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: Text, Photo

1. WITH: HKN--CANADIENS-HURRICANES

2. DESCRIPTION: The Carolina Hurricanes host the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final. By Aaron Beard. 500 words, photos. Game starts at 8 p.m.

3. UPCOMING: By 05/21/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT

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SOC--WCUP-US-FOX

DESCRIPTION: Former U.S. defender and current Fox analyst Alexi Lalas says the American national team shouldn’t whine about the pressure of playing a World Cup at home. By Ronald Blum. 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 05/21/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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SOC--GERMAN ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Wolfsburg hosts second-division club Paderborn for the first leg of their relegation/promotion playoff to determine which side will play in the Bundesliga next season.

UPCOMING: By 05/21/2026 4:30 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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MOT--ROCZEN’S RIDE

DESCRIPTION: Ken Roczen had to overcome two devasting injuries and his team manager missed most of the season while undergoing cancer treatments. The 32-year-old’s ride to becoming the oldest Supercross champion played out like a movie script and ended up being one of the greatest moments in his sport’s history. By John Marshall. 700 words, photos by 2 p.m. PT.

UPCOMING: By 05/21/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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HKO--WORLDS

DESCRIPTION: A daily roundup of matches at the hockey world championship in Switzerland.

UPCOMING: By 05/21/2026 5:15 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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BKN--NBA PLAYOFF COVERAGE

FORMATS: Text, Photo

4. WITH: BKN--NBA PLAYOFF COVERAGE

5. DESCRIPTION: Coverage of the NBA conference finals

6. UPCOMING: By 05/21/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT

7. WITH: BKN--THUNDER-SPURS-PHYSICALITY

8. DESCRIPTION: De’Aaron Fox was hurt coming into the series. Dylan Harper got hurt in Game 2 for the Spurs. Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell got hurt for the Thunder on Wednesday as well. Only two games in, and the Western Conference finals between San Antonio and Oklahoma City is already rough-and-tumble. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. Text, photos.

9. UPCOMING: By 05/21/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT

10. WITH: BKN--CAVALIERS-KNICKS

11. DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK -- The New York Knicks, after rallying from a 22-point deficit in Game 1, try to take a 2-0 lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals.

12. UPCOMING: By 05/21/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT

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FBN--RAIDERS-JEANTY

DESCRIPTION: Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty heads into his second season knowing much of the focus remains on him after an up-and-down rookie year.

UPCOMING: By 05/21/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--TITANS-OTA

DESCRIPTION: The Tennessee Titan take the field Thursday for their first open offseason session under new coach Robert Saleh. By Pro Football Writer Teresa M. Walker.

UPCOMING: By 05/21/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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GLF--BYRON NELSON

DESCRIPTION: McKINNEY, Texas — Defending champion Scottie Scheffler tees off early in the first round of his hometown CJ Cup Byron Nelson. The four-time major champion was 31 under in an eight-shot victory a year ago. By Schuyler Dixon.

UPCOMING: By 05/21/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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BBO--ATHLETICS-STADIUM

DESCRIPTION: Athletics representatives update the Las Vegas Stadium Authority on progress of the stadium that is scheduled to open before the 2028 season.

UPCOMING: By 05/21/2026 9:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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US—OBIT-FENDRICH

Howard Fendrich, a national sports writer for The Associated Press whose persistent reporting and detail-rich prose brought readers inside dozens of taut Grand Slam tennis finals, record-breaking Olympic moments and harrowing trips down Alpine ski slopes, has died. He was 55.

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CAR--NASCAR-KYLE BUSCH HOSPITALIZED

2-time NASCAR champion Kyle Busch hospitalized with severe illness, family says

SUMMARY: Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch has been hospitalized with a severe illness and won’t compete at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend. His family said in a statement Thursday he is currently undergoing treatment and “we ask for understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation.” Busch ranks 24th in the Cup Series standings, with two top-10 finishes in 12 races this season. The 41-year-old driver won championships in 2015 and 2019. Busch is in his fourth season at Richard Childress Racing after winning titles with Joe Gibbs Racing. Austin Hill will replace Busch on Sunday.

WORDS: 523 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 1:30 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ce84367f25bd5bd04234f60292fde64f&mediaType=text

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FBN--EAGLES-SMITH ARREST

Eagles’ Nolan Smith Jr. arrested for driving nearly double the speed limit in Georgia

SUMMARY: Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Nolan Smith Jr. was arrested in Georgia last week on suspicion of speeding and reckless driving. The Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office said Smith was arrested May 15 for driving 135 mph in a 70 mph zone. He posted bond and was released. Smith played at Georgia. He was selected by the Eagles with the 30th pick in the 2023 NFL draft. Philadelphia begins organized team activities Tuesday. A sheriff’s office representative said Smith will not need to appear in court if he pays his fines. Smith is the latest former or current Georgia player to be arrested for driving offenses.

WORDS: 274 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 12:56 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9e09f2e7849b1775e2d03c9a9facbaad&mediaType=text

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US--SOC-WCUP-NYC TICKETS

New York City residents will get a chance to purchase $50 World Cup tickets

SUMMARY: Some lucky New York City residents will soon get a chance to snag cheap seats to this summer’s high-priced World Cup. Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Thursday that 1,000 tickets costing $50 will be made available to residents of the city of more than 8 million for the most watched sporting event in the world. The tickets will be available for all games played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, except for the July 19 final. Mamdani said the city would be taking steps to ensure the ones they distribute go to New York City residents and are not resold on the secondary market.

