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--NHL PLAYOFFS COVERAGE
FORMATS: Photo, Text
WITH: HKN--HURRICANES-FLYERSDESCRIPTION: PHILADELPHIA -- Carolina plays the Flyers in Game 3, looking to go up 3-0 in their second-round playoff series. By Dan Gelston. Game starts at 8 p.m. Text, photos.
UPCOMING: By 05/07/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT
WITH: HKN--FACEOFFDESCRIPTION: ANAHEIM, Calif. —
UPCOMING: By 05/07/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT
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BKN-NBA PLAYOFF COVERAGE
FORMATS: Photo, Text
WITH: BKN-NBA PLAYOFF COVERAGEDESCRIPTION: Coverage of the NBA playoffs
UPCOMING: By 05/07/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT
WITH: BKN--CAVALIERS-PISTONSDESCRIPTION: The Detroit Pistons host the Cleveland Cavaliers, shooting for a 2-0 lead in their second-round series. By Larry Lage. 400 words, photos, more on merits. Game starts 7 p.m. EDT.
UPCOMING: By 05/07/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT
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BOX--WARDLEY-DUBOIS PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley faces Daniel Dubois on Saturday. Upcoming: 600 words; photos.
UPCOMING: By 05/07/2026 4:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text
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SOC--WCUP-INJURED LIST
DESCRIPTION: Eder Militao, Xavi Simons and Hugo Ekitike are just a few of the names on a growing list of injured players who will miss the World Cup. By James Robson. 700 words. With photos.
UPCOMING: By 05/07/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text
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BKL--WNBA-CBA EFFECT
DESCRIPTION: The WNBA’s new CBA has the potential to ripple across women’s sports, offering a blueprint for how emerging leagues can approach pay, investment, and long-term growth. As newer leagues take shape, many can look to the WNBA’s model as it begins its 30th season. By Alanis Thames. 700 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 05/07/2026 12:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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SOC--AFGHANISTAN REFUGEE TEAM
DESCRIPTION: For former player and activist Khalida Popal, the formal recognition of an Afghanistan women’s refugee team on the international stage isn’t just about soccer. Popal was one of the founding members of the Afghanistan national team, which fought for acceptance before the Taliban’s rise prohibited women from playing sports. Later, she was instrumental in helping players flee the country in 2021 when Kabul fell. By Anne M. Peterson.
UPCOMING: By 05/07/2026 3:30 p.m. EDT, Text
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SOC--EUROPEAN ROUNDUP
DESCRIPTION: Nottingham Forest visits Aston Villa with a 1-0 advantage to defend in the second leg of their all-English Europa League semifinals. Also, Freiburg needs to overcome a 2-1 deficit from the first leg at Braga to reach its first European final.
UPCOMING: By 05/07/2026 5:15 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text
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GLF--TRUIST CHAMPIONSHIP
DESCRIPTION: Rory McIlroy returns for his first tournament since the Masters at the Truist Championshi at Quail Hollow. Rain is expected on the first day of the tournament. By Steve Reed. UPCOMING. 600 words, photos. Approximately 7 p.m. ET --Breakouts on merit
UPCOMING: By 05/07/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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BKC--ARIZONA ST-BENNETT’S RETURN
DESCRIPTION: TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State basketball coach Randy Bennett had to delay starting his new job due to an unexpected medical issue. He’s since been cleared and has already pulled in one of the Big 12’s best transfer classes. By John Marshall. 600 words, photos by 4 p.m. PT.
UPCOMING: By 05/07/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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FBN--CARDINALS-BECK
DESCRIPTION: The Arizona Cardinals introduce several rookies on Thursday, including quarterback Carson Beck, who was selected in the third round after a stellar college career at Georgia and Miami. By David Brandt. 500 words, photos by 5 p.m. PT.
