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

DESCRIPTION: PITTSBURGH — Quarterback Fernando Mendoza is expected to be the No. 1 pick by the Las Vegas Raiders when the NFL draft gets underway on Thursday night. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos. By Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi. Draft begins at 8 p.m. EDT.

— With separate stories on each of the 32 NFL teams.

UPCOMING: By 04/23/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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OLY-LA 2028-NEW CRICKET STADIUM

DESCRIPTION: A new, world-class cricket stadium broke ground at the Pomona Fairplex in Los Angeles County, set to become the permanent home of the Los Angeles Knight Riders and the primary venue for cricket during the 2028 Olympic Games. This landmark development bridges the sport’s historic roots in the region with its modern future, heralding the integration of cricket into the cultural fabric of Southern California and the U.S.

UPCOMING: By 04/23/2026 7:00 a.m. EDT, Video, Text, Photo

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US TIGER WOODS CRASH

DESCRIPTION: Golfer Tiger Woods faces a judge for an arraignment over DUI and other charges stemming from an accident in Florida last month.

UPCOMING: By 04/23/2026 10:30 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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SOC--GERMAN ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Stuttgart hosts Freiburg in the semifinals of the German Cup.

UPCOMING: By 04/23/2026 4:45 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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BBO--ABS-RISING-WALKS

DESCRIPTION: The new Automated Ball-Strike system has led to a spike in MLB’s walk rate early in the season. Currently, batters are drawing walks in 9.8% of their plate appearances, which would be the highest rate since 1950. By Baseball Writer David Brandt. 700 words, photos by 2 p.m. PT

UPCOMING: By 04/23/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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SOC--SPANISH ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: MADRID -- Third-place Villarreal visits last-place Oviedo in the Spanish league.

UPCOMING: By 04/23/2026 5:35 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKN--NBA PLAYOFF COVERAGE

BKN--TRAIL BLAZERS-SPLITTER’S SEASON

DESCRIPTION: As uncertainty about his future with the Portland Trail Blazers swirls, interim coach Tiago Splitter is approaching the job with the same positivity that has helped carry the team through a strange season and into the playoffs.By Anne M. Peterson. Upcoming: 650 words and photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/23/2026 12:00 p.m. EDT

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BKN--KNICKS-HAWKS

DESCRIPTION: The Atlanta Hawks return home for Game 3 of their playoff series against the New York Knicks after splitting the first two games in New York. By Paul Newberry. 400 words, photos. Game starts at 7 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 04/23/2026 10:00 p.m. EDT

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BKN--NUGGETS-TIMBERWOLVES

DESCRIPTION: The Minnesota Timberwolves return to their home court for Game 3 of the first-round series against the Nuggets after gaining a split in Denver. By Dave Campbell. 400 words, photos. Game starts at 9:30 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 04/23/2026 11:55 p.m. EDT

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GLF--CHEVRON CHAMPIONSHIP

DESCRIPTION: HOUSTON — The Chevron Championship gets underway, the first LPGA major of the year on its third course in five years at Memorial Park. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. Upcoming: 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/23/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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GLF--ZURICH CLASSIC

DESCRIPTION: First-round play begins Thursday in the Zurich Classic, the PGA Tour’s only team event. Top teams include brothers Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick of England, as well as Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka, and defending champions Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak.

UPCOMING: By 04/23/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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HKN--HURRICANES-SENATORS

DESCRIPTION: Carolina visits Ottawa for Game 3 of their first-round playoff series. Text, photos. Games starts 7:30 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 04/23/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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FBN--PATRIOTS-VRABEL

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel is seeking counseling and will miss Day 3 of the NFL draft, report says

SUMMARY: New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel is seeking counseling and will not be with the team for Day 3 of the NFL Draft on Saturday, following the publication of photos of the coach and longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort. According to ESPN, Vrabel said Wednesday night he will start counseling this weekend. The photos of Vrabel and Russini at a Sedona resort were taken before the annual NFL meetings that began in Phoenix on March 29, according to the New York Post, which published the photos this month. The NFL said last weekend that it is not investigating Vrabel’s behavior. Vrabel and Russini are both married. Russini resigned from The Athletic.

