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 FINALS COVERAGE

FORMATS: Photo, Text

1. WITH: BKN--NBA FINALS-BETTING

2. DESCRIPTION: LAS VEGAS — The Oklahoma City Thunder are overwhelming favorites to defeat the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals. By Mark Anderson. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos.

3. UPCOMING: By 06/04/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT

4. WITH: BKN--NBA FINALS-PREVIEW

5. DESCRIPTION: OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder could finish with one of the best records in NBA history. The Indiana Pacers could end up as an unlikely champion. The NBA Finals start Thursday night with two young teams that haven’t been on this stage in a long, long time. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 4 p.m. With BKN--NBA Finals Capsule (sent).

6. UPCOMING: By 06/04/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT

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SOC--US REGROUPS

DESCRIPTION: A year before the World Cup, Mauricio Pochettino has revamped the U.S. player pool heading into Saturday’s exhibition against Turkey following flops in the Copa America and the CONCACAF Nations League. By Ronald Blum. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/04/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKN--KNICKS COACHING SEARCH

DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK -- After an era of stability and more success than they had enjoyed in a quarter of a century, the New York Knicks have opened a coaching search few could have seen coming when they opted to fire Tom Thibodeau, just a year after extending his contract. By Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/04/2025 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BBO--MANFRED

DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred holds a news conference during an owners’ meeting. By Baseball Writer Ronald Blum. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/04/2025 6:30 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--RAIDERS-GRAHAM

DESCRIPTION: HENDERSON, Nev. — New Las Vegas Raiders coach Pete Carroll retained defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who found a way to stay around even through two coaching changes. That staying power shows the confidence head coaches have had in him. By Mark Anderson. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/04/2025 9:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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SOF--NCAA-TEXAS TECH-CANADY

DESCRIPTION: OKLAHOMA CITY — NiJaree Canady signed a deal worth more than $1 million to play for Texas Tech, and the deal has paid off for the Red Raiders. Canady has pitched Tech to the championship series against Texas. Through all her struggles this season that came from the pressure, Canady has delivered. By Cliff Brunt. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos. With SOF--NCAA-Texas Tech-Texas (game starts at 8 p.m. EDT).

UPCOMING: By 06/04/2025 11:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BKN--SUNS-OTT

Suns hire Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott as head coach, AP source says

SUMMARY: The Phoenix Suns have hired Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott as their head coach, opting for a young, emerging leader to rebuild a franchise that has regressed over the past few seasons. That’s according to a person familiar with the search who spoke Wednesday to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the hire hasn’t officially been announced. Ott will be the team’s fourth head coach in four seasons and replaces Mike Budenholzer, who was fired following a miserable 36-46 season. The 40-year-old Ott has worked for the Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers and the Cavaliers.

WORDS: 481 - MOVED: 06/04/2025 1:35 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:01ae1633a0871bbfe210888858e0dc4d&mediaType=text

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HKN--PENGUINS-MUSE

Penguins hire Rangers assistant Dan Muse to replace Mike Sullivan as head coach

SUMMARY: Dan Muse is the new head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins have hired the former New York Rangers assistant and tasked him with helping the franchise navigate a rebuild during the twilight of longtime captain Sidney Crosby’s career. Muse replaces Mike Sullivan. Sullivan and the Penguins split in April after a near decade-long tenure that included a pair of Stanley Cup titles. The Rangers quickly scooped up Sullivan, naming him their coach in early May. The 42-year-old Muse was hired after a monthlong search by Penguins general manager and director of hockey operations Kyle Dubas. Muse’s hiring leaves the Boston Bruins as the last of eight teams with offseason head coaching vacancies.

WORDS: 512 - MOVED: 06/04/2025 1:14 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:533905856170bfc33271f4ca342cfbd3&mediaType=text

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TEN--FRENCH OPEN-BOISSON

A fairy tale in Paris: French wild card Boisson stuns No. 6 Andreeva to reach French Open semis

SUMMARY: French wild-card entry Loïs Boisson has upset sixth-ranked Mirra Andreeva 7-6 (6), 6-3 in front of a boisterous and partisan crowd to reach the French Open semifinals. Andreeva repeatedly showed her frustration with the crowd as fans chanted “Lois, Lois” between points, waved Tricolor flags and even applauded the Russian teenager’s errors. The 22-year-old Boisson became the first woman to reach the semifinals at her debut Grand Slam tournament since 1989 when Monica Seles and Jennifer Capriati both did it at the French Open. She is also the youngest French semifinalist at a major since Amelie Mauresmo at Wimbledon in 1999.

WORDS: 665 - MOVED: 06/04/2025 12:48 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cfbf2350b8ae3a23fec425dd7144b106&mediaType=text

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GLF--LIV GOLF-DECHAMBEAU

Bryson DeChambeau is back to competing, preparing for US Open title defense after ‘fun side quests’

SUMMARY: As much as Bryson DeChambeau loves to practice and compete, the U.S. Open champion also appreciates the limited LIV Golf schedule that gives him time to pursue other interests. DeChambeau arrived at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club for LIV Golf Virginia after a busy few days that included a round of golf with President Donald Trump and some short-game practice on the South Lawn of the White House. Now the big-hitting YouTube star turns his attention to the 54-hole LIV event that starts Friday at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. Next week at Oakmont, he will try to win his third U.S. Open.

