National Sports - The Morning Sun

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper, center, celebrates with Bryson Stott, left, and Brandon Marsh after the Phillies won a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

The Philadelphia Phillies are hot, loose and loving life as one of the best teams in baseball

The Philadelphia Phillies are off to one of their hottest starts in years and have the best winning percentage in baseball. The Phillies are 26-12 and their .684 winning percentage was tops in … more

By DAN GELSTON | 5/9/24

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe speaks to the media at an end of season press conference in Toronto Monday, May 6, 2024. The Maple Leafs lost to the Boston Bruins in the first round of the Stanley Cup NHL hockey playoffs. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Maple Leafs fire coach Sheldon Keefe after another early playoff exit

The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired coach Sheldon Keefe after another early playoff exit. General manager Brad Treliving announced the decision Thursday. The Maple Leafs losing to rival Boston made it … more

5/9/24

Spain's Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Belgium's Zizou Bergs at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Rafael Nadal shows he's not quite ready for retirement in a comeback win at the Italian Open

Rafael Nadal rallied for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Belgian qualifier Zizou Bergs in the first round of the Italian Open. Nadal is a record 10-time champion in Rome and this is likely his final … more

By ANDREW DAMPF | 5/9/24

Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, right, argues with a referee during the second half of Game 2 of the team's NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York. The Knicks won 130-121. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Carlisle: 'Small-market teams deserve a fair shot.' Pacers send calls for NBA review, AP source says

The Indiana Pacers have, as coach Rick Carlisle said they would, sent 78 plays they believe were officiated incorrectly from the first two games of their series against the New York Knicks to the NBA … more

By BRIAN MAHONEY | 5/9/24

Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark, left, gives autographs as she arrives on the Red Carpet before the world premiere and screening of Episode 1 of the upcoming ESPN+ Original Series Full Court Press, Monday, May 6, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Caitlin Clark set for Indiana's preseason home debut. Fever to open arena's 3rd deck vs Atlanta

Caitlin Clark spent Wednesday working out with her Indiana Fever teammates inside an empty Gainbridge Fieldhouse. By Thursday night, a nearly full house of up to 17,000 will be rocking and rolling as … more

By MICHAEL MAROT | 5/9/24

FILE - United States' Simone Biles competes on the uneven bars during the women's all-round final at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. Biles is bringing back her Gold Over America Tour this fall, with a twist. This time, the guys are invited too.(AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File)

Simone Biles wants to turn her post-Olympic tour into a celebration. The guys are coming along too

Gymnastics star Simone Biles is taking her show on the road following the Paris Olympics. The 27-year-old Biles will headline the “Gold Over America Tour” this fall. The 30-city tour begins in … more

By WILL GRAVES | 5/9/24

Vancouver Canucks' Conor Garland, back, scores the winning goal against Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) as Darnell Nurse (25) defends during the third period of Game 1 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs series, Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

Canucks overcome 3-goal deficit to stun Oilers 5-4 in Game 1

Conor Garland broke a tie with 5:34 left and the Vancouver Canucks overcame a three-goal deficit to beat the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 on Wednesday night in Game 1 of the second-round playoff series. … more

5/9/24

Indiana Pacers' Andrew Nembhard (2) defends against New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson (11) during the first half of Game 2 in an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Jalen Brunson returns from foot injury, sparks Knicks past Pacers for 2-0 lead in East semifinals

Jalen Brunson returned from a right foot injury to score 24 of his 29 points in the second half, leading the New York Knicks to a 130-121 victory over the Indiana Pacers for a 2-0 lead in the Eastern … more

By BRIAN MAHONEY | 5/8/24

Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins during the second period of Game 2 of a second-round series of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Aleksander Barkov scores twice, Panthers rout Bruins 6-1 in Game 2 to tie series

Aleksander Barkov had two goals and two assists, Sam Reinhart added four assists and the Florida Panthers beat the Boston Bruins 6-1 on Wednesday night to tie the second-round series at a game … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 5/8/24

New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson (11) runs on the court after scoring against the Indiana Pacers during the first half of Game 2 in an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Jalen Brunson returns for second half of Game 2 vs. Pacers after injuring right foot in first half

Jalen Brunson has returned to Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals after missing the second quarter with a sore right foot. Brunson was hurt with about 3 1/2 minutes remaining in the first … more

