National Sports - The Morning Sun

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland, right, hugs teammate Donovan Mitchell (45) after hitting a 3-point basket in the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cavaliers pull together to overcome Orlando, but challenge stiffens with top-seeded Celtics up next

It took Donovan Mitchell’s magnificence, a historic comeback and plenty of grit for the Cavaliers to escape the first round. It will take even more to go further. Cleveland avoided a second … more

By TOM WITHERS | 5/6/24

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Kyle Bradish throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

It was a big week for Baltimore's pitchers, including a couple just back from arm injuries

Kyle Bradish and John Means are back. Their impact for the Baltimore Orioles was immediate. Bradish allowed a run in 4 2/3 innings in a victory over the New York Yankees on Thursday. Then Means threw … more

By NOAH TRISTER | 5/6/24

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, drives to the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert defends in the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Nuggets know physicality, stopping Edwards' supporting cast are keys to tying series with Wolves

Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone says it's about time his team snaps out of its slow starts. The reigning NBA champions have fallen into deep holes early in each of their six playoff games. They … more

By ARNIE STAPLETON | 5/5/24

Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston, center, celebrates his first period goal with Joe Pavelski (16) and Miro Heiskanen (4) during Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Radek Faksa scores in return, Stars beat defending Stanley Cup champ Golden Knights 2-1 in Game 7

Radek Faksa broke a tie in his return to the Dallas lineup, 20-year-old Wyatt Johnston scored in another Game 7 and the Stars beat the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights 2-1 on … more

By STEPHEN HAWKINS | 5/5/24

Racers head toward Turn 1 at the start of a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)

Larson edges Buescher at the line at Kansas Speedway in closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series history

Kyle Larson beat Chris Buescher to the line at Kansas Speedway on Sunday in the closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series history. The official winning margin was a thousandth of a second. A caution flag … more

By DAVE SKRETTA | 5/5/24

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani celebrates with third base coach Dino Ebel (91) after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Shohei Ohtani homers twice as Dodgers sweep Braves with 5-1 win

Shohei Ohtani went 4 for 4 with two home runs, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves, 5-1, on Sunday afternoon to sweep the three-game series. It was Ohtani's first multi-home run game … more

By KYLE GLASER | 5/5/24

Taylor Pendrith hits from the sand on the sixth green during the final round of the Byron Nelson golf tournament in McKinney, Texas, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Taylor Pendrith gets 1st PGA Tour win at Byron Nelson after final-hole collapse from Ben Kohles

Taylor Pendrith took advantage of Ben Kohles’ final-hole meltdown to win the CJ Cup Byron Nelson on Sunday for his first PGA Tour title. Kohles overtook Pendrith with birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 for … more

By SCHUYLER DIXON | 5/5/24

McLaren driver Lando Norris, of Britain, is lifted after winning the Miami Formula One Grand Prix auto race Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Lando Norris earns 1st career F1 victory by ending Verstappen's dominance at Miami

Lando Norris needed 110 starts and a mistake by Max Verstappen to earn his first ever Formula 1 race and end Verstappen’s dominance at the Miami Grand Prix. Verstappen started from the pole and was … more

By JENNA FRYER | 5/5/24

New York Rangers defenseman Erik Gustafsson (56), left wing Jimmy Vesey and others celebrate center Vincent Trocheck's goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

Mika Zibanejad had two goals and an assist, Artemi Panarin also scored and the New York Rangers beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1 of their second-round series. Vincent Trocheck had a goal … more

By VIN A. CHERWOO | 5/5/24

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, center, drives to the basket between Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley, left, ad Isaac Okoro (35) in the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Magic crumble in second half, lose Game 7 despite Paolo Bachero's 38 points and stellar series

Paolo Banchero’s first taste of the NBA playoffs ended bitterly. The Orlando Magic couldn’t finish what they started. After opening an 18-point lead in the first half, the Magic caved under … more

