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AP Sports Digest

Posted 4/28/26

AP Sports Digest

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 …

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AP Sports Digest

Posted

AP Sports Digest

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.

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UPCOMING

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BBO--MIGHTY NL CENTRAL

DESCRIPTION: The NL Central has reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes. It has some of the majors’ most promising rookies, like Sal Stewart, Konnor Griffin and JJ Wetherholt. It has young stars like Elly De La Cruz and older ones like Christian Yelich. Maybe that fast start for the NL Central isn’t that big of a surprise after all. By Baseball Writer Jay Cohen.

UPCOMING: By 04/28/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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BKN--NBA PLAYOFF COVERAGE

FORMATS: Photo, Text

    1. WITH: BKN--THUNDER-ADVANCE

      2. DESCRIPTION: Oklahoma City’s first-round dominance in the NBA playoffs continues. The road should get at least a little tougher in the coming weeks. The Thunder finished off a four-game sweep of the Phoenix Suns on Monday night, winning Game 4 131-122 after pulling away in the second half. By David Brandt. 500 words, photos by 3 a.m. ET.

      3. UPCOMING: By 04/28/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

    4. WITH: BKN--TIPOFF

      5. DESCRIPTION: DENVER -- The Denver Nuggets are on the brink of a stunning first-round elimination but the Minnesota Timberwolves are without two of their best players as they try to wrap up their Western Conference playoff series. By Arnie Stapleton.

      6. UPCOMING: By 04/28/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT

    7. WITH: BKN--76ERS-CELTICS

      8. DESCRIPTION: BOSTON -- Joel Embiid’s return in Game 3 wasn’t enough to prevent the Philadelphia 76ers from falling into a 3-1 first-round series hole against the second-seeded Boston Celtics. Boston returns home for Game 4 with a chance to advance to the second round. By Jimmy Golen.

      9. UPCOMING: By 04/28/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT

    10. WITH: BKN--HAWKS-KNICKS

      11. DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK -- The New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks play Game 5 of their first-round playoff series, with the teams tied 2-2.

      12. UPCOMING: By 04/28/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT

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HKO--HEATED RIVALRY

FORMATS: Photo, Text, Video

    13. WITH: HKO--HEATED RIVALRY-REALITY CHECK

      14. DESCRIPTION: The popularity of the show “Heated Rivalry” that features two gay hockey players put a spotlight on the sport from many who have never seen it. It also raised the question of how an openly gay player in the NHL would be accepted; no active player in the 109-year-old league has come out as gay. By Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

      15. UPCOMING: By 04/28/2026 11:00 a.m. EDT

    16. WITH: HKO--HEATED RIVALRY-LGBTQ LEAGUES

      17. DESCRIPTION: There are a handful of LGBTQ+ inclusive hockey leagues in the United States. USA Hockey recently reversed its transgender eligibility policy, but the recreational leagues hope to keep providing a place for LGBTQ+ communities places to play and connect. By Andrew Destin. Text, photos.

      18. UPCOMING: By 04/28/2026 11:00 a.m. EDT

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FBC--NCAA-ATHLETE GAMBLING

DESCRIPTION: In the eight years since the Supreme Court cleared the way for legal sports gambling across the country, the bad headlines for college athletes have picked up. Coaches being tainted by scandals at the programs. The social media pressure to perform for gamblers. The arrests and indictments of players, former players and associates betting on the outcome of games few remember. The back-and-forth over whether to allow college athletes to bet on pro or college sports at all. This week, the problems came home in a dramatic way: The quarterback of a Power Four champion football team stepped away to seek treatment for a gambling addiciton. Experts say there are probably hundreds if not thousands of other male college athletes in the same boat. By Eric Olson. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/28/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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RAC--KENTUCKY DERBY-SO HAPPY SADNESS

DESCRIPTION: Mark Glatt wears his wife’s ashes inside a bracelet. Dena Glatt died at 57 of heart failure in February, three months before she could watch So Happy in the Kentucky Derby. Owners bought the horse for just $20,000, and he has gone from a long shot to a fan favorite worth rooting for. By Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/28/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE-PSG-BAYERN

DESCRIPTION: Defending champion PSG plays at home against Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal. By Jerome Pugmire.

UPCOMING: By 04/28/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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HKN--NHL PLAYOFFS COVERAGE

FORMATS: Text, Photo

    19. WITH: HKN--BRUINS-SABRES

      20. DESCRIPTION: Having ended a 14-season postseason drought, the Buffalo Sabres are one win from winning their first playoff series in 19 years. Buffalo has a 3-1 edge over the Boston Bruins in preparing to host Game 5 of the first-round series on Tuesday night. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. 500 words, photos.

