MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Buddy Hield and Draymond Green delivered from 3-point range with Golden State ...

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Buddy Hield and Draymond Green delivered from 3-point range with Golden State star Stephen Curry <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-playoffs-warriors-timberwolves-curry-ea429388284d38dc4726c7a504a6a898">suddenly sidelined</a> by a hamstring strain, and the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/golden-state-warriors">Warriors</a> opened the second-round series with an inspired 99-88 victory over the stumbling <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/minnesota-timberwolves">Timberwolves</a> on Tuesday night.Hield picked up where he left off in the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/warriors-rockets-score-nba-playoffs-2025-d75989545a5eff62d32e28240e0d7eb7">Game 7 win</a> at Houston that finished the first round by scoring 24 points on 5-for-8 3-point shooting.Jimmy Butler had 20 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists and Green had four first-half 3s on his way to 18 points, as the Warriors used 12 players, plenty of hustle and lockdown defense to overcome the concerning departure of their sharpshooting leader.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The home teams have yet to win in the second round of these <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/NBA">NBA playoffs</a>. Minnesota has another chance to get one in Game 2 on Thursday.The big question: Will Curry will be available? The league's career leading 3-point shooter and four-time NBA champion exited early in the second quarter after hitting a 14-footer and grabbing the back of his left leg. The Warriors ruled him out for the remainder of the game soon after that.Warriors coach Steve Kerr shrewdly sent a zone defense at a Wolves team that went 7 for 47 from 3-point range in a convincing win over the Los Angeles Lakers in the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/timberwolves-lakers-score-nba-playoffs-9924e6b4249f29359a85a8e286d5b7ed">Game 5 clincher</a> in the first round, and the bricks piled up even higher after nearly a week off.The Wolves missed their first 16 shots from 3-point range until they were down by 20 and Naz Reid drained one from the wing with 8:32 left in the third quarter.Anthony Edwards had 23 points and 14 rebounds after a particularly rough start, finishing 9 for 22 from the floor. Reid had 19 points and Julius Randle added 16 points for the Wolves, who finished 5 for 29 from behind the arc and trailed by 23 points late in the third.___AP NBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/NBA">https://apnews.com/hub/NBA</a>

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 6: Buddy Hield #7 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during Round 2 Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2025 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

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CLEVELAND (AP) — Tyrese Haliburton made a 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds remaining and the Indiana Pa...

CLEVELAND (AP) — Tyrese Haliburton made a 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds remaining and the Indiana Pacers scored the final eight points in 47.9 seconds to stun the short-handed and top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers 120-119 on Tuesday night to take a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinals series.Haliburton scored 11 of his 19 points in the final 12 minutes. After Andrew Nembhard stole an inbounds pass by Cleveland’s Max Strus with 27.5 seconds remaining, Indiana tried to find a potential tying 3-pointer before Haliburton drove inside and got fouled.He made the first free throw, but missed the second. Haliburton got the offensive rebound and dribbled out to the 3-point line, where he made it from the top of the key.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>It’s the second straight game in which Haliburton has come up big late. The fifth-year guard scored 22 points in Sunday’s 121-112 victory in the series opener, including a go-ahead 3-pointer midway through the fourth quarter."Obviously, we got lucky. Ty hit another amazing shot to win the game," Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said. "You don’t see this very often, let alone twice in one week. Tyrese, he came through again. We’re very fortunate."Myles Turner and Aaron Nesmith led No. 4 seed Indiana with 23 points apiece. It’s the first time the Pacers have won the first two games of a playoff series on the road since a 1994 first-round set against Orlando.Donovan Mitchell scored 48 points for Cleveland, who were missing three key players, including two starters. NBA Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley (left ankle) and key reserve De’Andre Hunter (right thumb) were injured in Game 1, while Darius Garland (left big toe) missed his fourth straight postseason game."I feel like we outplayed them for the majority of the game and then towards the end we had our mental lapses. They capitalize on every single mistake that we made," said Jarrett Allen, who had 22 points and 12 rebounds.Mitchell scored 15 points in the third quarter as the Cavaliers built a 98-81 lead late in the period. But the Pacers rallied back with a 17-6 run to get back in it.Cleveland looked as though it got some breathing room with 1:06 remaining when Max Strus hit a 3-pointer off an assist by Mitchell to put them up 117-110.But the Cavs couldn’t hold on again as they committed two turnovers and the Pacers had a pair of offensive rebounds that led to points in the final minute. It’s the first time Cleveland dropped its first two at home in the playoffs since 1996 in the first round against the Knicks."It’s hard to put all this in words," Carlisle said. "Cleveland hit us with a hellacious punch early in the game. In the fourth, we just hung on. We maintained enough energy to get it done. Give the guys credit, they somehow found a way."___AP NBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nba">https://apnews.com/hub/nba</a>

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 06: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers after the Pacers celebrates with teammates after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in game two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Rocket Arena on May 06, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. The Pacers defeated the Cavaliers 120-119.

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Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty will not run in the Preakness Stakes, officials announced Tuesd...

