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--INSIDE THE NUMBERS

DESCRIPTION: Fernando Mendoza is set to be the No. 1 pick of the draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. Whether any Ty Simpson or other quarterback gets taken in the first round remains an open question. There have only been two drafts in the past 24 years that featured only one first-round quarterback. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. 900 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/22/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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SOC--US-ADAMS

DESCRIPTION: Tyler Adams watched from afar as the U.S. lost friendlies to Belgium and Portugal, calling it “maybe a little bit of a wakeup call” and adds “it’s been a while, I feel like, since we’ve knocked off a big boy. I think we need to try and find that in our character and I think that we will.” By Ronald Blum. 500 words, photos, by 2 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 04/22/2026 2:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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HKN--KRAKEN-BOTTERILL

DESCRIPTION: SEATTLE -- After a third straight season without a Stanley Cup playoff appearance, general manager Jason Botterill will address reporters about myriad topics, including an “internal audit” to evaluate ways that the team can improve. By Andrew Destin. 750 words. Photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/22/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBC--BIG 12 SPRING WRAP

FORMATS: Text, Photo

1. WITH: FBC--BIG 12 SPRING WRAP-PLAYERS TO WATCH

2. DESCRIPTION: A player from each Big 12 team to watch going into the fall.

3. UPCOMING: By 04/22/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT

4. WITH: FBC--BIG 12 SPRING WRAP

5. DESCRIPTION: Collin Klein was part of Big 12 titles at Kansas State as a quarterback and then an assistant coach. He’s now back home as the head coach of the Wildcats. He’s one of four new coaches in the Big 12. By Stephen Hawkins. 750 words, photos.

6. UPCOMING: By 04/22/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT

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SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Manchester City can replace Arsenal atop the Premier League by beating Burnley. Arsenal has been in first place for the last 200 days. By Steve Douglas. 400 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/22/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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SOC--FRENCH ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Ligue 1 leader Paris Saint-Germain faces Nantes and Strasbourg plays Nice for a place in the French Cup final.

UPCOMING: By 04/22/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--NFL DRAFT

DESCRIPTION: The NFL draft descends on Pittsburgh on Thursday. While the football-mad city has pulled out all the stops, likely top overall pick Fernando Mendoza won’t take part in person. By National Writer Will Graves. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/22/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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BKN--NBA PLAYOFF COVERAGE

FORMATS: Text, Photo

7. WITH: BKN--NBA PLAYOFF COVERAGE

8. DESCRIPTION: Coverage of the first round of the NBA playoffs

9. UPCOMING: By 04/22/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT

10. WITH: BKN--MAGIC-PISTONS

11. DESCRIPTION: The Detroit Pistons host the Orlando Magic in Game 2, shooting to tie the first-round series. By Larry Lage. 400 words, photos, more on merits. Game starts 7 p.m. ET.

12. UPCOMING: By 04/22/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT

13. WITH: BKN--TIPOFF

14. DESCRIPTION: Anthony Edwards is giving the Minnesota Timberwolves grit and leadership beyond his growing skill set, with their first-round series shifting home after a split in Denver with the Nuggets. By Dave Campbell. 700 words, photos.

15. UPCOMING: By 04/22/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT

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BBO--TWINS-METS

DESCRIPTION: Star slugger Juan Soto is expected to come off the injured list as the reeling New York Mets try to stop a 12-game losing streak when they host the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field. New York hasn’t dropped 13 straight since August 1982. By Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick. 300 words, with photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/22/2026 10:10 p.m. EDT, Text

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HKN--NHL PLAYOFFS COVERAGE

FORMATS: Text, Photo

16. WITH: HKN--DUCKS-OILERS

17. DESCRIPTION: Anaheim visits Edmonton for Game 2 of their first-round NHL playoff series. Game starts 10 p.m. Eastern. Text, photos.