WORDS: 393 - MOVED: 04/23/2026 1:29 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5745bab2d82dff263d7534d7f9510701&mediaType=text

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HKN--STARS-WILD

Stars and Wild go to 2nd overtime tied at 3 past midnight in Game 3 of even series

SUMMARY: The Stars and Wild headed to double overtime in Game 3 of their spirited first-round series. Matt Duchene tied the game for Dallas on a power play midway through the third period seconds after his backcheck on Matt Boldy averted a short-handed goal that would’ve put Minnesota up by two. Mikko Rantanen and Jason Robertson scored to put the Stars up 2-0 in the first period. Marcus Johansson, Joel Eriksson Ek and Michael McCarron had goals on the Wild’s rally.

WORDS: 471 - MOVED: 04/23/2026 1:25 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a48ffc9329fa2cc6d454fdc445093766&mediaType=text

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BKN--SUNS-THUNDER

Gilgeous-Alexander scores 37 as the Thunder beat the Suns to go up 2-0 in their 1st-round series

SUMMARY: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 37 points and nine assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Phoenix Suns 120-107 to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round Western Conference playoff series. Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams each added 19 points for Oklahoma City, though Williams left the game in the third quarter with a left hamstring injury and did not return. Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 30 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter. Devin Booker scored 22 points and Jalen Green added 21 for Phoenix, which will host Game 3 on Saturday.

WORDS: 425 - MOVED: 04/23/2026 12:34 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f31485cf0cf13f2d60daf4239e433668&mediaType=text

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BBO--DODGERS-OHTANI

Shohei Ohtani’s 53-game on-base streak ends as Roberts mulls resting him more often when he pitches

SUMMARY: Shohei Ohtani’s career-best 53-game on-base streak ended on a night he pitched six scoreless innings. It’s something only Ohtani could achieve, but the two-way superstar could be having games like that a little bit less often. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made it clear he’s committed to Ohtani’s health and keeping him fresh to perform both on the mound and at the plate for the long haul. For some games, that could mean Ohtani pitches but doesn’t bat as the designated hitter — and Roberts plans to keep his options open.

WORDS: 630 - MOVED: 04/23/2026 12:28 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3dcfe254bc8b6d5ec5cf3d151fd01061&mediaType=text

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BBO--TWINS-METS

Mets stop 12-game skid with 3-2 win over Twins as Soto returns but Lindor exits with calf injury

SUMMARY: Mark Vientos blooped a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning and the New York Mets snapped their 12-game losing streak, beating the Minnesota Twins 3-2 after getting one superstar back only to see another exit with a similar injury. Juan Soto went 1 for 3 with a single and a walk in his return from a strained right calf, but shortstop Francisco Lindor was removed with left calf tightness after laboring around the bases while scoring from first on Francisco Alvarez’s go-ahead double in the fourth. Byron Buxton tied it 2-all with a leadoff homer in the sixth against Mets starter Clay Holmes.

WORDS: 394 - MOVED: 04/23/2026 12:26 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8eda306526b11b864a9fccee75006937&mediaType=text

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BBO--WHITE SOX-MURAKAMI

White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami ties MLB rookie record with HR in 5th straight game

SUMMARY: Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami tied a Major League Baseball rookie record by homering in his fifth straight game, crushing a 451-foot shot to right-center field against the Arizona Diamondbacks for his 10th homer of the season. He is the 13th rookie in MLB history to go deep in five straight. The Japanese first baseman also tied the team’s franchise record, a mark shared by A.J. Pierzynski (2012), Paul Konerko (2011), Carlos Lee (2003), Frank Thomas (twice in 1994), Ron Kittle (1983) and Greg Luzinski (1983). Murakami’s two-run homer came off Diamondbacks reliever Ryan Thompson in the seventh, cutting Arizona’s lead to 10-7.

