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--TIPOFF

2. DESCRIPTION: LOS ANGELES — The third-seeded Lakers and the second-seeded Houston Rockets could see their seasons come to an early end when the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors attempt to finish them off in a pair of Game 5s on Wednesday night. Both teams in trouble have decent excuses for the possibility of a one-round-and-done season, but both also have their home crowds behind them with a chance to extend the series. By Greg Beacham. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos.

3. UPCOMING: By 04/29/2025 7:00 p.m. EDT

4. WITH: BKN--BUCKS-PACERS

5. DESCRIPTION: INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers will try to close out their first-round series with the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday. Indiana took a 3-1 series lead with Sunday’s victory. The Pacers eliminated the Bucks 4-2 in the first round last year, too. Milwaukee is trying to avoid a third consecutive first-round exit, this time after losing All-NBA guard Damian Lillard. By Michael Marot. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game starts at 6 p.m. EDT.

6. UPCOMING: By 04/29/2025 9:00 p.m. EDT

7. WITH: BKN--PISTONS-KNICKS

8. DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK — The New York Knicks can advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals for the third straight season with a victory over the Detroit Pistons in Game 5 of their first-round series. By Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game starts at 7:30 p.m. EDT.

9. UPCOMING: By 04/29/2025 10:30 p.m. EDT

10. WITH: BKN--MAGIC-CELTICS

11. DESCRIPTION: BOSTON — The Celtics earned a split in Orlando to take a 3-1 lead in their first-round series. Boston returns home to TD Garden with a chance to advance to the second round. The Celtics are in this spot despite being without guard Jrue Holiday for two straight games as he deals with a strained right hamstring. By Jimmy Golen. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game starts at 8:30 p.m. EDT.

12. UPCOMING: By 04/29/2025 11:30 p.m. EDT

13. WITH: BKN--CLIPPERS-NUGGETS

14. DESCRIPTION: DENVER — Aaron Gordon, fresh off the first buzzer-beating, game-winning dunk in NBA playoff history, and the Denver Nuggets return to Ball Arena for a pivotal Game 5 against Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers. By Arnie Stapleton. Game starts at 10 p.m. EDT.

15. UPCOMING: By 04/29/2025 11:59 p.m. EDT

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FBC--BIG TEN-SPRING WRAP

DESCRIPTION: Eleven Big Ten teams have settled on their starting quarterbacks. The other seven, including defending national champion Ohio State, will carry competitions into preseason practice. By College Football Writer Eric Olson. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos. With FBC--Big Ten Spring Wrap-Players To Watch.

UPCOMING: By 04/29/2025 3:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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FBC--BIG 12-SPRING WRAP

DESCRIPTION: Rich Rodriguez and Scott Frost are new to the Big 12 Conference, not the schools that brought them back in hopes of rekindling the kind of success they had in the past. Rodriguez at West Virginia and Frost at UCF are the only new coaches in the 16-team Big 12, and have now been through their first springs since reuniting with their old schools. By Stephen Hawkins. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos. With FBC--Big 12-Spring Wrap-Players To Watch.

UPCOMING: By 04/29/2025 3:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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FBC--ACC-SPRING WRAP

DESCRIPTION: It’s on to fall camp for the Atlantic Coast Conference and new North Carolina coach Bill Belichick. The six-time Super Bowl champion coach with the New England Patriots came to college last December, taking over a Tar Heels program looking for ACC championships. Belichick was the buzziest offseason addition in the ACC. Stanford and interim coach Frank Reich made it through a chaotic spring following the March firing of coach Troy Taylor, who was twice investigated on allegations of hostile behavior. CFP teams in Clemson and SMU both felt like they built on playoff seasons from a year ago. By Pete Iacobelli. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos. With FBC--ACC-Spring Wrap-Players To Watch.

