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.
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UPCOMING
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BKN--NBA PLAYOFF COVERAGE
FORMATS: Photo, Text
1. WITH: BKN--KNICKS-ADVANCE
2. DESCRIPTION: The New York Knicks have accomplished one of owner James Dolan’s edicts by reaching the NBA Finals. New York did that on Monday night with a 130-93 rout of the Cleveland Cavaliers to complete a four-game sweep in the conference finals. By Joe Reedy. 600 words.
3. UPCOMING: By 05/26/2026 5:00 a.m. EDT
4. WITH: BKN--KNICKS-FRENZIED FANS
5. DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK -- Knicks fans sang along to Prince’s “1999” at their watch party in Radio City Music Hall, on the night the team clinched its first NBA Finals trip since that year. They tried to forget the more than a quarter of a century of mostly bad years and enjoy the record-setting run the current team is on.
6. UPCOMING: By 05/26/2026 5:00 a.m. EDT
7. WITH: BKN--NBA PLAYOFF COVERAGE
8. DESCRIPTION: Coverage of the NBA playoffs
9. UPCOMING: By 05/26/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT
10. WITH: BKN--SPURS-THUNDER
11. DESCRIPTION: OKLAHOMA CITY -- It’s Game 5 of the Western Conference finals on Tuesday night, with the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs knotted at two games apiece. Game begins 8:30 p.m. EDT. Text, photos.
12. UPCOMING: By 05/26/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT
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HKN--NHL PLAYOFFS COVERAGE
FORMATS: Photo, Text
13. WITH: HKN--AVALANCHE-GOLDEN KNIGHTS
14. DESCRIPTION: The Vegas Golden Knights go for the sweep in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final against the Colorado Avalanche and a spot in the Stanley Cup Final. Breakout(s) planned.
15. UPCOMING: By 05/26/2026. Game begins 9 p.m. EDT
16. WITH: HKN--LANDESKOG’S DATA-DRIVEN COMEBACK
17. DESCRIPTION: DENVER -- Gabriel Landeskog uses sensors in his skates and sneakers to monitor his biomechanics. This technology helps the Colorado Avalanche captain stay healthy after a three-year gap due to a complicated knee injury. The sensors track movement patterns, workload, and stride characteristics, alerting Landeskog when he needs rest. Plantiga, an AI-driven platform, powers this cutting-edge tech. It’s used by athletes across various professional sports. Landeskog’s comeback this season includes 14 goals and 21 assists, making him a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. By Pat Graham and Stephen Whyno. Story by 10 a.m. ET.
18. UPCOMING: By 05/26/2026 10:00 a.m. EDT
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SOC--WCUP-US ROSTER
DESCRIPTION: U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino announces his 26-man World Cup roster. By Ronald Blum. 800 words, photos, announcement about 3:50 p.m. EDT.
UPCOMING: By 05/26/2026 3:50 p.m. EDT, Text
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GLF--NCAA WOMEN
DESCRIPTION: CARLSBAD, Calif. -- Stanford is the No. 1 seed as it goes after its third NCAA women’s golf title in five years, while Eastern Michigan makes its surprise debut as eight teams compete in the quarterfinals and semifinals of match play. Upcoming; 500 words.
UPCOMING: By 05/26/2026 10:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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BKN--KNICKS-BRUNSON MVP
Jalen Brunson leads Knicks to NBA Finals, wins Larry Bird Trophy as Eastern Conference finals MVP
SUMMARY: The New York Knicks made a commitment to Jalen Brunson four years ago, signing him as a free agent and building their team around him. Brunson proved they made the right decision by leading them to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. The All-Star point guard averaged 25.5 points and 7.8 assists during New York’s sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals, earning the Larry Bird Trophy as the series MVP. He had 15 points and five assists, when the Knicks crushed Cleveland 130-93 in Game 4.
WORDS: 467 - MOVED: 05/26/2026 1:15 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f80f36d2bf00cf78a349b0217625ddb7&mediaType=text
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BBO--ASTROS-RANGERS-NO-HITTER
Astros starter Tatsuya Imai and 2 relievers throw combined no-hitter against Rangers
SUMMARY: Houston Astros right-hander Tatsuya Imai and relievers Steven Okert and Alimber Santa combined to throw a no-hitter in a 9-0 win over the Texas Rangers. It was the first no-hitter in the major leagues since Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers combined for a 12-0 win over Pittsburgh on Sept. 4, 2024. The 23-year-old Santa fired two perfect innings and became the first pitcher to finish a no-hitter in his big league debut. Imai went six innings in the 17th regular-season no-hitter in Astros history and fourth that was a combined effort. Houston also threw a no-hitter in the 2022 World Series when four pitchers combined against Philadelphia. Okert worked the seventh, and Santa threw a called third strike past Brandon Nimmo to end it.