WORDS: 170 - MOVED: 04/23/2026 12:22 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:761c99f1b95106a8b9bfd58bcfeed56c&mediaType=text

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BBO--METS-LINDOR

Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor exits game with left calf tightness, will have MRI on Thursday

SUMMARY: No sooner did the struggling New York Mets get a star player back than another one went down with a similar injury. Francisco Lindor was removed Wednesday night against the Minnesota Twins with left calf tightness, just hours after teammate Juan Soto came off the injured list. New York ended its 12-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory, but it might have come at a cost. Lindor labored around the bases while scoring from first on Francisco Alvarez’s fourth-inning double. The switch-hitting shortstop headed down the dugout tunnel with an athletic trainer and was replaced in the lineup by Brett Baty, who entered at third base in the top of the fifth. Bo Bichette slid over from third base to shortstop.

WORDS: 431 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 11:28 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1c57ceadbe2d3d1e0505a2438c9114d3&mediaType=text

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BKN--PISTONS-SLUGFEST

Pistons pound the Magic in paint and meet them at the rim to end their long home playoff win drought

SUMMARY: Ben Wallace and Rick Mahorn watched the Detroit Pistons pound the Orlando Magic in the paint and meet them at the rim in a 98-83 win that tied their first-round series at a game apiece. Wallace was a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Mahorn was an enforcer for the Bad Boys, helping the Pistons win a lot of games that looked like Wednesday’s slugfest. Top-seeded Detroit held eighth-seeded Orlando to 33% shooting and season lows in points and field goals. The Pistons forced 19 turnovers and blocked 11 shots.

WORDS: 444 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 11:25 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7695001ee3755ce1a652e69aa5e74225&mediaType=text

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BKN--MAGIC-PISTONS

Pistons beat Magic 98-83 in Game 2 to even series and end NBA’s longest home playoff losing streak

SUMMARY: Cade Cunningham had 27 points, 11 assists and six rebounds to lead the top-seeded Detroit Pistons to a 98-83 win over the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic, evening their first-round series and ending the longest home losing streak in NBA playoff history. The Pistons had lost 11 straight home postseason games, a drought that started in 2008. Game 3 is Saturday in Orlando. Detroit dominated the third quarter, turning a tie game into a rout by outscoring the Magic 38-16 in the period with six players scoring at least five points. Jalen Suggs scored 19 points and Paolo Banchero had 18 for the Magic.

WORDS: 381 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 11:10 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:75399d736af55eb2251e6f90266de896&mediaType=text

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BKN--TIPOFF

T-wolves are getting the superstar energy they need from Edwards in a tight series with the Nuggets

SUMMARY: The Minnesota Timberwolves are getting the superstar energy they need from Anthony Edwards in their first-round series against the Denver Nuggets. Minnesota hosts Game 3 after rallying from a 19-point deficit to beat Denver in Game 2 and even the series. Edwards has been playing through knee pain and providing steady leadership as well as production on both ends. The other Game 3s on Thursday are New York at Atlanta and Cleveland at Toronto. The Hawks and Knicks are tied 1-1. The Cavaliers lead 2-0 and have tied an NBA record with 12 straight playoff wins over the Raptors.

WORDS: 958 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 8:48 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:acf16221b867be68e7afbc3bab94133d&mediaType=text

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US -- BOSTON MARATHON-HELPING RUNNERS

Runners were struggling to finish Boston Marathon when competitors came along and helped them across

SUMMARY: Ajay Haridasse was close to finishing the Boston Marathon when his legs gave out. As he struggled to get up, two other runners came along, lifted him up and helped him across the finish line. The dramatic events unfolded at Monday’s running of the iconic race. As scores of runners passed Haridasse, his fellow competitors Robson De Oliveira of Brazil and Aaron Beggs of Britain stopped and helped him up and assisted to end of the race. A similar scene played out when runner Lan Nguyen of Washington, D.C., struggled toward the finish. Fellow racers Jessica Kier of Snohomish, Washington, Meredith Rosenberg of Boston and William Bara-Jimenez of Bethesda, Maryland, helped her to the finish — at one point carrying her part of the way.