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kentucky-derby-churchill-downs-6f1267fe0d38d2817d7685b4eaeb0e79">Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty</a> will not run in the Preakness Stakes, officials announced Tuesday, meaning there won’t be a Triple Crown champion for a seventh consecutive year.“We received a call today from trainer Bill Mott that Sovereignty will not be competing in the Preakness,” said Mike Rogers, executive VP of 1/ST Racing, which operates the Preakness. “We extend our congratulations to the connections of Sovereignty and respect their decision.”Mott told Preakness officials the plan will be to enter Sovereignty in the Belmont Stakes, the third jewel of the Triple Crown, on June 7 at Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York. Mott on Sunday morning had <a href="https://apnews.com/article/triple-crown-kentucky-derby-churchill-downs-c8c4a8a094a56046ac1dac3ed03b7170">foreshadowed skipping the Preakness</a> in the name of long-term interests.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“We want to do what’s best for the horse,” he told reporters at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. “Of course, you always think about a Triple Crown, and that’s not something we’re not going to think about.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kentucky-derby-churchill-downs-6f1267fe0d38d2817d7685b4eaeb0e79">Sovereignty won a muddy Derby</a> with jockey Junior Alvarado at odds of 7-1 by passing favorite Journalism down the stretch.United Arab Emirates-based Godolphin owns Sovereignty. A call and a message sent by The Associated Press to Godolphin’s U.S. director of bloodstock, Michael Banahan, were not immediately returned.This is the fourth time since Justify won all three races in 2018 that the Preakness will go on without a true shot at a Triple Crown. The two-week turnaround from the Kentucky Derby to the Preakness and changes in modern racing have sparked debate around the sport about spacing out the races.Prominent owner Mike Repole earlier Tuesday <a href="https://twitter.com/RepoleStable/status/1919748294240088322">posted on social media</a> a proposal to move the Belmont to second in the Triple Crown order, four weeks after the Kentucky Derby and sliding the Preakness back further with the aim of keeping more of the top horses involved.“The Preakness being run two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, in this new day and age in racing, shows the lack of vision and leadership needed to evolve this sport,” Repole wrote. “I expect the top three finishers of this year’s Derby to skip the Preakness and go right to the Belmont.”No decision has been made on second-place finisher Journalism or third-place Baeza for the 150th running of the Preakness, the last at Pimlico Race Course before it is knocked down and rebuilt.___AP horse racing: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/horse-racing">https://apnews.com/hub/horse-racing</a>

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MAY 03: Sovereignty #18, ridden by jockey Junior Alvarado crosses the finish line to win the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 03, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky.

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MIAMI (AP) — NASCAR's championship weekend will return to Homestead-Miami Speedway next year, mar...

MIAMI (AP) — NASCAR's championship weekend will return to Homestead-Miami Speedway next year, marking the first time since 2019 that the title-winners will be crowned at the South Florida track.NASCAR made the announcement Tuesday. Its three series — the truck series, the Xfinity Series and the Cup Series — will see their seasons come to a close at Homestead from Nov. 6-8, 2026.It isn't a permanent return, though: NASCAR said that championship weekends are going to be on a rotation “to ensure that the season’s exciting conclusion is shared amongst NASCAR’s marquee venues and key markets.”<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“As we move forward, the rotating model will provide new challenges for competitors as well as opportunities for unique venues to host our loyal fans at NASCAR Championship Weekend,” NASCAR executive vice president Ben Kennedy said.Phoenix will play host to this year's championship weekend again, and NASCAR said it will be part of the title-deciding-location rotation in the future as well.Homestead-Miami was the championship weekend site from 2002 through 2019. There are three active drivers who were crowned NASCAR champions at Homestead — Kyle Busch in 2015 and 2019, Brad Keselowski in 2012 and Joey Logano in 2018. Logano has also won the title at Phoenix in two of the last three seasons, including last year.And all seven of Jimmie Johnson's NASCAR titles came at Homestead, which has renamed a tunnel in his honor to commemorate those championships.NASCAR decided after the 2001 season to move its truck and Cup series races to one track, in order to create a season-ending championship celebration. Homestead-Miami was the original site, and it moved to Phoenix starting in 2020.___AP auto racing: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing">https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing</a>

HOMESTEAD, FL - MARCH 23: Kyle Larson (#5 Hendrick Motorsports HendrickCars.com Chevrolet) and team celebrate winning the NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 400 on March 23, 2025, at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, FL.

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Mexican soccer club León lost its appeal against FIFA at sport’s hig...

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Mexican soccer club León lost its appeal against FIFA at sport’s highest court on Tuesday and will not play in the Club World Cup next month in the United States.The Court of Arbitration for Sport said its judges rejected León’s attempt to overturn being removed by FIFA from the 32-team tournament for being in the same ownership group as another Club World Cup entry, Pachuca.“The panel examined the evidence, including the Club León trust set up by the owners of the club, and concluded that this trust was insufficient to comply with the regulations,” the <a href="https://www.tas-cas.org/fileadmin/user_upload/CAS_Media_Release_11314-11316_06.05.25.pdf">court said in a statement.</a><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The urgent ruling one day after the appeal hearing will let <a href="https://apnews.com/article/fifa-club-world-cup-cas-appeal-leon-c9a8933c7285459f6b86d26cfb33de85">FIFA organize a planned playoff game</a> — between Los Angeles FC and another Mexican team América — to complete the lineup for the tournament that starts on June 14.León was drawn in a group to play Chelsea in Atlanta on June 16, then Esperance from Tunisia in Nashville, and Flamengo of Brazil in Orlando.FIFA judges excluded León in March for a breach of tournament integrity rules that prohibit two or more teams being in the same ownership group.León and Pachuca qualified for the Club World Cup by respectively winning the 2023 and 2024 editions of the CONCACAF championship.Their owner, Grupo Pachuco, said it was prepared to sell one of the clubs to comply with FIFA rules but that it was not possible before the tournament started.FIFA lawyers argued that despite the intention of León’s owners, they still had not been compliant with rules when signing a Club World Cup entry agreement in February.A separate and long-shot appeal by Costa Rican club Alajuelense to replace León was incorporated into the overall case and also rejected on Tuesday, CAS said.___AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a>

LEON, MEXICO - APRIL 12: Detailed view of the corner flag with the Club Leon logo before the 15th round match between Leon and Puebla as part of the Torneo Clausura 2025 Liga MX at Leon Stadium on April 12, 2025 in Leon, Mexico.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Nikola Jokic showed why he’s a finalist for another MVP award with his histo...

