Germain from 2017 to 2023, forming memorable partnerships with Lionel Messi at both clubs during his peak years as one of soccer’s elite attacking talents.

An ankle problem contributed to his exit from PSG, leading to a brief stint with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. However, a torn ACL cut short his time in the Middle East. He rejoined Santos in January 2025, marking his return to professional soccer in his homeland.

This season, Neymar has contributed three goals and two assists across five appearances for Santos. After missing two consecutive matches, he completed the full 90 minutes in Saturday’s 1-0 victory against Atletico Mineiro.

Santos head coach Cuca offered an encouraging assessment following Saturday’s performance. “Neymar is improving with every game,” Cuca told ESPN reporters. “He’s been staying behind to train. His movement on the ball is much better and he’s likely to get even better. It’s risky to play him for the full 90 minutes; we’ll see if he can handle it, and we’ll work towards him playing on Tuesday.”

During his debut season back in Brazilian soccer last year, Neymar recorded eight goals and one assist over 20 appearances, starting 17 of those matches.

Ancelotti acknowledged the player’s legendary status while maintaining realistic expectations. “Neymar has made, and continues to make, history in Brazilian football,” the coach noted. “He is a great talent and it’s only natural that people think he can help us win the next World Cup.”

Despite the optimistic outlook, Neymar has not appeared on any national team roster since Ancelotti assumed coaching duties last June.

The coach emphasized his selection philosophy when pressed about future call-ups. “I’ve said this several times, and it’s very clear: I’ll call up the players who are physically ready,” Ancelotti declared.

The Indiana University basketball program announced three significant transfer portal additions on Monday, highlighted by the commitment of Notre Dame guard Markus Burton, who gets to stay in his home state for his next chapter.

Burton will be joined by Duke forward Darren Harris and Georgia Tech guard Jaeden Mustaf, all three announcing their decisions to become Hoosiers on the same day.

The Notre Dame transfer brings impressive scoring credentials despite battling injuries over his past two seasons. Burton missed five weeks during the 2024-25 campaign after suffering a knee injury in late November. His most recent season was cut short when he required surgery for a left ankle injury sustained on December 5.

Throughout his three-year career with the Fighting Irish, Burton compiled strong numbers across 69 games with 68 starts. He posted 19.1 points per game while shooting 43.8% from the field and 33.2% from beyond the arc, also contributing 3.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.8 steals per contest. His accolades include ACC Rookie of the Year honors in 2023-24, along with third-team All-ACC recognition that season and second-team honors for 2024-25.

Harris brings a 6-foot-6 frame to Indiana’s wing position after spending two seasons coming off Duke’s bench. The former top-40 national recruit from the 2024 class contributed 2.8 points per game in 8.4 minutes of action across 57 appearances with the Blue Devils.

Mustaf, like Harris, was rated as a four-star prospect in the 2024 recruiting class and had previously shown interest in Indiana before choosing Georgia Tech. During his time with the Yellow Jackets, he appeared in 55 games with 33 starts, averaging 9.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. His three-point shooting was particularly strong in 2025-26, connecting on 38.9% of his attempts while averaging 10.4 points per game.

LOS ANGELES — The NBA’s all-time leading scorer likely believed his days of single-handedly carrying teams were behind him.

Throughout his career, LeBron James has repeatedly lifted ordinary rosters to remarkable heights, but this season with the Los Angeles Lakers looked different. Playing his first complete campaign alongside Luka Doncic, the 41-year-old superstar had stepped into more of a complementary role, watching Doncic lead the offense while emerging talent Austin Reaves flourished.

The strategy proved highly effective during Los Angeles’ impressive 16-2 run in March, capturing the Pacific Division title and sparking discussions about potentially challenging powerhouses Oklahoma City or San Antonio in the postseason.

However, disaster struck in early April when both Doncic suffered a hamstring injury and Reaves went down with an oblique strain during the Lakers’ first game of the month, leaving both stars facing multi-week absences.

Suddenly, James finds himself thrust back into the familiar position of being his team’s primary hope, with the Lakers’ playoff aspirations now resting on the shoulders of a player entering his 23rd NBA season.

As Los Angeles prepares to face the Houston Rockets in Saturday night’s playoff opener, James faces another seemingly impossible task in a career filled with them: maintaining the Lakers’ championship hopes until his injured teammates can return.

“I’ve had to tap back into a role that I’ve been accustomed to in the past, but obviously wasn’t what it was this year,” James explained. “Circumstances have put me back in here, and I’m just trying to feed off my teammates (while my) teammates feed off of me. Trying to make things happen for us to continue to stay afloat.”

This challenge would overwhelm most players, but James has repeatedly proven his ability to rise to such occasions. Following his 26-point, 11-assist, eight-rebound performance in the Lakers’ victory over Golden State, reporters asked what his team requires from him without their top two scorers.

“Everything,” James responded. “So nothing changes for me. Just back to the old ways.”

James has dedicated most of his basketball career to elevating those around him. Even after departing Cleveland initially to join Miami’s super-team and reduce that burden, he returned home and spent four additional seasons leading the Cavaliers to consecutive NBA Finals appearances against Golden State — including an incredible stretch to six games in 2015 without Kyrie Irving or Kevin Love, followed by orchestrating Cleveland’s historic comeback from a 3-1 deficit to claim the 2016 championship.

Currently, the Lakers recognize that unfortunate injuries have likely undermined what appeared to be a promising campaign. Doncic, who topped the league in scoring, has traveled to Spain seeking medical treatments that might accelerate his return, while Reaves appears unlikely to play in the opening playoff round.

Despite these setbacks, Lakers head coach JJ Redick maintains confidence with James in the lineup.

“We’re going to need him to facilitate, and we’re going to need him to score,” Redick stated. “We’re going to need him to defend and rebound. I think he recognizes the task at hand, and he’s very locked in. He’s played great.”

Injuries have plagued all three Lakers stars this season, limiting their time playing together until recently. James battled sciatica that caused him to miss training camp and the season’s first 14 games, yet he appeared in 60 of the following 68 contests for Los Angeles, including five consecutive game sets.

“He had not a good season, not a great — he had a remarkable season, all things considered,” Redick observed. “You take away the fact that he’s in his 23rd year, and he’s 41 years old, he had a remarkable season. The fact that those things are real, and they’re very real in terms of the day-to-day management, it’s unbelievable what he did this year.”

James’ statistics show only minor adjustments to his advanced age and reduced responsibilities behind Doncic and Reaves: His 20.9 points per game marked his lowest average since his 2003-04 rookie campaign, while his 33.2 minutes per game represented a career low.

However, when the spotlight returns to James, he continues performing at an elite level with stunning consistency. He concluded the regular season by averaging 24.0 points, 9.7 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals across three Lakers wins that secured home-court advantage for the opening playoff round.

James earned Western Conference Player of the Week honors Monday for the 70th time — exceeding the combined total of any other two players in league history.

“Just trying to squeeze as much of the juice as I can, until it’s as dry as it can be for me,” James reflected. “I’ve been given an opportunity to play the game that I love, and tried to do it at a high level, and I’ve tried to commit to it, and the game has given back to me.”

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Head coach Mike Vrabel was absent from the New England Patriots’ pre-draft media session on Monday, but team officials indicate he continues his normal duties in preparation for the upcoming NFL draft amid recent media attention surrounding photographs with a sports journalist.

When questioned about Vrabel’s participation in draft preparations, Patriots vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf described his involvement as standard operating procedure.

“Very involved. Business as usual,” Wolf stated regarding Vrabel’s role in the team’s draft activities. “I’d say he’s been in there with us this round probably a little more than he was in there last year. … He’s been in there. He’s been contributing. He’s watched a ton of the players.”

This marked the initial public comments from a Patriots front office representative since the New York Post released images showing Vrabel alongside NFL journalist Dianna Russini of The Athletic at an Arizona hotel, sparking questions about their professional relationship.

While Vrabel participated in media sessions before last season’s draft, he chose not to attend Monday’s formal press conference. However, reporters encountered him briefly during a facility tour following Wolf’s media availability, where he offered a quick greeting.

The Post reported the photographs were captured in Arizona approximately two weeks prior to the NFL owners meetings that commenced March 29 in Phoenix.

Both Vrabel and Russini, who are married to other people, issued responses to the Post minimizing the significance of the images.

Russini explained the photos “don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day.”

Vrabel responded to the publication stating: “Those photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.”

The New York Times, parent company of The Athletic, announced Saturday it would examine Russini’s professional conduct.

This investigation followed earlier comments from Athletic executive editor Steven Ginsberg, who had defended Russini’s journalism and told the Post the images “lacked essential context.”

Vrabel, a three-time Super Bowl champion during his playing career with New England, enters his sophomore campaign as Patriots head coach. He guided the franchise to a 14-3 record in his debut season, which concluded with a Super Bowl defeat against Seattle.

New England possesses the 31st selection in the upcoming draft along with 11 total picks.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic is scheduled to fly back to Los Angeles this Friday following specialized medical treatment in Europe for his hamstring injury, according to an ESPN report released Monday. However, team officials have not indicated when the star player might be cleared to return to the court.

The 27-year-old basketball star traveled to Spain last week to undergo multiple injection treatments for a Grade 2 left hamstring strain he suffered during the team’s 139-96 defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2.

Following an MRI examination the day after the injury occurred, Lakers management announced that Doncic would be sidelined for at least the rest of the regular season. The organization has remained silent about his recovery progress since that initial statement.

Medical experts typically expect Grade 2 hamstring strains to require approximately one month of recovery time. This timeline could potentially sideline the NBA’s top scorer, who averages 33.5 points per game, along with Los Angeles’ leader in both assists (8.3) and steals (1.6), for the entire opening round of playoff competition.

The Lakers, who earned the fourth seed in the Western Conference, are scheduled to begin their first-round playoff matchup this Saturday when they face the fifth-seeded Houston Rockets.

Adding to the team’s injury concerns, Austin Reaves remains unavailable after suffering a Grade 2 left oblique strain. The guard, who contributes 23.3 points and 5.5 assists per game, is projected to miss four to six weeks of action.

Despite losing both key players, Los Angeles managed to close out the regular season with a 3-2 record following Doncic and Reaves’ injuries.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Las Vegas betting markets suggest the real NBA championship battle may unfold in a potential Western Conference clash between defending titleholder Oklahoma City and San Antonio, a squad that dominated the Thunder during regular season play.

However, sportsbook numbers also suggest not overlooking Boston as NBA postseason action commences, given the Celtics captured their record 18th title just two seasons ago.

Oklahoma City stands as the +120 betting choice at BetMGM Sportsbook to become the first franchise since Golden State in 2018 to claim back-to-back championships. San Antonio, which beat the Thunder in four of their five regular season encounters, follows at +450 odds. Boston remains within striking distance at +550.

All remaining franchises carry betting lines of 10-1 or higher.

“The West team is going to be favored in the final unless there’s a real shocker,” said Bruce Marshall, handicapper for WagerTalk/Gold Sheet. “We’re assuming it’s Oklahoma or San Antonio. Either of those two would be favored. Boston would have the best chance, I think, in the East, followed by the Knicks and then Detroit.”

David Lieberman, pro basketball lead at Caesars Sportsbook, expressed caution about assuming favorites would wind up in the NBA Finals.

“It should be pretty wide open this year, and I can see any of the top 3-5 seeds making a run in each conference,” Lieberman said. “I expect several long, competitive series all the way through.”

Jayson Tatum’s earlier-than-expected return from an Achilles tendon tear sustained in last year’s playoffs has made bettors believers of the Celtics. Boston was listed at 10-1 before his comeback, and 8.7% of the bets and 8.2% of the money at BetMGM are on the Celtics. That’s behind only the Pistons in the Eastern Conference (10.2% of bets, 9.7% of the handle).

Detroit has generated significant optimism with Cade Cunningham returning after missing approximately three weeks due to a collapsed lung.

Despite the Western Conference’s superior depth and talent, numerous bettors are finding value in Eastern Conference wagering opportunities.

“The Detroit Pistons have been getting bet all year, and now with Cade Cunningham back and healthy, bets are coming in on them again,” Lieberman said. “The top five seeds in the East have been pretty popular bets of late, so I think there is some belief in those teams outside of the Celtics.”

Los Angeles Lakers generated considerable discussion as a potential dark horse contender in the West before Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) suffered injuries this month.

BetMGM’s wagering figures demonstrate minimal confidence in the Lakers’ championship prospects. Los Angeles carries 125-1 odds to advance from the Western Conference and 250-1 to capture the title.

The fourth-seeded Lakers begin postseason play against fifth-ranked Houston. The Rockets are 8-1 series favorites despite lacking home-court advantage.

“The moment Luka got hurt, the chances of the Lakers making a deep run ended,” Marshall said. “Houston has been playing better, so I think that Lakers (have a) short stay. It’s too bad because it was looking like they might be menacing for a while when all the hands were on deck.”

Should betting predictions prove accurate, Tuesday and Wednesday’s four play-in tournament contests should remain competitive until the final moments.

Charlotte and Los Angeles Clippers, each favored by 5 1/2 points, represent BetMGM’s largest spreads.

The Hornets face Miami, with the victor meeting either Orlando or Philadelphia before potentially challenging top-seeded Detroit. Philadelphia holds a 1 1/2-point edge over Orlando, with that winner advancing to face Boston.

In Western Conference action, the Clippers battle Golden State for the opportunity to face Portland or Phoenix before potentially meeting Oklahoma City. Phoenix carries a 3 1/2-point advantage over Portland, with that victor set to challenge San Antonio.

Marshall concurred with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver regarding tanking as a significant league concern.

Teams potentially not providing maximum effort won’t influence playoff betting, unlike regular season wagering.

“Actually, I kind of enjoyed it when you got these teams that weren’t trying because you could try to go against them, although the oddsmakers were really making us pay with a lot of these numbers,” Marshall said. “It’s really a disease in the NBA and they’re trying to address, but it gets worse every year with the tanking stuff. As soon as a team sees they’re out of the playoff picture, they try not to win.”

The NHL’s most prestigious individual honors remain up for grabs as the league enters playoff season, with Associated Press hockey experts weighing in on the top contenders across all major categories.

The Hart Memorial Trophy for Most Valuable Player presents another year without a runaway favorite, marking three consecutive seasons where the award race has remained competitive until the final weeks. Connor McDavid of Edmonton appears poised to capture the scoring title and Art Ross Trophy for most points, while Nathan MacKinnon from Colorado leads the goal-scoring race. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov has separated himself from teammates by more than 40 points and could earn his second straight Hart Trophy nomination.

AP Hockey Writers John Wawrow and Stephen Whyno offered their expert analysis on award winners across six categories:

Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP)
BetMGM Sportsbook favorite: Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado

Wawrow selected Nikita Kucherov, explaining: “As much as McDavid and MacKinnon deserve consideration, and maybe Montreal’s Nick Suzuki merits mention, Kucherov did more with less on a Tampa Bay team that proved immune to the shakeup that turned the Atlantic Division upside down.”

Whyno chose McDavid, stating: “There’s an argument to be made for Kucherov, given where the Lightning could be without him after a season full of injuries. But McDavid carried the Oilers down the stretch after Leon Draisaitl got injured, and he should add a fourth MVP honor to his impressive resume that is missing only the Stanley Cup.”

Vezina Trophy (Top Goaltender)
BetMGM Sportsbook favorite: Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay

Both writers agreed on Vasilevskiy for the goaltending award.

Wawrow noted: “The numbers simply speak for themselves. Leading the league with 38 wins entering the final week, no goalie had a better goals-against average and save percentage playing 50 or more games this season.”

Whyno added: “John and I are on the same wavelength here. With a nod to Utah’s Karel Vejmelka for making more than 60 starts, no one has mixed a heavy workload with quality of play like Vasilevskiy, who has made the Cup Final four times, won it twice, but only won the Vezina once (2019).”

James Norris Memorial Trophy (Top Defenseman)
BetMGM Sportsbook favorite: Zach Werenski, Columbus

The writers split on this category, with Wawrow backing Cale Makar of Colorado: “If the Blue Jackets make the playoffs, a case could be made for Werenski over a ton of talent such as Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin and Minnesota’s Quinn Hughes. Makar, however, stands out for once again being the NHL’s most complete defenseman.”

Whyno supported Werenski: “The Blue Jackets leaned heavily on the 28-year-old, who skated over 26 minutes per night. Werenski produced at better than a point-a-game level and does everything well on the defensive end as well.”

Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year)
BetMGM Sportsbook favorite: Matthew Schaefer, New York Islanders

Both experts agreed on Schaefer for rookie honors.

Wawrow explained: “Montreal’s Ivan Demidov and Anaheim’s Beckett Sennecke might have more points, but no rookie played more valuable minutes than Schaefer, justifying his selection as a No. 1 pick.”

Whyno emphasized the unanimous nature of the choice: “Schaefer could be unanimous. Even some of the best defensemen of this generation needed years to adapt to the learning curve at the position, and Schaefer did it perfectly at 18.”

Frank J. Selke Trophy (Best Defensive Forward)

The writers disagreed on defensive forward honors, with Wawrow choosing Nick Suzuki of Montreal: “With Aleksander Barkov injured, the field was wide open and Suzuki may run away with the honor. Though he is a secondary figure on the Canadiens’ penalty kill, his 5-on-5 numbers and puck-possession metrics, while facing opposing top lines, are solid.”

Whyno selected Jordan Staal of Carolina: “The team captain has consistently drawn tough defensive matchups and dominated on faceoffs and has only once been a Selke finalist. This should be his year.”

Jack Adams Award (Coach of the Year)
BetMGM Sportsbook favorite: Lindy Ruff, Buffalo

Another split decision saw Wawrow backing Ruff: “He found the elusive key to finally unlock the potential of a team that too often faltered under pressure, carrying over the lessons learned from his first season back in Buffalo. He did so with a game-at-a-time focus, a changing lineup and being Buffalo’s first coach during the team’s 14-season playoff drought to finally place an emphasis on improving locker room culture.”

Whyno chose Jon Cooper of Tampa Bay: “Injuries and extended absences to key players, including Victor Hedman, Brayden Point, Anthony Cirelli and Ryan McDonagh, led the Lightning to dress 33 skaters and three goalies and showcased why Cooper is considered among the best in the business.”

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Pacers All-Star Tyrese Haliburton expected to spend the entire NBA season working his way back from a ruptured right Achilles tendon that kept him off the court.

What the two-time All-Star didn’t see coming was how a severe case of shingles would complicate his comeback plans.

Speaking to media Monday, just one day after Indiana wrapped up a disappointing 19-win campaign without their star player, Haliburton revealed that while his Achilles has healed properly, the viral illness will be his main challenge heading into the offseason. The condition has led to weight gain, caused him to lose hair from his right eyebrow, and forced him to wear glasses to protect his irritated eye.

“First of all, I’d tell anybody over 50 years old to get the shot,” Haliburton said. “It’s been miserable. I have good days and bad days, but for the most part it’s been bad days. I’ve been taking unbelievable amounts of medication to try to get rid of it. It hasn’t worked. It’s not been fun and hopefully it goes away soon. It’s hard to really tell with nerve pain, but I’ve been dealing now with nerve pain for two months and in the world of nerve pain, that’s not very long. Hopefully, it goes away soon.”

The condition develops when the chickenpox virus, which remains dormant in nerve cells after childhood infection, reactivates due to stress, illness, or aging. This reactivation creates painful, blistering lesions that typically appear on one side of the body and can persist for weeks.

CDC data shows roughly one-third of Americans will experience shingles during their lifetime. While most patients recover completely, serious complications can occur. Eye involvement may result in permanent vision damage, and approximately 20% of patients endure severe nerve pain that can last months or years beyond the initial outbreak.

Team management quickly announced last July that the former Iowa State standout would miss the entire season, but Haliburton explained his rehabilitation had been progressing similarly to Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum’s recovery timeline before the shingles diagnosis emerged. Haliburton suffered his injury during June’s Game 7 NBA Finals appearance, while Tatum tore his Achilles in May.

Tatum has since returned to competition and appears increasingly strong as Boston holds the Eastern Conference’s second seed.

Meanwhile, Haliburton and his Indiana teammates face a pivotal offseason that could determine whether the franchise remains competitive when their star returns next season.

The encouraging news is that Haliburton feels completely confident about his lower leg’s condition. His focus now centers on overcoming the illness that prevented him from participating in full-contact scrimmages until this past week.

“I’m out of shape like crazy, like I never have been before,” Haliburton said. “I’ve changed my medication a bunch of times. I’ve gotten a Botox injection I thought would help, it hasn’t really helped. I’ve done everything, it just hasn’t worked yet. But I’m confident it goes away soon.”

Many observers assumed losing Haliburton would end Indiana’s championship aspirations after reaching last year’s Eastern Conference finals. However, as training camp began, franchise officials rejected characterizing the season as simply waiting for their star’s return.

Early-season injuries to other key players, combined with a devastating 1-13 start, quickly shifted those expectations and left everyone frustrated.

“It was tough, just tough mentally going through that,” four-time All-Star Pascal Siakam said Sunday. “It was hard trying to get through it, find positive things, trying to continue to improve, trying to find ways to win games. It was pretty bad. It sucked.”