18. UPCOMING: By 04/22/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT

19. WITH: HKN--MAMMOTH-EXCITED COMMUNITY

20. DESCRIPTION: Salt Lake City prepares to host its first NHL playoffs game when the Utah Mammoth host the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday night. The Delta Center figures to be electric for a fan base that just got this team from Arizona two years ago.

21. UPCOMING: By 04/22/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT

22. WITH: HKN--STARS-WILD

23. DESCRIPTION: The Stars and Wild stage Game 3 in Minnesota with their first-round series tied after a split in Dallas. By Dave Campbell. Text, photos. 9:30 p.m. ET start.

24. UPCOMING: By 04/22/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT

25. WITH: HKN--FACEOFF

26. DESCRIPTION: A look at Thursday’s NHL playoff games. By Jimmy Golen. 600 words.

27. UPCOMING: By 04/22/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BKN--ROCKETS-LAKERS

LeBron scores 28, leads short-handed Lakers past Durant’s Rockets again 101-94 for 2-0 series lead

SUMMARY: LeBron James had 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers outlasted the Houston Rockets for a 101-94 victory and a stunning 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series. Marcus Smart had 25 points and seven assists for the Lakers, who have twice overcome the absences of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves with a team effort led by the 41-year-old James. Los Angeles did it again in Game 2 despite the return of Kevin Durant, who scored just three of his 23 points in the second half against the Lakers’ tenacious defense.

WORDS: 450 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 1:35 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7cd1288a121a6eaa258bee74111c0c65&mediaType=text

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BBO--METS-FANS

Mets fans mostly stay home but fill Citi Field with late boos as New York’s skid hits 12 games

SUMMARY: The flailing Mets returned home Tuesday to a quieter reception than manager Carlos Mendoza and players anticipated with the club trying to snap an 11-game losing streak. The tone changed once it became clear the skid was going to last at least another night. Embattled closer Devin Williams allowed a tiebreaking RBI single to Luke Keaschall in the ninth inning and New York lost its 12th straight, falling 5-3 to the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night. The Mets have the worst record in the majors at 7-16. The skid is their longest since they dropped 12 straight from Aug. 10-23, 2002.

WORDS: 721 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 12:39 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1ce1a1a74a66a007854880a0c155f4ea&mediaType=text

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HKN--CANADIENS-LIGHTNING

Moser scores in OT as Lightning beat Canadiens 3-2 in Game 2 and tie first-round series

SUMMARY: J.J. Moser scored 12:48 into overtime to give the Tampa Bay Lightning a 3-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night, tying the first-round playoff series at 1-1. The series shifts to Montreal for two games, with Game 3 set for Friday night. Game 4 is Sunday. Brandon Hagel had a Gordie Howe hat trick with a goal, assist and a fight, and teammate Nikita Kucherov also scored for Tampa Bay. Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 25 shots. Lane Hutson and Josh Anderson scored for the Canadiens. Jakub Dobes finished with 31 saves.

WORDS: 553 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 12:12 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:54d4f78a03a8c6c4c12628b444c9f8ed&mediaType=text

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HKN--KINGS-AVALANCHE-BROKEN GLASS

Kings interim coach D.J. Smith hit by shattered glass as panel breaks behind LA bench in Game 2

SUMMARY: Los Angeles interim coach D.J. Smith quickly ducked when shattered glass fell on him after a pane broke behind the Kings bench Tuesday night in Game 3 against Colorado. It happened right after Quinton Byfield was stopped on a penalty shot by Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood with 16:48 remaining in the second period. The glass began to sway as fans pounded on it in excitement and then gave way, with pieces raining on Smith. He covered his head and then brushed the glass off his suit before heading down the tunnel to the locker room. He returned a few minutes later. The Avalanche cleanup crew brought out shovels and buckets to clean up the fragments from the LA bench.