UPCOMING: By 05/07/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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BKN--TIMBERWOLVES-SPURS
Wembanyama and Spurs rebound to hand Timberwolves largest postseason defeat, 133-95, to even series
SUMMARY: Victor Wembanyama had 19 points and 15 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs handed Minnesota the worst postseason loss in franchise history, beating the Timberwolves 133-95 to even their Western Conference semifinal series at one game apiece. Stephon Castle had 21 points and De’Aaron Fox added 16 points for San Antonio, which shot 50% from the field and 41% on 3-pointers. It was the highest-scoring playoff game for the Spurs since a series-clinching 145-105 win over Denver on May 4, 1983. Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels and Terrence Shannon Jr. each scored 12 points for Minnesota.
WORDS: 404 - MOVED: 05/07/2026 12:39 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bd966a53b6943098bf468e2935cdf24d&mediaType=text
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BKN--76ERS-EMBIID OUT
Joel Embiid misses Game 2 and the 76ers miss their big man in the 4th quarter of their loss
SUMMARY: The Philadelphia 76ers put up a good fight without Joel Embiid, though could have used their man in the middle when they struggled to score in the final minutes of Game 2. The 76ers were limited to 12 points in the fourth quarter and lost 108-102 to the New York Knicks on Wednesday night to fall into a 2-0 deficit in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Embiid was ruled out about six hours before the game with a sprained right ankle and a sore right hip. Coach Nick Nurse said Embiid woke up with soreness and was ruled out by the team’s medical staff.
WORDS: 585 - MOVED: 05/06/2026 11:45 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4ee9c6f28b773e0f14a0612bb6a44878&mediaType=text
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HKN--CANADIENS-SABRES
Byram, McLeod score to revive Sabres power play in 4-2 win over Montreal in 2nd round playoff opener
SUMMARY: Bowen Byram and Ryan McLeod scored on consecutive power-play opportunities in reviving Buffalo’s anemic special-teams unit, and the Sabres defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-2 in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series. Josh Doan and Jordan Greenway also scored for Buffalo making its first second-round appearance since 2007, and first overall in 15 years. Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach scored for Montreal, which appeared slow to find its legs three days after defeating Tampa Bay in Game 7 of its first-round series. Jakub Dobes finished with 12 saves. Buffalo hosts Game 2 on Friday night.
WORDS: 748 - MOVED: 05/06/2026 11:28 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:07505d2ce3dc22f774ec18836360a242&mediaType=text
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BKN--76ERS-KNICKS
Jalen Brunson helps the Knicks take a 2-0 lead over the 76ers with a 108-102 victory
SUMMARY: Jalen Brunson scored 26 points and helped New York seize control of a close game after a run of blowouts, leading the Knicks to a 108-102 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers for a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Playing without the injured Joel Embiid, the 76ers put up a far better fight than in the Knicks’ 137-98 romp in Game 1. The game featured 25 lead changes, 14 ties and neither team led by more than seven points. But those kinds of situations are made for Brunson, who made the tiebreaking basket with 5:06 remaining, added another jumper for a 103-99 advantage with 3:45 to play.
WORDS: 577 - MOVED: 05/06/2026 10:59 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4deaf7c4860dec8a87443e1cbb41e4dc&mediaType=text
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FBN--PATRIOTS-MAYE
Patriots QB Drake Maye stands behind coach Mike Vrabel, calling him ‘a great human being’
SUMMARY: New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye called Mike Vrabel “a great human being,” and said he doesn’t think the head coach’s off-field issues will be a distraction for the defending AFC champions this upcoming season. Maye spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday following the Truist Championship Pro-Am in Charlotte in which he was paired with PGA Tour pro Gary Woodland on the back nine at Quail Hollow. Vrabel has found himself entangled in controversy after the New York Post posted pictures of him with longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort. Vrabel said on April 24 that he was taking accountability for his actions without addressing specifics about the published photos. Vrabel missed the third day of the draft to attend counseling.
