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UPCOMING

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GLF--SPAUN-DIABETES

DESCRIPTION: CROMWELL, Conn. -- J.J. Spaun knows as well as anyone how one little shot can make such a huge difference, even if it’s only 85 yards to a green in the shape of a red umbrella floating in the middle of a lake. This led to a relationship with a Travelers Championship executive who helped get him in the right place for his diabetes. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. UPCOMING: 950 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/23/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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BKN--INCARCERATED COACHES

DESCRIPTION: VACAVILLE, Calif. — One day last fall, Ray Woodfork found himself being challenged to a fight by a fellow inmate half his age on the grounds of Solano State Prison. Woodfork would have been tempted not so long ago. A program involving the Golden State Warriors has helped turn him toward a different way of thinking. “I was just like, ‘That’s not who I am, that’s not what I’m about,’ and I walked away,” Woodfork recalled. “It’s hard to do, because the flesh wants to do that.” By Janie McCauley. UPCOMING: 1200 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/23/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo, Alternate Headlines

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BKN--NBA FINALS-CHAMPION THUNDER

DESCRIPTION: OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma City Thunder – three years removed from winning 24 games – won 84 games this season and are NBA champions. For the rest of the NBA, this should be a scary development. All of Oklahoma City’s key players are under contract for next season, and this title could be just the start. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/23/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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BBO--THIS WEEK IN BASEBALL

DESCRIPTION: A year ago the Baltimore Orioles looked like a dynasty in the making. Since then, they’ve been thoroughly mediocre. Even an improved stretch recently hasn’t helped their outlook much for 2025. After losing two of three to the Yankees in New York, the Orioles are 11 games under .500. They’ve gone 17-10 over their last 27, so perhaps the worst is over. But over the last 162 regular-season games, Baltimore is 75-87. It’s a remarkable decline for a team that won 101 games in 2023, started 49-25 last year and had a core of standouts that was young and cost controlled. By Baseball Writer Noah Trister. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/23/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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BBO--ATHLETICS-GROUNDBREAKING

DESCRIPTION: LAS VEGAS — The Athletics host a groundbreaking ceremony for their Las Vegas stadium that is scheduled to open in time for the 2028 season. By W.G. Ramirez. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 06/23/2025 2:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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BBO--BRAVES-METS

DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK -- Juan Soto and the struggling New York Mets return home to open a four-game set against the Braves, who swept a series between the NL East rivals last week in Atlanta.

UPCOMING: By 06/23/2025 10:10 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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SOC--GOLD CUP-US-MOVING ON

Competition should stiffen for unproven Americans in CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals

SUMMARY: The competition is about to stiffen for the U.S. in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The Americans finished their seventh 3-0 run through group play in the Gold Cup with a 2-1 victory over Haiti. Next up is Costa Rica or Mexico. Both countries are ranked higher than all three group play opponents. The unproven U.S. squad has seen uneven performances so far. Goalkeeper Matt Freese’s gaffe cost the U.S. the lead against Haiti before Patrick Agyemang’s tiebreaking goal. The attack was more dangerous against Haiti, but the U.S. missed on plenty of scoring chances.

WORDS: 611 - MOVED: 06/23/2025 12:53 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:13e62c69e509a8f6a7490c87782b5fb4&mediaType=text

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BKN--PACERS-FAN REACTION

No ’Cers: Indiana fans left gasping as Haliburton’s injury dooms title hopes in Game 7 loss

SUMMARY: Indiana Pacers fans arrived at Gainbridge Fieldhouse ready to celebrate their first NBA title. Seven minutes into the game came the hush. As star point guard Tyrese Haliburton fell to the floor in Oklahoma City on Sunday night with what his father, John, later called an Achilles tendon injury, fans gasped as the replay was shown and they saw the anguished look on John Haliburton’s face. The moment may go down as another cruel chapter in the franchise’s long, painful history. Pacers play-by-play announcer Chris Denari told the crowd that Haliburton would want the team to continue to fight.

WORDS: 866 - MOVED: 06/23/2025 12:43 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:47e50a78f10026d843e57bbc941afdb8&mediaType=text

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BKN--NBA FINALS-THUNDER-CHAMPAGNE

The Thunder had one more opponent after winning the NBA title. The champagne corks were formidable

SUMMARY: The Oklahoma City Thunder had just won the NBA championship, the on-court ceremony was over and they were heading to the locker room to start the party. This typically includes the traditional spraying of champagne all over everyone and everything. And the Thunder were ready to partake in all that. Problem was, nobody knew how to pop corks. That meant a team that won 84 games had one more thing to learn this season.