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Nikola Jokic showed why he’s a finalist for another MVP award with his historic stat line. But with Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals at stake, the ball again found Aaron Gordon’s hands.Gordon hit a 3-pointer with 2.8 seconds remaining, supporting Jokic’s 42-point, 22-rebound effort and giving the Denver Nuggets a stunning 121-119 comeback win over the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night.It was the kind of finish one might expect of a team that won the NBA title just two seasons ago.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“We just didn’t want to miss the moment, didn’t want to miss the opportunity,” Gordon said. “We knew that if we waited, it may be too late. I’m glad we showed our mettle, our grit, but we’re not satisfied.”It was Gordon’s second game-winner of the playoffs. His dunk on a Jokic miss as time expired lifted the Nuggets past the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 4 of their first-round series.Gordon did much more than hit the deciding shot against the Thunder.“Aaron’s going to be a hero again,” Denver interim coach David Adelman said. “But I’m also looking at 14 rebounds. I’m looking at 22 points. Looking at ball-handling responsibilities, leadership. He is a Denver Nugget, man. Like, he is the soul of our team. So, cool to see him have two moments that no one will forget.”Jokic became just the fourth player to have at least 40 points, 20 rebounds and five assists in a playoff game.Denver’s Russell Westbrook, who started his career with the Thunder, assisted on Gordon’s game-winner. It was his first playoff game in Oklahoma City as an opposing player.Jamal Murray added 21 points for the fourth-seeded Nuggets, who stole the opener after closing out a seven-game series against the Clippers on Saturday.Denver’s opportunity came after Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren missed two free throws with the Thunder leading by a point.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the other MVP finalist in the game, had 33 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for the Thunder, who hadn’t played in more than a week after sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round. Alex Caruso added 20 points, six assists and five steals.Jokic picked up three fouls during a two-minute stretch in the third quarter after committing just one foul in the first half. He stayed in the game with the Thunder leading 73-64.The Nuggets closed the gap to 90-85 by the end of the third quarter.With the Thunder leading 104-95 and just under seven minutes remaining, Jokic elbowed Oklahoma City’s Lu Dort in the head on a drive, and the play was reviewed. The play was ruled a flagrant 1 on Jokic — his fifth foul — and Dort made two free throws.Denver spent the rest of the game closing the gap, and Jokic never picked up the sixth foul.The Thunder helped Denver by fouling intentionally while leading, and the Nuggets took advantage by making all four free throws in the final 12.9 seconds.Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said he didn’t regret the strategy that ultimately kept the Nuggets close.“It didn’t go our way tonight, but it’s worked out well for us in the past,” Daigneault said. “We’ll continue to look at it and learn from it, but I don’t think that’s why we lost the game.”Oklahoma City led 113-102 with 4:31 remaining. The Thunder, normally one of the best closing teams in the league, fell apart against the veteran Nuggets.“I never felt like anybody wavered,” Adelman said. “And that doesn’t mean you’re going to win the game. But we all know in the NBA playoffs these games are so long. You just try to give yourself a chance. We did that.”___AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 5: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round Two Game One of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on MAY 5, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

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BOSTON (AP) — The Knicks grew accustomed to facing big deficits against the Celtics this season. ...

BOSTON (AP) — The Knicks grew accustomed to facing big deficits against the Celtics this season.New York faced another one to open its Eastern Conference semifinal matchup against the defending NBA champions. This time, the Knicks found a way to overcome it.Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby each scored 29 points before Mikal Bridges stole the ball from Jaylen Brown with a second left in overtime, and the Knicks stunned Boston 108-105 in Game 1 of their series on Monday night.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Karl-Anthony Towns added 14 points and 13 rebounds for New York, which lost all four games against its longtime rival during the regular season and trailed by 20 points in the second half of this game.“We told each other just keep believing. Just keep fighting and sticking together, and keep chipping away. There wasn’t going to be a 20-point shot,” Brunson said.Jayson Tatum and Brown both had 23 points for the Celtics, who had an NBA playoff-record 45 missed 3-pointers to blow a game they appeared to have in control. Derrick White added 19 points and 11 rebounds.“In those spots where they have momentum, we can’t just fire up 3s,” Brown said. “I felt like we just settled in the second half a lot.”Jrue Holiday returned to the starting lineup after a strained right hamstring caused him to miss the final three games of Boston’s first-round series against Orlando. He finished with 16 points in 39 minutes, but center Kristaps Porzingis played only 13 minutes and didn’t return after halftime because of an illness.Game 2 is Wednesday night.Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said missing Porzingis impacted the Celtics’ approach.“Obviously it impacts the game with his ability on both ends of the floor,“ Mazzulla said. ”It’s no excuse. We had plenty of opportunities. ... Hopefully he’s ready for Game 2.”The Knicks struck first in OT, taking a 106-100 edge via a three-point play by Anunoby, followed by 3-pointer by Bridges.Brown connected on a 3-pointer from the wing with just over a minute left — his only make in 10 attempts behind the arc — to cut it to 108-105.It stayed that way when Josh Hart misfired on a deep 3. Tatum missed a jumper, but the Celtics were able to retrieve the rebound. After a foul on Towns, Boston called timeout with 3 seconds showing on the clock.But Bridges ripped the inbounds pass away from Brown to preserve the win.The Celtics finished 15 for 60 on 3-pointers. Of the 49 shots the Celtics took in the second half and OT, 37 were 3-pointers. They connected on only 10 of them.Boston led 75-55 midway through the third quarter but New York cut it to 84-75 entering the final period, thanks to a 20-9 run.The Knicks kept it going, scoring the first eight points of the fourth quarter. They eventually tied it at 86 on a steal and dunk by Anunoby.Three ties and three lead changes later, New York led 97-95 when the Celtics pushed the ball ahead and swung it to White for a corner 3-pointer to put Boston back in front with 2:15 left. A 3 by Anunoby put New York in front by two, but it was answered on the other end by Holiday’s layup to tie it again.The Knicks had a great look to win it in regulation after Brunson got a give-and-go pass from Towns, but missed a short bank shot that was rebounded by Boston. The Celtics called timeout with 0.6 seconds remaining but Tatum missed a lunging jumper at the buzzer.Brunson said Monday’s win was a good start, but hardly a roadmap to win this series.“I don’t think there is a blueprint per se,” Brunson said. “But as long as we stick together, anything is possible.”___AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 05: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates after making a three-point basket against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter in Game One of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 05, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts.