WORDS: 539 - MOVED: 05/06/2026 7:35 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:01a7fb1d0ccfcebcb50ae275b5bbf88a&mediaType=text
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BKN--LAKERS-DONCIC
Luka Doncic says being injured during Lakers’ playoff run has been ‘very frustrating’
SUMMARY: Luka Doncic says he was given platelet-rich plasma injections in Spain in an effort to speed up his eight-week timeline for return from the hamstring injury that has had him sidelined since April 2. Doncic told reporters Wednesday that the injections required four days of rest in-between each other. Doncic said he’s been running, but he’s yet to reintroduce any contact. He said it has been frustrating to be out. The Lakers lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of their Western Conference Semifinals series 108-90 on Tuesday.
WORDS: 412 - MOVED: 05/06/2026 7:18 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7110602a27715bc2c4281ce8c0fa42a1&mediaType=text
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SOC--CHAMPIONS-LEAGUE-BAYERN-PSG
Paris Saint-Germain returns to Champions League final as Dembélé goal stifles Bayern Munich
SUMMARY: Ousmane Dembélé has scored early and Paris Saint-Germain eliminated Bayern Munich with a 1-1 draw to reach the Champions League final again. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia raced clear after playing a simple one-two with Fabián Ruiz in midfield, then picked out the unmarked Dembélé to sweep the ball in under the crossbar in the third minute of the semifinal second leg. By the time Harry Kane equalized in stoppage time it was too late. The draw gave PSG, the defending champion, a 6-5 win on aggregate after edging their encounter 5-4 in the first leg in Paris last week. PSG will face Arsenal in the final in Budapest, Hungary, on May 30.
WORDS: 617 - MOVED: 05/06/2026 6:36 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6098190c879cbe511be412c983e4710a&mediaType=text
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BBO--TIGERS-VALDEZ
Tigers’ Framber Valdez suspended 5 games by MLB for intentionally throwing at Boston’s Trevor Story
SUMMARY: Detroit Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez was suspended for five games and fined, one day after he was ejected for hitting Boston’s Trevor Story with a pitch during a 10-2 loss in which he allowed a career-high 10 runs. Valdez was at first banned for six games by MLB, which cited him for intentionally throwing a pitch at Story, but the penalty was reduced in an agreement between Major League Baseball and the players’ association. He started serving the penalty during Wednesday night’s series finale and barring rainouts will be eligible to pitch Wednesday at the New York Mets. Detroit already is missing injured starting pitchers Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize and Justin Verlander.
WORDS: 506 - MOVED: 05/06/2026 6:15 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8fda5723999b7beefc94f438921caa24&mediaType=text
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HKN--PLAYOFF OFFICIATING-REPLAY
Does the NHL need more replay reviews for penalties and scrums or would they slow the game?
SUMMARY: Count Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour as a supporter of using more replay reviews to help on-ice officials in the NHL playoffs. Brind’Amour’s Hurricanes are the top seed in the Eastern Conference and facing the Philadelphia Flyers in Round 2. Brind’Amour said the league has “the best” officials but adds they could “use a little hand” with replay assistance in sorting through scrums and other calls sold by embellishment. Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff says he understands Brind’Amour’s thinking but is “not a huge fan of another video review.”
WORDS: 1043 - MOVED: 05/06/2026 6:01 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7c33a555e7f41d427f6f78f6bf1be0b7&mediaType=text
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US--TED TURNER-SPORTS
An outrageous owner and savvy businessman, Ted Turner reshaped the sports world
SUMMARY: Ted Turner was a sportsman and visionary media mogul who transformed the Atlanta Braves into a national sensation. He bought the struggling team in the 1970s, broadcast their games nationwide, and turned them into a World Series mainstay by the 1990s. Turner also owned the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and the NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers. He founded the Goodwill Games, inspired by Olympic boycotts, bringing together athletes from around the world. Turner’s larger-than-life personality and innovative approach set a model for modern sports owners, making him a unique figure in sports and media history.