WORDS: 212 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 12:04 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b5786b457042f23c9e99b22652d51709&mediaType=text

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LT--MEXICO-WORLD CUP-SECURITY

Mexico to beef up security at tourist sites after shooting at pyramids in lead up to World Cup

SUMMARY: Mexico’s government is boosting security at tourist sites in preparation for the World Cup after a man opened fire at the Teotihuacan pyramids. The Monday shooting killed a Canadian tourist and injured a dozen others. This incident comes less than two months before the FIFA World Cup, which Mexico will co-host. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the attack was isolated and acknowledged security gaps at the site. Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch announced increased National Guard presence and enhanced surveillance. Despite security improvements, concerns remain about violence during the tournament. FIFA expressed confidence in Mexico’s ability to host safely.

WORDS: 850 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 12:01 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:42a151e52f5c177284027948744162b6&mediaType=text

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BKN--SPURS-WEMBANYAMA INJURED

Victor Wembanyama has a concussion after falling face-first to court in loss to Blazers

SUMMARY: San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama has a concussion. Wembanyama tumbled face-first to the court and exited in the second quarter of Tuesday night’s playoff loss to Portland and was placed in the NBA’s concussion protocol. Any extended absence by Wembanyama would be a massive blow to San Antonio, which finished with the league’s second-best record behind the versatile 7-foot-4 center from France. Under league guidelines, a player in the concussion protocol must have at least 48 hours of inactivity and recovery and then hit several benchmarks before returning to play.

WORDS: 584 - MOVED: 04/21/2026 11:23 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a85e3c12a201e603eb8d521c42b1227b&mediaType=text

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BKN--76ERS-CELTICS

Edgecombe, Maxey have big scoring nights, 76ers beat Celtics 111-97 to tie first-round series

SUMMARY: V.J. Edgecombe had 30 points and 10 rebounds while playing through pain after taking a hard fall early in the game, Tyrese Maxey scored 29 points and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Boston Celtics 111-97 on Tuesday night to tie their playoff series at one game apiece. Edgecombe connected on six of the 76ers’ 19 3-pointers. Maxey also had nine assists as Philadelphia bounced back after getting blown out 123-91 in Game 1. The series shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Friday. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 36 points. Jayson Tatum added 19 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists.

WORDS: 524 - MOVED: 04/21/2026 10:42 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5b31fa2618f87b93206ee74a190f98ed&mediaType=text

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SOC--ARGENTINA-MARADONA TRIAL

Maradona’s daughter assails doctor in negligence trial over soccer great’s death

SUMMARY: One of Diego Maradona’s daughters lashed out at neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, who was considered her father’s primary physician at the time of his death, during a negligence trial Tuesday. Gianinna Maradona testified in the trial of seven medical professionals accused of negligence her father’s death in 2020. She says “I heard on television that he said he wasn’t his doctor, and it makes me very angry that he won’t take responsibility.” Luque and six others are standing a new trial because last May the court declared a mistrial after Julieta Makintach, one of the original three presiding judges, stepped down over criticism about her participation in a documentary on the case.

WORDS: 308 - MOVED: 04/21/2026 7:26 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2472b23eae763d13a61ab3211e3a6571&mediaType=text

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US--TRUMP-COLLEGE SPORTS

Trump renews his call for Congress to intervene and pass legislation to control college sports

SUMMARY: President Donald Trump repeated his call for Congress to pass legislation that would rein in college sports at a time athletes are allowed to move freely from school to school and command salaries that put athletic departments in financial peril. Trump’s remarks came at a White House event honoring some 100 athletes from seven teams that won NCAA championships in 2025. Trump this month signed an executive order that would limit eligibility to five years, allow one transfer without penalty for undergraduates, stop pay-for-play schemes and build in protections for women’s and Olympic sports.

