National Sports - The Morning Sun

New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas shoots against Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) in the first half of an NBA basketball play-in tournament game in New Orleans, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Ingram, Valanciunas lift Zion-less Pelicans past Kings and into the playoffs

Brandon Ingram scored 24 points, Jonas Valanciunas added 19 points and 12 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans booked a spot in the NBA playoffs with a 105-98 victory over the Sacramento Kings in a … more

By BRETT MARTEL | 4/20/24

Atlanta Braves' Travis d'Arnaud hits a grand slam in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers Friday, April 19, 2024, in Atlanta.The home run was d'Arnaud's third of the game. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Braves' Travis d'Arnaud hits first 3 HRs of season, including go-ahead slam, in 8-3 win over Rangers

Travis d’Arnaud hit a go-ahead grand slam in the sixth inning for a three-homer game and the Braves beat the Texas Rangers 8-3 for their fifth straight win. Chris Sale allowed three runs and five … more

By CHARLES ODUM | 4/19/24

Miami Heat forward Kevin Love (42) drives to the basket against Chicago Bulls center Andre Drummond (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball play-in tournament game, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

The Heat are headed to Boston after ousting the Bulls 112-91 in East play-in finale

Tyler Herro scored 24 points and was an assist shy of a triple-double, rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 21 points and the Miami Heat grabbed the last spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs, running … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 4/19/24

Nelly Korda hits from the 17th tee during the second round of the Chevron Championship LPGA golf tournament Friday, April 19, 2024, at The Club at Carlton Woods, in The Woodlands, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Nelly Korda 1 shot back through 36 holes at Chevron Championship as she chases 5th straight victory

Nelly Korda is one shot off the lead through 36 holes at the Chevron Championship as she seeks to tie an LPGA Tour record with her fifth straight win. Korda shot a 3-under 69 on Friday at the year's … more

By KRISTIE RIEKEN | 4/19/24

Philadelphia Phillies' Spencer Turnbull pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Phillies' Turnbull loses no-hit bid when Sheets singles for White Sox in 7th inning

Philadelphia’s Spencer Turnbull lost his bid for a second career no-hitter when he allowed a one-out single in the seventh inning to Gavin Sheets of the Chicago White Sox. The 31-year-old … more

4/19/24

Scottie Scheffler chips to the green on the 17th hole during the second round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Hilton Head Island, S.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Collin Morikawa part of 4-way tie for the lead at Hilton Head. Scottie Scheffler lurks 3 shots back

Every round brings Collin Morikawa closer to where he feels his game should be. The two-time major champion contended last week at the Masters. And he shot a 66 at the RBC Heritage for a four-way … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 4/19/24

Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., front right, shoots over San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, left, and guard Tre Jones (33) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Friday, April 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. heads into playoffs against Lakers after trying week for family

Michael Porter Jr.'s teammates on the Denver Nuggets say their starting forward seems to be handling his family's troubles well as the team heads into the playoffs. Porter has one younger brother who … more

By ARNIE STAPLETON | 4/19/24

FILE - 1969 Indy 500 champion Mario Andretti watches from his grandson Marco Andretti's pit area during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, May 19, 2023. Mario said Friday, April 19, 2024, he was "offended" by the reasons given by Formula One for denying his family the chance to join the global motorsports series. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

Mario Andretti offended by F1 rejection. 'If they want want blood, well, I’m ready,' says 1978 champ

Mario Andretti says he was deeply offended by the language Formula One Management used in denying his family and General Motors the opportunity to join the global motorsports series. Andretti … more

By JENNA FRYER | 4/19/24

Coyotes' move to Salt Lake City elicits opposing responses in 2 cities

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman sat next to the former Arizona Coyotes owner in a downtown Phoenix hotel meeting room, trying to put a positive spin on the funeral for a franchise. A few hour later, … more

By JOHN MARSHALL | 4/19/24

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (40) makes a save against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, April 14, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)

At playoff time, NHL teams march to the beat of their goaltenders and count on them to save the day

This time of year teams march to the beat of their goaltenders. They want them laser-focused, full of confidence and ready to save the day. There are quite a few teams going into the postseason with … more

By PAT GRAHAM | 4/19/24

FILE - A Houston Texans staff member tests the helmet radio system before the first half of an AFC Wild Card NFL game between the Houston Texans and the Oakland Raiders, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, in Houston. Following a sign-stealing scandal that rocked the sport and hung over Michigan's championship run in 2023, the NCAA's football oversight committee approved Friday, April 19, 2024, the use of coach-to-player helmet communications in games for the 2024 season. The football rules committee last month made a recommendation to allow — but not require — teams at the highest tier of Division I to use radio technology similar to what NFL teams use. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File)

