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.

For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, including agate, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.

The New York sports desk can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918; graphics, ext. 7636.

——————————

UPCOMING

——————————

HKN--STANLEY CUP

FORMATS: Photo, Text

1. WITH: HKN--STANLEY CUP-PANTHERS-MAURICE

2. DESCRIPTION: FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.-- Paul Maurice’s evolution as a coach over the past three decades in the NHL culminated with him finally becoming a Stanley Cup champion last year with the Florida Panthers. He is one win away from being just the 18th coach in league history to guide a team to back-to-back championships. Maurice’s approach has not wavered since getting hired in the summer of 2022. Florida is on the verge of winning 11 of 12 playoff series with him behind the bench. Players say they respect Maurice’s consistency through ups and downs and long playoff runs. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos.

3. UPCOMING: By 06/17/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT

4. WITH: HKN--STANLEY CUP

5. DESCRIPTION: SUNRISE, Fla. -- The Florida Panthers can win the Stanley Cup for the second year in a row by beating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the final. They have their first chance to clinch on home ice and are favored to become the third NHL team to go back to back this century. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. UPCOMING: 350 words, photos.

6. UPCOMING: By 06/17/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT

___

BKL—COACHING THEIR KIDS

DESCRIPTION: SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Rebecca Lobo and Jen Rizzotti have spent the last few years coaching the AAU team that their sons play for. It’s hard to miss a lot of the unselfish play and style that the two UConn greats learned in their time under Geno Auriemma and Chris Dailey, who just finished off their 40th year at the school. They’ve instilled that in their boys team. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg. UPCOMING: 930 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/17/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text, Photos

___

BKL--AROUND THE WNBA

DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK -- The Atlanta Dream made a lot of moves in the offseason, hiring Karl Smesko from Florida Gulf Coast and bringing in Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones to a complement Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. So far the moves have paid off as the Dream have the third best record in the league behind Minnesota and New York. Atlanta (8-3) equaled the 2016 squad for best mark through 11 games since coming into the league as an expansion team in 2008. That team went on to drop its next six games. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/17/2025 2:00 p.m. EDT, Text

___

BBO--PADRES-DODGERS

DESCRIPTION: LOS ANGELES — Randy Vásquez starts for the San Diego Padres while the Los Angeles Dodgers go with a bullpen game in the matchup of NL West rivals. By Beth Harris. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos. Begins 10 p.m. ET.

UPCOMING: By 06/17/2025 11:59 p.m. EDT, Text

——————————

NEW AND DEVELOPING

——————————

BBO--DODGERS-OHTANI PITCHES

Sho-time at Dodger Stadium as Ohtani makes his long-awaited return to the mound after elbow surgery

SUMMARY: Shohei Ohtani gave up a pair of two-strike hits and a run in his Los Angeles Dodgers pitching debut against the San Diego Padres, which came 21 months after the two-way superstar had elbow surgery. Ohtani threw 28 pitches — 16 for strikes — in the first inning as Dodger Stadium fans hung on every one of them. They oohed when a fastball was clocked at 100.2 mph — the second-hardest pitch thrown by a Dodgers hurler this season. After getting through the top of the first on the mound, Ohtani struck out swinging at the plate leading off the bottom of the inning against Dylan Cease. Los Angeles reliever Anthony Banda replaced Ohtani in the second.

WORDS: 1049 - MOVED: 06/17/2025 1:21 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4f36b8448c98fecfa742d8de0c1f120b&mediaType=text

___

BKN--LEBRON JAMES

LeBron stars in Amazon ad, credits family for historic 23rd season return while nursing knee injury

SUMMARY: LeBron James may be daydreaming about Prime Day deals in his new Amazon commercial, but there’s no fantasy when it comes to his real-life focus: getting his knee healthy in time for training camp. The 40-year-old Los Angeles Lakers superstar plans to return for his 23rd NBA season, which would make him the first player in league history to reach that milestone. For now, James is prioritizing rest and recovery after spraining a ligament in April, following the Lakers season-ending playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. James says his left knee is feeling “good” during an interview about starring in a new 60-second commercial called “What’s Next?”

WORDS: 580 - MOVED: 06/17/2025 1:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:91aaa9303ebb156701cba0f2b8274a7b&mediaType=text

___

BKN--NBA FINALS-PACERS-HALIBURTON

Pacers’ Haliburton plays through lower leg injury in Game 5 loss to Thunder in NBA Finals

SUMMARY: Indiana guard Tyrese Haliburton grabbed at his lower right leg after an awkward fall in the first quarter, briefly leaving Game 5 of the NBA Finals for treatment. He kept playing. He clearly wasn’t right. To his credit, Haliburton gutted his way through 34 minutes — largely playing the role of a facilitating decoy in the second half, hardly ever looking to shoot. He finished with four points, all from the foul line, and the Pacers lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder 120-109 on Monday night to fall behind 3-2 in the title series.