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GENOA, Italy (AP) — AC Milan scored twice in two minutes to beat Genoa 2-1 in Serie A on Monday a...

GENOA, Italy (AP) — AC Milan scored twice in two minutes to beat Genoa 2-1 in Serie A on Monday and keep alive its slim hopes of a place in next year’s Champions League.Genoa substitute Vitinha scored a minute after taking the field to give his side the lead after 61 minutes.But Rafael Leão levelled 15 minutes later when his powerful shot was deflected into the net, and two minutes later Genoa captain Morten Frendrup put one into his own net.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Although Milan remained in ninth place, it closed the gap on the top four to six points. Juventus was fourth, equal on points with Roma and Lazio below it.Three rounds remain.Milan's last three games are against Bologna, Roma and bottom club Monza.Genoa has lost its last three games and sits in 13th.___AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a>

GENOA, ITALY - MAY 5: Milan players celebrate after Morten Frendrup of Genoa's own-goal during the Serie A match between Genoa and AC Milan at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on May 5, 2025 in Genoa, Italy.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees ace Gerrit Cole had an internal brace put in his right elbow as part of T...

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees ace Gerrit Cole had an internal brace put in his right elbow as part of Tommy John surgery on March 11 and while not projecting a date for his mound return understands the usual rehabilitation takes about 14 months.Cole, the 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner, spoke with reporters on Monday for the first time since the operation by Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache.“I’m under the impression that it’s the same recovery time, 14 months or so,” he said. "I hope it comes back like maybe like a fresh new set of tires. I mean, that’s best hope, just a pit stop that took a little longer than you had hoped for.”<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>A 34-year-old right-hander with 153-80 record and 3.18 ERA over 317 starts and 1,954 innings in 12 major league seasons, Cole felt constrained when his arm initially was in a brace following the surgery.“It stinks,” he said. "But now that I’m stronger and less worried about getting bumped and things like that, it’s nice to be able to be back and be able come around more and be in the dugout."Cole's 2024 season debut was delayed to June 19 because of nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow. He went 8-5 with a 3.41 ERA in 17 starts for New York and then was 1-0 with a 2.17 ERA in five postseason starts.Cole went for tests after allowing a pair of home runs in his second spring training start this year, against Minnesota on March 6.“I had trouble bending my elbow. I had trouble moving my arm the next day,” he said. “So I had a pretty good feeling we were in some deep mud.”His need for surgery was clear when he met with ElAttrache.“I sat down in front of the computer and I saw it,” Cole said.___AP MLB: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/MLB">https://apnews.com/hub/MLB</a>

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 27: Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees acknowledges the crowd during the pre-game ceremony prior to the game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025 in New York, New York.

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As the popularity of women's soccer grows, so have the opportunities for players looking to make ...

As the popularity of women's soccer grows, so have the opportunities for players looking to make the sport a career.The National Women's Soccer League was once the lone professional women's league in North America. But others have more recently jumped into the market, including the USL's Super League and the Northern Super League in Canada.And now it appears lower-tier leagues are forming, too. The NWSL has asked U.S. Soccer to sanction a second-division league that would include at least six teams and possibly launch in 2026. The WPSL Pro also will launch next year as a second-tier league.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"I think this is what progress looks like," said Amanda Vandervort, president of the USL Super League. "I think the more options there are, whether it's owners, investors, players, or fans, the better it is for everyone. And competition is good for the development of the game."The Super League sits on the top tier of women's professional soccer in the United States alongside the NWSL. The eight-team league plays on a fall-to-spring calendar like many international leagues, and is currently in the stretch run of its inaugural season. A ninth team will join next season.Although the Super League doesn’t share the same national profile, level of competition or attendance as the NWSL, the two leagues aren't necessarily built to be rivals. Growing the game is good business.<h3>Room for all</h3>NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman believes there's room for everyone."There are countless examples of players who were unsigned in our league who ended up going to some of those other leagues, who are still able to play the sport of soccer and continue their careers. And maybe there's a world where they find their way back to the NWSL," Berman said. "If they didn't have a place to go and play in the interim, they might not have continued to play."There are signs of the mutually beneficial relationship. The NWSL's Washington Spirit has loaned several players to the Super League's Dallas Trinity this season. The NWSL's Gotham FC played a pair of preseason friendlies against the Super League's Fort Lauderdale United and Tampa Bay Sun.<h3>New on the scene</h3>Jumping into the fray is the Northern Super League, which kicked off last month in Canada. The league has long been a dream of former national team star and co-founder Diana Matheson. It has been boosted by Christine Sinclair, international soccer's all-time leading goal scorer.Canada was one of just two countries that played in the 2023 Women's World Cup without a domestic professional league. The other was Haiti.While a majority of the players in the league are Canadian, 20 other countries are represented, too. The league minimum salary is $50,000."It's a global industry and we're competing with leagues all over the world, which is the reality. But I think in North America specifically, I think us, the NWSL, Liga MX Femenil in Mexico, also know that we have the opportunity to really build women's soccer in our region," Matheson said. "I think we've got three very competitive tier-one women's pro leagues in our region that can work together to build that landscape."Liga MX Femenil is the most established of the women's professional leagues in North America outside of the NWSL. It has 18 teams, all associated with men's teams."The interest in women's soccer is growing, we are in the conversation now and changing narratives, and that allows us to talk about how much the game has been developing in the country," league President Mariana Gutierrez told The Associated Press last fall.<h3>Stay tuned</h3>More options are coming. Should U.S. Soccer sanction the lower-division NWSL league, it will serve to develop players as part of the greater soccer ecosystem, bridging the gap between amateur soccer and the top tier.Cleveland Soccer Group, which had bid in the latest round of NWSL expansion, pivoted to joining the division 2 WPSL Pro. Cleveland's group, which will also have an ownership stake in the league, will join teams from Atlanta, Dallas, North Carolina, Oklahoma City, Sioux Falls and the San Francisco Bay Area in the league's first season next year."Rising demand calls for more options, not fewer," Vandervort said. "And if you look at the landscape today, we still don't have as many options for women to go pro, even with the addition of these leagues, as the men do. If you look across the landscape, across the cities, the communities, the towns, that don't have access to women's pro soccer today, there's a huge gap. So the more women’s soccer we have, the greater our sport will become, the more dynamic, the more exciting for fans, the more opportunity for players and coaches and staff, and everyone involved in the game."___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 18: Esther Gonzalez #9 of NJ/NY Gotham FC celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's third goal during the NWSL match between Angel City FC and NY/NJ Gotham FC at BMO Stadium on April 18, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