WORDS: 579 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 8:47 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0ba28a6acfd6fe1ded325050795f47d6&mediaType=text

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FBN--NFL-FCC MEETING

The NFL has met with the FCC as the league faces scrutiny from regulators

SUMMARY: The National Football League has met with the Federal Communications Commission as the league faces scrutiny from federal regulators. League officials requested the meeting, which took place last Friday in Washington. The FCC recently sought public comments on the ongoing shift of live sports from broadcast channels to streaming services. As of Wednesday, nearly 8,700 comments have been logged. The NFL is not alone in creating packages for streamers. Its standing as the most popular league and the revenue it receives from media rights, however, put it front and center in a changing landscape.

WORDS: 551 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 8:20 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:84ef6de89c2bf235f11e70932a8a60bf&mediaType=text

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BBO--MARINERS-GILBERT

Line drive gets lodged in Mariners pitcher Logan Gilbert’s jersey

SUMMARY: Seattle Mariners starter Logan Gilbert can thank his jersey for stopping at least one earned run Wednesday. With a runner on third in the first inning of the Mariners’ 5-4 victory over the Athletics, Carlos Cortes belted a line drive at the Seattle right-hander and the ball somehow lodged in Gilbert’s jersey. Gilbert grabbed at his stomach and turned to locate the ball as Cortes made his way down the first-base line, only to find he in fact caught it in his shirt. Cortes was credited with a single as the play was considered dead, but Nick Kurtz remained at third base. Shea Langeliers advanced to second base.

WORDS: 397 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 8:20 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c841c1199098f10956a14abef8c5dba3&mediaType=text

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BKN--NBA-SIXTH MAN

Spurs’ Keldon Johnson honored as NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year, topping Jaquez, Hardaway

SUMMARY: Keldon Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs has been honored as the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year. Johnson played in all 82 games, all off the bench, becoming only the second NBA player in the last decade to do that. He also became the first Spurs player to score 1,000 points as a reserve in a season. Johnson got 64 first-place votes from a media panel, topping Miami’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Denver’s Tim Hardaway Jr. It’s the first individual NBA award for Johnson, who was part of the U.S. Olympic team that won gold at the Tokyo Games in 2021.

WORDS: 718 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 6:33 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b4924adcdde9cbf28b3aceb7160d2142&mediaType=text

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BBO--PADRES-GIOLITO

Right-hander Lucas Giolito agrees to deal with Padres for just under $2.8 million

SUMMARY: Right-hander Lucas Giolito and the San Diego Padres have agreed to a one-year contract guaranteeing just under $2.8 million, bolstering the surging club’s injury-plagued rotation with the top starter left on the free agent market. Giolito is guaranteed $2,775,401 in the deal, which includes a 2027 mutual option. A Southern California native, the 31-year-old went 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA over 26 starts last year for the Boston Red Sox, bouncing back solidly after missing the 2024 season because his right ulnar collateral ligament was repaired with an internal brace that March.

WORDS: 829 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 6:26 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8034dbcc16f3d825a0469c68b79b1ae4&mediaType=text

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BBO--ASTROS-AWESOME ALVAREZ

Astros’ Yordan Alvarez leads MLB with 11 homers and one teammate is comparing him to Barry Bonds

SUMMARY: Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros leads the majors in homers and several other offensive categories. Teammate Carlos Correa is even comparing him to Barry Bonds. Alvarez hit his 11th homer on Wednesday, a two-run shot in the first inning that sent the Astros to a 2-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians. Correa says Alvarez reminds him of Bonds because he rarely swings and misses, walks a lot and rarely strikes out. Alvarez went 3 for 4 on Wednesday and looked almost stunned when he finally made an out in his last at-bat.