WORDS: 551 - MOVED: 06/17/2025 12:16 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:54689ae8a2209e8710d38637f3d558e4&mediaType=text

___

BKN--NBA FINALS

Game 5: Williams scores 40 points and Thunder win 120-109 for a 3-2 NBA Finals lead over Pacers

SUMMARY: Jalen Williams had a career playoff-high 40 points, MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 31 and the Oklahoma City Thunder moved one win from a title by beating the Indiana Pacers 120-109 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday night.It was the 10th — and by far, the biggest — time the Thunder stars combined for more than 70 points in a game. Williams was 14 of 24 from the field, and Gilgeous-Alexander added 10 assists for the Thunder.Pascal Siakam had 28 points for Indiana, which now trails the series 3-2 and will play host to Game 6 on Thursday night.

WORDS: 526 - MOVED: 06/17/2025 12:02 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:31c678bd4dedd68ca417bc0d27729ea8&mediaType=text

___

BBO--YANKEES-STANTON

Giancarlo Stanton makes season debut for Yankees after missing first 70 games

SUMMARY: Giancarlo Stanton got two hits in his season debut for the Yankees against the Los Angeles Angels after missing New York’s first 70 games because of inflammation in the tendons of both elbows. Stanton received a standing ovation when he came to the plate with two on and two outs in the first inning. Batting fifth, the designated hitter hit a 101.5 mph groundout to third on the first pitch. He then grounded a sinker to left against José Soriano for a 111.1 mph single in the fourth.

WORDS: 858 - MOVED: 06/16/2025 11:49 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c526b3a8b7d37cf8577ad8fdc78abf20&mediaType=text

___

BBO--RED SOX-ANTHONY

Red Sox prospect Roman Anthony hits 1st career home run

SUMMARY: Prized rookie Roman Anthony has hit his first major league home run for the Boston Red Sox in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners. The 21-year-old Anthony turned on a slider from Mariners starter Logan Gilbert — who was making his first appearance since coming off the injured list — and cranked it to right-center for a solo shot. The right fielder was rated the top prospect in baseball when he got called up from Triple-A Worcester last week. Anthony began the night hitting .059 through six major league games. His home run was just his second hit since he made his debut on June 9.

WORDS: 183 - MOVED: 06/16/2025 11:42 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c418480a4e0635e71466bd39cb902b24&mediaType=text

___

SOC--CWC-BOCA JUNIORS-BENFICA

Boca Juniors, Benfica draw 2-2 in Club World Cup match that includes 3 red cards, 22 fouls

SUMMARY: Benfica overcame a two-goal deficit, getting Ángel Di María’s penalty kick in first-half stoppage time and Nicolás Otamendi’s 84th-minute goal for a 2-2 draw against Boca Juniors on Monday night in a heated Club World Cup match that included three red cards, four yellows and 22 fouls. Boca Juniors played in a home-like environment with the Argentine club’s supporters making up most of the 55,574 crowd at Hard Rock Stadium against one of Portugal’s premier teams. Both teams finished a man short and one Boca player was ejected after he was substituted from the match.

WORDS: 429 - MOVED: 06/16/2025 11:10 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e56912d8cdcf39ad84f8a5e0573f9644&mediaType=text

___

US--COLLEGE SPORTS-STATES

Louisiana is poised to hike its sports betting tax to help colleges pay their athletes

SUMMARY: Louisiana soon could raise taxes on sports betting to help finance the athletic departments at many of its public universities. Legislation pending before Gov. Jeff Landry would make Louisiana the first state to raise taxes for college sports since a judge approved a landmark settlement allowing schools to directly pay athletes for use of their name, image and likeness. Earlier this year, Arkansas became the first state to exempt school NIL payments to athletes from state income taxes. Some sports business analysts expect more states to follow with laws aimed at giving an edge to their college athletes.

WORDS: 1038 - MOVED: 06/16/2025 10:56 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d15420db3288bab037b077b87ff85668&mediaType=text

___

BBA--RED SOX-LIFE WITHOUT DEVERS

Red Sox baseball boss Breslow says Devers trade does not mean ‘waving of the white flag on 2025’

SUMMARY: The Boston Red Sox thought they would be better off with a happy clubhouse than a disgruntled Rafael Devers. A day after trading their erstwhile third baseman to the San Francisco Giants, Red Sox President Sam Kennedy told reporters on Monday night that Devers’ refusal to change positions made it untenable for him to remain with the team. The Red Sox sent the three-time All-Star to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday night for pitchers Jordan Hicks and Kyle Harrison and a pair of prospects. The move comes less than two years after signing Devers to a 10-year, $313.5 million contract.

WORDS: 1054 - MOVED: 06/16/2025 10:42 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b8b16792b949b9896c923ba3d8c70b66&mediaType=text

___

US--OHTANI INTERPRETER

Baseball star Shohei Ohtani’s ex-interpreter reports to federal prison in Pennsylvania

SUMMARY: The former Japanese interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani has surrendered to a federal prison in Pennsylvania, beginning a nearly five-year prison sentence for bank and tax fraud after he stole nearly $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers player. Ippei Mizuhara, 40, was processed Monday at a low security federal prison in Allenwood, Pennsylvania. Mizuhara was sentenced in federal court in Santa Ana in February to four years and nine months for bank and tax fraud. He was also ordered to pay $18 million in restitution, with nearly $17 million going to Ohtani and the remainder to the IRS.