WORDS: 314 - MOVED: 06/23/2025 12:28 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e7e9eb278b9097baf485ebf24e9c6180&mediaType=text

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BKN--NBA FINALS-PACERS-HALIBURTON

Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton suffers right leg injury in Game 7 loss. His father says it’s an Achilles

SUMMARY: Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton, who was playing with a strained right calf, went down with a lower right leg injury in the first quarter of the Pacers’ Game 7 loss in the NBA Finals to the Oklahoma City Thunder and immediately began punching the court in frustration. Haliburton was taken to the Pacers’ locker room for evaluation while putting no weight on the leg. Virtually the entire Indiana playing, coaching and medical staff surrounded him on the court once he got hurt. He was quickly ruled out for the rest of the game. Haliburton’s father, John, told ABC it was an Achilles tendon injury. The Thunder won 103-91.

WORDS: 942 - MOVED: 06/22/2025 11:49 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8ef02bc6a6892d26c98a5dbee531c5cc&mediaType=text

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BKN--NBA FINALS

Game 7: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 29 points and Thunder beat Pacers 103-91 for NBA title

SUMMARY: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished off his MVP season with 29 points and 12 assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder pulled away in the second half to beat the Indiana Pacers 103-91 and win the NBA championship. Jalen Williams scored 21 for the Thunder, who were pushed to a Game 7 brink in the NBA Finals — but finished off a season for the ages. Oklahoma City won 84 games between the regular season and the playoffs, tying the 1996-97 Chicago Bulls for third-most in any season. The Pacers lost star Tyrese Haliburton early in Game 7 to a serious lower right leg injury.

WORDS: 649 - MOVED: 06/22/2025 11:41 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2489e4d37b7b25dfd3a5f28c9e0fd001&mediaType=text

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BKN--NBA FINALS-SHAI’S SEASON

MVP. Finals MVP. Scoring champ. NBA champ. OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander now holds all those titles

SUMMARY: He’s the most valuable player. The scoring champion. And now, an NBA champion along with NBA Finals MVP. All in one season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has entered one of the game’s most elite clubs. The 26-year-old Canadian is atop the basketball world now in almost every way imaginable. Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder captured the NBA title on Sunday night, beating the Indiana Pacers 103-91 to win the finals in a seven-game thriller.

WORDS: 1018 - MOVED: 06/22/2025 11:20 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:303e1fc14a0f0b425e882341eadacb6f&mediaType=text

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BBC--CWS FINALS

LSU sweeps Coastal Carolina in CWS finals for its 2nd national title in 3 years and 8th overall

SUMMARY: LSU knocked previously unbeaten Coastal Carolina ace Jacob Morrison out of the game with a four-run fourth inning and the Tigers won their second national championship in three years with a 5-3 victory in the College World Series finals. The Tigers completed a two-game sweep of the Chanticleers, who entered the finals on a 26-game win streak and on Sunday saw coach Kevin Schnall and first base coach Matt Schilling ejected in the bottom of the first inning. LSU gave the Southeastern Conference its sixth straight national title in baseball and 11th in 16 years.

WORDS: 1056 - MOVED: 06/22/2025 11:16 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:df100f0388fc52fe2443da7cfeead7c7&mediaType=text

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CAR--NASCAR-POCONO

Chase Briscoe holds off Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin to win at Pocono

SUMMARY: Chase Briscoe returned to victory lane Sunday at Pocono Raceway, conserving fuel down the stretch to hold off Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin for his first win with his new race team. Briscoe raced his way into an automatic spot in NASCAR’s playoffs and gave the No. 19 Toyota its first victory since 2023 when Martin Truex Jr. had the ride. Briscoe lost his job at the end of last season at Stewart-Haas Racing when the team folded and he was tabbed to replace Truex. Hamlin, who holds the track record with seven wins, appeared on the brink of reeling in Briscoe over the final, thrilling laps only to have not enough in the No. 11 Toytota to snag that eighth Pocono win.

WORDS: 1059 - MOVED: 06/22/2025 9:49 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7cd3980a4bd51fc00a3c1b308ac72341&mediaType=text

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CAR--NASCAR-POCONO-TOURNAMENT

Denny Hamlin earns No. 1 seed in NASCAR’s first In-season Challenge

SUMMARY: Denny Hamlin earned the top seed in the inaugural version of NASCAR’s In-season Challenge, a five-race, bracket-style tournament set to kick off next week in Atlanta. The tournament, which comes with a $1 million prize to the winner, is part of a new media rights deal that includes TNT. The final 32-driver field was set by results of the races at Michigan, Mexico City and Pocono. The drivers will be paired in head-to-head matchups based on seeding, with the winners advancing to the next round in a bracket format that mirrors the NCAA basketball tournaments.

