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: Text, Photo

1. WITH: BKN--TIPOFF

2. DESCRIPTION: The NBA playoff schedule on Saturday includes four games, including Pistons-Magic, Thunder-Suns, Knicks-Hawks and Nuggets-Timberwolves. By David Brandt. 600 words, photos by 3 p.m. PT.

3. UPCOMING: By 04/24/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT

4. WITH: BKN--TIMBERWOLVES-MOTIVATED MCDANIELS

5. DESCRIPTION: MINNEAPOLIS — Jaden McDaniels put himself in the spotlight by ripping Denver’s defense, but Minnesota’s sixth-year sparkplug wasn’t interested in staying there, just motivated to help the Timberwolves beat the rival Nuggets. By Dave Campbell. 500 words, photos.

6. UPCOMING: By 04/24/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT

7. WITH: BKN--THUNDER-OKLAHOMA STANDARD

8. DESCRIPTION: The connection between the Oklahoma City Thunder and their fans is based on more than sports. There is a deeper connection based on community service, care and devotion that goes beyond the basketball court. By Cliff Brunt. Text, photos. Abridged version also available.

9. SENT: By 04/24/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT

10. WITH: BKN--LAKERS-ROCKETS

11. DESCRIPTION: HOUSTON — Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets will try and crawl out of an 0-2 hole when they return home to continue their first round series against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. By Kristie Rieken. 400 words. Photos.

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

13. WITH: BKN--SPURS-TRAIL BLAZERS

14. DESCRIPTION: PORTLAND, Ore. The series between the San Antonio Spurs and the Portland Trail Blazers is even at 1-1 heading into Game 3 in Portland on Friday night with Victor Wembanyama’s status unknown for the game after he left Game 2 with a concussion. By Anne M. Peterson. With AP Photos. Game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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

16. WITH: BKN--CELTICS-76ERS

17. DESCRIPTION: Boston visits Philadelphia for Game 3 of their first-round playoff series that is knotted at 1-1. By Dan Gelston. Text, photos. 7 p.m. ET start.

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

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HKN--NHL PLAYOFFS COVERAGE

FORMATS: Text, Photo

19. WITH: HKN--OILERS-DUCKS

20. DESCRIPTION: ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Anaheim Ducks host their first Stanley Cup playoff game in eight years when the Edmonton Oilers visit Honda Center with their first-round series tied 1-1. By Greg Beacham. Text, photos. 10 p.m. ET start.

21. UPCOMING: By 04/24/2026 10:00 p.m. EDT

22. WITH: HKN--DAHLIN-ALLEN-MUTUAL ADMIRATION

23. DESCRIPTION: Rasmus Dahlin and Josh Allen arrived in Buffalo mere months apart in 2018 as foundational pieces for two franchises looking ahead to more prosperous futures. It took Dahlin much longer and the Sabres ending a 14-year playoff drought to begin feeling the love Buffalo fans had previously reserved for Allen and the Bills. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. Tex, photos.

24. SENT: By 04/24/2026 10:00 p.m. EDT

25. WITH: HKN--PLAYOFFS-PENALTY SHOT PARADE

26. DESCRIPTION: The start of the NHL playoffs has already featured more penalty shots than the last three years’ worth combined. And only 21 games have been played. The four penalty shots taken thus far in the first round is already tied for the third-most in league history. Two more would tie and three would break the record for the most in a single postseason. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

27. SENT: By 04/24/2026 10:00 p.m. EDT

28. WITH: HKN--FACEOFF

29. DESCRIPTION: The Pittsburgh Penguins against Philadelphia and the Ottawa Senators against Carolina look to avoid getting swept out of the first round of the NHL playoffs, while the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild face off in the next chapter of their highly competitive series. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

30. UPCOMING: By 04/24/2026 10:00 p.m. EDT

31. WITH: HKN--GOLDEN KNIGHTS-MAMMOTH

32. DESCRIPTION: Their first-round series tied at 1-1, Vegas visits Utah for the first home playoff game in the history of the Mammoth. By John Coon. Text, photos. 9:30 p.m. ET start.