UPCOMING: By 04/29/2025 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKL—WINGS-BUECKERS EXPECTATIONS

DESCRIPTION: DALLAS — Paige Bueckers is the latest college phenom to enter the WNBA with high expectations, as the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Wings. Bueckers became the face of women’s college basketball leading UConn to its 12th NCAA title and now joins a rebuilding team. By Stephen Hawkins. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/29/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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HKN--FACEOFF

Wednesday is another potential elimination night in the NHL, with Washington one win from closing out Montreal and defending Stanley Cup champion Florida on the verge of knocking out the cross-state rival Tampa Bay for a second consecutive year. One series that looked on paper to be lopsided turns out to be nothing of the sort, with Western Conference top-seeded Winnipeg and St. Louis are tied at two games apiece going into Game 5. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/29/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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HKN--SENATORS-MAPLE LEAFS

DESCRIPTION: TORONTO — The Maple Leafs try to advance to the second round of the NHL playoffs for the second time in three years when they return home for Game 5 against Ottawa. The Senators staved off elimination with an overtime win at home in Game 4. UPCOMING: 450 words, photos. Game starts at 7 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 04/29/2025 10:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BBO--DIAMONDBACKS-METS

DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK -- Brandon Nimmo and the New York Mets return home with the best record in baseball at 20-9 as they open a three-game series against Corbin Carroll and the Arizona Diamondbacks. By Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos. Game starts at 7:10 p.m.

UPCOMING: By 04/29/2025 10:10 p.m. EDT, Text

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HKN--DEVILS-HURRICANES

DESCRIPTION: RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes try to close out their first-round playoff series against the New Jersey Devils in Game 5. By Aaron Beard. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game starts at 7:30 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 04/29/2025 10:30 p.m. EDT, Text

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HKN--OILERS-KINGS

DESCRIPTION: LOS ANGELES — Connor McDavid and the Oilers go after their third straight win in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series with the Kings. Edmonton earned back-to-back comeback victories at home after dropping the first two games in Los Angeles. By Greg Beacham. UPCOMING: 450 words, photos. Game starts at 7 p.m. PDT.

UPCOMING: By 04/29/2025 11:59 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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TEN--MADRID OPEN

Swiatek reaches Madrid quarterfinals after ‘relaxed’ day during blackout, Zverev loses

SUMMARY: Power has been restored at the Caja Magica tennis complex and the Madrid Open resumed with a packed schedule that included second-ranked Iga Swiatek advancing to the quarterfinals. Swiatek defeated Diana Shnaider 6-0, 6-7 (3), 6-4 to stay on track to defend her title in the Spanish capital. Most parts of Madrid regained power Monday night but organizers said the Caja Magica was still without electricity early Tuesday, prompting a delay in the opening of the gates for fans. But the power came back quickly, and organizers did not have to alter the day’s schedule of matches. Men’s top-seeded Alexander Zverev was upset by 21st-ranked Francisco Cerundolo.

WORDS: 879 - MOVED: 04/29/2025 1:55 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:62f3eb256132a57f41bcf11b65a6611a&mediaType=text

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FBN--INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Shedeur Sanders’ draft slide leads to a rare QB double dip by the Browns

SUMMARY: Shedeur Sanders’ slide down the NFL draft was the dominant story of the weekend with one of college football’s most high-profile players lasting until the fifth round. The fact Sanders was taken by the Browns two rounds after they drafted another quarterback in Dillon Gabriel made the entire situation even more rare. The Browns were the first team to draft two quarterbacks in the first five rounds of the NFL draft since Washington did it in 2012, when the team traded up to take Robert Griffin III with the second-overall pick and then drafted Kirk Cousins in the fourth round.

WORDS: 1068 - MOVED: 04/29/2025 1:52 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c8f5432414906672f7105a617c1501e8&mediaType=text

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FBN--NFL DRAFT-PRANK CALLS

Prank calls to other players unrelated to the one received by Shedeur Sanders, AP source says

SUMMARY: The prank call to Shedeur Sanders during the NFL draft wasn’t related to the ones other players received, according to a person familiar with the league’s investigation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing. Tyler Warren, Kyle McCord, Mason Graham and Chase Lundt also have reported receiving prank calls. The call to Sanders, who was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round, made headlines when the Atlanta Falcons said defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich’s son was responsible. Sanders received a prank call on the second day of the draft while waiting after entering the draft expecting to be a first-round pick.

