National Sports - The Morning Sun

Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler, left, drives to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers' Nicolas Batum during the first half of an NBA basketball play-in tournament game Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Joel Embiid scores 23 points, has the big assist as 76ers beat Heat in play-in to earn No. 7 seed

Joel Embiid had 23 points, 15 rebounds and one huge assist to Kelly Oubre Jr. on a late go-ahead three-point play that led the 76ers to a 105-104 win over the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference … more

By DAN GELSTON | 4/17/24

Manchester City's Kyle Walker fights for the ball with Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Vinícius Junior injured in Real Madrid's Champions League quarterfinals match against Man City

Vinícius Junior was taken off injured in the Champions League quarterfinals second leg between Manchester City and Real Madrid. The Brazil winger appeared to hurt his groin during a race to the ball … more

By JAMES ROBSON | 4/17/24

Boston Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck is doused after throwing a three-hitter against the Cleveland Guardians in a baseball game Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Boston. The Red Sox won 2-0. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Houck throws 3-hitter in 2-0 win over Guardians for Boston's 1st CG shutout at Fenway since 2017

Tanner Houck pitched a three-hitter with nine strikeouts for Boston’s first complete-game shutout at Fenway Park in nearly seven years, and the Red Sox beat the Cleveland Guardians 2-0, Connor Wong … more

By MAUREEN MULLEN | 4/17/24

Seattle Mariners pitcher Bryce Miller throws to a Cincinnati Reds batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Bryce Miller and 3 relievers combine on a 1-hitter as Mariners beat Reds 5-1 to complete sweep

Bryce Miller and three relievers combined on a one-hitter, Cal Raleigh, Mitch Garver and Josh Rojas all hit solo home runs, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-1 to complete a … more

By TIM BOOTH | 4/17/24

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson, front left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 14, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Denver Nuggets realize defending their NBA championship will be a tough task in improved West

The defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets placed a premium on heading into the playoffs at optimal health rather than going all out for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference like they had a year … more

By ARNIE STAPLETON | 4/17/24

Jon Rahm, of Spain, puts the green jacket on winner Scottie Scheffler after the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Sunday, April 14, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Scottie Scheffler had a quick Masters celebration. Now, it's time to get back to work

Scottie Scheffler has never been one to celebrate. He made a brief exception for his second Masters title. Scheffler flew home to Dallas and joined his wife and friends at a tavern. They left 20 … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 4/17/24

Nelly Korda reacts after winning the LPGA T-Mobile Match Play golf tournament Sunday, April 7, 2024, in North Las Vegas, Nev. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Korda chases fifth straight victory to tie LPGA record in Chevron Championship

Nelly Korda hasn’t really considered her place in history as she prepares to chase her fifth consecutive victory, which would tie the LPGA record, this weekend at the Chevron Championship. “I’m … more

By KRISTIE RIEKEN | 4/17/24

Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum (0) drives past Sacramento Kings' Davion Mitchell (15) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 5, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

The Celtics have been the NBA's most dominant team. Only a championship will make season complete

The Celtics spent the regular season racking up superlatives and pulverizing opponents with one of the league’s most versatile rosters. Led by All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown they … more

By KYLE HIGHTOWER | 4/17/24

FILE - Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (54) reacts during an NCAA college football game against North Carolina Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. wears his dad’s No. 54, plays the same position and celebrates sacks and big tackles with the same signature axe swing. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman, File)

The sons of several former NFL stars are ready to carve their path into the league through the draft

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. wears his dad’s No. 54, plays the same position and celebrates sacks and big tackles with the same signature axe swing. Now, he’s ready to make a name for himself in the NFL. … more

By ROB MAADDI | 4/17/24

Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark speaks during a WNBA basketball news conference, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Caitlin Clark looks like a natural as Indiana Fever introduce WNBA's top draft pick

Caitlin Clark walked to the dais in Indianapolis and looked like a natural. The former Iowa star and No. 1 overall draft pick discussed the WNBA's new television deal and the impact it could have on … more

By MICHAEL MAROT | 4/17/24

Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot (72) steals the puck from Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Who will win the NHL's top awards this season? Here are AP's predictions

Nathan MacKinnon seems to be the front-runner to be the Hart Trophy as the NHL's MVP. But Colorado's top center is far from a lock with Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov, three-time and reigning MVP Connor … more