33. UPCOMING: By 04/24/2026 10:00 p.m. EDT

34. WITH: HKN--LIGHTNING-CANADIENS

35. DESCRIPTION: The Tampa Bay Lightning visit Montreal for Game 3 of the first-round playoff series. Text, photos. Game starts 7 p.m. Eastern.

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

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BE WELL-JAPAN-RADIO EXERCISE

DESCRIPTION: Millions of people in Japan tune into the radio each morning at 6:30 to do 10 minutes of basic calisthenics set to light piano music, a tradition that dates back about 100 years. Radio Taiso, which was introduced in 1928, endures because the exercises are suitable for all ages and capabilities, and easily accessible. Japan has the world’s longest life expectancy.

UPCOMING: By 04/24/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo, Video

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GLF--ZURICH CLASSIC

DESCRIPTION: The Zurich Classic, the PGA Tour’s lone team event, enters second-round play on Friday with 29-year-old Americans Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer atop the leaderboard after tying a tournament record in the first round with a 58. Matt Fitzpatrick, ranked third in the world after his RBC Heritage victory last weekend, has joined forces with his younger brother Alex this week and that team has six strokes to make up as the format shifts to alternate shot play on Friday. By Brett Martel.

UPCOMING: By 04/24/2026 6:30 p.m. EDT, Text

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GLF--CHEVRON CHAMPIONSHIP

DESCRIPTION: HOUSTON -- Nelly Korda took a two-stroke lead into the second round of The Chevron Championship, the first women’s major tournament of the year. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. Upcoming: 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/24/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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SOC--NWSL-DASH TURNAROUND

DESCRIPTION: The theme for the Houston Dash this season is “Prove It.” So far, they seem to be doing just that.Just two seasons ago, the Dash finished last in the National Women’s Soccer League. It looked like more of the same last season, until the team appeared to click in the secon dd half under coach Fabrice Gautrat. It wasn’t quite enough to get Houston into the playoffs, but it was something to build on this season. By Anne M. Peterson. Upcoming: 600 words and photos. Upcoming: 600 words and photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/24/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBC--PENN ST-CAMPBELL’S SPRING

DESCRIPTION: STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — With a retooled roster and new staff, head coach Matt Campbell has spent his first four months laying the groundwork for what he believes can be a successful debut season in Happy Valley. For now, Campbell is perfectly content with doing it “slow and right.” By Travis Johnson. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/24/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BKC--NBA DRAFT

Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson declares for the NBA draft and is projected as a top-3 pick

SUMMARY: Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson has declared for the NBA draft, a move that had been expected ever since his arrival on campus. The high-scoring guard is likely to be among the top three picks in June. Despite showing brilliance with the Jayhawks, Peterson faced several challenges, including a severe cramping issue and other injuries that caused him to miss 11 games. He averaged 20.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in 24 games. Peterson hit his stride in the postseason, scoring 28 points against Cal Baptist in the NCAA Tournament and 21 in a loss to St. John’s. Most mock drafts have him or BYU’s A.J. Dybantsa going first overall.

WORDS: 550 - MOVED: 04/24/2026 12:49 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3a1bb1339c38d8c2901c3021cd329522&mediaType=text

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TEN--FRENCH OPEN-ALCARAZ

Reigning two-time champ Carlos Alcaraz out of French Open due to wrist injury

SUMMARY: Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz won’t attempt to defend his French Open title due to a right wrist injury. Alcaraz has posted on X on Friday that neither will he play in the preceding Italian Open in Rome where he also won last year. No. 2-ranked Alcaraz was injured at the Barcelona Open this month during his first-round win and withdrew the day after.

