National Sports - The Morning Sun

Rafael Nadal, of Spain, attends a press conference at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Wednesday, May 8, 2024.(AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Nadal's clay game is rounding into form just in time for the French Open. 'Things are happening.'

Rafael Nadal’s clay-court form is slowly rounding into shape. Not that nearly invincible shape that the tennis world grew accustomed to over the past two decades. But a shape that the 22-time Grand … more

By ANDREW DAMPF | 5/8/24

Borussia Dortmund players celebrate at the end of the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France, Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

'Enjoy your vacation.' Borussia Dortmund makes fun of PSG after reaching Champions League final

After beating Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Borussia Dortmund got the better of the French club on social media as well. Dortmund celebrated Tuesday's semifinal win by rubbing a bit of … more

5/8/24

FILE - Las Vegas Aces' A'ja Wilson holds up the championship trophy as she celebrates with her team their win in the WNBA basketball finals against the Connecticut Sun, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Uncasville, Conn. The two-time defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces are favored to win the title again. They return their core four players to the roster from a team that became the first in more than 20 years to repeat as champions. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)

A'ja Wilson, Becky Hammon and 'resilient' Las Vegas Aces favored to win third WNBA title in a row

A'ja Wilson and the “resilient” Las Vegas Aces are healthy and and ready to defend their WNBA crown. They became the first team since the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001-02 to win consecutive titles … more

By MARK ANDERSON | 5/8/24

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrates in front of right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) and Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (4) after scoring a goal in the third period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series in Dallas, Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Avalanche got legs under them in another comeback to beat fading Stars in 2nd-round opener

The Colorado Avalanche had gone a full week since wrapping up their first-round series, and were down three goals in the first period on the road against the top-seeded team. But once league MVP … more

By STEPHEN HAWKINS | 5/8/24

FILE - The tournament trophy is displayed on the pitch before the Women's World Cup soccer final between Spain and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, on Aug. 20, 2023. Brazil's bid for the 2027 Women's World Cup was ranked higher than the bid submitted by Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium in an evaluation report released by FIFA on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, File)

FIFA report rates Brazil bid higher than Germany/Netherlands/Belgium to host 2027 Women's World Cup

Brazil’s bid for the 2027 Women’s World Cup has been ranked higher than the bid submitted by Germany, Netherlands and Belgium in an evaluation report released by FIFA. The FIFA Congress is set to … more

By ANNE M. PETERSON | 5/8/24

New York Rangers left wing Alexis Lafrenière (13) and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brent Burns (8) vie for the puck during the second period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Hurricanes shut down on power play again, fall into 0-2 series hole against Rangers

The Carolina Hurricanes had the NHL’s second-best power play during the regular season. They’ve been shut down by the New York Rangers and that’s been the difference in their second-round … more

By VIN A. CHERWOO | 5/8/24

Colorado Avalanche left wing Miles Wood (28) is lifted off the ice by Nathan MacKinnon (29), Ross Colton (20) and Casey Mittelstadt (37) after Wood scored in overtime of Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the Dallas Stars in Dallas, Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Cale Makar (8) and Justus Annunen (60) look on at the celebration. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Wood scores 11:03 in OT as Avalanche finish off 3-goal comeback to beat Stars 4-3 to open 2nd round

Miles Wood scored on a backhander 11:03 into overtime into overtime and the Colorado Avalanche, after trailing by three goals in the first period, beat the top-seeded Dallas Stars 4-3 in the opener … more

By STEPHEN HAWKINS | 5/8/24

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) works the floor against Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Gilgeous-Alexander has 29 points to help Thunder roll past Mavericks in Game 1 of West semifinals

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points to help the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder defeat the Dallas Mavericks 117-95 in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series. Chet Holmgren added 19 … more

By CLIFF BRUNT | 5/8/24

New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brady Skjei (76) fight for the puck during the third period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Trocheck's power-play goal lifts Rangers to 4-3 win over Hurricanes in 2OT for 2-0 series lead

Vincent Trocheck scored a power-play goal off a rebound at 7:24 of the second overtime to give the New York Rangers a 4-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes for a 2-0 lead in their second-round playoff … more

By VIN A. CHERWOO | 5/7/24

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) shoots as Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell defends during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Brown, White lead Celtics' 3-point onslaught, powering Boston to 120-95 Game 1 win over Cavaliers

Jaylen Brown scored 32 points and the Boston Celtics powered past the Cleveland Cavaliers 120-95 in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series. Derrick White added 25 points, including 7 3-pointers … more

By KYLE HIGHTOWER | 5/7/24

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras, left, is helped off the field by trainer Adam Olsen, right, after being injured during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in St. Louis. Contreras left the game. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras departs with left forearm fracture

Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras broke his left forearm when he was hit by a swing during their game against the New York Mets. Contreras got hurt with J.D. Martinez at the plate in the second … more