      21. UPCOMING: By 04/28/2026 10:00 p.m. EDT

    22. WITH: HKN--WILD-STARS

      23. DESCRIPTION: DALLAS — After two long overtime games in Minnesota they split, the Wild and Stars return to Dallas for Game 5 of their first-round playoff series that is now tied 2-2. By Stephen Hawkins. 500 words, photos. Game starts 7 p.m. CT.

      24. UPCOMING: By 04/28/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT

    25. WITH: HKN--DUCKS-OILERS

      26. DESCRIPTION: The upstart Anaheim Ducks can eliminate Connor McDavid and the two-time Western Conference champion Oilers with a Game 5 win in Edmonton. Text, photos. Game starts 10 p.m. Eastern.

      27. UPCOMING: By 04/28/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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HKN--GOLDEN KNIGHTS-MAMMOTH

Theodore’s overtime goal lifts Golden Knights to 5-4 win over Mammoth; series tied at 2-all

SUMMARY: Shea Theodore scored on a snap shot from the high slot with 51.5 seconds left in overtime as the Vegas Golden Knights beat the Utah Mammoth 5-4 on Monday night after squandering a three-goal lead, tying the first-round playoff series at two games apiece. Game 5 of the best-of-seven series is Wednesday night in Las Vegas. Vegas’ Brett Howden scored his second goal of the game on a tip-in with 9:35 remaining in the third period, and the goal forced overtime after Utah had stormed back with four straight goals. The Golden Knights appeared to have won the game midway through the overtime period when Pavel Dorofeyev tapped in a loose puck with 9:41 left, but the apparent score was waved off when it was determined Vegas was offsides.

WORDS: 352 - MOVED: 04/28/2026 1:38 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6c762135cabc1665bdcb9603911d8d6f&mediaType=text

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BBO--YANKEES-JUDGE & RICE

Aaron Judge and Ben Rice match Yankees greats Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra with powerful starts

SUMMARY: Aaron Judge allowed Ben Rice to match his home run total for only a few pitches. Together, the sluggers have now accomplished something for the New York Yankees with their powerful starts that only Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra had done before them. Rice went 404 feet the opposite way for a two-run shot to left field in the Yankees’ 4-2 win at Texas on Monday night, his 10th homer of the season. Judge followed by driving a curveball 414 feet to tie for the MLB lead with his 11th. They became the second pair of Yankees teammates to each have 10 or more homers in the first 29 games of a season, joining Mantle and Berra in 1956.

WORDS: 593 - MOVED: 04/28/2026 1:02 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:457000d0b2f2ae6b4d7de2c480cfb6f4&mediaType=text

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BKN--PISTONS-FACING ELIMINATION

Sloppy Pistons are 1 loss from becoming 7th No. 1 seed to lose to an 8 seed in the NBA playoffs

SUMMARY: Those 60 wins in the regular season and that No. 1 seed don’t mean much for the Detroit Pistons right now. They’re one loss away from a rare elimination. Only six No. 8 seeds have defeated a No. 1 in a playoff series in NBA history. It’s happened only four times since the postseason was expanded to a best-of-seven series for all rounds in 2003. But the Pistons were sloppy with the ball and careless overall in a 94-88 loss to the Orlando Magic on Monday night, falling behind 3-1 in their first-round Eastern Conference series.

WORDS: 512 - MOVED: 04/28/2026 12:32 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f3755c2b63bd608c65365cb51268c97a&mediaType=text

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BKN--THUNDER-SUNS

Gilgeous-Alexander scores 31 and Thunder outlast Suns 131-122 to cap a 4-game sweep

SUMMARY: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points, Chet Holmgren added 24 and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Phoenix Suns 131-122, capping a four-game sweep in the first-round series. The Thunder have a 12-0 record over their last three first-round series. They will face the winner of the Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets series in the Western Conference semifinals. The Lakers have a 3-1 lead, though the Rockets won Game 4. Phoenix has a 10-game losing streak in the playoffs dating to 2023. Booker led the Suns with 24 points while Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green added 23.