Despite his own struggles, Haliburton remained engaged with the team at coach Rick Carlisle’s suggestion, attending meetings, film study sessions, and practice. He served as a mentor to teammates dealing with their own injuries while encouraging younger players to develop their skills.

“Once I get off that (medication) and start running a little more, I have no worries,” Haliburton said. “I’ve got a long summer ahead of me — we’re only in April and the season doesn’t start till October. So I don’t really have any concerns. I can’t wait till I get out there and play and compete with my guys.”

MIAMI — Inside his Miami Heat office, Rob Pimental stands at his workstation, navigating another lengthy 12-hour shift. The team’s director of operations focuses intently on his oversized monitor, crafting travel arrangements while a partially finished salad sits beside his keyboard.

Behind his chair sits a mobile IV pole. A transparent pouch containing dialysis solution rests on the floor nearby.

“Hey, don’t mind that,” he tells a guest, gesturing toward the medical equipment and tubing near his feet.

For almost twelve months, this setup has defined Pimental’s daily routine. After living with Type 1 diabetes for approximately three decades, his condition deteriorated significantly last spring when his kidneys started declining and his blood pressure began climbing dangerously. He has spent months on waiting lists, hoping for both kidney and pancreas donations.

The life-changing phone call could arrive within days or might not come for another year. The timeline remains completely uncertain.

“We’ve all just kind of wanted to rally around him,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We support him as much as possible, but also we let him know, one, we love him, and two, we really appreciate everything that he does and that he’s still able to do it, despite everything.”

April marks National Donate Life Month, making the cause especially meaningful for Miami’s organization. Alonzo Mourning, the franchise’s legendary Hall of Fame player and current vice president for player programs, received a life-saving kidney donation in 2003. His experience has provided crucial guidance for Pimental during this challenging period.

“That’s a big thing, having Zo around me all the time,” Pimental said. “He’s been through this and just to have him come in and walk me through some steps I didn’t understand and then just be there if I have a question, it means something. Sometimes he walks in and he’s like, ‘Man, you look good today. You good? You feeling good? You look good.’ That means a lot, because he knows what I’m going through.”

The veteran equipment manager, among the NBA’s most experienced in his position, was absent from Monday’s team flight to the play-in tournament. Air travel with the squad has become impossible this season, marking the most significant adjustment to his responsibilities during his 15-year tenure in Miami.

His routine now includes self-administered dialysis sessions twice daily, along with increased dependence on fellow Heat employees and his staff members. Former Heat players Kyle Lowry and Kevin Love provide regular encouragement and humor through frequent check-ins, helping him maintain his demanding schedule.

“It’s meant a lot because he’s meant so much to us, as a mentor, as someone we look up to, as someone who has put so many years into this league,” said locker room manager Marvin Ulysse, who reports directly to Pimental. “I felt like it was our duty to get him through this journey. He’s a big brother to us. We’re like his human dialysis in a way.”

Despite his inability to accompany the team on road trips, Pimental maintains his effectiveness. When issues arise during away games, he resolves them remotely from his residence. His workdays remain demanding, though he now enjoys increased time with his spouse and children compared to previous years.

Nevertheless, frightening moments occur regularly. He frequently awakens during the night, frantically checking his phone out of concern that he missed the crucial call announcing available organs. The uncertainty creates constant anxiety, particularly regarding his family’s future should his condition worsen.

Despite these challenges, he maintains optimism each morning.

“Dialysis is working, I’m still here,” Pimental said. “Just like somebody said to me awhile back, you’ve got to learn how to string as many good days together as you can so when that one bad day comes, you can handle it. And that, I think, is what we’re doing right now. The Heat have been very, very supportive throughout this whole thing. But to be honest, the only motivation I need is my wife and my kids. To be here for them, that’s the only motivation I ever needed.”

The Toronto Blue Jays made a roster move Monday, bringing in infielder Lenyn Sosa from the Chicago White Sox through a trade deal.

Toronto sent minor league outfielder Jordan Rich plus either cash considerations or an additional player to be determined later to Chicago in the transaction.

The Blue Jays made room on their 40-man roster by moving right-handed pitcher Shane Bieber to the 60-day injured list due to his ongoing elbow injury.

The 26-year-old Sosa has struggled at the plate this season, posting a .212 batting average with three runs batted in across 12 appearances for Chicago. Throughout his five-year major league career, all spent with the White Sox, Sosa has maintained a .245 batting average while contributing 37 home runs and 128 RBIs over 315 total games. His most productive season came last year when he achieved personal bests with 22 home runs and 75 RBIs.

Meanwhile, Rich is an 18-year-old prospect who Toronto selected in the 17th round of the 2025 draft from a Florida high school. The left-handed batter had been playing in the Arizona Complex League before the trade.

Following their 9-6 defeat to the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, the Cincinnati Reds sent right fielder Noelvi Marte down to their Triple-A Louisville affiliate due to his poor performance at the plate.

The 24-year-old went hitless in four at-bats during Sunday’s loss and has managed only a .138 batting average (4 hits in 29 at-bats) through 11 games this season. Marte has yet to record an extra-base hit or drive in a run while striking out 10 times.

Since his major league debut on August 19, 2023, Marte has compiled a .249 batting average across 202 games, hitting 21 home runs and driving in 84 runs while stealing 26 bases.

While the Reds have not officially announced a replacement move, several media reports indicate the team plans to bring up outfielder Rece Hinds from Louisville.

The 25-year-old Hinds has been performing exceptionally well in Triple-A this season, posting a .354 batting average with a 1.246 OPS while launching five home runs and collecting 16 RBIs across 13 games.

Hinds first appeared in the majors on July 8, 2024, and has struggled in limited big league action, hitting .191 with seven homers, 14 RBIs and 37 strikeouts over 39 games spanning the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

The Miami Heat find themselves in a familiar position this season – back in the NBA’s play-in tournament for the fourth year running.

While this scenario presents challenges, it also offers opportunities for a franchise that has successfully navigated these waters before, advancing to the playoffs through the play-in format in each of the previous three seasons. To continue that trend, Miami must secure victories in two away games this week.

“It’s harrowing. It’s nuts,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “You have to absolutely embrace it. It makes you feel alive, that’s for sure, if you’re a competitor. … Once you’re in it, it’s exhilarating. And you have to embrace the competition, embrace how every single possession really does matter. It’s a Game 7. And so, I just want our guys to take on that challenge.”

The tournament field includes Charlotte, Orlando and Philadelphia from the Eastern Conference, alongside Golden State, the Los Angeles Clippers, Portland and Phoenix from the Western Conference.

The Clippers have an opportunity to reach the playoffs despite starting the season with a disappointing 6-21 record.

“It’s a great achievement,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said.

The opening matchups are scheduled as follows:

Tuesday’s games feature East No. 10 Miami visiting East No. 9 Charlotte at 7:30 p.m., followed by West No. 8 Portland traveling to West No. 7 Phoenix at 10 p.m.

Wednesday’s slate includes East No. 8 Orlando at East No. 7 Philadelphia at 7:30 p.m., and West No. 10 Golden State facing West No. 9 Los Angeles Clippers at 10 p.m.

Each contest will result in teams either securing playoff positions or facing elimination from postseason consideration.

Teams losing the Miami-Charlotte and Golden State-LA Clippers matchups will be eliminated immediately. Victorious teams from the Portland-Phoenix and Orlando-Philadelphia games will earn No. 7 seeds in their respective conferences, with the Eastern winner facing Boston and the Western winner meeting San Antonio in the first round.

Friday’s elimination games will determine the final playoff spots. The Orlando-Philadelphia loser will host the Miami-Charlotte winner at 7:30 p.m. to decide the East’s No. 8 seed and Detroit’s first-round opponent. Similarly, the Portland-Phoenix loser will host the Golden State-LA Clippers winner at 10 p.m. to determine the West’s No. 8 seed and Oklahoma City’s opening opponent.

Phoenix enters the play-in tournament for the first time, while the remaining seven franchises have previous experience in this format.

Both Miami and Golden State are making their fourth play-in appearances. Charlotte participates for the third time, while Orlando, Philadelphia, Portland and the Clippers are making their second trips.

Miami holds a 4-2 record in play-in contests. Orlando, Philadelphia and Portland each stand at 1-0, Golden State is 1-3, and both Charlotte and the Clippers are 0-2.

Portland captured the inaugural play-in victory against Memphis during the 2020 bubble season. The current eight-team format began in 2021.

For the Miami-Charlotte matchup, the season series favored Miami 3-1, with BetMGM listing Charlotte as 5.5-point favorites. The winner advances to Friday’s elimination game while the loser’s season ends. High-scoring affairs are expected, as the teams averaged 126-120 in Miami’s favor during regular season meetings. Miami outscored Charlotte by 23 points overall while committing 23 fewer turnovers. Charlotte has only two players (LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges) with play-in experience, compared to Miami’s 11, including Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, who have participated in four play-in victories.

The Phoenix-Portland game features Phoenix as 4.5-point favorites despite Portland winning the season series 2-1. The victor claims the No. 7 seed and faces San Antonio on Sunday, while the loser hosts Friday’s elimination game. Phoenix outscored Portland by seven points across their three meetings, with both teams shooting approximately 46%. However, their last encounter occurred two months ago. Portland exceeded expectations after losing coach Chauncey Billups early in the season, while Phoenix also performed better than many predicted.

Philadelphia holds slight 1.5-point odds over Orlando, having won the season series 2-1. The winner earns the No. 7 seed to face Boston on Sunday. Philadelphia defeated Orlando by exactly 12 points twice this season, while Orlando’s lone victory came by 41 points. The 76ers are managing without Joel Embiid, who underwent an appendectomy last week, adding to an unpredictable season. Orlando must overcome disappointment from losing to a depleted Boston team in their regular season finale.

The Golden State-LA Clippers elimination game has the Clippers favored by 4.5 points despite splitting their season series 3-1. This Western Conference elimination contest will end either Kawhi Leonard’s or Stephen Curry’s season. The combined scoring from their four meetings was exactly even at 411-411. Leonard will experience his first play-in game, while Curry has gone 1-3 in four previous play-in appearances, averaging 33.8 points in those contests.

SAN FRANCISCO — Stephen Curry’s face lit up with fierce joy as he converted a layup while drawing a foul in his return to the court after being sidelined for more than two months with a knee injury. The Warriors superstar brought back his signature shimmy celebration, dancing after getting knocked to the floor on the drive past his former teammate Kevin Durant.

Fans arrived early at Chase Center during the regular season’s final stretch just to witness Curry’s pre-game warm-up routine, with phones raised high — including by injured teammate Jimmy Butler — to record the special moments as everyone suddenly recognizes that No. 30 isn’t invincible, despite how it once appeared.

However, this season’s window may be closing quickly. The injury-riddled Golden State Warriors face steep odds, even with Curry attempting to rescue their campaign on his problematic right knee.

The two-time MVP and his squad confront a challenging path just to reach the playoffs: sitting as the tenth seed in the Western Conference, they must win two consecutive elimination games away from home to secure the eighth seed and earn a matchup with defending champion and top-seeded Oklahoma City.

Golden State faces the Clippers in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.

“Until we get bounced from whatever this is, we’re going to approach it the same way: dignity, competitiveness and confidence that you can win any game,” Curry said. “That’s just the mentality we have.”

Curry never contemplated shutting things down and resting for the remainder of the season, despite enduring difficult moments alone during rehabilitation.

He was determined to return and compete. The veteran understands these chances won’t continue indefinitely, having celebrated his 38th birthday last month while wrapping up a 17th NBA campaign that has fallen far short of expectations.

However, Curry’s presence brings renewed optimism.

“There’s a momentum and a confidence,” coach Steve Kerr said. “He’s Steph Curry for a reason.”

Guard Gary Payton II described the Warriors’ prospects this way: “Whatever we put our mind to — now that Superman’s back.”

Teammate Butler suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during January’s game against his former Heat squad, requiring surgical repair. A lengthy roster of other injured players has also plagued the team. This meant chemistry was missing throughout much of the campaign. The Warriors sent Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Atlanta in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis at the trade deadline, but the center also battled health issues that restricted his playing time.

“There’s a level of dignity and a level of competition that we can’t run from, the way that we approach things,” Curry said. “The fact that I have a chance to play and the fact that I’m out there, that comes with expectations. Whether you achieve them or not, the energy you put into it makes you who you are — whether you win or you lose. You’re chasing championships or not.”

Draymond Green has offered some stability to Kerr’s lineup, participating in 68 games. Green and Curry have won four titles together under Kerr, but they all understand their window is narrowing.

Before Curry’s 29-point showing against Durant and the Rockets in a narrow defeat last weekend during his comeback, Kerr praised his star as “the greatest face of a franchise in any sport I’ve ever seen.”

“He’s one of the most beloved players in league history, Bay Area history, any sport,” Kerr added, “so tonight’s a special night because we’re reminded how lucky we’ve been and how lucky we still are.”

Curry entered as a substitute to thunderous standing ovations during his first two home appearances before rejoining the starting lineup for Friday night’s defeat at Sacramento. Prior to the Houston matchup, he hadn’t competed since Jan. 30, sitting out 27 contests.

The Warriors posted a 9-18 record during his absence due to patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Simply having Curry back and physically ready means everything regardless of his role — for the on-court product, certainly, but also for the atmosphere and spirit in the locker room.

“He makes the game a lot easier for everybody,” Green said. “Things just kind of fit into their normal spots. The familiarity looked more like the team I’m accustomed to seeing. The spacing is different, he obviously draws two or three people, so just having different reads to make, different things opening up because he’s on the floor I think is probably the biggest difference. And also the confidence level of our group is probably the biggest difference. He comes on the court you just think you can win.”

Curry’s explanation for wanting to compete remains straightforward.

“I love playing basketball,” he said, “it’s what I get paid to do.

“… Our season’s been different than we expected, but the fact that there is something to still play for gives all of us a lot of confidence down the stretch to make something out it, and I want to be a part of that.”

HENDERSON, Nev. — As the Las Vegas Raiders prepare to potentially select Fernando Mendoza with the top pick in the upcoming NFL draft, franchise hopes are high for finally landing a quarterback capable of delivering long-sought playoff success.

However, historical data paints a sobering picture for teams banking on first-overall quarterbacks to deliver championship glory. The path to hoisting the Lombardi Trophy proves challenging even for signal-callers chosen at the draft’s pinnacle.

Among the 19 quarterbacks selected with the initial pick since 2000, just Eli Manning captured a Super Bowl championship while playing for his original franchise — though his journey included a draft-day trade from San Diego to New York. Only three additional first-overall quarterbacks have reached the championship game with their drafting team, each suffering defeat in their lone appearance.

The recent trend shows even greater instability, as Kyler Murray’s release from Arizona last month marked the fifth consecutive top-pick quarterback who failed to remain with his original team through age 30.

NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah explained the underlying challenges facing these highly-touted prospects. “It’s hard to identify and evaluate quarterbacks, but probably the bigger picture, these teams all earn the No. 1 pick, so you’re going into a rough situation,” Jeremiah noted. “If you go back and look at a lot of those, there’s been a lot of upheaval and turnover with the coaching staffs as well. So if you don’t get a chance to have continuity to settle in, to be with a talented team, then it’s a major, major stress on your physical and mental toughness.”

Despite the championship struggles, the overall picture shows some positive outcomes for first-overall quarterbacks.

Among those 19 players drafted in the 2000s, 14 successfully guided their original franchises to postseason appearances, accumulating 33 total playoff berths. Ten of these quarterbacks combined for 28 playoff victories during their tenures.

Championship success remains elusive, with just four quarterbacks reaching the Super Bowl alongside their drafting teams. Manning achieved the ultimate goal twice, despite originally being selected by San Diego before orchestrating his trade to the Giants.

Several quarterbacks have found greater success after changing teams, with six starting playoff contests for new franchises and all but one capturing at least one postseason victory. Matthew Stafford exemplifies this trend, elevating his performance after departing Detroit for Los Angeles in 2021 following 12 seasons with the Lions. He immediately delivered a Super Bowl championship to the Rams and earned league MVP honors this past season.

ESPN draft expert Matt Miller suggests the championship statistics may be misleading due to recent quarterback dominance. “Obviously, the Super Bowl is the ultimate goal, but it does make it more difficult the two dynasties that just ran concurrently. If that’s what we’re judging quarterbacks by, almost every quarterback in the NFL is a failure because Brady and Mahomes have dominated it for so long,” Miller explained.

The Raiders have largely watched from the sidelines during this championship era. Their most recent Super Bowl appearance came during the 2002 season, with only two playoff appearances since then — both ending in first-round eliminations.

This marks just the second time in franchise history that Las Vegas holds the top draft selection. To ease the transition for Mendoza, the organization has pursued an aggressive free agency approach, including the acquisition of Kirk Cousins, who likely enters next season as the starting quarterback.

Las Vegas general manager John Spytek emphasized the importance of managing rookie expectations. “I think you want to limit the amount of pressure you have on (a rookie QB) from the start,” Spytek stated prior to the Cousins signing.

Regardless of his initial role, Mendoza will face intense evaluation beginning with his first offseason practice throws.

The Raiders understand the risks associated with top quarterback selections, having experienced disappointment with JaMarcus Russell in 2007. Russell lasted merely three seasons while compiling a 7-18 record.

Russell represents one of many first-overall quarterbacks who failed to meet expectations, possibly due to unrealistic pressure accompanying the position. Given the quarterback’s significant impact in today’s offense-oriented league, teams frequently reach for signal-callers earlier than warranted.

Miller described conversations with NFL personnel about reassessing their approach. “Talking to scouts and general managers the last couple of years, it’s this idea of, ‘OK, what are we doing wrong?’” Miller said. “It’s too easy to sit back and say these quarterbacks all suck. That doesn’t really matter. You have to have one. There’s only 32 of these jobs in the world, and surely there’s 32 guys that can do it.

“I think there was an adjustment over post-Mahomes where everyone wanted traits over a developed product. That’s not a slight to Pat, who I think is fantastic, but he is an enigma, not a rule. I think a lot of people tried to make him the rule of scouting, and now we’re looking at teams that say, ‘We do want to go back to more traditional quarterback metrics and measurables and values and, say, 25 starts minimum, and you have to be able to perform from within the pocket.’”

While evaluation methods may return to traditional approaches, the pressure on quarterback-needy organizations to select signal-callers early will persist.

Jeremiah noted teams remain willing to gamble when available quarterbacks appear superior to current roster options. Rookie quarterback contracts also provide salary cap flexibility, allowing organizations to surround young players with talent while accepting position risks.

“The risk that used to be there in the previous salary structure, it’s not there anymore,” Jeremiah observed. “So there’s no harm, no foul. You end up right back in the top three or five the next year and you feel somebody that’s much better, there’s nothing to stop you from just pulling the trigger on another one.”

The new Automated Ball-Strike challenge system has become a standout feature in Major League Baseball’s opening weeks, generating its own drama with clear winners and losers emerging from contested calls.

However, this technological advancement appears to come with a small cost in terms of game duration.

The electronic umpire system may be contributing to slightly extended game times this spring, with nine-inning contests now averaging 2 hours and 42 minutes through Saturday, based on data from baseball-reference.com. This represents an increase from 2:38 during last season and 2:36 in 2024.

The marginal increase in game length is logical. While each ABS challenge typically requires fewer than 15 seconds to resolve, these brief interruptions accumulate when multiple pitches face disputes during a single game.

Baseball achieved a significant victory in recent years with rule modifications introduced in 2023, particularly the pitch clock that cut game times by approximately 25 minutes. Despite some initial criticism, these changes have earned widespread approval.

The ABS technology may be slightly reversing some of that progress, though current game durations remain substantially shorter than before the pitch clock implementation. Nine-inning games averaged a record 3:10 in 2021.

Arizona’s two-time All-Star Corbin Carroll has started strong again this season with a .327 batting average and 1.067 OPS, while showcasing a distinctive skill that’s becoming increasingly uncommon in modern baseball.

The triple.

The 25-year-old speedster tops the majors with three triples across just 14 games. Carroll has dominated triple production league-wide for two consecutive seasons, recording 17 in 2025 and 14 in 2024.

Chase Field, the Diamondbacks’ home venue, suits Carroll perfectly with its expansive right-center field gap that challenges outfielders while he races around the basepaths.

Carroll currently ranks sixth among active MLB players with 46 career triples.

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson acknowledges his team’s good fortune in having their relief corps performing so effectively this early in April, with strong depth, favorable matchups, and dominant pitching.

This includes dependable closer Jhoan Duran managing ninth-inning responsibilities. He’s already recorded five saves with a 1.35 ERA.

Philadelphia’s relief pitchers allowed just one earned run during the team’s recent six-game road trip, covering 18 innings with a 0.50 ERA and limiting opponents to a .129 batting average (8 for 62).

Rookie prospect Andrew Painter values having such reliable relievers supporting him. When Painter allowed four runs across four innings in a recent matchup against the Giants, the bullpen delivered five shutout innings that enabled the Phillies to mount a comeback for a 6-4 victory.

