Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.

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UPCOMING

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HKN--FACEOFF

DESCRIPTION: Mikko Rantanen and the Dallas Stars look for a 3-1 series lead before their second-round series switches back to Winnipeg. By Stephen Hawkins. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 05/12/2025 4:30 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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HKO--WORLDS

DESCRIPTION: The United States meets last year’s runner-up Switzerland at the ice hockey world championship while defending champion Czech Republic faces Denmark. Also, Sweden plays rival Finland and Austria takes on Slovakia.

UPCOMING: By 05/12/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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BKL--STORM-SAMUELSON

DESCRIPTION: SEATTLE — Storm forward Katie Lou Samuelson addresses the media for the first time since sustaining a season-ending ACL tear in her right knee. By Andrew Destin. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. News conference starts at roughly 3:30 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 05/12/2025 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--MOST IMPROVED TEAMS

DESCRIPTION: Spring is the time of optimism in the NFL with most teams hopeful that the moves made this offseason will lead to success in the fall. Since the start of the league year in March, teams have doled out billions of dollars in free agent contracts, drafted 257 players and made scores of trades to upgrade their rosters. With most of the major work by teams this offseason mostly complete, here are some of the teams that made the biggest improvements headed into the 2025 season. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. UPCOMING: 900 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 05/12/2025 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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HKN--CAPITALS-HURRICANES

DESCRIPTION: RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals meet in Game 4 of their second-round playoff series. The Hurricanes lead 2-1. By Aaron Beard. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game starts at 7 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 05/12/2025 10:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BBO--PIRATES-METS

DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK — Paul Skenes is scheduled to pitch for the Pittsburgh Pirates against Juan Soto and the New York Mets in a series opener at Citi Field. By Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos. Game starts at 7:10 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 05/12/2025 10:10 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKN--NBA PLAYOFF COVERAGE

FORMATS: Photo, Text

1. WITH: BKN--TIMBERWOLVES-WARRIORS

2. DESCRIPTION: SAN FRANCISCO — Playing without the injured Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors try to pull even with Minnesota in Game 4. By Janie McCauley. UPCOMING: 450 words, photos. Game starts at 10 p.m. EDT

3. UPCOMING: By 05/12/2025 11:59 p.m. EDT

4. WITH: BKN--CELTICS-KNICKS

5. DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK — The Boston Celtics can tie an Eastern Conference semifinal series in which the road team has won every game when they face the New York Knicks in Game 4. By Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney. UPCOMING: 450 words, photos. Game starts at 7:30 p.m.

6. UPCOMING: By 05/12/2025 10:30 p.m. EDT

7. WITH: BKN--NBA TIPOFF

8. DESCRIPTION: OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers, the top seeds in each conference, have found the going much tougher in the conference semifinals after first-round sweeps. Indiana has put Cleveland on the brink of elimination, taking a 3-1 lead into Game 5. Oklahoma City just evened its series with Denver and needs a win Tuesday to maintain home-court advantage. By Cliff Brunt. UPCOMING: 550 words, photos.

9. UPCOMING: By 05/12/2025 7:00 p.m. EDT.

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HKN--GOLDEN KNIGHTS-OILERS

DESCRIPTION: EDMONTON, Alberta — The Vegas Golden Knights try to pull even with the Edmonton Oilers in Game 4 of their second-round playoff series. UPCOMING: 450 words, photos. Game starts at 9:30 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 05/12/2025 11:59 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKL--TOYOTA ANTELOPES-LIBERTY

DESCRIPTION: EUGENE, Ore. — Sabrina Ionescu and the New York Liberty close out the WNBA preseason schedule when the team goes to Oregon to play at her alma mater against a Japanese team, the Toyota Antelopes. It will be the fourth game in which WNBA stars have returned to their college campuses, including Angel Reese at LSU, Caitlin Clark at Iowa and a trio of former Notre Dame stars at South Bend, Indiana. By Anne M. Peterson. UPCOMING: 600 words developing from 10 p.m. EDT start.

UPCOMING: By 05/12/2025 11:59 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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SOC--BRAZIL-ANCELOTTI

Brazil signs Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti one year before 2026 World Cup

SUMMARY: Brazil’s soccer confederation has said it has a deal with Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti to lead the national team at the 2026 World Cup. The 65-year-old Italian has yet to talk about the deal. He will be Brazil’s first full-time foreign coach in a century. Ancelotti is still under contract with Madrid to next year. The last round of La Liga is on May 25. The CBF says Ancelotti will officially take over Brazil the following day. Brazil’s next two fixtures in South American World Cup qualifying will be at Ecuador and against Paraguay in June.