WORDS: 429 - MOVED: 04/28/2026 12:24 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:eee53610ad9ff52b20a85445075689ab&mediaType=text

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BKN--PISTONS-MAGIC

Desmond Bane scores 22, No. 8 seed Magic beat No. 1 seed Pistons 94-88 for a 3-1 series lead

SUMMARY: Desmond Bane scored 22 points, Franz Wagner had 19 in three quarters and the Orlando Magic beat the Detroit Pistons 94-88 to take a 3-1 series lead, putting the East’s No. 1 seed on the brink of elimination. Game 5 is Wednesday night in Detroit. Orlando had to win an elimination game at home in the play-in tournament. Now it’s on the verge of becoming just the seventh No. 8 seed to defeat a No. 1 in a series in league history. That has happened only four times since the playoffs were expanded to a best-of-seven series for all rounds in 2003.

WORDS: 683 - MOVED: 04/28/2026 12:05 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bed7bdcd1c17a8111aa727b71a806340&mediaType=text

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BKN--SPORTS BETTING-ARRESTS

Ex-NBA player Damon Jones set to plead guilty in gambling sweep that netted more than 30 arrests

SUMMARY: Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones is set to plead guilty in a gambling sweep that led to more than 30 arrests. Prosecutors say he cashed in on rigged poker games and gave sports bettors nonpublic injury information about stars, including his one-time teammate LeBron James. Jones is due in federal court in Brooklyn on Tuesday for back-to-back change of plea hearings. His lawyer declined to comment. Barring a last-minute change, Jones will become the first person to plead guilty in the gambling scandal. None of the other defendants have shown a willingness to plead guilty.

WORDS: 428 - MOVED: 04/28/2026 12:02 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:53b764b4be1f7d9d09ca480b42f14aa1&mediaType=text

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BBO-YANKEES-STANTON

Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton headed to injured list with low-grade right calf strain

SUMMARY: New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton will go on the injured list with a low-grade strain of his right calf. Stanton exited Friday’s series opener against the Astros after experiencing calf stiffness while running the bases and missed the following three games, including a series-opening 4-2 win over Texas. Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed the results of an MRI after the game. New York recalled outfielder Jasson Domínguez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before Monday’s game, and the switch-hitter went 1 for 4 with a strikeouts as the designated hitter in his big league debut this season.

WORDS: 279 - MOVED: 04/27/2026 11:48 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:19f77e6437ea3a64b5b5709f3ffb6027&mediaType=text

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HKN--PENGUINS-SENSATIONAL SID

The Penguins needed Sidney Crosby to do Sidney Crosby things against Philly. The captain delivered

SUMMARY: Sidney Crosby is finding his game, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are suddenly making it hard on the Philadelphia Flyers. Crosby shook off absorbing a puck to his left knee on a shot by teammate Ryan Shea to pick up two assists in Pittsburgh’s 3-2 win in Game 5. The 38-year-old star earned the 100th playoff victory of his career and helped the Penguins win their second straight to fend off elimination. The Flyers are still up 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, but the pressure will shift to Philadelphia for Game 6. Crosby says the Penguins are playing better hockey, but plenty of work remains to be done if they want to become just the fifth team to win a series after losing the first three games.

WORDS: 705 - MOVED: 04/27/2026 11:30 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:514860052ed453ed6eb9cba4a4270e13&mediaType=text

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HKN--FLYERS-PENGUINS

Penguins fend off elimination again with a 3-2 Game 5 win over Flyers to send series back to Philly

SUMMARY: The Pittsburgh Penguins kept their season alive, edging the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 in Game 5 to send the best-of-seven series back to Philly. Connor Dewar, Kris Letang and Elmer Soderblom scored for the Penguins. Sidney Crosby shook off a shot to his left knee to pick up two assists. Game 6 is Wednesday in Philadelphia. Alex Bump and Travis Sanheim scored for the Flyers. Pittsburgh is trying to become just the fifth team in NHL history to rally from a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven.

WORDS: 558 - MOVED: 04/27/2026 10:52 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f398e9ee5267ed5d2151ec60a85306ba&mediaType=text

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BBO--GUARDIANS-BAZZANA

Guardians prospect Travis Bazzana, 2024 top overall pick, will be called up Tuesday, AP source says

SUMMARY: Travis Bazzana, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 amateur draft, will be called up by the Cleveland Guardians and could make his major-league debut during Tuesday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the Guardians have not announced the roster move. The 23-year-old second baseman is the top prospect in the Guardians’ organization. He is batting .287 with two home runs and 10 RBIs in 24 games for Triple-A Columbus. Juan Brito, who is expected to be sent down to make away for Bazzana,

WORDS: 226 - MOVED: 04/27/2026 10:09 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dcfb82abe3e0b6fc5faea3590cb5ab2d&mediaType=text

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BKN--NBA-ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Cooper Flagg edges former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel for NBA Rookie of the Year

SUMMARY: Dallas’ Cooper Flagg has edged former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel of Charlotte to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award. Flagg was the first rookie since Michael Jordan in 1984-85 to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists and steals. That and other accolades for a teenager were enough to overcome a difficult season for the Mavericks, while Knueppel helped the Hornets qualify for the play-in tournament. Flagg and Knueppel were first and second in rookie scoring. They were the first former college teammates to do that since UConn stars Emeka Okafor and Ben Gordon in 2004-05.