WORDS: 707 - MOVED: 05/06/2026 5:30 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cba46bb2c5f46e5126b8b0a47263dbc2&mediaType=text
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RAC--GOLDEN TEMPO-PREAKNESS
Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo is not running in the Preakness
SUMMARY: Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo will not run in the Preakness Stakes next weekend. Trainer Cherie DeVaux announced the plan to skip the Preakness and set sights on the Belmont Stakes on June 6 at Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York. Golden Tempo is the third Derby winner in the past five years not to be entered in the Preakness. For various reasons, it is the sixth time in eight years the Preakness will happen with no chance of a Triple Crown on the line. American Pharoah in 2015 and Justify in 2018 are the only horses to sweep all three races over the past four decades.
WORDS: 526 - MOVED: 05/06/2026 3:43 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ab313cdc35383ad3dc9eec0eb2d25cbf&mediaType=text
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GLF--TRUIST CHAMPIONSHIP-MCILROY
A relaxed Rory McIlroy says he’s more motivated than ever after Masters repeat
SUMMARY: Rory McIlroy says he feels more motivated than ever as he prepares for a major stretch of tournaments that includes the PGA Championship and U.S. Open. He’s competing this week in the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow, where he first won on the PGA Tour 16 years ago. McIlroy enjoyed a relaxed break after his second Masters win, spending time with family and avoiding making the media rounds. He returns to Quail Hollow feeling refreshed and ready. McIlroy is the favorite, slightly ahead of Cameron Young, and is excited for the challenges ahead.
WORDS: 801 - MOVED: 05/06/2026 3:09 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:694a4c94dfa8085ed672adbbef76368d&mediaType=text
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BBO--ASTROS-CORREA
Astros star Carlos Correa faces season-ending surgery on a torn tendon in his ankle
SUMMARY: Houston’s Carlos Correa has a torn tendon in his left ankle that will require season-ending surgery. The star infielder gave the update on his injury Wednesday. Correa was injured the day prior while taking swings in the batting cage before a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Correa was on crutches and in a walking boot Wednesday morning at the ballpark after seeing a foot specialist. He said he would seek some other opinions before scheduling the surgery. Correa said the injury was a complete tear and his recovery is expected to take six to eight months.
WORDS: 577 - MOVED: 05/06/2026 3:03 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3c937005b4bb50138909a884c2479893&mediaType=text
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SKI--US SKI TEAM-VONN
Lindsey Vonn nominated to US ski team for next season as she faces long recovery from Olympic crash
SUMMARY: It’s easy to read into Lindsey Vonn being among the 48 athletes nominated to the U.S. Alpine ski team for the upcoming season. For the moment, that’s just a formality based on results. The 41-year-old Vonn is still at least a year and a half — along with an ACL surgery — away from even thinking about returning to the World Cup circuit. She may also retire. Vonn has already undergone eight surgeries since suffering a complex leg fracture in her crash in the women’s downhill race on Feb. 8 at the Milan Cortina Games.
WORDS: 411 - MOVED: 05/06/2026 1:56 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a3d923161c07f961a9ff72cfebf6f60c&mediaType=text
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SOF--HOME RUN CHASE
In a battle like McGwire and Sosa’s ’98 home run chase, Oklahoma, UCLA softball sluggers near record
SUMMARY: College softball is experiencing a home run chase reminiscent of the epic showdown between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa nearly 30 years ago. Laura Espinoza’s 1995 record of 37 homers is under threat. Oklahoma’s Kendall Wells leads with 36, while UCLA teammates Megan Grant and Jordan Woolery have 35 and 33, respectively. Teams are breaking records, with UCLA and Oklahoma each hitting 173 home runs this season. As conference tournaments approach, these players have a chance to make history. The national average of 0.80 home runs per game is set to surpass the 2015 record of 0.77.
WORDS: 655 - MOVED: 05/06/2026 1:52 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b4d564a21953dad91501665adbef47d4&mediaType=text
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