Stephon Castle gives the Spurs 32 points in a 139-109 blowout to eliminate Timberwolves in Game 6
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Stephon Castle had 32 points and 11 rebounds to highlight another dominant performance from the San Antonio backcourt, and Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs raced past the Minnesota Timberwolves 139-109 on Friday night to win the series in six games. De’Aaron Fox added 21 points and nine assists as the Spurs advance to face defending champion Oklahoma City in the Western Conference finals. Anthony Edwards had 24 points to lead the Wolves, who got another spark from reserves Terrence Shannon and Naz Reid but were again flustered by the Spurs and their relentless switch-heavy defense.
The PGA Championship has the biggest logjam at a major in 24 years.
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. (AP) — Alex Smalley and Maverick McNealy share the lead at the PGA Championship. It seems like everyone else shares a chance. Smalley shot 69 and McNealy had 67 as they set the pace at 4-under 136. But Aronimink has shown to be a course that doesn't let anyone get too far away. Chris Gotterup and Hideki Matsuyama are among those one shot behind. Lurking with his big presence is Scottie Scheffler. He overcame three early bogeys to salvage a 71 and was among those only two behind. Rory McIlroy got back in the game at 67 and was five back.
Cade Cunningham scores 21 and Pistons dominate 2nd half to beat Cavs 115-94 and force Game 7
CLEVELAND (AP) — Cade Cunningham scored 21 points and the top-seeded Detroit Pistons dominated the second half, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-94 to force a Game 7 in their Eastern Conference second-round series. The decisive game is Sunday in Detroit. Jalen Duren had 15 points and 11 rebounds while Daniss Jenkins also scored 15 for the Pistons, who have won four games this postseason when facing elimination. James Harden scored 23 points for Cleveland, which suffered its first home loss of the postseason. Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley scored 18 apiece.
What to know about the investigation into Memphis forward Brandon Clarke's death
Brandon Clarke’s death raised countless questions. So far, there are few answers. And it’ll probably stay that way for a while. The Memphis Grizzlies forward was found dead inside a home near Los Angeles on Monday, and a person familiar with the terms of the investigation told The Associated Press on Tuesday that drug paraphernalia was found at the residence. The 29-year-old Clarke was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders. An autopsy was performed, but the cause of death could take weeks to determine.
Kyle Schwarber is on a heater. So are the Phillies. It's not a coincidence
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Kyle Schwarber is on a hot streak and so are the Philadelphia Phillies. The star designated hitter smashed two more home runs in an 11-9 win over Pittsburgh to bring his season total to an MLB-leading 20. Nine of Schwarber's homers have come in his last eight games. He's one of two players in MLB history to hit that many homers over that short a span twice in their careers. Schwarber says he's not sure why he's so locked in, adding that he's more pleased that that Phillies are starting to play better after an early season funk. The Phillies have gone 13-4 since Don Mattingly took over as manager in April.
NFL: Chiefs’ early primetime games not tied to Patrick Mahomes’ knee recovery
The NFL’s decision to put the Kansas City Chiefs in primetime windows the first two weeks of the season wasn’t meant to be a hint on how fast Patrick Mahomes will recover from knee surgery. Mahomes tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee on Dec. 14 and has said his goal is to be back in time for Week 1 when the Chiefs host Denver on “Monday Night Football.” They play Indianapolis at home on Sunday night in Week 2. NFL executive Hans Schroeder said the league didn't have any inside information on Mahomes' recovery, but is encouraged by what coach Andy Reid has said publicly.
Mets pitcher Clay Holmes sidelined indefinitely with broken leg after getting hit by line drive
NEW YORK (AP) — Clay Holmes has a broken right leg after getting hit on the mound by a 111 mph line drive, another devastating blow to the New York Mets in their miserable season so far. Perhaps the Mets’ best pitcher this year, Holmes got nailed just above the right foot on a leadoff single in the fourth inning by New York Yankees rookie Spencer Jones during the Subway Series opener at Citi Field. The ball caromed past the first-base line into foul territory, but Holmes remained in the game until being lifted with one out in the fifth. Following a 5-2 loss, manager Carlos Mendoza said X-rays showed a 'fractured’ right fibula that will sideline Holmes indefinitely.
Mike Brown was hired to coach the Knicks for this moment. He has his team ready for it
GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) — Mike Brown was hired for this moment. The New York Knicks already had a coach who could take them to the Eastern Conference finals — and they fired him immediately after. Whoever replaced Tom Thibodeau would do so knowing he was inheriting a seat that was already warm, taking an undeniable win-now job where the only way he could demonstrate he made the team better was by reaching the NBA Finals. Brown has them back in the conference finals after they were two losses from elimination in the first round. He changed some things, stuck with others, and now his team is rolling.
Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano are ready to roll back the clock in a double MMA comeback for the ages
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano aren’t bothering to pretend to hate each other this week. These trailblazing fighters have been through too much and been away from mixed martial arts for too long to get caught up in their sport’s usual pre-fight posturing and preening. When they enter the cage at Intuit Dome in a double comeback for the ages Saturday, they’ll do it with a mutual respect borne from the similarities between their two remarkable journeys to this unlikely night. And then they’ll attack with all they’ve got left, perhaps for the very last time.
The Preakness at Laurel Park has a little bit of everything but the Kentucky Derby winner
The 151st Preakness Stakes is set to offer excitement despite lacking a Kentucky Derby winner aiming for the Triple Crown. The race is at Laurel Park, a 115-year-old track hosting the event for the first time while Pimlico Race Course undergoes reconstruction. The Preakness will return to Pimlico next year. With no clear favorite, six horses have opened at odds of 8-1 or shorter. Brittany Russell aims to make history with hometown horse Taj Mahal. The Preakness airs on NBC and Peacock, with post time at 7:01 p.m. EDT. The event could reveal a new star in horse racing.
