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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FBN--NFL DRAFT-OVERACHIEVERS

DESCRIPTION: Fernando Mendoza finished his prep career four years ago in Miami as an overlooked college prospect. Now he’s on the verge of being the No. 1 overall draft pick. It seems like a wild and crazy journey, but in this year’s draft Mendoza is the face of a group of draft prospects who were just like him — under-recruited — just a few years ago. By Michael Marot. 1,000 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/20/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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HKN--SABRES-COMEBACK

DESCRIPTION: Tage Thompson and the Buffalo Sabres entered their first-round series against Boston facing a myriad of questions over their lack of playoff experience. It took them just over 52 minutes of game time to get the hang of it. Thompson scored twice as part of a four-goal surge over the final eight minutes in rallying Buffalo to a 4-3 win in Game 1. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/20/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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SOC--HUNGARY-ORBAN SIDELINED

DESCRIPTION: As Viktor Orban is set to leave power in Hungary, it could mean an uncertain future for the country’s ambitions to be a global sports powerbroker ahead of hosting the Champions League final next month.

UPCOMING: By 04/20/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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US BOSTON MARATHON

DESCRIPTION: More than 30,000 runners leave Hopkinton for the 130th Boston Marathon. 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/20/2026 11:30 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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BKN--NBA PLAYOFF COVERAGE

BKN--Tipoff — A preview of the three upcoming games in Tuesday’s matchups (76ers-Celtics; Trail Blazers-Spurs, Rockets-Lakers). By Kyle Hightower. 600 words, photos by 1 p.m. EDT.

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BKN—Raptors-Cavaliers

CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers look to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round series against the Raptors. By Joe Reedy. Game scheduled to start at 7 p.m. EDT. 500 words, photos by 10 p.m. EDT.

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BKN--Hawks-Knicks

NEW YORK — Atlanta looks to even their series against the favored Knicks when they meet in Game 2 in New York. By Brian Mahoney. Game scheduled to start at 8 p.m. EDT. 500 words, photos by 11 p.m. EDT.

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BKN--Timberwolves-Nuggets

DENVER — The Nuggets try to go up 2-0 when they host the Timberwolves in Game 2 of their series. By Arnie Stapleton. Game scheduled to start at 10:30 p.m. EDT. 500 words, photos by 12:45 a.m. EDT.

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FBN--NFL DRAFT-TIGHT ENDS

DESCRIPTION: The NFL’s trend to use more multiple tight end formation could have a big impact on the draft with teams needing more capable tight ends than ever. With colleges producing more players at the position than ever before, that could lead to an run on tight ends starting with potential first-rounder Kenyon Sadiq. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. 800 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/20/2026 2:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--BILLS-ALLEN

DESCRIPTION: Much has changed in the three months since Josh Allen last took a snap for the Buffalo Bills as the quarterback reported for the team’s offseason workout sessions. Allen has a new coach in Joe Brady, a new baby girl and is fresh off surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot. By John Wawrow. 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/20/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBC--CHEMISTRY LESSONS

DESCRIPTION: Establishing team chemistry in college football is tougher than ever now that so many players aren’t staying at the same school for four years. The challenge has caused an adjustment in the way players get ready for the season. They’re not just getting to know the playbook. They’re getting to know one another. By Steve Megargee. 950 words, with photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/20/2026 9:05 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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HKN--SENATORS-HURRICANES

DESCRIPTION: The Carolina Hurricanes go for a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series against the Ottawa Senators on Monday night. By Aaron Beard. 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/20/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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HKN--WILD-STARS

DESCRIPTION: The Dallas Stars are in a familiar position after losing the series opener, while Minnesota tries to take a 2-0 series lead for the first time ever. By Stephen Hawkins. 500 words, photos. Game starts 8:50 p.m.