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How North American women's soccer is growing, and what it means for players

NEW YORK (AP) — Shortstop Anthony Volpe was back in the New York Yankees’ starting lineup Monday,...

NEW YORK (AP) — Shortstop Anthony Volpe was back in the New York Yankees’ starting lineup Monday, two days after he injured his left shoulder on a dive while trying to get to a grounder.Volpe did not play in Sunday’s 7-5 loss to Tampa Bay but was down to hit sixth in Monday’s rain-threatened series opener against San Diego.Volpe remained in the game after his unsuccessful attempt for a backhand stab on Christopher Morel’s eighth-inning single Saturday, which sparked a two-run rally in Tampa Bay’s 3-2 win. An X-ray and MRI were negative.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Volpe, who turned 24 on April 28, is hitting .233 with five homers, 19 RBIs and four stolen bases in his third season with the Yankees.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: Anthony Volpe #11 of the New York Yankees hits a single during the fourth inning of the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on May 02, 2025 in New York City.

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FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Joey Logano quickly flipped the script for Team Penske.  The focus after...

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Joey Logano quickly flipped the script for Team Penske.The focus after this win can be on, well, the first win this season for NASCAR's reigning Cup Series champion. Not like last week following Austin Cindric's victory at Talladega, when Logano had an expletive-laden rant on the radio directed at his teammate during that race and then afterward had what would have been a fifth-place finish disqualified because of a missing nut and loose bolt on the spoiler during the postrace inspection.“It's nice to change the storyline,” Logano said.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Logano recovered from starting 27th at the 1 1/2-mile Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday in the 11th Cup race of the season, and surged ahead after the restart in overtime with teammate Ryan Blaney to his outside.“We paid the price from last week in qualifying, going out early, and now you have a bad pit stall. OK, I just got to (get a) top 10, top five and start clicking those off, getting some points, I need that," Logano said. “Then just found ourselves in position to win. Glad we capitalized on that. The goal was to get some momentum rolling. I feel like just get some stuff going, juices flowing again. Yeah, turned out well.”All three Penske drivers led laps at Texas. Cindric was in front for 60 laps and won the first stage, but finished 25th after getting caught up in a late-race crash.Logano and Blaney were on the front row for the final restart after the race's 12th caution. Logano was the control car for the green-white-checkered finish, even though Blaney was actually shown as the leader when they reached the line. Blaney finished third, still his best of the season, after Logano and Ross Chastain both got in front of him on the final run.Walter Czarnecki, the team's vice chairman, dismissed the notion that back-to-back wins brought a sigh of relief.“Rather, it reduces the pressure. The fact that here we are ... 11th race of the year, and we got two cars in already for the playoffs. So it allows the team to, I won’t say freewheel, but to be able to do some things that perhaps they might not have been otherwise to do,” Czarnecki said. “Now, the mission is to get Ryan Blaney into the playoffs.”Blaney is actually the team's highest-ranked driver at seventh in the Cup standings after moving up a spot following his best finish of the season. Logano is ninth and Cindric 14th.“I’m really proud of this team. Team Penske has been bringing good, competitive cars for the first 11 races. We’ve been in the hunt in every one of them. We’ve qualified very well. Had a chance to win some other races. Now, two in a row. Hope that’s a real momentum builder for us,” Czarnecki said. “If we weren’t bringing good cars or there were other issues, that’s one thing, but we’ve been there. So Blaney’s time is coming, too.”There are 15 points races left before the playoffs begin Aug. 31. The Cup Series is at Kansas on Sunday, followed by the non-points All-Star Race. Then comes Charlotte, where Blaney has won before. There are also races left at Pocono and Iowa, other places he has driven to Victory Lane.“I think Blaney surely could have won multiple races,” Paul Wolfe, Logano's crew chief, said after Sunday's race. “I really appreciate that relationship we have amongst our team and specifically the 12. We work very closely together, and it’s kind of ironic how the end of the race we were racing the 12 for the win.“The way the racing is with limited track time these days and things like that, I think it’s very important the teamwork aspect and how well we’re able to help one another to ultimately make us better on race day and as the race goes on,” he said. "We continue to work together.”___AP auto racing: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing">https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing</a>

FORT WORTH, TX - MAY 04: Joey Logano (#22 Team Penske AAA Insurance Ford) greets fans during driver introductions before the start of the Wurth 400 Presented by LIQUI MOLY in the NASCAR Cup Series on Sunday, May 04, 2025 at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Tx.

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PARIS (AP) — France's Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin has apologized to Liverpool fans three yea...