WORDS: 838 - MOVED: 06/04/2025 12:29 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d037659bdb36dc38ad710a4a6b0a036e&mediaType=text

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TEN--FRENCH OPEN-MEN

French Open: Jannik Sinner wins his 19th consecutive Grand Slam match and returns to the semifinals

SUMMARY: Top-ranked Jannik Sinner’s overpowering run through the French Open has continued into the semifinals. Sinner beat No. 62 Alexander Bublik 6-1, 7-5, 6-0 on Wednesday. Sinner needed just 1 hour, 49 minutes to advance against Bublik, who upset No. 5 Jack Draper in the previous round. Not only hasn’t Sinner ceded a set yet, he only has dropped a total of 36 games through five matches over the past 1 1/2 weeks. Sinner lost to champion Carlos Alcaraz in the final four at Roland-Garros a year ago.

WORDS: 223 - MOVED: 06/04/2025 12:27 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:00482099ae1ed60dbc2009a6deb5524d&mediaType=text

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FBN--PACKERS-PASS RUSH

Packers believe weekend film studies at Kenny Clark’s home may produce more consistent pass rush

SUMMARY: Kenny Clark is hosting his fellow Green Bay Packers pass rushers for weekend offseason gatherings in hopes of producing more frequent get-togethers in opposing backfields each Sunday this fall. The three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman realizes Green Bay’s pass rush can’t afford a repeat of its inconsistent 2024 performance. That’s why Green Bay’s pass rushers have been conducting regular offseason film sessions at Clark’s home. Green Bay collected 45 sacks last season to tie for eighth place among all NFL teams. But more than half of those sacks came in just four games.

WORDS: 848 - MOVED: 06/04/2025 10:33 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d2627d779985fcd4dd3f8708eee25d88&mediaType=text

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TEN--FRENCH OPEN-KEYS-GAUFF

French Open: Coco Gauff digs deep to beat Keys and will face 361st-ranked Boisson in the semifinals

SUMMARY: Coco Gauff overcame 10 double-faults and the first set she’s dropped in the tournament to beat Madison Keys 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-1 at the French Open and reach the semifinals for the third time. Wednesday’s contest was filled with plenty of mistakes by both Americans, who each has claimed one major championship. They combined for 101 unforced errors and just 40 winners across more than two hours under a closed roof at Court Philippe-Chatrier on a drizzly, chilly day. The No. 2-seeded Gauff won the 2023 U.S. Open and was the runner-up at the 2022 French Open.

WORDS: 777 - MOVED: 06/04/2025 10:17 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1ab1221e6092a26d313a0ab1365498b1&mediaType=text

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GLF--LIV GOLF-BALLESTER

US Amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester of Spain joins LIV Golf

SUMMARY: U.S. Amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester has joined LIV Golf and will make his professional debut this week at the Saudi-funded league’s Virginia event. Ballester, who goes by the nickname Josele, will be part of the Fireballs team captained by fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia. LIV Golf says Ballester signed a multiyear contract. The 21-year-old recently concluded his senior season at Arizona State, the alma mater of LIV stars Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson. Golf Channel reported this week that Ballester declined membership on the Korn Ferry Tour, the PGA Tour’s top developmental circuit.

WORDS: 308 - MOVED: 06/04/2025 9:47 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d39c65d0a66d41431ca9ae63a166be6a&mediaType=text

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BKN--NBA MOCK DRAFT

NBA mock draft: Duke’s Cooper Flagg closing in on completing journey to becoming No. 1 overall pick

SUMMARY: Duke’s Cooper Flagg is the easy choice to be the No. 1 overall pick in The Associated Press’ NBA mock draft. Flagg is a versatile 6-foot-8 forward who had long been mentioned as a favorite to go with the top pick before he ever arrived at Duke. He went on to lead the Blue Devils to the Final Four and become AP national player of the year. There’s more uncertainty after Dallas makes the first pick, with the Rutgers duo of Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey joining Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe among those top prospects. The first round of the draft is June 25.

WORDS: 2131 - MOVED: 06/04/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:169bbdf65ed1f0f8661eaf2817d1bd30&mediaType=text

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HKN--STANLEY CUP

Panthers visit the Oilers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final in Edmonton

SUMMARY: The rematch Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers gets going with Game 1 on Wednesday night. The Oilers have home-ice advantage this time after starting the series at Florida a year ago. The Panthers went up 3-0 back then, lost three in a row and then won Game 7 to capture the first title in franchise history. They are four wins away from becoming the NHL’s first back-to-back champions since cross-state rival Tampa Bay in 2020 and ’21. Pittsburgh in 2016 and ’17 was the last to do it after full, 82-game seasons. With HKN--Stanley Cup-Notebook (upcoming). Will be updated. Game starts at 8 p.m. EDT.

WORDS: 404 - MOVED: 06/04/2025 5:59 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dfbf177601d207e3fb1ee5dcd1ec6b52&mediaType=text

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BKN--WHAT ABOUT DEFENSE?

In clash of offensive firepower, defense may determine who wins NBA crown, Pacers or Thunder

SUMMARY: The Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder have two of the NBA’s best offenses. But this year’s title hopes will likely swing on the other facet: Who has the better defense? While both teams made major improvements from last season’s postseason rosters, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle knows just how difficult the challenge will be against the Thunder. And Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault sees it the same way — from the opposite side. Both teams are young, rely on deep benches to wear down opponents late and feast on turnovers.

WORDS: 821 - MOVED: 06/04/2025 5:59 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d67fd6672a026c7117cbd91a8c9e2315&mediaType=text

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SOC--CHINA-POOR PLAY

A soccer mystery: Why mighty China fails at the world’s biggest sport

WORDS: 1187 - MOVED: 06/04/2025 3:56 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:128a7cbba1692e684c4bba605397294e&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

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OLY--LA2028 OLYMPICS

LOS ANGELES — International Olympic Committee coordination committee members tour select venues and check on progress for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. By Beth Harris.

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BKN--NBA FINALS

Coverage of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers, including Game 1. Game starts at 8 p.m. EDT.

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HKN--STANLEY CUP

Coverage of the Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers.