National Sports - The Morning Sun

Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) drives on Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, April 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Anthony Edwards scores 36 points, Timberwolves beat Suns 126-109 for 3-0 series lead

Anthony Edwards scored 36 points, Rudy Gobert added 19 points and 14 rebounds and the Minnesota Timberwolves used a hot-shooting third quarter to beat the Phoenix Suns 126-109 on Friday night and … more

By DAVID BRANDT | 4/27/24

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, left, works against Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the first half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in Dallas, Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Luka Doncic and defensive-minded Mavs take a chippy 101-90 win over Clippers for 2-1 series lead

Luka Doncic had 22 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, and the suddenly defensive-minded Dallas Mavericks took a chippy 101-90 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers for a 2-1 lead in their … more

By SCHUYLER DIXON | 4/26/24

FILE - Texas running back Jonathon Brooks runs free before scoring a touchdown against TCU during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys are resetting at running back eight years after drafting Ezekiel Elliott. Brooks, who is recovering from a major knee injury, is the highest-rated running back in the draft, according to nfl.com, and the only one among the top 30 prospects. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, FIle)

The long wait for the 1st running back to be drafted ends with Jonathon Brooks going 46th

The long wait for the first running back to be drafted is over. The Carolina Panthers traded up six spots to take Texas running back Jonathon Brooks with the 46th pick Friday night, the second-latest … more

By JOSH DUBOW | 4/26/24

New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (23) celebrates with teammates after a goal against the Washington Nationals by center Vincent Trocheck (16) during the second period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Friday, April 26, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)

Special teams carry Rangers to a Game 3 win and a 3-0 series lead on the Capitals

The New York Rangers are one win away from the advancing after beating the Washington Capitals 3-1 to take a 3-0 lead in their first-round series. Vincent Trocheck had a power-play goal and a … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 4/26/24

Grace Kim hits from the 16th tee during the first round of the LPGA LA Championship golf tournament at Wilshire Country Club, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Australia's Grace Kim opens 4-stroke lead in LPGA Tour’s JM Eagle LA Championship

Grace Kim opened a four-stroke lead Friday in the LPGA Tour’s JM Eagle LA Championship, shooting a 5-under 66 in tricky afternoon conditions at Wilshire Country Club. A stroke ahead after an … more

4/26/24

Crowds watch during the second round of the NFL football draft, Friday, April 26, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

NFL draft attendance record within reach in Detroit, Commissioner Roger Goodell tells fans on Day 2

The NFL draft tour has not had a stop quite like the one in Detroit. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told fans that flooded downtown Detroit for a second straight day that an attendance record was set … more

By LARRY LAGE | 4/26/24

Chicago Bears No. 1 draft pick quarterback Caleb Williams smiles as he listens to reporters during an NFL football news conference in Lake Forest, Ill., Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

No. 1 NFL draft pick Caleb Williams realizes all eyes are on him and he's embracing the attention

Caleb Williams was ready to embrace the attention after the Chicago Bears grabbed him with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. The prized quarterback knows all eyes are on him in a city craving a … more

By ANDREW SELIGMAN | 4/26/24

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, acknowledges the crowd as he walks onto the ninth green with teammate Shane Lowry, of Ireland, during the second round of the PGA Zurich Classic golf tournament at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La., Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry remain tied for lead in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry held onto a share of the lead Friday in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, with the Irish duo shooting a 2-under 70 in alternate play in the PGA Tour’s only team event. … more

By RICHARD MEEK | 4/26/24

Indiana Fever player Caitlin Clark throws a tee-shirt to a fan during a time out during the first half between the Indiana Pacers and the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, April 26, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Caitlin Clark revs up Pacers fans with pregame playoff appearance in IndyCar replica

Caitlin Clark drew a standing ovation in her first appearance on Gainbridge Fieldhouse's court since becoming the WNBA's No. 1 overall draft pick — in an IndyCar replica. Clark revved up the crowd … more

By MICHAEL MAROT | 4/26/24

FILE - Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson, second from left, wears a Guardian cap during practice at the team's NFL football training facility July 27, 2022 in Ashburn, Va. The NFL says will allow players to wear protective soft-shell helmet covers known as Guardian caps during games next season if they choose. The league is also expanding the use of the devices during practices. Defensive backs and receivers have joined the position groups now required to wear the caps during all contact practices. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

NFL to allow players to wear protective soft-shell helmet covers during games

The NFL says it will allow players to wear protective soft-shell helmet covers known as Guardian caps during games next season if they choose. The league is also expanding the use of the devices … more

4/26/24

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Anthony Mantha (39) and Dallas Stars defenseman Chris Tanev (3) compete for possession of the puck during the second period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Dallas, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Golden Knights have limited Stars' scoring chances to take 2-0 series lead

The problems for Dallas are two-fold. The Stars aren’t getting great scoring chances and for long stretches aren’t even putting the puck on net. That’s primarily why the Golden Knights are back … more

By MARK ANDERSON | 4/26/24

FILE -Oregon State running back Damien Martinez (6) rushes against Stanford during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Corvallis, Ore. Oregon State running back Damien Martinez, Miami running back Henry Parrish and Pitt defensive end Jayon Hayes entered the transfer portal as the 14-day spring window opened for college football players. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman, File)

Oregon State and Washington State face player exodus amid realignment

As Oregon State and Washington State prepare to face the dissolution of the Pac-12, athletes have left in droves, including some of the schools' biggest names. Eight players from the Oregon State … more

By ANNE M. PETERSON | 4/26/24

Baltimore Orioles' Jackson Holliday walks to the dugout after striking out against the Minnesota Twins during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Orioles send former No. 1 pick Holliday back to minors after he hit .059 in 10 MLB games

Highly touted prospect Jackson Holliday has been optioned to the minor leagues by the Baltimore Orioles after starting his big league career with a disappointing thud. Holliday was promoted from … more

By DAVID GINSBURG | 4/26/24

Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo talks to Damian Lillard on the bench during the first half of Game 2 of the NBA playoff basketball game Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Giannis Antetokounmpo ruled out of third game in Bucks-Pacers playoff series

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has been ruled out of Friday night's third game of the NBA playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Coach Doc Rivers would not say Thursday whether the … more

4/26/24

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) disputes a foul call with referee Marc Davis (8) during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets in Los Angeles, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

James, Lakers facing elimination Saturday. Magic, Pelicans and Heat seek home wins

There’s a quadrupleheader of playoff games in the NBA on Saturday. Cleveland is at Orlando, Oklahoma City is at New Orleans, Boston is at Miami and then the first possible elimination game of this … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 4/26/24

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

WNBA training camps open with Caitlin Clark, the rookie class and free agency moves in the spotlight

There is a buzz around the opening of WNBA training camps with the arrival of Caitlin Clark, her heralded rookie class and big offseason free agency moves. In addition to the league's success last … more

By DOUG FEINBERG | 4/26/24

Team Penske driver Josef Newgarden races during a qualifying session for the IndyCar Grand Prix of Long Beach auto race Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Long Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Star driver Josef Newgarden fights back tears, accepts blame for breaking rules in IndyCar scandal

Reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Josef Newgarden is accepted blame for manipulating the push-to-pass system in his season-opening win, calling it an embarrassment. He says he is “not a liar” … more

By JOHN ZENOR | 4/26/24

FILE - Brazil's Marta, center, celebrates her goal against the United States during a FIFA Women's World Cup semifinal soccer match in Hangzhou, China, Sept. 27, 2007. The six-time women's world player of the year plans to retire from the national team after 2024. (AP Photo/Greg Baker, File)

Marta says this will be her final year with Brazil's women's national team

Brazilian soccer star Marta plans to retire from the women's national team after this year. The six-time women’s world player of the year has told CNN Brasil that she hopes to play in the Olympics … more

4/26/24

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne, right, fights for the ball with Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger 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 Shopland)

European soccer leagues insist they have no plans for games in the US. A lawsuit could change that

Leaders of top European soccer leagues say have no plans to take games to the United States. The 34-nation European Leagues group did acknowledge that could change pending a lawsuit in Manhattan. … more

By GRAHAM DUNBAR | 4/26/24

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell meets with Green Bay Packers fans during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Bevy of defensive playmakers are available in Round 2 of the NFL draft after historic offensive run

The historic run on offensive players, especially quarterbacks, in the first round of the NFL draft pushed plenty of talented defenders down the board. It also pushed some first-round worthy … more

By ARNIE STAPLETON | 4/26/24