PARIS (AP) — France's Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin has apologized to Liverpool fans three years after wrongly blaming them for the chaotic scenes before the Champions League final at Stade de France.Darmanin was France's Interior Minister at the time of the 2022 final. He now accepts he made mistakes that day and wrongfully pointed the finger at Liverpool fans."Yes, it was a failure. Because I hadn't checked what was happening properly, which was my mistake, and because I gave in to preconceived ideas," Darmanin said in an interview with the "Legend" show on YouTube. "The culprit was easy (to designate), and I apologize to Liverpool fans. Of course they were right to (feel upset)."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The 2022 final between Liverpool and Real Madrid was delayed by more than 30 minutes. Panicky police indiscriminately fired tear gas and pepper spray at thousands of Liverpool supporters packed outside the stadium amid logistical chaos.Darmanin initially maintained that up to 40,000 supporters without tickets or with forged tickets led to the incidents — yet only 2,471 forged tickets were identified.Three years later, Darmanin said he was not even informed of any problem when he reached the stadium. Remarkably, he said he only found out what was going on when he viewed video surveillance himself, 15 minutes after he had arrived.It was immediately assumed that there was a threat of hooliganism."On the video surveillance images we see a red crowd of Liverpool supporters, crowded against the gates and the riot police holding them back. I'm told there's a crowd surge," Darmanin said. "The initial analysis we make is 'they're causing mayhem.' That's what I hear at the security post; that's what the police chief who then joins me tells me."Darmanin maintained his stance in the days after the final."During my first public outing, I said what I was told, which was 'Well, the English are causing mayhem,'" Darmanin told the YouTube show. "It wasn't true in the literal sense of the word."French senators later said the chaos was down to mistakes by police and officials — and not by the actions of Liverpool fans — pointing to "malfunction at every stage" before, during and after the game.Many supporters also complained about thefts and assaults from local gangs of youths as they were leaving the stadium, with a lack of police protection for fans after the game.In a rare admission, Darmanin accepts the security measures in place were not adequate."Our security system wasn't designed for that at all. The CRS (riot police), mobile gendarmes with big boots and shields, they're not great for running," he said. "We got our (security) system wrong. We were expecting a hooligan war, and instead we got people who came to steal."<h3>Investigation panel targets UEFA</h3><div>
The final was moved to Paris at three months' notice after UEFA stripped Russia of hosting the game in St. Petersburg because of the military invasion of Ukraine.
UEFA-appointed investigators held European soccer's ruling body mostly responsible for the chaotic security failures impacting tens of thousands of fans.
"It is remarkable that no one lost their life," the investigation panel wrote in a 220-page document published in February 2023. "The panel has concluded that UEFA, as event owner, bears primary responsibility."
UEFA statements wrongly blamed Liverpool fans for arriving at the stadium late and using fake tickets to try to gain entry, the report said.
Last year, UEFA reached a confidential settlement to compensate Liverpool fans for personal injury claims.
"The settlement agreement has been made without any admission of liability," UEFA said.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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Liverpool fans stuck outside the ground show their match tickets during the UEFA Champions League Final at the Stade de France, Paris. Picture date: Saturday May 28, 2022.

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BERLIN (AP) — Harry Kane says he feels "amazing" after finally winning his first career title at ...

BERLIN (AP) — Harry Kane says he feels "amazing" after finally winning his first career title at the age of 31.Despite appearing hungover after Bayern Munich's Bundesliga win on Sunday, Kane said in an Instagram post on Monday, "It just feels sweet to win the title and the first one of my career."Kane had to endure a long wait after a career of runner-up finishes and defeats in finals with Bayern, Tottenham and England. It seemed like an anomaly for a player considered among the world's best forwards never to have won a trophy.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Bayern's 11 Bundesliga wins in a row must have factored in Kane's decision to join the German team from Tottenham in 2023, but his first season in Bavaria coincided with Bayern's first trophyless year since 2012.He was dismayed to be suspended from Bayern's potentially title-clinching game at Leipzig on Saturday, but made his way to the touchline to celebrate with Bayern leading 3-2 in stoppage time. Then Leipzig's Yussef Poulsen scored with the last kick of the game for 3-3, meaning Bayern couldn't be 100% sure of winning the title.However, Bayer Leverkusen's 2-2 draw in Freiburg on Sunday removed any doubts with two rounds remaining. Bayern could no longer be caught, meaning Kane could finally sing Queen's hit "We Are The Champions" and Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" among other songs with teammates as the champagne flowed at a Munich restaurant."What a night last night. What a celebration with the players, with the staff," Kane said as he turned up for Monday's training session. "I'm sure everyone's feeling it a little bit this morning."Bayern is to be presented with the trophy after its next game against Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday, when the official celebrations doused by customary beer showers can begin.Kane's first chance of winning a title came in 2015 when Tottenham played Chelsea in the English League Cup final, but his team lost 2-0. Tottenham lost another League Cup final in 2021 against Manchester City. Kane lost the Champions League final with Tottenham to Liverpool in 2019, and finished runner-up with Tottenham in the Premier League in 2017.As England captain, Kane lost the European Championship final to Italy in 2020, then again last year when Spain defeated his team 2-1 in the 2024 final."It's been a long time coming," Kane said of his first trophy. "I appreciate all the support as always, it never goes unnoticed, and I can't wait to enjoy these next couple of weeks."Though Bayern was knocked out of the Champions League and German Cup this season, Kane will have another chance of a title when Bayern takes part in FIFA’s new Club World Cup tournament in the United States starting on June 14."As always we look forward to the next one and we go again and try and get number two," he said.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

04 April 2025, Bavaria, Augsburg: Soccer: Bundesliga, FC Augsburg - Bayern Munich, Matchday 28, WWK-Arena. Munich's Harry Kane celebrates. Photo: Tom Weller/dpa

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Kane ecstatic after winning 1st trophy: 'It's been a long time coming'

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — A verdict is expected Tuesday in Mexican team Leon's legal dispute w...