WORDS: 838 - MOVED: 05/26/2026 1:15 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d236b59dbd5f35f5363e96254c6e53b6&mediaType=text
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BKN--CAVALIERS SWEPT
Cavaliers overwhelmed in Game 4 by Knicks, who sweep series and send Cleveland into uncertain summer
SUMMARY: Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers finally got past the second round and face-planted in the Eastern Conference finals. They weren’t ready for the Knicks or the big stage. Cleveland’s season ended with an embarrassing 130—93 loss on Monday night in Game 4 to the New York Knicks, who swept the series and advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. The sweep will trigger a massive roster overhaul and perhaps even a coaching change in Cleveland. This isn’t what the Cavs had in mind when they traded for guard James Harden in February.
WORDS: 951 - MOVED: 05/26/2026 12:57 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:aa9b3c626d2e53698c708bce32211f59&mediaType=text
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BBO--DODGERS-KIKÉ HERNÁNDEZ RETURNS
Dodgers get their ‘clown in the clubhouse’ back as Kiké Hernández returns from surgery
SUMMARY: The Los Angeles Dodgers have Kiké Hernández back in action. He went 2 for 2 with a RBI double in his season debut against the Colorado Rockies, playing third base in place of injured Max Muncy. The Dodgers rallied for a 5-3 win. Hernández missed the first 53 games recovering from elbow surgery. Manager Dave Roberts praised his energy and toughness, noting that few understood the severity of his injury. Hernández played through pain last season, helping the Dodgers win their second consecutive World Series. He signed a $4.5 million, one-year contract in February to return for his 10th season in Los Angeles.
WORDS: 1063 - MOVED: 05/26/2026 12:51 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4434cbd4c7031ea4a60390221c63c4c9&mediaType=text
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BKN--KNICKS-CAVALIERS
New York back in NBA Finals for first time since 1999 after beating Cleveland 130-93 to finish sweep
SUMMARY: Karl Anthony-Towns had 19 points and 14 rebounds, OG Anunoby scored 17 and the New York Knicks routed the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 Monday night to complete a four-game sweep of the Eastern Conference finals and advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. Landry Shamet scored 16 off the bench while Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson had 15 apiece for the Knicks, who became the fourth team to have an 11-game winning streak during their postseason run. The last to do it was Golden State, which had a 15-game run en route to its second title in three seasons in 2017. Donovan MItchell had 31 points for Cleveland, which was swept in a postseason series for the first time since the 2018 NBA finals against Golden State.
WORDS: 925 - MOVED: 05/26/2026 12:22 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d216c8c8fc3e4134303afb6c2c7b2b87&mediaType=text
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HKN--HURRICANES-CANADIENS
Svechnikov scores in OT as Hurricanes beat Canadiens 3-2 in Game 3 of East final
SUMMARY: Andrei Svechnikov scored at 14:06 of overtime as the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 on Monday night to take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Final. Shayne Gostisbehere and Taylor Hall scored in regulation for Carolina. Frederik Andersen made 11 saves. Mike Matheson and Lane Hutson scored for Montreal, which got 35 stops from Jakub Dobes. The best-of-seven series returns to the Bell Centre for Game 4 on Wednesday.
WORDS: 285 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 11:56 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f82dfc4a57de3ea1a0c0f413eb2cf36a&mediaType=text
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BKN--KNICKS-BY THE NUMBERS
The Knicks keep adding numbers to their historic run, which has taken them to the NBA Finals
SUMMARY: The NBA Finals won’t start until June 3, so the schedule will do something that the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers could not in recent weeks. It’ll prevent the New York Knicks from winning. For a few days, anyway. The Knicks are headed to the NBA Finals, and they’re headed there on a roll like few others in league history. New York finished off a four-game sweep of the Eastern Conference finals on Monday night, beating the Cavaliers 130-93 — and extending its winning streak to 11 games.
WORDS: 633 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 10:50 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1c31fd226ec7cf66f459099102234ec5&mediaType=text
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BBO--BREWERS-MISIOROWSKI
Brewers’ Misiorowski sets record with 57 pitches of at least 100 mph
SUMMARY: Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski threw 57 pitches at least 100 mph — the most in a single game since pitch tracking began in 2008 — while getting 12 strikeouts to match his career high Monday against the St. Louis Cardinals. The previous record for 100 mph pitches in a game was 47 by Cincinnati’s Hunter Greene against St. Louis on Sept. 17, 2022. The 24-year-old Misiorowski reached 101 mph on 40 of his 96 pitches. He got to 102 mph on 22 pitches and had nine of at least 103. His top velocity was 103.4 mph.