WORDS: 923 - MOVED: 05/12/2025 1:31 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dcef9294d45059d1219f7bd90b8bc781&mediaType=text

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RAC--JUNIOR ALVARADO FINED

Junior Alvarado considering appeal of fine and suspension for excessive whip usage in Kentucky Derby

SUMMARY: Jockey Junior Alvarado is considering appealing a fine and suspension for using his whip eight times on Sovereignty in winning the Kentucky Derby. He was fined $62,000 and suspended two days by the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority. Their rules allow a rider to use a whip six times in a race. Alvarado has 10 days to inform HISA if he plans to appeal. He says he didn’t abuse Sovereignty and the punishment doesn’t fit the crime because he doesn’t think there was any crime.

WORDS: 281 - MOVED: 05/12/2025 1:17 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5b64533c3fbfad2dc354dc2f33324f8e&mediaType=text

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US--NCAA SETTLEMENT-ATHLETE OPTIONS

Contracts? Buyouts? Study at 1 school, play for another? Ambitious pitches to revamp college sports

SUMMARY: With so much change in college athletics, a number of unusual ideas have been proposed in an effort to corral the chaos. Some of the topics include making athletes employees of their schools and revamped contracts that include not only buyouts but incentives to stay. One coach suggested two-way contracts to give athletes a chance to improve at a lower-profile school. In Division III, a pilot program this fall will allow athletes to complete coursework at one institution while competing for another.

WORDS: 995 - MOVED: 05/12/2025 1:04 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5f7008a63c974ec1a3b09e9f99ed12b9&mediaType=text

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TEN--ITALIAN OPEN

Jannik Sinner overcomes ‘big drop’ in level in 2nd match back from doping ban at Italian Open

SUMMARY: Top-ranked Jannik Sinner overcame a brief lapse during the first set of a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Dutch qualifier Jesper De Jong in his second match back on tour in front of his home crowd at the Italian Open. Sinner jumped out to a 4-1 lead but then lost his serve twice as the 93rd-ranked De Jong evened the set at 4-4. But Sinner found a way to regain control and reach the last 16. He also extended his winning streak to 23 matches. Coco Gauff routed Emma Raducanu 6-1, 6-2 in a matchup of former U.S. Open champions.

WORDS: 764 - MOVED: 05/12/2025 12:42 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:369541bf8aee1567d92f9df71624623f&mediaType=text

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BBO--ROCKIES-A NEW CHAPTER

Rockies chart a new course under a new manager after one of worst starts in major league history

SUMMARY: The Colorado Rockies are off to a 7-33 start, one of the worst in major league history. That led to the firing Sunday of manager Bud Black. Now, it’s Warren Schaeffer’s turn to navigate the Rockies away from a season that’s careening toward infamy. The Rockies have the worst start since the 1988 Baltimore Orioles began 6-34. Colorado is on pace for 134 losses a season after the Chicago White Sox went 41-121, the worst since baseball adopted a 162-game schedule in 1961. Promoted from third-base coach to interim manager, Schaeffer inherits a team that’s second-to-last in runs despite playing home games at hitter friendly Coors Field. The pitching staff has surrendered the most runs in the big leagues and fanned the least amount of batters.

WORDS: 849 - MOVED: 05/12/2025 12:40 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c91a72415edd42a3eba27da9af005e21&mediaType=text

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BKN--JORDAN-NBC

Michael Jordan is joining NBC as a special contributor for its NBA coverage

SUMMARY: Michael Jordan is joining NBC Sports as a special contributor to its NBA coverage when the 2025-26 season begins. NBC made the announcement on Monday morning during its upfront presentation at Radio City Music Hall previewing the networks offerings during the upcoming television season. NBC returns to carrying the NBA after a 23-year absence. It had NBA rights from 1990 through 2002 and carried all six of Jordan’s championships as a member of the Chicago Bulls. This is the first time Jordan has joined a network. His appearances and comments during the 2020 “The Last Dance” documentary about his career and the end of the Bulls dynasty in 1998 created plenty of headlines.

WORDS: 252 - MOVED: 05/12/2025 12:25 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3bef40b11f8015de827a87162c06f5c5&mediaType=text

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FBN--NFL SCHEDULE

Eagles get rival Cowboys for NFL regular-season opener on Sept. 4

SUMMARY: The Philadelphia Eagles will start defending their championship at home on Sept. 4 against the division rival Dallas Cowboys. The matchup for the annual regular-season kickoff game was revealed by the NFL in the first in a series of announcements of notable games this week ahead of the full schedule release. The Cowboys-Eagles matchup will be on Thursday night in the first game in NBC’s package of primarily Sunday night games. Will be updated.

