National Sports - The Morning Sun

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

LSU's Haleigh Bryant gestures to teammates standing nearby as she prepares to compete on the uneven bars during the NCAA women's gymnastics championships in Fort Worth, Texas, Thursday, April 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Utah and Florida clinch final two spots at NCAA championship, denying Oklahoma's bid for three-peat

Utah and Florida clinched the remaining two spots at the NCAA women’s gymnastics championship on Thursday night, denying No. 1 overall seed Oklahoma a chance at a three-peat. Utah took the lead on … more

4/19/24

Nelly Korda acknowledges the crowd after her shot on the sixth green during the first round of the Chevron Championship LPGA golf tournament Thursday, April 18, 2024, at The Club at Carlton Woods, in The Woodlands, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Chasing 5th straight win, Nelly Korda is 2 shots back at Chevron Championship after a first-round 68

Nelly Korda, who is looking to tie an LPGA Tour record with her fifth straight win, shot a 4-under 68 in the opening round of the Chevron Championship. That leaves her two shots behind leader Lauren … more

By KRISTIE RIEKEN | 4/18/24

Scottie Scheffler hits his tee shot on the fourth hole during the first round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament, Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Hilton Head, S.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Scheffler wiped out from Masters and opens with a 69 at Hilton Head. He trails Poston by 6 shots

Scottie Scheffler is wiped out from his emotional Masters win and he's already back to work. He hit a shank. He was annoyed by mud balls. He still managed a 69 and trails J.T. Poston by six shots … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 4/18/24

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry sits on the court during the second half of the team's NBA basketball play-in tournament game against the Sacramento Kings, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

GM Mike Dunleavy, Warriors look to regroup after missing the playoffs with Curry, Green, Thompson

General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the rest of Golden State’s front office staff had a feeling this season would wind up short of the ultimate goal. That’s the way the season went for Stephen … more

By JANIE McCAULEY | 4/18/24

Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, left, talks with Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler following an NBA basketball play-in tournament game Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Philadelphia. The 76ers won 105-104. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Heat star Jimmy Butler has sprained ligament in knee, will be sidelined several weeks

The results are in: Jimmy Butler is out. Butler will not be able to play for the Miami Heat in a win-or-else game on Friday night against the Chicago Bulls in the NBA’s play-in tournament because … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 4/18/24

Fans make their way into the Delta Center before a first-round college basketball game between Long Beach State and Arizona in the NCAA Tournament in Salt Lake City, Thursday, March 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Isaac Hale)

NHL team moving from Arizona to Salt Lake City will have a name starting with Utah

The NHL team moving from Arizona to Salt Lake City will be known as Utah at least initially. New owner Ryan Smith says the name will begin with Utah and he does not want to rush the process of … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 4/18/24

FILE - United States' Lilia Vu plays her tee shot on the 4th hole during her single match at the Solheim Cup golf tournament in Finca Cortesin, near Casares, southern Spain, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Europe play the United States in this biannual women's golf tournament, which played alternately in Europe and the United States. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue, File)

Defending champion Lilia Vu withdraws from Chevron Championship with back injury before 1st round

Defending champion and world No. 2 Lilia Vu withdrew from the Chevron Championship before the first round because of a back injury. The LPGA announced her withdraw and said the back injury she has … more

4/18/24

Carolina Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi, left, and Maxime Comtois celebrate their goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

NHL PLAYOFFS: 'It's wide open' is the theme as the race to the Stanley Cup begins

There is no prohibitive favorite to win the Stanley Cup as the NHL playoffs begin this weekend. Carolina gets the slight edge after the Hurricanes won 16 of their final 21 games and look every bit … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 4/18/24

FILE - Referee Ashley Moyer-Gleich (13) waits for play during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Atlanta Hawks and the New York Knicks, Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, in Atlanta. The NBA announced its first-round playoff referees on Friday, April 18, 2024, and Ashley Moyer-Gleich became the first woman selected for the postseason since 2012. Moyer-Gleich got the nod in her sixth NBA season.(AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File)

Moyer-Gleich picked for NBA playoff officiating roster, 1st woman in that role since 2012