UPCOMING: By 04/20/2026 11:45 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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HKN--MAMMOTH-GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Golden Knights rally past Mammoth 4-2 in Game 1 as Nic Dowd nets the winner

SUMMARY: Nic Dowd redirected Noah Hanifin’s shot from the point to put Vegas ahead at 7:20 of the third period and the Golden Knights beat the Utah Mammoth 4-2 on Sunday night in Game 1 of their first-round series. Game 2 is Tuesday night in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights, who twice trailed before scoring three third-period goals, have not lost in regulation since John Tortorella (8-0-1) took over as coach. The Mammoth lost in the franchise’s first playoff game since 2020. They are in their second season in Utah after leaving Arizona. Colton Sissons had a goal and assist for the Golden Knights and Mark Stone and Ivan Barbashev also scored. Carter Hart stopped 32 shots. Logan Cooley and Kevin Stenlund scored for the Mammoth.

WORDS: 392 - MOVED: 04/20/2026 1:41 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:20a1357896d6572c55874e17e492c583&mediaType=text

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BKN--TRAIL BLAZERS-SPURS

Wembanyama scores 35 points in playoff debut as Spurs roll past Trail Blazers 111-98

SUMMARY: Victor Wembanyama scored 35 points in his playoff debut and the San Antonio Spurs rolled to a 111-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 of their first-round Western Conference series. Wembanyama’s 21 points in the first half set an NBA record for the most in the opening half of a NBA playoff debut since the play-by-play era began in 1997. His 35 total points set a Spurs franchise record for the most in a playoff debut, surpassing Tim Duncan’s 32 in 1998. Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox each added 17 points and combined for 15 assists for San Antonio. Deni Avdija had 30 points and 10 rebounds to lead Portland.

WORDS: 485 - MOVED: 04/20/2026 1:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b423b87d219a7da1df61eba665bb2c99&mediaType=text

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GLF--RBC HERITAGE

Matt Fitzpatrick delivers another playoff winner to beat Scottie Scheffler at RBC Heritage

SUMMARY: Matt Fitzpatrick is a playoff winner at Harbour Town again with a familiar ending against an American favorite. This time it was the world’s best player he took down at the RBC Heritage. Fitzpatrick made a 13-foot birdie putt to beat Scottie Scheffler after hitting 4-iron to the tough 18th on the first extra hole. It was similar to when he hit 9-iron to inches away to beat Jordan Spieth three years ago. Scheffler shot 67 to make up a three-shot deficit over the last four holes. Fitzpatrick shot 70 after his only bogey on the 18th hole in regulation.

WORDS: 959 - MOVED: 04/20/2026 12:08 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2849c33a72efa2aec70080ec1a26c468&mediaType=text

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HKN--BRUINS-SABRES

Sabres score 4 3rd-period goals to beat the Bruins 4-3 in playoff opener

SUMMARY: Mattias Samuelson broke a tie with 3:24 left and Buffalo overcame a two-goal deficit in the final eight minutes to beat the Boston Bruins 4-3 on Sunday night in the Sabres’ first playoff game in 15 years. Tage Thompson scored goals 3:42 apart to tie it, and Alex Tuch sealed the victory by scoring into an empty net with 1:12 left in nearly blowing the roof off the arena. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 17 shots. Buffalo hosts Game 2 of the first-round series Tuesday night. The playoff win was Buffalo’s first at home — and first overall — since a 1-0 victory over Philadelphia in Game 4 of a first-round series April 20, 2011.

WORDS: 712 - MOVED: 04/19/2026 11:46 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0eb3a69685d4231c2ca1482f8778202c&mediaType=text

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GLF--LPGA TOUR

Hannah Green rallies to win the JM Eagle LA Championship for the 3rd time in 4 years

SUMMARY: Hannah Green won the JM Eagle LA Championship for the third time in first four years and the first at El Caballero, holing a 12-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole. Briefly six strokes behind Sei Young Kim on No. 11, Green closed with a 4-under 68 to match Kim and Jin Hee Im at 17-under 271. In the playoff, Green made the right-to-left breaking putt after Kim — eight strokes ahead with five holes to go in the third round — left a 35-foot birdie try short. Green also won the event in 2023 and 2024 at Wilshire Country Club. She joined Hyo Joo Kim as the only two-time winners this season on the LPGA with her fourth worldwide victory of the year.

