National Sports - The Morning Sun

FILE - The Sphere is illuminated, Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in Las Vegas. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, that the league is moving forward with holding the 2024 draft at The Sphere in Las Vegas, the new venue that opened in September and bills itself as the largest spherical structure in the world. (James Schaeffer/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP, File)

NHL bringing 2024 draft to Las Vegas and The Sphere. League also says salary cap will rise in '24

The last centralized NHL Draft for the foreseeable future is going out with the glitz and bright lights of Vegas. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the league is moving forward with holding the 2024 … more

By TIM BOOTH | 12/5/23

FILE - Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout warms up before a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Saturday, June 24, 2023, in Denver. The Angels will not trade three-time AL MVP Mike Trout. General manager Perry Minasian confirmed it at MLB’s winter meetings. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

The Angels will not trade 3-time AL MVP Mike Trout, general manager confirms

The Los Angeles Angels will not trade three-time AL MVP Mike Trout. General manager Perry Minasian confirmed that Tuesday at MLB’s winter meetings. Trout is under contract through 2030, and he … more

12/5/23

New York Yankees' CC Sabathia delivers a pitch during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in New York. Sabathia is getting ready to take the mound again next spring, five years after his retirement, to pitch in a tribute to the Negro Leagues All-Star Game at the Hall of Fame's Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, N.Y.(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

Baseball Hall of Fame to have retired players in May 25 tribute to Negro Leagues All-Star Game

Ken Griffey Jr. and Ozzie Smith have agreed to manage or coach in a May 25 tribute to he Negro Leagues All-Star Game at the Hall of Fame’s Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, New York. The game on May … more

By RONALD BLUM | 12/5/23

Green Bay Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine (37) breaks up a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (11) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023 in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Analysis: NFL's Week 13 featured a phalanx of flags, curious non-calls and strange sideline squabble

The inconsistent calls continued unabated in Week 13 of the NFL schedule which began with the Seahawks and Cowboys in a shootout. Seattle and Dallas entered the game as the league's most penalized … more

By ARNIE STAPLETON | 12/5/23

San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama (1) and Zach Collins (23) celebrate a play during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

Analysis: As the NBA's eyes are on Las Vegas, the Spurs and Pistons have a long road ahead

There was so much promise around the San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons a few weeks ago. The Spurs were debuting Victor Wembanyama. The Pistons had a new coach in Monty Williams who was just two … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 12/5/23

New Orleans Pelicans forward Naji Marshall (8) walks off the floor after scoring during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/José Luis Villegas)

Brandon Ingram leads the Pelicans past the Kings 127-117 to advance to In-Season Tournament semis

Brandon Ingram scored 30 points and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Sacramento Kings 127-117 in the quarterfinals of the NBA’s In-Season Tournament. Ingram helped New Orleans erase an early … more

By JOSH DUBOW | 12/5/23

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning (6) gestures during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Jake Browning steals spotlight as Bengals stun Jaguars 34-31 in OT. Trevor Lawrence injures ankle

Jake Browning threw for 354 yards and a touchdown in his second career start, and the Cincinnati Bengals stunned the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-31 in overtime Monday. Browning also ran for a score as … more

By MARK LONG | 12/4/23

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) aims a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence injures right ankle against Bengals

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has injured his right ankle in Monday night’s game against Cincinnati. Left tackle Walker Little stepped on Lawrence’s ankle, causing him to twist … more

12/4/23

Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum, right, is defended by Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton, left, during the first half half of an NBA basketball In-Season Tournament game, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Haliburton's triple-double and late 4-point play help Pacers oust Celtics from NBA tourney

All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton recorded the first triple-double of his career and completed a tiebreaking four-point play with 1:33 left as the surprising Indiana Pacers ousted the Boston Celtics … more

By MICHAEL MAROT | 12/4/23

Joe Torre, left, talks to Tony La Russa before a news conference to announce the selection of Jim Leyland to the National Baseball Hall of Fame at the Major League Baseball winter meetings Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Waiting for Shohei: MLB free-agent market slow as Ohtani mulls big money

Big-name free agents appear in no hurry to strike deals at the winter meetings, biding time until Shohei Ohtani potentially breaks the record for richest contract set 4 1/2 years ago by Mike Trout. … more

By RONALD BLUM | 12/4/23

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts, right, hits a solo home run as Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Joe Jimenez, left, watches along with catcher Sean Murphy, second from left, and home plate umpire Dan Bellino, second from right, during the seventh inning of a baseball game Aug. 31, 2023, in Los Angeles. Betts is likely to become the regular second baseman for the Dodgers in 2024, manager Dave Roberts told MLB Network, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