WORDS: 317 - MOVED: 04/24/2026 12:43 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:002362d7e9e475c98f569bd9df2034cc&mediaType=text

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SOC--MILLWALL-KU KLUX KLAN

Millwall fumes after anti-racism booklet shows its badge on a Ku Klux Klan robe

SUMMARY: An English soccer team’s attempts to shake off its rowdy reputation have been damaged by, of all things, a children’s anti-racism booklet. Millwall was blindsided by the educational pamphlet that featured the southeast London club’s badge edited onto an illustration of a Ku Klux Klan robe. The Westminster City Council has since apologized. A British lawmaker told The Associated Press that the misuse of Millwall branding is an “insult.” The team’s leading fan group says it “outraged” at the portrayal. The second-division club says it is considering legal action because the imagery creates “a false and damaging image of the club.”

WORDS: 778 - MOVED: 04/24/2026 12:31 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:25dceed3cc3a77d355992df907fff719&mediaType=text

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HKN--PLAYOFFS-PENALTY SHOT PARADE

The NHL playoffs are nearing a record for penalty shots and it’s still the first round

SUMMARY: The start of the NHL playoffs has already featured more penalty shots than the last three years combined. Through just 21 games there have been four penalty shots, which is already tied for the third-most in league history. The goaltenders stopped all of them. Two more would tie the record of six for the most in a single postseason, set in 2008. There doesn’t seem to be any specific reason for the uptick in referees calling for penalty shots rather than power plays for infractions on breakaways. But they have added a dose of excitement to a competitive first round.

WORDS: 657 - MOVED: 04/24/2026 12:23 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f4d7c2e1f3861241c2e3d6c0ce9faf25&mediaType=text

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EU-SMART GLASSES-LONDON MARATHON

AI smart glasses will help visually impaired runners take on the London Marathon

SUMMARY: Visually impaired runners in London are using AI powered smart glasses to support marathon training and everyday life. The glasses combine real time audio cues with guide runners and support tools. Experts say the technology is expanding independence but still faces limitations around reliability and should complement existing support rather than replacing it. Smart glasses use a front facing camera to capture visual input and artificial intelligence to analyze it. The information is then converted into audio delivered through speakers built into the frame.

WORDS: 893 - MOVED: 04/24/2026 12:19 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5ab4dab11759a42fef0450c7c16bfb25&mediaType=text

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BKN--THUNDER-OKLAHOMA STANDARD

From tragedy to triumph, the Thunder and their fans bond and put Oklahoma City on the world stage

SUMMARY: Isaiah Hartenstein never expected a museum visit to change his life. Before signing with Oklahoma City, Thunder GM Sam Presti took him to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. The visit inspired Hartenstein to create a documentary about the community’s resilience after the 1995 bombing. This spirit has helped the city through tornadoes and shaped the Thunder’s culture. The team has become a symbol of unity and pride. Oklahoma City’s love for basketball began with the New Orleans Hornets and grew with stars like Kevin Durant. The Thunder’s success has elevated the city’s status and fostered a deep community connection.

WORDS: 1747 - MOVED: 04/24/2026 11:49 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fbf848197c73d4a3d234da89528d9df9&mediaType=text

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GLF--RYDER CUP-FURYK

Jim Furyk is returning as US Ryder Cup captain for 2027, AP sources say

SUMMARY: The AP has learned Jim Furyk is the next U.S. Ryder Cup captain. Furyk will be the fourth American captain to get another chance dating to 1979 when Europe joined the competition. AP sources say Furyk was the choice after Tiger Woods took his name out of the mix following his March 27 arrest on suspicion of DUI in Florida. Europe has been dominating the matches for three decades. That includes last year at Bethpage Black when it built a record lead and held on for the win. Furyk was captain in a losing effort in France in 2018.

WORDS: 622 - MOVED: 04/24/2026 9:54 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6c990bb8d1b6e4b80134e17a3e1cd84a&mediaType=text

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ATH--OBIRI’S LONDON DEBUT

Hellen Obiri set for London Marathon debut after New York win, with a world record in sight

SUMMARY: Hellen Obiri is gearing up for the London Marathon, aiming at a win and possibly a world record. She has studied race footage and consulted with her coach, who has experience on the course. The decorated Kenyan runner won the New York Marathon in November in a women’s course-record time. The current world record is held by Ruth Chepng’etich, set in October 2024 at the Chicago Marathon. Obiri trained in Phoenix and the elevation of Boulder to prepare for the race. Her ultimate goal is gold at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. In addition to running, she enjoys playing basketball and watching her daughter play tennis.