“They stepped up, to go out there and throw up five more zeros after that,” Painter said. “Offense stepped up, I’m super happy that everyone could pick me up.”

Following a disappointing 2025 campaign, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker is demonstrating why he’s regarded as one of baseball’s premier young talents. The 23-year-old has already launched seven home runs this season, including six during his past eight contests.

Walker is hitting .327 with a 1.138 OPS through 15 games, leading a Cardinals squad that’s achieved a respectable 8-7 record to start the season.

The top five active MLB players in triples ahead of Carroll are: Mike Trout with 55, Starling Marte with 55, Andrew McCutchen with 50, Trea Turner with 48, and Amed Rosario with 47.

A former NFL defensive back who played for several professional teams lost his life in a tragic highway accident in Florida over the weekend, authorities confirmed.

Chris Payton-Jones, age 30, was killed Saturday evening when his car crashed head-on with a pickup truck in Alachua County, according to Florida Highway Patrol officials cited by News 4 Jacksonville. The collision occurred when Payton-Jones was traveling in the wrong direction on State Road 24 near Gainesville.

The vehicle Payton-Jones was driving flipped over and caught fire following the impact. Emergency responders declared him deceased at the crash site, News 4 Jacksonville reported. The pickup truck’s three occupants suffered only minor injuries in the accident.

Originally from the Jacksonville region, Payton-Jones competed under the name Chris Jones during his college years at the University of Nebraska between 2014 and 2017. Though he wasn’t chosen in the 2018 NFL Draft, he successfully earned roster spots with multiple professional teams over the following years.

His NFL career spanned from 2018 through 2021, during which he participated in 29 regular season contests across four franchises: the Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Tennessee Titans.

Following his NFL tenure, Payton-Jones continued his football career in alternative leagues, joining the Seattle Sea Dragons in the XFL during 2023 before spending his final two playing seasons with the St. Louis Battlehawks in the UFL.

The United Football League released an official statement honoring the fallen player’s memory. “Chris was a beloved teammate and leader in the locker room, who demonstrated the importance of hard work, determination, and resilience throughout his career,” the organization stated. “As importantly, Chris was always a bright soul who everyone throughout the league enjoyed spending time with off-the-field.”

Payton-Jones had stepped away from professional football this past January to focus entirely on his digital media venture. His sports-focused video content through his YouTube channel Flashflix had attracted over one million total views.

MILWAUKEE — For the first time in ten years, the Milwaukee Bucks won’t be participating in the NBA playoffs.

Milwaukee’s path back to postseason play may hinge on what could be one of the most pivotal offseasons in team history, with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future hanging in the balance.

Could the two-time Most Valuable Player have suited up for Milwaukee for the final time?

“I don’t know,” Antetokounmpo stated on Sunday following a 126-106 defeat in Philadelphia that concluded the Bucks’ disappointing 32-50 campaign. “It’s not up to me. We’ll see.”

The 31-year-old Antetokounmpo has played his complete 13-season NBA career with Milwaukee after being chosen 15th overall by the franchise in the 2013 draft. The 6-foot-11 star guided the Bucks to their first championship in 50 years during 2021 and holds virtually every significant franchise scoring record.

Unless he agrees to a four-year, $275 million extension this October, Antetokounmpo can enter free agency following next season. Alternatively, Milwaukee might deal him earlier if they doubt his willingness to commit long-term. This situation made Antetokounmpo a focal point of trade speculation at this year’s deadline, though the Bucks retained him.

When questioned Sunday about potentially signing the extension, Antetokounmpo responded with caution.

“It’s something I have to sit down with my family and see what’s best for me, what’s best for my family,” he said.

Doc Rivers, who revealed Monday his decision to resign as Milwaukee’s head coach, expressed hope for a mutually beneficial outcome.

“Giannis and this franchise won a title together, and to me, that should never be lost, no matter how this ends up,” Rivers commented. “As I said, Giannis is a fantastic person. I’ve been lucky to coach a lot of stars, and he’s right at the top as far as just good people. I want good people to be taken care of.”

This critical juncture comes during a period of strained relations between Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee’s management.

Antetokounmpo’s season ended March 15 following an awkward landing during a dunk attempt against Indiana that forced his exit. He posted averages of 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists across a career-low 36 appearances.

Despite feeling ready to return, team officials kept him sidelined during the final weeks, citing a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise. The NBA has opened an investigation into the matter.

Should Milwaukee part ways with Antetokounmpo, they would likely face an extended rebuilding process due to limited draft capital.

Milwaukee will receive a lottery selection this year from either their own position or New Orleans’ spot, whichever is worse. However, they lack first-round picks in 2027 and 2029, with agreed-upon swaps potentially hurting their draft positioning in 2028 and 2030.

Following their 2021 championship, the Bucks have made only two first-round selections: MarJon Beauchamp in 2022 and AJ Johnson in 2024. Both players are no longer with the organization.

While Antetokounmpo has consistently expressed his fondness for Milwaukee, he desires to compete for championships. The Bucks haven’t advanced past the first playoff round since 2022 and just completed their first losing season since 2015-16.

“We’re the furthest away we’ve been,” Antetokounmpo observed. “I didn’t think we were going to be in this position last year, so I don’t know what position we will be in next year.”

Injuries have significantly contributed to Milwaukee’s decline.

Khris Middleton’s knee problems prevented the three-time All-Star from participating in Milwaukee’s 2022 Eastern Conference semifinal defeat to Boston. Despite posting the league’s best regular season record in 2022-23, Antetokounmpo’s back injury forced him to miss 2½ playoff games as Miami eliminated Milwaukee in round one.

A calf injury kept Antetokounmpo out of the entire 2024 first-round series loss to Indiana. Damian Lillard suffered an Achilles tear during Game 4 of last year’s opening-round elimination by Indiana.

This season’s injury problems extended beyond Antetokounmpo. Kevin Porter Jr., Milwaukee’s second-highest scorer, appeared in just 36 contests.

The Bucks frequently struggled to remain competitive throughout the season, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

Milwaukee suffered 20 defeats by 20 or more points. According to Sportradar, they had never previously endured more than 14 such losses in any single season.

The team recorded 14 losses of 25+ points — double their previous single-season high. They also absorbed eight defeats of 30+ points, another franchise record that doubled the previous mark.

“Obviously when you have injuries to two of your top ball handlers like Giannis and KPJ, it kind of hurt us a lot,” forward Bobby Portis explained. “And then all the outside noise as well kind of just took away from the team. Years before, things that were said or things we had internally that were about the team didn’t really get out to the media. There were a lot more dark clouds than in previous years.”

General Manager Jon Horst has previously made bold moves that helped persuade Antetokounmpo to remain in Milwaukee.

Antetokounmpo agreed to an extension in 2021 after Horst acquired Jrue Holiday. He signed another deal following the 2023 trade for Lillard.

After Lillard’s Achilles injury, Milwaukee made another bold decision by releasing him and spreading his remaining $113 million contract across five years. This created enough salary cap space to sign former Indiana center Myles Turner.

Horst now confronts his most significant challenge: assembling a roster capable of convincing Antetokounmpo that championship contention is possible without switching teams.

“Money doesn’t mean nothing to me,” Antetokounmpo declared. “Zero. Absolutely zero. What means something to me, it’s winning.”

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Bucks announced Monday that head coach Doc Rivers has resigned from his position, concluding a challenging season that saw the franchise miss the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade.

Rivers, who was honored with a Hall of Fame induction this year, expressed his gratitude for his time with the organization despite the team’s struggles with injuries and underperformance.

“I have truly loved my time in Milwaukee,” Rivers said Monday in a statement released by the team. “Coming back to where I got my start, to a city that has always embraced me, has been a privilege. I am disappointed that things did not turn out the way any of us hoped, but I am deeply grateful for this experience, the relationships built, and unwavering support from our fans and the community. Milwaukee will always mean a lot to me, and this chapter will hold a special place in my heart.”

The resignation follows the conclusion of Milwaukee’s 32-50 campaign, which brought an end to their impressive nine consecutive playoff appearances. Team officials have not disclosed whether Rivers might continue with the organization in another capacity.

Bucks ownership praised Rivers’ contributions both on and off the court in their own statement.

“It has been an honor to have Doc as our coach and as a leader in our organization and community,” Bucks owners Wes Edens, Jimmy Haslam, Dee Haslam and Jamie Dinan said in a statement. “In addition to his impact on the court, we’re thankful for Doc’s class and professionalism during his tenure in Milwaukee.”

During his tenure with Milwaukee spanning two and a half seasons, Rivers compiled a 97-103 record. His career coaching achievements include 1,194 total victories and 866 losses, placing him sixth all-time among NBA coaches after surpassing George Karl this season.

The 64-year-old mentor had hinted at his future intentions as the disappointing season neared its conclusion, revealing his desire to prioritize family time.

“I have seven grandkids now and they’re all 8 years and under,” Rivers had said about his future before an April 7 loss at Brooklyn. “And it kills me every time I miss grandparents’ day with each one of them in school. And it’s probably time to go see them more. So, I’ll let you figure out the rest.”

Welsh welterweight champion Lauren Price is making her case for an immediate blockbuster matchup with American boxing sensation Claressa Shields, arguing that both fighters are at their peak and there’s no benefit in postponing the bout.

The 31-year-old British fighter recently successfully defended her WBC, WBA and IBF championship belts against Stephanie Pineiro in Cardiff earlier this month. Following that victory, Price had a dramatic face-off with undisputed heavyweight champion Shields inside the ring, igniting speculation about a future showdown between the two stars.

Price revealed that pursuing fights against elite competition has been her goal ever since capturing Olympic gold at the 2021 Tokyo Games.

“I want to be involved in the biggest fights, to create a legacy. I’m in my prime. She’s in her prime. We’re at a similar age. So why should we wait? Why should I wait until towards the end of my career?” the 31-year-old told Reuters.

“If I’m here now and feeling good, I’m like, ‘yeah, let’s make the fight’. I’ll fight anyone. I think it’s a great fight. Our accolades speak for themselves.

“I’ve got an Olympic gold medal. She’s got two. She’s a great, great fighter and I would love to share the ring with her. It’s the biggest fight out there.”

WEIGHT DIFFERENCE POSES NO CONCERN

The potential matchup would require significant weight adjustments, as Shields competed at 174 pounds during her February victory over Franchon Crews-Dezurn, while Price weighed just over 146 pounds for her recent win against Pineiro. Such a bout would necessitate the Welsh fighter moving up multiple weight divisions.

Price outlined her strategy to compete at 154 pounds initially, then step up to 160 pounds to face Shields.

“That’s not an issue. I’ve boxed big girls before in the past. I’m in this game to become a multi-weight world champion,” she stated.

According to ESPN reports from last week, promoter Ben Shalom discussed the possibility of the fighters agreeing to a two-bout contract, featuring one match in the United Kingdom and another in the United States.

“Location wise, I think she can see by my fan base and the country I’ve got behind me. It makes it exciting to box in Wales,” Price explained.

“Not just for myself, for her as well. Because with the fan base I got, and we sell out the stadium, then we’re both going to get a good payday afterwards as well.

“I’ve also said I’ll go to America. Let’s make it a double-header, let’s make it a trilogy, whatever.”

SEEKING FINANCIAL SUCCESS

Shields recently secured an $8 million multi-year agreement with Salita Promotions and Wynn Records in November, reportedly representing the most lucrative contract in women’s professional boxing history.

This development reflects the expanding popularity of women’s boxing, leading to increased financial backing and larger prize purses for top-tier athletes. The trend is exemplified by the highly publicized trilogy between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano.

“Obviously, there’s a way to go, but I do believe women’s boxing has come on massively. Fair play to Taylor and Serrano, they’ve had three fights, they’ve made a fortune. They’ve got the Netflix deal,” Price noted.

“That’s what I want to head towards, that’s my focus. I live the life of an athlete and I want to get my reward at the end. Boxing is my life.”

Following their journey to the 2025 WNBA Finals, the Phoenix Mercury made official Sunday the contract renewals of four veteran players: Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, and Sami Whitcomb.

The 31-year-old Copper put up 15.6 points per game along with 2.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 steals while playing 26.9 minutes across 28 regular season contests (starting every game) during her sophomore campaign in Phoenix. During the team’s playoff run, the guard elevated her scoring to 17.8 points per game through 11 postseason starts.

General manager Nick U’Ren praised Copper’s contributions in a statement: “Kahleah is a true leader, on and off the court, one of the most explosive athletes in our game and competes with a relentless edge and toughness. Her impact on both ends of the court and ability to deliver in the biggest moments make her truly special.”

According to ESPN’s reporting, Copper’s new deal spans two seasons.

The four-time All-Star’s career statistics show 12.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists across 24.1 minutes per contest over 319 total games (starting 203) with stops in Washington (2016), Chicago (2017-23), and Phoenix (2024-present).

Originally drafted seventh overall by Washington in 2016 from Rutgers University, Copper earned WNBA Finals MVP honors when Chicago captured the 2021 championship.

The 38-year-old Bonner brings six All-Star selections and championship experience from Phoenix’s title runs in 2009 and 2014. She earned All-WNBA first team recognition in 2015 and second team honors in 2020, plus three consecutive Sixth Player of the Year awards (2009-11).

After Indiana released Bonner on June 25, 2025, Phoenix quickly signed her on July 8.

Last season, she contributed 9.8 points and 4.2 rebounds over 23.6 minutes in 33 total appearances (four starts), with 24 of those games (one start) coming in a Mercury uniform.

U’Ren emphasized Bonner’s value to the organization: “Having DeWanna back in a Mercury uniform is incredibly meaningful to our organization. She brings a championship mindset, elite skillset and the kind of leadership that defines winning teams.”

Bonner currently sits third in WNBA history for career points (7,807), games played (535), and free throws made (1,938).

Throughout her career with Phoenix (2009-19, 2025), Connecticut (2020-24), and Indiana (2025), Bonner has averaged 14.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals over 30.0 minutes per game.

Thomas, 34, delivered 15.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 31.3 minutes per game while starting all 39 regular season games during her inaugural Phoenix season in 2025. The forward maintained her production in the playoffs with 16.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 8.8 assists across 11 postseason starts.

The six-time All-Star has earned All-WNBA first team selection three times and made the All-Defensive first or second team seven times throughout her career.

Thomas established new WNBA single-season records in 2025 with eight triple-doubles and 357 total assists.

U’Ren highlighted Thomas’s impact on the team’s success: “Alyssa is a generational player, natural leader and one of the fiercest competitors our sport has seen, and we’re excited to have her back in Phoenix. Her ability to control the game on both ends and elevate her teammates helped fuel our run to the finals last season.”

The 37-year-old Whitcomb averaged 9.1 points while shooting 38.5% from the field and 36.1% from three-point range, leading the team with 86 made three-pointers across 43 games (20 starts) with Phoenix.

Over her career spanning Seattle (2017-20, 2023-24), New York (2021-22), and Phoenix, Whitcomb has posted 7.2 points per game on 39.2% field goal shooting and 36.1% three-point accuracy in 307 games (89 starts). The guard won championships with Seattle in 2018 and 2020.

Toronto’s playoff drought is officially over after the Raptors dominated the Brooklyn Nets 136-101 on Sunday, securing their first postseason berth in two years.

Scottie Barnes led the charge with a stellar triple-double performance, contributing 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists. This marked Barnes’ third triple-double this season and ninth of his professional career, helping Toronto (46-36) lock up the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The Raptors will now face the fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in their opening playoff series, with Game 1 scheduled for Saturday in Cleveland.

Toronto received strong offensive support from multiple players in the blowout victory. RJ Barrett led all scorers with 26 points, while Brandon Ingram contributed 25 points. Ja’Kobe Walter and Jakob Poeltl each added 11 points, and A.J. Lawson chipped in 10 points. Immanuel Quickley managed four points and five assists before sitting out the second half due to hamstring tightness.

For Brooklyn (20-62), which has already been eliminated from playoff contention, Chaney Johnson posted 16 points and 13 rebounds. Tyson Etienne topped the Nets’ scoring with 20 points, E.J. Liddell added 17 points, and Ben Saraf contributed 15 points while fouling out.

76ers 126, Bucks 106

Tyrese Maxey exploded for 16 of his game-high 21 points during the third quarter, powering host Philadelphia past Milwaukee in what may have been Doc Rivers’ final game coaching the Bucks.

According to league sources, Milwaukee and the 64-year-old Rivers are exploring the possibility of him transitioning to a front office role for the 2026-27 season after coaching parts of three seasons with the franchise. Rivers is set to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame as a coach this August. Quentin Grimes knocked down four three-pointers and scored 20 points for Philadelphia, which has won consecutive games and earned a spot in the play-in tournament. The seventh-seeded 76ers will host eighth-seeded Orlando on Wednesday. Star center Joel Embiid remained sidelined while recovering from appendix surgery.

Milwaukee’s AJ Green made history by draining five three-pointers to finish the season with 232 made threes, surpassing Ray Allen’s franchise single-season record of 229 set in 2001-02. Green shot 7-of-10 from the field and 5-of-8 from beyond the arc in the first half for 19 points but was held scoreless after intermission.

Celtics 113, Magic 108

Baylor Scheierman erupted for a career-best 30 points, leading Boston past visiting Orlando in both teams’ regular season finale.

Having already locked up the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, Boston rested eight players, including their top seven scorers. The Celtics’ first playoff opponent will be determined by the play-in tournament, facing either the Magic or Philadelphia 76ers for the seventh seed. Boston fielded an unusual starting lineup of Ron Harper Jr., Max Shulga, Jordan Wash, Luka Garza, and Scheierman.

The defeat snapped Orlando’s five-game winning streak and three-game road winning streak. The Magic earned the eighth seed in the play-in tournament and will travel to face the seventh-seeded 76ers on Wednesday. The victor advances to face Boston, while the loser will host the winner of Friday’s 9/10 matchup.

Heat 143, Hawks 117

Bam Adebayo delivered 25 points and 10 rebounds as host Miami cruised past Atlanta in both teams’ regular season closer.

Miami also received 26 points and five assists from Jaime Jaquez Jr., plus 25 points from Norman Powell, who returned after missing time with a groin injury. The Heat will next travel to Charlotte for their opening play-in tournament game. Miami, which went 5-10 over their final 15 contests, is making their fourth consecutive play-in appearance.

Atlanta, having already secured their first playoff spot since 2023, rested their entire starting five plus three bench players. Veteran Buddy Hield paced the Hawks with a game-high 31 points, while Corey Kispert added 21 points.

Rockets 132, Grizzlies 101

Clint Capela delivered a double-double in his third start of the season while Tari Eason and Reed Sheppard combined for 39 points as host Houston concluded the regular season with a victory over undermanned Memphis.

The Rockets finished their campaign winning nine of their final 10 games. With the fifth seed in the Western Conference already secured, Houston rested four starters for their finale: Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr. Capela posted a season-high 23 points on 9-of-11 shooting to go with 13 rebounds and three blocks. Eason contributed 20 points and eight rebounds while Sheppard added 19 points.

Memphis played with just seven available players. Dariq Whitehead scored a career-high 26 points, while Rayan Rupert (21 points, 12 rebounds) and Jahmai Mashack (11 points, 11 assists) both recorded double-doubles for the Grizzlies, who finished the season losing 21 of their final 23 games.

Nuggets 128, Spurs 118

Denver’s Nikola Jokic tallied 23 points and eight rebounds in just over 18 minutes of action — all in the first half — as the visiting Nuggets rolled past San Antonio in both playoff-bound teams’ regular season finale.

The Nuggets secured the third seed in the Western Conference and will host sixth-seeded Minnesota for the opening two games of their best-of-seven first-round series. Denver concluded the regular season with 12 consecutive victories and won three of four meetings against the Spurs this year. Jokic played the minimum required minutes to reach the league’s 65-game threshold for postseason award eligibility.

Victor Wembanyama sat out for San Antonio, which had already clinched the second seed in the West and had little incentive to play their star. The Spurs will host the winner of Tuesday’s 7/8 play-in game between Phoenix and Portland for the first two games of their opening playoff series. San Antonio saw their three-game winning streak end but finished with a 62-20 record, their best mark since going 67-15 in 2015-16.

Cavaliers 130, Wizards 117

Nae’Qwan Tomlin scored a career-high 26 points and rookie Tyrese Proctor collected 22 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists as playoff-bound Cleveland defeated visiting Washington.

Jaylon Tyson contributed 18 points and rookie Tristan Enaruna had a season-best 15 points for Cleveland, which earned the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers will have home-court advantage over fifth-place Toronto in their opening playoff series.

Rookie guard Jamir Watkins scored a career-high 24 points for Washington, which finished with the league’s worst record. Bub Carrington scored 20 points and dished nine assists, while Sharife Cooper added 20 points and six assists off the bench. Cleveland had eight players reach double figures in scoring.

Pistons 133, Pacers 121

Eastern Conference champion Detroit completed just the third 60-win regular season in franchise history, leading from start to finish in a victory over Indiana in Indianapolis.

