National Sports - The Morning Sun

Scottie Scheffler watches his tee shot on the second hole during the final round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Hilton Head Island, S.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Scottie Scheffler finishes off another win at Hilton Head to extend dominant run

Scottie Scheffler winning the RBC Heritage was inevitable. He returned to Harbour Town on Monday morning with a five-shot lead and three holes to play. Scheffler ended his streak of 68 holes at par … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 4/22/24

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

Caitlin Clark's early play in WNBA will be her tryout for a roster spot on US Olympic women's team

Caitlin Clark will have the start of her WNBA career to show the U.S. women’s basketball selection committee whether she deserves a spot on the Paris Olympic roster. Clark couldn't attend the U.S. … more

By DOUG FEINBERG | 4/22/24

23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan celebrates a win by his driver Tyler Reddick after a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Talladega. Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

NASCAR revels in an MJ moment. His Airness gives a big boost to his post-hoops passion

Michael Jordan’s new life suddenly seems just as satisfying as his old one. This felt a whole lot like M.J. knocking down a buzzer-beater, winning the big game, celebrating like a champion. Of … more

By PAUL NEWBERRY | 4/22/24

New York Mets pitcher Edwin Díaz (39) reacts after the New York Mets defeated the Kansas City Royals, Sunday, April 14, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

The Mets' bullpen with a healthy Edwin Díaz has helped New York rebound from a rough start

The New York Mets have won 12 of 16 after beginning the season with five straight losses. They have taken two of three on the road against both Atlanta and the Los Angeles Dodgers. They're now only 2 … more

By NOAH TRISTER | 4/22/24

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives past New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas, left, and forward Herbert Jones (5) in the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 28 points as top-seeded Thunder edge Pelicans 94-92 in Game 1

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 points, including the go-ahead basket in the final minute, and the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 94-92 in Game 1 of their … more

By CLIFF BRUNT | 4/22/24

Milwaukee Bucks' Damian Lillard gets past Indiana Pacers' Andrew Nembhard during the first half of Game 1 of the NBA playoff basketball game Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Damian Lillard's 35-point 1st half helps Bucks beat Pacers 109-94 without Giannis in playoff opener

Damian Lillard scored all 35 of his points before halftime and the Milwaukee Bucks withstood the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo to defeat the Indiana Pacers 109-94 in their Eastern Conference … more

By STEVE MEGARGEE | 4/21/24

Milwaukee Bucks' Damian Lillard gets past Indiana Pacers' Myles Turner during the first half of Game 1 of the NBA playoff basketball game Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Damian Lillard sets Bucks' postseason mark with 35 points in opening half vs Pacers

Damian Lillard set a Milwaukee Bucks postseason record by scoring 35 points in the first half of Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series with the Indiana Pacers. Lillard’ had … more

By STEVE MEGARGEE | 4/21/24

Scottie Scheffler builds 5-shot lead at Hilton Head. Rain forces a Monday finish

Masters champion Scottie Scheffler is on the verge of another victory. He just has to wait one day because of the rain. Scheffler chipped in for eagle and was comfortably ahead in the RBC Heritage … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 4/21/24

Chip Ganassi Racing driver Scott Dixon celebrates his victory during the IndyCar Grand Prix of Long Beach auto race Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Long Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Scott Dixon stretches fuel to inch closer to A.J. Foyt on IndyCar's all-time win list

Scott Dixon moved closer to A.J. Foyt on IndyCar’s all-time win list by picking up his 57th career victory with a Sunday fuel-saving master class on the downtown streets of Long Beach. Foyt is … more

By JENNA FRYER | 4/21/24

Tyler Reddick celebrates his win at a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Talladega. Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Reddick steals win at Talladega for Michael Jordan as McDowell crashes at the line

Tyler Reddick stole a victory at Talladega Superspeedway when front-runner Michael McDowell, swerving up and down the track trying to block Brad Keselowski, wound up crashing with the finish line in … more