WORDS: 737 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 8:37 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0ce251943b10c9a922748b2ce7054d70&mediaType=text
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BKN--KNICKS-FANS
Garden party: New York fans invade Cleveland as Knicks try to sweep Cavaliers and make NBA Finals
SUMMARY: The Knicks and their fans threatened to turn Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals into a Garden party. Madison Square Garden, that is. With New York one win from sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers and earning its first NBA Finals appearance since 1999, thousands of Knicks fans — and some of their well-heeled celebrity backers — descended upon Rocket Arena. Based on the “Let’s Go Knicks!” chants during pregame warmups, New York fans seemed to outnumber Cleveland’s. The Cavs are trying to come back from an 0-3 deficit, something that has never been done in the NBA playoffs.
WORDS: 282 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 8:27 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9660228d8ed21b414e5f742040228d81&mediaType=text
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BB0--ORIOLES-COWSER’S HOMERS
Orioles’ Colton Cowser showing signs of a breakthrough with 2 walk-off home runs in 2 days
SUMMARY: Colton Cowser hit a walk-off home run for the second consecutive day to complete the Baltimore Orioles’ 9-7, 13-inning victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, one he said was one of his “favorite complete team wins.” The fifth overall selection in the 2021 draft is hitting .333 with all three of his home runs over an eight-game stretch. The third homer, Monday’s two-run shot, followed Sunday’s three-run drive to decide a 5-3 victory over Detroit to open a split doubleheader. He became Baltimore’s first player to hit walk-off homers on consecutive days since Fred Lynn on May 10-11, 1985, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
WORDS: 465 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 7:51 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:177bd581643711ce9086540a6c4bda0a&mediaType=text
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TEN--FRENCH OPEN-RETIRING PLAYERS
Wawrinka and Monfils bid farewell to the French Open after losing in first round
SUMMARY: Stan Wawrinka and Gaël Monfils have waved goodbye to the French Open after both lost in the first round. The curtain fell on Gael Monfils just before midnight when he lost to French countryman Hugo Gaston in five sets. It was the 39-year-old Monfils’ final appearance at Roland Garros. Same went for the 41-year-old Wawrinka. He lost to Jesper de Jong in four sets on another sweltering day. Monfils and Wawrinka are retiring at the end of the year. They made their French Open debuts 21 years ago.
WORDS: 828 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 6:54 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7514e7424eac83aa3f5a2872acede6de&mediaType=text
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BBO--RAYS-ORIOLES
Cowser hits 2nd game-winning HR in 2 days, giving the Orioles a 9-7 win over the Rays in 13 innings
SUMMARY: Colton Cowser hit a two-run game-winning homer in the 13th inning — his second walk-off shot in as many days — to give the Baltimore Orioles a 9-7 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Cowser’s 425-foot blast off Jesse Scholtens (5-3) was just his third homer of the season and punctuated a wild victory in which the Orioles rallied three times in extra innings. Jonathan Aranda hit his ninth home run in the sixth and added a sacrifice fly in the 12th for the Rays, who lost consecutive games for the first time since April 19-21 in their second 13-inning game — and first such loss —this season. Victor Mesa Jr. hit his second career home run, a two-run shot in the 12th inning of his Tampa Bay debut.
WORDS: 377 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 6:49 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fedbc513b43e1e1f49b7ea540e02c6f3&mediaType=text
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BBO--WANDER FRANCO-TRIAL
Wander Franco criminally responsible for abuse, judge finds, but spared punishment in Dominican case
SUMMARY: A Dominican judge has ruled that Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco is criminally responsible for the sexual and psychological abuse of a minor but will not serve a sentence. Judge José Antonio Núñez found Franco was a victim of extortion by the minor’s mother, who was sentenced to ten years for trafficking her daughter. Franco was arrested in January 2024 for a relationship with a 14-year-old girl. After the ruling, Franco expressed relief and asked fans for support. The full sentencing is set for June 16.
WORDS: 433 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 6:32 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e02731859a5b9999315aca2483820d7b&mediaType=text
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SOC-INTER MIAMI-MESSI
Inter Miami says Lionel Messi has ‘an overload’ associated with fatigue in left hamstring
SUMMARY: Inter Miami confirmed Monday that Lionel Messi has a left hamstring issue, though did not say when the problem is expected to be cleared up. And that adds a bit of intrigue for defending World Cup champion Argentina, which is scheduled to open its training camp for this year’s tournament on June 1 in Kansas City. Messi underwent testing on Monday — which almost certainly means an MRI exam, though the team did not divulge what procedures were involved — and was ultimately diagnosed with “an overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring.” Typically, the timeframe for recovery from such issues is varied depending on the severity.