With the East’s top seed and home-court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs already secured, Detroit limited their entire starting lineup to under 26 minutes in the regular season finale. That was sufficient time for Paul Reed to make franchise history, becoming the first Pistons player ever to score 25-plus points on perfect field goal shooting. Reed scored a game-high 26 points on 11-of-11 shooting.

The Pacers concluded the worst season by winning percentage in franchise history. Quenton Jackson and Obi Toppin each led Indiana with 21 points, Kobe Brown added 20, and Ethan Thompson contributed 18. Micah Potter finished with a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double.

Hornets 110, Knicks 96

Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball, and Coby White each scored 19 points as visiting Charlotte secured the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament with a victory over New York.

The Hornets will host Miami in a No. 9 vs. No. 10 play-in game on Tuesday. Kon Knueppel finished with 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists.

New York had nothing at stake after already clinching the East’s third seed. With most regulars resting, the Knicks started Miles McBride, Jose Alvarado, Mikal Bridges, Mohamed Diawara, and Ariel Hukporti. Bridges extended his consecutive games played streak to 638 — eighth-longest in NBA history — with a 23-second appearance. New York will face sixth-seeded Atlanta in a first-round series beginning Saturday.

Mavericks 149, Bulls 128

Ryan Nembhard recorded the second-most assists in a single game in franchise history as Dallas defeated visiting Chicago.

Nembhard narrowly missed a triple-double in the season finale, posting 15 points, nine rebounds, and 23 assists. Only current Dallas coach Jason Kidd, with 25 assists in a double-overtime game in February 1996, has more for the Mavericks. Cooper Flagg scored 10 points before his outstanding rookie season ended with 10:11 remaining in the second quarter after he sprained his left ankle on an awkward landing while pursuing an offensive rebound.

Rob Dillingham led Chicago with 25 points. Collin Sexton added 19, Leonard Miller had 17, and Lachlan Olbrich recorded a triple-double with 10 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Timberwolves 132, Pelicans 126

Rookie big man Joan Beringer set career highs with 24 points and 13 rebounds as Minnesota held on for a victory over New Orleans in Minneapolis.

Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 26 points for the Timberwolves, who relied heavily on young players and reserves in their regular season finale. Zyon Pullin contributed 19 points off the bench, while Joe Ingles capitalized on a rare start to post a double-double with 15 points and 10 assists. Minnesota was already locked into the sixth playoff seed in the Western Conference and will face third-seeded Denver, beginning Saturday in Colorado.

Rookie Jeremiah Fears scored 36 points on 12-of-29 shooting to pace New Orleans. Fellow rookie Derik Queen finished with 30 points and 22 rebounds, and Micah Peavy scored 21 points.

Suns 135, Thunder 103

Jamaree Bouyea scored a career-high 27 points to help Phoenix close the regular season with a road victory over Oklahoma City as both teams, with their playoff positions already determined, rested most of their starters and key rotation players.

Phoenix’s Ryan Dunn scored a season-high 20 points, shooting 8-of-11 from the field with a career-high-tying 11 rebounds and career-high five assists. Koby Brea added 20 points off the bench for the Suns. Brea had scored just 25 points total in his first 11 NBA appearances. Rookie center Khaman Maluach had career highs of 18 points and tied his career high with 14 rebounds off the bench.

Branden Carlson tied his career high with 26 points to lead Oklahoma City while also grabbing 10 rebounds. Payton Sandfort added 23 points off the bench. The Thunder earned the top overall seed in the NBA playoffs. Phoenix is the seventh seed and will open the play-in tournament at home Tuesday against eighth-seeded Portland.

Lakers 131, Jazz 107

Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton each posted 22-point, 10-rebound double-doubles to help Los Angeles defeat visiting Utah in their regular season finale.

LeBron James completed his 23rd regular season, finishing with 18 points in 17 minutes for the Lakers, who earned the fourth seed in next week’s Western Conference playoffs and will face Houston in the opening round. Dalton Knecht scored 17 points, Nick Smith Jr. added 12, and Bronny James chipped in 11 for Los Angeles, which finished with their most wins in a season since the 2010-11 campaign (57).

Oscar Tshiebwe led Utah with 29 points and 17 rebounds, while Ace Bailey and Brice Sensabaugh each added 15 points. Cody Williams and Bez Mbeng both scored 14 points and Blake Hinson had 10 for the Jazz, which recorded their second 60-loss season in franchise history and second consecutive.

Clippers 115, Warriors 110

Los Angeles sent a message to their play-in opponent, riding Bennedict Mathurin’s 20 points and strong defense to a home victory over Golden State in an otherwise meaningless regular season finale.

The Clippers lost a tiebreaker with eighth-place Portland and dropped to ninth for play-in purposes, where they’ll host the 10th-place Warriors on Wednesday. The loser will be eliminated from playoff contention.

John Collins supported Mathurin with 18 points, and both Mathurin and Collins grabbed a game-high nine rebounds, while Mathurin also dished a game-high eight assists. In just his third game after missing 27 straight with a sore right knee, Stephen Curry led Golden State with a game-high 24 points.

Trail Blazers 122, Kings 110

Deni Avdija recorded 25 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds as Portland secured the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a victory over visiting Sacramento in both teams’ regular season finale.

Jrue Holiday added 23 points and seven rebounds for Portland, which will play beyond the regular season for the first time since the 2020-21 season. The Trail Blazers will visit seventh-seeded Phoenix on Tuesday in the play-in round. The winner advances directly to the Western Conference playoffs against second-seeded San Antonio while the loser gets a second chance on Friday.

Precious Achiuwa registered 27 points and 11 rebounds and Nique Clifford added 24 points and seven rebounds for Sacramento. Maxime Raynaud had 21 points and nine rebounds for the Kings (22-60), which finished with the second-most losses in franchise history. Sacramento went 17-65 in 2008-09.

The Anaheim Ducks came agonizingly close to ending their lengthy playoff absence Sunday night, but fell just short in a heartbreaking 4-3 overtime defeat to the Vancouver Canucks at home.

With just 10 seconds remaining in the extra period, Marco Rossi unleashed a powerful slap shot past Ducks netminder Lukas Dostal after receiving a feed from Jake DeBrusk, giving Vancouver their second power-play tally of the evening.

The defeat means Anaheim (42-32-6, 90 points) must wait until Tuesday’s road matchup against the Minnesota Wild for another opportunity to secure their first postseason berth since 2018.

Vancouver received goals from Brock Boeser, Curtis Douglas, and DeBrusk in addition to Rossi’s game-winner, with Rossi contributing an assist as well. Goalie Nikita Tolopilo turned aside 24 shots for the Canucks, who extended their winning streak to two games and improved to 24-48-8 with 56 points.

Anaheim got two goals from Cutter Gauthier and one from Leo Carlsson, while Chris Kreider contributed two assists in the losing effort. Dostal made 22 saves for the Ducks, who were attempting to break their seven-year postseason drought.

In other NHL action:

Flames 4, Utah 1

Brayden Pachal netted his first goal of the campaign and contributed two assists as Calgary defeated Utah at home. Matt Coronato, Connor Zary, and Mikael Backlund also found the net for the Flames, who had dropped three consecutive games and are out of playoff contention. Dustin Wolf recorded 28 saves, and in two victories against Utah this season, Wolf has stopped 56 of 57 shots faced.

Lawson Crouse tallied his 23rd goal of the year for Utah, who have secured a playoff position and hold a three-point advantage over the Los Angeles Kings for the first wild card spot in the Western Conference. Though the Kings have one game in hand, Utah owns the regulation wins tiebreaker 32-21. Vitek Vanecek made 19 saves.

Capitals 3, Penguins 0

Logan Thompson recorded his fourth shutout of the season with 24 saves, while Connor McMichael contributed two goals and one assist in Washington’s victory over visiting Pittsburgh. Trevor van Riemsdyk added his third goal of the campaign for the Capitals, with Martin Fehervary recording two assists and Ryan Leonard, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Alex Ovechkin each adding one helper. The game may have been the final home appearance for 40-year-old Ovechkin, who has remained silent about his future plans.

Stuart Skinner stopped 23 of 25 shots for Pittsburgh, who suffered their second straight defeat.

Bruins 3, Blue Jackets 2

Sean Kuraly found the net and assisted on two other goals, powering Boston past host Columbus. The Bruins secured an Eastern Conference wild-card position on Saturday and remain in contention with Ottawa for seeding. Henri Jokiharju and Mark Kastelic each recorded one goal and one assist for Boston, which completed a season series sweep against Columbus and ended a five-game winless streak (0-3-2).

Mason Marchment and Adam Fantilli responded for Columbus. The loss significantly damaged the Blue Jackets’ chances for the third seed in the Metropolitan Division. Jet Greaves recorded 19 saves.

Canadiens 4, Islanders 1

Nick Suzuki, Ivan Demidov, and Alex Newhook scored within a 55-second stretch late in the second period for Montreal, which eliminated New York from playoff contention in Elmont, N.Y. Jacob Fowler made 30 saves while Zachary Bolduc scored with 14.7 seconds remaining in the third for the playoff-bound Canadiens, who kept alive their hopes of capturing the Atlantic Division title or finishing second to earn home ice advantage. Montreal sits tied for first with Buffalo, holding a two-point lead over Tampa Bay, though they lack the regulation wins tiebreaker against either team.

Casey Cizikas scored in the third period for the Islanders, who held a playoff position for most of the season before losing nine of their last 13 contests (4-9-0). New York entered the weekend trailing third-place Philadelphia by one point in the Metropolitan Division but saw their hopes further damaged following Saturday’s 3-0 loss to Ottawa.

Devils 4, Senators 3 (OT)

Nico Hischier converted a power-play opportunity with 1:42 left in overtime, giving New Jersey a victory over Ottawa in Newark, N.J. Hischier recorded two goals and one assist for his fifth three-point performance of the season, finishing the play after winning an offensive zone faceoff from Shane Pinto. Jack Hughes registered two assists to reach 50 helpers for the second time in his career as New Jersey improved to 14-7-1 over their past 22 contests.

Ottawa answered New Jersey’s early advantage with three goals in a 6:32 span during the second period. Reimer turned away 26 shots for the Senators, whose four-game winning streak came to an end. Ottawa trails Boston by one point for the first Eastern Conference wild-card spot, though they would win any tiebreaker based on their 37 regulation victories.

A source close to the Milwaukee Bucks organization revealed Sunday evening that head coach Doc Rivers will not be returning for another season with the team.

The individual, who requested anonymity since no official statement has been released, confirmed the coaching change to The Associated Press.

According to the source, discussions are still taking place about whether Rivers might remain with the organization in a different role.

ESPN was the first outlet to report Rivers’ departure from the coaching position.

This development concludes a challenging season that saw Rivers earn Hall of Fame recognition while simultaneously guiding one of the NBA’s most underperforming teams. Milwaukee finished with a 32-50 record due to numerous player injuries, ending their nine-year streak of playoff qualifications.

The 64-year-old coach had strongly hinted at his future plans as the season came to a close. Following Sunday’s 126-106 defeat in Philadelphia, Rivers told reporters that “I think you guys pretty much know” his intentions and indicated an announcement would come shortly.

“I have seven grandkids now and they’re all 8 years and under,” Rivers had explained regarding his future plans before an April 7 game against Brooklyn. “And it kills me every time I miss grandparents’ day with each one of them in school. And it’s probably time to go see them more. So, I’ll let you figure out the rest.”

During his two-and-a-half seasons leading Milwaukee, Rivers compiled a 97-103 record. His career coaching record stands at 1,194-866, having surpassed George Karl this season to claim sixth place on the NBA’s all-time wins list.

Rivers trails only Gregg Popovich, Don Nelson, Lenny Wilkens, Jerry Sloan and Pat Riley in total coaching victories.

Rivers’ departure occurs amid ongoing questions about two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who brought Milwaukee its first championship in 50 years in 2021 and holds virtually every franchise statistical record.

Trade speculation surrounding Antetokounmpo intensified before the deadline, though he remained with the team. He has since been involved in a dispute with team management regarding his injury status.

Antetokounmpo’s final game this season occurred on March 15. Despite claiming he felt healthy and ready to play in recent weeks, the Bucks continued to sideline him due to a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise. The NBA is currently investigating this situation.

Due to right calf injuries, Antetokounmpo missed significant time and participated in only 36 games. Kevin Porter Jr., the team’s second-highest scorer, played in just 38 contests.

“It’s hard,” Rivers commented Sunday. “I don’t remember guys being out like this, but it makes sense. I haven’t had a lot of this. It’s no fun. Losing, I don’t give a crap what the reasons are, I’m just too competitive. It’s just no fun not winning. It just isn’t.”

Rivers assumed control of the Bucks during the 2023-24 season following the dismissal of first-year coach Adrian Griffin. Despite Griffin’s 30-13 record, team leadership felt an experienced coach was necessary to manage a roster featuring seven-time All-NBA guard Damian Lillard alongside Antetokounmpo.

The hiring also marked a return home for Rivers, who attended Marquette University before his 13-year NBA playing career. His retired No. 31 jersey is displayed at Fiserv Forum, which hosts both Bucks and Marquette games.

However, Milwaukee’s performance declined under Rivers as injury problems persisted with key players.

The Bucks went 17-19 under Rivers during that 2023-24 campaign, secured the Eastern Conference’s No. 3 playoff seed, but fell to Indiana 4-2 in the first round while Antetokounmpo sat out the entire series with a calf injury.

This past season, three-time All-Star Khris Middleton didn’t begin playing until early December following ankle surgeries and was traded to Washington at the deadline. Lillard missed Milwaukee’s final 14 regular season games with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf, returned for Game 2 of their first-round playoff loss to Indiana, but suffered an Achilles tear two games later.

With Lillard unable to play this season due to his injury, the Bucks released him while agreeing to pay his remaining contract over five years. This created salary cap room to sign former Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner.

The roster changes failed to produce the desired results.

“I personally have enjoyed the challenge,” Rivers said following Sunday’s game. “It didn’t go the way I wanted it to go, obviously. I always say I could do a better job. We could have had better health. We could have had all kinds of things. But I’m not a big guy in looking back. All you can do is look forward.”

Rivers captured a championship with Boston in 2008 and guided the Celtics to Game 7 of the NBA Finals two years later, but hasn’t taken a team past the conference semifinals since then. His playoff coaching record is 114-112.

This represents the first complete season Rivers has coached with a losing record since 2006-07, when Boston finished 24-58.

Before joining Milwaukee, Rivers coached the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers. He was working as a broadcaster for ESPN and ABC when the Bucks recruited him.

PHILADELPHIA — Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered harsh criticism toward his team’s management following Sunday’s season-ending defeat in Philadelphia, condemning the organization’s decision to keep him sidelined despite his claims of being ready to return to action.

The two-time MVP, who brought Milwaukee its first championship in 50 years back in 2021, expressed frustration over learning he had no say in whether he could take the court as the Bucks struggled through their final games.

Trade rumors swirled around Antetokounmpo before the deadline, though no deal materialized. Since then, he has been locked in disagreement with team officials regarding his health status.

The 31-year-old star hasn’t seen game action since suffering an awkward landing following a dunk on March 15. While Antetokounmpo maintained he felt ready to compete in recent weeks, Milwaukee continued listing him as unavailable due to a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise.

Sunday’s matchup in Philadelphia marked another missed game for Antetokounmpo, and potentially the final contest for legendary coach Doc Rivers as well.

“Being cleared to play, I don’t understand. I’ve never in my life denied participation in practice,” Antetokounmpo said. “Whoever came up with that is disrespectful towards what I’ve done for this team and the way I carry myself.

“I did what I was supposed to do. I wasn’t able to come on the court now. Who has that say? It comes from above. I thought I had control. OK, if I’m healthy, I’m going to play. This just shows me that not just me, players in general, don’t have no control. No, I didn’t feel like I had control.”

During recent pregame routines, Antetokounmpo appeared to move without any limitations, showing no visible signs of his injury.

“It was draining for me, for sure,” Antetokounmpo said. “If it was draining for me, it was definitely draining for me and the organization.”

The frustrated star mentioned plans to silence his phone and distance himself from the chaos that marked his season’s conclusion.

Milwaukee faces a crossroads this offseason, with options including trading their franchise player or offering him a massive four-year, $275 million contract extension come October.

Antetokounmpo confirmed he hasn’t received a formal extension proposal yet, which isn’t surprising given the months-long timeline required.

“That’s too far away. It’s something I have to sit down with my family and see what’s best for me, what’s best for my family,” Antetokounmpo said. “Money doesn’t mean nothing do me. Zero. Absolutely zero. What means something to me, it’s winning.”

The Bucks’ disappointing 32-50 record has put Rivers’ future in question, ending a remarkable nine-year playoff appearance streak.

Rivers spoke positively about his connection with Antetokounmpo, describing regular conversations about skill development and game improvement.

“I just want to see it end well for him and for the franchise. I think they both deserve it,” Rivers said. “Giannis is a fantastic person. I’ve been lucky to coach a lot of stars, and he’s right at the top as far as good people. I want good people to be taken care of.”

Milwaukee advanced to the Eastern Conference finals during Antetokounmpo’s initial MVP campaign in 2019, breaking an 18-year drought without a playoff series victory. Their championship followed two seasons later, but they haven’t captured a playoff series since 2022.

“We’re the furthest away we’ve been,” Antetokounmpo said. “I didn’t think we were going to be in this position last year, so I don’t know what position we will be in next year.”

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks’ top draft selection Cooper Flagg saw his remarkable first NBA season come to an early close Sunday evening when he suffered an ankle sprain during the team’s final game against Chicago.

The 19-year-old basketball sensation was seen grimacing as he hobbled off the court, clearly favoring his left ankle during the second quarter. Team officials quickly announced that Flagg would not return to the contest. He remains locked in a competitive battle with his former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel for the coveted Rookie of the Year award.

The circumstances surrounding Flagg’s injury remain unclear. Before exiting the game, he had contributed 10 points and grabbed four rebounds during his 10 minutes of play. His final season statistics show an impressive average of 21.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists across 70 games.

Dallas has been eliminated from playoff contention for several weeks in what began as a promising season but deteriorated due to Anthony Davis’s persistent health problems and subsequent trade to Washington. The absence of Davis also led the organization to keep star guard Kyrie Irving on the sidelines for the entire campaign after he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in March 2025.

Even as the team struggled in the standings, Flagg continued to make NBA history, culminating in an extraordinary 96-point performance across two games during the season’s penultimate weekend. His 51-point explosion against Orlando established him as the youngest player in NBA history to reach the 50-point milestone, surpassing his own previous record of 49 points for a teenager.

Last year, Flagg guided Duke to the Final Four and became only the fourth freshman ever to earn The Associated Press men’s basketball player of the year honor.

His professional success continued after Dallas defied the odds with just a 1.8% lottery chance to secure the first overall pick and select him.

Since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976-77, only Flagg and Michael Jordan have managed to score 45 or more points in multiple games during their rookie seasons.

Earlier this month, while facing LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, Flagg dropped 45 points and surpassed the 41-year-old superstar for the most 40-point performances by a teenager, marking his fourth such achievement.

MIAMI (AP) — Players in Miami’s locker room Sunday evening found themselves glued to a large screen displaying the final moments of the Boston versus Orlando matchup.

Their attention was well-placed, as the outcome would determine significant playoff positioning across the Eastern Conference.

The Eastern Conference postseason bracket has been finalized as much as possible at this stage. Miami will travel to Charlotte for their play-in contest on Tuesday, while Orlando makes the trip to Philadelphia for Wednesday’s winner-advances game.

The victor of the Orlando-Philadelphia matchup will face second-seeded Boston in the opening round, while the defeated team will meet the winner of Miami-Charlotte on Friday to determine who challenges top-seeded Detroit in an Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.

Additional first-round pairings are now confirmed: third-seeded New York will battle sixth-seeded Atlanta, and fourth-seeded Cleveland faces fifth-seeded Toronto. Opening games for those series begin next weekend.

“Our group understands what wins and loses for us,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “And that’s the most important thing.”

Boston’s victory over the Magic sent Orlando down to the eighth position in the play-in tournament. The result also locked in Tuesday’s date for the Miami-Charlotte game, since Philadelphia’s arena cannot accommodate basketball on Monday or Tuesday due to scheduling conflicts with the NHL’s Flyers.

Western Conference playoff arrangements were expected to be determined later Sunday evening.

Phoenix will host either the Los Angeles Clippers or Portland on Tuesday for the seventh playoff seed and a first-round series against second-seeded San Antonio in the West. Golden State will visit either the Clippers or Portland on Wednesday in a must-win game to stay alive for a potential first-round meeting with Western Conference leader Oklahoma City.

Denver and the Los Angeles Lakers will occupy the third and fourth seeds in the West, though their exact order remains undetermined. The third seed will meet sixth-seeded Minnesota in the first round, while the fourth seed takes on fifth-seeded Houston.

This season established a new NBA record for total points scored, surpassing the previous mark of 282,127 points on Sunday night with approximately seven games remaining on the schedule.