Dave Roberts expects Mookie Betts to be Dodgers' regular second baseman in 2024

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts tells MLB Network that Mookie Betts is set to become the regular second baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024. A strong-armed outfielder, Betts played 107 games in … more

12/4/23

Argentina's Lionel Messi and teammates celebrate their team's 1-0 victory over Brazil at the end of a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

Copa América semifinals in New Jersey and Charlotte, among 14 U.S. cities hosting next summer

Fourteen U.S. cities will play host to Copa América next summer, with the semifinals at East Rutherford, New Jersey, and Charlotte, North Carolina, ahead of the July 14 championship in Miami … more

By PAUL NEWBERRY | 12/4/23

FILE - Philadelphia Phillies Manager Rob Thomson walks to the mound during the fourth inning of Game 1 of a baseball NL Division Series against Atlanta Braves, Oct. 7, 2023, in Atlanta. The Phillies announced Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, that they have extended Thomson's contract through the 2025 season after he led the team to two straight trips to the NL Championship Series. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

Phillies sign manager Rob Thomson to 1-year extension after 2 straight trips to NLCS

The Philadelphia Phillies have signed manager Rob Thomson to a one-year contract extension through the 2025 season after he led the team to two straight trips to the NL Championship Series. The … more

By DAN GELSTON | 12/4/23

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio responds to questions following a news conference at the Major League Baseball winter meetings Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Chourio agreed to the largest contract for a player with no major league experience, an $82 million, eight-year deal with the Brewers. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Chourio gets $82 million, 8-year deal with Brewers, largest before a player's big league debut

Outfielder Jackson Chourio agreed to the largest contract for a player with no major league experience, an $82 million, eight-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. The 19-year-old has played only six … more

By RONALD BLUM | 12/4/23

Arizona guard KJ Lewis dunks during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Colgate, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Chris Coduto)

Arizona rises to No. 1 in the AP Top 25 poll; Gonzaga and North Carolina crack top 10, Duke tumbles

Arizona is No. 1 in The Associated Press men's college basketball poll. The Wildcats rose one spot to reach the top spot for the first time since January 2014. Preseason No. 1 Kansas is up to second … more

By AARON BEARD | 12/4/23

Philadelphia 76ers' Patrick Beverley (22) drives past Boston Celtics' Neemias Queta (88) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

There's a lot of money at stake in the NBA In-Season Tournament. For 2-way players, it's a whole lot

At stake over the next week in the NBA is a chance to be the first team to win the league’s inaugural in-Season tournament. And money. A lot of money. In a few cases, some guys might earn as much … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 12/4/23

FILE - Tampa Bay Lightning left winger Cole Koepke wears a protective neck guard before an NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. Koepke was en route to a minor league game with Syracuse of the AHL last month when he heard from a friend that Adam Johnson had been cut by a skate blade during a hockey game in Britain. The death of the 29-year-old former Pittsburgh Penguins player has not only forced the sport to re-examine safety regulations but prompted Koepke to the wear a turtleneck-style neck guard. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)

International Ice Hockey Federation to mandate neck guards after the death of a player by skate cut

The International Ice Hockey Federation is making neck guards mandatory for all levels of competition in the tournaments it runs. That includes the Olympics and men's and women's world championships. … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 12/4/23

FILE - Atlantic Division's Brady Tkachuk, of the Ottawa Senators (7) and Matthew Tkachuk, of the Florida Panthers (19) watch the rerun of a goal by Matthew assisted by Brady during the NHL All Star hockey game, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, in Sunrise, Fla. There are 20 sets of brothers that have played in the league this season. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier, File)

NHL reaches new golden age of brotherly love with 20 sets of siblings playing this season

Hockey history is full of brothers, including Maurice and Henri Richard in Montreal plus Mark and Marty Howe playing with dad Gordie in Hartford. The NHL has reached a new golden age of brotherly … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 12/4/23

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) is helped off the field due to injury during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Steelers QB Kenny Pickett out indefinitely after undergoing surgery for a high right ankle sprain

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery for a high right ankle sprain. Pickett had the procedure done less than 24 hours after a 24-10 loss to … more

12/4/23

UConn forward Ice Brady (25) reacts after a call by an official during an NCAA college basketball game against Texas, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in Austin, Texas. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

UConn falls to worst ranking in 30 years in women's AP Top 25; South Carolina, UCLA stay atop poll

UConn fell to its worst ranking in 30 years when the Huskies dropped to 17th in The Associated Press women’s basketball poll, The last time the Huskies were ranked this low was the second poll of … more

By DOUG FEINBERG | 12/4/23