WORDS: 785 - MOVED: 04/24/2026 9:54 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:71d2639c47cd3f8176664831a4800164&mediaType=text

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US--BOSTON MARATHON-HELPING RUNNERS

Man who helped fellow runner across Boston Marathon finish line says it was natural instinct to help

SUMMARY: One of two men who helped carry a fellow runner across the finish line of the Boston Marathon said he had been struggling earlier himself but drew strength from the supportive crowd. Aaron Beggs, of Northern Ireland, and Robson De Olivera, of Brazil, sprang into action Monday when Ajay Haridasse collapsed about 1,000 feet from the end of the course. Beggs also had been feeling sick and exhausted, but was reminding himself of all the people in his running club who might never get to experience such an iconic race. Beggs said he has been in touch with Haridasse and hopes to reconnect with Robson as well.

WORDS: 385 - MOVED: 04/24/2026 9:45 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7fa6d85faf00ccdd486eb470e553aeac&mediaType=text

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FBN--NFL DRAFT-PATRIOTS-VRABEL

Mike Vrabel says he takes accountability for distraction, doesn’t address specifics

SUMMARY: Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said he is taking accountability for actions that have created a distraction for New England without addressing specifics about photos published recently of him with longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort. Vrabel spoke for just over seven minutes prior to the start of Thursday’s NFL draft. He vowed to prioritize his family by beginning counseling this weekend and stepping away from the team for draft’s final day Saturday. Vrabel said at a news conference earlier this week that he’s had “difficult conversations with people I care about,” including his family, his coaching staff, team officials and players following the publication of the photos by the New York Post.

WORDS: 840 - MOVED: 04/24/2026 9:04 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4c8ca99ffac1cd5ac496bd6bb0db85ee&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-SPAIN-RACISM

Spain heads to World Cup with its image battered by cases of racism, sexism and xenophobia

SUMMARY: First came the racist abuse against Vinícius Júnior. Then the unwanted kiss by the nation’s top soccer official. And now Spain is dealing with the fallout of anti-Muslim chants during a friendly match against Egypt. Spain’s soccer image has been tarnished by incidents involving racism, sexism and xenophobia despite success on the pitch for both its men’s and women’s teams. As the World Cup approaches there are concerns about whether meaningful cultural change is happening in Spanish soccer. The nation will head for the tournament as one of the candidates for the coveted trophy, but it will also be under scrutiny as a country fighting to improve its image.

WORDS: 1181 - MOVED: 04/24/2026 8:42 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:575143c83582927027b68431fff7b2aa&mediaType=text

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FBN--NFL DRAFT

8 NFL teams are slated to make their first picks of the draft in Round 2 after a flurry of trades

SUMMARY: Eight teams are still waiting to make their first selection of the NFL draft after a chaotic opening round that featured a flurry of trades. Just 16 of the 32 first-round picks chosen Thursday night were made by the original teams that owned them. The 49ers and Bills traded out of the first round, joining the Falcons, Bengals, Packers, Broncos, Jaguars and Colts on the sideline. San Francisco is slated to kick off the second round with the first pick after making two deals to move down from 27 to 30 to 33. Buffalo made three trades, going from 26 to 28 to 31 to 35.

WORDS: 450 - MOVED: 04/24/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2be6f426e06e3fe5a28753b74453cda1&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

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BKN--NBA POSTSEASON COVERAGE

Coverage of the NBA postseason.

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HKN--NHL POSTSEASON COVERAGE

Coverage of the NHL postseason.

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SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP

Manchester City plays Southampton in the FA Cup semifinals. In the Premier League, Arsenal plays Newcastle.

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