However, the season will not set a record for points per game. The all-time mark of 118.8 points per team per game was established in 1961-62. This season’s average of 115.6 points per team entering Sunday ranks sixth in league history.

Denver’s Nikola Jokic participated in the Nuggets’ Sunday night game against San Antonio, bringing his season total to 65 games and qualifying him for NBA award consideration on ballots being distributed this week.

Last season, Jokic finished second in MVP voting behind Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. This achievement made Jokic only the third player in NBA history to place in the top two of MVP voting for five straight seasons, joining Bill Russell and Larry Bird.

Jokic claimed MVP honors in 2021, 2023 and 2024, while finishing as runner-up in 2022 and last year.

Russell and Bird, both Boston Celtics legends, each earned first or second place in MVP balloting across six consecutive seasons.

Russell Henley may not have received the ultimate birthday gift he hoped for at Augusta National on Sunday, but the golfer’s career-best major championship performance and temporary lead at the Masters made for a memorable 37th birthday celebration.

The American golfer carded a final-round 68, finishing four strokes under par to secure a tie for third place alongside three other competitors. He ended the tournament two shots behind champion Rory McIlroy, earning his strongest showing ever in a major championship.

“I feel like I handled it well, kind of like, I can do this,” Henley commented after his round. “I felt like I handled the pressure well, handled the conditions well. It was tricky out there.”

Had Henley captured the green jacket, he would have made history as the first golfer ever to claim Masters victory on his birthday. The most recent PGA Tour player to win on their birthday was Steve Flesch at the 2004 Charles Schwab Challenge.

The former Ryder Cup team member for the United States temporarily seized the tournament lead during Sunday’s action, but his putting stroke cooled during the crucial final holes of the championship.

“I hit it amazing today. I gave myself a bunch of looks. Unfortunately, I didn’t capitalize on those looks on the back like I would have liked to,” Henley explained. “Really thankful for a good finish. Wish I would have made some more putts and got a little closer to the lead, but overall very thankful.”

The strong finish represents a significant turnaround for Henley, who failed to make the cut at Augusta National in the previous year’s tournament.

WASHINGTON — What may have been Alex Ovechkin’s last home game as a Washington Capital turned into an unforgettable afternoon filled with emotion and uncertainty about the hockey legend’s future.

The sellout crowd at Capital One Arena made their feelings clear early in Sunday’s contest against Pittsburgh, erupting in chants of “One more year!” directed at their beloved captain. When asked about the fans’ plea after the game, Ovechkin offered a cryptic response while flanked by his two young sons.

“I’ll think about it,” he said with a wry smile.

The emotional day concluded with a 3-0 victory over the Penguins, keeping Washington’s playoff hopes alive. Ovechkin, who will turn 41 in September, contributed an assist on the empty-net goal that sealed the crucial win.

Despite his age, the NHL’s all-time goal scoring champion with 929 career goals continues to perform at an elite level. He tops the Capitals in both goals (32) and points (63) this season, showing little sign of decline in what could be his 21st and final NHL campaign.

“It’s a big moment for us right now,” Ovechkin said. “Everybody was dialed in.”

The atmosphere felt different from the opening faceoff, when Ovechkin lined up against longtime rival Sidney Crosby at center ice for their 100th career meeting.

“You could tell, the game felt different and the night felt different,” Washington head coach Spencer Carbery observed. “A lot of great moments.”

Carbery admitted he found himself simply watching and absorbing the significance of the moment, particularly during the ceremonial opening draw.

“The opening draw, I got a kick out of that,” Carbery said. “I just caught myself watching in certain moments, taking it all in.”

Crosby, who has faced Ovechkin more than any other opponent, praised his rival’s remarkable career achievements.

“He came in with such high expectations, and he passed them,” Crosby said. “To be the greatest goal scorer of all time and to do what he’s done, its impressive.”

Washington’s playoff fate now rests on Tuesday’s season finale in Columbus, where they must win while hoping Philadelphia fails to capture victory in either of their remaining contests.

Regardless of how the playoff race unfolds or whether Ovechkin decides to return, the veteran forward will treasure Sunday’s special atmosphere.

“I’ll remember this moment, the atmosphere that was tonight,” he said.

Coach Carbery expressed gratitude for his association with “The Great 8,” acknowledging the privilege of coaching during historic moments.

“If it is the end of his career, I smile thinking of those moments because been blessed to be his coach when he broke the all-time goals record and I was the coach that was with him at the end,” Carbery said. “I don’t take that for granted one minute.”

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Following a week of comprehensive coverage at Augusta National Golf Club, from the legendary clubhouse to extensive time at the renowned “Amen Corner,” here are five key observations from the unforgettable 2026 Masters Tournament.

SCHEFFLER’S FANBASE EXPANDING

Scottie Scheffler generated significant excitement at Augusta National on Sunday, opening with two birdies in his first three holes to close within two shots of the leaders early in his round. His enthusiastic fist pump after a crucial par save on the par-3 sixth hole suggested the world’s top-ranked golfer might be mounting a spectacular comeback.

While that momentum plateaued with 11 straight pars over several hours, the massive crowds following Scheffler continued providing the day’s most thunderous applause. He validated their loyalty with renewed energy, sinking a long putt for his week’s first birdie on the par-5 15th hole, then adding another on No. 16. Though Scheffler’s comeback ultimately fell one stroke short, he has cultivated an impressive fanbase.

While Scheffler lacks Arnie’s Army and doesn’t command the massive crowds that once followed Tiger Woods, with fans climbing trees for glimpses during his peak, he clearly emerged as Sunday’s crowd favorite.

Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose also attracted substantial followings, and Cameron Young gained support as the day’s leading American, but none matched Scheffler’s devoted fan contingent.

A lighthearted moment occurred when Scheffler and playing partner Haotong Li shared laughs walking from the 10th tee, with the Chinese golfer looking at Scheffler and exclaiming, “Dude! Dude!,” followed by remarks about a fan interaction involving a golf glove.

KNAPP TIME?

Jake Knapp’s yardage book displays “Knapptime,” and the 31-year-old appears poised to emerge as a PGA Tour breakthrough star. Recognized for his ability to post extremely low scores, including a 59 in last year’s Cognizant Classic opening round and a course-record 61 at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, Knapp has historically struggled with consistency across four rounds.

He secured one of the final Masters qualifying spots by reaching the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking during the last cutoff week in March. Competing in just his second Masters, Knapp finished Sunday with a 70 to claim 11th place.

This result guarantees Knapp’s return to Augusta National next year, while the former nightclub security worker builds a following with his fluid swing and West Coast confidence. Knapp also received endorsement from an Augusta National authority.

“I think Jake Knapp can win here. I really do,” said Fred Couples, the 1992 champion who partnered with Knapp during practice rounds this week.

AN UNPRECEDENTED AUGUSTA?

Predicting Augusta National’s playing conditions remains perpetually difficult. This year featured an exceptionally rare combination of no rainfall, minimal wind, and elevated temperatures. The course displayed more brown patches than usual, and the iconic television-ready azaleas had not yet bloomed.

After players encountered limited birdie chances Thursday afternoon, Ireland’s Shane Lowry suggested this might be the most challenging Masters in recent memory, given forecasts for even higher temperatures. However, those extreme conditions never developed, despite the dried areas and firm putting surfaces.

The fairways played fast with extended roll, providing players shorter approach shots and enhanced ball-spinning opportunities. Following Friday’s 72.85 scoring average, Saturday’s 70.63 average established a new third-round Masters record.

Sunday proved slightly more demanding as anticipated, though the greens remained generally receptive. The final round scoring average reached just 72.09, barely above par.

“Have you ever seen looking down the property how yellow the patron areas and how brown and purple parts of the greens and fairways are?” Spain’s Jon Rahm asked rhetorically. “It will be a long time until we see it like this. Definitely have some things in mind for future editions where it gets to this level.”

DOES RORY’S SUCCESS POSE A PROBLEM?

McIlroy’s pursuit of consecutive Masters victories dominated weekly coverage, rightfully so. He stated that 2026 didn’t begin with exclusive focus on Masters repetition and that he remains driven toward achieving new career milestones.

When asked for specifics about those goals, McIlroy declined details beyond saying the targets continue to “keep nudging a little bit further and further out of reach.”

However, McIlroy’s weekly comments might concern PGA Tour commissioner Brian Rolapp.

Discussing his Masters preparation, McIlroy revealed weeks of Augusta National practice. Some days involved dropping his daughter Poppy at school, flying to Augusta for practice rounds, and returning home for dinner.

This singular Augusta National focus meant McIlroy skipped PGA Tour events between The Players Championship and the Masters. He stated this week, “I honestly just don’t like the three tournaments leading up to this event. I’d rather come up here.”

This sentiment likely troubled PGA Tour headquarters and sponsors of the Valspar Championship, Texas Children’s Houston Open, and Valero Texas Open.

During his post-round press conference, McIlroy provided clarification, explaining that arriving at majors a week early was advice from Jack Nicklaus. He added that he doesn’t plan three-week competitive breaks before every major.

Certainly, McIlroy has earned the right to choose his schedule. However, given his global golf prominence and PGA Tour Enterprises’ for-profit status, it doesn’t help when McIlroy bypasses marquee events while expressing open dislike for other second-tier tournaments fighting for relevance in today’s landscape.

MASTERS’ MASTERY

Augusta National Golf Club and Augusta city have created a special formula making the Masters genuinely unique for all participants.

It starts with municipal pre-planning that virtually eliminates traffic congestion around the course. Backups rarely occur, parking costs nothing, and fans enter stress-free. Once inside, volunteer teams ensure foot traffic flows smoothly throughout the grounds.

While exact ticket distribution numbers remain unknown, even with leaders on Sunday’s back nine, spectators could always find direct views of any player or hole of interest.

Scheffler described the entire Masters experience as “enjoyable” this week, while Couples called Augusta National “the greatest walk you could ever have.”

Stepping onto AGNC property feels like entering sacred, history-rich grounds. The club obviously invests heavily ensuring everyone’s experience within its gates remains enjoyable.

It likely helps having resources from a massive merchandise operation that some press members hear generates approximately $1 million per hour.

AUGUSTA, Georgia – English golfer Justin Rose experienced the sting of another close call at Augusta National this week, but says the overwhelming fan support will provide lasting motivation despite missing out on his first Masters championship.

The 45-year-old veteran golfer momentarily grabbed the lead during Sunday’s final round before falling back to finish in a four-way tie for third place, ending two strokes behind champion Rory McIlroy. This marked another painful near-miss for Rose, who lost to McIlroy in a playoff just one year ago.

Rose, a former U.S. Open winner who has come in second place three times at the Masters, was particularly touched by the reception from spectators as he made his way up the 18th fairway following another disappointing finish.

“I felt like the crowd was amazing to me all week long … I felt their encouragement and support,” Rose commented after the round.

“At the end it kind of goes a little flat. It’s more of a sympathy than anything. But it was still nonetheless very beautiful.

“But, yeah, another little stinger.”

The English golfer started strong with five birdies on the front nine and believed he had positioned himself well to make a serious run at the title before things went sideways at the notorious Amen Corner section of the course.

“I was really in control. First 10 holes, I felt like I was,” Rose explained.

“And the mentality was to run through the finish line not just try and get it done.”

However, damaging bogeys on holes 11 and 12 killed his momentum, and his hopes were effectively ended when he failed to make a short par putt on the 17th hole, sealing another year without the coveted Green Jacket.

“Today I felt like there was an opportunity to do better, so obviously that is frustrating,” Rose admitted.

Despite the disappointment, Rose remains optimistic about his future chances, citing his strong performance over the past two seasons as evidence he can continue competing at golf’s highest level.

“In the last two years I’ve really kind of re-kicked on and re-energized my career and I have a lot of belief in myself that there is a lot of runway ahead,” he said.

“These are the tournaments I focus on. These tournaments are why I practice. These are the tournaments that get me going that extra mile.”

Rose believes Augusta National’s distinctive challenges will continue to favor his game as he ages, pointing to longtime competitors like Fred Couples and Bernhard Langer who have remained competitive at the Masters well into their later years.

“Those guys get around this golf course,” he noted.

When asked about the strong connection he’s formed with Augusta’s galleries, Rose provided a straightforward answer.

“I think people just know I play hard. I try hard. I’ve been close,” he said.

“I think they just appreciate the effort.”

SAN ANTONIO — Denver’s three-time Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic will take the court Sunday evening when the Nuggets face San Antonio in their season finale, marking his 65th appearance to meet NBA award requirements.

San Antonio All-Star Victor Wembanyama will be sidelined for the matchup after securing his eligibility threshold in his last outing.

The Serbian center has appeared in 64 contests this season and carried a questionable designation due to a right wrist injury.

The Nuggets must defeat San Antonio to claim the Western Conference’s third playoff position. Should Denver fall while the Los Angeles Lakers emerge victorious, the Nuggets would slip to fourth place as the Lakers claim third.

League regulations mandate that players participate in a minimum of 65 games to qualify for MVP, All-NBA Team, and Defensive Player of the Year recognition.

Jokic must log at least 15 minutes of playing time against the Spurs to meet the requirement.

NBA policy permits two exceptions where games lasting 15 to 19:59 minutes count toward the official total. Jokic has one such exception available.

“Yeah, he’ll play the first half,” Denver head coach David Adelman stated. “Then we’ll reconvene at halftime and see where he’s at, where the game’s at. It’s what the rules provide. So we’ll follow the rules.”

The center, who captured MVP honors in 2021, 2022 and 2024, has earned All-NBA Team selection in seven of his 11 professional seasons.

Wembanyama reached award qualification by competing in his 65th contest Friday during San Antonio’s 139-120 triumph over Dallas.

The French phenom participated in 64 regular-season contests plus the NBA Cup Final, which doesn’t affect regular-season records or statistics but counts as an official game appearance.

Wembanyama sustained a left rib injury and missed the second half of Monday’s 115-102 win against Philadelphia. He returned Friday to record 40 points and 13 rebounds across 26:13 of action versus Dallas.

He received a questionable listing for injury management purposes and was ruled out following San Antonio’s afternoon walkthrough session.

“Yeah, he’s doing well, but just a little sore and felt it was the appropriate decision,” San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson explained. “He was probably, to be honest, the closest call of the group, but just right in that kind of in between.”

Spurs guard Stephon Castle received an upgrade to available status after missing two games with left foot discomfort.

Masters Tournament officials at Augusta National witnessed an unusual scene Sunday when 2017 champion Sergio Garcia destroyed his driver in a fit of rage, forcing the Spanish golfer to complete his final round without the club.

The incident occurred early in Garcia’s round at the par-five second hole, where he started the day trailing the tournament leaders by 16 strokes and was already one stroke over par. After his tee shot landed in the right fairway bunker, Garcia’s frustration boiled over.

The former Green Jacket winner repeatedly slammed his driver into the ground before breaking the club completely when he struck a nearby cooler next to the tee box.

Tournament regulations prohibited Garcia from replacing the broken driver since the damage resulted from his angry outburst, leaving him to navigate the remaining 16 holes without his longest club.

When reporters asked if his frustration had been mounting, Garcia responded: “Through the year. Yeah. Just obviously not super proud of it, but sometimes it happens.”

The unusual round included a strange moment where spectators saw Garcia carrying fellow competitor Jon Rahm’s golf bag down one of the fairways.

Masters officials approached Garcia at the fourth hole to discuss the incident, though the golfer refused to reveal details of their conversation.

“I’m not going to tell you,” Garcia stated when pressed about the officials’ comments.

Despite the early drama, Garcia managed to salvage par on the second hole where the incident occurred. However, his performance deteriorated throughout the remainder of the round, ultimately finishing eight strokes over par.

When asked about the difficulty of playing without his driver, Garcia offered a sarcastic response: “It makes it very easy. I just have to hit 3-wood all the time. I didn’t have to choose another club.”

Garcia’s performance at Augusta National has declined significantly since his breakthrough victory seven years ago. When questioned about his recent struggles at golf’s first major championship, he provided terse explanations.

“Bad golf,” Garcia said initially.

Reporters seeking more detailed analysis received an equally brief response: “Bad shots.”

“Well, if you don’t hit good shots, you’re not going to score well here. It’s very simple,” Garcia concluded.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy etched his name deeper into golf history Sunday, capturing his second consecutive Masters championship and becoming just the fourth player ever to achieve back-to-back victories at Augusta National.

McIlroy took command during a final round that saw three different golfers hold two-shot leads at various points. The turning moment came at the treacherous Amen Corner, where McIlroy executed a daring shot across Rae’s Creek on the par-3 12th hole, landing within seven feet of the pin for a crucial birdie. He followed that with a thunderous 350-yard drive on the 13th hole that positioned him perfectly for another birdie, extending his advantage to three strokes.

Drama persisted until the final hole, where McIlroy’s wayward tee shot sailed toward the 10th fairway. Despite the miscue, he managed to salvage a bogey with a simple tap-in, finishing with a 1-under 71 and securing a one-shot triumph.

This victory follows McIlroy’s playoff win over Justin Rose last year, which completed his career Grand Slam. By claiming another green jacket, the Northern Irishman joins an exclusive group of consecutive Masters winners that includes Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo, and Jack Nicklaus.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Former Masters champion Sergio Garcia remained tight-lipped with the media following Sunday’s disappointing final round at Augusta National.

However, his explosive behavior on the golf course spoke volumes about his current state of mind.

An early-round breakdown on the second hole resulted in Garcia destroying his driver and earning himself an official conduct violation warning from tournament officials.

The Spanish golfer acknowledged that his outburst stemmed from ongoing struggles this season with his Fireballs team, which currently sits eighth out of 13 teams in LIV Golf competition, rather than issues specific to the Masters tournament.

“Just obviously not super proud of it, but sometimes it happens,” Garcia said.

After dropping a stroke on the opening hole — the first of five bogeys he would record during the round — Garcia stepped up to the tee at the second hole. When his drive headed straight toward a fairway bunker, the golfer immediately took two aggressive swings at the ground in anger.

Still not satisfied after damaging his club, Garcia proceeded to slam the broken driver against a nearby cooling station before completely removing the dangling clubhead himself.

Ironically, the par-5 second hole became the only one among Garcia’s opening four holes where he managed to avoid dropping a shot, as he went on to record bogeys on both the third and fourth holes.

Following his performance on the fourth hole, Augusta National’s competition committee chairman Geoff Yang approached Garcia to deliver the conduct warning.

When asked about Yang’s conversation with him, Garcia declined to elaborate, stating, “I’m not going to tell you.”

Garcia’s final-round 75, three shots over par, left him at 8-over for the tournament and tied for the third-worst score among players who made the weekend cut. Only Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard (10 over) and South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel (12 over) finished with higher scores.

“Well, if you don’t hit good shots, you’re not going to score well here,” Garcia said. “It’s very simple.”

While Garcia’s struggles may have been particularly painful given his status as a former Masters winner, his poor showing continues a troubling pattern at Augusta National. Since capturing the green jacket in 2017, Garcia has failed to make the cut in six of his eight Masters appearances. His best result during that period was a tie for 23rd place in 2022.

The final round at Augusta National has delivered intense drama as Rory McIlroy positioned himself for consecutive Masters victories, currently sitting at 13 under par with a two-stroke advantage over Scheffler and Rose heading into the tournament’s final stretch.

The Northern Irishman regained control of the leaderboard after Justin Rose encountered difficulties on the 12th hole, where mounting tournament pressure appeared to affect his performance. Rose’s chip shot came up short of the green, leading to his second consecutive bogey and allowing McIlroy to reclaim the top position.

Earlier in the round, McIlroy stood at 11 under par while Rose fell into a four-way tie for second place alongside Tyrrell Hatton, Russell Henley, and Cameron Young, all positioned at 10 under.

The leaderboard experienced rapid changes throughout the day, with Rose previously holding sole possession of the lead after sinking a birdie on the eighth hole while Young stumbled with a bogey on the seventh. Rose, who fell to McIlroy in last year’s playoff, had briefly seized the momentum.

Cameron Young emerged as an early threat, establishing a two-shot lead after five holes as he attempted to join an exclusive group. The golfer aimed to become the third consecutive player to capture both the Players Championship and Masters in the same season, following Scottie Scheffler’s 2024 double victory and McIlroy’s matching achievement the previous year.

Young’s strongest Masters performance came in 2023 when he secured a tie for seventh place, making this year’s run particularly significant for the rising star.

The tournament took a dramatic turn when McIlroy suffered a double-bogey on the fourth hole, temporarily handing Young sole possession of the lead at 12 under with a two-shot cushion.

However, McIlroy quickly responded with a birdie on the par-5 third hole, climbing back to 12 under and creating a deadlock with Young after the latter needed a crucial 6-foot putt to salvage par on the same hole.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler remained within striking distance, sitting three shots behind the leaders at 9 under after recording birdies on two of his opening six holes. The two-time Masters champion sought to become the first golfer since Danny Willett in 2016 to claim victory from outside the final pairing.

The final round began with McIlroy and Young sharing the lead at 11 under, after McIlroy surrendered a record-setting 36-hole lead of six strokes during Saturday’s disappointing 73. Young’s exceptional 65 on Saturday, tied for the tournament’s lowest round, propelled him into contention with a one-shot advantage over Sam Burns.