By LARRY LAGE, JOHN WAWROW and STEPHEN WHYNO | 4/17/24

Golden State Warriors guards Klay Thompson, second from left, and Stephen Curry, second from right, sit on the bench during the second half of the team's NBA basketball play-in tournament game against the Sacramento Kings, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Klay Thompson misses all 10 shots in what might have been his final game with the Warriors

Klay Thompson has provided so many memorable moments during his decade-plus run as Stephen Curry’s Splash Brother running mate for the Golden State Warriors dynasty. Those were all distant memories … more

By JOSH DUBOW | 4/17/24

FILE -Nashville Predators incoming general manager Barry Trotz responds to questions during a news conference at the NHL hockey team's arena Wednesday, May 31, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Barry Trotz never put a label on whether he was rebuilding, retooling or simply trying to reset the Nashville Predators during his first season as general manager. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)

Barry Trotz switched from NHL coach to GM. It has been a success with Predators back in the playoffs

Barry Trotz never put a label on whether he was rebuilding, retooling or simply trying to reset the Nashville Predators during his first season as general manager. Revival might be the better word. … more

By TERESA M. WALKER | 4/17/24

FILE - Michigan offensive lineman Zak Zinter (65) holds the trophy after the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in Indianapolis. The lure of starting a pro career apparently isn’t quite as tempting for underclassmen now as it was in the days before college stars could profit off their name, image and likeness. Zinter didn’t enter last year’s draft and instead stayed for his senior season and helped the Wolverines win a national title. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)

This year's NFL draft has lowest number of early entrants since 2011. That trend figures to continue

The lure of starting a pro career early apparently isn’t quite as tempting for underclassmen now as it was in the days before college stars could profit off their name, image and likeness. This … more

By STEVE MEGARGEE | 4/17/24

FILE - United States' Simone Biles competes on the beam during the apparatus finals at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert vanden Wijngaert, File)

Paris 2024: Roster of more than 10,000 Olympians is still forming, but trials await for thousands

The names have been trickling in, one or two at a time. Over the next two months, that trickle will turn into a flood. By the time the festivities begin in Paris on July 26, some 10,500 athletes from … more

By GRAHAM DUNBAR and EDDIE PELLS | 4/17/24

Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) lights the beam after the team's victory over the Golden State Warriors in an NBA basketball play-in tournament game Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

The Kings eliminate the Warriors from play-in tournament with 118-94 win

Keegan Murray scored 32 points, De’Aaron Fox added 24 and the Sacramento Kings stayed alive in the play-in tournament, eliminating the Golden State Warriors with a 118-94 victory. Sacramento … more

By JOSH DUBOW | 4/17/24

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) goes to the basket ahead of Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis in the second half of an NBA basketball play-in tournament game Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in New Orleans. The Lakers won 110-106. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Zion Williamson's injury dampens his otherwise dominant postseason debut for the Pelicans

Zion Williamson’s 40-point, 11-rebound showing in his NBA postseason debut ended in a worrisome way for the New Orleans Pelicans. He missed the final three minutes of a 110-106 loss to the Los … more

By BRETT MARTEL | 4/17/24

Washington Capitals' T.J. Oshie, right, celebrates after scoring a goal against Philadelphia Flyers' Jamie Drysdale during the third second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Oshie scores game-winner into empty net as Capitals make playoffs by beating Flyers

T.J. Oshie scored into an empty net in the rare situation of a team pulling its goaltender in a tie game, and the Washington Capitals are in the playoffs after beating the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1. … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 4/16/24

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) goes to the basket in the first half of an NBA basketball play-in tournament game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

LeBron James and the Lakers secure a playoff berth with 110-106 win over the Pelicans

LeBron James had 23 points, nine assists and nine rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers secured a playoff berth with a 110-106 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in the Western Conference play-in … more

By BRETT MARTEL | 4/16/24

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant gestures during warmups before an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings Friday, April 12, 2024, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Benjamin Fanjoy)

USA Basketball fills the 12 available slots for the Paris Olympics roster, AP sources say

LeBron James plans to go back to the Olympics. Stephen Curry is planning on going for the first time. Kevin Durant will go there with his eye on history. And they’re just part of a star-studded … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 4/16/24