WORDS: 644 - MOVED: 04/19/2026 11:15 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:46b6d986ecae93374f08655c83e4d362&mediaType=text

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BKN--PISTONS FLOP

Pistons open playoffs with a flop as East’s top seed, losing to 8th-seeded Magic

SUMMARY: The Detroit Pistons opened the NBA playoffs with a flop. Detroit went into the postseason as the top-seeded team in the Eastern Conference, openly talking about exceeding modest expectations and winning the franchise’s fourth championship. If the Pistons don’t play better than they did in a 112-101 loss to Orlando on Sunday night in Game 1, they might get knocked out in the first round again. Cade Cunningham scored a playoff career-high 39 points but didn’t get much help from his teammates. Detroit has lost an NBA-record 11 straight postseason home games

WORDS: 394 - MOVED: 04/19/2026 10:39 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0e8ff52a92c3d663be381ce3458f5f02&mediaType=text

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HKN--CANADIENS-LIGHTNING

Juraj Slafkovsky’s hat trick lifts Canadiens to 4-3 overtime win over the Lightning in Game 1

SUMMARY: Juraj Slafkovsky scored his third power-play goal 1:22 into overtime and the Montreal Canadiens beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 in Game 1 of their first-round series on Sunday night. Slafkovsky fired a snap shot from the left circle that beat Andrei Vasilevskiy to the far side for the hat trick. Game 2 is Tuesday night at Benchmark International Arena, where Tampa Bay has lost eight of its last nine home games in the postseason. Josh Anderson also had a goal for Montreal and rookie goalie Jakub Dobes made 20 saves. Brandon Hagel scored two goals and Darren Raddysh also scored for Tampa Bay.

WORDS: 498 - MOVED: 04/19/2026 10:00 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2064d9dbfc04960ae22854f0ab226189&mediaType=text

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BKN--MAGIC-PISTONS

Paolo Banchero scores 23 and Magic beat Pistons 112-101 to extend NBA’s longest home postseason skid

SUMMARY: Paolo Banchero had 23 points, nine rebounds and four assists to lead the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic to a 112-101 win over the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in Game 1 of their first-round series. Detroit’s loss extended the longest home playoff losing streak in NBA history. Detroit has dropped 11 straight home games in the postseason, a drought that dates to 2008. The Pistons will get another chance against Orlando on Wednesday night in Game 2. Detroit’s Cade Cunningham scored a playoff career-high 39 points and Tobias Harris added 17 for the Pistons, but the rest of their teammates were quiet offensively.

WORDS: 349 - MOVED: 04/19/2026 9:20 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a4768ca24fd61c013bf563ce642d6035&mediaType=text

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GLF--LIV GOLF-MEXICO

Jon Rahm caps wild week in Mexico with another LIV Golf win

SUMMARY: Jon Rahm has capped off a chaotic week in Mexico for LIV Golf with another victory. This one was never in doubt. He was 3 under through three holes thanks to holing out for eagle from the third fairway. He shot 64 and won by six shots over David Puig. Rahm went all of last season without a win and now has two this year. So ends a week in which the LIV Golf CEO tried to calm speculation about the future of the Saudi-backed league by saying funding was in place. Bryson DeChambeau withdrew Sunday with a sore wrist.

WORDS: 423 - MOVED: 04/19/2026 8:45 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:94b20420d885899fba2590e6ff9214d1&mediaType=text

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BKN--NBA AWARDS

It’ll be an international MVP for the NBA with Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic and Wembanyama finalists

SUMMARY: Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might be adding a couple more trophies to his collection. San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama has a shot at doing the same. And for the eighth consecutive year, the MVP will be an international one. Gilgeous-Alexander — the reigning NBA MVP — is one of the finalists for this year’s top individual honor, along with Denver’s Nikola Jokic and the Spurs’ Wembanyama, who is also a finalist for defensive player of the year.

WORDS: 804 - MOVED: 04/19/2026 8:18 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:747bfa88e4f24a80228e8415d1c94c36&mediaType=text

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ATH--BOSTON MARATHON-CROWD SCIENTIST

A crowd scientist is helping the Boston Marathon manage a growing field of 30,000-plus runners

SUMMARY: Running the Boston Marathon is tough enough without having to jostle your way from Hopkinton to Copley Square. So race organizers this year turned to an expert in crowd science to help them manage the field of more than 32,000 as it travels the 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometers) through eight Massachusetts cities and towns. Marcel Altenburg is a lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University in Britain. His specialty is helping mass events run smoothly. He said his main goal is protecting what makes the Boston Marathon special.