Scheffler entered Sunday’s action four shots behind the leaders at 7 under, immediately making his presence known with a birdie on the challenging par-4 opening hole.

The world’s top-ranked player had mounted an impressive comeback during Saturday’s second round, matching Young’s tournament-best 65 to position himself for a potential third green jacket. This scenario would mark Scheffler’s first come-from-behind victory at Augusta National, contrasting his previous wins where he held leads entering the final round.

Despite ranking first in tee-to-green performance and ballstriking through three rounds, Scheffler’s putting struggles kept him from the lead. The four-time major champion’s near-last ranking on the greens represented his primary obstacle to victory.

Tournament organizers scheduled the final groups strategically, with players at 5 under beginning shortly after 1 p.m. EDT. The progression included notable pairings such as Collin Morikawa with Patrick Reed, followed by Patrick Cantlay and Russell Henley.

Scheffler paired with Haotong Li at 1:52 p.m., while Justin Rose joined Jason Day at 2:03 p.m. Sam Burns and Shane Lowry comprised the penultimate group before McIlroy and Young’s 2:25 p.m. tee time on the 445-yard par-4 first hole.

The tournament featured an unusual incident involving 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia, who destroyed his driver following an angry outburst on the second tee box. After hitting his tee shot into a bunker, Garcia struck a table with his club, severing the driver’s head. Masters officials issued Garcia a code of conduct warning through competitions committee chairman Geoff Yang.

Weather conditions remained consistent with the week’s pattern, featuring hot, dry, and sunny skies that allowed course officials maximum setup flexibility. The forecast suggested challenging conditions with firm, fast greens and demanding pin placements for the final round.

“When greens are firm and targets are tight, even a light wind can add another layer of difficulty,” explained John Feerick, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather. “Players who manage launch, spin and landing spot most effectively may have the clearest edge.”

Off the course, speculation surrounded the future of the popular Masters gnome merchandise, with rumors suggesting this year might mark the final production run. The 13 1/2-inch collectible, featuring a bearded figure in golf attire holding an umbrella and Masters cup, sells for $59.50 at Augusta National but commands over $600 on secondary markets.

Masters chairman Fred Ridley has neither confirmed nor denied the discontinuation rumors, while limited daily availability of 1,000 gnomes continues to create early morning lines as they regularly sell out within an hour of availability.

Milwaukee Brewers star Christian Yelich exited Sunday’s 8-6 defeat against Washington after experiencing left hamstring tightness during the game.

The veteran player was serving as designated hitter and went hitless in two plate appearances before feeling discomfort in his hamstring during his second trip to the plate, manager Pat Murphy explained. Gary Sanchez replaced Yelich as a pinch-hitter in the fifth inning.

Following the game, Murphy shared his pessimistic outlook regarding the injury during his media session.

“We’re most likely to get some bad news on Yelich,” Murphy said.

This season, Yelich has posted a .314 batting average along with one home run and 10 RBIs across 15 contests.

The 34-year-old outfielder captured National League MVP honors in 2018 and has earned two batting titles plus three All-Star selections throughout his career. However, injuries have plagued him in recent seasons, particularly issues with his troublesome back.

Yelich enjoyed a productive 2025 season, hitting .264 with 29 home runs and 103 RBIs over 150 games. His 100-RBI performance marked just the second time in his career he reached that milestone, following his 110 RBIs during his MVP season.

Following five seasons with Miami from 2013-17, Yelich has remained with Milwaukee for the remainder of his major league tenure.

San Diego Padres pitcher Nick Pivetta was forced to exit Sunday’s matchup against the Colorado Rockies during the fourth inning after what appeared to be an arm injury sidelined him from play.

The right-hander had been dealing effectively through the early innings, getting out the first nine batters he encountered, including four strikeouts. Pivetta delivered a 92-mph fastball to batter Edouard Julien that evened the count to 2-2 when the fourth inning began, but team manager Craig Stammen and medical personnel immediately made their way to the pitcher’s mound following that throw.

Following a quick discussion on the field, Pivetta departed the game and headed straight through the tunnel toward San Diego’s locker room area, holding his hand over his mouth as he exited the field.

Relief pitcher Kyle Hart stepped in to replace Pivetta and successfully got out all three batters he faced, maintaining San Diego’s 2-0 advantage through three and a half innings. However, Colorado managed to score twice off Hart during the fifth inning, narrowing the gap to 3-2.

Through four appearances this season, Pivetta carries a 1-2 win-loss record along with a 4.50 earned run average.

Meanwhile, Colorado faced their own pitching complications when their planned starter, left-handed pitcher Kyle Freeland, was pulled during warm-ups due to what the team described as soreness in his left posterior shoulder.

The Colorado Rockies had to make a last-minute pitching change Sunday when Kyle Freeland was unable to take the mound against the San Diego Padres due to discomfort in his left posterior shoulder.

Freeland had been performing well this season with a 1-1 record and 2.30 ERA through his first three outings. Right-handed pitcher Jimmy Herget stepped in to fill the void, marking his second appearance as an opener during this series against the Padres. Herget had previously started Thursday’s contest, delivering a clean first inning.

However, Herget’s Sunday performance didn’t match his earlier success. The Padres managed to score in the opening frame when Manny Machado drove in Ramon Laureano with a sacrifice fly.

Chase Dollander took over pitching duties in the second inning and was expected to handle the majority of the remaining innings as the team’s primary reliever. This marked Dollander’s second bulk relief appearance of the series, having previously thrown 4 1/3 innings on Thursday while giving up just one run.

Iowa State basketball star Milan Momcilovic announced Sunday his intention to pursue the NBA draft while simultaneously placing his name in the transfer portal.

The talented shooter broke school records this season, connecting on 136 three-point shots at an impressive 48.8% clip to lead all college players nationwide. Momcilovic contributed 16.9 points per game across 37 contests for the Cyclones, who secured a No. 2 tournament seed and advanced to the Sweet 16 for the second occasion during his time with the program.

In a social media statement, Momcilovic reflected on his collegiate experience. “The last three years have been the best of my life, and (Iowa State fans) have been a major part of that,” he wrote. “It has always been a dream of mine to play in the NBA.”

“At this time, I’m turning my full focus to the NBA Draft, while also entering my name in the Transfer Portal, with the goal of being in the 2026 NBA Draft,” Momcilovic continued.

The 6-foot-8 forward has accumulated 260 career three-pointers across three collegiate seasons, tying him for second place in Iowa State history alongside Naz Mitrou-Long (2012-17). Jake Sullivan (2000-04) holds the program record with 270 made three-pointers.

Throughout his Cyclones career, Momcilovic posted 13.2 points per game over 102 appearances, starting 101 of those contests.

Head coach T.J. Otzelberger addressed his player’s decision in an official statement. “Milan and I have had meaningful discussions about his future over the last couple of weeks,” Otzelberger explained. “He needs to focus on what is best for him and his family.”

“We can’t thank him enough for what he has done for our program. We look forward to following him as he pursues his dream of playing in the NBA,” the coach added.

Iowa State concluded the season with a 29-8 record before falling to Tennessee in Sweet 16 action.

The University of Louisville basketball program scored a major recruiting victory Sunday when two elite transfer portal prospects announced their commitments following campus visits over the weekend, according to multiple sports media outlets.

Former Kansas center Flory Bidunga and ex-Oregon point guard Jackson Shelstad both pledged to join the Cardinals, with ESPN indicating that Louisville presented the highly-sought players as a combined recruitment package. The network noted that the university was “aggressive in laying out a vision for building (a) championship roster.”

Bidunga brings impressive credentials to Louisville after earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors and being widely regarded as the premier talent available in this transfer cycle. During his sophomore campaign with Kansas, the 6-foot-10, 235-pound athlete posted 13.3 points per game while leading the Jayhawks with 9.0 rebounds and contributing 2.6 blocks across 35 contests, starting 34 times. His shot-blocking prowess ranked him fourth among all Division I players.

Shelstad arrives after three seasons with Oregon, where he established himself as a premier playmaker. This past season, he recorded career-best numbers with 15.6 points and team-leading 4.9 assists while maintaining just 1.8 turnovers per game, though his campaign ended December 28th due to tendon and ligament injuries to his right hand. The previous year, he earned third-team all-Big Ten recognition by averaging 13.7 points and helping Oregon secure a No. 5 NCAA Tournament seed. ESPN ranks him as the ninth-best portal player, while On3 places him 17th.

Under head coach Pat Kelsey, Louisville has reached consecutive NCAA Tournaments but fell to Michigan State in the second round this past March. The Cardinals are seeking their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2015.

The Chicago Sky completed a significant roster move Sunday, obtaining forward Rickea Jackson from the Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for guard Ariel Atkins, according to team announcements.

Jackson, a 25-year-old talent who was selected fourth overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, compiled statistics of 14.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per game across 78 contests (starting 72) during her two-year tenure with Los Angeles. Her scoring average increased to 14.7 points during the most recent season.

Chicago’s general manager Jeff Pagliocca expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition in an official statement: “It’s thrilling to acquire one of the great young talents in this league in Jackson. Rickea is only going to continue to ascend, and the organization is excited to witness that growth firsthand.”

The forward’s arrival addresses the roster gap left after Chicago sent Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream earlier this week.

In additional roster moves, the Sky announced they have secured free agent guard/forward DiJonai Carrington and brought back veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot.

The 28-year-old Carrington brings career statistics of 8.5 points and 3.5 rebounds across 162 games (56 as a starter) with previous stops including Connecticut (2021-24), Dallas (2025), and Minnesota (2025). She contributed 9.8 points per game in 31 appearances last season split between Dallas and Minnesota. Carrington earned WNBA Most Improved Player honors and placed fourth in Defensive Player of the Year consideration in 2024 while with Connecticut.

“We’re thrilled to bring DiJonai to the Sky,” Pagliocca commented. “She brings speed, defense, versatility and a fierce competitive spirit, and we can’t wait to see her electrify Skytown.”

Vandersloot, 37, reportedly agreed to a two-year contract worth $1.5 million to rejoin Chicago while continuing her recovery from an ACL tear suffered last June. The five-time All-Star selection has played 13 of her 15 professional seasons with the Sky and holds the second-highest assist total in league history with 2,886, trailing only Hall of Fame player Sue Bird’s record of 3,234.

“I truly believe the Sky are building something special, which made it a no-brainer to sign back,” Vandersloot stated. “Finishing last season with an injury was disappointing, but I’m eager to be back on the court.”

Atkins became available for trade following Chicago’s signing of seven-time All-Star guard Skylar Diggins on Saturday.

The 29-year-old Atkins posted averages of 13.1 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.4 rebounds in 34 games for Chicago in 2025. She joined the Sky before the 2025 season after spending her initial seven professional years with Washington.

Atkins earned All-Star recognition in both 2021 and 2022. She received first-team All-Defensive honors in 2022 following four consecutive seasons as a second-team selection.

The guard played an important role on Washington’s championship team in 2019.

Throughout her career, Atkins has maintained averages of 13.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.5 steals across 251 games (246 starts). She shoots 36.2% from three-point distance.

Multiple media outlets are reporting that the Sacramento Kings plan to bring back Doug Christie as their head coach for the upcoming 2026-27 season.

Christie wraps up his first full season under a three-year coaching contract he inked with Sacramento on May 1st. The Kings finished with a disappointing 22-59 record, matching Utah for the Western Conference’s poorest performance and ranking fourth-worst across the entire NBA as the regular season concludes Sunday.

The 55-year-old Christie stepped into the interim coaching role on December 27, 2024, following the dismissal of Mike Brown. Sacramento removed the interim designation when they offered him the three-year agreement last May, which sources indicate guarantees two years at roughly $2 million annually.

During his playing career from 1992 to 2007, Christie spent five seasons with the Kings organization, suiting up for more games in Sacramento (355) than with any other franchise across his 15-year NBA tenure. His statistics with the Kings included averages of 10.6 points, 4.3 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game. As Sacramento’s coach, Christie holds a 49-83 record.

Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar will remain behind while his team travels for their next two road contests after suffering facial fractures and a corneal abrasion when struck by a puck during Saturday’s 3-2 overtime defeat against the Vegas Golden Knights.

The 54-year-old coach will be absent from the bench when Colorado faces Calgary on Monday and Edmonton on Tuesday. The injury occurred early in the third period when a puck deflected off Vegas forward Keegan Kolesar’s stick and struck Bednar in the face.

During Bednar’s absence, assistant coaches Dave Hakstol and Nolan Pratt will take charge of the team’s operations for the upcoming road swing.

Since taking the helm of the Avalanche a decade ago, Bednar has compiled a coaching record of 442 wins, 262 losses, and 75 overtime/shootout losses, achieving a .616 winning percentage. His most notable achievement came in 2022 when he guided the franchise to a Stanley Cup championship.

For the first time in Masters Tournament history, a player received a code-of-conduct warning when Sergio Garcia destroyed his driver in a fit of rage on Augusta National’s second hole.

The incident occurred after Garcia opened with a bogey, prompting an explosive tantrum on the second tee. Garcia violently struck his club against the ground twice before swinging it at a nearby table holding a green cooler. The outburst left his driver head barely attached to the shaft, which Garcia then ripped off entirely. Geoff Yang, serving as competitions committee chairman, approached Garcia at the fourth tee to deliver the historic warning.

In other Masters developments, what seemed like a runaway victory for Rory McIlroy has transformed into a wide-open championship race. McIlroy’s commanding six-shot advantage through two rounds has completely disappeared following a disappointing 73 in Saturday’s third round.

McIlroy now shares the lead with Cameron Young entering Sunday’s final round, with six additional players positioned within four strokes. The pairing marks a rare occurrence, as McIlroy ranks second globally while Young sits third. The last time two top-three ranked players competed together in the Masters final group was 2001, featuring Tiger Woods at number one and Phil Mickelson at number two.

In NBA news, Sacramento Kings coach Doug Christie will continue for another complete season despite overseeing one of the franchise’s most disastrous campaigns. According to a source speaking anonymously to The Associated Press, Christie will fulfill the second year of his contract, which includes a team option through 2027-28. The Kings concluded the regular season with a devastating 22-59 record, matching the second-highest loss total in team history.

Manchester City delivered a powerful message in the Premier League title chase, demolishing Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge. Pep Guardiola’s squad now trails leader Arsenal by just six points with a game in hand, perfectly positioned for next weekend’s crucial head-to-head showdown. Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi, and Jeremy Doku found the net during City’s explosive second-half display, capitalizing on Arsenal’s surprising loss to Bournemouth.

The NBA regular season concludes today with teams falling into three distinct categories. Ten franchises including Oklahoma City, Boston, and Cleveland have secured their playoff positions. Another ten teams like Denver, the Lakers, and Miami still have seeding implications to resolve. The remaining clubs are simply playing out meaningless season finales.

Golden State Valkyries strengthened their roster by signing All-Star Gabby Williams to a multi-year contract during WNBA free agency’s second day. Williams posted career-best numbers last season with Seattle, averaging 11.6 points and 4.2 assists while leading the league with 2.3 steals per game. The 29-year-old earned her first All-Star selection and All-Defensive First Team honors, joining a Valkyries franchise that made playoff history as the first expansion team to qualify in their inaugural season.

The baseball world mourns Phil Garner, who passed away Saturday at age 76 following a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Known as “Scrap Iron” for his gritty playing style, Garner enjoyed a 16-year career with Oakland, Pittsburgh, Houston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, earning three All-Star selections. He later managed the Astros to their first World Series appearance.

Chicago Sky acquired promising young talent Rickea Jackson from Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for Ariel Atkins. Jackson, selected fourth overall in the 2024 WNBA draft, contributed 14.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game as a rookie. Chicago had previously designated Atkins with the franchise tag after she averaged 13.1 points in 34 games last season.

This year’s Stanley Cup playoffs guarantee a new champion after defending titlists Florida Panthers missed the postseason due to injuries. Colorado enters as the betting favorite following their dominant regular season and best overall record. However, regular season success rarely translates to playoff glory, making both conferences completely unpredictable.

Jannik Sinner captured his first Monte Carlo Masters title, defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (5), 6-3 to reclaim the world’s number one ranking. The victory marked Sinner’s 27th career title and reduced Alcaraz’s head-to-head advantage to 10-7 in their ongoing “Sincaraz” rivalry. The four-time Grand Slam champion celebrated by dropping to his knees before rushing to embrace his support team.

The Sacramento Kings have decided to retain Doug Christie as their head coach for another complete season, even after experiencing one of the most disappointing campaigns in the organization’s history.

An anonymous source with knowledge of the situation confirmed Sunday that Christie will continue in his role for the second year of his contract, which includes a team option extending through the 2027-28 season. The individual requested anonymity since the organization has not made an official announcement, though The Athletic initially broke the story.

Christie originally stepped into the role on a temporary basis following the dismissal of Mike Brown during the early stages of the 2024-25 campaign. Under Christie’s leadership, Sacramento posted a 27-24 record for the remainder of that season before their playoff hopes ended in the play-in tournament.

Following that season, the Kings brought in Scott Perry as their new general manager and chose to keep Christie as the permanent head coach. However, this past season proved far more challenging, as injuries to crucial players including Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, and DeAndre Hunter severely impacted the team’s performance from the beginning.

By mid-February, Sacramento held the NBA’s worst record at 12-46, which included a devastating 16-game losing streak. The team managed to show improvement in their final games, posting a 10-13 record leading up to Sunday’s season finale, though this late surge may negatively impact their draft lottery position. Currently, the Kings share the league’s fourth-worst record with Utah.

Entering Sunday’s final game against Portland, Sacramento’s 59 losses represent the second-highest total in franchise history, trailing only the 65 losses recorded during the 2008-09 season. While rookies Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud, and Dylan Cardwell provided bright spots, the organization is counting on lottery luck to secure a foundational player after trading away star point guard De’Aaron Fox during the previous season.

The Kings’ playoff drought continues, having reached the postseason only once over the past two decades – a first-round exit to Golden State in 2023 during Brown’s inaugural season as head coach.

Since Vivek Ranadive became the team’s owner in 2013, Sacramento has compiled the NBA’s fourth-worst overall record. During this period, the franchise has cycled through five top executives and nine different head coaches, including interim appointments.

Phil Garner, the tenacious All-Star infielder who earned the nickname ‘Scrap Iron’ and later guided the Houston Astros to their inaugural World Series appearance, passed away Saturday at age 76.

Family members announced Sunday that Garner had succumbed to pancreatic cancer after battling the disease for more than two years.

“Phil never lost his signature spark of life,” his son Ty said in a family statement. “He was so well known for or his love for baseball, which was with him until the end.”

The hard-nosed competitor earned his ‘Scrap Iron’ moniker through his gritty, workmanlike style during a 16-season playing career that spanned five teams: the Oakland Athletics (1973-76), Pittsburgh Pirates (1977-81), Houston Astros (1981-87), Los Angeles Dodgers (1987), and San Francisco Giants (1988).

Garner’s finest moment as a player came during Pittsburgh’s remarkable 1979 World Series championship run. He appeared in 150 games that season with an .800 OPS, then delivered clutch performances in the postseason. He hit .417 during the Pirates’ National League Championship Series sweep of Cincinnati and was even better in the World Series, batting .500 with 12 hits in 24 at-bats as Pittsburgh overcame a 3-1 series deficit to defeat Baltimore.

His excellence earned him All-Star selections three times – once with Oakland in 1976 and twice with Pittsburgh in 1980 and 1981.

“Phil Garner was a fierce competitor, a respected leader, and a cherished part of the Pirates family,” Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said in a statement. “His contributions to the 1979 World Series championship team will forever be part of Pirates history. We always appreciated welcoming Phil back to Pittsburgh, and it was evident how deeply this city, this team, his teammates, and our fans meant to him.”

“He will be remembered not only for the grit, passion, and heart he brought to the game, but also for the way he carried himself as a devoted family man and respected member of the baseball community.”

Throughout his playing career, Garner compiled a .260 batting average with 109 home runs, 738 RBIs, and 225 stolen bases across 1,860 regular-season contests. His versatility allowed him to start more than 700 games at both second base and third base.

After retiring as a player, Garner transitioned into managing and spent 15 years leading major league clubs. His managerial record stood at 985-1,054 across stints with Milwaukee (1992-99), Detroit (2000-02), and Houston (2004-07). He held Milwaukee’s record for most managerial victories until Craig Counsell broke it in 2022.

“He was a very highly respected and beloved individual who was known for his caring nature, wisdom and sense of humor,” the Brewers organization stated.

Garner took control of the Astros during the 2004 season following Jimy Williams’ dismissal and immediately turned the team around with a 48-26 record over the final months. Houston finished 92-70, defeated Atlanta in the NL Division Series, but squandered a 3-2 advantage against St. Louis in the NL Championship Series.

The following season brought Garner’s greatest managerial achievement. He led the Astros to an 89-73 record and guided them through victories over Atlanta in the NLDS and St. Louis in the NLCS, earning their first-ever World Series berth before falling to the Chicago White Sox in a four-game sweep.