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — A verdict is expected Tuesday in Mexican team Leon's legal dispute with FIFA over entry to the Club World Cup in the United States next month.The Court of Arbitration for Sport is hosting Leon's appeal Monday which aims to overturn expulsion by FIFA because the club is in the same ownership group as Pachuca, another Mexican team that qualified for the 32-team tournament that starts June 14.CAS said Monday it aims to give the urgent verdict of its judges on Tuesday in Lausanne.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Soccer's world body is preparing to replace Leon with a one-off playoff game between Los Angeles FC and another Mexican team America if CAS rules in its favor.FIFA rules for the Club World Cup to protect tournament integrity prohibit more than one team having the same owners.Leon and Pachuca qualified for the Club World Cup by respectively winning the 2023 and 2024 editions of the continental championship for the North American region, known as CONCACAF.Both clubs owned by Grupo Pachuca were placed in different four-team groups at the tournament draw hosted by FIFA in Miami in December despite the multi-club ownership issue being unresolved.Leon was drawn to play Chelsea in Atlanta on June 16, then Esperance from Tunisia in Nashville and Flamengo of Brazil in Orlando.FIFA judges then excluded Leon in a ruling in March, deciding that the clubs' ownership structure "clearly indicates centralized decision-making under a single authority, which is inconsistent with FIFA's principles of competitive integrity and operational independence."The entry being fought over by lawyers is worth an initial $9.55 million payment from FIFA plus a share of the $1 billion in total prize money, depending on results in the group stage and knockout rounds.The Club World Cup lineup includes teams that won a continental championship over a four season period from 2020-24 or who had a high ranking from consistent results in those competitions. FIFA also invited Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami to represent the host nation.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 07: President of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Gianni Infantino (R) unveils the Club World Cup trophy alongside U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House on March 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump signed an executive order establishing a White House Task Force for the 2026 World Cup.

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Club World Cup dispute between FIFA, Leon nearing CAS verdict

MILAN (AP) — Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez is hoping to emulate strike partner Marcus Thur...

MILAN (AP) — Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez is hoping to emulate strike partner Marcus Thuram ahead of their team's Champions League semifinal against Barcelona on Tuesday.In the buildup to the first leg last week, the focus was on whether Thuram would be fit in time even for a place on the bench after missing three matches with a thigh problem.But Thuram surprisingly started and scored the opener just seconds after kickoff in a thrilling 3-3 draw that has set up a must-see sequel in Milan.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>This time around it is Lautaro who is a doubt after having to come off at halftime against Barcelona last Wednesday with a thigh muscle injury.Inter coach Simone Inzaghi admitted last week that it would be "very difficult" to have Lautaro back in time as that type of injury normally takes 10 days to two weeks to recover from.But confidence is growing in the Inter camp. Lautaro trained in the gym on Sunday and Italian media reports that the Argentina World Cup winner could be back with the group in their afternoon training session on Monday.Lautaro himself posted a cryptic message on Instagram: a photo of him doing exercises in the gym, captioned with emojis of an hourglass and a battery.Thuram commented on the image with an emoji of an alarm clock.Lautaro is Inter's record goalscorer in Europe's elite club competition, with 20 goals – including eight this season.The 27-year-old has scored 21 goals and added six assists for Inter across all competitions this campaign."Lautaro will do the impossible to be there," Inzaghi's assistant coach, Massimiliano Farris, said after Saturday's win over Hellas Verona in Serie A.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 30: Lautaro Martínez of FC Internazionale warming up prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between FC Barcelona and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 30, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.

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Inter captain Martinez fighting to prove fitness for Barcelona clash

ATLANTA (AP) — Austin Riley hit two two-run homers, and the Atlanta Braves stopped the Los Angele...

ATLANTA (AP) — Austin Riley hit two two-run homers, and the Atlanta Braves stopped the Los Angeles Dodgers' seven-game win streak with a 4-3 victory on Sunday night.Riley went deep in the first inning and again in the third. A pinch-hit homer by Miguel Rojas off Dylan Lee in the seventh cut the lead to 4-3.Braves closer Raisel Iglesias gave up an infield hit to Andy Pages to open the ninth. Pinch-runner Hyeseong Kim stole second base and advanced to third on Will Smith's strikeout. Iglesias struck out Rojas and Austin Barnes to earn his fifth save.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Braves had been 0-5 against the Dodgers this season after losing the first two games of the series. Atlanta avoided being swept in the season series and snapped a string of seven consecutive losses to Los Angeles that began last season.Dodgers right-hander Dustin May (1-2) trailed 2-0 before recording an out. May walked Alex Verdugo to open the game, and Riley drilled a homer 426 feet to left field.Riley added another shot, his eighth, off May in the third.Atlanta right-hander Bryce Elder (2-1) struck out six in five-plus innings. He was charged with two runs and four hits.Dodgers left fielder Michael Conforto made a diving catch on Drake Baldwin's drive in the second. Key momentRight-hander Pierce Johnson inherited runners on first and second with no outs when he took over for Elder in the sixth. He recorded three consecutive outs, including Max Muncy's run-scoring groundout.Key statConforto struck out looking in his two at-bats, leaving him in a 0-for-28 slump and his batting average at .141.Up nextLos Angeles continues its 10-game trip when it opens a three-game series at Miami on Monday night. Atlanta RHP AJ Smith-Shawver (1-2, 4.26 ERA) will face Cincinnati RHP Brady Singer (4-1, 3.24 ERA) in Monday night's opener of a four-game home series.___AP MLB: <a href="https://undefined/">https://apnews.com/hub/mlb</a>

ATLANTA, GA MAY 04: Atlanta third baseman Austin Riley (27) reacts after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning during the MLB game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves on May 4th, 2025 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA.

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CLEVELAND (AP) — Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers broke Michael Jordan's NBA playoff r...