WORDS: 939 - MOVED: 04/19/2026 7:56 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9f58a732889270ab1571f9768efe4583&mediaType=text

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HKN--KINGS-AVALANCHE

Wedgewood sharp in net, O’Connor scores 1st goal in a year as Avs beat Kings 2-1 in Game 1

SUMMARY: Logan O’Connor scored for the first time in a year, Scott Wedgewood stopped 24 shots in his first Stanley Cup playoffs start and the top-seeded Colorado Avalanche beat the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 in Game 1 on Sunday. O’Connor’s third-period tally was his first since Game 4 of a playoff series against Dallas on April 26. He missed most of the season with a hip injury. Artturi Lehkonen had a second-period goal for the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche. Wedgewood got the nod in net over Mackenzie Blackwood after leading the league in goals-against average and save percentage. Wedgewood made four career playoff appearances in relief before Sunday’s start. Game 2 is Tuesday night in Denver.

WORDS: 568 - MOVED: 04/19/2026 7:46 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dd49e4335871fad54de0fe4f44cc9f23&mediaType=text

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BBO--SLIDING METS

Francisco Lindor defends manager Carlos Mendoza after Mets drop 11th straight game

SUMMARY: The New York Mets dropped their 11th consecutive game when closer Devin Williams blew a ninth-inning lead in a 2-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs in 10 innings. It’s the longest slide for the team since it lost 11 straight in 2004. All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor says the club has to stick together and fight. The Mets have been outscored 62-19 during the losing streak. They are batting .145 with runners in scoring position during the skid after going 0 for 9 in those situations in the series finale against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

WORDS: 635 - MOVED: 04/19/2026 7:36 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1b6e033fd76d64716a47c79cd80e6974&mediaType=text

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SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP

New favorite? Man City beats Arsenal 2-1 for huge swing in Premier League title race

SUMMARY: Manchester City has swung the Premier League title race in its favor by beating Arsenal 2-1 thanks to a second-half winner by Erling Haaland. Haaland’s league-leading 23rd goal of the campaign in the 65th minute allowed City to trim the gap to Arsenal, the long-time front-runner, to three points. City has a game in hand at Burnley on Wednesday, after which Pep Guardiola’s team could have taken over as leader. Rayan Cherki gave City the lead in the 16th minute. Arsenal equalized when Kai Havertz charged down Gianluigi Donnarumma’s clearance into the net.

WORDS: 687 - MOVED: 04/19/2026 7:04 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:03ba1321e7f2a8080314d22853f5766d&mediaType=text

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BKN--SUNS-THUNDER

Gilgeous-Alexander scores 25 as reigning champion Thunder open playoffs with 119-84 win over Suns

SUMMARY: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 25 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder began their title defense with a 119-84 rout of the Phoenix Suns in Game 1 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series. The reigning league MVP made just 5 of 18 field goals but went 15 of 17 at the foul line before sitting out the fourth quarter. Jalen Williams scored 22 points and Chet Holmgren added 16 for the top-seeded Thunder, who will host Game 2 on Wednesday. Devin Booker scored 23 points and Dillon Brooks scored 18 on 6-of-22 shooting for the Suns, who shot 34.9% from the field.

WORDS: 394 - MOVED: 04/19/2026 7:02 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:17c4a0624903b8676e3a7b160f40955f&mediaType=text

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FBN--GIANTS-BENGALS TRADE

Bengals get star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from Giants for 10th pick and extend him

SUMMARY: The Cincinnati Bengals acquired three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants for the 10th pick in next week’s NFL draft. The teams announced the deal Sunday after agreeing to it Saturday night. Cincinnati then signed Lawrence to an extension that pays him an average of $28 million through the 2028 NFL season. Lawrence asked for a trade earlier this month because he wanted a new contract. The Giants now have two picks in the top 10 in coach John Harbaugh’s first draft in charge.