A Tennessee native, Garner excelled at the University of Tennessee, which honored him by retiring his No. 18 jersey in 2009.

Former Major League Baseball player and manager Phil Garner has died at the age of 76 following a battle with pancreatic cancer, his family announced Sunday.

Garner passed away Saturday evening surrounded by loved ones after fighting the disease for more than two years, according to a family statement released Sunday.

“(He) passed away peacefully last night, April 11, surrounded by family and love after a two-plus-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Phil never lost his signature spark of life he was so well known for or his love for baseball which was with him until the end,” the family said.

Garner received his cancer diagnosis in February 2024.

Known by the nickname “Scrap Iron” for his aggressive style of play, Garner earned three All-Star selections during a 16-year playing career that spanned from 1973 to 1988.

The versatile infielder finished his career with a .260 batting average, 109 home runs, and 738 RBIs across 1,860 games. He played for the Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Francisco Giants. Garner was part of Pittsburgh’s 1979 “We are Family” championship squad that captured the World Series title.

After his playing days ended, Garner transitioned to managing, leading the Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers, and Houston Astros to a combined 985-1,054 record. His most notable achievement as a skipper came in 2005 when he replaced Jimy Williams and guided the Astros to their first National League pennant, though they fell to the Chicago White Sox in a four-game World Series sweep.

The Astros paid tribute to Garner on what would have been his 76th birthday, April 30, 2025, inviting him to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before their game against Detroit.

During his tenure with Milwaukee from 1992-99, Garner compiled a 563-617 record across seven and a half seasons.

“The Brewers are saddened to learn of the passing of former manager Phil Garner,” Milwaukee said in an official statement. “Following a distinguished playing career, Phil served as our manager from 1992-99 and went on to manage the second-most games in franchise history.”

“He was a very highly respected and beloved individual who was known for his caring nature, wisdom and sense of humor. Our deepest condolences go out to Phil’s wife, Carol, and all of his family, friends and fans,” the Brewers added.

The Columbus Aviators will take the field Sunday without their head coach after Ted Ginn Jr. was arrested on driving while intoxicated charges in Texas over the weekend.

The former NFL receiver was taken into custody Saturday and processed at the Tarrant County jail around 3:30 p.m. local time before posting bond and being released at 8 p.m. that same day.

Ginn, who celebrated his 41st birthday on Sunday, was brought on to lead the Aviators during their first season after being hired in December. The former Ohio State second-team All-American addressed the incident through social media.

“I want to address the situation that took place over the weekend. I made a serious mistake and take full responsibility for my actions. I’ve always believed in accountability and now it’s my turn to live that standard,” Ginn said in a post on his X account.

“I understand the responsibility that comes with being a leader & role model, and falling short of this is not something I take lightly. I’m committed to learning from this, making better decisions, and earning back the trust of my players, our organization, and the fans.

“I appreciate the support of my family and the United Football League, and I respect the process as it moves forward. My focus now is on taking the necessary steps to grow from this and represent the Columbus Aviators and this community the right way.”

With Ginn unavailable, offensive coordinator Todd Haley will step in as interim head coach for Sunday’s matchup against Dallas in Frisco, Texas, according to a UFL announcement.

UFL president and CEO Russ Brandon acknowledged the situation in an official statement.

“We are aware of an incident involving Head Coach Ted Ginn Jr. over the weekend and are in the process of gathering more information,” Brandon said.

The struggling Aviators enter the contest winless at 0-2, having dropped both games since the franchise began play under Ginn’s leadership. Before transitioning to coaching, Ginn enjoyed a 14-season NFL career as a receiver, recording 412 catches for 5,742 yards and 33 touchdowns while playing for Miami (2007-09), San Francisco (2010-12), Carolina (2013, 2015-16), Arizona (2014), New Orleans (2017-19) and Chicago (2020). He also contributed seven return touchdowns and two rushing scores during his professional playing career.

All-Star basketball player Kelsey Plum has committed to staying with the Los Angeles Sparks for another season, accepting a contract worth $999,999 according to ESPN’s Sunday report.

The veteran guard chose to take approximately $400,000 less than her maximum eligible salary of $1.4 million, deliberately providing the Sparks with additional roster-building flexibility under the salary cap.

During her debut season in Los Angeles, the 31-year-old Plum posted impressive numbers, scoring an average of 19.5 points while dishing out 5.7 assists per game across 43 contests, starting every single matchup.

Throughout her professional career, Plum has maintained solid production with career averages of 15.1 points and 4.3 assists across 278 games, including 236 as a starter. She entered the league as the first overall selection in the 2017 WNBA Draft when she was picked by what was then the San Antonio Stars franchise, which later became the Las Vegas Aces.

The accomplished guard brings championship experience to Los Angeles, having captured two WNBA titles and earning four All-Star selections during her career that began after her college days at the University of Washington.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder and designated hitter George Springer has been added to the 10-day injured list following a fractured big toe sustained during Saturday’s matchup with the Minnesota Twins.

The injury occurred when Springer made contact with an 0-1 pitch from Twins pitcher Joe Ryan, sending the ball directly into his left foot. Despite the painful collision, the veteran player completed his at-bat, ultimately grounding out to the third baseman before being substituted by Myles Straw in the sixth inning.

To fill the roster spot, Toronto has brought up outfielder Eloy Jimenez from their Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons.

The 36-year-old Springer has struggled at the plate this season, posting a .185 batting average with two home runs and six RBIs across 14 games. Since joining Toronto in 2022, he has maintained excellent durability, appearing in no fewer than 133 games each season.

Springer began his major league career with the Houston Astros, where he played from 2014 through 2020. His standout achievement came in 2017 when he captured World Series MVP honors during Houston’s championship run.

Throughout his professional career, the outfielder has compiled a .266 batting average alongside 295 home runs and 802 RBIs.

Meanwhile, Jimenez, age 29, has recorded a .257 batting average with one home run and five RBIs through 11 games with Buffalo this season.

A fresh Stanley Cup champion is guaranteed this season following the defending Florida Panthers’ elimination from playoff contention due to injury troubles.

Florida isn’t alone among traditional powerhouses missing the postseason, while approximately six new teams have secured spots in the 16-team tournament. The Buffalo Sabres are among those newcomers, and Pittsburgh has returned to playoff action.

Colorado has shown exceptional performance throughout the season since October, entering as the top contender after securing the league’s best regular season record. However, regular season success rarely translates to Cup victory after four playoff rounds, making both Eastern and Western Conference outcomes highly unpredictable.

“Every team in the playoffs can win,” Dallas Stars defenseman Tyler Myers said. “Every series is a tough series. That’s what’s so amazing about the NHL playoffs: It brings out the best in everybody, in every team, and it creates an unbelievable battle no matter who’s playing.”

Buffalo concluded the NHL’s longest postseason absence at 14 years, achieving this milestone despite losing 18 of their initial 29 contests.

“It’s something that we strived for from Day One,” said Lindy Ruff, who is among the favorites to be coach of the year. “You’ve got to feel good about getting there. It’s hard. We’re in a division that’s been extremely hard to get there. You’ve got to look back and say that we did a lot of good things to get to this point.”

Buffalo appears capable of making significant impact in the Eastern Conference without Florida’s presence, having performed exceptionally well since the Olympic break.

Pittsburgh also finished strong, earning their first playoff berth since 2022 under first-year head coach Dan Muse. Despite being 6-1 longshots on BetMGM Sportsbook in October, the Penguins’ veteran core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang secured another postseason opportunity.

“A lot of people doubted us and I guess counted us out, and it just put fuel on the fire for us,” said defenseman Ryan Shea, who’s set to make his NHL playoff debut at 29. “I’ve been in the playoffs in the AHL, which was fun, but this is the best league in the world.”

Utah reached the playoffs in just their second season since relocating to Salt Lake City. Anaheim also qualified with their developing roster under three-time Cup winner Joel Quenneville.

Colorado rightfully holds championship favorite status. Nathan MacKinnon stands as a potential MVP candidate, Cale Makar could claim top defenseman honors, and Nazem Kadri’s trade deadline return provides the depth necessary for another Denver celebration, four years after their previous title.

However, they must navigate either Dallas or Minnesota in the second round just to reach the Western Conference finals.

“Confident for sure: Believe in this group. I know we have what it takes,” captain Gabriel Landeskog said. “It’s going to be a long, tough road and mentally, physically grinding. I think we’re ready for it.”

The Dallas-Minnesota opening matchup creates immediate excitement, featuring two top-seven teams in a series guaranteeing one elite squad’s early elimination by mid-May. This results from the division-based format that Commissioner Gary Bettman credits with creating superior first-round competition.

“That makes for great matchups,” Bettman said. “If you’re a fan of the game and you’re looking for excitement, you’re looking to be entertained, you’re looking for intriguing stories, this format does it.”

Multiple U.S. Olympic gold medalists have opportunities to add Stanley Cup victories to their 2024 achievements.

Colorado’s Brock Nelson contributed 30 goals after his Olympic performance in Milan. Carolina’s Jaccob Slavin, Buffalo’s Tage Thompson, Tampa Bay’s Jake Guentzel, Minnesota’s Matt Boldy, Quinn Hughes and Brock Faber, Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson all remain in contention, alongside goaltenders Jeremy Swayman from Boston and Dallas’ Jake Oettinger.

Canadian stars view their Olympic silver medals as disappointments and seek redemption. This includes Edmonton’s Connor McDavid following consecutive Cup final defeats, and Crosby, whose injury prevented him from playing in the gold medal game as he pursues a fourth NHL championship.

“That’s the best time of year,” Crosby said. “That’s why you play.”

AUGUSTA, Georgia — The stage is set for a thrilling finale at Augusta National as defending Masters champion Rory McIlroy prepares to battle Cameron Young for the green jacket after watching his massive lead disappear in dramatic fashion on Saturday.

McIlroy, the world’s second-ranked golfer, entered Saturday’s third round with a historic six-stroke advantage — the biggest 36-hole cushion in Masters tournament history. However, the Northern Ireland star struggled on what should have been a scoring day, posting a disappointing 73 while Young mounted an incredible comeback charge.

Young, who started the day trailing by eight strokes, delivered a masterful 65 that stands as one of the most impressive Saturday performances in Masters lore. The world No. 3 golfer becomes the first player in tournament history to erase a deficit of eight or more shots after two rounds to share the lead heading into the final day.

Both players now stand at 11-under par as they prepare for Sunday’s final round, scheduled to begin at 2:25 p.m. under clear skies.

For McIlroy, who captured his first Masters title last year to complete golf’s career Grand Slam, Sunday represents a chance at rare history. A victory would place him among just four golfers to win consecutive Masters tournaments, with Tiger Woods being the last to accomplish the feat in 2001-2002. McIlroy has maintained the lead or shared it after each round this week, attempting to join the exclusive group of just three wire-to-wire winners at Augusta in the past 45 years.

Young enters Sunday chasing his first major championship, having established himself as a force with his remarkable third-round surge that rewrote Masters record books.

The final pairing marks only the second time in Masters history that the last group on Sunday features two players from the world’s top three rankings.

Several other contenders remain within striking distance. Sam Burns sits just one shot behind the leaders, while Ireland’s Shane Lowry — who recorded the tournament’s 35th hole-in-one on Saturday — trails by two strokes in fourth place.

Jason Day and 2025 Masters runner-up Justin Rose find themselves three shots back, tied for fifth position. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler surged back into contention with his own seven-under 65 on Saturday, matching the day’s best score to position himself four shots off the lead alongside China’s Li Haotong.

With multiple storylines converging and golf history hanging in the balance, Augusta National appears poised to host a memorable championship Sunday.

The Golden State Valkyries announced Sunday they have secured All-Star forward Gabby Williams with a multi-year contract agreement.

Financial details of Williams’ new deal remain undisclosed by the franchise. The 29-year-old athlete previously played four seasons with the Seattle Storm.

“For a player of Gabby’s caliber to choose us in just our second year … means everything,” Valkyries general manager Ohemaa Nyanin said in a statement. “She is world-class. One of the best defenders in the world, an WNBA All-Star, and someone who makes everyone around her better.”

During the previous season, Williams achieved personal milestones with 11.6 points, 4.2 assists, and 2.3 steals per game across 44 contests, starting every matchup.

The 2025 All-Star selection accumulated 99 steals throughout the season, falling just short of Teresa Weatherspoon’s league record of 100 steals established in 1998.

Since entering the league as Chicago Sky’s fourth overall draft selection from the University of Connecticut in 2018, Williams has compiled averages of 8.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists across 191 career appearances, including 135 as a starter.

CF Montreal terminated head coach Marco Donadel from his position on Sunday morning following the team’s struggling performance this season.

Philippe Eullaffroy has been named temporary head coach for CF Montreal, which holds a 1-6-0 record with just three points and sits in second-to-last place in the Eastern Conference. The team suffered a 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night.

Saturday’s victory marked Philadelphia Union’s first win of the current season.

According to CF Montreal’s announcement, assistant coaches Jacopo Falanga and Lorenzo Pinzauti have also been dismissed from the organization.

The club had promoted Donadel from interim status to permanent head coach on October 21st.

The 42-year-old Donadel initially stepped into the interim coaching role on March 24, 2025, when Montreal dismissed Laurent Courtois after the team started that season with an 0-4-1 record.

The Italian-born Donadel spent four seasons as a player with Montreal between 2015 and 2018, then rejoined the organization as an assistant coach on December 29, 2024.

MONTE CARLO – Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner captured his fourth consecutive Masters 1000 championship on Sunday, defeating Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(5) 6-3 in the Monte Carlo Masters final to regain his position as the world’s top-ranked player.

The two tennis stars hadn’t competed against each other in almost five months, with their previous encounter being Sinner’s victory over Alcaraz at the ATP Finals championship match. Playing in windy weather conditions, the Italian once again emerged victorious after a match that lasted two hours and 15 minutes.

This latest triumph marks Sinner’s fourth consecutive Masters 1000 championship, following his previous wins in Paris, Indian Wells, and Miami before transitioning to Monte Carlo’s distinctive red clay surface. The victory brings his total Masters series titles to eight overall.

TCU basketball star Olivia Miles has made history by becoming the first upcoming rookie to join Unrivaled, the professional 3×3 basketball league, ahead of Monday’s WNBA Draft where she’s projected as an early pick.

The 5-foot-10 guard has inked a multi-year contract with the league, though financial terms were not disclosed. Miles is scheduled to begin playing in Unrivaled’s 2027 season next winter. The league, now entering its third year, was established by WNBA standouts Naphessa Collier and Breanna Stewart.

“I couldn’t be more excited to join the long list of incredible players playing in Unrivaled,” Miles stated in Sunday’s announcement. “This league is building something special for the women’s game and I’m excited to be a part of its long-term growth. I can’t wait to hit the floor next winter to compete alongside the absolute best in the world.”

The New Jersey native completed four years at Notre Dame before making the move to TCU for her final season of college eligibility in 2025-26. Under her leadership, the Horned Frogs secured an NCAA Tournament berth but were eliminated by eventual national runner-up South Carolina, 78-52, in the Sweet 16 round.

Miles earned second-team Associated Press All-American honors for the third straight year, posting impressive statistics with 19.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game this season.

Jack Eichel delivered the decisive goal just 1:19 into the extra period, propelling the Vegas Golden Knights into the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory against the Colorado Avalanche in Denver on Saturday evening.

The veteran center collected the puck in Colorado’s defensive zone, maneuvered along the left wing, and fired a shot from the faceoff circle that beat netminder Mackenzie Blackwood for the game-deciding tally. This triumph secured Vegas’s eighth postseason qualification in their nine-year franchise history.

Mark Stone and Pavel Dorofeyev contributed the other goals for Vegas, while goaltender Carter Hart turned aside 30 shots in the winning effort.

Nick Blankenburg and Devon Toews found the net for the Central Division-leading Avalanche, who have already secured the Presidents’ Trophy. Blackwood made 26 saves in the losing cause.

Lightning 2, Bruins 1

Defenseman Emil Lilleberg netted a crucial rebound with 1:35 remaining in regulation, lifting visiting Tampa Bay past Boston in a tight contest. Despite the setback, the Bruins still secured their playoff position later that evening.

Following Boston’s failure to clear the puck from their zone, Lilleberg capitalized on Jake Guentzel’s shot attempt to give Tampa Bay the victory. The Lightning ended a three-game losing streak, while Boston punched their playoff ticket when Detroit fell to New Jersey.

Brandon Hagel also tallied for Tampa Bay, and Andrei Vasilevskiy recorded 19 saves for the Lightning, who overcame a 1-0 third-period deficit for their 23rd comeback victory of the campaign. Morgan Geekie scored for Boston, and Jeremy Swayman stopped 22 shots for the Bruins, who are winless in their past five contests (0-3-2).

Senators 3, Islanders 0

Ridly Greig converted a short-handed opportunity in the opening frame, and Jake Sanderson added a power-play marker in the final period as Ottawa blanked New York in Elmont, N.Y.

Michael Amadio sealed the victory with an empty-net goal late in regulation, while Linus Ullmark earned the shutout by stopping all 23 shots he faced. The Senators extended their winning streak to four games and later clinched their second consecutive playoff berth when New Jersey defeated Detroit.

Ilya Sorokin made 13 saves for the Islanders (43-32-5, 91 points), who failed to convert on five power-play opportunities. New York dropped to 1-1-0 under new head coach Peter DeBoer and suffered their fifth loss in six games.

Kings 1, Oilers 0

Anton Forsberg delivered a stellar 27-save performance for Los Angeles against visiting Edmonton, recording his third shutout this season and 11th of his 11-year NHL career.

Artemi Panarin provided the game’s only scoring for the Kings, who captured their fourth consecutive victory to maintain their grip on the second wild-card position in the Western Conference with three games left to play.

Connor Ingram turned away 20 shots for Edmonton, who secured their playoff spot thanks to Winnipeg’s defeat. The Oilers suffered their third 1-0 loss this season and fell to 1-2-1 over their last four outings.

Hurricanes 4, Utah 1

Andrei Svechnikov and Jordan Staal scored opening-period goals as Carolina defeated Utah in Salt Lake City.

The victory moved Carolina four points ahead of idle Buffalo for the top seed in the Eastern Conference, with both teams having two games remaining. Sebastian Aho and Sean Walker also scored, while Nikolaj Ehlers, Jordan Martinook, and Shayne Gostisbehere each contributed two assists. Frederik Andersen made 26 saves in his first career start and victory against Utah.

Dylan Guenther scored for Utah, and Karel Vejmelka stopped 26 shots as the team’s five-game winning streak came to an end. Utah maintains the top wild-card position in the Western Conference, holding a three-point advantage over Los Angeles with both clubs having three games to play.

Stars 2, Rangers 0

Jason Robertson scored a power-play goal with 7:11 left in regulation, leading Dallas to victory over visiting New York.

Robertson added an empty-net goal with 59 seconds remaining to tie teammate Wyatt Johnston for the team lead with 44 goals. The victory, combined with Minnesota’s loss to Nashville, secured home-ice advantage for Dallas against the Wild in their first-round playoff matchup.

Jake Oettinger posted his fourth shutout of the season and second in his last four starts, making 22 saves to win his fourth straight game. Igor Shesterkin kept New York competitive, stopping 17 of 18 shots.

Capitals 6, Penguins 3

Ilya Protas scored his first NHL goal and added two assists as visiting Washington kept their playoff hopes alive with a victory over a short-handed Pittsburgh squad.

Ryan Leonard scored twice, while Aliaksei Protas and Tom Wilson each contributed a goal and an assist for the Capitals, who remain three points behind Philadelphia for third place in the Metropolitan Division.

Anthony Mantha, Noel Acciari, and Kevin Hayes scored for Pittsburgh, who were missing Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and other key contributors due to day-to-day injuries.

Devils 5, Red Wings 3

Jesper Bratt’s second goal broke a late third-period tie as New Jersey rallied for a victory over host Detroit.

The defeat eliminated Detroit from playoff contention. Bratt also added an assist, Jack Hughes recorded a goal and an assist, and Cody Glass and Dawson Mercer also found the net for New Jersey, whose playoff hopes ended earlier this week. Jake Allen made 25 saves.

Emmitt Finnie had a goal and an assist, while defenseman Justin Faulk and David Perron also scored for Detroit, which is 2-5-1 in its last eight games. Dylan Larkin contributed two assists, and John Gibson made 28 saves.

Additional Results:

Steven Stamkos had a goal and an assist as Nashville defeated visiting Minnesota 2-1, staying within a point of Los Angeles for the final Western Conference wild-card spot.

Charlie Coyle scored twice as Columbus kept playoff hopes alive with a 5-2 road victory over Montreal, moving within two points of Philadelphia in the Metropolitan Division.

Sean Couturier had two goals and an assist as Philadelphia moved closer to a playoff berth with a 7-1 rout of host Winnipeg.

Vancouver defeated San Jose 4-3 in a shootout, with Macklin Celebrini recording his 109th and 110th points of the season for the Sharks.

St. Louis held off Chicago 5-3, Seattle defeated Calgary 4-1, and Florida topped Toronto 6-2 in other Saturday action.