5/7/24

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, front left, loses control of the ball as Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson, front right, and center Karl-Anthony Towns defend in the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Monday, May 6, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Jamal Murray fined $100,000 for tossing objects onto court during Nuggets' loss to Timberwolves

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray has been fined $100,000 by the NBA but avoided a suspension for what the league described as “throwing multiple objects in the direction of a game official during … more

By ARNIE STAPLETON | 5/7/24

FILE - Boston University's Macklin Celebrini looks to pass the puck against Rochester during an NCAA men's college hockey tournament regional game March 28, 2024, in Sioux Falls, S.D. The San Jose Sharks, who won the NHL draft lottery, are projected to select Celebrini, who is considered this year's top prospect, and ranked first among North American skaters by the NHL's Central Scouting. (AP Photo/Josh Jurgens, File)

The San Jose Sharks win the NHL draft lottery and right to No. 1 pick for 1st time in team history

The San Jose Sharks won the draft lottery and earned the right to have the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft for the first time in franchise history. The Sharks finished last in the overall standings and … more

By JOHN WAWROW | 5/7/24

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, left, goes up to block a shot by Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, as Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) looks on in the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Rudy Gobert wins record-tying 4th Defensive Player of the Year award. Victor Wembanyama finishes 2nd

Rudy Gobert made some history. Victor Wembanyama nearly did. Gobert, the Minnesota center, was announced Tuesday night as the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year for a record-tying fourth time. He … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 5/7/24

Toronto players take part in a huddle for their last home game before the PWHL hockey playoffs start as they play Ottawa in Toronto, Sunday May 5, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

PWHL Playoffs: Women's hockey takes center stage in Toronto while Knight and Poulin renew rivalry

With the NHL Maple Leafs' latest one-and-done playoff collapse, women's hockey takes center stage in Toronto as the city's PWHL franchise faces Minnesota in a best-of-five semifinal series opening … more

By JOHN WAWROW | 5/7/24

FILE - Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) runs after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Dec. 23, 2023. The Tennessee Titans have bolstered their wide receiving corps by reuniting first-year coach Brian Callahan with someone he knows very well in Boyd, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

The Titans bolster wide receiving group by adding Tyler Boyd, AP source says

A person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the Tennessee Titans have bolstered their wide receiving group by agreeing to terms with Tyler Boyd. That reunites the … more

By TERESA M. WALKER | 5/7/24

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) and head coach Christine Sides, center right, react after a play during the second half of an WNBA basketball game against the Dallas Wings in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Sparks move home game against Caitlin Clark and Indiana from Long Beach to downtown Los Angeles

Caitlin Clark’s first WNBA game in Los Angeles is being moved to a bigger stage. The Los Angeles Sparks say their home game against Clark and the Indiana Fever on May 24 is being moved from Walter … more

5/7/24

Boston Bruins goaltenders Jeremy Swayman, left, Linus Ullmark celebrate after the Bruins beat the Florida Panthers 5-1 in Game 1 of the second-round series of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Monday, May 6, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Bruins-Panthers getting set for Game 2. Canucks-Oilers ready to open their series

The season for the Florida Panthers cannot end on Wednesday night. It’s not an elimination game, the Boston Bruins cannot close them out and no matter what happens there’s a flight to … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 5/7/24

FILE - Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws downfield during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in Cincinnati. The success stories are the reason why teams keep coming back hoping to get their franchise-lifting quarterback success story like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson or Joe Burrow.(AP Photo/Zach Bolinger, File)

Joe Burrow is throwing again as the Bengals' franchise QB rehabs his surgically repaired wrist

Quarterback Joe Burrow threw some crisp passes on the first day of offseason workouts and says rehabbing his surgically repaired right wrist is still a work in progress. He was cleared to throw about … more

By MITCH STACY | 5/7/24

FILE - Josh Wander, CEO of the 777 Partners Group, speaks at a press conference on the entry as new investor for Bundesliga soccer club Hertha BSC in Berlin, Germany, Monday, March 13, 2023. An Australian airline grounded. A lawsuit in a federal court in New York alleging $600 million fraud. A long-stalled bid to buy English Premier League soccer club Everton. These are troubled times for Miami-based investment group 777 Partners, one of the wave of United States owners in European soccer, bringing more anxiety for fans of its teams in several countries. On Tuesday, May 7, 2024, financial administrators of the collapsed 777-owned Australian airline Bonza confirmed all flights are canceled for one more week. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP, file)

Scrutiny of Everton's prospective buyer intensifies after airline collapse and New York fraud case

A grounded airline in Australia. A lawsuit in a New York federal court alleging fraud in connection to a $600 million loan. And angry soccer fans in England resisting a takeover of Premier League … more

By GRAHAM DUNBAR | 5/7/24