WORDS: 1010 - MOVED: 04/27/2026 9:58 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:28fdb72b60257039c66955006196a984&mediaType=text

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BKN--TIMBERWOLVES-EDWARDS

Wolves confirm Edwards has no structural damage in his knee, but he’ll be out for at least a week

SUMMARY: Minnesota All-Star Anthony Edwards will be sidelined for at least a week with a hyperextension and bone bruise in his left knee. The Timberwolves announced the diagnosis before Game 5 of their first-round NBA playoff series at Denver. Edwards had an MRI exam that confirmed the absence of structural damage. That was a relief to the Timberwolves after his injury occurred in the second quarter of their Game 4 victory over the Nuggets. His availability for the second round if they advance will still be in question. Minnesota took a 3-1 lead on Denver into Game 5.

WORDS: 610 - MOVED: 04/27/2026 9:54 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0b1addf8df9d7d9b20d96fc3116d108c&mediaType=text

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BBO--PIRATES-BOUNCE HOUSE

Paul Skenes rents a bounce house for Pirates’ clubhouse to celebrate Konnor Griffin’s 20th birthday

SUMMARY: A bounce house stood in the middle of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ clubhouse before Monday night’s game against St. Louis, courtesy of NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes. Skenes rented the inflatable kids’ attraction as a part of a belated celebration for rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin, who turned 20 on Friday and celebrated by hitting his first major league home run in a win at Milwaukee. Pirates manager Don Kelly says Griffin was a “great sport” about the bounce house. He says it’s unusual for anyone to celebrate his 20th birthday in the big leagues.

WORDS: 195 - MOVED: 04/27/2026 7:50 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2b5faf75f908a6d568bace8ad96529a0&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-FAN ZONES

New York City to hold free World Cup fan events in each borough

SUMMARY: New York City will hold a series of free events for soccer fans hoping to catch World Cup matches, but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on tickets. The events were announced Monday. They will take place in each of the city’s five boroughs and run several days, playing matches alongside various festivities and food, as the cost of attending a match live across the river at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey has increased. Hochul had previously announced similar watch party events elsewhere in the state. In New Jersey, Sports Illustrated Stadium, the home of the New York Red Bulls, will also show matches.

WORDS: 204 - MOVED: 04/27/2026 6:56 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5feb584aefa4fa5ac3e24322f423e9ec&mediaType=text

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HKN--FACEOFF

Sabres are on the verge of a long-awaited series win, and the Ducks are too

SUMMARY: The Buffalo Sabres have shed the burden of a 14-year absence from the Stanley Cup playoffs that set a dubious NHL record and surged toward their next big thing. Beating the Boston Bruins at home in Game 5 will send the Sabres to the second round for the first time since 2007. The Anaheim Ducks are also on the verge of a clinch. They’ll play Game 5 on the road against the Edmonton Oilers. The Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild also take the ice on Tuesday with their series tied at two games apiece.

WORDS: 1195 - MOVED: 04/27/2026 6:54 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3703ceffe3e552f0a913eb244e7063d3&mediaType=text

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FBC--TEXAS TECH-SORSBY-GAMBLING

Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby enters treatment program for a gambling addiction following transfer

SUMMARY: Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby has taken an indefinite leave of absenceto enter a residential treatment program for a gambling addiction. Texas Tech says it is “committed to supporting Brendan through his recovery process and to ensure his long-term health and well-being.” Sorsby was one of the biggest names in this year’s transfer portal. He arrived from Cincinnati, which announced in February it would sue the quarterback for breaching his name, image and likeness contract. He began his college career at Indiana.