<div>
CLEVELAND (AP) — <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donovan-mitchell">Donovan Mitchell</a> of the Cleveland Cavaliers broke Michael Jordan's NBA playoff record Sunday night with his eighth straight game of at least 30 points in a series opener.
The All-Star guard set the mark with a layup that gave him 31 points with 4:50 remaining in the fourth quarter in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Indiana Pacers.
Jordan had two seven-game streaks of 30 points in Game 1s (from 1991 to 1993 and 1997 to 1998) while leading the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles.
<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>
Mitchell's streak began with the Utah Jazz during the 2020 playoffs — held at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, during the COVID-19 pandemic — when he scored 57 points against the Denver Nuggets. That remains a Jazz playoff record and the third-highest-scoring performance in NBA postseason history.
Cleveland acquired Mitchell from Utah in September 2022.
Mitchell came into the game averaging 33.2 points in series openers, second-highest in NBA history for a player who has taken part in at least 10 postseason series. His playoff average of 27.8 points is seventh-best among players with at least 50 games.
___
AP NBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nba">https://apnews.com/hub/nba</a>
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CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 04: Aaron Nesmith #23 of the Indiana Pacers guards Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter of game one of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Rocket Arena on May 04, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Cavs' Mitchell breaks Jordan's record with 8th straight 30-point game in playoff opener

CLEVELAND (AP) — Tyrese Haliburton hardly resembled the player whose peers have deemed him overra...

CLEVELAND (AP) — Tyrese Haliburton hardly resembled the player whose peers have deemed him overrated.The dynamic Indiana point guard scored 22 points — including a go-ahead 3-pointer midway through the fourth quarter — had 13 assists and made crucial defensive plays that propelled the Pacers to a 121-112 victory over the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.“We’re definitely the heavy underdog, but we’re trying to control what we can," said Haliburton, who was voted the NBA's most overrated player in a recent <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6300950/2025/04/23/tyrese-haliburton-nba-most-overrated-player-poll/">anonymous player survey</a> by The Athletic. "It gives us a lot of momentum for sure, but this is the best team in our conference. They don’t lose much.”<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>About the only thing Haliburton didn't do well was shoot 3-pointers. On a night when the fourth-seeded Pacers were 19 of 36 from beyond the arc, Haliburton was 2 of 6. But the second one ended up being decisive.The Cavs went ahead 102-101 on a free throw by Max Strus before Haliburton’s 3 ignited a 15-4 run.Andrew Nembhard scored 23 points and made two of his five 3-pointers during the four-minute stretch when the Pacers pulled away.“We had an exceptionally good shot-making night, but the key word is aggression. We’ve got to be in attack mode to beat this team," Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said.All five Indiana starters scored in double figures. Aaron Nesmith and Pascal Siakam had 17 points apiece.Haliburton's standout defensive plays included blocking a 3-point attempt by Strus with 2:12 left and converting it into a layup for a 10-point lead. His assists led to 34 points, including eight 3-pointers.Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 33 points and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-playoffs-cavaliers-donovan-mitchell-d1271293a218d5809212b5094b73afcd">broke Michael Jordan’s NBA playoff record</a> with his eighth straight game of at least 30 points in a series opener.Evan Mobley added 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who were without point guard Darius Garland for the third straight playoff game due to a sprained left big toe.Besides struggling with Indiana’s pace, Cleveland was done in by poor 3-point shooting. The Cavs were second in the NBA during the regular season with 15.9 3s per game, but went 9 of 38. The 23.7% rate was their second-worst of the season.“We missed a lot of good looks, and then when you miss shots, that’s when they get going in transition,” said Mitchell, who was 1 of 11 on 3-pointers. “The biggest thing is, when the shots aren’t falling, how do you respond? But when a team like this runs like that, it makes it tough.”Cleveland rarely trailed in its first-round sweep of the Miami Heat that included a 55-point victory in Game 4.Coach Kenny Atkinson was worried about Indiana's pace coming into the series. He's hoping his team can find ways to control the flow during Game 2 on Tuesday night.“I don’t feel like we had the rhythm of the game. We have to move forward,” Atkinson said. “The positive is we got accustomed to how they were playing. We’ll figure out the 3-point shooting.”Indiana had a 12-point lead in the third quarter before Cleveland rallied. The Cavs grabbed the lead in the fourth, but couldn't hang on and close it out.“I thought we did a good job when that ‘Cavalanche’ was on the way. We did a great job of weathering that," Haliburton said.___AP NBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nba">https://apnews.com/hub/nba</a>

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 4: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers drives to the basket during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Round 2 Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2025 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

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Pacers' balanced attack keys Game 1 win over Cavs

CHICAGO (AP) — Thirty months after his last appearance, Lance McCullers Jr. finally made it back ...

CHICAGO (AP) — Thirty months after his last appearance, Lance McCullers Jr. finally made it back to the mound in a major league game.The 31-year-old McCullers started Sunday for the Houston Astros and threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings in his first outing since Game 3 of the 2022 World Series in Philadelphia. McCullers had surgery in June 2023 to repair his right flexor tendon and to remove a bone spur. Then he was shut down after a setback last year.He kept the Chicago White Sox off the scoreboard in his first game back, allowing three hits and three walks with four strikeouts. The Astros <a href="https://apnews.com/article/astros-white-sox-score-3697873049fa10f5f9eb72910e8802de">lost 5-4</a> in a game shortened to seven innings by rain.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"I was happy with the overall stuff. Physically, I felt strong through the game," McCullers told reporters. "Very grateful to just be back out with the team and be an active member."McCullers stranded runners on second and third in the first inning and pitched out of a bases-loaded situation in the second. After a 1-2-3 third, he got two outs in the fourth but also allowed a double and a walk. He was taken out after 87 pitches. "A lot of foul balls, a lot of high-stress moments there, but I think he pitched out of them," Espada said. "So he'll get ready for the next one."McCullers is 49-32 with a 3.46 ERA in his career, which has been entirely with Houston. He went 13-5 with a 3.16 ERA in 2021, the last time he pitched anything resembling a full season.If he can regain that level, the right-hander can obviously help the Astros."It has been a very long road for me. It's been a grind to get back to this point," McCullers said. "I know that I have to do a better job of controlling the pitch count and getting quick outs and things like that, but from where I've come from over the last couple years, especially where I was early this offseason, I would lie to you guys if I didn't say I was pretty proud of myself."___AP MLB: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mlb">https://apnews.com/hub/mlb</a>

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 04: Lance McCullers Jr. #43 of the Houston Astros delivers a pitch during an MLB game against the Chicago White Sox on May 4, 2025 at Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois

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