Sign of the times: NCAA approves coach-to-player helmet communication for 2024 football season

Following a sign-stealing scandal that rocked college football and hung over Michigan’s championship run in 2023, the NCAA’s oversight committee approved the use of coach-to-player helmet … more

4/19/24

FILE - Georgia tight end Brock Bowers responds to questions during NCAA college football Southeastern Conference Media Days, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Bowers is widely considered one of the top 10 players in next week's NFL draft but because he plays a lower-premium position of tight end, there is much more uncertainty about how high he will get drafted.(AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)

Debate over tight end value hovers over Brock Bowers' draft prospects

Evaluating Brock Bowers the player is a fairly straightforward assignment. As he showed in three seasons at Georgia, Bowers is a dynamic receiver with the ability to create separation, make contested … more

By JOSH DUBOW | 4/19/24

FILE - Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, left, drives to the basket as center Jarrett Allen (31) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. Game 1 of the Cavaliers playoffs series against the Orlando Magic starts Saturday, April 20. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)

Cavaliers feel better prepared for playoff stage after '23 flop, face Magic in first-round series

The Cavaliers have waited a year to redeem themselves in the NBA playoffs. Their chance starts Saturday against the Orlando Magic. Cleveland wilted on the postseason stage a year ago, losing in five … more

By TOM WITHERS | 4/19/24

UConn guard Stephon Castle (5) drives as Purdue guard Lance Jones defends during the first half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

UConn freshman Stephon Castle declares for NBA draft and becomes school's second one-and-done player

UConn freshman Stephon Castle has entered his name into the NBA draft, becoming the fifth Husky starter to at least explore moving on after Connecticut’s latest title run. UConn and coach Dan … more

By PAT EATON-ROBB | 4/19/24

Michigan is going for another distinction, coming off its 15-0 national championship season. The Wolverines are hoping to surpass Georgia’s 2022 NFL draft class, which saw 15 former Bulldogs have their names called. (AP video: Mike Householder)

NFL draft will include many Michigan men, maybe enough to break record set by 2022 Georgia Bulldogs

J.J. McCarthy is expected to be the first of many Michigan men drafted from its national championship team. The Wolverines had a record 18 players at the draft combine, giving them a chance to be the … more

By LARRY LAGE | 4/19/24

FILE - World Athletics President Sebastian Coe listens to a journalist's question during a press conference at the conclusion of the World Athletics meeting at the Italian National Olympic Committee, headquarters, in Rome, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. Track and field is set to become the first sport to introduce prize money at the Olympics, with World Athletics saying Wednesday, April 10, 2024, it would pay $50,000 to gold medalists in Paris. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)

Olympic sports bodies criticize track and field's move to pay $50,000 for Paris gold medalists

The collective group of Summer Games sports has criticized World Athletics for promising to pay $50,000 for each track and field gold medal won at the Paris Olympics. The move by the track body and … more

By GRAHAM DUNBAR | 4/19/24

Dallas Mavericks' Kyrie Irving watches from the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, Friday, April 12, 2024, in Dallas. Irving did not play due to hamstring soreness. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)

Kyrie Irving is healthy and drama-free in Dallas as a playoff pairing with Luka Doncic dawns

Kyrie Irving is healthy and publicly free of drama heading into his first playoff game with co-star Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks. The eight-time All-Star and 2016 NBA champion brought up on … more

By SCHUYLER DIXON | 4/19/24

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain steers his car during the sprint qualifying session for the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, China, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Chinese Grand Prix could deliver drama to F1 and slow Verstappen's victory march

The Chinese Grand Prix could deliver some much-needed drama to Formula 1. This means Red Bull’s Max Verstappen can’t be penciled in as the almost-certain winner on Sunday. The three-time world … more

By STEPHEN WADE | 4/19/24

Anaheim Ducks right wing Frank Vatrano (77) celebrates a goal against the Vegas Golden Knights with teammates Trevor Zegras (11) and Ryan Strome (16) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Defending champ Golden Knights to face top-seeded Stars in playoffs after 4-1 loss to Ducks

Frank Vatrano scored three goals and the Anaheim Ducks finished their season on a high note, defeating the playoff-bound Vegas Golden Knights 4-1. Vegas’ three-game winning streak ended and the … more

By MARK ANDERSON | 4/19/24

Chicago Blackhawks right wing Joey Anderson (15) defends against Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jordan Spence (21) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

LA Kings rally late, finish 3rd in the Pacific Division with a 5-4 overtime victory over Chicago

The Los Angeles Kings earned a playoff rematch with Edmonton by jumping into third place in the Pacific Division with a 5-4 overtime victory against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Kings took a two-goal … more

By GREG BEACHAM | 4/19/24