WORDS: 538 - MOVED: 04/29/2025 1:34 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:027749fcb71bafa5ff44b73bd4a03d03&mediaType=text

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BKN--KINGS-CHRISTIE

Kings are finalizing a deal to keep Doug Christie as coach, AP source says

SUMMARY: The Sacramento Kings are closing in on a deal with Doug Christie to keep him as coach following an interim stint that ended with a loss in the Play-In Tournament. A person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press that the Kings are finalizing a multiyear contract with Christie. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hadn’t made an announcement. ESPN first reported the decision. Christie took over the Kings after Mike Brown was fired in late December and posted a 27-24 record in his interim stint. Sacramento made it into the Play-In Tournament but lost its first game at home to Dallas.

WORDS: 338 - MOVED: 04/29/2025 12:55 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ca0bf55bd921ba5c990dae0599df0131&mediaType=text

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BKN--NBA-ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

The rookie of the year finalists: Stephon Castle, Zaccharie Risacher and Jaylen Wells

SUMMARY: The San Antonio Spurs might be looking at back-to-back rookie of the year award winners. After Victor Wembanyama got all the first-place votes last year, Spurs guard Stephon Castle is one of three finalists for the rookie award this season. The winner will be announced Tuesday on TNT. The other finalists are Zaccharie Risacher of Atlanta — the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft — and Jaylen Wells of Memphis. Will be updated following announcement set for 7 p.m. EDT.

WORDS: 420 - MOVED: 04/29/2025 12:55 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:19ddd5adaf0c2e3df06e9321a9ff4ac7&mediaType=text

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HKO--PLAYER DEATH-NO CHARGES

Man arrested following death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson won’t face charges

SUMMARY: British prosecutors say a man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson has been told he will not face any charges. Johnson played for the Nottingham Panthers and died shortly after his neck had been sliced in a collision with Sheffield Steelers defenseman Matt Petgrave during a game on Oct. 28, 2023. A man was arrested two weeks later and though South Yorkshire Police has not publicly identified him, Petgrave himself said in a crowdfunding appeal for legal fees that he was the subject of a police investigation. The Crown Prosecution Service says it decided it would not bring criminal charges against the man arrested because “there is not a realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offense.”

WORDS: 448 - MOVED: 04/29/2025 12:12 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ac24f4993af3f63040e8c8752f86292d&mediaType=text

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CYC--GIRO D’ITALIA-VATICAN

Giro d’Italia cycling race to go inside the Vatican’s walls in homage to Pope Francis

SUMMARY: It could very well be the biggest sporting event ever held inside the walls of the Vatican. The Giro d’Italia will pay homage to the late Pope Francis by passing through the Vatican gardens behind St. Peter’s Basilica and in front of the Santa Marta hotel where Francis lived during the final stage of the cycling race on June 1. More than 150 cyclists will pedal for three kilometers through an area of the Vatican rarely seen by the general public and live TV images will broadcast the scenes around the world.

WORDS: 850 - MOVED: 04/29/2025 11:57 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:23d7c0595194225d2a9830621ae44c2c&mediaType=text

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FBN--49ERS-KITTLE

George Kittle agrees to an extension with the 49ers that makes him the highest-paid tight end ever

SUMMARY: George Kittle agreed to a four-year contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers that will make him the highest-paid tight end in NFL history. Kittle announced the deal on the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast, saying the extension was worth $76.4 million over four years with $35 million guaranteed at signing. The deal keeps Kittle under contract with San Francisco through the 2029 season. The 49ers confirmed the deal with the only remaining member of the original draft class under coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch.

WORDS: 557 - MOVED: 04/29/2025 11:37 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ea421a93081fe7f9ad0f33c340981aa9&mediaType=text

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OLY--SAFESPORT CENTER-NEXT STEPS

Troubled SafeSport Center looks for a new leader and tries to chart a different course

SUMMARY: The Associated Press spoke to more than a dozen people familiar with the U.S. Center for SafeSport to gauge the next moves it must take to rebuild trust after the ouster of its CEO last week. A consensus emerged that the center is ultimately worth taking the time to repair. Among the ideas include shrinking the scope of its mission to focus mainly on the worst sex-abuse cases and those involving Olympic athletes. The Denver-based center’s interim CEO, April Holmes, is expected to answer some pointed questions she received from Sen. Chuck Grassley earlier this spring that speak to the future of the $23 million-a-year operation.