The Baltimore Orioles evened their series against San Francisco with a commanding 6-2 victory on Saturday evening, powered by Gunnar Henderson’s ongoing home run streak and strong pitching from their bullpen.

Henderson’s latest long ball extends his remarkable start to the season, bringing his total to six home runs. Four of those have come in just his past five games, tying him with St. Louis’ Jordan Walker for the major league lead.

Jeremiah Jackson also contributed a home run for Baltimore, while Colton Cowser collected two hits and Coby Mayo knocked in a pair of runs. Relief pitcher Grant Wolfram earned his first victory of the season with a scoreless inning of work, leading a group of five relievers who followed starter Chris Bassitt.

San Francisco saw their three-game winning streak come to an end despite solid offensive contributions from Heliot Ramos, who drove in two runs, and Jung Hoo Lee, who recorded two hits. The Giants had surrendered only three runs during their winning streak. Starting pitcher Logan Webb took the loss after allowing four runs on five hits and three walks over six innings while striking out six batters.

In other Saturday action, Seattle rallied from five runs down to defeat Houston 8-7 on J.P. Crawford’s walk-off single with the bases loaded in the ninth inning. Julio Rodriguez had his first two extra-base hits of the season with a double and home run.

Philadelphia snapped a three-game skid by beating Arizona 4-3 behind consecutive home runs from Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper in the third inning. The back-to-back blasts helped Taijuan Walker secure his first win of the campaign.

Washington handed Milwaukee its fourth straight defeat with a 3-1 victory, as James Wood doubled home two runs and Foster Griffin combined with three relievers on a two-hitter. The Brewers managed just one hit until William Contreras homered to open the ninth.

Detroit’s Riley Greene drove in four runs with a homer and single in a 6-1 triumph over Miami. Greene has reached base safely in all 15 games this season and leads a Tigers offense that has won two consecutive games after dropping five straight.

Pittsburgh prevailed 4-3 in 11 innings over Chicago when a throwing error by Cubs pitcher Caleb Thielbar allowed Nick Gonzales to score the deciding run. Oneil Cruz went 4-for-5 with three stolen bases for the Pirates.

Tampa Bay outlasted the Yankees 5-4 in 10 innings as Jonathan Aranda chopped an infield single against a five-man infield to drive home the winning run. The Rays scored twice in the extra frame without hitting a ball out of the infield.

Minnesota defeated Toronto 7-4 behind Trevor Larnach’s three-run homer and seven effective innings from Joe Ryan. Blue Jays outfielder George Springer suffered a fractured left big toe after fouling a ball off his foot.

Kansas City recorded its second consecutive 2-0 shutout victory over Chicago, with Michael Wacha striking out seven over eight innings and Maikel Garcia hitting a leadoff home run.

Oakland’s Tyler Soderstrom homered twice in an 11-6 victory over the Mets, including a three-run blast in the eighth inning. The Athletics have won four straight games and five of their last six.

Cleveland blanked Atlanta 6-0 as rookie Parker Messick continued his impressive start with 6⅔ strong innings. Jose Ramirez provided the early offense with a first-inning home run.

Cincinnati evened its series with Los Angeles Angels by winning 7-3, highlighted by Spencer Steer’s home run and Nathaniel Lowe’s three-run double.

Boston dominated St. Louis 7-1 as Ranger Suarez scattered three hits over six scoreless innings. Jordan Walker hit his sixth homer for the Cardinals, tying him for the major league lead.

San Diego overcame an early 4-0 deficit to defeat Colorado 9-5, with home runs from Manny Machado and Ramon Laureano leading the comeback effort.

Los Angeles Dodgers jumped on Texas early with a four-run first inning, featuring a leadoff homer from Shohei Ohtani and a three-run shot from Teoscar Hernandez, in a 6-3 victory over the Rangers.

UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed that a heavyweight bout featuring Derrick Lewis and Josh Hokit will join the UFC Freedom 250 lineup scheduled for the White House this summer, following a direct request from President Donald Trump.

The matchup pairs Lewis, who maintains a 29-13 mixed martial arts record and holds the UFC’s knockout record with 16 finishes, against Hokit, an undefeated fighter at 9-0 who secured a victory over Curtis Blaydes during Saturday’s UFC 327 event in Miami. This bout will serve as the seventh contest on the June 14 card, which celebrates America’s 250th anniversary.

During Saturday’s post-event press conference, White revealed that Trump, who attended the Miami event, questioned Lewis’s absence from the White House lineup.

“I’m sure you guys just saw the Hokit fight,” White explained. “About an hour ago, the president leans over to me and says, ‘Why is Derrick Lewis not on the White House card?’ and I said, ‘Hold on, Mr. President.’ I stepped away and called Derrick Lewis and said, ‘Derrick, the president just asked why you’re not on the card. Do you want to fight on the White House card?’ He said, ‘Of course.’”

According to White, the bout was finalized moments later when he spoke with Hokit following his unanimous decision victory, which extended his UFC winning streak to 3-0.

Dallas Wings officials announced Saturday evening they have acquired free agent forward Alanna Smith, who earned co-Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2025 alongside Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson.

According to ESPN, the 29-year-old player has committed to a three-year maximum deal, as confirmed by her representative Sammy Wloszczowski from Sports International Group agency. Smith previously played two seasons with the Minnesota Lynx.

The 6-foot-4 forward not only claimed the prestigious defensive award but also earned a spot on the All-Defensive first team in 2025, following her second-team selection the previous year.

During the 2025 season, Smith recorded impressive defensive statistics, finishing third league-wide in blocked shots with 80 and tying for tenth in steals with 55. Her contributions helped Minnesota achieve the WNBA’s top regular-season record at 34-10 while maintaining the second-best scoring defense at 76.7 points per game.

Wings general manager Curt Miller praised the acquisition in an official statement: “As the reigning Co-Defensive Player of the Year, she is one of the top two-way players in the WNBA who consistently impacts both sides of the ball. From a defensive standpoint, Alanna gives our coaching staff unbelievable versatility — she can play multiple coverages and drastically affect shots around the paint. Offensively — we are excited to pair her with our outstanding guards, showcasing her ability to play inside or outside.”

Smith’s 2025 regular season performance included averages of 9.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.9 blocks across 26.5 minutes per game in 42 starts for Minnesota. Her playoff contributions featured 6.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.5 blocks over 23.5 minutes in six postseason appearances.

Throughout her professional career, the Australian native has compiled averages of 7.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.2 blocks across 20.9 minutes per game in 183 regular-season contests. Her journey has included stops with Phoenix Mercury (2019-21), Indiana Fever (2022), Chicago Sky (2023), and most recently Minnesota (2024-25), with 117 career starts.

Smith expressed gratitude for her Minnesota experience through a social media post: “It’s hard to put into words what my time in Minnesota has meant to me. This team and this city embraced me and I am so grateful for all the love and support and how this Aussie girl was welcomed with open arms. Forever will hold a special place in my heart.”

The Phoenix Mercury originally selected Smith as the eighth overall pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft following her collegiate career at Stanford University.

MIAMI — Before any fighters stepped into the octagon Saturday evening, President Donald Trump became the center of attention at UFC 327 in Miami.

The president made his entrance at the Kaseya Center around 9 p.m., arriving to catch the light heavyweight championship match featuring Jiri Prochazka against Carlos Ulberg. Trump’s entourage included Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White and multiple Trump family members.

With Kid Rock’s music pumping through the venue’s sound system, Trump made his way to his ringside seat where Secretary of State Marco Rubio awaited his arrival. U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor was also positioned nearby.

The president took time to interact with fight fans on the arena floor, making sure to personally acknowledge Joe Rogan, the popular podcast host who serves as a color commentator for UFC events.

Throughout the evening, Trump appeared comfortable in front of the cameras, flashing smiles for photographers and videographers.

Before reaching the venue, Trump’s Truth Social platform shared what looked like promotional material for a potential UFC event scheduled for the White House on June 14, which would coincide with Trump’s 80th birthday celebration.

Spectators gathered outside the arena to record video footage of the presidential motorcade as it arrived at the facility.

The main event featured Ulberg (14-1-0) facing off against Prochazka (32-5-1) after former champion Alex Pereira gave up his title to pursue the interim heavyweight championship at UFC Freedom 250, set for the White House.

The evening’s co-main event showcased light heavyweights Azamat Murzakanov (16-0-0) against Paulo Costa (15-4-0) in what could serve as an elimination bout to determine the next challenger for whoever emerges victorious from the Ulberg-Prochazka matchup.

In heavyweight action, fifth-ranked Curtis Blaydes (19-5-0) squared off against unbeaten Josh Hokit (8-0-0).

The card also featured a light heavyweight clash between 10th-ranked Reyes (15-5-0) and 12th-ranked Johnny Walker (22-9-0).

In featherweight competition, veteran Cub Swanson (31-14-0) defeated Nate Landwehr (18-8-0).

University of Illinois first-year basketball player Keaton Wagler announced Saturday via social media that he plans to enter the 2026 NBA Draft following a record-breaking freshman campaign.

The guard, who earned consensus second-team All-American honors, helped guide the Fighting Illini to a 28-9 season record and the program’s first Final Four appearance in nearly two decades.

“This past year has been the journey of a lifetime,” Wagler wrote on his Instagram account. “I never could have imagined what this season had in store for us. Our Final Four run is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

The 6-foot-6 player from Shawnee, Kansas, made history as the first freshman in Illinois basketball history to receive consensus All-America recognition. The university plans to honor his jersey at State Farm Center in Champaign.

Wagler posted impressive statistics throughout the season, leading Illinois with 17.9 points per game and 4.2 assists while starting every contest across 37 games. He also contributed 5.1 rebounds per game, shot 44.5% from the floor, and connected on 39.7% of his three-point attempts, recording 34 steals total.

His freshman campaign set new program milestones for first-year players, including total points scored (663) and points per game average. He also matched the freshman record for three-pointers made with 87.

Among his accolades, Wagler received the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year award, earned first-team All-Big Ten recognition, and was named the conference’s top freshman.

“The Illini fans are the best in the world,” Wagler wrote. “I’ll never forget the feeling of hearing State Farm Center go crazy for the kid from Shawnee, Kansas. Thank you to Coach (Brad) Underwood and the entire Illinois staff for believing in me when others did not. Since I was a kid, I’ve dreamt of playing basketball on the biggest stage. After speaking with my family and reflecting on this amazing journey, I’ve decided it’s time to turn that dream into reality. I will be declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft. Champaign, Illinois will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Draft analysts project Wagler as a potential lottery selection in the upcoming NBA Draft.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Golf professionals competing in this year’s Masters tournament expressed surprise at how manageable Augusta National’s course conditions were during Saturday’s third round, with many describing the legendary course as unusually accessible.

A record-setting 19 competitors among the 54 who survived the cut managed to score in the 60s during Saturday’s play, with both Scottie Scheffler and Cameron Young leading the charge with impressive 65s. The day saw 35 golfers finish below par, contributing to a field average of 70.63 strokes — marking the lowest third-round scoring average in the tournament’s storied history.

Following Thursday’s challenging start where players averaged 74.65 strokes, Ireland’s Shane Lowry had anticipated this tournament would be among the most difficult in recent memory due to dry, firm playing conditions. However, Lowry managed an ace on Saturday that helped propel him to a 4-under 68 and positioned him at 9-under for the competition.

Friday’s scoring improved to an average of 72.85, prompting many competitors to expect tournament organizers would increase the difficulty level for the weekend. Instead, most found the greens remained receptive with pin placements that invited aggressive play.

“Pretty easy,” commented Max Homa when describing the course conditions following his round of 71, which he considered disappointing. “The front nine is pretty — I mean, very gettable. I didn’t feel like it was too fast, too firm. Obviously the weather is amazing, so it helps.”

Co-leader Rory McIlroy, despite carding a 1-over 73 on Saturday, recognized that opportunities for low scoring were abundant.

“The course was obviously gettable,” McIlroy observed. “There was a lot of good scores out there, and the quality of the chasing pack is obvious. There was a lot of guys that shot good scores.”

Earlier in the week, Patrick Reed had expressed hopes that officials would increase the challenge level. Adam Scott shared similar sentiments, particularly noting the absence of traditional winds that typically add complexity to Augusta National.

“I think the firmer and faster they can get it, the better,” Scott explained. “I mean, there’s no wind. The greens are still very, very friendly.”

“I don’t think it’s the scariest I’ve ever seen it here, but I love seeing the fairways play firmer. On some of these holes that turn, having the ball run and you’re having to be more precise with your line off the tee is an important defense of the golf course.”

Jason Day expressed satisfaction after recording a 4-under 68 that placed him in a fifth-place tie, trailing the leaders by just three strokes at 8-under overall.

“I expected to see it a little bit different than what I saw today. I mean, you were hitting shots in there that were spinning,” Day noted. “Typically sometimes you get to Saturday at Augusta and they’re bouncing. It’s really difficult to hold some shots.”

“So, I thought the green speeds were lovely. I thought the green firmness was great. It was very fair, and I think that’s why you’re seeing a lot of, like, decent scores out there, which brings in a lot of the crowd, which is great.”

Scheffler capitalized on an early starting time, making the turn at 5-under 31 en route to his personal-best Masters round of 65, though he felt it could have been even better. He’ll tee off in Sunday’s fourth-to-last pairing, when course conditions are expected to be at their most challenging.

“It depends on what the leadership here wants to do,” Scheffler said. “If they want to see some lower scores, they can make them softer if they want. They’re already pretty firm, so they can just go full Bay Hill (at the Arnold Palmer Invitational) and just let them die.”

“It’s Augusta. They’ll figure it out after that.”

Baltimore’s starting catcher Adley Rutschman has been sidelined with left ankle inflammation, prompting the Orioles to place him on the 10-day injured list before Saturday’s matchup with the San Francisco Giants at home.

Originally scheduled to bat third and handle catching duties in Saturday’s contest, Rutschman was pulled from the lineup prior to first pitch. Ryan Mountcastle took his spot in the batting order, while designated hitter Samuel Basallo shifted to catcher.

To fill the roster spot, Baltimore brought up catcher Maverick Handley from their Double-A Chesapeake affiliate and moved pitcher Chayce McDermott to the designated for assignment list.

The 2019 first overall draft selection had been performing well early this season, posting a .294/.385/.471 slash line along with six doubles. Last year proved challenging for Rutschman, who landed on the injured list twice due to oblique muscle strains on both sides and appeared in just 90 games, the fewest of his career.

The two-time American League All-Star also endured offensive struggles during those limited appearances, managing only a .220 batting average and nine home runs across 322 at-bats.

Handley brings limited major league experience, having played 16 games for Baltimore last season where he collected three hits and three RBIs in 41 plate appearances.

Twenty-one-year-old prospect Basallo, considered a potential breakout player, is expected to handle the majority of catching responsibilities during Rutschman’s absence.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — A field of twenty golfers will tee off for Sunday’s final round at the Masters with a chance to claim victory, as each competitor sits within six strokes of the leaders heading into the tournament’s conclusion. The victor will walk away with a massive $4.5 million payday from Augusta National’s unprecedented $22.5 million total prize fund.

Augusta National Golf Club announced the complete payout structure on Saturday, revealing an increase from last year’s champion prize of $4.2 million and total purse of $21 million. This marks the largest prize pool ever offered at any major championship in professional golf.

Currently, only The Players Championship offers a larger total purse in professional golf. Cameron Young, who shares the 54-hole lead with Rory McIlroy entering the final day, captured $4.5 million from that tournament’s $25 million prize fund just last month.

Sunday’s runner-up will collect $2.43 million, while the third-place finisher receives $1.53 million and fourth place earns $1.08 million.

The complete 2026 Masters prize distribution includes: first place at $4.5 million, second at $2.43 million, third at $1.53 million, fourth at $1.08 million, and fifth at $900,000. Payouts continue down through the field, with sixth place receiving $810,000, seventh earning $753,750, eighth taking $697,500, ninth collecting $652,500, and tenth place awarded $607,500.

Prize money extends through the entire leaderboard, with 11th through 15th places earning between $562,500 and $405,000. The 16th through 20th positions receive payouts ranging from $382,500 to $292,500. Lower finishing positions continue to receive substantial compensation, with 21st through 30th places earning between $270,000 and $153,000.

Even golfers finishing in positions 31 through 50 will receive meaningful prize money, with payouts declining from $146,250 for 31st place down to $56,700 for 50th place.

Of the original 91-player field, fifty-four competitors successfully made the cut after 36 holes. Those remaining players who finish beyond 50th place will receive prize money starting at $55,350, with amounts decreasing based on final tournament position.

Every player who failed to make the weekend cut will still receive $25,000 for their participation in the tournament.

AUGUSTA, Georgia – What began as a seemingly effortless march toward a second consecutive Masters title turned into a battle for survival Saturday as Rory McIlroy watched his historic lead disappear at Augusta National.

The Northern Ireland golfer entered the third round holding the largest 36-hole advantage in tournament history, appearing destined for a comfortable final day. Instead, McIlroy’s commanding six-stroke cushion vanished in just 12 holes, with the notorious Amen Corner dealing the most devastating blows.

“This golf course has a way of, you know, when you’re not quite feeling it, you struggle,” said McIlroy.

The collapse began at the 11th hole, where McIlroy held a three-shot lead from the fairway. His approach shot struck the front edge of the green and rolled into the water hazard, resulting in a double-bogey. The damage continued at the par-three 12th, where his tee shot landed behind the green, leading to another dropped stroke.

The five-time major winner had previously navigated those same three holes at three-under-par through the first two rounds, but Saturday’s struggles erased that advantage. McIlroy showed resilience with birdies at the 14th and 15th holes to reclaim the lead, only to see another poor drive at the 17th result in yet another bogey that left him visibly frustrated.

“I have to look at the positives even though there isn’t that many to take today,” said McIlroy. “But I did bounce back. I hit some good shots coming in.”

Sunday’s final round will test McIlroy’s ability to close out his second consecutive green jacket, with Cameron Young now tied atop the leaderboard after starting the day eight shots behind. Should McIlroy succeed, he would join an exclusive group as only the fourth golfer to win back-to-back Masters tournaments, and the first to accomplish the feat since Tiger Woods in 2001-2002.

“There was a lot of guys that shot good scores,” said McIlroy. “I’m still tied for the best score going into tomorrow, so I can’t forget that, but I do know I’m going to have to be better if I want to have a chance to win.”

The situation brings back memories of McIlroy’s 2011 Masters collapse, when he surrendered a four-shot final-round lead in spectacular fashion. That meltdown sparked years of speculation about whether he could ever capture the elusive green jacket. Last year’s playoff victory finally silenced those doubts and completed his career Grand Slam.

McIlroy believes having that previous Masters victory will serve him well in Sunday’s pressure-packed final round.

“I’d like to think that I’ll play a little bit freer and I’ll play, you know, like I’ve already got a Green Jacket, which I do,” said McIlroy. “Sometimes I may just have to remind myself of that.”

AUGUSTA, Georgia – What started as a distant dream became reality for Cameron Young at Augusta National on Saturday, as the golfer transformed an eight-stroke deficit into a share of the Masters Tournament lead heading into Sunday’s final round.

Young delivered the round of the day with a spectacular seven-under 65, vaulting him to 11-under par for the championship and earning a coveted spot in the final pairing alongside defending champion and world No. 2 Rory McIlroy.

The journey to this moment has been anything but quick for Young, whose professional career exemplifies persistence paying off.

Following seven second-place finishes across his initial 93 PGA Tour events, Young finally captured his maiden victory last August at the Wyndham Championship.

“It’s been a slow climb,” Young explained. “The hardest thing to do, I think, is develop some confidence when things aren’t going great. Through the middle of last year I was able to take some positives out of some average results and out of some close calls.”

“Now I feel just much more comfortable, I would say, than before. It’s hard to say exactly what it is, but I feel like it’s just been very small things over the course of the last year or so that have just built up some steam,” he added.

That momentum has accelerated dramatically in recent months.

Young earned his inaugural Ryder Cup selection last September, then delivered the performance of his career in March by claiming The Players Championship – golf’s fifth major in everything but name. His tournament-winning moment came via a thunderous 375-yard drive on the final hole at TPC Sawgrass, edging out Matt Fitzpatrick for the title.

“I said it, I think in my press conference afterward, that really what I was trying to do was get ready to be playing late on Sunday at Augusta,” Young reflected.

“Now I’m here with what will be a late tee time on Sunday at Augusta, and that’s the best prep I could have asked for.

“I’ll try to run much the same process, same mindset as I did that day.”

Young’s Masters week has showcased remarkable mental fortitude and course management skills.

Despite struggling to four-over par through his opening 11 holes of the tournament, he has since dominated the remaining 43 holes with a stunning 15-under performance.

Acknowledging Sunday’s challenge, Young recognizes that crowd support will heavily favor his playing partner McIlroy.

“I don’t get the sense I’ll be the fan favourite, but yeah, I feel like the support, some fans that cheer for me have gotten louder over the last year,” Young noted.

“It will still be lopsided, I think. Rory’s kind of a world favourite in the golf world.”