WORDS: 209 - MOVED: 06/22/2025 9:03 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d129be372c654e83a3b087595392c8eb&mediaType=text

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GLF--TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Keegan Bradley pulls a stunner to deny Fleetwood and win the Travelers Championship

SUMMARY: Keegan Bradley has won the Travelers Championship for the second time in three years. This one was a stunner. He was trailing Tommy Fleetwood by three shots with four to play at the TPC River Highlands. He was still one shot behind playing the 18th. Bradley hit his approach to just under 6 feet for birdie. Fleetwood came up 50 feet short and took three putts for bogey. Bradley now moves to No. 9 in the Ryder Cup and he’ll have some decisions to make whether he should give up his role as U.S. captain to play at Bethpage Black.

WORDS: 917 - MOVED: 06/22/2025 8:35 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7777fe0e71be7a32c35df4f3dab695c5&mediaType=text

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BBO--DODGERS-OHTANI PITCHES

Shohei Ohtani pitches sharp first inning for Dodgers before driving in 5 runs at the plate

SUMMARY: Shohei Ohtani pitched one hitless inning Sunday in his second mound start for the Los Angeles Dodgers, striking out two and allowing just one baserunner on an error. The three-time MVP then drove in five runs at the plate, hitting a three-run triple down the right field line in the seventh before adding a two-run homer in the eighth. Ohtani threw 18 pitches against the Washington Nationals at Chavez Ravine, recording 12 strikes with one wild pitch. After leadoff hitter CJ Abrams grounded out, Mookie Betts dropped James Wood’s popup in the sun, but Ohtani struck out Luis García Jr. and Nathaniel Lowe to end it.

WORDS: 897 - MOVED: 06/22/2025 8:24 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ca73cfd1da2d0f02eb0f037a9a615d96&mediaType=text

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GLF--WOMEN’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Minjee Lee wins the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship for her 3rd major title

SUMMARY: Minjee Lee closed with a 2-over 74 but never gave up the lead Sunday in the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship to win her third major title. While Lee had three bogeys in a four-hole stretch on the front nine, she had started the day with a four-stroke lead over Jeeno Thitikul. And the world’s No. 2-ranked player, also in that final group, bogeyed both par 5s that are among the first three holes on Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco. Lee, ranked 24th, finished at 4-under 284, three strokes ahead of Auston Kim and Chanettee Wannasaen, the only other players to finish under par.

WORDS: 915 - MOVED: 06/22/2025 8:18 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4dee7b7dc8ce0c5b0f214be7850c3fe3&mediaType=text

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US--HEAT WAVE-SPORTS

Sports play through another dangerously hot day in parts of the US

SUMMARY: Several major league teams played through a second straight day of muggy conditions as dangerously hot temperatures dominated parts of the United States during a June heat wave. The PGA Tour was in a sweltering Connecticut for the Travelers Championship, and the LPGA played the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in the heat of Texas. The gametime temperature was 92 degrees for the series finale between the Mariners and Cubs in Chicago. Kids played in the fountains outside Wrigley before going into the ballpark, and the Cubs encouraged fans to take precautions in a message on the videoboard in left field.

WORDS: 722 - MOVED: 06/22/2025 7:16 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:270e35e2cc36186690652acb00f3847b&mediaType=text

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BBO--MARINERS-RALEIGH

Cal Raleigh caps big series for Seattle with major league-leading 31st homer

SUMMARY: There is no stopping Cal Raleigh at the moment. Raleigh has a major league-leading 31 homers after he helped the Seattle Mariners take two of three against the Chicago Cubs over the weekend. The switch hitter went deep four times and drove in six runs in the series. Raleigh had two hits, walked twice and scored three runs in Seattle’s 14-6 victory in the finale. He is batting .327 with 16 homers and 34 RBIs in his last 29 games.

WORDS: 406 - MOVED: 06/22/2025 6:48 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c4455ad64a9701202105c6ecc34da341&mediaType=text

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HKN--CHAMPION PANTHERS

‘This is amazing’: Panthers celebrate 2nd consecutive Stanley Cup with another parade

SUMMARY: Champagne was swilled and spilled, cigars were smoked and the Stanley Cup was hoisted a few more times, all with about 400,000 people watching. The Florida Panthers are getting pretty good at these parades. The back-to-back Stanley Cup winners had their championship parade and rally on Fort Lauderdale Beach on Sunday, the same setup as last year — except this time, bright sunshine greeted the champs as opposed to downpours and lightning a year ago.