WORDS: 441 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 6:30 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5636b5e6defc89068dbf66fc7ec85ab8&mediaType=text
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HKN--AVALANCHE-ON THE BRINK
Bednar: Avalanche will take a limited Nathan MacKinnon as Colorado trails 3-0
SUMMARY: The Colorado Avalanche face a tough challenge in the Western Conference Final. They trail the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in the series. Nathan MacKinnon is limited after taking a puck to the knee in Sunday’s 5-3 loss. Coach Jared Bednar says any contribution from MacKinnon is valuable. Historically, teams down 3-0 rarely come back. Only four teams have erased such deficits in any playoff round. The Avalanche need to play with urgency and precision to avoid elimination. They aim to bring the series back to Denver for Game 5, hoping to defy the odds and make a comeback.
WORDS: 730 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 6:09 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7290780308a1157440038b290f85eaff&mediaType=text
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SOC-WCUP-IRAN-MEXICO
Mexico’s president sees ‘no issue’ with her country hosting Iran’s World Cup team during tournament
SUMMARY: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says she has “no issue” with her country hosting Iran’s World Cup team after its training base was moved from the United States to Mexico for the summer soccer competition. The Iranian team will still play its matches in the U.S. but its base has been moved to Tijuana, Mexico, just south of San Diego, California. FIFA confirmed the move on Monday. The development comes against the backdrop of the war in Iran. Sheinbaum told a news conference that a FIFA representative had told her the U.S. was reluctant to have the Iranian soccer team spend time outside the games on U.S. territory.
WORDS: 463 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 5:03 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5bdfa21feccf35f0ed955b9dd1ab7244&mediaType=text
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BBC--NCAA TOURNAMENT
UCLA earns No. 1 seed for NCAA baseball tournament ahead of offensive juggernaut Georgia Tech
SUMMARY: UCLA is the No. 1 national seed for the NCAA baseball tournament. The Bruins were rewarded for their dominant wire-to-wire run through the regular season. The tournament opens Friday with 16 double-elimination regionals. Winners advance to eight best-of-three super regionals. Those winners move on to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, beginning June 12. The Bruins swept the Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles. Their 51 wins are most wins entering regionals since Tennessee came in with 53 in 2022. ACC champion Georgia Tech is the No. 2 seed and followed by Georgia, Auburn, North Carolina, Texas, Alabama and Florida.
WORDS: 679 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 4:33 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:463e14c3ddaf188b1023d30d6fb7f5c8&mediaType=text
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TEN--FRENCH OPEN-HEAT WAVE
Heat wave at French Open impacts the clay courts and sends fans to sprinklers
SUMMARY: Tennis players at the French Open say they haven’t experienced conditions this hot at Roland Garros since the 2024 Paris Olympics. And the Olympics were held in July and August. Temperatures for the opening two days of the clay-court Grand Slam have soared to 33 degrees C (91 F). That’s far beyond normal for late May in the French capital. And it’s forecast to stay that way for the entire first week. Besides making it uncomfortable for fans and players alike the sultry conditions have also created faster conditions on court. Russian-born Australian player Daria Kasatkina says “I don’t remember the last time it was so hot at Roland Garros.”
WORDS: 702 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 4:01 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:77db47a2d5462136ab166e7d0fa71ed6&mediaType=text
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CAR--INDIANAPOLIS 500-ROSENQVIST
Felix Rosenqvist is savoring a busy schedule as the spoils of victory from his Indianapolis 500 win
SUMMARY: Felix Rosenqvist’s Indianapolis 500 victory lap started sinking in quickly. After gulping the traditional swig of milk and dumping the rest over his head, the winner of the closest race in Indy 500 history began making the winner’s rounds. He spent two hours answering questions in his fire suit before heading to another photo shoot. Then there was a short celebratory night before hitting the early morning television shows, more photo shoots and Monday night’s postrace dinner where he’ll find out how much money he won. Never mind that there’s another race next weekend in Detroit. But the 34-year-old Swede wasn’t about to start complaining. No, he was too busy savoring the spoils of victory.
WORDS: 860 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 2:48 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bd5d5cf022062afa876d2adeb27395bc&mediaType=text
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CAR--NASCAR-SPIRE’S UPRISING
Spire Motorsports is on the rise after winning a second race, but bigger goals are on the horizon
SUMMARY: Daniel Suarez’s surprising win at the Coca-Cola 600 gave Spire Motorsports its second victory of the season, matching racing giant Hendrick Motorsports. Suarez says the team isn’t satisfied yet. He praised the structure and foundation built by team owner Jeff Dickerson and crew chief Ryan Sparks. Spire, once considered a small NASCAR team, is changing perceptions. Dickerson aims to put two cars in the playoffs and win three races this season, and Suarez said the team hasn’t yet reached its full potential.
WORDS: 775 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 2:03 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1843d786f61efa3c5cea227e5fd5fde4&mediaType=text
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