Ashley Moyer-Gleich checked her email just before heading to the airport on Saturday for a trip to what she thought would be her final game of the season. That’s when the news came in: She has more … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 4/18/24

FILE - Miami's Haley Cavinder (14) and Hanna Cavinder (15) celebrate following a second-round college basketball game against Indiana in the women's NCAA Tournament Monday, March 20, 2023, in Bloomington, Ind. Haley Cavinder announced her return to Miami on Friday, April 18, 2024, one day after twin sister Hanna said she was going back to the Hurricanes. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

Hanna and Haley Cavinder say they're returning for 1 last season at Miami

The Cavinder twins are back at Miami. One day after Hanna Cavinder revealed she was returning to the Hurricanes, twin sister Haley Cavinder said she was decommitting from TCU and headed back to Miami … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 4/18/24

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) goes to the basket ahead of Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis in the second half of an NBA basketball play-in tournament game Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in New Orleans. The Lakers won 110-106. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Butler, Williamson injuries are part of story for Heat-Bulls and Kings-Pelicans play-in finales

All four teams in the finales of the NBA play-in tournament on Friday night are dealing with injury issues. Chicago goes to Miami and then Sacramento plays at New Orleans. The winner of the … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 4/18/24

FILE - Villanova guard Lucy Olsen (3) shoots against Oregon State during the second half of an NCAA basketball game on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Corvallis, Ore. Iowa has added one of the nation’s most productive scorers from last season as the Hawkeyes get ready to begin their post-Caitlin Clark era. Lucy Olsen said on social media Wednesday, April 17, 2024, that she’s joining the Hawkeyes after the former Villanova star entered the transfer portal. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman, File)

Scoring sensation Lucy Olsen transferring to Iowa. She led Villanova with 23.3 points this season

Iowa added one of the nation’s most productive scorers to fill the void left by superstar Caitlin Clark. Lucy Olsen said on social media that she’s joining the Hawkeyes after the former Villanova … more

4/18/24

Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler, left, drives to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers' Nicolas Batum during the first half of an NBA basketball play-in tournament game Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Miami Heat guard Jimmy Butler will have MRI Thursday, may miss play-in game Friday

Miami guard Jimmy Butler says he will need an MRI on his right knee after he was injured in the first half of the Heat’s play-in tournament loss to the 76ers. Butler was hurt late in the first … more

By DAN GELSTON | 4/18/24

PSG's Kylian Mbappe celebrates at the end of the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at the Olimpic Lluis Companys stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

The ideal Champions League final is within reach if Mbappé and Real Madrid can deliver

The tantalizing prospect of Kylian Mbappé squaring up to Real Madrid in the Champions League final looms large. Mbappé becomes a free agent after the season when Madrid is favorite to finally land … more

By JAMES ROBSON | 4/18/24

FILE - LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates with his parents on senior day, for his final home game, before an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Daniels is a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft.(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

NFL draft has potential to set a record for most players on offense selected in the first round

The 2024 NFL draft has the potential to set a record for most players on offense selected in the first round. No draft has seen more than 19 players on offense chosen in the first round. That … more

By ROB MAADDI | 4/18/24

FILE - PSG's Tabitha Chawinga celebrates after scoring during the women's Champions League group C soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain in Munich, Germany, on Jan. 30, 2024. Paris Saint-Germain forward Tabitha Chawinga faced challenges as a young soccer player growing up in Malawi. Her parents disapproved and wanted her to stop playing. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)

PSG star Tabitha Chawinga of Malawi overcomes obstacles en route to Champions League success

Paris Saint-Germain forward Tabitha Chawinga faced challenges as a young soccer player growing up in Malawi. Her parents disapproved and wanted her to stop playing. As a teenager, Chawinga was once … more

By KEN MAGUIRE | 4/18/24

Arizona Coyotes fans start to gather for what is expected to be the franchise's final NHL hockey game in the Phoenix area, against the Edmonton Oilers, at the main entrance to Mullett Arena on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Party's over: Coyotes end tenure in the desert with raucous atmosphere before move

Mullett Arena buzzed like few times in the two years since the Arizona Coyotes moved in, the fans amped for one last desert hurrah. For 60 minutes, they got one last chance to watch the team they … more

By JOHN MARSHALL | 4/18/24