WORDS: 360 - MOVED: 05/12/2025 12:08 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a484d952ba31c6eb80e8c5af46859ad9&mediaType=text

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BKN--CAVALIERS-MITCHELL

Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell to get MRI of ankle he injured in Game 4 of Eastern semis against Pacers

SUMMARY: Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell was set to have an MRI of the ankle that he injured in a Game 4 blowout loss to the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the playoffs. Mitchell did not play in the second half. He appeared to experience pain while warming up during halftime. He finished with 12 points in 20 minutes as the Cavs trailed 80-39 at halftime and lost 129-109. Coach Kenny Atkinson said after the game Sunday night that Mitchell would have an MRI of his left ankle Monday. The No. 4-seeded Pacers, up in the series 3-1, can close it out Tuesday in Cleveland.

WORDS: 124 - MOVED: 05/12/2025 10:53 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2190cfffe012f68c58586b9f6128df59&mediaType=text

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BKN--THUNDER-GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to be a model of emotionless consistency for the Thunder

SUMMARY: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is mostly an expressionless, seemingly emotionless model of consistency. Whether Oklahoma City’s superstar guard has an off night or scores 50 points, the cool Canadian sticks to the script. He says he’s not an all-time great yet, but Gilgeous-Alexander seems to be on his way to greatness. The MVP finalist led the league in scoring and helped the Thunder win a league-high 68 games this season, earning respect from teammates and opponents alike. He’ll need to summon all his skills to help the Thunder get past Denver.

WORDS: 968 - MOVED: 05/12/2025 9:41 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fd9c06b2723d979b4bc6129d99ab70e6&mediaType=text

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CAR--NASCAR-LARSON

NASCAR star Kyle Larson is ready to focus on the Indianapolis 500 — after a sprint car race

SUMMARY: NASCAR star Kyle Larson is ready to take another shot at “the Double,” running every lap of the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day Memorial Day weekend. At least, he will be ready after squeezing in one more sprint car race on Monday night in Indiana. Larson won his third Cup Series race of the season on Sunday at Kansas Speedway, then flew that night to Indianapolis. But with practice for the 500 not starting until Tuesday, he figured he might as well head to Kokoma for a High Limit Racing series race first.

WORDS: 921 - MOVED: 05/12/2025 8:45 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1664db03f2944fbfb6323a42ee143db6&mediaType=text

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BKN--DRAFT LOTTERY

The NBA draft lottery: 14 ping-pong balls, and the right to pick No. 1 overall on the line

SUMMARY: Sometime around 6 p.m. EDT Monday, locked inside a secure room with no way of communicating with the outside world, team executives and others will watch 14 ping-pong balls start to bounce inside a machine. The balls will be numbered, 1 through 14. One will be drawn, then a second, then a third, then a fourth. And with that, the people inside that room will find out, an hour or so before the rest of the world, which team won the No. 1 pick in next month’s NBA draft. The NBA draft lottery is Monday night in Chicago, with the winner getting the chance to pick No. 1 overall. Will be updated from 7 p.m. EDT start of lottery.

WORDS: 639 - MOVED: 05/12/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9dc3a5cffa5bf4c9b15e3222fb661c88&mediaType=text

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BBO--THIS WEEK IN BASEBALL

The White Sox lost 121 games last season. This year’s Rockies have been worse so far

SUMMARY: When the Chicago White Sox set the modern record of 121 losses last year, they were outscored by 306 runs over the whole season. Colorado has played less than a fourth of the 2025 campaign so far. And the Rockies are already at minus-128. Last year’s White Sox were 12-28 after 40 games. This year’s Rockies are 7-33. On Saturday, Colorado lost 21-0 to San Diego. Even after rebounding with a win Sunday, the Rockies fired manager Bud Black. It remains to be seen if Colorado stays bad enough to challenge Chicago’s loss total from a year ago. But so far the Rockies have been worse than the White Sox were.

WORDS: 692 - MOVED: 05/12/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:304acbc85277c7184fcafe05b1b98ebc&mediaType=text

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CRI--INDIA-KOHLI RETIRES

India great Virat Kohli retires from test cricket

SUMMARY: India great Virat Kohli has retired from test cricket after playing 123 matches in his glorious 14-year red-ball career. Kohli’s retirement from the sport’s traditional format comes only days after fellow veteran Rohit Sharma stepped down from test cricket. Kohli scored 9,230 runs with 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries at an average of 46.85. He also led India in 68 test matches and was India’s most successful captain with 40 test wins.

WORDS: 644 - MOVED: 05/12/2025 5:22 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2006724feec46a863ad46a6d233144b8&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

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HKN--NHL PLAYOFF COVERAGE

Coverage of the NHL postseason.

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BKN--NBA PLAYOFF COVERAGE

Coverage of the NBA postseason.