WORDS: 502 - MOVED: 06/22/2025 6:22 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1d6c30f9baef4cd7126a4697080a1653&mediaType=text

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BKL--FEVER-ACES

A’ja Wilson scores 24 as Aces beat cold-shooting Caitlin Clark and Fever 89-81 to end 3-game skid

SUMMARY: A’ja Wilson scored 24 points in a battle with cold-shooting Caitlin Clark to lead the Aces to an 89-81 victory over the Indiana Fever and stop a three-game Las Vegas skid. Wilson, the reigning MVP, was one of five Aces in double figures. Jackie Young scored 19 points and Chelsea Gray finished with 18. Aliyah Boston scored 26 points for the Fever, including 18 in the first half. Clark, last season’s Rookie of the Year, had 19 points and 11 assists but shot just 1 of 10 from 3-point range. She’s 1 for 17 from deep over her last two games.

WORDS: 316 - MOVED: 06/22/2025 5:30 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:620cbbf7c29c968cd3194051e7d7ce8a&mediaType=text

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RAC--LUKAS HOSPITALIZED

Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas has been hospitalized and will not return to training, family says

SUMMARY: Hall of Fame horse racing trainer D. Wayne Lukas has been hospitalized and won’t return to training. Churchill Downs made the announcement about the 89-year-old after speaking with members of his family. Lukas’ family said he has battled a severe infection that has worsened and he has declined an aggressive treatment plan and instead will return home. Lukas’ horses have been transferred to assistant trainer Sebastian “Bas” Nicholl. Lukas is one of the most accomplished people in the history of the horse racing. His 15 Triple Crown victories are second only to good friend Bob Baffert, and Lukas has won the Kentucky Derby four times since 1988.

WORDS: 454 - MOVED: 06/22/2025 5:22 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3696adc1800e69d3f7708374bd444d1c&mediaType=text

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BBO--HANDLEY-CHISHOLM COLLISION

Orioles catcher Maverick Handley leaves game after collision with Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr.

SUMMARY: Baltimore Orioles backup catcher Maverick Handley left a 4-2 loss to the New York Yankees after being knocked over in a collision at the plate with Jazz Chisholm Jr. With Baltimore ahead 2-0 in the second, Chisholm hit a two-out double off Dean Kremer and went home on DJ LeMahieu’s single to left. Colton Cowser’s throw was up the third-base line. Handley moved to his left for the throw, arriving for the ball at the same time as Chisholm, who tried to veer to the inside to avoid contact. Chisholm, whose left cleat had come off as he speeded down the line, caught Handley with his right arm, fell past the plate and had to come back to touch it.

WORDS: 329 - MOVED: 06/22/2025 4:25 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:233aa10b11a5aa0c007e1400c0b18946&mediaType=text

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TEN--QUEEN’S CLUB

Alcaraz beats Lehecka in Queen’s Club final ahead of Wimbledon defense

SUMMARY: Carlos Alcaraz showed he will be the man to beat at Wimbledon again after defeating Jiri Lehecka in the final at Queen’s Club. The top-seeded Spaniard replicated his debut triumph on the grass courts of west London in 2023 with a 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-2 victory. It was an 18th-straight match win for Alcaraz — in his fifth consecutive final — following his title successes in Rome and at the French Open. Alcaraz, the defending Wimbledon champion, did not face a single break point and slammed down 18 aces on his way to a 21st career title, and second at Queen’s. Wimbledon starts June 30.

WORDS: 355 - MOVED: 06/22/2025 2:57 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3f490d1e4b4157af8743178a43e16c6f&mediaType=text

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BKN--ROCKETS-SUNS TRADE

Kevin Durant is going from the Suns to the Rockets in a blockbuster trade, AP source says

SUMMARY: The Houston Rockets are acquiring 15-time All-Star and four-time Olympic gold medalist Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns in a blockbuster deal struck Sunday, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement. The Rockets are giving up Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green and six future picks, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was still pending NBA approval. It ends weeks of speculation about where Durant would end up. Many teams were involved at various times, including Miami and Minnesota, but in the end Phoenix took the Rockets’ offer.

WORDS: 572 - MOVED: 06/22/2025 2:04 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0f70dd6296c4093cf6b4f27800ba99cd&mediaType=text