WORDS: 530 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 12:39 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8eac18aa214406fd6fc0eee5bde45282&mediaType=text

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TEN--FRENCH OPEN GUIDE

French Open 2026 guide: How to watch on TV, betting odds and more to know about Roland-Garros

WORDS: 839 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 11:26 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:21a4054ea8eb1be9f5f737af17369e9f&mediaType=text

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OLY--BERLIN BID

Berlin OKs bid to rehost Olympics on or after 100th anniversary of 1936 Games under the Nazis

SUMMARY: Berlin’s state parliament has given the go-ahead for the city’s bid to rehost the Olympic Games on or after the 100th anniversary of the 1936 Games staged by the Nazis. Berlin mayor Kai Wegner says, “Our bid is a genuine promise for future generations.” Wegner’s CDU political party has received support from rival SPD members and the far-right AfD for plans that he first presented in May last year in the same stadium where Jesse Owens defied Adolf Hitler in the 1936 Olympics. Berlin’s senate approved the concept this month for a bid that relies mostly on existing sports facilities and envisages using city landmarks such as the city park at the former airport Tempelhof. The senate estimates the cost at 4.82 billion euros with revenue of 5.24 billion euros projected.

WORDS: 460 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 11:04 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8c99617295ec4a88739b469fd636527c&mediaType=text

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HKN--COGHLAN’S BIG NIGHT

An unlikely hero breaks through as the Golden Knights beat the Avalanche 4-2 in Game 1

SUMMARY: A Western Conference Final loaded with offensive firepower was ignited by the unlikeliest of sparkplugs. Dylan Coghlan’s wrist shot under Scott Wedgewood’s legs ended a scoreless deadlock and helped the Vegas Golden Knights steal home ice from the top-seeded Colorado Avalanche with a 4-2 statement win Wednesday night at Ball Arena. It was Coghlan’s first career playoff goal, his fist score in nearly five years and just his seventh net-finder of his career. Adding to his big night, the 28-year-old defenseman made a terrific breakup of a 3-on-2 breakaway that kept the Avalanche scuffling to find the net themselves. Coghlan had 14 goals in 62 games this season for Henderson in the American Hockey League. He was scoreless in three regular-season games for Vegas.

WORDS: 676 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 10:35 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:13e454592856144b61ad7a63a7092deb&mediaType=text

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TEN--FRENCH OPEN-DRAW

Sinner opens French Open against wild card as he chases a career Grand Slam

SUMMARY: Jannik Sinner is set to begin his quest for a career Grand Slam at the French Open this weekend. He faces French wild card Clement Tabur in the first round. Sinner is the overwhelming favorite on a 29-match winning streak. He has claimed all three clay Masters 1000 titles this year. In the women’s draw Coco Gauff aims to defend her Roland Garros title starting against fellow American Taylor Townsend. Novak Djokovic is chasing an unprecedented 25th major title and faces Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard first. Iga Swiatek, the a four-time champion, opens against Emerson Jones. Elina Svitolina, fresh from a Rome title, plays Anna Bondar.

WORDS: 710 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 9:57 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:46faa668b5107b2f04cd2f45d8165678&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-EXPANSION

FIFA’s big experiment may have made the World Cup too big for its own good

WORDS: 1327 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 8:40 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2115b322a2ad9700e0d2f36e368f6d3a&mediaType=text

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SOC--ENGLISH PREVIEW

Relegation fight, Salah’s last game and Guardiola’s likely exit as Premier League reaches finale

WORDS: 1048 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 8:18 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f480d19e297120f2682169314cd0a533&mediaType=text

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FBN--STEELERS-RODGERS

Aaron Rodgers says the 2026 NFL season will be his last: ‘This is it’

SUMMARY: Aaron Rodgers says his 22nd season in the NFL will be his last. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback said “this is it” when asked Wednesday if he will retire at the end of the 2026 season. The 42-year-old did not expand on why he came to that conclusion. Rodgers signed a one-year deal to return to the Steelers just before the start of organized team activities. The four-time NFL MVP says the hiring of Mike McCarthy as coach played a factor in his decision to return to the Steelers after helping lead the club to the AFC North title last season.

WORDS: 971 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 8:02 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ca0ec230c9ebb1288f2b35e91e28e332&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-VANCOUVER-THINGS TO KNOW

Vancouver has a lot more than just soccer to offer fans during the World Cup

WORDS: 565 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 5:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:213e2b344d67c56ed6956a039dd1bb15&mediaType=text

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FBC--LSU-ORGERON RETURNS

Ed Orgeron returns to LSU as a special assistant to recruiting and defense

SUMMARY: Ed Orgeron returned to LSU’s football program Wednesday, seven years after he coached the Tigers to the 2019 national title. LSU head coach Lane Kiffin added the 64-year-old Orgeron to the staff as a special assistant to recruiting and defense. Orgeron worked under Kiffin at Southern California and Tennessee. Orgeron spent six seasons as LSU’s head coach. He was fired after the 2021 season.

WORDS: 164 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 2:07 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:19449a28fe305de261fe84721661832b&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

—SOC--WCup-Mexico-Soccer Heritage

—Thunder-Spurs

—Golden Knights-Avalanche

—SOC--Women’s Champions League-Final-Preview

—CAR--F1-Canadian GP Preview

—BBO--Yankees-Cole