WORDS: 653 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 6:03 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a91dcf60beba6514286e9da750ba4e61&mediaType=text

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US--ALABAMA-COACH SALARIES

Alabama rewards Kalen DeBoer and Nate Oats with raises and contract extensions

SUMMARY: Alabama has rewarded football coach Kalen DeBoer and men’s basketball coach Nate Oats for getting their teams to the postseason. DeBoer is getting a $2 million raise — up to $12.5 million — and a two-year contract extension after leading the Crimson Tide to the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff, where Alabama lost to eventual national champion Indiana. Oats is getting a $1.2 million raise — up to $7.2 million — and a two-year contract extension after leading Alabama to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16, where the Crimson Tide lost to eventual national champion Michigan. Alabama announced both deals during a board of trustees meeting.

WORDS: 383 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 5:47 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0419aa94b05813bfdb175b62dd58d351&mediaType=text

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SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP

Man City top of Premier League as Haaland’s winner relegates Burnley

SUMMARY: Manchester City has completed its ominous, late-season rise to the top of the Premier League. City beat Burnley 1-0 thanks to Erling Haaland’s fifth-minute goal and ended Arsenal’s 200-day stay in first place. The result condemned American-owned Burnley to relegation after one season back in the top flight. With goal difference potentially coming into play, City might regret not putting more past Burnley at Turf Moor. Winning by a one-goal margin left City and Arsenal tied on 70 points and with both on a goal difference of +37. City only leads courtesy of more goals scored, 66 to Arsenal’s 63.

WORDS: 449 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 5:45 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4c742810def32bb262fa0fe945c0dd7b&mediaType=text

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FBN--COWBOYS-PICKENS

Cowboys plan for George Pickens to play on franchise tag in 2026 without long-term deal

SUMMARY: The Dallas Cowboys say they are planning for George Pickens to play on the franchise tag this year and won’t negotiate with the star receiver or his agent on a long-term contract. Executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones says communication with Pickens has been good. Pickens hasn’t signed the one-year deal with $27.3 million. That means he can’t be fined for not attending mandatory offseason workouts. Pickens was acquired last offseason in a trade with Pittsburgh. He had career highs in catches, yards receiving and touchdowns.

WORDS: 833 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 5:43 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b8a93169037ce03cd13ed87e7f3a5645&mediaType=text

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FBN--COWBOYS-CLINTON

Jerry Jones shares a moment with old friend Bill Clinton as Cowboys prep for NFL draft

SUMMARY: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had an old friend drop by on the final day of preparations for the NFL draft: former President Bill Clinton. The pair with deep Arkansas roots shared a few thoughts and laughs with reporters at the Cowboys’ annual pre-draft news conference. Jones gave the room a brief scare when he stumbled trying to step off the stage to join Clinton. Once Jones steadied himself, the focus was squarely on the 42nd U.S. president and the man who also carries the titles of president and general manager of the Cowboys.

WORDS: 508 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 5:35 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:06d3f5abf14bfb28c5278bc514c1797c&mediaType=text

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FBN--NFL DRAFT

The NFL draft is the light at the end of the tunnel for many. No wonder Pittsburgh is a fitting host

SUMMARY: The NFL draft is set to transform downtown Pittsburgh this weekend, with hundreds of thousands expected to take in the spectacle. Over a dozen prospects will be there to walk the red carpet before the first round, hoping to hear their name called by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the consensus top overall pick, will watch from back home in Florida. Pittsburgh is hoping to use the draft as a way to showcase that the city has evolved considerably from its roots as one of the world’s foremost producers of steel.

WORDS: 1151 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 5:07 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5db3490140ca737ff6412718ac70259a&mediaType=text

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HKN--FACEOFF

Sabres power play goes ice-cold again as series against the Bruins shifts to Boston for Game 3

SUMMARY: The Sabres haven’t been able to push the Bruins around on the ice. What’s worse, Buffalo hasn’t been able to take advantage of their power plays when Boston pushes back. The Sabres are 0-for-9 with a man advantage in the first two games of the chippy playoff series against the Bruins, which is tied 1-1 as it shifts to Boston for Game 3. That’s after finishing the season without scoring on their last 22 power plays over the final seven games. Other NHL playoff games on tap for Thursday night are the Hurricanes at the Senators, and the Avalanche at the Kings.