WORDS: 447 - MOVED: 04/21/2026 7:05 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ab7b5284fc9dc9dc6c292a29066dd005&mediaType=text

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BKN--NBA-CLUTCH PLAYER

Gilgeous-Alexander wins NBA’s Clutch Player of Year award in landslide, topping Murray, Edwards

SUMMARY: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s trophy haul keeps growing. Gilgeous-Alexander — the Oklahoma City guard who is the reigning MVP and reigning NBA Finals MVP — is the Clutch Player of the Year award winner for this season, the NBA announced Tuesday. It’s the first of what could be several awards for Gilgeous-Alexander in the coming weeks. He’s the heavy favorite to win a second straight MVP trophy — and because he’s a finalist there, he’s also a lock to make the All-NBA team for a fourth straight year.

WORDS: 786 - MOVED: 04/21/2026 6:43 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f6ef9bff5bf88927967852b4f2bf8a5c&mediaType=text

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US--PREDICTION MARKETS

New York sues Coinbase and Gemini, seeking to halt unlicensed prediction market businesses

SUMMARY: New York is suing Coinbase and Gemini over unregulated and unlicensed prediction market platforms that the state contends are illegal gambling operations. Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit was filed Tuesday in state court in Manhattan. James is seeking to bar the companies’ platforms from operating in the state unless and until they obtain licenses from the state Gaming Commission. Messages seeking comment were left for Coinbase and Gemini. Both companies began as cryptocurrency trading platforms before branching into the prediction space, which has been dominated by Kalshi and Polymarket.

WORDS: 636 - MOVED: 04/21/2026 6:21 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:25fa0db90266f4ecf9523cbcc759e692&mediaType=text

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US--STANFORD-CHAMPIONSHIP RUN

Stanford’s sports teams capture an NCAA championship for a 50th straight year

SUMMARY: Dick Gould has been around Stanford sports long enough as a tennis player and coach — a remarkable run of seven decades — that he clearly remembers some down years for the university’s sports programs. He heard the excuses by coaches and student-athletes back in the day of “we just can’t win at Stanford, you can’t be smart and be an athlete.” That’s what makes the current streak of success on the national stage extra special for the retired, longtime tennis coach — Stanford just captured an NCAA championship for a 50th consecutive year.

WORDS: 627 - MOVED: 04/21/2026 3:25 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9a2a04b9db4d4f797753975dc2a15fd0&mediaType=text

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FBN--NFL DRAFT-LATINO PROSPECTS

Fernando Mendoza, Diego Pavia, KC Concepcion headline long list of Latino prospects in NFL draft

SUMMARY: Fernando Mendoza and Diego Pavia pulled off an unprecedented double at the Heisman Trophy ceremony in December. It marked the first time in the history of the prestigious award that two Latino players were finalists. Even more notable: Mendoza, of Indiana, joined Jim Plunkett and Bryce Young as just the third Latino to win the trophy while Pavia, of Vanderbilt, was the runner-up. Now with NFL draft weekend almost here, the two quarterbacks headline a group of Latino prospects hoping to hear their names called by Saturday. So are players such as former Texas A&M receiver KC Concepcion and former Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.

WORDS: 1123 - MOVED: 04/21/2026 2:25 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:710d5277ffcc9066048e4ca2816c61d6&mediaType=text

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FBN--PATRIOTS-VRABEL

Mike Vrabel says he’s had difficult conversations after publication of photos with NFL reporter

SUMMARY: Mike Vrabel said Tuesday that he’s had “difficult conversations with people I care about,” including his family, his coaching staff and players, following the publication of photos of the Patriots coach and longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort. The photos were of Vrabel and Russini at a Sedona resort and were taken before the annual NFL meetings that began in Phoenix on March 29, according to the New York Post, which published the photos. Vrabel and Russini, who are both married, released written statements to the Post after the publication of the story downplaying what the photos depict. But Russini resigned from The Athletic less than a week later after the Post’s report prompted an internal investigation at The New York Times-owned sports outlet.

WORDS: 663 - MOVED: 04/21/2026 1:52 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f14287cb770c548420e33844a9a2c9f9&mediaType=text

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