WORDS: 545 - MOVED: 04/19/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a9577859bb3e341a8020fa39ac39de7d&mediaType=text

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BKN--76ERS-CELTICS

Jayson Tatum has strong return to playoffs for Celtics, who rout 76ers 123-91 in Game 1

SUMMARY: The Boston Celtics have rolled past the Philadelphia 76ers 123-91 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round matchup. Boston’s Jayson Tatum had 25 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in his first playoff game since rupturing his right Achilles tendon last season. Jaylen Brown scored 26 points and Neemias Queta added 13 for the second-seeded Celtics. Boston never trailed, building a 35-point lead as coach Joe Mazzulla gave minutes to 12 players. The Celtics connected on 16 3-pointers. Game 2 is Tuesday night in Boston. Tyrese Maxey had 21 points and eight assists for the 76ers.

WORDS: 399 - MOVED: 04/19/2026 4:57 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7b8f50d1ebe709d8da59205ffdfc7ec6&mediaType=text

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SOC--GERMAN ROUNDUP

Bayern Munich clinches another Bundesliga title with 4-2 win over Stuttgart

SUMMARY: Bayern Munich has clinched another Bundesliga title by easing to a 4-2 win over Stuttgart. The win moves Bayern an unassailable 15 points clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund with four rounds of the German league remaining. It’s Bayern’s record-extending 35th German championship including the first for the club in 1932. Every other title came after the Bundesliga’s formation in 1963. The Bundesliga is just the first in a potential treble of trophies for Bayern this season. The Bavarian powerhouse faces Bayer Leverkusen away for their German Cup semifinal on Wednesday, and then it has a two-legged Champions League semifinal tie against defending champion Paris Saint-Germain.

WORDS: 750 - MOVED: 04/19/2026 3:55 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cadfaa33abe814100d5f0bf1ba712877&mediaType=text

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BKL--FEVER-CLARK RETURNS

Caitlin Clark getting reacclimated to Fever digs as she returns to practice for training camp

SUMMARY: Caitlin Clark looked right at home inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday. She wore her favorite Indiana Fever practice gear. She stretched and ran with teammates. And she of course flashed her trademark smile. While she didn’t line up any 3-pointers during the open portion of the team’s first training camp practice, everyone knows that will be back — in time. For now, just getting back to work in her adopted hometown served as a welcome respite after she missed all but 13 games during an injury-plagued 2025 season.

WORDS: 735 - MOVED: 04/19/2026 2:45 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:651178c494d7baadc32b1fe68cbab902&mediaType=text

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SOC--MAN CITY-ARSENAL-DOZING DONNARUMMA

Donnarumma mistake gifts Arsenal goal but doesn’t cost Man City in Premier League title showdown

SUMMARY: In the end Gianluigi Donnarumma’s huge mistake didn’t cost Manchester City. City had just taken the lead through Rayan Cherki in its much-anticipated Premier League title-race showdown with Arsenal when Donnarumma received a back pass from Matheus Nunes. He took a touch but dallied on the ball and his hurried clearance was charged down into the net by Kai Havertz. City fought back to win 2-1 and swing the title race in its favor. City knew it was getting possibly the world’s best shot-stopper in signing Donnarumma. The problem with the Italy international, however, was his frailties with the ball at his feet. Donnarumma atoned for his mistake on Sunday with a crucial save against Havertz in the second half.

WORDS: 337 - MOVED: 04/19/2026 2:35 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b0cea51057d135c448ffcec7b6058aef&mediaType=text

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BBO--ROYALS-PEREZ

Salvador Perez back in Royals lineup after first day off of the season

SUMMARY: Salvador Perez was back in the lineup for the Kansas City Royals after his first day off this season and posting on social media about not needing a mental breather. Perez was the designated hitter Sunday and said things between him and manager Matt Quatraro are fine. On Saturday, Perez was given his first day off since sitting out two games last August. Quatraro described it as giving him a mental breather. On Saturday night, Perez posted on social media: “I don’t need a mental breather.”

WORDS: 451 - MOVED: 04/19/2026 1:59 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cecd3684e1cc6a6db940648352bf7377&mediaType=text