By PAUL NEWBERRY | 4/21/24

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic warms up prior to Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round play off game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander and Doncic picked as the NBA's MVP finalists. Wemby up for 2 trophies, too

Denver's Nikola Jokic is one step closer to winning a third MVP award in the last four seasons. Victor Wembanyama is surely on his way to a trophy — or maybe two. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might get … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 4/21/24

LA Clippers forward Paul George (13) celebrates after making a 3-pointer during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks in Los Angeles, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Harden and Zubac lead Leonard-less Clippers to 109-97 win over Doncic and Mavs in playoff opener

James Harden scored 28 points, Ivica Zubac had a double-double and the Los Angeles Clippers defeated Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks 109-97 to win their playoff series opener. Zubac’s 20 … more

By BETH HARRIS | 4/21/24

Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo sits on the court during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Milwaukee. Giannis Antetokounmpo left the game. The Bucks won 104-91. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Bucks open their playoff run without Giannis Antetokounmpo because of left calf strain

The Milwaukee Bucks are starting the playoffs without Giannis Antetokounmpo due to the left calf strain that knocked the two-time MVP out for the Bucks’ final three regular-season games. Coach Doc … more

By STEVE MEGARGEE | 4/21/24

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and Kyle Lowry (7) react during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

A tale of two centers: Jokic is trying to stay on top and Embiid is trying to stay on the court

Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid are the NBA’s main men in the middle, the two centers combining for the last three MVP awards in the regular season with perhaps another coming soon. It’s in the … more

By BRIAN MAHONEY | 4/21/24

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani bats during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani passes Hideki Matsui for most MLB homers by a Japanese-born player

Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani has broken Hideki Matsui’s record for the most homers hit by a Japanese-born player in Major League Baseball. Ohtani crushed a two-run homer deep into the … more

By GREG BEACHAM | 4/21/24

Carolina Hurricanes' Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) moves the puck past New York Islanders' Adam Pelech (3) during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

Hurricanes get a quick boost from Evgeny Kuznetsov addition to start NHL playoffs

Evgeny Kuznetsov wasted no time making a postseason impact for the Carolina Hurricanes. It’s a promising sign for what could be ahead in the NHL playoffs. The trade-deadline acquisition bolstered a … more

By AARON BEARD | 4/21/24

Cleveland Guardians' Josh Naylor starts to run out a three-run double during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Nick Cammett)

Josh Naylor's 3 RBIs sends Guardians to 6-2 win, sweep of A's and continues best start since 1999

Josh Naylor delivered a clutch, three-run double in the seventh inning as the Guardians continued their best start in 25 years with a 6-2 win over the Oakland Athletics to complete a three-game … more

By TOM WITHERS | 4/21/24

Teammates congratulate Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) after Tkachuk scored an empty-net goal during the third period of Game 1 of the first-round of an NHL Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Panthers score twice in the third period and beat the Lightning 3-2 in Game 1 of NHL playoffs

Carter Verhaeghe tapped in a pinpoint pass from Aleksander Barkov for the lead 58 seconds into the third period, Matthew Tkachuk added a goal and an assist and the Florida Panthers beat the Tampa Bay … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 4/21/24

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives past Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) in the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Jayson Tatum triple-double, 3s lead Celtics past Butler-less Heat 114-94 in playoff opener

Jayson Tatum notched his first career playoff triple-double with 23 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Boston Celtics past the Miami Heat 114-94 to open their first-round playoff series. … more

By KYLE HIGHTOWER | 4/21/24

Manchester United players react during a penalty shootout at the end of the English FA Cup semifinal soccer match between Coventry City and Manchester United at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Man United back in another FA Cup final against Man City after narrowly avoiding humiliation

Manchester United has set up another FA Cup final against fierce rival Manchester City in a way no one could ever have imagined. United blew a three-goal lead against second-tier Coventry in the … more

By STEVE DOUGLAS | 4/21/24