5/8/24

Tiger Woods waves after his final round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Sunday, April 14, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Tiger Woods to be lone player on negotiating committee with Saudis

Tiger Woods is the only player on a five-member subcommittee that will be negotiating with the Saudi backers of LIV Golf. Woods is on the PGA Tour Enterprise transaction subcommittee. That group is … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 5/8/24

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras, left, is helped off the field by trainer Adam Olsen, right, after being injured during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in St. Louis. Contreras left the game. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Contreras' injury highlights the danger of big league catchers moving closer to home plate

When Willson Contreras was struck on his left arm by a swing, it was felt by former and current catchers all over the major leagues. Contreras’ broken left forearm was a scary reminder of the … more

By JAY COHEN | 5/8/24

FILE - Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes throws in the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte, Fla., March 4, 2024. Skenes, who has a 0.99 ERA in seven Triple-A starts, will make his major league debut for the Pirates on Saturday, May 11, when they face the Cubs, a person with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

Pirates are calling up top pitching prospect Paul Skenes for his major league debut, AP source says

A person with direct knowledge of the decision says the Pittsburgh Pirates will promote top pitching prospect Paul Skenes for his major league debut Saturday. The person spoke to The Associated Press … more

By WILL GRAVES | 5/8/24

CORRECTS FROM CAITLYN TO CAITLIN - Pailynn Amos, center, holds a sign for Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark in front of her mother Rebecca Amos, of Ennis, Texas, prior to an WNBA basketball game against the Dallas Wings in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever embrace notion of using charter flights for WNBA travel

Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark may be as recognizable as any established WNBA star. Naturally when the league's top overall draft pick made her first official trip last week, she became a popular … more

By MICHAEL MAROT | 5/8/24

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, front, looks to drive past Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Monday, May 6, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Coach Malone reminds the Nuggets they're the defending champs and asks them to play like it

Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone says he reminded his team they are the defending champions and issued a challenge to both act like it and play like it. The Nuggets are coming off a blowout loss … more

By ARNIE STAPLETON | 5/8/24

Los Angeles Dodgers' Teoscar Hernández, left, is hit with sunflower seeds thrown by Mookie Betts after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Teoscar Hernández hits 2-run homer in 6th inning to propel Dodgers to 3-1 victory over Marlins

Teoscar Hernández hit a two-run homer in the sixth, Gavin Stone continued the run of solid Dodgers’ starts and Los Angeles beat the Miami Marlins 3-1 to win its sixth straight and complete an … more

By JOE REEDY | 5/8/24

FILE - A trainer cleans blood off of the uniform of Xavier forward Jack Nunge (24) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Butler, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, in Cincinnati. Colleges and universities are having a difficult time hiring, recruiting and retaining members of their athletic training staffs because of a number of below-market conditions, a survey shows. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)

Underpaid and overworked. Colleges, universities having trouble hiring, retaining athletic trainers

Colleges and universities are having a difficult time hiring, recruiting and retaining members of their athletic training staffs because of a number of below-market conditions, a survey shows. The … more

By HANK KURZ Jr. | 5/8/24

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, right, drives against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Mavericks star Luka Doncic looks to bounce back from rough Game 1 against the Thunder

Lu Dort was the defensive catalyst as the Oklahoma City Thunder held Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic to 19 points on 6-for-19 shooting in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series. … more

By CLIFF BRUNT | 5/8/24

Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) skates into Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) as defenseman Erik Cernak (81) looks on during the second period of Game 2 of the first-round of an NHL Stanley Cup Playoff series, Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. Verhaeghe was charged with goaltender interference. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Goaltender interference debate is alive and well in the NHL playoffs after 1st-round controversy

The biggest controversy so far in the NHL playoffs came in the first round when the Tampa Bay Lightning on the wrong end of a couple of questionable goaltender interference rulings in the game they … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 5/8/24

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts after making birdie on the 16th hole during the final round of the PGA Zurich Classic golf tournament at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La., Sunday, April 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Rory McIlroy won't rejoin PGA Tour board, says others were 'uncomfortable' with his potential return

Rory McIlroy won’t be returning to the PGA Tour board. He said Wednesday that a plan to replace Webb Simpson was met with resistance from board members. Simpson is one of six player-directors. He … more

By STEVE REED | 5/8/24