WORDS: 1262 - MOVED: 04/29/2025 11:21 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:eae76690e17b07a705fef75dddc29426&mediaType=text

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GLF--PRESIDENTS CUP

Geoff Ogilvy and Brandt Snedeker selected as Presidents Cup captains for 2026 at Medinah

SUMMARY: Geoff Ogilvy and Brandt Snedeker are the captains for the 2026 Presidents Cup at Medinah in the Chicago suburbs. Ogilvy is the former U.S. Open champion who spends most of his time with golf course architecture firm OCM. Its most recent project was renovating the No. 3 course at Medinah. That’s where the Presidents Cup will be played next year. Ogilvy is leading an International team that hasn’t won the cup since 1998. Snedeker is a nine-time PGA Tour winner who captured the FedEx Cup in 2012. He played in one Presidents Cup and two Ryder Cups. Will be updated.

WORDS: 247 - MOVED: 04/29/2025 11:17 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:254518640ab7cef5394391d4c02df05d&mediaType=text

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CRI--SENSATIONAL SURYAVANSHI

Vaibhav Suryavanshi becomes world cricket’s wunderkind at the age of 14

SUMMARY: A 14-year-old wunderkind has the cricket world in raptures after scoring an electrifying 35-ball century in the Indian Premier League. Vaibhav Suryavanshi broke all sorts of batting records in Twenty20 cricket during the IPL game in Jaipur on Monday night. The precocious batter seemed destined for stardom when he signed with Rajasthan Royals during the IPL auction last year at the age of 13. It took Suryavanshi just three games in the sport’s richest, ritziest league to grab global attention as he smashed 11 sixes and seven fours in his breathtaking 101. And he did it against an experienced Gujarat Titans bowling attack with a combined 694 games of international experience. Now he’s the real thing.

WORDS: 788 - MOVED: 04/29/2025 8:56 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7eb72d22e60031ec687ae07bcfaadd3d&mediaType=text

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CAR--F1-SWEARING

Is the punishment for cursing in F1 too harsh? Racing boss hints at changes after driver backlash

SUMMARY: The president of Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA has signaled he’ll make “improvements” to punishments for swearing and criticism which have sparked a backlash from F1 drivers. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has posted on Instagram that after “constructive feedback” from drivers across the various event FIA governs, “I am considering making improvements to Appendix B.” That’s the document which lays out the punishments for a range of offenses ranging from physical violence to political statements, swearing and any comments deemed to cause “moral injury or loss” to the FIA.

WORDS: 883 - MOVED: 04/29/2025 8:53 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2099938e09d23b64b00489aa4da765b5&mediaType=text

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SOC--ARSENAL-PSG

PSG tries to knock out third English team in a row when it faces Arsenal in Champions League semis

SUMMARY: Paris Saint-Germain returns to England for the third straight round in the Champions League as the French champion travels to Arsenal for the first leg of their semifinal. Both teams are looking for a first Champions League title and PSG will be aiming to avoid a repeat of the 2-0 loss it suffered at Emirates Stadium in the league phase of the competition back in October. PSG has looked like a much-improved team since then in eliminating Premier League champion Liverpool and Aston Villa in the first two knockout rounds. Match starts at 3 p.m. EDT.

WORDS: 191 - MOVED: 04/29/2025 7:26 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:836500db9256439a131dce8ecb7ad9fa&mediaType=text

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FBN--COMMANDERS-STADIUM-WHAT’S NEXT

What’s next in the Commanders’ process of building a new stadium in Washington

SUMMARY: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged that a new, state-of-the-art Commanders stadium in Washington would drastically increase the chances of the U.S. capital hosting the Super Bowl for the first time. But that’s a long time from being decided. First, the agreement between the team and city has to get approved by a majority of the District of Columbia Council. The aggressive timeline to get the building opened by 2030 involves council approval this summer so planning can take place in the fall and the groundbreaking happen in the fall or winter of 2026.

WORDS: 880 - MOVED: 04/29/2025 6:02 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8fd2b5791f8e67de0689e31047532b25&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

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SOC--BARCELONA-INTER MILAN

BARCELONA, Spain — Barcelona hosts Inter Milan in the first game of their Champions League semifinal. Match starts at 17:00 GMT/3 p.m. EDT.

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HKN--NHL PLAYOFF COVERAGE

Coverage of the NHL postseason.

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BKN--NBA PLAYOFF COVERAGE

Coverage of the NBA postseason.