By TOM WITHERS | 5/5/24

Andrey Rublev, of Russia, celebrates after winning the final match against Felix Auger-Aliassime, of Canada, at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Rublev wins Madrid Open for the 1st time after rallying to beat Auger-Aliassime

Andrey Rublev has rallied to beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in three sets and win the Madrid Open for the first time. Rublev won 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 Sunday after Auger-Aliassime double-faulted on the last … more

By TALES AZZONI | 5/5/24

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) fouls Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and falls to the floor in the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Donovan Mitchell scores 39 points as Cavaliers push past Magic 106-94 in Game 7 to get Boston next

Donovan Mitchell scored 39 points, Caris LeVert added 15 and the Cleveland Cavaliers avoided a potentially franchise-shifting loss by rallying for a 106-94 win over the Orlando Magic in Game 7. The … more

By TOM WITHERS | 5/5/24

New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson reacts after winning Game 6 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Knicks set for second round against the Pacers, an old-school playoff rival who play a new-age game

Back when the New York Knicks would annually march on in the playoffs, they’d almost always run into the Indiana Pacers. With the teams set to renew their playoff rivalry Monday in the Eastern … more

By BRIAN MAHONEY | 5/5/24

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot delivers to the New York Mets during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 5, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Rays starter Ryan Pepiot departs with leg bruise after getting hit by 107.5 mph line drive

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot departed with a lower left leg bruise in the second inning of Sunday’s game against the New York Mets after getting hit by a 107.5 mph line drive hit by … more

5/5/24

Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) and left wing Matthew Tkachuk, left, congratulate center Carter Verhaeghe (23) after Verhaeghe scored a goal during the third period of Game 5 of the first-round of an NHL Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Monday, April 29, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Panthers, Bruins set to meet again in playoff rematch, this time in Round 2

There are no shortage of storylines for this Florida-Boston rematch. There’s the Panthers, trying to move another step closer toward a return to the Stanley Cup Final. There’s the Bruins, looking … more

5/5/24

Brian Hernandez Jr. rides Mystik Dan, top right, to the finish line to win the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Uncertain plans for 150th Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, others leave questions for Preakness

The second jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown could be absent of 150th Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan and other contenders who contributed to the thrilling three-wide photo finish. Mystik Dan … more

By GARY B. GRAVES | 5/5/24

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Salah scores as Liverpool beats Tottenham 4-2 in the Premier League

Mohamed Salah quickly put last week’s sideline spat with Jurgen Klopp behind him by scoring first in Liverpool’s 4-2 win against Tottenham in the Premier League. The sight of Salah arguing with … more

By JAMES ROBSON | 5/5/24

Cleveland Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen drives against Orlando Magic's Franz Wagner during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Nick Cammett)

Cavs center Jarrett Allen is out for Game 7 vs. Magic with rib injury, missing 3rd game in series

Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen will miss Game 7 against Orlando with a painful rib injury that sidelined him for the final three games of the series. Allen, who grabbed 20 rebounds in Game 2, had … more

By TOM WITHERS | 5/5/24

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery gestures on the touchline during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa, at the American Express Stadium in Brighton, England, Sunday May 5, 2024. (Gareth Fuller/PA via AP)

Aston Villa slips up in race for Champions League after 1-0 loss at Brighton

A bad week has got worse for Aston Villa after a surprise 1-0 loss at Brighton in the race for the top four. Unai Emery’s team lost 4-2 at home to Olympiakos in the first leg of their Europa … more

By JAMES ROBSON | 5/5/24

Boston Bruins' David Pastrnak (88) celebrates his goal with Morgan Geekie (39), Charlie McAvoy (73) and Brandon Carlo (25) in overtime during Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Bruins taking lessons, sense of fight into 2nd-round matchup with Panthers

Boston Bruins coach Jim Montgomery wanted to do something different with his team heading into a first-round Game 7 matchup with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Bruins were facing the prospect of … more

By KYLE HIGHTOWER | 5/5/24