WORDS: 666 - MOVED: 04/27/2026 5:47 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cf276d3c93da17a35fbdfd990163ef72&mediaType=text

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ATH--LONDON MARATHON-SAWE

Marathon record-breaker says he underwent strict testing regime before smashing 2-hour barrier

SUMMARY: Sabastian Sawe hopes the stringent testing regime he underwent before becoming the first person to break the fabled 2-hour barrier in marathon running will prove to the world he is competing clean. The 29-year-old Kenyan pulled off the feat that was long considered unthinkable when winning the London Marathon on Sunday in a time of 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds. There have been a slew of high-profile doping cases involving Kenyan runners in recent years so Sawe knew he would come under suspicion after winning last year’s marathons in Berlin and London. Sawe says he volunteered to undergo “multiple” doping tests in agreement with his coaches and management team. Sawe is urging other runners to do the same.

WORDS: 509 - MOVED: 04/27/2026 5:31 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9cd5021dfbd4cb349db9c2622780c7fb&mediaType=text

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BKL--WINGS-BUECKERS

Paige Bueckers says it’s all business with Azzi Fudd as they try to win with the Dallas Wings

SUMMARY: Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers says her relationship with teammate and fellow No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd will have no effect on what they do on the court as they try to turn around a franchise with a long history of losing. Bueckers made a statement before taking questions from reporters during media day. The statement from Bueckers came 11 days after the Wings wouldn’t let Fudd answer a question about her relationship with her former UConn teammate during Fudd’s introductory news conference. The two went public with their relationship last year. They haven’t addressed the status of that relationship since the draft.

WORDS: 636 - MOVED: 04/27/2026 3:58 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a05e2857493da604be4711545b97f9eb&mediaType=text

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FBO--FIESTA BOWL-FLAG FOOTBALL

Fiesta Bowl sets new women’s flag football standard with 8-team tournament featuring NCAA teams

SUMMARY: The inaugural Fiesta Bowl Flag Football Classic in Tempe, Arizona, was held this month on the campus of Arizona State. The event is another example that shows how the sport of women’s flag football is growing at a rapid pace at the college level. The Fiesta Bowl event hosted eight NCAA Division I teams, including Arizona State, Alabama State, Georgia, UCF, Florida, Grand Canyon, Charlotte and USC. The sport should get another boost from the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where there will be a men’s and women’s tournament. The NCAA version of the sport is also growing quickly, with some programs beginning to offer scholarships.

WORDS: 924 - MOVED: 04/27/2026 3:15 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f7cd404f6be0e7cfff5f589210d8686d&mediaType=text

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ATH--FELIX COMEBACK

Allyson Felix, 40, looks for a comeback and maybe a spot at the LA Olympics

SUMMARY: Sprinter Allyson Felix is attempting a comeback at age 40 that would give her a chance to add to her Olympic-record medal haul. Felix, a mother of two, told Time Magazine she thought about coming back some four years after calling it quits and decided, “Let’s go after the thing.” She says she’ll start training later this year with the goal of getting back into competition in 2027, with her sights set on the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

WORDS: 288 - MOVED: 04/27/2026 3:11 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0da486ee6fa1eb08bd4edf671e35d24f&mediaType=text

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CAR--NASCAR-HURRICANE HOCEVAR

Carson Hocevar already living up to his reputation as NASCAR’s newest star

SUMMARY: NASCAR christened its newest star at Talladega Superspeedway a day after introducing new executive management. Carson Hocevar is a social media-obsessed 23-year-old with all the quintessential hallmarks of Gen Z. But he also has an unvarnished and unapologetically aggressive side that has encouraged comparisons to Dale Earnhardt. Just like “The Intimidator,” the Spire Motorsports driver has a nickname — “Hurricane Hocevar” — that reflects his willingness to stir up trouble with champions while relentlessly chasing victories. New CEO Steve O’Donnell says Hocevar is the right fit for carrying NASCAR’s fresh “Hell Yeah” marketing campaign intended to emphasize fun.

WORDS: 1001 - MOVED: 04/27/2026 2:28 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:838f55213f9a85775d0753fb73328758&mediaType=text

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RAC--KENTUCKY DERBY-MIRACLE MISSED KICK

He laughed so hard at Koo’s botched NFL kick that he had a seizure. It may have saved his life

SUMMARY: When New York Giants kicker Younghoe Koo botched a field goal attempt during a Monday night game this past season, Mark Toothaker laughed so hard he had a seizure and tests revealed he had a benign tumor in his head. It was surgically removed and he was home from the hospital that week with no lasting permanent damage. The stallion season manager at Spendthrift Farm believes it happening at home instead of when he was traveling saved his life. He will be at the Kentucky Derby this week with Further Ado, thankful for what he considers a miracle.

WORDS: 706 - MOVED: 04/27/2026 1:54 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b202ab44312c1290cc9a0144e01dd1c7&mediaType=text

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