WORDS: 1054 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 4:25 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dbfc83a7a3e4d856e3a217c229cf96f3&mediaType=text

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SOC--US-ADAMS

Tyler Adams says US knows ahead of World Cup it’s been a while `since we’ve knocked off a big boy’

SUMMARY: Tyler Adams acknowledges the U.S. soccer team’s struggles against European opponents as they prepare to co-host the World Cup. The team has lost eight straight games against European teams. Adams, who missed recent losses to Belgium and Portugal, believes the Americans need to find their character to succeed. He aims to match past achievements, like reaching the 2002 quarterfinals. Coach Mauricio Pochettino will announce the roster on May 26. Adams emphasizes teamwork and adapting to new tactics. Despite injuries, he remains optimistic about his role and the team’s potential.

WORDS: 1019 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 3:56 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ddb0f3fa6ba32b8604729f62c67b1048&mediaType=text

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HKN--AVALANCHE-ANY STYLE

Adaptable Avalanche take 2-0 series lead to LA as Kings smother Colorado’s high-powered attack

SUMMARY: Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche are feeling a bit stifled in the playoffs. Known for their speed and scoring, they haven’t fully displayed it against the Los Angeles Kings. Despite this, the Avalanche lead the first-round series 2-0, with both wins coming in 2-1 games. MacKinnon emphasizes the importance of staying positive and focused. Colorado led the league in goals and shots per game during the regular season. The Kings, however, are comfortable with their grind-it-out style. Colorado’s power play has struggled, going 0 for 7. Game 3 is Thursday night in Los Angeles.

WORDS: 724 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 3:53 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2249668b26dc91f25be79ce77f02e8d5&mediaType=text

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BBO--ROYALS-STADIUM

Royals will build a $1.9B downtown KC ballpark as part of a $3B project with Hallmark Cards

SUMMARY: The Kansas City Royals are moving from Kauffman Stadium to downtown Crown Center. They’re partnering with Hallmark Cards on a $3 billion project featuring a new, $1.9 billion ballpark. Royals owner John Sherman and Hallmark chairman Don Hall Jr. announced the plan Wednesday. The stadium will break ground next year. Two-thirds of the funding is private with the rest coming from public sources, such as state and local government. Missouri’s contribution comes from a law authorizing bonds for stadium costs. The Royals plan to leave Kauffman Stadium when their lease expires in 2031. The new ballpark aims to create a modern experience in the heart of the city.

WORDS: 850 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 3:51 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:01d257d5d3a4ee00cb9fecc790ece36a&mediaType=text

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GLF--CHEVRON CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

LPGA is keeping with tradition at the first major. But it’s a pool, not a pond in Houston

SUMMARY: The LPGA is trying to stick with tradition at the first major of the year. The Chevron Championship starts Thursday at Memorial Park in Houston. It doesn’t have water on the 18th hole. That’s important because this major is famous for the winner taking a plunge. That’s how it was in the California desert before moving to Houston a few years ago. Officials have built a small pool by the 18th green. Nelly Korda is among the favorites. She’s played in the final group in all four of her tournaments this year. Jeeno Thitikul is aiming for her first major.

WORDS: 934 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 3:07 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:88cb19140a0ea1715fb6c3e7ce86e8a1&mediaType=text

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BKN--76ERS-EDGECOMBE

With a wink, 76ers rookie V.J. Edgecombe has quickly found his playoff footing

SUMMARY: 76ers rookie V.J. Edgecombe marked his arrival in the NBA by scoring the third-most points for an NBA player in his first game. He capped his second career playoff game by becoming the first rookie to record at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in a playoff game since Tim Duncan did it nearly 30 years ago. For Edgecombe it is the culmination of a season in which he says he’s learned not to overthink things or put extra pressure on himself. His efforts helped Philadelphia beat the Celtics in Game 2 of their opening-round playoff series to tie it at a game apiece.

WORDS: 684 - MOVED: 04/22/2026 2:29 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7e4f64a903c2b86e9610292754b77355&mediaType=text