WORDS: 275 - MOVED: 06/16/2025 10:36 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fd13f782531cc757423751200e6267f4&mediaType=text

___

SOC--CWC-LAFC-CHELSEA

Neto, Fernández each score to lead Chelsea over LAFC 2-0 in Club World Cup

SUMMARY: Pedro Neto scored in the first half and Enzo Fernández in the 79th minute to give Chelsea a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC in Group D’s Club World Cup opener. Chelsea put pressure on LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris early into the match. Neto found the breakthrough in the 34th minute, picking up a pass from Nicolas Jackson and cutting onto his left foot for a near-post finish. LAFC almost got one back just before the 60-minute mark, but Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez came up with an important save to keep Denis Bouanga off the scoresheet.

WORDS: 401 - MOVED: 06/16/2025 8:16 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c6d226608f14bd0f6363e47df5c4f16e&mediaType=text

___

BBC--CWS-ARKANSAS-MURRAY ST

Arkansas’ Wood pitches third no-hitter in CWS history, gets 19 strikeouts against Murray State

SUMMARY: Arkansas’ Gage Wood pitched the third no-hitter in College World Series history and first in 65 years, striking out a record 19 and never letting Murray State come close to getting a hit in the Razorbacks’ 3-0 victory. Wood joined Jim Ehrler of Texas in 1950 and Jim Wixson of Oklahoma State in 1960 as the only pitchers to throw CWS no-hitters. His defense was never really challenged as he dominated a Racers team that was making its first Omaha appearance. The junior right-hander set the CWS record for strikeouts in a nine-inning game.

WORDS: 921 - MOVED: 06/16/2025 6:00 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:13a1f6b4f98a3cb9c21a49bb1fee586c&mediaType=text

___

HKN--STANLEY CUP

‘Dialed in’ from October, the Panthers are a win away from repeating as Stanley Cup champions

SUMMARY: The Florida Panthers are one win on home ice away from repeating as Stanley Cup champions. That chance comes Tuesday night in Game 6 of the final against the Edmonton Oilers. They’re looking to be the third team to go back to back since the NHL’s salary cap era began in 2005 and the 19th in league history. The Panthers moved to the verge of another title by beating the Oilers on the road and taking a 3-2 lead in the series. They hope to avoid the same pitfall of losing their first close-out game like the final last year against Edmonton.

WORDS: 807 - MOVED: 06/16/2025 4:35 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f1e4c21e1c1170b42e881a56efa444c9&mediaType=text

___

HKO--OLYMPIC ROSTERS

US hockey announces initial 6 players for 2026 Milan Olympics

SUMMARY: The U.S. named Brady and Matthew Tkachuk, Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Quinn Hughes and Charlie McAvoy as its first six players for the 2026 Olympics. General manager Bill Guerin said that group of four forwards and two defensemen avoids goaltenders because USA Hockey wanted to let the first half of the next NHL season play out. Canada and Sweden also picked six skaters for their preliminary rosters. Playing in the Stanley Cup Final, Connor McDavid was among those chosen for Canada. This would be his first Olympics after the league did not take part in 2018 and 2022.

WORDS: 796 - MOVED: 06/16/2025 3:34 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:006652a49602dab19968fe599e58ed86&mediaType=text

___

HKN--STANLEY CUP-OILERS-MCDAVID

Connor McDavid is producing in the Stanley Cup Final, but is it enough for the Oilers?

SUMMARY: Connor McDavid scored his first goal of this Stanley Cup Final in Game 5, only after he and the Edmonton Oilers fell behind 3-0 on the way to getting pushed to the brink by the defending champion Florida Panthers. He has a series-best six assists, and only Leon Draisaitl has more points than McDavid’s seven. But the best hockey player in the world is always in the spotlight, and he hasn’t broken out thanks in large part to Aleksander Barkov and the Panthers defending him tightly.

WORDS: 667 - MOVED: 06/16/2025 3:21 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c63320c726cbedbfde26758a18e28c80&mediaType=text

___

FBN--49ERS-MCCAFFREY

Christian McCaffrey hopes longer offseason leads to better health in 2025 for 49ers

SUMMARY: The biggest beneficiary of an extended offseason for the San Francisco 49ers just might have been star running back Christian McCaffrey. A year after he was limited to just four games because of injuries to his Achilles tendon and knee, the engine of San Francisco’s high-powered offense was on the practice field for the offseason program and is hoping to get back to the form that made him AP Offensive Player of the Year in 2023. A healthy McCaffrey would be a key component for San Francisco to rebound from a 6-11 season.

WORDS: 594 - MOVED: 06/16/2025 2:50 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:23db9ab9d78f681923e7e760184ad65e&mediaType=text